Chapter 133: Lingbo Immortal Maiden
Dozens of chopped bamboo stalks were tied together with ropes. Jin Seong-un, Seo Yu-gyeom, and Lingbo Immortal Maiden each carried a bundle on their shoulders as they descended the snowy mountain.
Perhaps the silence felt uncomfortable. Lingbo Immortal Maiden began to explain her circumstances, though no one had asked.
“Truth be told, I’m not someone who would normally be taken down by such scum. But I was poisoned by Qi Dispersing Poison, so I couldn’t circulate my inner arts properly…”
As it turned out, a close acquaintance of hers had offered her a drink, and the poison had been mixed into the wine.
Lingbo Immortal Maiden shook her fist, trembling with indignation, muttering that she had always treated that man so well.
Her words continued.
“One day, the Fist Demon Heaven Lord of the Demonic Cult invited me to his birthday banquet. As if I’d be crazy enough to go to such a place.”
“……”
“So, wounded in his pride, he schemed against me like this. Isn’t that truly petty? How can someone who calls himself the leader of a faction stoop so low…”
Her chatter went on the entire way down the snowy mountain. She was, after all, known to be skilled in all sorts of arts.
‘Perhaps she talks so much because she turns everything into poetry and song.’
Jin Seong-un briefly entertained such a thought.
Regardless, she seemed endlessly curious, for she suddenly asked:
“By the way, what do you need the bamboo for?”
“It’s for cooking.”
Jin Seong-un replied flatly.
Her eyes sparkled at once.
“Oho, so it’s for cooking with bamboo tubes. That’s why you went out of your way to climb this snowy mountain. Bamboo from here doesn’t carry the smell of soil.”
Jin Seong-un nodded.
She sniffed the fragrance of the bamboo she carried on her shoulder before asking again.
“And what dish would that be?”
“The tastiest mushroom dish under heaven.”
“Ha! Young men do like to brag. Still, I’m curious. Could I perhaps have a taste as well? I must say, I’m quite versed in cuisine and fine dining.”
“Well, sure…”
Jin Seong-un wanted to ask if she could please just stay quiet until they got down.
But amid her endless chatter, he even learned that she was already past forty.
Since she was nearly twice his age, even Jin Seong-un could not bring himself to tell her to shut her mouth.
And so, with half-dead eyes, Jin Seong-un and Seo Yu-gyeom trudged down the snowy mountain.
The three eventually arrived at Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu.
She told them that she had been staying in Lanzhou.
“Then, take care.”
Jin Seong-un accepted the bamboo from her and bowed politely.
Had they stayed with her any longer, they would likely have heard her childhood stories as well.
With rare urgency, Jin Seong-un and Seo Yu-gyeom quickened their steps.
But she tagged along, saying:
“Since I’ve already been marked by the Demonic Cult, I must find a way to survive. And it isn’t just anyone’s grudge I’ve earned—it’s the wrath of the Seven Demon Heavens’ Lord. Where could I possibly be safe? The Murim Alliance? But too many there already dislike me.”
“…I wish you good fortune.”
“The unorthodox sects don’t suit me. Perhaps I should seek out the Emei Sect, a sect of women? Or maybe the Kunlun Sect, since they love drinking and singing? No, Kunlun is practically in the Demon Cult’s backyard, so that won’t do.”
“……”
Jin Seong-un stopped walking and stared at her.
‘So what are you trying to say?’
His gaze said as much, which made her burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahaha! Don’t worry. I won’t be imposing on you at my age. I’ve decided. I’ll go to the Rogues’ Guild.”
“Yes, it suits you well.”
The Rogues’ Guild was composed of inn waiters, courtesans, porters, coachmen, and pickpockets. Inevitably, they were deeply connected to taverns and brothels.
In fact, some of the most famous establishments in the land were rumored to be backed by the Rogues’ Guild.
Considering her talents and influence, she would surely be welcomed with open arms.
Perhaps that was why she spoke with such pride.
“If I say I wish to join the Rogues’ Guild, they’ll grant me almost any request. You said the bamboo is for cooking? Then you’ll need more regularly, won’t you?”
“Well, yes.”
“And once you use up what you’ve gathered now, what then?”
“I’ll go cut more.”
Her slender brows furrowed.
