67 - I Spent the Night with the Youngest Daughter of the Martial Arts Leader

Title: Spent a Night with the Kung Fu Alliance Leader's Youngest Daughter - Chapter 67 Deciding to go for a team dinner was a good decision, but that didn't mean we could just leave for fun immediately. Our team leader was Je Gal Yeong. She reminded us that work hours were still left. She pushed Hwang Bo Se Yul and me to train if there was nothing else to do. And reading through documents packed with reminders of what team members should keep in mind was just a bonus. Truly typical of Je Gal Yeong. Because of this, we were only freed from work after completing all tasks. Before heading to the dinner venue, we stopped by the Namgoong household. The two mentioned they'd change into comfortable clothes, so I could take my time getting ready. "Dinner? Have fun!" I made sure to inform Yeon Hui, just in case. I was concerned she might worry since, after all, it was two women and just me, even if they were colleagues. "Dinner is just an extension of work. As long as you don't drink too much!" "I don't think I'll be drinking." "Come on, how can alcohol not be involved in such gatherings?" Yeon Hui saw me off with a cheerful demeanor, as if dismissing my concerns as unfounded, her gaze relaxed and unworried. "You came?" "Yes. You came early, senior." "We must be punctual for our appointment." "But it looks like Hwang Bo Se Yul is late." "It's within the expected range." Je Gal Yeong was wearing a black palace gown. The sleeves were adorned with elaborate decorations. Despite usually disliking waving garments, she seemed to have dressed up somewhat for tonight's dinner. Feeling unfamiliar in her unusual attire, she fiddled with the front of her gown shyly. "You know how to wear such outfits?" "What do you mean?" "You usually wear simple clothes." "That's because they're easy to move in." "It's pretty. The sleeve decorations are eye-catching." "What's this? Trying to flatter me because I'm the team leader?" "I'm serious. It suits you well, senior. You'd look nice dressing like this more often." "Ugh..." I passed the waiting time by praising Je Gal Yeong. I heard women prefer detailed compliments over vague ones, so I even utilized some random knowledge. Judging by her blushing cheeks, it seemed to have worked. They say compliments can make whales dance; I thought I'd boost our team leader's morale. "Sorry! I'm a bit late, aren't I?" "Senior, please prepare ahead!" "I felt grimy and took a bit longer washing up. But today, I'll cover the bill!" "We already have a budget for the dinner..." "Oh, right? Well, can't be helped!" Hwang Bo Se Yul arrived long after. The moment she appeared, Je Gal Yeong began nagging her. Hwang Bo Se Yul playfully dispensed her defense, and unlike usual, she was wearing light makeup. "So, where are we going? You said it's a place you visit often!" "You'll see when you follow. Yi Se Woong?" "Yes, yes. This way, please." I led the two deep into a narrow alleyway. * At the corner of the marketplace alley stood a tavern. To call it a tavern might be generous; it comprised a tiny kitchen and a few benches crowded into a small space. "Welcome! Oh, is it really...?" "It's been a while. Business seems to be doing well?" "Oh my, benefactor. Why so infrequent these days? Please, have a seat!" "This person, making such a fuss. If you make it such a big deal, I'll feel too guilty to visit." "I'll prepare immediately!" Upon our arrival, Eom Gang, whose scholarly face had tanned into a bronze hue, greeted us with fervor, as if some high official had arrived. "Y-You're acquaintances?" "Well, by chance?" "The owner seemed deeply honored." "That's how it is with good regulars." "Hmm..." Hwang Bo Se Yul eyed me with suspicion. This was the tavern run by Eom Gang and Hwa Ran. Hwa Ran had reclaimed the money illicitly taken by Wol Yeong Lu Ju. She then combined it with the savings Eom Gang gathered to rescue her. I understood that Je Gal Yeong had discreetly assisted them in establishing themselves. "Oh my, benefactor! Yi, you should have mentioned it was benefactor. I'll set a feast worthy of breaking the table legs!" "Please... I told you not to go overboard..." Hwa Ran, upon seeing me, lowered her body as though she would bow to the ground with deep respect. 'They're doing it again.' Maybe she was still troubled by her attempt to betray me. Though she'd once wailed in apology, I had already forgotten about it. Yet, she was perpetually eager to repay her so-called benefactor. Even when I visited to support their sales, it felt burdensome. She would attempt to waive the bill, so I often secretly left money and sneaked out. "Please enjoy your meal!" "Wow, junior! It's Twice-Cooked Pork!" "Haha, I decided to showcase my skills!" "Your cooking seems to improve daily." "Perhaps it's because my previous job involved handling knives; I adapted quicker than expected!" The phrase "a feast worthy of breaking the table legs" was hardly an exaggeration. It was a level of cuisine hard to find in an average guesthouse. Hwa Ran had, during her time as a courtesan, familiarized herself with such meals, now recreated with Eom Gang. It was comforting to see them living well. "I didn't know there was such a place at the edge of the market. Thanks to you, I've discovered a gem." "Let's enjoy before it gets cold." "Wait! The team leader should give a toast first!" Just as I picked up my chopsticks, Hwang Bo Se Yul interrupted us. "Senior, weren't we not drinking?" "Junior! How could a dinner lack alcohol!" "Considering you'll probably pass out after a couple of drinks." "Today will be different!" Je Gal Yeong shook her head, showing signs of an impending headache. However, alcohol was already on the table. Hwa Ran, who was attentively watching our table, had laid out bottles and cups. What kind of customized service was this? Bamboo Leaf Green? These people... Are they really pulling out all the stops to repay a kindness? Today, I'll have to leave silver coins set firmly on the bench. "To the peaceful future of our team members, cheers!" "Ugh, the toast is too dull, Captain!" "Reflect, Je Gal Yeong, reflect!" "Just drink, will you!" The dinner began with Je Gal Yeong's stern command. Teasingly messing around with Hwang Bo Se Yul pushed her to an outburst she couldn't hold back. That's just how our team was. But were these two any good with alcohol? I'd heard that Senior Hwang Bo Se Yul wasn't exactly a heavy drinker. "Senior, be careful with your drinking today." "Shouldn't you worry about yourself, Junior?" The two were already speculating on who would pass out first. I was a bit concerned, but... 