Chapter 307: Martial Alliance (武林盟) (2)

Chapter 307: Martial Alliance (武林盟) (2)

As the storm passed, the interior became noisy again.

Soyuhyeon and Danmokil raised their voices vehemently.

"Do you all actually believe what he said?"

"Predicting the enemy's approach? How did that guy suppose to penetrate their movements?"

"Suddenly appearing and spilling such secrets, we should be suspecting him of being a spy instead."

"Kek kek kek! The leader's words might indeed be true, wouldn't they?"

Everyone frowned, save for Hye-myeong and Geoljunggil who burst into loud laughter.

Especially, Soyuhyeon and Danmokil who were openly displaying hostility.

At that moment, Cheon Yuseong slowly began to speak.

"You are quick to doubt and badmouth instead of seeking help. It seems that the decline of a power is the same everywhere."

"What are you implying? That we're inadequate?"

Danmokil's eyebrows furrowed in frustration.

It was unbearable to be told of their impending doom.

"No, you are strong. Everyone capable of changing the tide of battle."

A force equipped with formidable martial power and numerous warriors.

Who would dare to call the Wulin weak?

However...

That was all.

In war, rather than battles...

To win in a grander scheme...

You needed a bigger variable.

"That guy possesses the power to change the tide of the war."

One person above all others.

"If it were me, I wouldn't take this offer lightly."

Even after speaking, Cheon Yuseong clicked his tongue, as if uncomfortable with his own words.

Yeah.

Jinhyuk has always been irritating.

A cunning old-timer who acts however he pleases.

Someone he wanted to give a taste of defeat someday.

Yet...

There was one thing, he had to admit...

Among everyone here, that guy had reached higher in the Tower than anyone else.

He never asked directly, but perhaps...

'He might have seen beyond the 30th floor of the Tower.'

A place speculated to be the residence of deities.

At first, it sounded absurd and unimaginable.

But why was it that the more he knew that damned guy, the less impossible it seemed?

"Such high praise for one person, Cheon Yuseong. I never expected someone as sharp as you to say such things," said Haryeohwa with a mysterious smile.

"I just told the truth."

"Hmm, is that so? By the way, you seem quite close to him... What is your relation to that guy?"

Relation...

"I shall soon surpass that guy... Let's leave it at that."

Cheon Yuseong spoke calmly before rising from his seat.

"Heh heh. If anyone can make it happen, it's you. Well, I'll take my leave then. I'll wait for a good response."

"I can't guarantee you won't come out at a loss if you follow Jinhyuk's words... Well, actually, that's hard to promise."

Following Cheon Yuseong, Chuhonsa Young and Theresa also got up to leave.

***

Outside, the three of them joined Jinhyuk and Elis who have been waiting.

"Why did you come to Luoyang so late? Because of you, we had to deal with those damn guys for a while."

Cheon Yuseong spat out coldly.

It seemed he was genuinely annoyed to have kept waiting.

"Sorry. I had something I wanted to try, but it got complicated, so I was delayed."

"If you had come with me, you would've arrived comfortably, but it seems like Gang Kunja enjoys various challenges. My student should learn from that too. Don't you think, Cheon Kunja?"

Chuhonsa Young grabbed Cheon Yuseong's cheeks and playfully pulled at them.

"Te... Teacher, please maintain some dignity!"

"Oh my, someone's becoming touchy. At first, you were pleading so eagerly to learn the sword... Saying that to become stronger, you needed your Teacher. How you've changed. You've gone so cold."

"What does that have to do with anything!"

"Now you're raising your voice. The teacher is so sad, sob sob..."

While Cheon Yuseong suffered at the hands of Chuhonsa Young, Theresa cautiously spoke up.

"Jinhyuk. Do you really think they will accept your proposal?"

"Probably, they will."

The representatives there may not know, but if he showed that map to the intelligence division of the Martial Alliance, they'd immediately realize.

How critical the bases the Cheonma Sin Church is targeting could be.

And if linked with the bases they'd lost thus far, how it could completely overturn the whole board.

"All that's left is to wait leisurely."

It's Wulin who is anxious.

So, until they approach first, all they have to do is spend time around here.

"Hmm. Then what should we do in the meantime?"

"Food."

Elis chimed in decisively.

One word, but it was a command that couldn't be refused.

Having traveled the passage all night, their bodies were exhausted.

On top of that, the hunger made it unbearable for Elis.

"Isn't it a bit early for food..."

"Your blood would be fine too. I feel like I've been lacking in magic lately, it might be a good time to replenish, don't you think?"

The corners of Elis's mouth slightly curved up.

This was a dangerous sign.

"Ah. Right. I remember there's a place with killer food just in front of us. That's a fish store, and that's a clothing shop. Is it here?"

Jinhyuk hastily entered the first restaurant he found.

It was busy inside, despite the early hour.

Hurrying, he chose a place that looked decent enough and it seemed to be a good choice.

"Welcome. What may I get for you?"

A server hurriedly approached the group.

"Bring out everything on this list. Since we're spending a lot, toss out all these noisy and uncivilized people."

Elis commanded arrogantly as she sat down.

"Ex...excuse me? What are you...?"

"Sorry, the child is a bit lacking."

"How dare you, to me, being lacking...muffled!"

Jinhyuk managed to stop Elis just in time before she could reveal her gold chest.

"Please bring us your best dishes, suitable for the number of guests we have."

Jinhyuk hastily turned the server around.

Then, a moment later.

A table full of appetizing dishes was served.

"Aha! This looks delicious. This one is mine... or not. Ahem! It seems to suit my tastes just fine."

