Chapter 10

The most famous inn in Infinite was Taepyeongnu.

It was the largest in scale, and above all, the food was delicious. Famous chefs were lined up, making it a must-visit place for travelers visiting Infinite.

After wandering aimlessly here and there, Jeong Charyeon, standing in front of Taepyeongnu, couldn't bring herself to go inside.

The first floor was full of guests, and the servers carrying food were waging a war. The owner's shouting could be heard even across the street. There seemed to be no need to go up to the second or third floor.

Jeong Charyeon turned her steps.

She was thirsty for alcohol, but she was also hungry from walking around so much. However, she didn't want to go home yet. Besides, meeting that strange guy had made her heart even more disturbed.

Suddenly, Jeong Charyeon thought of Hwayang Inn, located on the outskirts away from the city center. She had been there a few times with her father. But that was also years ago. Although the facilities and taste were inferior to Taepyeongnu, she thought it would be less crowded because it was in a remote location.

She moved her steps towards there.

Everyone she met on the street was young Jianghu people. Their conversations were mostly about the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, and they were mainly about these things.

"I heard this Dragon Phoenix Gathering will be amazing."

"There's a rumor that the winner will receive tremendous benefits."

"The notable winner candidate is Lim Sohyeop of the Northern Sky Clan."

"We can't ignore Yang Sohyeop of the Shoutern Mountains Alliance either."

"Especially this time, there's a rumor that all the successors of the Four Great Clans, who had refused to attend, will participate. The confrontation between them and the successors of the Jianghu Four Great Evils will be a great spectacle."

That was roughly the kind of story. Besides that, there were stories about something secret being built for the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, or that experts were arguing with each other.

Even in the midst of that, the men she encountered invariably glanced at Jeong Charyeon's figure. There were even some daring guys who whistled and flirted. She was too hungry to respond to each one.

After walking for about two hours, she arrived at Hwayang Inn.

Even that place, which was usually quiet, was crowded with guests. It was a moment to realize the power of the Dragon Phoenix Gathering and the Heavenly Dragon Battle once again.

As she hesitated at the entrance, the inn owner ran out.

"The first floor is full, but there happens to be one special room left on the second floor. Would that be alright?"

Special room? She knew that this inn didn't originally have special rooms. Anyway, she was prepared for some price gouging.

Jeong Charyeon followed the owner up to the second floor. After passing through a narrow corridor, the two entered the special room in the corner of the second floor.

She thought it would be a private room because it was a special room, but there were three tables in the room, and there was also a guest who had arrived earlier. Originally, it was a place that only received a group of guests in a detached house, but it seemed that they were doing irregular business these days. The owner sent her a look asking for understanding and guided her to a seat by the window.

"The view here is amazing."

She sat at the table without complaining.

As soon as the owner left, she took off her bamboo hat and put it on the table.

"Huh?"

The man who had been there earlier looked up in surprise. Jeong Charyeon, who had finally recognized the man's face, was also surprised.

"Huh?"

It was the man she had met earlier on the street while performing.

'Oh no!'

Compared to her embarrassment, the man greeted her with a happy smile.

"We meet again?"

Even while looking at her without the bamboo hat, the man didn't show any particular reaction.

"If I had known we would meet like this, I would have come with you."

Jeong Charyeon remained silent and only looked out the window.

People's hearts are so fickle. Until just now, she was annoyed by those gazes directed at her, but when the man didn't show any particular reaction to her appearance, her pride was slightly hurt.

"Isn't this fate?"

What a ridiculous trick.

"Think about it. Have you ever met someone for the first time and then run into them twice in one day?"

If you think about it carefully, it must have happened once or twice. But who would remember such a thing?

"This is an incredible fate."

It's not fate. It's just a coincidence.

"By the way, who chose that martial arts uniform?"

When he asked about the martial arts uniform, Jeong Charyeon finally looked at him.

"That white martial arts uniform, it's pretty, but..."

