“This is actually my first time in Myeongheoseong. …I didn’t think it’d be this lively.”
Su-min mumbled awkwardly. He’d expected something closed-off and solemn, but everywhere he looked felt like a festival in full swing. Even though he’d spoken honestly, it almost felt like he’d lied.
“No, I’ve read about the Fourteen Celestial Lords too. From what I know, Lord Yeomjeong isn’t the type to enjoy this kind of noise….”
To Jae-ha’s surprise, it was Hae-hyun who agreed with Su-min. Even with his perpetually sullen face, he clearly disliked pretending otherwise. If both of them were saying the same thing, then the bustling scene before them really was unusual for Myeongheoseong.
Maybe we should start by asking around. Jae-ha scanned the area, then headed toward the nearest stall. He didn’t have a particular reason—it just happened to be closest. As he approached, a short, round woman poked her head out from behind a stand piled high with flowers.
“Want a bouquet? I’ll give you a good price!”
“Su-min, you got cash on you?”
“Eh? Y-yeah….”
Su-min answered automatically, not realizing what Jae-ha was up to until the older student held out his hand. Only then did he hurriedly dig through his pockets. Pocketing his junior’s money without hesitation, Jae-ha flashed a charming smile at the vendor.
“I like pretty things. Could you give me the prettiest one?”
“Oh my….”
The woman broke into a grin before she even realized it. As Jae-ha watched her enthusiastically tying the bouquet together, he slipped in a casual remark.
“It’s nice to see such a crowd. It’s been a while since I’ve been out—my young master here usually keeps me busy.”
It was only after saying it that he realized he’d just shaken down that very young master for cash right in front of her. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to mind. She replied eagerly, as if she’d been waiting to chat.
“Right? It’s been ages since I came to Myeongheoseong. When I first set up here, it was so empty I felt bad for the place. And once this is over, I won’t be able to come back for another hundred years. Such a shame—I should’ve brought the kids. I wish Lord Yeomjeong were a little more generous.”
“True enough. So when will you be heading back?”
“After the martial arts contest, of course. That’s the highlight of the festival. I’ll close up tomorrow. Can’t come all the way to Myeongheoseong and not watch the generals’ sword dance.”
“Guess I came at just the right time. I nearly missed out on flowers this beautiful.”
“Oh, you flatterer. If I’d known I’d meet such a handsome young man who loves flowers, I’d have raided Seo-cheon for more stock, haha!”
She giggled like a young girl as she handed him the finished bouquet. Jae-ha wasn’t sure about Celestial Realm currency, but given how lush and extravagant it was, Su-min must’ve paid a fortune. Hugging a bouquet grand enough for a proposal, Jae-ha casually tossed out another question.
“By the way, have you ever tried Hwanggwaju? I’ve been wanting to taste it, though I’m not sure I’ll get the chance.”
“Hwanggwaju? Is that some kind of rare drink?”
“Yes, it’s made with Baeksa fruits, which is hard to get. I heard the waiting list is long.”
“Oh, aiming high, are you? They say even the great immortals struggle to get Baeksa fruits—it only grows once every hundred years. A handsome fellow like you won’t exactly be competing in the generals’ contest, will you?”
“So the only way to get it is as a prize from the contest?”
“Mm… not sure. Folks like us have never even laid eyes on it.”
Her voice dropped a little. Jae-ha smiled lightly, as if it were nothing.
“Well, it’s a shame, but it’s not like I’ll die without it. If I start training hard now, maybe in a few hundred years I’ll manage.”
“Oh, what a pity. I’d love to help, but I’ve got no power here. If all else fails, maybe you should try seducing someone.”
“A seduction only works if you’re beautiful.”
Laughing as he waved off the suggestion, he got an impassioned counterargument—that he more than qualified. By then, he’d gotten all the information he needed. He wrapped things up politely, bowed, and left the stall, the other two trailing behind. As they walked, Jae-ha quickly summarized.
“From what she said, Baeksa fruits aren’t harvested in large enough quantities to circulate widely among the immortals. And since she didn’t even know what Hwanggwaju was, it seems we’ll need to go deeper inside the fortress if we want any real information.”
If even a street vendor in the middle of this crowd had never seen a Baeksa fruit, that said a lot. He’d suspected as much when he first heard only ten bottles were brewed every hundred years, but this confirmed Hwanggwaju was truly rare. Even in his own modern world, weren’t there things money couldn’t buy?
And if it was that rare, surely it would only be whispered among true enthusiasts. Like how everyone knew tequila or Glenfiddich, but hardly anyone had heard of obscure vintages. Considering Su-min was only about two hundred years old—and a young Imoogi who didn’t even like alcohol—it wasn’t strange he didn’t know much about it. This might be trickier than I thought. Jae-ha clicked his tongue inwardly.
But why are these two so quiet? The hush felt odd. When he glanced back, Hae-hyun and Su-min were both staring at him, slightly dazed.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Sunbae… have you done this kind of thing before?”
“Huh?”
This kind of thing? The nuance sounded off—was that supposed to be an insult? While Jae-ha puzzled over it, Su-min eyed Hae-hyun suspiciously.
“Are you sure you cast the perception-dulling spell right? He seems exactly the same as usual.”
Hae-hyun shot him an indignant glare.
“The spell just makes you a little less noticeable. It doesn’t blind people. And once someone’s focused on you, it doesn’t work anymore.”
“Pfft, that’s all?”
Snorting, Su-min quickened his pace to fall in beside Jae-ha. His normally blank face now held eyes glittering with admiration.
“Hyung, you seemed so grown-up just now.”
“You’re grown-up too.”
Sure, Jae-ha had called him a kid since mentally he was barely twenty, but technically, Su-min was far older.
“Still. You were really cool. How do you do that?”
“Do what? I just talked to her. Usually, if you chat enough, people end up spilling things.”
“No way. There are plenty of merchants who are grumpy—or who’ll totally rip you off.”
“Yeah?”
Answering without much sincerity, Jae-ha reached over and ruffled Su-min’s hair. For someone two centuries old, he really didn’t act like it. There were far too many shady people out there waiting to take advantage of him.
“What about the flowers? They’re too big—you’ll stick out carrying them inside the fortress.”
“I’ll just hand them off to someone.”
As Jae-ha scanned for a likely recipient, a sudden arm shoved Su-min aside.
“Stop clinging to sunbae.”
Su-min stumbled, and Hae-hyun slipped neatly into the gap, glaring at the bouquet before thrusting out his hand.
“Give it to me.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll take care of it.”
Before Jae-ha could answer, Hae-hyun smoothly took the bouquet. Golden energy flared in his hand, and in an instant, the bouquet was gone.
“What did you do? Did you toss it?”
Jae-ha asked, watching in fascination. Seeing Hae-hyun use spells always felt like watching actual superpowers. If only he had more of Cheonrok’s energy, maybe he could learn too—it’d definitely come in handy.
“No, I just stored it elsewhere for now.”
Speaking casually, Hae-hyun started walking again, as though nothing had happened. He didn’t forget to shove Su-min once more, scolding him like the young master of Hwang-ryong Palace he was, insisting he walk in front.
Scowling, Su-min dragged his feet ahead at a distance, while Hae-hyun stayed firmly at Jae-ha’s side.
The inner streets were crowded, forcing them to walk close together. Their shoulders brushed again and again. The closeness made Jae-ha want to edge away, but every time he tried, Hae-hyun tugged him right back without fail. In the end, all Jae-ha could do was helplessly remain aware of the warmth pressing against his arm.
