Chapter 375

“If you want to know how much guests are welcomed in the Central Plains, just look down at the dinner table in the evening.”

And so, Qing’s eyes widened in surprise.

Immediately after arriving, the anger was washed away refreshingly, and on top of that, to have brought such a precious guest, Kang Su-yang’s gratitude was beyond what one could express, even with a lifetime of being his adopted daughter.

Of course, many were vying for the position, so as a mere local leader of the martial alliances, it would be tough to secure, but that was how it was in their hearts.

With the prince also in attendance, they couldn’t slack off in their hospitality, and the table was almost buckling under the weight of extravagant dishes piled high, with plates precariously stacked on top of one another.

“Brother, this is Yangguang’s pride, roast suckling pig! Please eat before it gets cold!”

Roast suckling pig is a dish made by roasting a whole pig, and it’s a representative Guangdong dish.

But when mentioning Yangguang, it refers to both Guangdong and Guangxi, so it was audacious to slyly boast about the world’s finest delicacy, claiming it as part of Guangdong cuisine while actually including Guangxi, an act that would surely infuriate a Guangdong native.

People in Guangdong hold a notorious pride in their cuisine, and it’s said that if a person from Guangdong and one from Hangzhou were to dine together, only one would emerge alive, which was a sarcastic reflection on the fierce pride of those two regions about food.

However, the Gye-rim Sword Faction is located in Guangxi, and its members are, after all, from Guangxi.

Whether it’s Guangdong or Guangxi, it’s still about the “Guang” character; isn’t it just east and west differences?

Woo Na-ram expertly sliced off the tender portions from the front legs, placing them right on Qing’s plate.

That juicy bit was the best piece from the roast suckling pig.

The other side, of course, was presented to the prince, leaving the entire other side piled high on Qing’s plate.

This made Zhang Disciple Da Daljeon’s eyebrows twitch slightly.

Was Na-ram really a disciple of the Gye-rim, or just a lackey for the Cheonhwa-geom, serving the master first?

But the master was already indulged, thinking, “Let our Cheonhwa-geom eat and enjoy whatever she desires.”

“Wow, Na-ram is really treating the guests right! Junior Sister, that part is the best! The most delicious piece!”

“Wow, really? Then I should share some—”

“No, no, no. We eat dishes like this on good days, but you’re different. You should savor this while you can.”

As the Gye-rim Sword Faction had branched out, they might not be much different from common local warriors, but it’s still about the martial arts lineage. However, they couldn’t claim seniority if they were merely doting on someone else’s disciple, so it was a point no one would press.

With no one to stop him, Woo Na-ram was determined to fill up the plate.

“Brother! Roast Pigeon!”

Roast pigeon, which is considered lowly food in the Central Plains, is seen as a delicacy when raised specifically among the people of Guangdong.

“Brother! Goose from Guangxi!”

Roast goose, also a friend of Guangdong.

“Brother! Eight Treasure Dish!”

Being a premium dish using fresh seafood, it ranks among the highest delicacies, even with the underdeveloped logistics in the Central Plains.

Though it’s underdeveloped, it’s still the best logistics system in the era when compared to Qing’s hometown.

“Brother! Hakka Dumplings!”

Dumplings filled with tofu. If we talk about the quintessence of Guangdong cuisine, it would be soups and congees, but as the dinner grows grander, such types tend to disappear, so it seems there won’t be any tonight.

Just as the Guangdong dishes swept in, it was now the turn for Guangxi dishes.

But there was a clear difference even in appearance between Guangdong and Guangxi cuisine, so it was understandable that people from Guangdong would get worked up about mixing them up.

“Brother! Dried Beef!”

Dried beef from calves.

“Brother! White Soup of Tofu!”

This tofu variant is well recognized even by Guangdong natives.

“Brother! Steamed Duck Feet!”

“Steamed Conch! Silkworm Pupa! Mud Crab! Frog Legs!”

Although Guangxi’s land is barren and mountainous, the sea has only recently been developed, so it’s unavoidable that food cultures from outsiders linger; thus, the dishes might appear like this.

Qing, however, did not discriminate and ate happily.

