Chapter 115

Shadows seeped into the room where Jayu lay sleeping.

Dressed head to toe in black, someone quietly sat by his bedside, gazing down at his frail face.

Jayu, stirred by the presence, furrowed his brow.

“Old Dog, can’t you wake me a little more normally?”

“Pardon me, but how could I dare disturb the sleeping Prince Wang-ya?”

“And what if I don’t wake up?”

“Isn’t it the rightful place of a dog to lie by its master’s bedside?”

Called a dog by himself, but he didn’t sound cowardly.

After all, Jayu had initially called him Old Dog, Dog Elder.

“Seriously. What happened to him? How did he die?”

“Blood was streaming from his whole body, and without a moment to react, he breathed his last. Even someone clueless about poison would say it was a poisoning.”

“Tsk. Not a way for a petty fool to die.”

“Who cares? It’s just some guy who’s been crawling around gambling dens. Even if Wang-ya allowed it, he lived luxuriously acting like he leveled up, so before he died, the world was a paradise for him, and after death, he must’ve had a nice afterlife in return for Wang-ya’s tragic fate.”

“Take good care of the remaining family. When I die and go to the afterlife, I should have some excuse ready, shouldn’t I?”

Jayu then fell deep in thought.

“I guess I should rely on the Tang Family for a while longer.”

“Wang-ya, do you mean you will be staying in the den of parasitic locusts that gnaw at your wealth?”

“I saw the Tang Family Chief today. His face was one of shock when I suddenly barged in, but he wasn’t losing anything, so the poisoning wasn’t the Tang folks’ doing. So, is there any place safer than Sichuan?”

“But, how can they dare gnaw at Wang-ya’s wealth?”

“Even locusts seem to have their uses.”

Jayu smiled brightly in response.

Just then, Old Dog lowered his voice.

“Wang-ya, about that Young Lady… Will she finally be the mistress of Wangfu? This old dog can finally serve a mistress in his twilight years? She truly is a stunning beauty; if a Young Master is born, he’ll be the most handsome in the world, and if a Young Lady is born, wouldn’t she truly be the Most Beautiful in the World?”

Jayu found himself nodding unconsciously.

After all, a beauty is a beauty, and thinking of offspring…

In truth, the offspring of prestigious clans or families always exuded an air of nobility from their looks.

The women of the martial world had learned enough of enchanting techniques, which elevated the level of overall appearance across generations.

Of course, no matter how much one cared about looks, one couldn’t blindly learn some enchanting technique like Qing.

The Inner Strength Meditation Technique substitutes stepping up into a higher level of study.

Jokingly, they’d talk about gathering special enchanting techniques to compete for the title of Most Beautiful in the World.

But if anyone truly intended to do that, everyone would discourage them by suggesting that there are far easier ways to end it all.

“Oh, if this old dog could see that lovely demeanor before I die! Even if I fell into a thousand calamities, I’d go with a smile.”

Old Dog expressed his heartfelt longing.

Jayu snapped back to reality.

What if he had too beautiful a daughter, and that tyrant emperor laid eyes on her? He was worrying about a daughter that didn’t even exist yet.

Jayu suddenly waved his hands in surprise.

“No, no, that’s not it. That friend… just a friend, really. She doesn’t even know the ways of the world yet.”

Having grown up in the Imperial Palace, Jayu wasn’t one to care deeply about beauty.

Still, it’d be better than a foreign noblewoman who was constantly showing only the crown of her head, wouldn’t it?

Just this much, really.

—-

It was a morning when the incense burner rose.

In truth, he missed it every morning.

Having to put on his own clothes? How could this be?

It was so much easier when Representative Ho was around…

Waking up late, Qing fumbled about, putting on his clothes before stepping out of the Guest Hall.

As was typical for guests, Qing didn’t have any particular tasks.

Originally, guests are those who linger around and help when needed.

They get food, a place to sleep, and even allowances.

