Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 119

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Third-rate Martial Arts Family, Greatest Under Heaven – Episode 119
After arriving at the Manmok Bureau in Huangshan, southern Anhui, and placing a commission request.
The carriage carrying Yang Hwi and Adu raced down the broad road stretching toward Zhejiang Province without hesitation.
“Hehehehe.”
“You’re that happy about it?”
“Yeah!”
Adu grinned widely while caressing the wooden Buddha statue that fit perfectly in his palm.
If he was that pleased, he should have carried it from the start. There must be plenty of skilled carpenters in Songshan where Shaolin is located.
“Getting so worked up over a single wooden carving. Don’t you know ‘all dharmas are created by the mind’? Everything depends on one’s heart.”
In Yang Hwi’s own hand rested a beautiful wooden sculpture as well.
Creating a street of considerable scale, even by the standards of Nanchang, the provincial capital of a major prefecture.
Needless to say, the commission fee was an enormous sum.
“A patron has arrived!”
“Welcome, sir!”
“If you entrust all the work to our main bureau, we shall accommodate every condition!”
I spent two days at the Manmok Bureau negotiating the terms of the commission.
During that time, Adu and I received treatment befitting an emperor.
Using my natural gift for persuasion to win their favor, I even managed to extract numerous wooden carvings as gifts.
‘If I’d known he’d be this delighted, I should have bought him one long ago.’
I’d always thought he was a fake monk since he only cared about food and barely recited sutras, occasionally just muttering “Namo Amitabha” or similar.
“Be honest. You’re planning to sell the Buddha statue for rice cakes later when you get hungry, aren’t you?”
“What?”
As I spoke bluntly, contrary to my true thoughts, Adu puffed out his cheeks.
“Yang Hwi. Do you want to go to hell? You’ll end up there at this rate.”
“A monk who doesn’t save sentient beings but says such things—what good is he?”
“Belief brings blessings. Disbelief leads to hell! Disbelief leads to hell! You’re bound for hell, Namo Amitabha.”
“…This bastard.”
Several days passed as we exchanged such pointless banter and I teased Adu.
The carriage, having raced without pause, arrived in Hangzhou.
Hangzhou.
The provincial capital of Zhejiang, located at the easternmost point of the Central Plains.
As people say, the paradise of the mortal realm.
An exclamation of wonder burst from Adu’s mouth, his eyes wide with amazement.
“Wow!”
“Quite magnificent, isn’t it?”
“Yeah! All the buildings are as tall as mountains!”
I chuckled softly, gazing at the whale-backed pavilions densely packed throughout Hangzhou’s marketplace.
If Kaifeng is the greatest city under heaven, then Hangzhou is the most splendid.
Even the famous Su Dongpo and Bai Juyi left poems celebrating Hangzhou’s beauty.
“Let’s eat first. I’m hungry.”
“Food! Excellent!”
Let me think. Which inn would have the best meal?
When I came to Hangzhou in my past life… ah.
‘Now that I think about it, there’s one more benefit I can gain in Hangzhou.’
I lifted the corners of my mouth into a smile and called out.
“If I’ve come to Hangzhou, I must see West Lake first! Let’s go!”
West Lake—a body of water so vast it could be counted among the greatest in all of the Central Plains, and boasting scenery of unparalleled beauty.
West Lake was Hangzhou’s most celebrated landmark.
I urged the carriage toward the shores of West Lake.
The splendid streets stretched endlessly before us.
When night fell, this entire district would transform into a city of eternal light.
“Young Master! Are you not hungry?”
“Will you not taste the cuisine prepared by Hangzhou’s ten greatest innkeepers? Come to our Tiansheng Tower!”
“Hehe! Before filling your belly, feast your eyes first! Beautiful courtesans of peerless grace await you, Young Master… Oh, there’s a monk as well….”
As we drew closer to West Lake, touts and innkeepers began their pitches in earnest.
It was only natural, given that the lakeside was the most bustling district in all of Hangzhou.
“Young Master! This way! Over here! Our Chaosung Tower even has an open space to park your carriage!”
I surveyed those clinging to us, then cast my gaze toward a more distant figure.
Though their sales pitch was smooth, my experience was far too extensive to fall for their tactics.
“Boy. Aren’t you hungry?”
The Beggar Boy, who had been sitting in a secluded spot sucking on his fingers, startled at being called.
“Y-Young Master. I am fine, sir.”
Even as he said this, the Beggar Boy’s gaze remained fixed on the sword hanging from my waist.
It seemed the beggar had refrained from begging precisely because I wore a sword—apparently too intimidated to ask.
“Fine, is it? You clearly haven’t eaten. Tell me of one quiet inn with good food, and I’ll give you a silver tael.”
