Chapter 674: I Could Tolerate the Tanghulu, But

TL: FoodieMonster007

"Oh my god! Sayin is buying tanghulu!"

From the shadows of an alley, Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang were spying on the pair.

"The owner saw Sayin's face and is handing over the tanghulu with trembling hands out of fear."

Geom Muyang stifled a laugh. While his comment was an obvious exaggeration for comedic effect, one thing was certain. Bi Sayin and tanghulu were a combination that simply did not fit.

"Could the two of them…!"

Geom Muyang let his sentence trail off, but Geom Mugeuk understood exactly what his brother was implying.

"They're not dating yet."

"How do you know?"

"If they were, they would've bought one and shared it."

The tanghulu Bi Sayin bought had about ten pieces on the skewer. It was more than enough for two people to share, yet Bi Sayin bought two and was handing one of them to her. Their exchange was also very polite.

"Here, take this."

"Thank you."

Han Seol accepted the skewered treat.

"This is the first time I've had this since coming to the Central Plains."

In truth, it had been a very long time for Bi Sayin as well. He didn't think he had eaten tanghulu since he was a small child and couldn't even recall the last time.

Han Seol took a bite.

"It's delicious."

The two of them resumed their walk, eating their tanghulu as they went.

A smile spread across Geom Mugeuk's face as he watched them. They looked so fresh and lovely walking together under the sunlight.

Of course, theirs was not a simple relationship.

The North Sea Ice Palace was a sect that leaned closer to the orthodox factions.

While it might not be on the same level as the heir to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the heir to the Murim Alliance, the relationship between the heir of the North Sea Ice Palace and the heir of the Evil Alliance was also one that was difficult to bridge.

Do your best, my friend.

Naturally, the words that actually came out of his mouth were the complete opposite.

"So while I was risking my life and shedding blood in battle, you were enjoying a spring romance?"

"You didn't risk your life, did you? You didn't shed a single drop of blood."

Geom Mugeuk pretended not to hear and moved with haste.

"Hyung, this way."

He moved with the same speed he would use to infiltrate the Chairman's Hall of the Evil Alliance.

"I have to hear what on earth they're talking about!"

Geom Muyang quickly followed his brother. There was never a dull moment when his younger brother was around.

The two of them soon found another piece of cover and concealed themselves.

In the past, he had spied on the couple walking with Jin Hagun, but today he was spying on them with his brother.

"Look over there. He's subtly using his body to block people from bumping into Young Lady Han. Hey, friend! You can't do that! You have to act indifferent! Women like bad boys!"

Geom Muyang, however, had a different reaction.

"What's wrong? They look good together."

Geom Mugeuk glanced over at his brother.

Geom Muyang was watching the two with a gentle expression. Judging by his look, it seemed as if he was reminiscing about a past love.

Come to think of it, had his brother ever had a woman he liked?

Given his personality, he wasn't the type to discuss such things. To hear that story, they would probably have to become several times closer than they were now.

Then again, the same was true for Bi Sayin over there. Geom Mugeuk was only finding out for sure because he had been caught red-handed today. Bi Sayin was not one to show his feelings easily.

"It might not be love. He could just be treating her well because she's the Ice Palace Princess."

"Look at their gazes before you say that. That bear-like guy is completely smitten."

At his brother's words, Geom Muyang observed their gazes. Compared to Han Seol, who was looking around in fascination, Bi Sayin was only looking at her. Then, whenever Han Seol happened to look at him, he would instantly turn his head away.

"The speed he turns his head is like a flash of lightning. He could dodge my swordsmanship."

Unaware that two people were spying on them, Bi Sayin was focusing all his attention on Han Seol. He considered her safety his responsibility until she returned home.

He was truly happy when Han Seol came to find him at the Evil Alliance Headquarters. She had said she would come, but he thought she might not.

He had wondered if she would really travel all the way to the Evil Alliance just to find him. Yet, she came, just as she had promised.

Bi Sayin treated her as an honored guest.

He showed her around not only the Evil Alliance Headquarters but also various areas within the Evil Alliance's territory.

Then, a situation arose where Bi Sayin had to return to the Evil Alliance for urgent business.

At that point, it was a situation where they should have naturally parted ways.

[If you would wait for me, I will handle my business and return. There is a place I really want to show you.]

He was disappointed that he would have to send her away without showing her the most beautiful scenery, which he had saved for last. He did not know when she would come to the Evil Alliance Headquarters again. No, this would likely be the last time.

In truth, he did not have high expectations. She had already seen many places, and more importantly, she would have to wait for more than twenty days for him to finish his work and return.

It was an unreasonable request, but she readily agreed.

[Yes, I will.]

Han Seol waited for Bi Sayin to finish his work and return.

