nashuaworldcup Chapter 307: Tranquil Manor Instructor, Baek Yi-gang (2)
Chapter 307: Tranquil Manor Instructor, Baek Yi-gang (2)
Chapter 307: Tranquil Manor Instructor, Baek Yi-gang (2)
The Immortal Divine Dragon Baek Yi-gang, was responsible for five successors from the orthodox faction.
What about the unorthodox faction?
“It’s the Wandering Crescent Blade Byeok Gi.”
Wandering Crescent Blade Byeok Gi.
Yi-gang had also heard of this Supreme Peak martial artist.
“He’s a master of great renown, originating as a wanderer, who wields a crescent blade. Rising to become a leader within the Unorthodox Union is no small feat.”
A crescent blade was a weapon resembling a spear with a blade attached to its end.
For example, the legendary Azure Dragon Crescent Blade wielded by Guan Yu was one such crescent blade.
Yi-gang’s expression turned peculiar.
“If it’s the Wandering Crescent Blade Byeok Gi, then he must be past 30, no?”
Even so, it’s remarkable for someone to reach the Supreme Peak at such a young age.
However, it was clear that being over 30 years old applied in this situation.
The rule set during the Mount Tai gathering mandated that supervisors be chosen from young martial masters under 30.
“He’s a wanderer. He claims he merely looks older due to his weathered appearance, but in reality, he insists he’s in his twenties. Well, it’s not uncommon for wanderers to be uncertain of their exact age...”
“What a convenient excuse.”
It was a common occurrence in this era.
“Do you wish to make contact with him?”
“There’s no harm in doing so.”
Noh Shik quickly grasped Yi-gang’s intentions, as he was well-informed.
Yi-gang was relieved that Noh Shik was among the five selected. Even though Noh Shik’s martial arts skills were slightly inferior to the others, he had other strengths.
“If I meet him in the Inner Court, I’ll have a chat with him.”
The inner courtyard was the area connecting the left wing and the right wing of Tranquil Manor.
It was a place where encounters with members of the unorthodox faction often occurred.
Yi-gang headed toward the inner courtyard with Noh Shik.
“We might not meet him right away, though.”
“It doesn’t matter. I have other business in the Inner Court.”
Noh Shik followed Yi-gang with a puzzled expression.
The place Yi-gang went to immediately upon arriving at the inner courtyard was none other than the kitchen.
He naturally opened the door and entered the kitchen.
“Ah, you’re here.”
A maid greeted him politely.
The maids in the kitchen were busy preparing meals.
In Tranquil Manor, only the minimum number of staff worked to provide convenience for the residents.
Among them were the kitchen staff.
A servant in charge of the kitchen rose from a chair.
“I’ve been waiting for you. I’ve prepared as you requested, but...”
The servant gestured toward the central cooking table in the kitchen.
Various ingredients were laid out on it.
Cleanly prepared chicken, lean beef, and fresh green vegetables.
Yi-gang inspected the ingredients himself.
“Hmm, thank you.”
“You’re personally managing the menu...” the servant stammered as he spoke.
A few days ago, Yi-gang had unexpectedly visited the kitchen.
He had demanded changes to the menu from the head cook and the servants.
“You’ve gathered everything I requested.”
“Yes, they weren’t particularly difficult to obtain.”
The head cook seemed flustered.
Although Yi-gang was responsible for teaching and supervising the five successors, no one expected him to manage their meals as well.
The head cook hired by Shaolin Temple was quite renowned in his field.
As a cook with a sense of pride, it was an affront when an uninformed martial artist suddenly barged into the kitchen.
The head cook crossed his arms and watched Yi-gang.
“If you leave it to me, I’ll undoubtedly prepare the best meals.”
“Where did you say you worked before?”
“...At the largest tavern in Sichuan.”
“I see.”
Yi-gang briefly raised his head and sniffed the air lingering in the kitchen.
“You seem to be preparing lunch.”
“Yes, as per your instructions.”
The head cook twisted his lips into a wry smile.
Yi-gang wasn’t merely interfering with the preparation of ingredients.
He went as far as to dictate what dishes should be made with the requested ingredients.
As an employee, the cook had no choice but to comply, but he couldn’t help but feel bitter.
He followed Yi-gang’s orders while trying to preserve his pride as much as possible.
“Can you show me?”
“Here, it’s stir-fried bok choy with chicken breast, served with rice.”
The head cook could prepare a wide variety of dishes.
Clear Soup with Bird’s Nest made using cliffside swallow nests, steamed dishes using bear paws, and other such grand meals.
Compared to that, stir-fried chicken breast and vegetables were exceedingly plain.
‘Let’s see if he dares to eat it.’
