Chapter 134: We’re Really Not Lying
Jin Seong-un tilted his head and asked,
“Are you able to come outside?”
It was a puzzling question.
If that had been possible, then there would have been no need to achieve anything through Jin Seong-un in the first place.
The Martial Gods’ abilities far exceeded his own. If they were to directly intervene in the world, there would truly be nothing they could not accomplish.
The Divine Thief answered with a meaningful smile.
“It was once impossible, but now… it is not as though there is absolutely no way. A connecting link has appeared, one that bridges this place and the world you live in.”
“A connecting link…?”
That was none other than Jin Seong-un himself.
The only bridge connecting the human world and the Martial God Realm. Because of that, the Martial Gods had passed down all martial arts and everything else to Jin Seong-un.
The Divine Thief continued.
“Yes, if the day comes when the eyes of the heavens are obscured, then in that moment…”
“Enough.”
The Sword Immortal’s grave voice dropped like a boulder. The Divine Thief hunched his shoulders and gave an awkward laugh as he glanced at him.
“Enough, I said.”
Jin Seong-un smacked his lips.
The Sword Immortal was glaring at the Divine Thief with fierce eyes. If he asked further in such an atmosphere, he might end up being scolded himself.
So instead, he asked something else.
“But if food cannot be brought into this place, then what about the sword at my waist or the clothes I’m wearing? According to Master’s words, shouldn’t I have entered naked?”
The Divine Thief wore a baffled expression. He had never actually thought about it that far.
When he turned his head to look at the other Martial Gods, they all had similar expressions.
After pretending to think for a while, the Divine Thief replied,
“Mm… perhaps those clothes are included as part of you.”
“Then if I came in after spilling Cheongtang Bamboo Stew all over my arm, would it get washed away? What about stains on my clothes? And what if I came in holding another person’s hand?”
Perhaps because he had recently met the Lingbo Immortal Maiden, Jin Seong-un’s questions were unusually numerous.
The Divine Thief and the Martial Gods all wore faces that seemed to say, “What’s with him today?”
In truth, Jin Seong-un simply wanted to share the taste of Cheongtang Bamboo Stew with his masters.
How regretful was it that the world’s finest delicacy was right before him, yet he could not treat his teachers?
After much pondering, the Divine Thief finally replied,
“I don’t know, brat.”
“……”
Not only he, but it seemed none of them knew.
From the beginning, they had not been the ones who created the Martial God Realm. They were merely beings who had ended up staying here for certain reasons.
Jin Seong-un shrugged his shoulders.
“What a shame. I truly wanted you to taste it.”
Excluding the Blood Demon, who looked uninterested, all the other Martial Gods showed gratified expressions.
That was because Jin Seong-un’s sincerity toward them was clearly conveyed.
The Merchant King approached, laughing gently.
“Your heart alone is enough. When one eats good food, it is human nature to want to share it with cherished companions. I cannot even recall how long it has been since I last felt such a sentiment.”
The Martial Gods were lonely beings.
Though they had each other, they were not ones to exchange genuine warmth.
The Merchant King continued.
“Did you return well from the Merchant Festival?”
“Ah.”
Jin Seong-un paused for a moment.
He could not predict how the Merchant King would react if he told him everything that had happened there.
However, since he must not hide anything from his masters, Jin Seong-un calmly recounted the events of the Merchant Festival one by one.
From his meeting with Song Jae-mun, to Lee Ji-san’s ambush against Song Jae-mun, the Southern Black Lotus Lord’s intervention, and finally, the affairs involving Won Gi-sang, the Chief Manager of the Myriad Gold Manor.
In particular, he spoke in detail about Song Jae-mun’s Heavenly Fortune Theory (天運論) and Won Gi-sang’s Merchant Theory (商人論).
After hearing it all, the Merchant King spoke with a hardened expression.
“Nonsense. That so-called Heavenly Fortune of Song Jae-mun, Buddhist doctrine, and even the Merchant Theory that the Chief Manager of the Myriad Gold Manor spoke of—are nothing but shallow logic established merely to represent themselves and justify their positions.”
The Merchant King was firm.
Hearing this, Jin Seong-un felt somewhat relieved. For the greatest merchant of all ages himself to declare them wrong—that was reassurance enough.
After a brief silence, the Merchant King spoke again, somewhat hesitantly, unlike his usual self.
“The current Myriad Gold Manor must be quite different from the one I founded. Much time has passed, and they must have amassed even greater wealth. Time and money… they change people, organizations, and ideologies.”
