The wind became.
Where am I? I was in a bedroom of an inn, but as soon as I opened my eyes, I felt a sense of déjà vu in the room.
Why am I here? Where is this place? I couldn’t continue my thoughts, fearing they would vanish like smoke.
What I saw before me was a table set with mouthwatering delicacies. A multitude of dishes that I had never tasted before.
But I’m wind—how can I eat? I didn’t even need time to question that small thought. The wind, against my will, began to dance between the bowls, consuming the food.
As I was happily eating, I heard a voice from behind.
“I want to see you again.”
“I will keep living.”
“S… Master…”
Who could it be? Why are they crying? I wanted to turn my head to check, but the wind wouldn’t let me.
“S… Master…”
The mournful voice was filled with such sadness that it could tug at anyone’s heartstrings who heard it.
Who are you?
Whose voice is so familiar? The wind tried to turn and check.
“K… Master!”
I heard the call.
You are.
“Master Kang!”
“Gasp!”
What the? I jolted awake at the shout ringing in my ear.
“It’s morning! You need to eat!”
When I opened my eyes, it wasn’t a strange ceiling I saw, but a familiar face. A martial artist from the Tang Family, with purple hair and green eyes, who was escorting me to Yichang.
The guard shook my body to wake me up.
Couldn’t you wake me gently? It’s morning! Please don’t wake me up with physical contact like I’m a bratty little sibling!
“Did you have a nightmare?”
As I couldn’t gather my thoughts, the guard asked with a worried expression.
“A nightmare?”
“Your expression kept changing while you slept; it seems you were having a nightmare.”
Did I have a nightmare?
I sat up in bed, holding my forehead as I tried to recall last night’s memories.
Night… food… what else was there? I barely grasped the fading memories like smoke, but that was all I could remember.
“I think I dreamed of eating at a well-set table.”
There seemed to be all sorts of delicacies on the table. I couldn’t remember the details, but it felt like a documentary showcasing the meals served in a royal palace in China.
There was something more important, but I can’t recall it. It’s bothering me.
“Haha, dreaming of eating well is said to be a good omen for becoming wealthy. The new year has just begun, and with the weather warming up, what better sign that your business will thrive this year?”
“So there’s such a interpretation for dreams about eating?”
“Get up, wash up, and let’s head for breakfast.”
“I’m not really hungry, maybe you all can go without me.”
I definitely had dinner early last night, and I’m still not hungry. Maybe it’s because I ate in my dream. My soul feels full. Or maybe I’m just too sleepy to feel it.
“Master Kang, even if we go hungry, we must ensure you have your meal.”
The guard said with a troubled expression. Is it because I’m the one they serve? Or are they really concerned after what happened with the guard unit?
“Alright, then I’ll wash up and join you.”
I considered refusing again but held back.
It would be bothersome to squabble over breakfast after over a month and a half of being indebted to the guard. Plus, I felt it would be awkward if I insisted not to eat and ended up stumbling at the door.
“It’s about a ten-day journey to Yichang. The lack of good sleep and dreams reflect the fatigue from the long travel; we only need to hold on a bit longer.”
“Yes, understood.”
“There’s a restaurant here serving food from the Eastern countries. Since you’re from Joseon, we’ll head to there instead of the inn for a meal to help you regain your energy.”
Then, I’ll wait outside.
The guard cheerfully left the guest room.
It was fine if I ate at the inn, but the guard was the first to volunteer to escort me. I couldn’t turn down their kindness.
I glanced up at the ceiling for a moment.
What was that dream about? It seemed like nothing important, yet it strangely lingers in my chest. Perhaps it’s the first dream of the new year.
I think I had a similar dream last year.
They say dreams are often influenced by experiences. Did Kang Yoon-ho ever indulge in delicacies before? Was it the fatigue from the long journey that’s causing this?
I shook off the unresolved dream along with my toothbrush and stepped out of the room.
——-
Kang Yoon-ho, 22 years old. The New Year has come, and it’s now the second year since I came to this world.
