"Over here!"
"Oh dear. Young Master, you have come again. Please follow me. I will guide you to a good spot."
"Is everything alright?"
"Oh dear. What could possibly be wrong? Thanks to you visiting often, business is good and life is bearable. Hahaha."
With the guidance of Jeomsoi, Cheongmyeong headed towards a window seat.
"Here is a cool towel. If you wait a moment, I will bring out the usual Xiaohong wine for you. What would you like for snacks today?"
"Just bring out a few decent ones."
"Yes. I will speak with the chef and prepare the best dishes for you today."
Not the best, but the most delicious, you rascal! Trying to take me for a fool!
However, Jeomsoi dashed to the kitchen without giving Cheongmyeong a chance to stop him and quickly returned with two bottles of chilled Xiaohong wine.
"Here you go."
"Ah, thank you."
As soon as Cheongmyeong received the Xiaohong wine, he opened the cap without delay and poured it into his cup.
The sound of the wine flowing in was incredibly satisfying.
'This is what life is about.'
No matter how much Cheongmyeong had kicked the teachings of the Dao aside, as a disciple of the Three Great Masters, he could not drink wine in the volcano.
While drinking was not completely forbidden, it was strictly prohibited within the sect.
But who was Cheongmyeong? A person who does what he is told not to do, and absolutely does what he is told he must not do.
'Strangely, when told not to eat, it makes me want to eat more.'
The two bottles of wine he had brought from the cave had long been finished, and now, thanks to the privileges given by the sect leader, it had become a routine for him to change into his robe and visit the tavern every time he came down to Huayun.
He had come so often that now Jeomsoi would greet him first.
How embarrassing!
"Ah."
After downing a cup of wine without hesitation, Cheongmyeong slumped into his chair with a face that looked as if he had arrived in paradise.
"Why are there so many things that one should not do? Shouldn't a person’s words match up?"
Those Daoist fellows! What? I’m a Daoist too? No way.
I’m a bit different.
Cheongmyeong poured himself another cup and brought it to his lips.
Then he paused, not drinking, and quietly stared at the cup.
A slight smile appeared on his face as he gazed at the swirling wine.
"Things are not like they used to be, Senior Brother."
It was the best when he could hide and drink while avoiding the watchful eyes of his senior brothers, who were always on the lookout for him.
"I’m right here."
There was no one around.
As he looked at the cup, Cheongmyeong eventually chuckled softly.
It was strange.
He had never missed someone sitting across from him at the table in his entire life, yet now he found himself gazing beyond the cup.
"Tsk."
But he wouldn’t fall into deep contemplation.
The past was simply the past.
If his senior brothers saw him in such a pitiful state, they would laugh until their bellies hurt.
That was just how they were.
In the world, they were called enlightened masters who had attained high Dao, or living immortals, but in reality, they were just playful old men.
Cheongmyeong was no different.
"Here comes the Sanpisas (Three Skin Threads). And here is the Dae Ryeo Daepajooja (Big Pig Feet)."
Sanpisa was a dish made from the skins of black-boned chicken, pig, and jellyfish, while Dae Ryeo Daepajooja was a dish made from braised pig trotters.
Both were traditional foods from Shanxi.
"What about Dongpayeok?"
"It will be out soon."
Cheongmyeong licked his lips and picked up his chopsticks.
The past was nothing compared to the delicacies laid out on the table.
After downing a cup of Xiaohong wine and grabbing some cold dishes, he felt like he was in paradise.
'This is the realm of immortals.'
The tales of ascension were nothing compared to this.
Senior brothers, I won’t be going there.
You all enjoy your happiness there.
At that moment, the door opened, and a group of people entered.
"Welcome!"
Jeomsoi rushed towards the door.
The newcomers were all young men and women, perhaps a bit older than young adults.
The men seemed to be around thirty, while the women looked noticeably younger.
In any case, to Cheongmyeong, they appeared to be mere children.
As they entered, they looked around and took seats at the table next to Cheongmyeong.
He paid them no mind and busily moved his chopsticks.
"Finally, I can eat some real food."
"I can’t eat any more from the Wall of the Valley, Senior Brother."
"Is that why you came here? It’s important to greet the masters on the mountain as soon as possible, but I’m sure they will understand this much."
Senior Brother? Masters?
Cheongmyeong raised his head slightly and glanced at those who were unloading their bags.
They were all wearing black robes, and on their chests was embroidered a plum blossom symbolizing the volcano.
'Is that a white porcelain boat?'
Since they wore robes embroidered with plum blossoms, they must be from the volcano sect, and since Cheongmyeong had never seen them before, it must be the white porcelain boat.
Their ages fit that description perfectly.
Cheongmyeong lowered his head deeply.
He had committed no crime, but he did not want to show his face.
He didn’t want to get involved unnecessarily.
Fortunately, he was wearing casual clothes now, so as long as he didn’t get entangled, there shouldn’t be a problem.
'They won’t even let me eat properly.
Sigh.
I need to eat quickly and leave.'
There was no joy in meeting the younger generation.
After all, this one was troublesome, and that one was troublesome too.
The best course of action was to avoid entanglement as much as possible.
"But where is Sister Yu?"
"I think she went up to the volcano first."
"Weren’t we supposed to meet at Huayun?"
"When has Sister Yu ever listened to anyone?"
"Hmm. Then the masters must have known we were coming."
"It’s fine. Everyone knows Sister Yu is a bit peculiar."
"Then that’s a relief."