The head cook glared at Yi-gang with blazing eyes as he picked up his chopsticks.
However, Yi-gang didn’t even touch the food.
Clack.
After setting the chopsticks down, he stared coldly at the head cook.
“Why didn’t you follow my instructions?”
“Pardon? Wh-what do you mean...?”
The icy tone made the cook feel as if his heart had frozen.
“It was a simple instruction. And yet, what is this?”
“It should be fine for now. Just a little longer.”
But even so, Beggar’s Chicken was still just Beggar’s Chicken.
Noh Shik felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
It was while he was silently staring at the pot.
Thud.
A noise echoed from somewhere.
Turning his gaze, he saw a dark silhouette drop from the eaves near the kitchen.
Noh Shik’s sense of danger flared.
‘...Who is that?’
There was no doubt someone had infiltrated the area.
Just as he was about to inform Yi-gang, Yi-gang stood up first.
“Prepare to eat.”
“...Pardon?”
“We have a guest.”
A guest?
Noh Shik soon realized the meaning of Yi-gang’s words.
Out of the darkness, someone walked straight toward them.
It was a man with a massive frame.
As he approached closer, his identity became clear.
“Gal Dong-tak...?”
He was one of the unorthodox faction’s successors.
But why was he showing up here in the middle of the night?
He muttered as he looked at Yi-gang, “The door was locked.”
“They say food has been disappearing every night. I advised them to put a lock on it.”
“...”
Gal Dong-tak looked like a calf that had lost its mother.
“I was just so hungry...”
“Don’t they feed you properly?”
“It’s not that...”
“It must not have been enough.”
Gal Dong-tak nodded.
His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed nervously.
His gaze kept drifting toward the Beggar’s Chicken Noh Shik was preparing.
“It smells delicious.”
As usual, Gal Dong-tak had likely come to steal a midnight snack but turned back upon finding the door locked.
However, unable to resist the aroma of the Beggar’s Chicken Yi-gang and Noh Shik were cooking, he walked over.
“It’s tasty. Very.”
Yi-gang grabbed a chicken leg and took a bite.
Gal Dong-tak hesitated.
According to what his father had taught him, as a bandit of the Green Forest, he should have shouted, ‘Hand over the food, hahaha!’ and stolen the Beggar’s Chicken in his hand.
But he was afraid of Yi-gang.
Yes, Gal Dong-tak feared Yi-gang.
Never in his life had he been beaten so thoroughly.
Every punch felt like being struck by lightning, sending shocks through his entire body.
“Would you like to join us?”
“Um, gulp... If that’s okay.”
“There’s a price, though.”
“A price?”
“Tell me about the martial arts or personalities of the four other successors you’re living with,” Yi-gang said, shaking the chicken leg.
Gal Dong-tak’s eyes moved back and forth, tracking the chicken leg.
However, he soon spoke with a resolute expression, “No, I can’t do that. That would be betrayal.”
“Is that so? I see.” Yi-gang replied surprisingly nonchalantly.
Then, gesturing toward Gal Dong-tak, who was still fixated on the chicken leg, Yi-gang motioned with his hand.
“Come and eat. It’s a bit much for just the two of us.”
“R-really?!” Gal Dong-tak exclaimed with joy.
Without hesitation, he cheerfully sat next to Yi-gang.
“Noh Shik, give him one of the chickens.”
“Well, sure. Got it.”
Yi-gang generously handed over a large chicken to Gal Dong-tak.
Unbothered by the heat, Gal Dong-tak grabbed the chicken whole and began tearing into it.
“Hahaha, this is the best food I’ve ever had!”
“Is that so.”
“You guys are truly amazing people.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it. However, let me ask you something...” Yi-gang sat beside Gal Dong-tak and spoke casually, “The man with the burn scar on his face—he looks intimidating. Is he a blade wielder?”
“Ah, Brother Seomun Cheong? He looks scary, but he’s a good guy.”
“Have you sparred with him?”
“Hmm, yeah, I have. I tried to chop him with my axe, but he used some strange footwork to dodge. It was like his legs stretched out or something...”
“Your axe strikes are impressively fast.”
“Brother Seomun is a master of the quick-drawing technique...”
Encouraged by Yi-gang’s questions, Gal Dong-tak cheerfully shared more details.
Though he wasn’t taking notes, Yi-gang’s nodding suggested he was memorizing every word of the conversation.
Noh Shik silently thought to himself, ‘...Crafty.’
However, there was no malice in this observation.
In fact, it was the opposite—a sense of admiration for Yi-gang’s extraordinary information-gathering ability, something even Noh Shik, a Beggars’ Gang member, hadn’t considered.
‘Impressive.’
Noh Shik found himself starting to respect Yi-gang.