The RoFan Novel Fan Has Reincarnated Into A Martial Arts Novel-Chapter 36: A Toast to Your Eyes (1)

The lid opened, and the contents of the box shyly revealed themselves.

Resting atop a soft cloth was a gemstone no bigger than a thumb joint. Judging by its deep green hue, it seemed to be jade.

Shaped like a perfect droplet, the jade glistened with such clarity and luster that it almost looked like real liquid—like it might drip downward if tilted. Its surface was smooth, unblemished, and radiant.

At the sight of that clear brilliance, Tang Soso let out a quiet gasp.

“Wow...”

Her lips parted slightly in awe, her expression full of wonder. And Yeon couldn’t blame her. Even compared to finely cut ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) modern gems, this one lacked nothing.

This must be insanely expensive... Should I give it back?

The thought flashed through Yeon’s mind, but realistically, the Baekha Escort Agency wouldn’t accept it. Worse, they might try to keep her around for a few more days just for that.

After a moment of hesitation, Yeon spoke up.

“Let’s divide this between the four of us. Selling it doesn’t feel right, but we can figure out its value and split it up—money sent back to our families.”

Cheon Gang was the first to respond.

“But didn’t Miss Yeon receive it as a personal gift?”

“Come on, it’s a gift for all of us.”

“I doubt that. If it were, they would have told you to split it, as you suggested.”

His reasoning was hard to argue with. Yeon let out a troubled sigh.

Still, I can’t just pocket this for myself...

But it seemed Soso agreed with Cheon Gang.

“Um... Sister.”

“Yeah?”

“I think so too. Madam Baek gave it to you personally.”

“What?”

“Even when you weren’t at the agency, they kept talking about you. Both Madam and Miss Ju-a. They cried a lot back then too...”

“Oh, really? Still, even so...”

Yeon was getting more and more flustered when Cheon Gang turned to Gongye.

“Monk, what are your thoughts?”

He asked without pressure, calm and neutral in tone.

But Gongye didn’t seem to hear. He was lifting the liquor bottle high, pouring with flair as if performing a magic trick, completely absorbed in the task.

Soon, the bottle tipped fully, and the final drop fell into the cup. The surface of the liquor rippled but didn’t spill over. A perfect final pour.

“Beautiful... cheee!”

“Monk?”

Cheon Gang called again, and Gongye finally responded with a contented smile.

“Hm? Ah, sorry. I didn’t catch that.”

“Do you agree that the gemstone should belong to Miss Yeon?”

Cheon Gang’s tone sounded almost like a lawyer making a closing argument. Gongye answered casually.

“Wasn’t it given to her in the first place?”

What the—Even the monk?

Yeon was slightly taken aback, but Cheon Gang pressed on.

“I think so too, but Monk, you also played a part in everything that happened. If you'd like a share—”

“A reward? Hahaha, perish the thought. A good deed loses its merit the moment you seek praise for it.”

It was such an out-of-character statement that everyone, except Gongye, stared at him in stunned silence.

Especially Cheon Gang. Sure, it was probably inappropriate to offer the monk money in the first place, but given Gongye’s usual image, it still caught him off guard.

Meanwhile, Gongye smiled sheepishly at Yeon.

“Well, if you insist, please write me a glowing reference in your letter to the Grand Master, Miss.”

Watching him grin like that left Yeon thoroughly confused.

What the—people might actually think he’s a real monk... No, wait, he IS technically a monk.

With a blissful smile, Gongye downed the last cup. The sheer mismatch between his words and actions left Yeon speechless—until the server returned, wheeling in a cart. Sensing eyes on the table, Yeon quickly closed the box and tucked it into her robe.

“I’ll hold onto this for now.”

“Pardon me for interrupting!”

With a confident voice, the server announced the arrival of their food. The table, cleared of the gemstone’s presence, now brimmed with anticipation.

“Heave-ho!”

Grunting as he lowered a heavy plate, the first dish he brought was a steaming fish stew.

Covered in bright red sauce, the white meat was topped with a scattering of finely chopped red chili peppers. The spicy aroma instantly ignited their appetites. Yeon preferred meat, but she liked spicy food too—so this was a solid choice.

Smells pretty good, actually.

As if to complete her satisfaction, the next dish was a meat platter. It featured chunks of smoked chicken and pork in a milky broth, glossy and rich. Dried seafood here and there added a unique flair.

Finally, a bright red stir-fried dish was placed in the center. The moment Yeon saw it, her pupils widened.

Wait... this is...

The scent, the shape—it was familiar. That earthy, slightly funky smell tickled her nose. This had to be organ meat. Stir-fried intestines—gopchang bokkeum, no doubt about it.

Yeon had worried they’d serve something too greasy or too foreign, but this was perfect. A small bowl of rice completed the table. It was flawless.

Good call putting Cheon Gang in charge!

Everyone, Yeon included, picked up their chopsticks. They must’ve been starving—their restlessness was obvious. The server noticed and bowed promptly.

“Enjoy your meal!”

Before leaving, the server slid another bottle of liquor toward Gongye. This one was a different kind, and just like Gongye had done earlier, the server winked.

Gongye inhaled with a sharp “shhht.”

“This kid’s going places!”

With that highest form of praise, the meal officially began.

—

After the whirlwind feast, the group soothed their full stomachs with warm tea. With the fullness came contentment.

Right... this is why people say we do everything just to eat and survive.

Yeon suddenly understood why that phrase was so timeless.

Just then, Soso turned to Yeon.

“Sister, would it be alright if I stepped out for a bit?”

“Of course.”

Yeon instinctively glanced outside. It wasn’t dark yet.

“I’ll come with you. You’re not going far, right?”

“Oh, n-no, that’s okay. I’m just heading to the apothecary...”

