It’s formidable.
I slowly stretched while feeling the energy from the Taechun Pill circulating throughout my body, not yet fully absorbed.
Stretching my body, bending and straightening my waist side to side repeatedly. Though a simple motion, it was enough to somewhat control the Taechun Pill’s energy that hadn’t yet anchored into my mana core.
Energy, after all, moves according to its flow.
After sitting cross-legged for a long time to loosen up my stiff body, the remaining Taechun Pill energy slowly seeped into my muscles.
It will likely dissipate soon, but it should still benefit my muscles.
I opened the door to the training room while indulging in a meaningless train of happiness, only to be greeted by a dim room.
Is it already night?
I must have been in the training room for at least half a day, maybe even longer.
There’s also a pungent smell in here.
I frowned at the smell emanating from my body. Apparently, toxins from within were expelled while I was absorbing the Taechun Pill’s energy.
Of course, the Taechun Pill of the Shamans does purify the body.
I want to take a few more.
Though it doesn’t taste very good.
I gathered some clothes to change into and left the room, intending to take a quick bath.
I couldn’t lie on the bed looking like this.
“A little hungry, but eating at dawn seems a bit strange…”
Was it because it was too quiet? I opened the bathhouse door while unconsciously talking to myself. As expected, the bathhouse was empty.
I immediately undressed and walked to the large tub in the corner of the bathhouse.
The tub, used for storing bathing water, was filled with cold water.
Normally, they would have heated it by lighting a fire underneath, but given the time, it obviously wouldn’t have been warmed.
I started pouring the cold water over my body using a ladle.
The cold water mercilessly struck my entire body, refreshing me instantly.
As the water hit me, it mixed with the body odor, creating an indescribable smell.
The smell isn’t fading easily. Of course, with merely pouring water, that would be expected…
Maybe I should look for something similar to soap at the market.
While frontier regions might not have it, a wealthy city like Muhan should at least have soap for washing the body. Though solid soap likely doesn’t exist in this era.
Or, would washing with alkali water work?
I scrubbed off the dead skin while indulging in random thoughts using a towel designed for such purpose. The waste matter stubbornly clinging to my body was wiped away using aura until it fell to the ground.
“Hmm, maybe I should try sand and oil like the Romans?”
Washing with sand and then rinsing with water could be good.
The problem is where to find the sand.
I dried my body using my inner energy since the towel here doesn’t absorb water as well as 21st-century towels. It’s easier to shake off the water with energy and use the towel only to dab off the remaining moisture.
“It feels like a ghost might pop out.”
Are there really ghosts? Maybe.
The bathhouse remained silent.
I left the quiet bathhouse and returned to my room.
—
“Mr? Are you finished?”
“Yes, does something feel different?”
“…It seems like the smell has changed.”
Why judge by smell? I looked down at Hye-ryeong, who suddenly stuck her nose close to me and sniffed like a puppy.
Was I changed from a penguin to a puppy?
“Hye-ryeong, how long have I been in the training room?”
“It’s been two days!”
If it’s been two days… That’s longer than I thought. I thought it was about a day at most. Perhaps only half of the energy was absorbed.
Should I have focused more to absorb more?
Even if I did, it would have probably only increased absorption by ten percent or so.
Since I’m not a Taoist priest, my absorption efficiency can’t be helped. To fully absorb the Taechun Pill’s energy, I must learn the Daoist school’s techniques.
“So my stomach and back were stuck together.”
“Then let’s quickly go eat!”
“Calm down.”
Don’t try dragging me along with such a serious face. After calming Hye-ryeong down, I leisurely started toward the dining hall. Hye-ryeong immediately began chirping like a baby bird as she walked beside me.
“Mr, I was so bored these past two days without you! There aren’t many acquaintances here, so no one to play with, Elder scolds that I should train, the Young Phoenix Gathering is still a few days away, and…”
“Young Phoenix Gathering?”
“It’s where promising juniors of the Orthodox School meet once a year. I have proudly decided to participate as one of them! Of course, you too.”
“Am I a junior?”
“Didn’t you lie about your age, Mr?”
“I don’t recall lying about my age.”
There’s no need to hide my age. Hye-ryeong smiled and said,
“So, Mr is a junior too!”
“Junior what?”
“Junior!”
Calling me a junior feels a bit strange. Given that I’m only about a year older than Hye-ryeong, it’s natural, but… should I add a few years?
If I claim to be thirty years old, people might believe it.
Or not.