'Well, we'll see how it goes.' With delicious dishes and fine liquor, who could refuse? Enjoying the moment was all that mattered. * One glass, then another. As the drinks circulated, the atmosphere grew lively. It seemed the two preferred to drink slowly. Je Gal Yeong, unfamiliar with the alcohol, wrinkled her nose with each sip. Hwang Bo Se Yul, on the other hand, drank as if it were water, gulping down. Yet, their pace was slow. As for me, my limit was scarcely reached, leaving me nursing a drink alone to bridge that gap. "Yi Se Woong, why are you drinking by yourself?" "I find it more comfortable this way. I enjoy savoring the buzz. Senior, feel free to drink at your own pace." "Are you provoking me?" "That's not it." "Junior, you have a strong tolerance, don't you?" "I'm not bad." "I can hold my liquor well too, you know." "Senior, your face is already turning red!" Perhaps out of pride, Je Gal Yeong took a few more consecutive drinks. Spurred on by Hwang Bo Se Yul's teasing, Je Gal Yeong was on the verge of drinking excessively, which I thought I might need to intervene with. Something didn't feel right. As Hwang Bo Se Yul noted, Je Gal Yeong's face was turning as red as a ripe persimmon. Typically, with this kind of flow... "Hey, Yi Se Woong. You..." In no time, the concern once aimed at Hwang Bo Se Yul had vanished, as Je Gal Yeong spoke, tipsiness tinging her voice. This lady cannot handle her drinks. "Do you find me funny, huh?" "No, not at all. Why would I think you're funny, Senior?" "Then why do you keep doing this~?" Her speech trailed off. Nothing like the usual cold tone she carried—more like a hint of cuteness, verging on being sulky. "Pretending like nothing matters, always acting all cool... Making me look weird." "When did I ever do that?" "If I say it's true, then it is! You're supposed to look up to your senior! I'm older and have been here longer than you!" "Yes, yes." "Apologize!" "I'm sorry." "Okay, see? That's all it takes." As a connoisseur of good company, she's a type one dreads drinking with. Je Gal Yeong seemed to be the sort to unleash everything she's been holding in once alcohol is involved. In such instances, there's only one solution. "Senior, shall we toast?" "Sure. Pour me another!" The tactic of drowning one's sorrows. Three more glasses, and Je Gal Yeong unceremoniously toppled over. "What should we do with this..." "I'll take care of her, don't worry too much, Junior!" "I'm glad you're here, Senior." "But, isn’t it a waste to leave the drinks? Shall we share another round?" Thanks to Hwa Ran watching how much we drank, there was an abundance of liquor, with no risk of shortages. 'She's a silent heavy drinker.' An impression that might have been offensive. Her petite frame misled the assumption of her alcohol capacity. Despite her implacable nature, she was quite the drinker. "Didn't you say you weren't a heavy drinker, Senior?" "No? You must be mistaken. As you can see, you're in no shape to differentiate who’s drunk and who isn’t, Junior." "Oh dear..." "Senior, you're tipsy, aren't you? But it's a bit cute when you're like this." The warmth in Hwang Bo Se Yul's eyes as she looked down on the passed-out Je Gal Yeong was evident, suggesting a closeness that belied her usual intentions to tease. After that, we shared a series of lighthearted conversations while drinking, her never refusing the repeated rounds. I might have found a pretty good drinking companion. "Oh, I almost forgot, Junior. I heard something interesting." "What is it?" "I recently met with my granduncle." Why is she suddenly bringing up her granduncle to me? "He told me he wanted to introduce a remarkable young man to me. Suggesting maybe I should start considering marriage prospects." Ah. That old man, Hwang Bo Chung, is at it again. "Isn't it a bit early for you to think about marriage, Senior?" "They say his face fits the heroic mold, chiseled like a jewel, his martial skills shake the earth, and his strategy touches the heavens." "Sounds like someone out of a myth, just from that description." "Doesn't it? On the contrary, he seemed decent to me. What do you think, should I consider this match?" With a hint of subtlety, she asked my opinion. Her eyes were different from usual. Devoid of any childlike innocence, they were filled with cunning. "Senior, you already know the answer before asking, don't you?" "Caught me? Haha." "I have a fiancée. Please don't joke about things like this." She was likely teasing me. But Hwang Bo Se Yul, I'm not as easily swayed as Je Gal Yeong. "So what?" "?" "Why should having a fiancée matter?" Wait. What did she just say? Did I hear wrong? "Why can't a hero have multiple wives if he's fitting?" "Senior?" "I'm curious about what you think, Junior?" Perhaps I'd drunk too much. Belatedly, a blush crawled up my face from her words. There was no way Hwang Bo Se Yul, with her calm demeanor, would say such things. Yet. Her eyes held no room for jest or mischief.