But then, Zhang Disciple Da Daljeon’s eyebrows were practically twitching uncontrollably.

What on earth could distinguish whether that was actually the precious A-Qing from the great stories, or just the tavern worker named Jeomsoi brought with him?

Of course, everyone knew that Woo Na-ram idolized Cheonhwa-geom, making her his idol.

If expressed in Qing’s hometown manner, she should have been conducting business moderately.

Also, every other day, she would ask, “When will Cheonhwa-geom come?” so one could only wait at the edge of their seats, desperately looking forward to that, feeling like their neck was stretching as they did.

But wasn’t there a limit to it all?

She couldn’t decline the dishes offered by Cheonhwa-geom, and was shoving it all into her mouth vigorously.

No matter how delicious the food was, moderation is key; otherwise, it’s tantamount to torture where she just keeps jamming food until she bursts.

Thinking about it, Cheonhwa-geom’s capability of keeping up with her demands truly seemed admirable.

Of course, that was an underestimation of Qing’s abilities.

“Mmm. Delicious, so delicious!”

Qing had even undone her bandages and was digging in.

Soon enough, lost in joy while eating, she exclaimed—

“Ugh.”

Qing’s stomach isn’t some infinite bag that immortal beings carry in the stories. It just stretches as she eats more.

As Qing finally finished her meal, her stomach bulged to an extraordinary level.

Usually, it would withstand well, as her robust frame could handle the fierce capacity, but now one of her ribs had cracked, and a triple-layer muscle wall around her abdomen had all burst.

With her stomach pushing out, the ribs that were holding on were screaming, “Stop stuffing your mouth! You’ll break me, and I’ll shoot out of your body!”

Qing’s complexion turned pale instantly.

Though hidden under her hair, her situation was severe, but when she suddenly cried out in pain and dropped her chopsticks, everyone’s gaze narrowed in.

“Brother!? Are you alright!?”

“No, I, uh, have an injury. I’m fine. I can still eat more.”

Qing clenched her teeth.

When would she ever face such a feast filled with the region’s specialties again?

This was her moment; she had to endure, Seomun Qing.

She was on the verge of a calamity, having eaten too much to the point of her wound potentially bursting open.

If Seomun Sulin were to find out, that foolish girl, even the souls of the hungry ghosts would be terrified enough to run away, claiming this spread was a monumental offense, which meant a forceful lesson should be dealt for being a death wraith in this world.

“Injury? Are you wounded?”

“Yes, I got into a scuffle with those Green Forest scoundrels.”

“Oh no! Are you alright?”

“It’s not that serious, in a month or so? I should heal up fine.”

Usually, one wouldn’t describe even a month of recovery for an injury as “not that serious,” but since Kang Su-yang had already seen Qing walking around fine, they figured it must not be so severe after all.

“Oh dear, what happened with the Green Forest scoundrels?”

“Exactly! On my way, I was admiring Zhangjiajie for its beauty, and suddenly they started picking a fight!”

Qing boastfully recounted how she encountered bandits on the road.

Totally innocent Qing had a run-in with those bandit fools for no reason!

She wouldn’t forgive them in the name of justice, drawing her sword and unleashing a whirlwind of cutting blows that struck down like a mystical sword aura descended from the heavens!

With the supreme master of exquisite martial arts arriving, those parasites who lived off others’ blood were overwhelmed and couldn’t handle her prowess, and thus they hastily brought their leader.

And so it became Seomun Qing versus the bandit leader!

“In the end, that Wang Cheol-gun was crying like a baby, begging for his life, and I told him straight, ‘Have you ever spared another? Have you ever been warm to anyone? Don’t kick around those ashes!’ Or something like that, anyway, I finished him off, and the Green Forest lackeys ran away in panic!”

The story had indeed been embellished.

But suggesting she had driven him off while he was trembling in fear, she couldn’t say he died, now could she?

The master would say to present stories of valor as magnificently as possible.

Even if it weighed on the conscience, it’s a necessary sacrifice for the greater deed.

Girls can make grand deeds too, as the leading woman warrior, it’s a duty that must be held forth!

