Chapter Twenty-Two: Gluttony and Bitterness

Bai Tangjing walked steadily down the staircase.
Saeko followed behind, her hands hovering just shy of touching him, unable to truly lay a hand on his body.
For the swordswoman, the instinctive sense of danger radiating from the air, three centimeters around the gaunt man's form, was unmistakable and deadly.
She could not fathom what it was.
But, raised with the perfect discipline of a martial family, she would never press a man she had chosen for answers he did not wish to give.
Trust, whole and unwavering, was all that mattered.
Just as she would not ask how that “unreached realm” had so nearly consumed twenty kilograms of muscle and fat in a single night without costing him his life.
Knowing when to stop was a virtue for women of martial lineage.
Under her quiet watch, Bai Tangjing took his seat at the dining table and wasted no time in demonstrating a voracious appetite.
The breakfast Saeko had prepared for three was devoured in less than ten minutes, his mouth a black hole chewing and swallowing relentlessly.
The high-calorie food, specially chosen, was digested swiftly, nutrients absorbed as the internal power of dragonblood hastened the nourishment of his famished body.
His withered frame filled out at a speed visible to the naked eye.
“Ah—I'm alive again!”
Having finished enough breakfast for three martial artists, Bai Tangjing remained unsated and proceeded to eat two whole trays—twenty sterile eggs, raw. Only then did he exhale in satisfaction.
Now, though still gaunt compared to the day before, he no longer resembled the skeletal, uncanny figure he'd been upon leaving home.
Saeko, who had witnessed this medical marvel firsthand, cared only for his wellbeing.
She reached out, touching the body that was once again plumped with healthy muscle and fat, and finally breathed out in relief.
“Tangjing, your training's realm is far too dangerous!”
Her brows furrowed, but she did not ask him to stop, only offered a warning.
She knew she could not dissuade him.
A true martial artist’s desire for strength is etched into his very bones.
And as a martial artist herself, she had no wish to hinder the man she’d chosen from growing stronger.
But she wanted the young man before her to be at least a bit more cautious.
Bai Tangjing patted his still-flat stomach and nodded gently to the violet-haired beauty.
Saeko, who in modern society was nearly unable to resist testing her sword on living flesh, was obsessed with the way of martial arts. Yet, after witnessing an unfathomable martial realm, her concern from start to finish was only for his health.
It was undeniable: Bai Tangjing felt a touch of smugness and secret delight, sensing that, in her heart, his importance might even surpass martial arts itself.

Childish, yet genuine.
It was a rare emotion for him in eight years.
Just then, a trembling head of yellow hair poked out from the staircase.
“Um, excuse me, what happened just now?”
Holding a chair defensively, nearly neurotic, Ze Yong Taijie’s nervousness made the pair exchange a smile.
~~~~~~
The Free Pavilion Udon House, renowned for its robust noodles, stood just down the street from Royal Sakura Women's Academy.
A favorite breakfast spot for office workers, its chewy udon was quickly heated in rich broth, paired with thick soup and tempura toppings.
But today, the cramped shop, usually packed to capacity, had hung up its closed sign early…
“Honey, are you sure it’s alright? That young man’s going to eat our entire day’s supply—what if he gets sick?”
“I think… it’s fine, isn’t it? You see those competitive eaters on TV, the ones who do food shows!”
“But there’s no camera here—why’s he eating so much, so seriously…”
The bandana-clad owners worked busily, murmuring their worries.
Someone had come early, paid in full, and reserved breakfast for the morning—they were delighted.
Private bookings are a restaurateur’s favorite words.
But with no other customers arriving, and the udon disappearing like water down a drain into a single person’s stomach, their expressions grew tense.
Was all this for just one customer?
If trouble came from overeating, whose responsibility would it be?
At a table behind them stood three people.
“Um… Senior Dojima, are you sure it’s safe? The owners look ready to call the police, worried Bai Tangjing’s going to get sick.”
With empty bowls before him, Ze Yong Taijie leaned awkwardly toward Saeko, speaking in a low voice.
Despite only meeting Bai Tangjing yesterday for a brief encounter, the delinquent blond had taken to calling him “big brother,” out of his own admiration.
“It’s fine. As long as Tangjing enjoys himself.”
Saeko was unconcerned, arms folded, plump hips resting against the table, smiling with satisfaction as Bai Tangjing took the last bite of udon.
Restored muscle and fat brought a healthy glow to his skin; he was already closer to his previous physique.
“Ah—I'm full, thank you for the meal!”

Bai Tangjing set down his chopsticks and signaled to Saeko and Ze Yong Taijie to leave.
The owners, greatly relieved, came out to see them off—thank goodness, nothing happened!
“Please visit again!”
As the three were about to exit, Bai Tangjing seemed to remember something.
Under the anxious gaze of the owners, he returned to the table piled high with used dishes.
He placed his palm over his own bowl, which still had some soup.
He concentrated for a few seconds, then frowned as if disappointed.
Next, he dipped his chopsticks in the soup and tasted it carefully.
“The soup hasn’t increased; it’s gotten bitter, actually. Hmm… not bad.”
Without caring about the owners’ confusion, the young man strode out of the chaotic breakfast shop.
On the way to Royal Sakura, Ze Yong Taijie covertly sized up Bai Tangjing.
That morning, he’d thought Bai Tangjing wouldn’t make it.
Such drastic weight loss overnight—no human could endure it!
Yet now, after a single breakfast, his physique had recovered noticeably!
So… he really is some kind of monster, isn’t he?
“Is something wrong with me?”
“N-no! I just mean, a girls’ school with a martial arts expert… isn’t that a bit unrealistic?”
His attempt at changing the subject was clumsy, but Bai Tangjing didn’t mind.
He knew his morning performance was rather shocking.
“You shouldn’t limit your vision, Ze Yong. There are countless experts in this world.”
Ze Yong Taijie secretly scowled.
After meeting you, I can’t imagine what kind of person could be called an expert by a ‘monster.’
As they spoke, Saeko, who had been walking half a step behind Bai Tangjing, suddenly quickened her pace.
She greeted two people emerging from Royal Sakura Academy.
They were none other than the chairman of the Royal Sakura Group, Shion Kanoryuin, and her secretary.