Chapter 19: Martial Arts Las Vegas
by Fat PenguinAfter walking for about nine more days, we finally arrived in Sichuan.
Sichuan.
The land where Liu Bei of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms raised his kingdom, isolated from other regions due to its rugged terrain.
Especially, Sichuan’s spicy food has continued into modern times and is widely popular.
In Wuxia novels, Sichuan is significant as the home of the Sichuan Tang Family, one of the Five Great Families.
The youngest member looked around the bustling Sichuan city and exclaimed.
“Wow! This is my first time in Sichuan. I didn’t know it was such a vibrant and crowded place.”
“It’s all because of the Sichuan Tang Family.”
“The Sichuan Tang Family? Why?”
Our youngest member didn’t know much, so I had to explain everything from scratch again.
“Youngest, what comes to mind when you think of the Sichuan Tang Family?”
“The Sichuan Tang Family… Poison, right?”
“That’s right, poison.”
Each of the Five Great Families has something that symbolizes their family.
The Namgung Family is known for their swords, the Northern Peng Family for their blades, and the Sichuan Tang Family for their poison.
The Tang Family, which has specialized in handling poison since ancient times, refined and actively used it to expand their influence in the martial world, eventually rising to the position of one of the Five Great Families.
“So, what happens if a person consumes poison?”
“If they consume poison… they die, right?”
The youngest member’s face showed an expression as if wondering why I was asking such an obvious question.
Of course, he was right. Ordinary people would die immediately if they consumed deadly poison, and even martial artists who have trained their bodies could withstand it to some extent, but the Sichuan Tang Family also possesses poisons that can kill even masters in one go.
So, poison is considered bad, something you should never consume. This is the common belief among people.
But…
“Poison isn’t always bad.”
“…What?”
“Haven’t you heard the saying that poison can be medicine and medicine can be poison?”
“…This is the first time I’m hearing it.”
“Then just take it as it is. In reality, poison can be medicine and medicine can be poison.”
In the end, the difference between the two is just a matter of composition. This was true in actual history, and even more so in this world with its novelistic elements.
So, in this world, a master of poison can become a renowned doctor, and vice versa.
In fact, the Sichuan Tang Family is also famous for their medical skills.
At that moment, the youngest member raised his hand and asked a question, still not understanding.
“But, Big Brother. I can accept that poison can be medicine, but that doesn’t explain why Sichuan is so developed.”
“I’ll explain that now. Sichuan is the territory of the Sichuan Tang Family. Many people living here are connected to the Sichuan Tang Family.”
In other novels, Sichuan is often depicted as being divided and ruled by Unorthodox Sects and the Sichuan Tang Family, but in this world, the Unorthodox Sects are insignificant, so Sichuan can be considered the front yard of the Sichuan Tang Family.
“And the people of the Sichuan Tang Family drink alcohol mixed with poison. ”
“Alcohol mixed with poison?”
“Yes, the people here have a high tolerance for poison, and as I mentioned earlier, the right combination of poison can be medicine. The Sichuan Tang Family found a delicate balance between poison and alcohol and developed a type of liquor that is safe to drink.”
“Wow…”
“And those who worked for the Sichuan Tang Family couldn’t forget the taste and made the liquor again. They even created various other combinations of poisoned liquor. And because it tasted so good, they started selling it to others.”
“They sell poisoned liquor…? No way…”
The youngest member finally noticed that the streets were filled with taverns and looked around. I nodded and told him.
“Yes, the taverns in Sichuan sell poisoned liquor. And it’s incredibly delicious.”
**
“Selling Red Centipede Liquor made with Red Centipede poison! It will make your insides burn!”
“Selling Snow Lotus Herb Liquor! One sip and you’ll feel like you’re in heaven!”
The youngest member looked curiously at the merchants selling various poisoned liquors but also frowned.
“Ugh… I like alcohol, but poisoned liquor… It feels unsettling…”
“I felt the same way at first. But once you get a taste of poisoned liquor, you can’t go back to regular alcohol. It’s truly heavenly.”
I pointed around as I continued speaking.
“Look, the streets are packed with people. These are all people who couldn’t forget the taste of poisoned liquor and came back for more. And where there’s a lot of alcohol, what else is there?”
I pointed to the women dressed beautifully walking along the street, and the youngest member hesitantly answered.
“Are they… courtesans?”
“Yes, courtesans. Honggi, Yegi, Changgi… All the courtesans you know in this world are here.”
Sichuan, a place where all kinds of entertainment gather, including alcohol and women. It was truly the Las Vegas of the Wuxia world. That’s why I liked this place.