“Just as I thought! Amazing! Your courage to confront foes for justice! And you won in the end! I truly admire you, this Woo Na-ram is greatly moved!”

Woo Na-ram was the only one getting all hyped up.

The others looked on in disbelief, thinking, “Is that even right? Does that make sense?” so maybe she exaggerated a bit much?

—-

Now that it was said she got wounded fighting the Green Forest crew, they arranged for a physician, but it was the physician, not the patient, who was making a fuss.

“I’ve cared for many patients in my life, but how is this person even walking around? Wow, truly. Any ordinary woman would be bawling simply from breathing! The fact that this person’s side isn’t rotting away and spilling out is a miracle! Is she even alive?”

The physician was astonished at how her condition was still so stable.

Isn’t it strange for someone to be so okay after supposedly coming across the leader of the Green Forest?

“What do you think?”

“Cheonhwa-geom wouldn’t lie, would she? Especially not for a flimsy lie, especially one that’d be so easy to debunk!”

Whether Chojoo’s fate revealed if he truly passed wasn’t hard to confirm.

Following Cheonhwa-geom’s words, those bandits would be scattering left and right, so over time, the tale would spread throughout the Central Plains.

“Wow. I can’t believe a supreme martial artist killed the head of the Fire Demon Clan! This sounds too unbelievable!”

“I thought the rumors were exaggerated, but maybe not.”

The whispers about Cheonhwa-geom were already dazzling.

Considered a genius sent by the heavens, now at the tender age of twenty, she is the youngest supreme master in the history of the martial world.

Not to mention she supposedly grasped insights from observing the Jeolgeumbyeok, understanding the essence of a sword just by viewing the sword marks!

She is the closest candidate for the next Number One in the World!

The owner of the Divine Skill known as Buddha’s Physical Body from the Shaolin Sect.

And yet, she is unanimously professed to be the Most Beautiful in the World, an unmatched beauty!

Such tales are so grand, one would snicker at them, thinking they are pure fabrications.

Why do they say the Moon Lady’s name was A-Qing?

Isn’t this like the literal reincarnation of a Moon Lady spoken of in legends?

“When she reached that peak, she reportedly already slaughtered the Flame Demon Clan’s leader. Perhaps she has indeed learned how to fight against higher masters?”

“But there’s such a massive difference between supreme and peak levels, isn’t there? Whether or not such events occurred is an entirely different matter.”

“Indeed. Make sure to treat her well. I’ve heard the leaders in the Martial Alliance hold her in high regard, so it’s only right if she’s to be the next Number One in the World. I thought Na-ram was being excessive, but maybe it was worth it?”

Zhang Disciple Da Daljeon frowned.

“Regardless, isn’t that a bit too boisterous for someone of her stature? As a disciple in line to be the next Zhang Disciple, isn’t her behavior a bit unseemly? I was planning to give her a piece of my mind.”

“If she’s happy, let it be. The friend of the Number One in the World is surely more appealing than the prideful Zhang Disciple, after all. For the future of the sect, it’s far better to encourage her.”

“Hmm. Aren’t you rather lenient on that Na-ram kid? If you dote on her openly like this, it feels unfair as a Zhang Disciple.”

The disciple-in-charge let out a hearty chuckle.

In that moment, Qing’s status was determined.

It might seem a bit mercenary, but ordinarily, a leader of a group needs to have such qualities.

It wasn’t just a gamble for the future and structure of the Martial Alliance; it’s out of pure gratitude and admiration.

That she had sustained such wounds yet rushed here instead of resting up in a nearby city was something to be thankful for.

Not to mention she wasn’t alone; she came leading a force befitting a legion, so it brought even more appreciation.

Wang Ya would say he could stay for a month, which meant the support request sent to the Martial Alliance should be arriving soon.

Of course, if it doesn’t arrive, he’ll try to desperately cling to their pants to keep him from leaving.

Since the prince already showed his friendship with Cheonhwa-geom, it wouldn’t be out of line to ask Cheonhwa-geom as well.

Therefore, she must ensure this goes well!

She needed to safeguard the future and the present of the sect!

Thus, the master and disciple exchanged looks strengthened by their shared commitment.

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