Chapter 159 – Seo Ok-rang (3)

*Clatter.*

The elegant tea sets were arranged with skillful hands.

In no time, Seo Ok-rang’s eyes were filled with awe.

‘So beautiful. So shiny.’

The black-glazed, highly luxurious tea sets adorned with gold instantly captured her attention.

“Wow…”

The aesthetic impact was so strong that even the usually indifferent Il-pyo let out a small exclamation.

However, there was someone who offered a harsh critique.

“Ugh. What is this? Grass? I’m not a rabbit.”

At the voice that broke the atmosphere, Seo Ok-rang’s eyes flared with anger.

‘To make such a vulgar comment at such a magnificent sight.’

The brute from Dongcheon Hall was hopeless.

She was muttering to herself when.

“Hmm.”

A waiter, who had been listening attentively, rushed over.

“This is a dish made from precious herbs from Tian Shan.”

“Still just grass.”

“And this is seaweed harvested from the deep sea, seasoned with a secret recipe.”

“Still just grass.”

Please, just shut up.

But the waiter, a professional, continued to explain the elegance of the dishes without changing his expression.

“Ugh. Not even a bit of meat.”

This lazy ox didn’t understand a thing.

‘So uncouth.’

Recalling the dining etiquette she had read about, she elegantly picked at her food.

“What should I call this?”

Seeing Il-pyo’s clumsy attempt at eating made her feel better.

But the leisurely meal didn’t last long.

After a few simple appetizers, the main dishes began to arrive.

“We start with a dish made from Dongchung Hacho (Cordyceps).”

Dongchung Hacho?

At the confused sound from beside her, Seo Ok-rang clicked her tongue.

“It’s Dongchung Hacho. A precious mushroom that grows on insects.”

“Haha. The young lady knows well. Yes, Dongchung Hacho is considered best when its spores attach to an insect and grow together through the winter.”

“Hmph.”

Receiving the waiter’s praise, her nose seemed to lift higher.

“…Now it’s insects.”

“It’s a precious ingredient.”

She snapped, but seeing the dried insect remains on the beautiful plate made her pause.

‘This is…’

It looked just like the pictures in the books, but she couldn’t bring herself to eat it.

“Haha. True gourmet cuisine preserves the natural taste of the ingredients.”

Exactly what the books said.

The waiter wasn’t lying.

‘Ugh.’

Closing her eyes, she delicately picked up a piece of Dongchung Hacho and ate it.

‘At least it doesn’t taste bad.’

It was a bit slimy and not entirely to her liking, but it was fine.

“It’s elegant.”

She managed to maintain a dignified appearance and offer her assessment.

But when a large cloth bag was wheeled in, Seo Ok-rang couldn’t keep her composure.

“The second course is raw. A dish to wish for the health of our esteemed guests.”

You will surely be impressed.

Confidently, the chef opened the lid to reveal.

Wriggle. Wriggle.

Snakes that never stopped moving.

“For freshness, we will prepare it right away.”

*Chop!*

The chef skillfully took out a snake and pierced its head with a knife.

*Splash!*

Blood spurted out.

*Sizzle! Sizzle!*

Skinning it alive, the black snake turned red, writhing in its death throes.

“Ugh.”

For the first time, Il-pyo bit his chopsticks.

Seo Ok-rang, watching, was also horrified.

The worst part was the look in the instructor’s eyes.

‘Is this what you wanted to eat?’

She averted her gaze and tried to hold back her nausea.

“For the freshest taste, you must eat it like this.”

Seo Ok-rang’s vision began to blur.

“Next is a dish loved by all…”

A large water tank was brought in next.

Having been fooled a few times, Seo Ok-rang felt more worried than expectant.

She wanted to abandon elegance.

But the chef, mistaking her wavering gaze for hunger, quickly opened the lid.

“A supreme delicacy that boosts vitality.”

Oh no.

Inside were large soft-shelled turtles.

“For freshness, we will prepare it right away.”

Stop it! That’s not cooking!

‘At least use fire!’

She couldn’t say it out loud, fearing for her pride, but she screamed internally.

But the chef was merciless.

*Crunch. Snap.*

With unhesitating knife work, the turtle stretched its neck and legs in agony.

– Save Me!

If it could talk, it would probably shout that.

*Crack.*

The turtle, being shelled alive, gave its final convulsions.

‘Ugh. Ugh.’

As she fought her nausea, she heard the instructor mutter.

“They’re protesting against the demolition of their home.”

Ugh.

Desperately holding back, Seo Ok-rang continued to eat with her chopsticks.

Tears streamed down as she swallowed the turtle.

‘Elegance. Elegance.’

She focused on the distant sounds to distract herself from the fishy taste rising.

“Haha. So fresh.”

“The knife skills must be excellent to get this taste.”

“Indeed, Mi Mi Sikbang.”

She forced herself to understand the gourmets’ words.

Stopping now felt like losing.

But forcing herself to continue had its limits.

*Shriek! Shriek!*

The appearance of monkeys shaking their cages was the final straw.

“Ugh.”

“Ugh.”

She and Il-pyo fled in unison.

***

“Ugh. Ugh.”

After vomiting everything she ate and dry heaving, she finally calmed down.

“Are you alright?”

With a gentle hand patting her back, Seo Ok-rang managed to catch her breath.

“Thank you, Young Master Il.”

Returning to her usual aloof expression, she noticed.