“Still a bit chilly.”
In three years, will I be able to make a passing joke about being half-fifty? Thinking somewhat uselessly as I exited the inn, the chilly winter wind didn’t want to yield its place to the approaching spring, brushing against my cheeks.
As I gazed down the hill where the inn sat, I could see the Yangtze River. With the morning mist and clouds covering its landscape like a painted scroll, anyone new would surely be astonished.
Though I’ve lived in Yichang, a city by the Yangtze, it’s familiar.
Currently, I’m in a small city called Usan. A little further, and I’ll reach Yichang.
The long journey of a month and a half is finally nearing its end.
“Let’s go.”
The guard spotted me stepping outside and led me to the restaurant.
An Eastern country restaurant. Must be a Joseon place, right? They’ve got pizza, gukbap, and spicy pork stir-fry at the inn—so why have a separate Joseon joint?
As I hoped for something good and arrived at the restaurant, I was met with an unexpected sight.
With an awning featuring written characters, sliding doors, and a round lantern inscribed—this is an oddly familiar sight for a restaurant, but…
“I thought this Eastern country restaurant was a Joseon one, but it seems to be a Wa restaurant instead.”
The guard pointed to the restaurant with an apologetic look.
“That’s fine. I like Wa food.”
As long as it’s delicious. To show I didn’t care at all, I stepped forward and swung the door open.
Upon opening the door, I locked eyes with a waitress wearing a traditional Japanese outfit.
“Irasshaimase! Kochira e dozo.”
Huh? At that moment, the foreign phrase froze everyone in our party.
Is that the concept they’re going for? I quickly accepted the situation and collected myself, but my party didn’t seem to.
The guard looked as if they were caught in the wrong place, suggesting maybe we should leave.
No, it’s supposed to be like this. I stepped into the restaurant with a practiced gesture of support as everyone awkwardly sat down.
Somehow familiar with the decorations like ninja dolls and pirate figurines—this place is a pretty high-end Japanese restaurant.
“Master… do you happen to know how to speak Wa?”
As I was relishing the decor that felt like a warming reunion in a Japanese-inspired restaurant, a martial artist spoke nervously.
“I know a bit. Why do you ask?”
“We will tell you what to order, can you translate it to Wa?”
Oh, I see. That makes sense. After all, they’re likely feeling insecure speaking in a foreign language.
“Here’s the waitress.”
“Hai!”
“Give me one tonkotsu ramen, one miso ramen, and one special ramen.”
I ordered along with some of my companions.
In Central Plains language, not Wa.
“Yes, yes. One tonkotsu ramen, one miso ramen, and one special ramen, right? What do the others want?”
“Wait, you could speak Central Plains? I thought you were a Wa person?”
“Yeah, I’m from the Central Plains, so of course I’ll speak Central Plains.”
The waitress seemed bewildered by the absurdity of the situation, replying back to my confused companions.
“Then why did you speak Wa when we entered?”
“I don’t know. The chef told me to do it like that.”
That’s just the rule of Japanese restaurants.
“No way! I thought you only catered to Wa customers!”
“How would Wa people even come here? Please order more.”
“I want soy sauce ramen.”
“Me too, same thing.”
Everyone, still dazed, looked at the waitress to make further orders.
“What about you, Master Kang?”
“Ramen in the morning isn’t really for me…”
I wasn’t feeling hungry and didn’t want ramen for breakfast.
“Ah! I see you’re from Joseon. We also sell donburi. Since you’re from Joseon, how about a galbi donburi?”
The waitress attentively looked at me and smoothly recommended an alternative menu.
“Alright then, I’ll have the galbi donburi.”
“Hai! Your order is complete. That’ll be 2 silver and 50 copper to settle.”
Japanese restaurant. In a world where Central Plains folks speak their language and bills are in silver and copper. Yet, I’m the only black-haired barbarian.
It felt all sorts of strange.
——
“Your food is here. Since you ordered a lot, here’s some pickled radish as a service.”