She had a feeling that the following words would be bad.

"But?"

"At least it's not practical. If blood splatters on it, it'll be very ugly, and it's easy to spot when you're running away or hiding. Of course, it's definitely pretty, though."

The last words were even more annoying. In short, she was saying that she was a clueless woman who only emphasized beauty and forgot about practicality.

This guy, is he picking a fight right now?

At that time, the inn owner came back inside.

He recognized Jeong Charyeon, who had taken off her bamboo hat.

"Oh? Aren't you the second young lady of the Sword Clan?"

She was quite a famous person in Infinite. Decisively, Jeong Charyeon had an appearance that was hard to forget once you saw her.

"I just wanted to have a quiet drink."

At her words, the owner gave a quick-witted smile.

"Of course, of course. It's a great honor to have you visit our inn. What can I get you?"

Then the man slammed the table and shouted.

"Hey, owner! I came first! You should take my order first!"

The owner frowned slightly. He gave Jeong Charyeon a look that said there are all kinds of people among the guests, which he didn't need to do, and then turned to the man.

"I made a mistake. Now, what can I get you?"

The man, who was looking at the order board, asked.

"Can you make everything on here?"

"Of course."

"Then first, a whole roast duck, twice-cooked pork seasoned only with vinegar, iron plate beef without the green onions. For dessert, sweet and sour cucumber, and add stir-fried pork and chicken stew separately. Give me Daegok wine. I'll order more later if I want to eat more."

The owner, as well as Jeong Charyeon, who was listening, were surprised. It was rare for someone to order so much food alone. Suspecting that he might eat his fill and run away, the owner narrowed his eyes.

Then the man put something on the table.

The small, yellowish glittering lump was what he liked most in the world. It was worth several times the price of the ordered dishes. The owner's back bent in half.

"I'll bring it as soon as possible."

This time, the owner approached Jeong Charyeon.

"What can I get you?"

The owner sent her a look that said, 'There are all kinds of strange people,' but Jeong Charyeon ignored the middle-aged man's subtle gaze. She ordered a simple vegetable dish and Jukyeopcheong wine.

The man interjected.

"You look hungry, will that be enough? Why don't you order a duck?"

When Jeong Charyeon glared at him, the man smacked his lips.

"I'd feel bad eating it alone."

Then give me a leg? He was the kind of guy who didn't say a word about sharing, even though he ordered so much.

"Mind your own business."

Then the man smiled slyly and pretended not to notice. He was very annoying.

"Just give me that."

"I'll make it especially delicious."

As soon as the owner left, the man opened his mouth.

"They say you can tell what a town is like by tasting the food, right? How's the food here? Will it be delicious?"

Buddy, then you've come to the wrong place. The food here is really bad. Jeong Charyeon tried hard to hold back from saying that. She felt like if she said one word, she would get a hundred words back.

He should have sensed her cold attitude and kept his mouth shut, but the man was very talkative. But the man's next words were very interesting.

"Do you know who the most beautiful woman in the world is?"

Jeong Charyeon was slightly nervous. When it comes to beauty, she's not one to be outdone.

"Have you heard of the Jianghu Eight Beauties?"

Of course. The eight most beautiful women in the Jianghu. Hyang Yi always says. If the Jeong Sword Sect was as great as their Clan, Jeong Charyeon would definitely be included in the Jianghu Eight Beauties.

I think that's not entirely wrong. If she wasn't a member of the Jeong Sword Sect, would she be called the Unrivaled Beauty of the Murim? Among the daughters of the villagers living in Infinite, there must be a woman who is prettier than her somewhere. The Jianghu Four Great Clans, no, that's how the world works.

You have to have power to get a name.

"Have you ever seen even one of them?"

Jeong Charyeon shook her head. Even if you travel around the Central Plains often, they are not women you can easily meet. Moreover, she had been immersed in Martial arts in the Jeong Sword Sect. Let alone the Jianghu Eight Beauties, it had been several years since she had met her cousin.

