Chapter 19
After walking for about nine more days, we finally reached Sichuan.
Sichuan.
The land where Liu Bei founded his kingdom in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms was a place isolated from other regions due to its rugged mountains.
In particular, Sichuan's spicy cuisine has spread widely and continues to be popular even in modern times.
In martial arts novels, Sichuan holds significance as the ancestral home of the Sichuan Tang Family, one of the Five Great Families.
The Youngest looked around the bustling Sichuan City and let out an exclamation of awe.
“Wow! This is my first time in Sichuan. I didn’t realize it was such a vibrant and populous place.”
“That’s all thanks to the Sichuan Tang Family.”
“The Sichuan Tang Family? Why?”
My Youngest truly had a lot he didn’t know, so I once again explained everything to him from beginning to end.
“Youngest, what comes to mind when you think of the Sichuan Tang Family?”
“The Sichuan Tang Family is poison, right?”
“Exactly, poison.”
Each of the Five Great Families has something that symbolizes its Family.
The Namgung Family has swords, the Hebei Peng Family has sabers, and the Sichuan Tang Family has poison.
The Tang Family, which had specialized in handling poisons since ancient times, further refined and actively utilized them, expanding their influence in the martial world and eventually rising to the position of one of the Five Great Families.
“So, what happens if someone consumes poison?”
“If you consume poison... you die, right?”
The Youngest’s face wore an expression that seemed to ask, *Why are you asking such an obvious question?*
Of course, he was right. Ordinary people would die immediately if they consumed a potent poison, and while Martial Artists who have trained their bodies might be able to withstand it to some extent, the Sichuan Tang Family also possesses poisons capable of killing a Master instantly.
Therefore, poison is bad, something never to be consumed. This is the common perception.
However...
“Poison isn’t always entirely bad, you know.”
“...Huh?”
“Haven’t you heard the saying that poison can be medicine, and medicine can be poison?”
“...That’s news to me.”
“Well, just take it as it is then. In reality, poison can be medicine, and medicine can be poison.”
Ultimately, the only difference between the two lies in their preparation. This was true in real history, and it’s even more so in this world, which contains elements of fiction.
That’s why, in this world, a master of poison can become a Renowned Physician of the world, and vice versa.
In fact, the Sichuan Tang Family is also famous for its proficiency in medicine.
*At that moment, the Youngest raised his hand and asked, still seemingly unable to grasp it.*
“But Elder Brother, I can accept that poison can be medicine, but that doesn’t explain why Sichuan is so developed, does it?”
“I’ll tell you now. Sichuan is the territory of the Sichuan Tang Family, after all. Many people living here are connected to the Sichuan Tang Family.”
While in other novels, Sichuan is often divided and ruled by Unorthodox Faction Organizations and the Sichuan Tang Family, in this world, the Unorthodox Faction is utterly insignificant, so Sichuan can truly be seen as the Sichuan Tang Family’s front yard.
“But people from the Sichuan Tang Family drink alcohol mixed with poison, you see?”
“Poison in alcohol?”
“Yes, people there have a high tolerance to poison, and as I said before, a properly blended poison can be medicine. The Sichuan Tang Family discovered subtle ways to combine poison and alcohol, developing toxic liquors that are perfectly safe to drink.”
“Ohh...”
“And people who left the Sichuan Tang Family couldn’t forget that taste, so they started making toxic liquors again. They even created various other blends. And because it tasted so good, they started selling it to others.”
“Selling toxic liquor...? Surely not...”
Only then did the Youngest seem to notice that the entire street was lined with Taverns, and he looked around. I nodded at him and said,
“Yes, Taverns in Sichuan sell toxic liquor. And they mix it incredibly well, too.”
“Red Centipede Liquor, made with Red Centipede Poison, for sale! It’ll set your insides ablaze!”
“Selling Hakryeongju, made from ground Hakryeongcho! One sip, and you won’t even notice if one of two people drinking it drops dead! Seriously, you won’t!”
The Youngest stared curiously at the Merchants hawking various toxic liquors, yet his face was scrunched up.
“Ugh... I like alcohol too, but toxic liquor feels a bit unsettling...”
“I felt the same way at first. But once you acquire a taste for toxic liquor, ordinary alcohol just won’t do. It’s truly a heavenly flavor.”
I pointed around us and continued.
“Look, the streets are overflowing with people, aren’t they? These are all people who tasted toxic liquor once, couldn’t forget it, and came back for more. And where there’s a lot of alcohol, what else is there?”
I pointed at the beautifully adorned women passing by on the street, and the Youngest hesitantly replied.
“Surely... Courtesans?”
“Exactly, Courtesans. Blue Courtesans, Red Courtesans, Artisan Courtesans, Singing Courtesans... Every type of Courtesan you know exists here.”
A place where all the world’s pleasures—alcohol, women, and more—converged. Sichuan could truly be called *the Las Vegas of Murim*. And for that reason, it was also a place I particularly liked.