"Thank you. Go ahead and eat, Jinhyuk."

"Hmm. Having local Chinese cuisine is quite good."

"Ha ha. Eat as much as you all like."

Chopsticks moved quickly.

Elis stuffed a piece of meat into her mouth, while Theresa bit into a fragrant piece of five-spice pork, uttering words of admiration.

Indeed, the taste was not bad.

But to call it the pinnacle of Chinese cuisine... something was lacking.

'If it was me, I would have considered a combination that could have enhanced the inherent flavors of the ingredients...'

While Jinhyuk mulled over how to improve the flavors of the food.

"Ugh! It's so noisy."

"Please, be patient. Elder brother. Those people don't know what manners or rules are."

"Food is ultimately for providing energy to the body. To walk the path of martial arts, one must stay away from the indulgence of cuisine... But those people, they eat so disgracefully."

A sharp voice came from the side.

They were not ordinary customers.

Different from most of the labor-worn clients, they all had pale faces.

'Are these folks from a righteous sect?'

Their attire was also completely different.

Pristine white garments and a sword on their waists signified the pursuit of spiritual cultivation.

Yes.

They were the Taoists from the Mudo faction who had come with Soyuhyeon.

Three men and one woman, among them, a particularly handsome man stood out.

"Teacher said that people from outside the Tower would join the meeting, it seems like they are the ones."

"There's the guy that Chuhonsa Young took as a disciple, what was his name? Cheon Yuseong? Well... at least he's pretty decent."

"How the hell do those weaklings think they can help us... Right, brother?"

"That just shows the Cheonma Sin Church is pressing us hard."

The one referred to as 'big brother' sipped his tea.

"What are those guys about?"

Elis, who was stuffing a piece of meat into her mouth, narrowed her eyes.

"Looks like they're picking a fight... What do you want to do? Are we going to clash?"

Cheon Yuseong also looked toward the other party with a militant gaze.

Typical of two belligerent souls, they seemed ready to charge at any moment.

However.

Unexpectedly, Jinhyuk's face was filled with a peaceful smile.

"Wait. They're precious comrades that we will have to fight alongside soon. We can't just start brawling here, can we?"

Cheonma Sin Church's forces, including the Demonic Master, were formidable.

Given that they have to face such opponents, it would be wasteful to reduce the Martial Alliance's strength here.

"Did you eat something wrong? Why are you suddenly talking like that?"

"You've got to be kidding. The kind of guy who would take out three generations for starting trouble, and now you're holding back?"

"Wow. Jinhyuk, you finally became... human."

Various responses popped up from around.

'I wonder what kind of image I've built for myself to receive such reactions.'

He thought he'd been living a decent enough life.

Of course, he was planning to teach those guys a lesson for spouting nonsense.

"Everyone, just wait a moment."

Jinhyuk picked up a pork dish and got up from his seat.

***

He headed straight for the kitchen.

"Cu...Customer?"

Not just the server but also the chefs were taken aback.

It was natural, given that a customer suddenly invaded the cooking area.

Of course, when a small jewel-encrusted earring was handed over, everyone's mouths shut tight.

"Huh? Where did one of my earrings go? I'm sure I was wearing it just a moment ago. Did I drop it somewhere?"

Elis seemed to mumble something outside, but Jinhyuk pretended not to hear it and moved on.

"Now, you're actually cooking? What on earth is this?"

"Such lowly beings cooking... It's quite rich."

"I think it's quite fitting for those without any foundation."

The whispers from the Murim sect faintly echoed in a corner of the restaurant.

'That's right, they don't even eat meat, do they?'

But it wasn't because they detested meat.

They had simply locked away their carnivorous instincts deep within a prison.

Subduing with force was not always wrong in training....

But if he could lure them to break Mudo's taboos, the pleasure would be doubled.

He'd make them his pawns on the chessboard of his plans.

'Let's turn them into starving puppies next door.'

[Lv8 'Otherworldly Restaurant' is activated!]

A soft energy flowed from Jinhyuk's fingertips.

This sensation.

This feeling.

'Good.'

Whoosh!

Flames rose furiously.

Jinhyuk handled the food ingredients with fluid, natural movements.

Neither excessive nor insufficient.

The movements were flamboyant yet precise, like a master chef with decades of experience.

"Ah... what?"

"What's happening with this customer?"

The chefs who initially tried to stop him were soon mesmerized by Jinhyuk's cooking.

A few minutes passed, and the restaurant began to stir.

Gulp...

"What in the world...?"

"How can such an aroma exist..."

"What in the world are they making back there that smells so good?"

"We were given dog food or what! Hey, server, bring out what they're making inside now. I'll pay any amount of money."

Despite eating their own meals, saliva was dripping from everyone's mouths.

"I... I can't believe it."

The head chef was also overwhelmed, struggling to handle the appetizing scent.

A 40-year lifelong career in the kitchen.

Striving every single day to survive in a city brimming with famed establishments and competitors.

But now...

"All that I've learned isn't real cooking."

The skill in manipulating the fire.

The delicate balance of spices.

The ability to enhance the fundamental flavors of food.

This was a realm even the royal chefs couldn't hope to reach.

Compared to the dish currently being prepared, the ones he served were nothing but food waste.

And the Mudo sect's Taoists were just as flabbergasted.

"Bro...brother."

"Is this what food... is really supposed to be like?"

"Are they using some kind of magic...?"

"..."

Meat eating was one of Mudo's taboos.

Nevertheless, not eating that would make life seem meaningless.

That's when Jinhyuk emerged from the kitchen, approaching with a warm smile.

Holding a steaming plate of food.