I looked around happily, enjoying the pungent yet fragrant scent of poisoned liquor that filled my nose.
At that moment, the youngest member clutched his stomach and spoke to me.
“But Big Brother… Alcohol and women are great, but can we eat first? We only had breakfast today, and it’s already sunset…”
“Of course. Youngest, where there’s good alcohol, there’s good food. Any place here will be delicious.”
The youngest member sniffed the air and pointed to a place.
“Then, Big Brother! Can we go there? I smell something really spicy from that restaurant. Since we’re in Sichuan, we should try some spicy food.”
“Oh, that place? I think I went there a few years ago. They serve spicy noodles, and it’s amazing.”
“Then let’s go there…”
“But, no.”
I grabbed the youngest member by the scruff of his neck as he was about to run off and spoke firmly.
“We already have a place to go. We’ll go there next time.”
“Oh… I guess we have no choice…”
The youngest member looked disappointed but accepted my decision and followed me quietly. I led him to the outskirts of Sichuan.
**
“Big Brother… What is this place…”
“What do you mean?”
“This place is too…”
I anticipated what the youngest member was going to say and spoke first.
“Too shabby?”
The youngest member nodded, unable to hide his disappointment.
It was understandable. The building in front of us was not as glamorous as the ones in the center of Sichuan city, and instead of appetizing smells, a musty odor wafted from inside.
Even though it was evening, there were no lights illuminating the inside of the establishment. It was a place that no one would want to enter.
But…
“Hey, places that look shabby like this are usually hidden gems.”
“Still…”
“Stop complaining and get in.”
I pushed the reluctant youngest member inside.
As we entered, an old man who looked like the owner greeted us instead of a waitress.
“Who are you?”
“We’re customers.”
“…Take a seat over there.”
Despite the shabby exterior, a few people were eating inside the inn, but they were so focused on their meals that they didn’t even notice us.
As soon as we sat at the innermost table, I heard a voice only in my ear. The youngest member, sensing something strange, sent me a Whisper Technique.
‘Big Brother, something feels off here.’
“Oh, youngest. You know how to use the Whisper Technique? Since when?”
I asked, surprised, and the youngest member’s expression turned to one of embarrassment.
“No, Big Brother… If I used the Whisper Technique, there must be a reason. Please lower your voice…”
“Oh, sorry. I was just curious. So… What’s strange about this place?”
I spoke as if it was nothing, and the youngest member hesitated before finally speaking in his own voice.
“The other customers here… They’re all pretending to eat but are actually watching us.”
“……”
Ssshhh-.
“……”
“……”
As soon as the youngest member finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room grew heavy. Even someone with dull Qi Sensitivity could sense that something was off.
It was definitely a tense situation, but I patted the youngest member’s head.
“Sharp observation. At this rate, you’ll become the Deputy Leader soon.”
“Big Brother, this isn’t the time for jokes. Their presence is…!”
At that moment…
Ssshhh-.
“What would you like to order?”
The old owner who greeted us earlier approached without making a sound.
Both the youngest member and I could tell that he was a highly skilled martial artist.
Despite this, I continued to speak nonchalantly. At least I knew this place wasn’t hostile towards me.
“What do you recommend?”
“…You came into an inn without knowing what to order?”
The old owner’s hand moved towards his pocket, probably finding my stalling suspicious. The youngest member also moved his hand subtly.
Ah, maybe I went too far with the joke.
Not wanting a fight to break out, I spoke up before it was too late.
“Could you bring us some hot noodles with ice floating in them?”
“……What?”
The youngest member looked bewildered, as if wondering what kind of order that was, but the old owner’s expression relaxed with relief.
The atmosphere in the room lightened as well.
The old owner immediately took a fist salute and bowed to us.
“I apologize for the misunderstanding. Please follow me.”
“Alright.”
The only one still confused by the sudden change in situation was the youngest member.
**
The old owner led us to the kitchen, which looked ordinary, but when he lifted the floor, a passage to the basement was revealed.
“Go straight ahead, turn right at the fork, and continue straight. You’ll reach your destination.”
“Got it.”
Once we were alone in the basement, the youngest member hurriedly asked me.
“Boss. What is this place…?”
“Youngest. Alcohol, women, and food are great, but we need money to enjoy them.”
“So… this place is…”
“Yes.”
Following the old owner’s directions, we found a door. As I opened it, I spoke to the youngest member.
“This is where we can make money.”
Cheonggi, Honggi, Yegi, Changgi: These are all courtesan classes:
“예기” (Yegi): The highest rank, skilled in arts like music, dance, and poetry.
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