The Beggar Boy’s eyes widened like lanterns.
A silver tael was a fortune that an ordinary laborer would need to work an entire day to earn.
It was far too generous a reward for merely speaking a few words.
“But there are so many touts here… why ask me….”
“Because beggars truly know where the best food is.”
“That’s true, ah, no… I’ll show you an inn, sir.”
“Well then, lead the way. I wish to taste the delicacies that Su Dongpo favored—take me to a place that excels at Dongpo Pork!”
Dongpo Pork—a dish of braised pork, named after the great Su Dongpo himself.
‘Su Dongpo… a literary master counted among the Eight Great Writers of the Tang and Song, worthy of being called the finest in all ages.’
The fact that a dish enjoyed throughout the Central Plains bears his name speaks volumes of his renown.
The boy’s face brightened slightly.
“Ah, if it’s Dongpo Pork you seek, Young Master, I know just the place you’d love!”
I followed behind the boy as he led the way, urging the carriage forward for about an hour.
We arrived at an inn located some distance from West Lake’s shore.
“It’s called the Dongpo Inn—it only recently opened, so people don’t know about this hidden gem yet.”
This little rascal certainly knows his way around.
Of all places, he brought me to the Dongpa Inn.
“I’m grateful. But if I’m to give silver, the food must truly be delicious. So, what do you say we dine together?”
“Eh? How can a beggar eat at an inn… The innkeeper will surely disapprove.”
“Business seems slow anyway. I’ll slip him some extra coin.”
I entered the inn with the flustered Beggar Boy.
“Welcome! Oh, isn’t that Cho-sam?”
“Innkeeper, I’ve brought a guest.”
“You rascal. It’s good to see my kindness bearing fruit. Please, have a seat, Young Master.”
The innkeeper looked far too young to be so seasoned.
I couldn’t help but smile.
“So Suk-su.”
“Eh? How did you know my surname is So?”
“Ah, I saw Su Dongpo in your features.”
“What an honor! The young master has a discerning eye, haha.”
I ordered Dongpo pork and a dish for Adu from the jovial innkeeper, then took my seat.
Soon the innkeeper brought the food, and an exquisite aroma assailed my senses.
“Hmm. Truly the finest delicacy under heaven.”
The innkeeper, who had been watching from nearby with no other customers, beamed with pride.
“Haha, I pride myself on this Dongpo pork—the finest in Hangzhou. I’m confident in my other dishes too. But why business is so poor, I haven’t the faintest idea.”
Well, the location isn’t ideal, So Suk-su.
You’ve opened your inn in far too remote a spot.
“Boy, since the food is excellent, I’ll give you a silver tael as promised.”
“Gasp! You needn’t, sir. Having my belly filled is reward enough!”
I pressed the silver into his hand and continued.
“A true man speaks but once. If you feel indebted, spread word that the First Young Master of the Baek Family Estate in Wuzhou, Gangwon, is a man of generous spirit.”
“Thank you! I shall do exactly that!”
“Innkeeper, why not join us for a meal? If you do, I’ll order wine as well.”
“Today’s profits are all thanks to you, Young Master.”
So Suk-su grinned widely and pulled up a chair.
“Are you from Gangwon, then?”
“I am.”
“Hangzhou’s beauty is certainly worth the long journey.”
“True enough, but I have business here. I’m opening a pleasure house and wish to employ courtesans from Hangzhou.”
“Ah, I see.”
The Beggar Boy and So Suk-su made identical expressions.
It was the look of those who wanted to say that taking courtesans away was no simple matter.
It was a natural reaction—few would wish to leave Hangzhou for such a remote place.
“So, do you happen to know any courtesans? If you could introduce me, I would reward you handsomely.”
“There are some I know, but the thing is…”
It was at that moment when the bell hanging on the inn’s door chimed softly.
“So Suk-su, I’ve arrived. Oh… you have a guest.”
Looking at the woman who entered, I couldn’t help but smile.
There was no way around it.
She was someone whose mere chance encounter brought joy, even without knowing her face beforehand.
Moreover, she was a woman whose beauty would make any man smile upon seeing her.
‘So Wol-hyang. So she’s been a regular at the Dongpa Inn since this time period.’
So Wol-hyang—the reason and purpose for my long journey to Hangzhou.
She wore a bewildered expression as she took in the sight of me, Adu, the Beggar Boy, and So Suk-su seated together.
“Welcome, Miss Wol-hyang.”
“Yes. However, it seems difficult for me to dine today. I shall return another time.”
I glanced back and forth between the flustered So Suk-su and So Wol-hyang, who was turning to leave.