“Without permission? Do you know how hard I worked to nurture those spiritual herbs and that bamboo grove?”
“But it isn’t really your land, is it?”
Her eyes went wide.
“Haha! True enough. Nature belongs to everyone.”
“……”
Jin Seong-un wore a weary expression.
She continued speaking.
“Then let me set a condition as I enter the Rogues’ Guild. I’ll arrange for bamboo from that snowy mountain to be cut regularly and sent to Yichang.”
“Oh.”
For the first time, Jin Seong-un responded with genuine interest. Lingbo Immortal Maiden finally looked satisfied as she added:
“In return, when I visit Yichang, I must taste that dish of yours.”
“Of course. My inn does not turn away guests.”
“Indeed, there’s no shop under heaven that would refuse me.”
“……”
Jin Seong-un decided he needed to hurry before he lost patience again.
Seo Yu-gyeom was already far ahead.
Jin Seong-un quickly concluded the conversation.
“Then, I wish you a long life. Take care. I have urgent business, so I’ll be going first.”
“Very well, but before you go, one last thing…”
Jin Seong-un broke into movement arts and fled.
Lingbo Immortal Maiden also used movement arts, shouting after him:
“A grand culinary competition will soon be held in Luoyang! If you enter, you can prove that your cooking truly is the finest in the world…!”
Jin Seong-un quickened his pace, and Seo Yu-gyeom instinctively ran faster as well.
Her voice grew distant. Thankfully, she was still somewhat weary, or she might have chased them longer.
.
.
.
The two finally managed to shake off Lingbo Immortal Maiden and arrived in Yichang.
Originally, they had planned to return leisurely by using an escort agency. Carrying bundles of bamboo on both shoulders while running was rather troublesome.
But thanks to Lingbo Immortal Maiden, they returned far faster than expected.
Bamboo That Grew on the Snowy Mountain, Cold Bamboo.
Seo Yu-gyeom used it to prepare Cheongtang Bamboo Stew.
When he tilted the bamboo tube over a porcelain bowl, a clear broth with a luster like white jade poured out.
Members of the inn let out exclamations of awe.
Wherever there was delicious food, No Sang-won was always present. Bang Man-bok, the Master of Red Cliff Escort Agency, also arrived upon hearing that the new dish had been completed.
The two hearty gourmands lifted their spoons with unusually grave expressions.
On the wide, deep spoon lay a meatball, mushroom, ginkgo nut, bamboo shoot, and clear broth, all together.
The two men put the food into their mouths at the same time.
“……”
A brief silence.
Seo Yu-gyeom wore an extremely tense look, as if fighting the most important life-or-death duel of his life.
This was the very first original dish he had created since vowing to become a chef. For a martial artist, this was akin to displaying his signature technique.
“How is it?”
At Seo Yu-gyeom’s question, the two stared at the Cheongtang Bamboo Stew for a moment, then tilted their heads.
Soon they let out impressed exclamations like “Heooh,” before devouring spoonful after spoonful.
Seeing them, Jin Seong-un and the others also moved their spoons.
No Sang-won clapped his hands together.
Clap, clap, clap.
It was praise that needed no words.
Bang Man-bok closed his eyes and savored the explosion of flavor bursting in his mouth before speaking.
“The Bamboo-Shadow Mushroom has finally found its master. Even the Imperial Kitchen’s cuisine is no greater than this.”
The others reacted in much the same way.
Seomun Ak and Jang Gwang opened and closed their lips like men who had forgotten how to speak.
Han Seong-chun turned his head to secretly wipe away his tears.
In Jin Seong-un’s mind, a golden, radiant future unfolded.
‘What is this inn’s signature dish?’
A hidden gourmet expert of the martial world comes to ask. Jin Seong-un answers proudly.
‘Cheongtang Bamboo Stew.’
‘I’ve never heard that name before.’
‘Because it is unique to Seong-un Inn.’
Even before the dish is served, expectations rise to the highest peak. Normally, this would be a bad move. If expectations rise too high, so too does the standard.
But the Cheongtang Bamboo Stew that follows would surpass even the highest expectations.
The gourmet would weep openly, and soon, the fame of Seong-un Inn’s Cheongtang Bamboo Stew would spread throughout the land.