This is why the ultimate aim of wandering ronins was to rise to fame and then settle into a suitable role as a guest in a martial family or clan.

Ronins enjoyed the hospitality while the hosts could afford to take in temporary instructors or emergency personnel.

After a long stay, one might actually become part of the family or fundamentally claim a position, which was the cultural pattern of guests.

However, excessive influential clans or families would be exceptions.

At that point, there’s no need to bring in outsiders, so they’d selectively accept guests.

Of course, Qing was a freeloading rogue who could be treated as a guest anywhere, but he wasn’t thick-skinned enough to barge into a completely unfamiliar place demanding food.

Thus, he worked diligently as the underground underboss of the Four Kings of Sichuan.

Ah, he also had to clarify that topic about the side character.

He intended to bring it up when the mood was right yesterday.

But that delicious duck distracted him so much that the side character completely slipped his mind.

Um, the duck was tasty, but…

That Ultimate Spicy Hotpot kept creeping into his thoughts.

The Most Skilled Chef Bai Chang-ja had said.

Taste is power.

And Qing agreed.

Even if they do business like dogs, if the food is good, what can you do?

If you pay for something and it’s disappointing, as long as that dish gives you satisfaction, even your pride would have to take a hit, right?

So, he figured he should make another reservation today.

In fact, Qing didn’t realize it, but whenever he hung out with Crown Prince Namgoong Shin-jae, he often went around breaking reservations.

But Qing didn’t know the background well.

Plus, if Tang Nan-ah brought the entire Tang family to fill up Changlong, Qing probably just thought, ‘Ah, another group meal’ and let it slide.

They each had their share of the meal, and when they lost the reservation caught up in all of that, he was just mad about it.

As it happened, Qing, with Choi Riyong following close behind, was crossing the Tang family’s territory.

“Hey, friend. Are you finally up? So, where are you off to so early in the morning?”

Of course, the sun was already high in the sky.

“Off to make a reservation at Changlong. Who knows when I’ll be back in Sichuan? If I miss it, I’ll regret it. But hey, who’s that beside you?”

There was an old man standing next to Jayu.

Jayu, looking somewhat proud, said, “Ah, don’t mind him. Just an old servant who takes care of me.”

“What? That’s no way to talk, you little brat. Don’t speak to the elder like that. Friend, I didn’t see this side of you.”

Jayu shot an incredulous look back and forth between Qing and Choi Riyong.

However, Choi Riyong had seen Old Dog first as Great Demon Lord.

Now they had grown closer, but the sins of the past had not just disappeared.

But there was this old man who, even if not much, had a few virtues amongst his flaws, so he could be considered an elder.

“Hello?”

“Goodness, how is your heart so exquisite, dear Young Lady? I am Old Dog, the servant of Young Master Jayu. I am indebted to him greatly and serve him wholeheartedly.”

Looking at him, Qing saw a martial master far above him.

Qing tilted his head.

He was usually confident when facing older folks.

But he felt like he was being looked at nearly as if he was looking at his granddaughter.

What’s this? Is this old man losing his mind?

Is there a dementia wave going around among the Central Plains masters?

If so, is the future of the Central Plains alright?

“So, where are you headed? Casually wandering around someone else’s house is quite rude, you know. Besides, do you even know how to get out of here?”

“Um, I suppose you could just head out through the big gate?”

“Hmm? Is that so? That makes sense.”

“I’m off to try and make another reservation at Changlong. While I’m in Sichuan, I should at least give it a try. I’ll make the reservation, hit up Amisan, and then come back on the right date.”

After all, the Crown Prince supposedly died, leading to forty-nine days of abstinence from alcohol.

So, he planned to set the reservation comfortably after that and stop by for a drink after the Ultimate Spicy Hotpot before heading home.

“Amisan, oh, was there something to attend to at Amipa?”

Meanwhile, the two old men exchanged glances.

