Chapter 22. Isn't being a kitchen maid better than going on a raid?

The two young women, Han Chae-yeon and Xiaobai, who had recently joined the mountain bandits, came out of the shabby room and stepped outside. Han Chae-yeon, who was twenty, and Xiaobai, who was eighteen, stuck together like sisters.

When they spotted Feng Yanchao, the leader of the bandits, and Zhu Gao Ming, the deputy leader, they ran over.

Still, as the older sister, Han Chae-yeon spoke first.

"Brother Feng, can we go to the village with Brother Lian today?"

"To Hajiavillage?"

Feng Yanchao looked at Han Chae-yeon with a serious face.

I don't know why she's trying to involve Lian Jieha.

"Yes. Xiaobai said that Hajiavillage is holding a village ceremony today. There's a lot of food and things to see."

"Why do you need Brother Lian if you two are going?"

"Oh, are you telling us to go down the mountain alone as two women? Please, let Brother Lian come with us, okay?"

Feng Yanchao looked at the two women with a meaningful gaze.

It seems like they're trying to trick Lian Jieha, but I'm not sure if it will work. Lian Jieha is known for being slow in matters of love and relationships.

Zhu Gao Ming, who was standing nearby, chuckled and said,

"Hehe, are you planning to trip him up in the village?"

"Ugh! That's not it."

Xiaobai, who had only recently joined the bandits, blushed and waved her hands.

In contrast, Han Chae-yeon put her hands on her hips and shot back,

"It's because I'm worried that there might be some lecherous guys since Xiaobai has only recently joined!"

Xiaobai is from Hajiavillage and was raised by her single mother. Last year, her mother died of illness, leaving her alone. With her pretty looks, she was bound to attract unwanted attention. Han Chae-yeon had saved her from being assaulted by a neighbor.

Feng Yanchao waved his hand as if he was annoyed.

"Fine, do as you please. Brother Lian has been living in the mountains for a while, so he might enjoy it."

"Thank you, Brother."

"Thank you."

Han Chae-yeon and Xiaobai bowed in gratitude.

As the two women left, Zhu Gao Ming asked with a smile,

"Brother, who do you think Brother Lian will end up with?"

"Why?"

"Why? I'm a man, aren't I?"

"Ah, you thief! Don't get any ideas. You should focus on getting along with the kitchen maid."

"Brother, age is just a number."

"I can't believe you, a thief, are eating the food of the temple."

"What's wrong with temple food? There are plenty of handsome men in the temples. Look at Shaolin Temple."

"Do the monks of Shaolin Temple lust after women like you?"

"Who said they lust after women? I'm just thinking that there might be some young women in the mountain bandits."

"Ugh! Nonsense. Stop talking nonsense and keep an eye on the construction. Make sure the laborers don't wander around the mountain bandits' camp. You never know when they might turn into guides for the government troops."

"Of course, they would sell out their own wives for a few coins. I'll keep a close eye on them."

"Good, keep things in order. I want to stay in Oufeng Mountain for a long time."

"Me too, Brother."

Zhu Gao Ming also wanted to maintain the life in Oufeng Mountain. It was more prosperous than ever before. Having kitchen maids in the mountain bandits' camp was something he never dreamed of before.

***

Lian Jieha, who had been living a peaceful life, decided to go down the mountain at the urging of the two women. It was the first time he had gone to Hajiavillage for fun since joining the bandits.

As they were leaving the camp, Xiaobai glanced at Lian Jieha curiously.

"Brother Lian, have you ever been to Hajiavillage?"

"Yeah, I went a few times last winter with the other leaders to buy rice and other supplies."

Xiaobai, who was a year younger, still showed respect to Lian Jieha. Lian Jieha, having lived in the mountain bandits' camp for a while, had become accustomed to speaking informally.

"Oh, that's why I didn't see you. If you came often, I would have recognized you."

"You said you lived in Hajiavillage, right?"

"Yes."

"You don't look like someone who would do bad things. Why did you join the bandits?"

Honestly, Lian Jieha couldn't understand this part. Xiaobai was undeniably pretty. Her clear and transparent eyes revealed her innocence. She didn't look like someone who would do bad things, so why did she join the bandits as if she was being chased?

Although he had learned about morality through books, he knew right from wrong. Most bandits were people who had committed crimes and fled. Of course, some joined due to poverty, but that was rare.

"Ugh, Brother Lian. Do I look like someone who would do bad things?"

Han Chae-yeon, looking indignant, interjected.

"I didn't say that."

"Pfff!"

Han Chae-yeon, unsatisfied, pouted and then briefly explained Xiaobai's past.

"I see."

Lian Jieha nodded as if he understood.

That was all. Lian Jieha didn't ask what happened to the bad guys. The mountain bandits' camp was full of people who had done worse things, so it wasn't surprising.

At first, they felt awkward, but the three of them gradually relaxed and shared their personal stories as they descended the mountain.

***

Hajiavillage, Sihailou.

As soon as they sat by the window, Xiaobai, with an excited look, said,

"The food here is the best. Jinmei Restaurant's noodles are quite good."

