Chapter 15

## Chapter 15. Should We Order Drinks First?

"Ha! The glory of the Five Great Academies is a thing of the past. The Blue Dragon Academy is now so far behind that it's embarrassing to be mentioned in the same breath. Don't you think?"

A burly man with thick hair on his arms puffed out his chest while speaking, his sword, which looked too heavy for most people to wield with both hands, leaning against the wall.

"You're right. The Blue Dragon Academy is now outdated."

"Didn't they come in last at last year's Heavenly Martial Competition? And the year before that, and the year before that."

At the table, two other men were seated with the burly man. The two opposite him were slightly smaller versions of the burly man, but they were still quite fat.

I called them this in my mind:

'Fatso and the two chubby ones.'

It was still daytime, but the three chubbies were already quite drunk, their faces as red as jujubes.

The first fatso stroked his sword scabbard and chuckled.

"Among the Five Great Academies, the Vermilion Bird Academy has the best facilities and instructors. Did I tell you that 20 years ago, I studied at the Vermilion Bird Academy...?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Brother, your stories never get old."

Boasting and flattery.

The three men drank and chatted loudly, filling the air with noise.

The other customers in the inn frowned and glanced at them, but no one said anything because of the three men's size, the frequent mention of the 'Vermilion Bird Academy,' and the nicknames of famous martial artists.

'If the Vermilion Bird Academy is still this good after 20 years, it must not be much.'

I was sitting at a table a bit away from the fatso, eating a bland bowl of noodles and dumplings.

At first, I found the topics they were discussing interesting and watched them for a while, but I soon turned away.

'Fatso is barely first-class. The other two aren't even second-class.'

They were typical examples of people who relied solely on their natural physique.

Their muscles were thick but not well-trained, and their fat jiggled every time they laughed.

Their irregular breathing and the redness of their faces from alcohol.

'I could start my business on any mountain right now.'

If I had been caught by Master Meng during my active years, he would have made me bow my head for two hours, saying that people like you make the impression of the Green Forest worse.

"But what can I do? The Blue Dragon Academy wants to hire me, Guo Duyong, as an instructor!"

The fatso pounded his chest while speaking.

At those words, the people who had been subtly belittling the burly man were taken aback.

A satisfied smile spread across the fatso's face, and the two chubby ones flattered him even more.

"Of course, Brother Duyong. You will surely be the new light in the declining Blue Dragon Academy!"

"Looks like the Blue Dragon Academy's junior students have found a stroke of luck this year. I'm already looking forward to next year's Heavenly Martial Competition!"

"Brother, don't forget us when you go to the Blue Dragon Academy."

"Brother!"

The two chubby ones fawned over him, and the fatso, flattered, slapped the table with his thick palm and laughed heartily.

"Hahaha. How could I forget my brothers! I'll call you when I become an instructor at the Blue Dragon Academy, so don't worry. And about the drink money..."

"Damn it."

A high-pitched voice that didn't match the coarse curse.

The fatso and the two chubby ones, as well as everyone else in the inn, turned to look in the same direction.

A handsome young man was walking over, his brows furrowed.

He wasn't particularly tall, but his small head and long limbs gave him a very good proportion.

Actually, that wasn't the important part.

'He's a master.'

The moment I saw the young man, I unconsciously tensed up.

The young man had two short swords diagonally strapped to his back.

Out of habit, I observed his gait and the development of his muscles, trying to guess what martial arts he had learned and to what level.

"Inviting a pig who drinks during the day to be an instructor? Even if the Blue Dragon Academy lacks talent, I doubt it's that bad."

The young man's provocative words made one of the chubby ones jump up.

"Is this kid crazy! Do you know who this person is...?"

"Stop it, stop it, brother."

The fatso, who had been about to attack, was held back by the fatso.

He was clearly afraid and was carefully gauging the young man's reaction.

I smirked.

'Well, even if you're drunk, you can probably sense a first-class master. He's practically radiating his aura.'

The handsome young man was sending a sharp, murderous aura towards the fatso.

"Why? Keep talking nonsense if you want."

"......Swallow."

If he provoked, he would die.

The fatso, overwhelmed by the young man's aura, couldn't move a muscle.

I picked up a chopstick of tasteless noodles and slurped it, watching them with interest.

'This is the first time I've seen a peak master in this life.'

The young man looked to be in his mid-20s at most.

To be a peak master at that age, he must have had exceptional talent or a great background.

'Usually, it's both.'

Since it had nothing to do with me, I actually hoped a fight would break out so I could see the young man's skills.

But things don't always go as you wish.

The fatso, who had risen hastily from his seat, made a formal bow.

"Haha! I, Guo Duyong, was drunk and acted disgracefully. I am grateful to the young hero for giving me a wake-up call before it was too late."

"......Huh?"

"Meeting like this is a form of destiny. I will offer you a drink, young hero. As they say, the four seas are one family. How about sharing a drink and having a heartfelt conversation?"

Look at that.

That fatso. He's actually quite smart.

By bowing and apologizing publicly, he prevented the fight from happening.

The righteous ones value face above all else.

Since the young man's opponent had acknowledged his mistake and apologized, the young man would have to pretend to accept it.

The fatso filled a cup with wine and offered it to the young man.

He was so polite that it was hard to believe he had been boasting just a moment ago.

"I am ignorant and do not know your esteemed name. May I ask which school you come from...?"

"There's no name to tell a cowardly pig."

......Is he not from a righteous school?

The fatso's face turned bright red at the young man's contemptuous tone.

Fortunately, the young man didn't seem to want to start a fight in the inn.

He looked around and said,

"There are no empty seats in the inn. My legs hurt, and I can't walk anymore. Is there anyone who has finished eating and can give up their seat...?"

It was a clear dismissal. The fatso, his face contorted in misery, stood up with the two chubby ones.

"......We were just about to leave, so please take this seat."

And the three chubbies fled the inn like they were running away.

The fatso mumbled "We'll see" as he passed by me.

"Ugh!"

Behind the three chubbies, who had been causing a commotion, boos were directed at them, while cheers were given to the young, handsome hero who had driven them away.

The problem was what happened next.

"You didn't even think about fighting back. What kind of Blue Dragon Academy instructor are you? Right?"

The young man naturally pulled out the chair opposite me and sat down.

I looked at him with a bewildered expression.

"What?"

"Let's sit together."

"What about the big table you just took?"

"I became interested in you."

I felt a chill run down my spine.

'What is he? Is he crazy?'

Well, there are a lot of crazy people in the martial world.

I cautiously spoke to the young man.

"Do you have any business with me?"

The young man smiled, a smile that could make any woman fall in love instantly.

"I wanted to talk to you. It's not often I meet a man as handsome as me."

He's crazy. I subtly tightened my grip on my chopsticks.

"......It's a joke, so don't take it so seriously. I'm not interested in men."

"Then what?"

"......Why don't you put down those chopsticks first?"

I subtly put down my chopsticks.

The young man's smile slightly faded. He lowered his voice.

"The moment I entered the inn, you were the first to react. You were ready to move at any time. Isn't that enough to pique my curiosity?"

......I thought I was the only one with good eyes.

I was a bit nervous because this was the first peak master I had seen since I woke up in this body.

I didn't think it would be that obvious...

This guy. He might be a more formidable master than I thought.

"If I offended you, I apologize."

"You emitted killing intent first, so it was a natural reaction. I'm sorry too. That's why I wanted to have a drink."

"Surprising."

"What is?"

"When you were talking to the fatso, I thought you were quite arrogant."

The young man laughed heartily at my words. The women at other tables squealed.

"I hate people who