If she would just sit with us now, it would be a good opportunity to become acquainted.
‘If I propose it directly, she’ll think I’m making advances, won’t she?’
-Adu. Ask her to eat with us.
Adu, who had been stuffing dumplings into his mouth, looked at So Wol-hyang with bright eyes and called out.
“Want some dumplings?”
“….”
“Not hungry? Then never mind.”
I rubbed my temples.
‘I was a fool to ask this fellow.’
“My apologies, Miss. My monk here has some… shortcomings. If you wouldn’t mind, would you care to dine with us? I assure you, I’m not so lacking in propriety as to make advances while in a monk’s company.”
“….”
After a moment of silence, So Wol-hyang replied quietly.
“Then I shall impose upon you, Young Master.”
If this were the So Wol-hyang I knew, she would never share a table with a strange man, but Adu had indeed played a significant role.
Or perhaps she simply had a sudden craving for the Dongpa Inn’s signature Dongpo pork today.
‘In my past life, I visited the Dongpa Inn at least once every three days.’
This was the reason I knew about the Dongpa Inn.
“Please, do eat.”
“Thank you. I shall pay for my meal.”
“There’s no need. My funds are quite sufficient.”
“Even so, I cannot accept favors from a stranger.”
A debt. In my past life too, So Wol-hyang had always disliked owing anyone anything.
“Warrior Baek. I shall repay any debt. Please, I ask of you.”
After a moment of wistful expression, I replied.
“If you dislike being indebted, what if we did this instead? Tell me where you work.”
“…I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Since I’ve come to West Lake, I thought to enjoy the pleasures of a pleasure house. If possible, I’d prefer one where someone as exceptional as yourself works.”
So Wol-hyang’s expression hardened instantly as she glanced toward So Suk-su.
So Suk-su, his feet tingling with anxiety, hastily offered an excuse.
“No, miss. I said nothing at all!”
My gaze shifted once more toward Yang Hwi.
Watching her send a meaningful look, I lifted my wine cup.
“The calluses on your fingertips—you play the guqin. Your gait is light and graceful, so your dancing must be quite accomplished as well. I was merely making an educated guess.”
“…You have a keen eye, Young Master.”
“So then, will you tell me?”
“This doesn’t seem like the right place for such a conversation. I shall take my leave.”
So Wol-hyang rose quietly and walked toward the inn’s door.
It was the reaction I had anticipated, so I felt no surprise.
“Won’t you regret this?”
So Wol-hyang paused and turned only her head, sending a cold gaze back.
“Regret? How do you intend to make me regret?”
“Please don’t misunderstand. I merely thought that what you desire might be within my power to provide.”
“You claim to see through the wishes of someone you’ve just met? Your insight is truly remarkable.”
Sarcasm and mockery. The bell above the inn door chimed softly.
I watched So Wol-hyang’s retreating figure disappear through the open doorway.
“Young Master. Why would you say such a thing?”
So Suk-su offered a reproachful remark.
His tone suggested he would have thrown me out if I weren’t a customer.
Such a reaction was natural, given his relationship with So Wol-hyang.
But.
“There was a reason for it. I won’t be losing a regular customer, so please don’t be upset with me, innkeeper.”
Had we met differently, perhaps not—but having met, this step was absolutely necessary.
Considering So Wol-hyang’s temperament, this approach would leave a far more lasting impression than merely treating her with courtesy and respect.
Besides, I had no desire to leave things unresolved and depart hastily.
‘If I can’t actually fulfill what Miss So desires after all this, it will have been for nothing.’
But that didn’t matter.
I had a good hand—or rather, a connection through my teacher.
‘Indeed, life comes down to connections: regional ties, blood ties, and teacher-student bonds.’
Or should I say teacher-student karma rather than academic connections?
It amounts to the same thing anyway, since we studied under the same master.
Thinking of the two people from Quyue Mountain, I smiled slightly.

* * *
“Damn it all.”
A whisper so faint and quiet it was barely louder than the sound of an ant crawling—a voice so small it seemed to vanish into nothing.
Yet it was loud enough for Eum Hu’s ears to catch.
“Seolha! Have you forgotten my teachings that such vulgar language should never cross your lips!”
Jegal Seol-ha’s expression shifted to one of embarrassment before she broke into a sheepish grin.
“Ah… you heard that?”
Eum Hu, momentarily at a loss for words, let out a long sigh.
“I’m beginning to wonder what you think of your master.”
“You’re Cheonmu-sip-jon! Pacheon Eum Hu!”
….
Her answer was cheerful, almost impudent.
Eum Hu exhaled deeply once more.
Then she thought of her secular disciple.
‘Namgung Cheon-yeong has completely ruined her.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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