Chapter 158 – Seo Ok-rang (2)

“Yes, you!”

“Hey, girl. I have a splendid name, Cho Un-hwi.”

“G-girl?”

Seo Ok-rang, not expecting to be addressed so rudely, stood there with her mouth agape for a moment.

“Instructor Cho.”

“You stay out of this.”

Pushing Il-pyo aside, Cho Un-hwi approached Seo Ok-rang, tilting his head.

“Ugh!”

As he approached without hesitation, Seo Ok-rang, clearly flustered, took a step back.

“Hmph!”

She crossed her arms and stood with a determined look on her face.

Only then could Cho Un-hwi examine her closely.

‘She was quite flashy before, but now it’s even more so.’

Her face was powdered, and her lips were painted a bright red.

The makeup was just the beginning.

Her hair color had lightened compared to before, and the ends of her hair were curled.

The most striking feature was her nails.

Swordsmen usually hide their hands.

They need to be discreet when practicing swordsmanship.

‘But she even dyed her nails?’

At this point, it’s not just a rebellious phase she seems completely thoughtless.

Cho Un-hwi issued a warning.

“Hey, colorful nails.”

“What? Why are you calling me colorful nails?”

“Your nails are very colorful. They’re dazzling.”

“Hmph! These aren’t just any nails. They’re painted with high-quality dye from a famous cosmetic shop in the capital!”

Do you know how much of a difference that makes?

Ignoring her outburst, Cho Un-hwi continued cleaning his ears.

“Got it, colorful nails.”

“What did you say? You’re just a temporary instructor!”

Clearly annoyed, Seo Ok-rang looked him up and down and snorted.

“Which sect are you from?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Because.”

Feeling triumphant, Seo Ok-rang crossed her arms and lifted her chin.

“I need to know which backwater you come from to make fun of you.”

“Is that so?”

“You seem like you’re from some unknown mountain sect. Someone with no taste wouldn’t recognize something precious.”

This girl. She needs to be taught a lesson.

“Jeonggeom Sect.”

“Hmph. Jeonggeom Sect? Never heard of it. Must be a backwater… Oh? Jeonggeom Sect?”

“I even have a nickname.”

“A n-nickname, you say.”

“Lucky Sword.”

Il-pyo, who had been listening quietly, suddenly exclaimed.

“Beast Tamer!”

Beast Tamer?

‘I got another nickname without knowing?’

Seo Ok-rang called him by yet another nickname.

“Madman of Dongcheon Hall! Lunatic!”

Madman? Lunatic?

“Known for having a terrible personality and living like there’s no tomorrow.”

“Oh, you’ve heard? Then this will be easy.”

Smiling, Cho Un-hwi raised his hands and gently grabbed Seo Ok-rang’s head.

“What are you doing?”

“Brace yourself. You might bite your tongue.”

“Ugh. Ugh!”

She seemed to try to use her martial skills, but.

*Smack!*

The headbutt was faster than her hands.

***

Seo Ok-rang woke up after a long time.

Holding her forehead with her right hand, she slowly got up and looked around with dazed eyes, making eye contact.

“Ugh, barbaric! Headbutting a girl’s head.”

“Don’t worry. It was a fair and equal headbutt.”

Seeing Il-pyo lying next to her, Seo Ok-rang’s eyes flared with anger.

“You, you…”

Clearly in pain, she gritted her teeth and tried to lash out, but swallowed her anger.

But she couldn’t hold back her frustration, so she turned her head and muttered under her breath.

“Idiot. Brute. Lunatic.”

“I can hear you.”

Turning Seo Ok-rang around, Cho Un-hwi smiled.

“I said it quietly!”

“I heard you.”

“Loud and clear.”

*Smack!*

Holding her forehead, Seo Ok-rang fell back with a scream.

***

After the lesson in manners.

Cho Un-hwi took the now quiet pair to a guesthouse in the city.

A shabby restaurant where passersby stopped for a quick meal.

“Even if it’s a shabby place, the food is decent. Try it.”

Raising three fingers, the waiter brought three bowls of noodles without a word.

“What is this? They don’t even take orders here?”

“They only serve noodles.”

*Slurp.*

Il-pyo, watching cautiously, took a bite of the noodles.

He looked surprised and said.

“…This is quite good.”

“Hunger is the best seasoning. After eating jerky on the road, this is a treat.”

On the other hand, Seo Ok-rang didn’t eat and just poked at the noodles with her chopsticks.

“What now?”

“Do you want to lie down here?”

(TLN: equal rights equal lefts)

Issuing a warning, Seo Ok-rang, startled, put down her chopsticks and protested.

“This isn’t food.”

“People your age usually call this.”

“Pet food. They call it pet food.”

“How about you pay attention to the people around you eating pet food?”

Knowing her words were harsh, Seo Ok-rang added, “Anyway!”

“I don’t like cheap food like this!”

As she continued to complain, Il-pyo’s expression darkened.

‘Rumor has it he’s the one who caused all the trouble by calling someone out at night.’

If true, he could feel relieved about his poor taste in women.

If not, he could pity him for getting involved with a troublesome woman.

‘I need to find out the exact situation.’

For now, dealing with this noisy girl was the priority.

*Clack.*

Putting down his chopsticks, Cho Un-hwi asked.

“What kind of food suits you?”

“Hmm. I don’t know if a poor temporary instructor would know the latest trends.”

“Tell me. I keep up with trends.”

“In that case.”

Enjoying her imagination, Seo Ok-rang raised a finger.

“A famous restaurant that only food connoisseurs in Suzhou go to?”

“Have you heard of it?”

