Chapter 21: Starving Reality

The morning sun filtered through the grand windows of House Altheron, casting a golden hue across the polished floors. Yun Jin stretched as he stepped out of his room, feeling refreshed after a night of rest. Laid out for him was a new shirt—simple in design, yet the fabric was soft, refined, and tailored for ease of movement.

He pulled it on, adjusting the fit. As he walked, he noticed a subtle breeze against his skin, cooling him lightly.

"This... feels different," he murmured, running his hand over the cloth.

Elara, who had been waiting outside, stepped forward with a small nod. "It is a magic garment, Master Yun Jin. It has an inscribed diagram that improves airflow, keeping the wearer cool while also subtly enhancing energy recovery over time. A gift from Lord Altheron."

Yun Jin frowned slightly, inspecting the fabric more closely. His fingers traced the fine seams, feeling the almost unnatural lightness of the material. "Magic, huh?" He glanced at her, his expression questioning.

Seeing his curiosity, Elara gave a small smile and bowed slightly. "Ah, I have yet to introduce myself. My name is Elara, a personal attendant under Lord Altheron’s house. If you have any questions during your stay, you may ask me."

Yun Jin nodded, rolling his shoulders and testing the comfort again. "Not bad."

Next, he made his way to Merlin’s room. Knocking on the door, he called out, "Merlin, it’s time to go."

A pause. Then a flustered voice from inside. "J-Just go ahead! I-I’ll catch up!"

Yun Jin frowned. He needed Merlin’s help today. "I’ll wait."

Moments later, the door creaked open just a fraction, revealing a reluctant Merlin. Yun Jin’s eyes widened slightly. The robe Merlin wore was more elaborate than usual, the fine silk flowing gently with his movement, its form-fitted design accentuating his delicate features. For a fleeting moment, Yun Jin could only think—

He looks... beautiful.

Some angles made Merlin appear almost like a young noble girl, the feminine cut of the garment highlighting his youthful elegance.

Merlin immediately noticed the look in Yun Jin’s eyes and scowled, his face turning bright red. "S-Stop staring! It was the only thing they had with my size!"

Yun Jin grinned, clearly enjoying Merlin’s discomfort. "Oh? It suits you surprisingly well. Maybe we should get you a matching hairpin? I hear noble daughters accessorize well."

Merlin’s blush deepened as he shoved Yun Jin back, flustered. "Shut up! Just—where are we going?!"

Still smirking, Yun Jin let him change the subject, his amusement lingering as they climbed into the carriage prepared for them.

The carriage rocked gently as they traveled through the bustling streets, Yun Jin’s stomach growled audibly. He realized he hadn’t eaten properly in days—his last full meal had been with Baek Tianjun before his arrival, and aside from a few skewers upon entering Terrilstead, he had gone without food.

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Though cultivators required far less sustenance than normal people, they still needed to eat, especially after extended battles. Even someone at Baek Tianjun’s level still ate at least once a year. For Yun Jin, who had fought continuously in the past few days, the hunger was beginning to gnaw at him.

"Find me something to eat," he ordered.

Elara simply smiled—a subtle shift in her expression, but Yun Jin caught it, his brow raising slightly. "You seem amused by something," he remarked, his tone edged with curiosity.

Elara met his gaze with practiced composure. "Nothing, let me show you somewhere. It’s a local secret."

Yun Jin clicked his tongue, not entirely convinced, but let the comment pass.

She led them away from the central streets toward a quieter part of town.

As they traveled, Yun Jin became keenly aware of the atmosphere changing.

The lively market noise faded, replaced by muffled conversations, distant scuffles, and whispered dealings. The people here walked with their heads low, their eyes sharp, and the air carried a weight of unease. Shady transactions happened in the alleys, and some men openly beat another against a crumbling wall.

Yun Jin stepped forward, but Elara held up a hand. "I suggest you do not interfere."

Yun Jin’s eyes narrowed. "And why is that?"

"Because they may not be innocent either," Elara answered coolly. "This district is... survival-based. If you act, the true big fish might slip away."

Yun Jin clicked his tongue in irritation but understood the reasoning. Still, he couldn’t stand idle.

His foot nudged against a small pebble on the ground. Channeling a precise amount of Qi, he flicked it forward—

Two of the three aggressors collapsed instantly, unconscious before they even knew what hit them. The remaining man froze, now faced with a one-on-one fight.

"That’s the least I can do," Yun Jin muttered.

Elara said nothing but gave Yun Jin a knowing glance.

They soon arrived at a small, family-owned restaurant tucked away in the district, noticeably quieter than the surrounding chaos.

The moment Yun Jin and Merlin stepped down, a young girl in tattered brown clothing rushed out to greet them, her face bright despite her worn attire.

"Welcome! Please, come in!"

Elara stopped at the entrance. "I will remain outside. The carriage cannot be left unattended, or it may... disappear."

Yun Jin and Merlin entered the establishment, where an old man with a scarred, weathered face studied them from behind the counter. His gaze was sharp, his body marked by years of hardship.

"Fancy folk like you don’t belong in this part of town," the old man muttered. "What’s your business here?"

Yun Jin met his gaze evenly. "I just want to eat. And now I’m here."

The old man narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"

Yun Jin shrugged. "What do you have?"

The old man’s scowl deepened. His grip on the counter tightened slightly.

Before tension could rise further, Merlin stepped forward, hands raised in a placating manner. "Anything is fine. We’re just travelers passing by—we only wish to try some local cuisine."

The old man studied them both for a long moment before sighing. "Fine. Take a seat."

As they sat, Yun Jin leaned back, absorbing his surroundings. The restaurant was old, its furniture worn but well-kept. The air smelled of simmering broth, a stark contrast to the tension outside.

Still, Yun Jin couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched.

A moment later, the sound of wheels rolling across the wooden floor filled the quiet space. From the back of the restaurant, a woman in a well-worn but neatly kept dress maneuvered herself forward in a wheelchair, her sharp eyes landing immediately on the old man. Her tone was firm yet affectionate as she scolded him.

"You’re scaring the customers again, dear! Is that any way to treat paying guests?"

The old man grumbled under his breath but turned away, stomping toward the kitchen. "Fine, fine. I’ll cook."

The woman sighed before shifting her attention back to Yun Jin and Merlin, her expression softening. "I do apologize for my husband’s attitude. He means well, but he’s a stubborn one."

She gave them a warm, practiced smile. "Welcome to our humble establishment. I’m Mara, and that grumpy man is my husband, Hagan. And this—" she gestured toward the young girl who had greeted them earlier "—is our daughter, Lina. She helps out when she can."

Lina beamed. "Nice to meet you!"

Mara clasped her hands together. "Now then, what would you like to eat? I promise, despite his temper, my husband’s cooking is some of the best you’ll find in these parts."