Bi Sayin was more moved by the fact that she waited for him than by her coming to find him. He wanted to be sure to ask her when he got the chance.

Why, and with what feelings, had she waited for him?

And so, the two of them were able to stand side by side in front of that beautiful waterfall.

Just as they were about to truly part ways after seeing the final scenic view, a message came from Geom Mugeuk. Thanks to that, his connection with her was continuing here in Wuhan.

"If the crowds are uncomfortable, we can go into a tea house or a tavern."

If those places were also too crowded, he was planning to just rent out the entire establishment.

At Bi Sayin's words, Han Seol shook her head.

"No, it's more fun to look around."

The Wuhan marketplace was filled with all sorts of peddlers from all over the Central Plains because of Jin Hagun's celebratory banquet. As a result, there were many sights to see that one would not normally encounter.

"I'm really getting my fill of sightseeing in the Central Plains this time."

She had not known that her trip to the Central Plains would turn into this kind of journey.

She was someone who had toured the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and even the Evil Alliance. That alone was an incredible journey, but now she had come all the way to the front of the Murim Alliance Headquarters.

If she got the chance to tour the Murim Alliance Headquarters this time, she would become the only martial artist from the Ice Palace in history to have visited the headquarters of the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions.

"Next time you come to the North Sea, I'll be your guide."

Bi Sayin was surprised by the unexpected offer.

"May I really go?"

"Of course."

Bi Sayin wanted to try climbing a snow-covered mountain with her.

At first, he was drawn to her because her appearance was his ideal type.

But spending time with her this time, he came to like her personality as well.

She was not overly friendly, nor did she keep too much distance. He liked this appropriate sense of distance she maintained when dealing with people.

Come to think of it, my meeting with Young Lady Han was also because of that friend.

If it weren't for Geom Mugeuk, she would never have come to the Central Plains in the first place. In a way, Geom Mugeuk had created the beginning of this connection.

At first, he thought she was interacting with him because Geom Mugeuk was with them.

But Han Seol acted separately from Geom Mugeuk.

Coming to find him at the Evil Alliance, waiting for him there, and now coming here to Wuhan with him like this.

That was why he was more grateful, and his heart was more drawn to her.

However, he did not reveal those feelings of his. He didn't want to burden her.

Bi Sayin turned to Han Seol.

"If you're hungry, there's a place called Wuhan's Number One Restaurant at the end of that road. Their food is a delicacy, so let's eat there."

"You must come to Wuhan often."

In reality, Bi Sayin had only been to Wuhan once. And that was when he was very young.

What reason would the heir of the Evil Alliance have to come to Wuhan, where the Murim Alliance Headquarters was located? Even the Thirteen Evil Wolves were currently on standby on the outskirts of Wuhan.

He only came because he was invited to a gathering of friends. Wuhan was not a place one could enter carelessly.

"No. I did some studying instead."

A slight smile touched Han Seol's lips at his words about studying.

"It just so happens I have a subordinate who is from here."

There was someone among the Thirteen Evil Wolves whose hometown was Wuhan. However, he had left a long time ago and was of no help.

In the end, Bi Sayin requested data from the Evil Shadow Pavilion, the Evil Alliance's intelligence organization.

He asked them to tell him the most delicious restaurants and places worth seeing in Wuhan.

It was probably the first time since the Evil Shadow Pavilion was founded that such a request for information had been made.

In any case, he couldn't bring himself to say he had gone to such lengths to find out, so he said he had heard it from a subordinate.

Han Seol glanced behind her.

"I'm fine, but I think you two must be hungry."

She walked over to the Cold Ice Dual Swords, who were following behind. The two were looking around the streets of Wuhan, which they had not seen in a long time, reminiscing about how this place had changed, and that place had changed. So much had changed.

"You two, please go down to Wuhan's Number One Restaurant and eat first. We'll look around a little more and then head there."

Sahan, the husband of the Cold Ice Dual Swords, insisted he couldn't do that, but he was dragged to the inn by his wife, So Bing, while being chided to be more perceptive.

Just then, Bi Sayin whipped his head around.

He had felt like someone was watching him. But there was no one in the direction the feeling came from.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. Come, let's go."

From behind the cart where Bi Sayin's gaze had just lingered, the heads of Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang popped out.

"That sly bastard! He even got rid of the chaperones to be alone with her."

"I think Young Lady Han was the one who sent them away just now, though?"

How could Geom Mugeuk not know? He knew Han Seol must have some feelings for him to be walking around with him like this. If she disliked him, she wouldn't have spent even a day, no, not even a single shichen with him.

"Sayin's taking out his wallet again. He never buys me a single meal, but he's spending money like water."

This time, he was buying something else for her. He was buying a tassel to decorate her scabbard.