I happily looked around, enjoying the pungent yet fragrant aromas of toxic liquor that stung my nose.
Just then, the Youngest clutched his stomach and spoke to me.
“But Elder Brother... alcohol and women are all well and good, but can’t we eat first? We haven’t eaten since breakfast today, and the sun has already set...”
“Of course we should. Youngest, places with good alcohol usually have good food too. You can go into any place here, and the food will be delicious.”
At my words, the Youngest sniffed the air and then pointed to a spot.
“Then Elder Brother! Can’t we go there? A really spicy aroma is coming from that restaurant. Since we’re in Sichuan, we have to try a spicy dish at least once.”
“Ah, that place? I think I went there a few years ago. They served stir-fried noodles with spicy sauce, and it was truly a work of art.”
“Then let’s go there...”
“But no.”
I grabbed the youngest by the scruff of his neck, just as he was about to dash off, and said firmly,
“We already have a place we’re going. Let’s go there next time.”
“Ah... then there’s nothing we can do, I guess...”
The Youngest looked disappointed, but he accepted my command and quietly followed behind me. I led him towards the outskirts of Sichuan.
**
“Elder Brother... what is this...?”
“What is what?”
“This place is too...”
I anticipated what the Youngest was about to say and cut him off.
“Too shabby?”
The Youngest nodded, unable to hide his disappointment.
And rightly so, for the building before us was not as grand as those we’d seen in the heart of Sichuan City, and instead of appetizing smells, a musty odor wafted from within.
Even though it was evening, there were no lights illuminating the interior of the shop. It was a place that made anyone feel reluctant to enter.
But...
“Ah, well, places that look this shabby are usually the real hidden gems.”
“Still...”
“Stop complaining and just go in quickly.”
I practically shoved the reluctant Youngest inside.
As we entered, an old man who appeared to be a Veteran Server, rather than an Attendant, greeted us.
“Who are you?”
“Customers.”
“...Just take a seat over there for now.”
A few people were seated and eating inside the Inn, contrary to its shabby exterior, completely focused on their meals and paying no mind to our arrival.
As soon as we sat down at the innermost table, guided by the Veteran Server, a voice reached only my ears. The Youngest, sensing something strange, had sent me a Sound Transmission.
*Elder Brother, something feels off here.*
“Oh, Youngest. You know how to use Sound Transmission? Since when?”
Surprised, when I asked, the Youngest’s expression immediately turned flustered.
“No, Elder Brother... If I specifically used Sound Transmission, wouldn’t there be a reason? Please lower your voice...”
“Ah, my bad. I was just surprised. So... what’s so strange about this place, then?”
When I spoke as if it were fine, the Youngest hesitated, then finally spoke to me in his own voice, not through Sound Transmission.
“The other customers here... they’re all pretending to eat, but they’re watching only us.”
“...”
*Whoosh—*
“...”
“...”
As soon as the Youngest finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall grew heavy. So much so that even someone with dull senses could feel something was amiss.
It was certainly a tense atmosphere, but I merely patted the Youngest’s head.
“Sharp, aren’t you? At this rate, you’ll be Deputy Leader soon.”
“Elder Brother, this isn’t the time for jokes! Their Aura is...!”
Just then...
*Swish—*
“...What will you be having?”
The old Veteran Server who had greeted us approached without a sound, right beside us, both the Youngest and me.
We could tell he was a veteran expert with considerable skill.
Nevertheless, I casually bantered. At least I knew this place wasn’t hostile towards me.
“What’s good here?”
“...Did you not think about what to eat before entering the Inn?”
Perhaps my stalling seemed strange, as I saw the Veteran Server’s hand move towards his pocket. The Youngest, too, subtly shifted his hand.
*Ah, did I play around too much?*
It would be troublesome if a fight broke out here, so I spoke without further delay.
“Could you bring me some hot noodles with ice floating in them?”
“...Huh?”
The Youngest in front of me wore a bewildered expression, as if asking what kind of order that was, but the Veteran Server’s face relaxed with relief.
The lightening of the atmosphere in the hall was an added bonus.
The Veteran Server immediately performed a Cupped Fist Salute and bowed his head to us.
“My apologies. I will guide you.”
“Mm, alright.”
Only the Youngest was flustered by this sudden turn of events.
**
The Veteran Server immediately led us into the kitchen. It looked like an ordinary kitchen, but when he lifted a section of the floor, a passage leading underground was revealed.
“Go straight from here, then turn right at the fork, and continue straight. You’ll reach your destination.”
“Got it.”
After we descended underground and were finally alone, the Youngest hastily asked me,
“L-Leader. What kind of place is this...?”
“Youngest, alcohol is good, women are good, food is good, but first, you need to earn money to enjoy them.”
“In that case... this place is...”
“Exactly.”
Following the Veteran Server’s directions, we found a door. I opened it and said to the Youngest,
“This is where we can earn money.”