“Could it be that what Master desires of me is also related to the Myriad Gold Manor?”
It was a question Jin Seong-un had long wondered. Especially after seeing those called the Chief Managers of the Manor, he thought so all the more.
They were far too different from the Merchant King he knew.
The Merchant King nodded frankly.
“Yes. But the time has not yet come.”
“Because I am weak? If it is training, I can endure as much as needed. I still have much to learn.”
As he spoke, Jin Seong-un glanced at the Sword Immortal.
Indeed, the Sword Immortal often remarked that he had not yet taught even half of his sword arts.
But the Merchant King shook his head.
“It is not because you are weak. It is because I am.”
Jin Seong-un stared blankly at him.
He did not understand what that meant. Yet the Merchant King’s aura did not permit further questioning.
So Jin Seong-un merely nodded. When the time came, surely his master would explain.
Thus, after training martial arts in the Martial God Realm for the first time in a while, Jin Seong-un soon left that place.
The Red Cliff Escort Agency began sending Bamboo-Shadow Mushrooms, and true to her word, the Lingbo Immortal Maiden sent a large supply of bamboo from the snowy mountains.
Seo Yu-gyeom unveiled Cheongtang Bamboo Stew to the world, based on the completed recipe.
The result was only natural.
A taste that moves even the heavens!
A flavor of the ages that one could never imagine in a lifetime!
If one could choose their last meal before death, without hesitation, it would be Cheongtang Bamboo Stew!
All sorts of grand rumors spread from Yichang throughout the entire nation.
Before long, the name Seong-un Inn was always accompanied by Cheongtang Bamboo Stew.
It had firmly established itself as the true specialty of the house.
.
.
.
Seomun Ak wiped a bead of sweat and shouted outside.
“Hey, no cutting in line!”
Seong-un Inn was flourishing like never before.
The dining hall was packed to the brim, and even the guest rooms had been filled to capacity.
The fame of Cheongtang Bamboo Stew drew high-ranking officials, martial artists, the wealthy, merchants, performers, and gourmets all rushing into Yichang.
Instead of standing in line, they booked guest rooms. By doing so, they could eat the food in their rooms without waiting.
These were people who did not need to consider the price when eating. All they had to think about was whether the experience was worth it.
“Seong-un, don’t you think I should pay after all?”
No Sang-won asked while devouring Cheongtang Bamboo Stew as if hiding it from a crab’s eyes.
For several days, No Sang-won had been eating nothing but Cheongtang Bamboo Stew for every meal, but Jin Seong-un had never charged him separately.
“It’s fine.”
Partly because the dish was quite expensive and Jin Seong-un worried that No Sang-won might go broke, and also because he had been the most active helper when the inn was first getting established.
Above all, Jin Seong-un had the means to treat his cherished ones to as much food as he wished. He felt once again grateful for that.
In the meantime, a familiar face entered the inn.
The moment she appeared, the place erupted with murmurs.
It wasn’t just because of her dazzling beauty.
She wore flowing robes like an immortal and deliberately released her inner energy faintly, making her garments flutter.
“The fame of Cheongtang Bamboo Stew has reached peaceful Lanzhou. How could I not come and see for myself?”
It was the Lingbo Immortal Maiden.
Drawing everyone’s attention, she carefully scooped up a spoonful of Cheongtang Bamboo Stew and tasted it.
Her reaction would soon spread rapidly through countless witnesses’ mouths.
After savoring the taste briefly, the Lingbo Immortal Maiden widened her eyes and stood up.
People looked on curiously, waiting for her next eccentric act.
She soon strolled outside and, under the cool summer night, composed a poem on the spot.
霜降曉步竹林中,
Walking in the bamboo forest on a frosty dawn,
玉碗淸湯映竹影.
In a jade bowl of clear soup, bamboo shadows reflect.
金杏點點光華淨,
Golden ginkgo nuts shine spotlessly,
雪丸團團氣味淸.
Snow-white meatballs are round, their fragrance pure.
香氣入鼻醒魂性,
The aroma enters the nose, awakening the soul,
淸味潤喉添豪情.
The clear taste moistens the throat, adding boldness.
莫言塵世無眞境,
Do not say there is no true realm in the mortal world,
此中已有神仙情.
For within this lies the heart of an immortal.
Her poem elevated Cheongtang Bamboo Stew into the food of immortals.
The Lingbo Immortal Maiden closed her eyes gently, deliberately exhaling a trembling breath to create an aftertaste.
It was the very reaction of someone who had tasted heavenly cuisine, and people burst into applause and cheers everywhere.