This is actually better than I expected. As I savored the sweet and salty taste of the galbi with rice after a long time, it went down smoothly even without hunger.
“When are we planning to leave from here?”
I asked the guard as I nearly finished my meal.
“They say the Seocheon Post Office, run by the Tang Family, will be in charge of arranging the boat. They said it would take some time, so let’s rest for another day or two to shake off our fatigue before departing.”
“Sounds good. I’m glad to hear we’re taking a boat.”
Considering Yichang is connected to the Yangtze River from Usan, taking a boat to get there would be perfect.
“They say they’re going to find a big boat to make it as comfortable as possible for the journey. Just a bit longer, and you’ll be in Yichang.”
“I see.”
Yichang, huh? I’ve been away for so long.
I’m sure the head of the White Family guards isn’t up to anything troublesome, but I have upcoming worries.
“Do you have any worries? Your expression hasn’t been good lately.”
The guard asked me with a concerned look.
I have too many worries. So many, it’s overwhelming.
“It’s just that I came here with two, but I’m going back with one.”
I forced a smile, making a simple excuse.
“Ah…”
Did something brief flash past in my companions’ minds? The atmosphere grew slightly heavy.
“Haha, it doesn’t mean that. It’s just that I’ll have to clean up alone when I leave.”
I tried to lighten the mood with an awkward laugh.
“Even when you arrive, you won’t leave right away, so if you have any requests, feel free to tell me.”
“You really don’t have to do that.”
I don’t want to get too involved with the Tang Family.
“I have to bring the third volume of The Rise of the Tang Family with me, so I’ll be staying for a while even if you decline.”
“My brother and a friend advised me to get it too…”
“Author Ho Pil, could you show me the third volume in advance?”
So that’s how it is? Now that changes things.
“I’ll make sure to show you first when it’s published. But I need a favor in return.”
“Of course.”
As I looked at the martial artists nodding as if it were natural, I chuckled inwardly.
Free labor! I’ll have them handle everything from inventory checks to cleaning and printing! Perfect!
——————
Satiated from the meal, I returned to the guest room and lay alone on the bed.
“I have quite a few concerns.”
In front of people, I only mentioned concerns around Hwa-rin, but it’s more than that.
“First, operational issues.”
I came with two, but am returning with one. Though I said it with a void of sorrow, there’s also an urgent issue of manpower distribution.
Managing Da-seo-gak’s staff, inventory checks, ledger keeping, printing work, etc. I helped out, but mostly, Hwa-rin handled them.
While Ho Pil may appear to be revitalizing Yichang Da-seo-gak, I can boldly say that Hwa-rin has been supporting behind the scenes.
And now, Hwa-rin has been left with the Tang Family. A significant issue is bound to arise.
“The fate of Heavenly Killing Star and the individual’s destiny also carries significance.”
Writing books raises reputation, but if I’m just writing novels at Yichang Da-seo-gak, I’m worried about how I’ll save the destinies of my beloved women.
“Debt and finances are also a concern.”
While it’s nice to inherit the Da-seo-gak building from Hwa-rin, the debts I took on in exchange for managing the bookstore still remain.
Moreover, if the heroines I met before aren’t the true heroines, then I’d need to ramp up my reputation and money metrics too.
“The best solution would be to open a branch of Da-seo-gak, but that’s no cakewalk.”
Being a store manager is overwhelming enough, swinging the role of a franchise owner feels far-fetched. It’s just more added to the list of worries.
But… there’s a more pressing worry than anything else.
“There’s a serious problem arising because of me.”
Beyond failing to capture the true heroine, I have a matter of extreme importance.
An issue that has been causing anxiety ever since I met Murong Sang-a.
Though I intentionally ignored it during Cheon So-hee, I was already aware of it.
Now that Lady Tang has partially overcome the individual’s fate, I must seriously confront this enormous problem.
I wish someone else would know about it and handle it for me.
The only one in this world who doesn’t know—
Now, I must face this problem.
That problem is…
“What to do about the main character.”