“Oh, I know. The one where only those recommended by famous people can go?”

It’s called.

“Mi Mi Sikbang, right?”

“How do you know?”

“A high-ranking person in the imperial palace ate there and exclaimed ‘Mi Mi (Delicious)!’ and personally gave them the signboard, right?”

“It has history too.”

Clearly surprised by the unknown fact, Seo Ok-rang fell silent.

Instead, she asked something else.

“Then, do you know Yanghwa Daru?”

“Of course. Drinking tea while looking down at the scenery from Yanghwa Bridge in Suzhou is exquisite.”

“And the flower boats for night views.”

“The best flower boat is the Golden Boat. Covered in gold glaze, it sparkles, and the golden reflection on the water is said to be heavenly.”

“How do you know all this?”

“Why? Is it strange that a temporary instructor knows?”

“…Yes.”

For the first time, Seo Ok-rang muttered in a subdued voice.

“Everything is the latest trend…”

Cho Un-hwi pointed a finger at her.

“A kid who saves up to buy cosmetics with trembling hands.”

Then pointed at himself.

“A working adult with a decent job.”

“Ugh.”

Losing the argument, Seo Ok-rang retorted.

“I heard temporary instructors have low pay. Where can you…”

“Even with low pay, regular income makes a big difference.”

“Braggart.”

Watching her grumble, Cho Un-hwi snapped his fingers.

“Tsk tsk. Let me show you how an adult spends money.”

You’re lucky.

***

They headed to a small restaurant in the heart of Suzhou.

Watching the people passing by, Il-pyo hunched his shoulders.

“Instructor, is it okay for us to be wandering around like this?”

“What’s the problem?”

“I heard the Inspection Department is in Suzhou…”

“Suzhou is big. We can wander around freely.”

Confidently entering, a man in formal attire greeted them.

Despite the sudden visit, he responded professionally.

“What brings you here?”

His politeness showed he was indeed a manager of a high-end restaurant.

Cho Un-hwi got straight to the point.

“We’d like to dine here.”

“We only serve dinner.”

Looking at the sky, it was still bright.

“The earliest would be in about an hour.”

“We’ll wait.”

“Hmm. Hmm.”

His hesitation indicated a polite refusal.

But Cho Un-hwi pretended not to notice and pressed on.

“I really want to try the food here.”

Seo Ok-rang caused a scene beside him.

“I heard Mi Mi Sikbang is reservation-only!”

“Only those with permission can enter!”

“They don’t serve anyone without a name or reputation!”

I know.

Seeing the manager’s increasingly hostile look.

“Don’t worry. Adults have their ways.”

Patting her head, Cho Un-hwi casually draped his arm around the manager’s shoulders.

“If you’re planning to use force, you’ve come to the wrong place.”

“Haha. I’m not planning to use force.”

He discreetly showed what was inside his pocket.

“Even with gold, if it’s impossible, it’s… Huh.”

The manager’s previously haughty expression turned to shock.

“M-Mo Yong…”

“Shh. Keep your voice down.”

Removing his arm from the manager’s shoulders, the response changed dramatically.

“Sir, I apologize for not recognizing you.”

“There’s no need for an apology.”

“I’ll prepare a table immediately. Please wait a moment.”

“Thank you.”

Watching the manager rush off, Seo Ok-rang looked confused.

“What did you do?”

Il-pyo, persistent, asked.

“I told you. Adults have their ways.”

Cho Un-hwi replied with a smile.

***

“…Unbelievable.”

Seo Ok-rang found herself seated in the best private room of Mi Mi Sikbang, feeling dazed.

Il-pyo, equally bewildered, asked.

“Miss Seo, didn’t you say this place was hard to get into?”

“Quiet. It’s making me dizzy.”

Seo Ok-rang couldn’t believe it.

Mi Mi Sikbang, known as a paradise for gourmets.

Its high and proud threshold couldn’t be crossed no matter how much money you had.

Even famous people were often turned away.

Yet, people kept trying to visit Mi Mi Sikbang.

Such rumors made it seem like a place in the clouds.

“But a mere temporary instructor from Dongcheon Hall could get in?”

She suddenly lost her enthusiasm.

“Your expression is quite colorful.”

“What’s with the change of heart?”

With a haughty lift of her chin, Seo Ok-rang replied.

“I’m just disappointed it was so easy.”

“Why? Do you think a lowly instructor shouldn’t be able to enter?”

“Exactly. I wanted to visit a place only the special and rare few could enjoy.”

“Haha. True. If anyone could enter, it wouldn’t be special.”

“Exactly.”

She muttered, but the instructor didn’t seem to care.

“Look over there. Do you recognize them?”

He pointed to a group of people entering.

“Haha. Opening early is rare.”

“As gourmets, we welcome it.”

“We have high expectations, so don’t disappoint us.”

A group of gourmets.

Dressed in luxurious silk, they looked wealthy.

“That’s the magistrate.”

“Oh my, that’s the North Gate Guard.”

“And the head of the Saso Sect is with them.”

Seeing the impressive company, Seo Ok-rang’s spirits lifted again.

“Really?”

“Yes. See the guards over there?”

Indeed.

Martial artists in official uniforms stood at the entrance with stern faces.

“Dining in a place where magistrates and generals come. Isn’t it grand?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Something to boast about, right?”

Nod.

Seo Ok-rang straightened her back and tried to look dignified.

“Hmm. Hmm.”

Trying to adopt the posture of a gourmet, the manager entered and clapped to get their attention.

“Now, we’ll prepare today’s appetizers.”

Enjoy the world of gourmet cuisine.

Seo Ok-rang’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.