“The apothecary?”

“Yes, I used up a lot of my herbs. I feel uneasy if I don’t replenish them.”

“Ah, that makes sense.”

Yeon stood, ready to accompany her. She didn’t show it, but what happened at the Red Flower Gate had left a deep impression.

When the Elder reached for Soso... that moment still gave Yeon chills. She wouldn’t forget it anytime soon.

But Soso hurriedly waved her hands, clearly flustered.

“R-really, Sister, I’ll be fine! It’s just down the street, not dangerous at all...”

Yeon paused. Soso’s insistence was almost desperate, and things started to get awkward—until Gongye spoke up.

“Then shall this humble monk accompany you? I happen to have some errands as well.”

“You, Monk?”

In response to Yeon’s question, Gongye fidgeted with his wig. Honestly, he could’ve taken it off now without much issue, but he still kept it on—just in case it drew unnecessary attention.

“Well, it seems this thing’s reached the end of its life. I’ve fought so hard with it...”

It looked perfectly fine, though.

Yeon stared at him blankly, and Soso quickly stepped in.

“I-I’ll go with the monk.”

“Huh?”

Hadn’t she just insisted on going alone? Yeon didn’t quite get it, but then Soso added softly,

“It’s just... he said he has errands too...”

Lowering her head, she trailed off. Yeon had been ready to insist they go together, but paused. She didn’t want to make Soso uncomfortable.

If I pushed, she’d probably agree reluctantly. But Soso’s a sensitive kid.

“Alright. But in that case...”

Yeon pulled a coin pouch from inside her robe and handed it to Soso.

“Use this for payment.”

Soso flinched in surprise, but Yeon spoke again, more firmly.

“You came all this way to help me. There’s no way I’m letting you spend your own money on top of that.”

Yeon’s resolute tone left Soso unable to refuse. In the end, she accepted the pouch. Then Yeon turned to Gongye.

“You can use that for your wig too, Monk.”

“Much obliged! We’ll be off, then.”

Gongye rose to his feet, and Soso followed.

“Soso!”

“Yes?”

“Just... don’t be too late, okay?”

Yeon had been about to say, Come back before it gets dark, but she caught herself. It felt too much like treating her like a child.

“Okay, Sister.”

Soso answered briefly, then stepped out of the inn. Yeon’s eyes followed her, still uneasy.

****

Outside, Tang Soso walked with her shoulders a little slumped.

Maybe I should’ve just come out with Sister after all.

She’d refused to go with Yeon, and yet accepted the monk’s company—it didn’t make much sense, even to her. She worried Yeon might misunderstand.

But more than that, I hate the idea of being a burden to her.

Her family—especially her older brothers—always treated her like a nuisance. They believed she couldn’t even protect herself.

How can someone from the Tang Clan be this weak?

It was a phrase she’d heard countless times, and more than anything, she didn’t want to be that kind of person in Yeon’s eyes. The fact that she’d managed to throw a bead at the Elder last time... that had only been possible because of that desperate desire.

If even Sister starts getting tired of me... then I...

She was spiraling into anxiety when a voice snapped her out of it.

“Which way to the apothecary?”

“Huh?”

“You were going to the apothecary, weren’t you?”

She almost said You’re coming with me?—but couldn’t get the words out. Gongye’s gaze drifted over to the coin pouch in her hands.

“Oh! It’s... it’s this way.”

Soso quickly led them toward the apothecary she’d spotted earlier. She’d worried it might be closed, but thankfully, the door was still open.

“I’ll wait outside. Take your time.”

“Yes.”

That’s what she said, but Soso picked up her pace. She wanted to take her time browsing, but didn’t want to make the monk wait on her.

She quickly chose a few herbs and approached the counter. The elderly shopkeeper inspected the selection, then gave her a curious glance.

“You’ve got a keen eye for someone so young.”

Soso dipped her head modestly.

“Oh, not really... it’s more of a hobby.”

“Haha. A hobby, huh? All the more impressive. These choices aren’t beginner’s picks.”

With a gentle smile, he handed her the wrapped herbs.

“Use them well. The world needs more folks like you.”

“Th-thank you.”

When she stepped out, Gongye was standing there, drinking straight from the bottle.

“Phew... Oh, you’re done already?”

She nodded silently, and he nodded back.

“Then shall we head off to find a new wig? Or, if you’d prefer, you can go on ahead.”

He extended his hand casually. Soso hesitated. She almost handed him the coin pouch, but a faint, inexplicable sense of unease stopped her.

“I’ll just come with you...”

“Very well.”

Without a second thought, Gongye turned and began walking. His gait, as always, looked carefree and unbothered.

Soso followed at a measured distance. She’d assumed they’d go straight to find a wig, but Gongye kept stopping here and there. Anything even slightly interesting caught his attention, and he’d halt to look at it with no hesitation.

If I’d known it’d be like this, I would’ve browsed the apothecary more slowly.

As Soso grumbled internally, Gongye let out a small sound of awe.

“Hooooh.”

She looked to see what it was this time—and realized he’d found a street game stall.

The place was lively and bustling with all sorts of people enjoying various games, but Gongye’s eyes were fixed on one in particular: a ring puzzle game called Guryunhwan.

It involved a long stick with several interlocked metal rings that had to be untangled. But this one only had five rings, so technically, it was an Oryunhwan, not the full nine. The original was too hard, so they’d simplified it for casual play.

Clink, clink.

Even with just five rings, it wasn’t easy. A man at the stall was getting frustrated, jangling the rings noisily.

Soso remembered trying it once herself. It had taken forever to disentangle them—putting the rings on and off, again and again.

At that moment, Gongye quietly stepped up and addressed the man.

“Mind if I give it a try?”