Underneath the disheveled hair, there was a clear smirk.

“You. Have quite the peculiar taste.”

“N-no, I don’t!”

“They said it suited you perfectly.”

“…Ugh.”

She admired gourmet cuisine but never expected such bizarre dishes.

“Tsk tsk. They misunderstand. Expensive doesn’t always mean tasty.”

3What did you imagine? Sweet candies a hundred times sweeter or rich noodles ten times richer?3

Seo Ok-rang, feeling provoked, shouted.

“It just didn’t suit my taste.”

“Sure. Only your mouth rejects expensive food.”

“How about some rustic noodles?”

Clearly mocking her, Seo Ok-rang stomped her foot in frustration.

“Ugh!”

Laughing, Cho Un-hwi said.

“Well, we have some time. I’ll indulge the whims of a child.”

“I’m a very kind person.”

“So, if you have any nice friends, introduce them to me.”

Absolutely not.

Even if the world ends and only the two of us are left, I’d rather jump off a cliff than stay with this cruel person.

“Ha ha ha. How unfortunate.”

Well, let’s focus on the current amusement.

He asked.

“Where to next?”

***

Seo Ok-rang wandered tirelessly.

But the results were consistently disappointing.

Yanghwa Daru.

Though they climbed to the highest spot in Suzhou to enjoy tea and the view, it wasn’t as impressive as she imagined.

‘Is this supposed to be a stunning view?’

It was a nice view, but not captivating.

It couldn’t compare to the view from the top of Cheongseong Mountain, with clouds spread below.

She grew bored within half an hour, fidgeting in her seat.

“Slurp. The tea is good.”

“Indeed. The essence of tea lies in taking time to savor it.”

A novice wouldn’t understand.

Seo Ok-rang, feeling her stomach churn, tried to sip the tea slowly.

‘It tastes bad.’

Sipping slowly made it lukewarm and unpalatable.

Wouldn’t honey water be better?

Next was the flower boat.

At least the boat ride offered a better view.

“Ugh.”

But she couldn’t enjoy it.

She hadn’t anticipated getting seasick the moment she boarded.

The unexpected seasickness was so severe that she clung to the boat’s side, unable to enjoy anything.

“Ha. Ha. Some people do experience this.”

The musician accompanying them turned away awkwardly.

She felt miserable.

“Try this.”

“Ugh… What is it?”

“It’s good for settling the stomach.”

Desperately swallowing the offered remedy, she felt slightly better.

But she still wanted to get off the boat immediately.

“Why… is… Young Master Il… fine?”

She asked, struggling to speak, and Il-pyo replied awkwardly.

“My family’s home is by the river, so I’m used to boats.”

“This is unfair…”

As she drifted off, the instructor’s teasing voice reached her.

Scraping the side of the boat, he pointed and laughed.

“This is gold-plated.”

“It’s fake gold leaf.”

“They lied about the golden boat.”

The unwanted truth made her stomach churn even more.

“Ugh.”

She resumed clinging to the boat’s side, retching.

***

“……”

After four days of wandering, they returned to the shabby noodle shop.

Everything was the same, except for one thing.

“Slurp. Slurp.”

Seo Ok-rang, who had once scorned the rustic noodles, was now devouring them.

“Sigh.”

Her eyes were glazed over.

‘No wonder.’

It was her first proper meal in four days.

Finally regaining her senses, Seo Ok-rang chose the humble noodles.

Seeing her finally give in, Cho Un-hwi laughed.

“Want a bowl of turtle soup?”

“Ugh.”

Putting down her bowl, Seo Ok-rang spoke dejectedly.

“…I’ve had enough.”

“Not as good as you thought?”

Nod. Nod.

Her dejected nod made Cho Un-hwi prop his chin on the table and speak.

“Kid, the most familiar things are the most natural.”

“…Are you saying these humble noodles suit me?”

“Did it sound like that?”

Propping his chin, Cho Un-hwi nodded.

“When you’re young, you crave candy. As you age, you seek tonics. It’s natural.”

“The food that made you retch?”

“When you get older and weaker, just thinking about it will make your mouth water.”

“It’s just not right for you now.”

“…Is that so?”

“There’s no need to rush and push time forward.”

“When time passes, you’ll miss now.”

“Memories become sweeter the further they are.”

Pouring tea, Seo Ok-rang, watching intently, perked up her ears.

“You sound quite wise. Like an elder from my sect.”

“Though you don’t look much different from me.”

“Hehe. How about it? No need to find a friend. You’ve got me.”

“Tsk. Don’t mock your elders.”

“I’m not joking. You seem generous and kind.”

“Kid.”

“……”

“If you want to like someone, just look at the person. Chasing ‘dating an older instructor’ will only hurt you.”

“Sniff. I’ve been rejected.”

Pretending to cry, Seo Ok-rang stood up.

She hid her eyes, so maybe she wasn’t entirely pretending.

“I’m going for a walk.”

“Where are you going after eating so well?”

“It’s rude to ask a lady.”

Sticking out her tongue, Seo Ok-rang hurried off.

Il-pyo, looking worried, tried to follow.

“Sit.”

“…But, Instructor.”

“Don’t worry and sit. I sent her off because I have something to ask.”

“Sent her off? Miss Seo?”

Cho Un-hwi began.

“What happened between you two?”

“…What do you mean?”

“The Murim Excursion. What happened?”

“!”

For the first time, shock appeared on Il-pyo’s pale face.