“So you’re coming with me to the Young Phoenix Gathering!”
“What about Mok-kyeong?”
“Will she know to come on her own?”
What’s it to her if Mok-kyeong comes or not? While poking her enthusiastic cheeks with my finger, I spoke.
“As the runner-up of this tournament, there will be many trying to recruit Mok-kyeong. She’s sure to be invited to the Young Phoenix Gathering.”
If I were the host of the Young Phoenix Gathering, I would’ve definitely prioritized inviting both her and myself, given her status as an unaffiliated supreme expert and my background from the patrol team. Even if it’s not full recruitment, cultivating personal connections yields tremendous benefits. In the Central Plains, relationships are intricately woven like a spider’s web, so they’re very important.
Thus, I plan to develop some camaraderie with the juniors of the Five Great Families and the Nine Great Schools.
It never hurts to be friends, and once friendships are established, I might benefit from them when I roam the Central Plains, allowing me to rely on their support temporarily.
“Uh, I’m envious. I got eliminated in the quarterfinals…”
“You can do better next time.”
“Right? Hehe…”
We continued chatting as we made our way to the dining hall. It was early morning, so the dining hall was quite empty with hardly anyone inside. We sat in a secluded corner and sipped the tea the waiter served.
“This tea tastes better than before.”
“Does it? It seems the same to me…”
Hye-ryeong tilted her head in confusion at my comment and sipped her tea.
“It’s probably because I’ve been famished for two days. When you’re this hungry, even unsavory dried meat could taste good.”
“When you’re hungry, everything tastes good!”
“Still, congee with brown sugar doesn’t taste good.”
“Huh?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Our food has arrived!”
Indeed, with so few people around, the dishes came out quickly. I picked up my chopsticks while admiring the greasy delicacies laid on the table.
“Let’s eat before continuing our chat.”
“Yes!”
I picked up a piece of meat heavily seasoned and savored its flavor in my mouth.
The tangy sweetness like sweet and sour pork sauce stimulated my tongue, and the meat was tender yet retained a minimum bouncy texture as it was chewed with my teeth, providing a satisfying sensation.
“It’s delicious…”
“This restaurant’s cuisine is famed for its excellence.”
“…Yang Seoyu?”
“Great Hero Wi. Long time no see.”
Why are you here? Well, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be…
I stared at Yang Seoyu, who bowed his head while making a polite fist salute toward me. Why should we greet each other? Other than the one match at the Martial Arena, we’ve had no other interactions…
“Are you here for a meal?”
“Yes. A wonderful breakfast is needed for a refreshing morning. Also, I’m here to deliver this for you.”
Yang Seoyu pulled out a small envelope from his robe and handed it to me. I accepted it and examined the paper inside, then looked at him.
“Who sent it?”
“Junior Brother Zhuge Hyeon-sang asked me to deliver it.”
Oh, that overly suspicious-looking guy?
I unfolded the note resembling the letter inside the envelope.
The paper had two simple words written in a straightforward handwriting style with a seal stamped on it.
[Moon Fragrance Pavilion. 3 PM (Hour of the Monkey).]
Moon Fragrance Pavilion at 3 PM.
This part is exactly the same as the original.
“Thank you for delivering the message. Are you planning to attend as well?”
“Yes. While delivering this, I was also tasked to give one to you.”
“Did you deliver it to Mok-kyeong as well?”
“Yes. He didn’t seem too keen on it. Maybe he won’t attend.”
Yang Seoyu’s words made me nod. In the original, he wasn’t someone who enjoyed drinking gatherings. His participation in the Young Phoenix Gathering was only because he was the champion, and then he’d probably eat a little and leave.
This part was closer to merely introducing some recurring junior characters rather than a significant event, and it was likely to proceed without much trouble.
At least, as far as I know it flowed.
…Though there are more variables this time around compared to the original.
“I understand. See you at the Young Phoenix Gathering.”
“To share a drink with someone like Great Hero Wi is indeed something to look forward to. Have a good meal.”
He politely bowed and turned to another table.
“Hehe, I’m excited.”
“Come to think of it, wasn’t Haha going too?”
“Right?”
We haven’t seen each other in a long time.
“If it’s at 3 PM today, I can work out early in the morning and then slowly prepare by afternoon. By the way, Hye-ryeong, do you know where Moon Fragrance Pavilion is?”
“Maybe? It’s an incredibly large building…”
There’s no worry of losing the way.
I sighed in relief as I picked up my chopsticks.
—