The man said proudly.

"I've met two of them. And I realized who the most beautiful woman in the Jianghu is."

"Who is it?"

She couldn't help but ask. But it soon became a question she would regret.

"My mother."

"What?"

When Jeong Charyeon was startled and made a dumbfounded expression, the man narrowed his eyes.

"What? Are you ignoring my mother because she's old? Do you just ignore old women?"

"Ah, that's not it..."

Damn it, why should I be embarrassed? What did I do wrong!

"I said it based on objective standards. She really wasn't as good as my mother. What a pathetic Jianghu Eight Beauties. I met them and came to a definite conclusion."

Oh my, what a great filial son. Isn't this guy the type who lives wrapped up in his mother's skirt?

The man sighed.

"So I'm looking forward to this competition. I heard a lot of young girls are participating? A lot of pretty girls will gather, right?"

"Don't tell me you're going to participate too?"

"Take out the 'don't tell me,' of course."

For someone like you, are you really a Jianghu person?

Jeong Charyeon looked up at him again.

The sword and knife placed on one side caught her eye again. The big sword and knife wrapped in cloth. Those things that would be perfect to put at the entrance of a weapon shop.

The man said proudly.

"How is it? Awesome, right? Once I draw this..."

Then the man made a gesture of slitting his throat with his hand. Was it because of the demon tattoo on the back of his hand? It felt somewhat eerie. But soon the man smiled slyly.

"Well, there won't be a need to draw it."

I don't want to talk to this guy, but he keeps making me ask questions.

"Why not?"

The man clenched his fist and shook it. This time, a blue dragon danced on the back of his hand.

Is that enough? Ah, I shouldn't have asked. A sigh came out on its own.

"Do you happen to know how to apply for participation? Until when is it?"

Even she, who wasn't interested in the competition, knew that there were only three days left to apply for participation.

The man said with an expectant face.

"A lot of slender and amazing girls will participate, right?"

Oh my goodness.

"These days, pretty girls have good personalities too. It must be because they grew up without any hardships, right?"

Oh my goodness.

"I have a face that girls like quite a bit. The Jianghu Eight Beauties were also crazy about me."

This guy has a congenital disease in his head.

Jeong Charyeon hoped it was a very nasty name.

But what is it?

Seeing him excited about going to the competition to see pretty girls means I'm not that pretty, right?

Jeong Charyeon's forehead furrowed slightly.

"It's fate that we met like this..."

Ah, of course. Now he's showing his true colors. He's going to ask me to go to the Dragon Phoenix Gathering with him? No way. Just try to bring it up. I'll show you what shame is.

"Will you come and cheer for me later? I don't know anyone here, and everyone around me is old and dull. How about it?"

Bang!

Jeong Charyeon finally slammed the table and jumped up.

She was about to leave as is when the door opened.

Just in time, the server came in with the food. Jeong Charyeon's, who had ordered a simple dish, came out first.

"This place is no good. You should give the food to the person who came first!"

Then the man started banging on the table again.

Seeing the alcohol, Jeong Charyeon's heart, which had been about to kick and leave, softened a little.

Jeong Charyeon silently poured the alcohol while standing.

And then she gulped it down in one go. Her throat and insides burned. She poured the alcohol again with great momentum.

She was about to drink the second glass when the man was smirking at her.

"Why are you laughing?"

"If someone who can't drink alcohol drinks like that, they'll get drunk quickly."

"Why do you think I can't drink?"

"Real drinkers don't gulp down the first glass like that, they savor it slowly and feel the taste. So that the body can feel it slowly. And actually, it's harder to drink alcohol slowly for a long time. Most beginners drink quickly and get drunk quickly."

It was the first time she had heard that. Well, when has she ever drunk alcohol?

Whatever, what does it have to do with you?

"I'm worried. Jukyeopcheong, it's a common alcohol that everyone looks down on, but if you know it, it's quite strong."