Both were masters of the Realm of Transformation, so they recognized each other’s levels at a glance.

To employ masters of the Realm of Transformation as servants, they must be from a prestigious and powerful family, adding fifteen points to the rating.

But due to the overwhelming power of that family, they lose fourteen points.

Having a successful business isn’t necessarily a good thing either.

In the end, Choi Riyong gave Jayu one point for being generous.

It was a score that could not be found in the ocean of water.

Old Dog quickly noticed the change in atmosphere.

Yikes. This old man is picky.

Better not disturb his mood.

The clash of two experts in the Realm of Transformation concluded with Choi Riyong’s victory.

In the end, the one with the more to lose had to bow down.

—-

Stepping outside, the streets were, to put it mildly, a complete tear-fest.

There were even people openly wailing, making Qing wonder what was so tragic going on.

Is the death of a prince that sorrowful?

Of course, Qing couldn’t resist the urge to ask.

Hearing the question, Jayu, for some reason, turned his head away in embarrassment, while Old Dog answered instead.

“Oh dear Young Lady, is there anyone in Sichuan who hasn’t benefited from Wang-ya?”

Prince Deokhyeon was a figure as virtuous as his name suggested.

He didn’t collect much tax to begin with, and whatever he did collect was completely poured into relief and various public works, saving countless lives and enriching the lives of the common folks.

“Plus, he was sensitive to the corruption of officials. At least in this land of Sichuan, he uprooted all sorts of evil customs that were usual in the government. Truly a celestial king sent down from the heavens,”

As Qing listened, he thought about it and indeed, the public officials here seemed to have a low rate of wrongdoing.

“Oh, he was a remarkable man, indeed.”

“Of course! Not only that, he was overflowing with compassion and loyalty. Once he gave his affection, he’d cherish it for a lifetime and never betray you.”

“Cough, cough, Old Dog. Let’s leave it at that.”

Regardless, within a day, the mood of the city had turned completely solemn.

Everyone was visibly gloomy and saddened.

Of course, to have a cheerful demeanor would be a form of rebellion.

Only external people like Qing were left with confused expressions, pondering whether they should just head home or not.

But Qing remained undeterred and finally reached the renowned Ultimate Spicy Hotpot restaurant, Changlong.

Only, after crossing through Sichuan, it was all for naught as the doors were tightly shut.

“What? Are they not open…?”

“Oh dear, Young Lady, don’t be too disappointed. Let me check. Even if they should greet visitors with open arms, how could they dare be so rude?”

“No, no. They must have their reasons. There’s no need to cause inconvenience.”

“Ahh, your heart is indeed as delicate as silk. I am truly in awe, dear Young Lady.”

By this point, it was hard to tell who was serving whom.

As Qing turned his slumped shoulders to leave, he heard,

“Wait! You must be the guest who came yesterday with that flute… no, that Heavenly Flower!”

“Oh? The Most Skilled Chef?”

“Yes! That is indeed the case.”

Hastily approaching was Bai Chang-ja, the Most Skilled Chef.

“What’s going on? You’re not open today?”

“Well, you see, I was checking the ingredients yesterday, which unfortunately led me to discover the root of the issue. But, it wasn’t something easily resolved, so I’ve closed the shop entirely.”

“Really? It was your shop?”

“Not exactly, but if the Most Skilled Chef can’t manage it, what can a mere restaurant owner do? Taste is power. If you want, you can cook it yourself.”

Being associated with the Most Skilled Chef made the restaurant owner seem like an underwhelming figure.

However, he truly was a steadfast man in his own right.

“Enough of that. So? You didn’t come just to catch up?”

“Well, I was wondering if you have any connection with the Tang Family’s martial heroes.”

“Why do you ask?”

“If the Tang Family’s martial heroes could intervene, that would help resolve the issue.”

Bai Chang-ja continued with a serious expression.

“There’s a problem with the ingredients.”

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