Those eating felt as though they had become immortals themselves, while those waiting in line grew so impatient with anticipation that they could hardly endure it.
In the heated atmosphere, a scraping sound was heard from inside.
The Lingbo Immortal Maiden narrowed her eyes. Some old man was carving the poem she had just written onto the inn’s wall without her permission.
“It is a verse worth engraving.”
“You seem to know a thing or two about poetry?”
The Lingbo Immortal Maiden asked in a strangely curt tone. After all, it was somewhat displeasing to see her poem used without consent.
When it came to poetry, music, dance, and song, she was called the greatest of her era.
In martial terms, it was like recording the sword dance of the world’s greatest swordsman into words and pictures without permission.
At that moment—
No Sang-won raised his voice deliberately for everyone to hear.
“An inn where the Lingbo Immortal Maiden composes poetry, and Master Shin Mok himself engraves it!”
No Sang-won truly had a talent for stirring the crowd. People everywhere praised Seong-un Inn.
The Lingbo Immortal Maiden’s eyes widened in shock. She had never expected that old man to be Shin Mok.
She stared straight at Jin Seong-un, her eyes asking whether it was true. He nodded.
‘What on earth is this place?’
How could such a small-town inn hold so many surprises?
Still, the idea of her poem being carved by the famed Shin Mok wasn’t unpleasant, so she quickly changed her expression and said,
“Shall I recite it again?”
“Yes, do so.”
When Shin Mok said that, the Lingbo Immortal Maiden gladly recited her poem once more.
Thus, people became drunk on Cheongtang Bamboo Stew, Yangha Daegu, the Lingbo Immortal Maiden’s poem, and Shin Mok’s craft.
At that time, someone sitting in a corner quietly beckoned Jin Seong-un.
It was Bang Man-bok, the Master of the Red Cliff Escort Agency.
The two slipped quietly out of the inn.
With a satisfied smile, Bang Man-bok said,
“Ha-ha, I finally feel as if I have lightened a debt of the heart. It is truly an excellent dish. The inn’s atmosphere is delightful as well. More than anything, the people gathering here are all extraordinary. You will surely become a great merchant.”
Hearing such praise about the inn made Jin Seong-un’s lips twitch upward.
Seeing this, Bang Man-bok chuckled.
“I shall return now. Eating such good food in such fine company makes me think of my sons. Soon, I will come again with my second son.”
“Yes, of course. But wouldn’t it be even better if your eldest son came as well?”
“Heh…”
Bang Man-bok gave a bitter smile.
“I would like that too, but I have no idea where he even is. That rascal wanders the world freely, claiming he wishes to enjoy its pleasures. If I ever come across him by chance, I will certainly bring him.”
An eldest son who could only be met by chance. Jin Seong-un gave a wry laugh.
Bang Man-bok continued,
“My second son could probably become close with you. He’s about your age, with a very good nature. He is responsible and talented. If he inherits the escort agency, it will surely become even greater than it is now.”
This was the highest praise a merchant could give to another. Even from his words alone, it was clear how much Bang Man-bok valued and cherished his second son.
Jin Seong-un nodded.
“Yes, I understand. It would be an honor to befriend such a person. When you come with him, I’ll prepare even finer dishes.”
“Yes. For now, I’ll be busy rooting out spies within the Red Cliff Escort Agency. Let’s plan for next month.”
“If you need help, please let me know.”
Bang Man-bok smiled in great satisfaction, looking at Jin Seong-un as though he were his third son.
After exchanging farewells, Bang Man-bok departed.
And news of him came half a month later.
Early one morning, instead of the usual escort delivering Bamboo-Shadow Mushrooms, a man who introduced himself as the Chief Escort Captain of the Red Cliff Escort Agency arrived.
Scratching his head awkwardly, he spoke.
“They have passed away.”
“What did you say?”
“…Escort Leader Bang Man-bok and his son, Young Master Bang Cheon-gang, were escorting goods together when they were ambushed by the Yangtze River Stronghold. Both of them were killed on the spot.”
Jin Seong-un looked at the captain with a grim face.
At that moment, Won Hu-hyeok happened to be in the inn, eating hot soup to cure his hangover since morning. He was Jang Gwang’s right-hand man and the newly appointed Chief Escort Captain.
Jin Seong-un turned his head toward Won Hu-hyeok.
Won Hu-hyeok spat out the food he had been eating, staring back with an expression that screamed injustice.
‘We’re really not lying here.’
That was exactly what his eyes were saying.