The young man sitting in the middle called Jeomsoi and placed a simple order.
He then ordered wine and filled the cups of his senior brothers.
'Oh dear.'
Cheongmyeong frowned.
'These second-generation disciples are having a drinking party right in the middle of Huayun.
What a disgrace to the sect!'
Anyway, these youngsters! Huh? Me? Oh no.
I’m different.
I’m nearly a hundred years old...
Forget it, forget it.
"You all have worked hard. You’ve endured a tough training."
"Who else has worked as hard as Senior Brother? We just followed you."
"That’s right. Senior Brother has worked the hardest."
The tall young man in the middle smiled brightly.
'He’s handsome, isn’t he?'
Even Cheongmyeong, being a man, could feel the warmth of his appearance.
With the black robe on him, he looked like a painting.
What should I say? He had the aura of a legendary hero from a story.
"I know better than anyone that among those who trained with us, you all worked the hardest. This wine is personally for you, so don’t feel burdened and drink as much as you like."
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
"But don’t get too drunk. We have to go up to the volcano in the evening."
"Of course."
Laughter filled the air.
It seemed they were stopping by Huayun for a drink after finishing their training.
Perhaps that guy called Senior Brother was the top disciple of the white porcelain boat, and the others were the influential figures of the white porcelain boat.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to drink so boldly in a place where other senior brothers might see them.
'The sect is really going downhill.'
Cheongmyeong let out a slight snort.
When he was the top disciple, he couldn’t even imagine drinking with them.
If he had done so, he would have been locked in the repentance hall for a week, swinging his sword while staring at the wall.
So Cheongmyeong had drunk in hiding!
Huh? Oh, he did drink.
But he did it in a fundamental way, in hiding! Not so openly like this!
The ones who had no idea what Cheongmyeong was thinking began clinking their cups and sharing wine.
Soon, the snacks arrived, and the atmosphere began to heat up.
'Let’s just eat quickly and leave.'
Amidst the lively chatter, Cheongmyeong quickly moved his chopsticks.
Just as he downed a cup of Xiaohong wine, an undeniable voice pierced his ear.
"Baekcheon, Senior Brother."
"Speak, disciple."
"Having worked this hard, we should be able to achieve good results at the Huazhong Conference, right?"
Baekcheon, the one referred to, crossed his arms and slowly nodded.
"…Hmm."
"That should be the case, right, Senior Brother?"
"Disciple. Honestly, I don’t know. But there is one thing I do know."
"What is it?"
"Effort never betrays a person."
Baekcheon’s eyes shone with clarity.
"We have worked hard enough. We have endured that tough training and constantly whipped ourselves. Even if we do not win, it is true that we have made significant progress during that time, isn’t it?"
"That’s right, Senior Brother."
"Do not be fixated on winning or losing. We are in a long game. If we are distracted by immediate victories, we may lose sight of the distant future."
"Ah... I was short-sighted."
"But I do want to win."
Baekcheon smiled gently.
When he smiled, the atmosphere around him brightened.
The second-generation disciples looked at him with eyes full of trust.
But behind him, there was one person with a rotten expression.
'Did he oil his mouth?'
Cheongmyeong gulped down the Xiaohong wine with a face that felt nauseous.
Such smooth talk did not suit him at all.
'This feels different from the senior brothers.'
While the senior brothers also spoke in a roundabout way, this felt somewhat different.
Yet, he hadn’t done anything wrong...
"So, how skilled are we now? Can we fight against the disciples of Jongnam?"
"Well."
Baekcheon opened his mouth with a serious expression.
"Jongnam is strong. It is truly one of the Nine Great Factions."
"Yes. That’s true."
"In the past, we were also part of the old faction, but honestly, the gap between Jongnam and us has widened to an unimaginable extent."
Everyone’s faces darkened at Baekcheon’s words.
"But that is just fame."
Baekcheon’s voice rose slightly, as if trying to lighten the mood.
"Fame and strength are not always proportional. We lost at the last Huazhong Conference, but the gap was not that great. During that time, didn’t we train hard, sacrificing our sleep? Now we should be able to compete with Jongnam."
"Are you talking about Jongnam?"
"Was Jongnam always Jongnam? Was the volcano always the volcano? Nothing is predetermined. If we continue to strive, it will not be impossible for our generation to surpass Jongnam and gaze upon the world."
With a voice filled with strength and determined eyes, he certainly had a way of drawing people in.
Everyone was about to look at Baekcheon with moved expressions when...
"Pfft!"
A low chuckle came from behind.
The six people sitting at the table turned their heads in unison.
"Uh..."
Realizing that all eyes were on him, Cheongmyeong awkwardly covered his mouth.
'Oh no, I did it without realizing it.'
Hearing something so absurd made him burst into laughter.
As all eyes turned to him, Cheongmyeong quickly thought of an escape plan, just like usual.
'Let’s just brush it off naturally.'
And he began to cough violently.
"Puuh! Cough! Oh dear! I seem to have choked! Puhuh!"
"…"
Seeing the gazes fixed on him, Cheongmyeong frowned.
'Why aren’t they falling for it? The act was perfect!'
He tried to cough even more violently...
"Disciple."
"Yes?"
Baekcheon slowly stood up.
Then he looked at Cheongmyeong intently and spoke.
"Who are you, disciple? You seem to be a face I haven’t seen in Huayun before. If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask your name and clan?"
"…"
This seems to have gone wrong, doesn’t it? Right?