"If you're going to buy one, buy a pair! Ugh, he doesn't have that kind of sense."

Then Geom Mugeuk let out another sigh.

"Ah! I can't take this."

"……"

"Their hands just brushed while he was trying to attach the tassel to her scabbard."

"That can happen."

"Yeah, and because of that thing that can happen, Sayin's face turned red."

Geom Mugeuk was reading every single one of their expressions with the Divine Eye Technique.

"Acting all innocent like that doesn't work these days!"

"Either treat him like a naive fool or a playboy. Pick one."

In the meantime, Bi Sayin and Han Seol went to a place where people were gathered.

"Come on, come on! Hit the center with a throwing knife and win a prize!"

The prizes piled up next to the stall were dolls. There were dolls of martial artists holding swords and daos, and animal dolls like dragons and tigers. There were dolls made of cloth, and others carved from wood.

Seeing her gaze linger on the dolls, Bi Sayin stepped up without a second thought.

"How much is the entry fee?"

Bi Sayin paid the fee and stepped forward. Running a business like this in front of the Murim Alliance? And in front of the Murim Alliance, which was teeming with martial artists, no less.

As if there was nothing to think about, Bi Sayin took the throwing knife and threw it lightly as soon as he received it.

PAK.

The moment he threw the first throwing knife, Bi Sayin tasted the bitterness of the world.

The throwing knife did not hit the center.

That's impossible!

Bi Sayin paid the fee again and received another throwing knife.

This time, he calmly inspected the throwing knife and saw it was a defective product with poor balance.

Just because it is defective, does that mean I cannot hit the target? I am Bi Sayin.

SHWIIK.

He missed.

"No, this is…"

A flustered Bi Sayin paid the fee again.

He didn't know the principle behind it, but this throwing knife seemed to be made so that it would never hit the target if thrown properly. A throwing knife that was harder to hit the higher one's martial arts were.

Watching him try one more time, Geom Mugeuk sighed.

"Ah! He's going to lose all the points he's built up so far."

Continuing was a problem, beating up the owner for scamming him was a problem, and just giving up and leaving was also a problem.

Geom Muyang agreed with Geom Mugeuk's lament.

However, he also understood Bi Sayin's feelings. In front of the woman he liked, how could he stop, especially with his pride on the line?

It was then, when Bi Sayin failed for the fifth time.

Han Seol pointed to one of the dolls. It was a small bear doll in the corner.

"I want that one."

Flames erupted in Bi Sayin's eyes.

He threw, and threw again.

On the tenth try, finally!

PAK!

The throwing knife hit the target precisely. There was a properly balanced throwing knife mixed in with the others. The owner wasn't a complete scammer after all.

The owner brought over the bear doll and grinned.

"Congratulations, Martial Artist!"

Bi Sayin did not get angry. He spoke to the owner, half-joking and half-serious.

"Don't run this business in front of the Evil Alliance. You'll be stabbed to death before you even get to ten tries."

The owner replied with a wide smile.

"That's why I only do it in front of the Murim Alliance!"

Before they knew it, Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang had moved closer and were hiding in a spot where they could hear their voices.

Geom Mugeuk whispered to Geom Muyang.

"Seeing him say that even after looking at that face, that owner has more guts than the masterminds we fought."

Geom Muyang nodded as if in agreement.

Bi Sayin carefully dusted off the bear doll before giving it to Han Seol.

"It's so cute. Thank you."

Han Seol smiled as she accepted the doll.

And so, with a doll in one hand and a tanghulu in the other, Bi Sayin and Han Seol walked past the spot where the Geom Mugeuk brothers were hiding.

Seeing him crouched behind the cart, letting them pass, Geom Muyang asked with a curious expression.

"Why are you just letting them go? I thought you were going to give them a good scare."

He thought Geom Mugeuk had been waiting for this exact moment to get close.

"That was the original plan."

Geom Mugeuk's gaze turned to Han Seol.

A moment ago, there were several ways she could have reacted. She could have told him to stop and leave, she could have waited patiently, or she could have gotten angry at the owner, accusing him of running a scam.

But she said she wanted the doll.

It was a move that lifted the mood. Geom Mugeuk thought her choice was the best one for both Bi Sayin and her. A wise choice that did not pour cold water on the situation, but instead ended the moment without making anyone feel bad.

"I'll let it slide today for Young Lady Han's sake."

Of course, there was a condition.

"Just for today!"

"Then what about tomorrow?"

This time, Geom Mugeuk's eyes blazed as he looked toward Bi Sayin.

"Sneaking around! I could tolerate the tanghulu, but a bear doll? I can't let this slide."

It was unmistakably the look of someone plotting something.

Geom Muyang inwardly mourned for Bi Sayin.

I don't think I'll be able to protect you, so I'll apologize in advance.