And why stop there? They would enter the Grand Chef Tournament mentioned by Lingbo Immortal Maiden.
Chefs from the Imperial Kitchen, chefs from renowned taverns and inns, all would gather.
It would be like the greatest martial arts tournament, except with food—where the very best competed.
There, the Cheongtang Bamboo Stew would be presented.
Since it came from a small city inn in Yichang, no one would expect anything.
But the moment the judges tasted it—
If their tongues still worked, they would surely react just like Bang Man-bok and No Sang-won had.
“The inn that has the greatest chef under heaven.”
It would be the highest honor an inn could ever obtain.
“Ehehehe.”
Lost in this fantasy, Jin Seong-un laughed strangely, half-glazed eyes rolling, making the others glance at him sidelong.
Regardless, savoring the Cheongtang Bamboo Stew again, Jin Seong-un suddenly spoke.
“Chef Seo, might I ask for another bowl?”
Seo Yu-gyeom smiled brightly and nodded. This was the very first time Jin Seong-un had ever asked for more.
Seo Yu-gyeom immediately returned to the kitchen and quickly brought out another Cheongtang Bamboo Stew.
Everyone, including No Sang-won and Bang Man-bok, swallowed hard as they watched.
And then—
“Huh?”
They all stared in surprise.
Jin Seong-un had picked up the bowl and stood. Then, in the next moment, he disappeared.
No Sang-won and Bang Man-bok grew indignant.
“Guest Dragon! I didn’t take you for that kind of man.”
“Couldn’t you have shared a little? Even if you’re the innkeeper…”
But Jin Seong-un ignored them and went straight to his room. It wasn’t because he wanted to be greedy and eat alone.
As he tasted the greatest dish of his life, he naturally thought of his masters.
That was how people were. When enjoying good food or beautiful scenery, they remembered their loved ones.
For Jin Seong-un, who had lived his whole life as an orphan, the Martial Gods had come to fill that place in his heart.
Holding the bowl, Jin Seong-un paused to think.
“Will it work?”
He had never entered the Martial God Realm carrying food or objects before.
Or perhaps… he should perform a ritual right here.
The thought came to him briefly. After all, rituals were about offering food to the dead.
But he quickly shook his head. His masters were alive and well within the Martial God Realm—there was no need for such a ritual.
So he opened the gate to the Martial God Realm.
The scenery of the Martial God Realm was always the same.
No matter what strange events rocked the world, no matter the thunder and storms, this place never changed. That constancy always brought him peace.
When Jin Seong-un arrived, the Martial Gods stopped what they were doing and greeted him.
Sword Immortal seemed to have just lost another game of Go to the Noble Enchantress, for he naturally lifted his hand and overturned the board at Jin Seong-un’s arrival.
The Noble Enchantress looked wronged, while the Merchant King and Divine Thief, locked in a collar-grabbing scuffle, both greeted Jin Seong-un in passing.
The Blood Demon was the same as always, lying apart from the others, staring at some unknown distant sky.
Then the Divine Thief asked:
“So, what are you doing?”
Because Jin Seong-un was holding his hands out respectfully. Originally, they had held the Cheongtang Bamboo Stew, but now they were empty.
Gazing sadly at his bare palms, Jin Seong-un answered.
“I wanted to serve my masters some food. I recently created my inn’s signature dish, and it is truly delicious.”
Seeing their disciple looking so uncharacteristically dejected, Sword Immortal, the Noble Enchantress, Merchant King, and Divine Thief all smiled warmly.
“Hahaha, is that so? Just the thought is enough to make us feel we’ve been lavishly treated.”
“Yes, I’m full already. Absolutely stuffed.”
They had spent an unfathomable length of time here together.
To have such an excellent disciple was already a blessing. That he even wanted to serve them food brought genuine laughter to their faces.
But Jin Seong-un still couldn’t shake off his regret. It truly was the best dish of his life, and he longed for them to taste it.
The Divine Thief, noticing his expression, sidled up and spoke in a sly tone.
“Well, it’s not as if there isn’t a way. Want to hear it?”
“Tch.”
Sword Immortal clicked his tongue and tried to stop him.
But the Divine Thief only looked all the more delighted, his eyes shining.
“If the food cannot come here, then why don’t we go there?”
“…Excuse me?”