"Haven't you tried them before?"

Han Chae-yeon asked, and Xiaobai nodded with a smile.

"Hehe, I didn't have the money to buy food here. I've been to Jinmei Restaurant a few times, though."

Just then, a waiter approached.

"What would you like to order?"

The waiter kept looking at Han Chae-yeon and Xiaobai.

Their beauty was rare in Hajiavillage, so it was natural for him to be drawn to them.

Han Chae-yeon, who had seen various dishes in the brothel, ordered for the group.

"Spicy soup, baozi, roasted chicken, stir-fried pork belly, and eight-treasure rice, please."

Han Chae-yeon looked at the waiter intently.

She believed that the dishes available in Bofeng County would be available here as well.

"Sure, sure, please wait a moment."

The waiter bowed and left.

"Wow, Sister. You look so cool."

Xiaobai looked at Han Chae-yeon with envy, and Han Chae-yeon shrugged.

"What's cool? I just learned it from the brothel."

"Oh, I see."

The mention of the brothel brought a fleeting look of regret to Xiaobai's face.

As they sipped the warm tea, the dishes arrived.

The three of them, enjoying the rare feast, ate in silence.

"Who's this? Isn't this Xiaobai?"

A man in silk clothes approached their table, speaking loudly.

Xiaobai, who had turned to see who it was, forced a smile.

A man in his thirties with a large mole under his eye patted Xiaobai's shoulder.

"I haven't seen you in a while. What's been going on? I heard you had some trouble. If you need help, you should come to me. Why didn't you?"

Han Chae-yeon, who had been watching, asked Xiaobai.

"Do you know him?"

Surprisingly, Xiaobai shook her head.

Of course, she recognized his face, but that was all. He was just one of the men who had bothered her in Hajiavillage. She couldn't call him an acquaintance.

"What? You don't know me? That's impossible!"

The man continued to talk, and Han Chae-yeon coldly replied,

"Sir, my sister said she doesn't know you. Do you even know who we are?"

Ha Yizhi, who ran a large fabric shop in Hajiavillage, asked mockingly,

"Who are you?"

"We are from Oufeng Mountain. Now, go away."

Ha Yizhi, who had been confident a moment ago, immediately backed down.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you were from Oufeng Mountain..."

He bowed and quickly left, showing the power of Oufeng Mountain in Hajiavillage.

Han Chae-yeon clicked her tongue in disappointment and asked Lian Jieha,

"Brother, aren't you angry at people like him?"

"I don't like it."

"But why didn't you do anything?"

"You said it yourself. That's enough, right?"

In fact, he had just watched because he didn't know the relationship between Xiaobai and the man. But he didn't want to explain all that to Han Chae-yeon.

Han Chae-yeon, displeased, pouted but quickly changed the subject.

"Brother."

"What is it?"

"Can you teach Xiaobai and me martial arts?"

"Martial arts?"

Han Chae-yeon nudged Xiaobai's elbow.

Xiaobai, as if they had planned it, added,

"Yes, Brother. Please teach us some martial arts."

Lian Jieha hesitated for a moment.

Teaching martial arts wasn't difficult; he had learned the Demon Subduing Dao from the deputy leader. But he had no experience teaching, so he wasn't sure if he could do it well.

Han Chae-yeon, seeing his hesitation, asked with a pleading look,

"Why not? Can't you?"

Lian Jieha, cornered, scratched his head awkwardly.

"It's not that I can't. I just don't have confidence. I only showed the Demon Subduing Dao a few times when the older men begged me. Honestly, I don't even know how to teach it."

Han Chae-yeon's face lit up.

"Really? If that's the case, it's fine. As long as you're willing to teach, we can ask questions as we go."

"In that case, I can do it. But why do you suddenly want to learn martial arts?"

"The camp is looking for someone to cook and do laundry. If we can't fight, they'll make us kitchen maids, for sure."

"Sister is right. If they can't find a kitchen maid or if the kitchen maid quits suddenly... Ugh."

Xiaobai shuddered at the thought.

Lian Jieha finally understood their intentions.

They wanted to learn martial arts to avoid being kitchen maids.

"Isn't being a kitchen maid better than going on a raid?"

Lian Jieha's question made the two women exclaim in unison,

"Absolutely not!"

"Why not?"

Why did they prefer the dangerous raids over the safe kitchen?

Han Chae-yeon, stroking her teacup, explained,

"Remember what that man said earlier? He apologized for not knowing we were from Oufeng Mountain. Kitchen maids will never hear such words."

"That's right. We want to learn martial arts and become strong women in the martial world."

"Being a kitchen maid is really not for us."

Lian Jieha nodded in understanding.

He remembered feeling the same way when he was trapped in the storage room, wishing he could freely roam the world.

***

Henan Province.

Anju Town.

As the sun was setting, two men entered Yanghua Inn. They were Shang Wu Tian, the leader of Manshui Merchant House, and his teacher, Tianzhu, an elder of the Wudang Sect.

The inn was bustling with dinner guests.

Shang Wu Tian quickly reserved a room and led Tianzhu to an empty corner.