Chapter 18: Dinner and Discussions

Ki Jung has had plenty of experience dealing with people who underestimated her, which has led to her seemingly becoming a cold hard bitch when it came to such people. Bullies in school, individuals at martial arts competitions and exhibitions, the list goes on. Master Chen is just the latest in their numbers, and she already understands the fact that with such people, “Might Makes Right,” and “The Strong Thrive; The Weak Die,” are their watch phrases. One cannot act weak with them. This is part of the thoughts going through her head as she heads back to the Pak home.

On the way, Ki Jung and Min Joon stop at a market to pick up groceries for the night’s dinner. They discuss the day’s events and what he plans on doing with his winnings. He has to pay back the loan of 1 gold, but even with 50% interest, it is nothing to worry about after his big payout.

Ki Jung needs to trust someone and enlist their assistance in helping her through her next breakthrough in Body Cultivation. Thus, she now considers asking little brother - Min Joon. He has been treating her with respect and deference, and put his trust in her, too. So, perhaps he will be the one to trust to help her. With this in mind, she asks him if he could help her with an essential task in the near future. His ready agreement makes her smile. They don’t discuss the details during the walk home. Min Joon has agreed to wait until after dinner to include his mother.

Once they arrive, Ki Jung assists Min Joon with preparing dinner. Washing and cutting the meat and vegetables, getting the cooking fire going, and cleaning up the mess, too. It’s as if Min Joon is clairvoyant because the final bit of cooking is done just as his mother is coming through the door. He asks his mother to relax, telling her that dinner will be right out. Ki Jung brings out the rice and then gets the eating bowls, chopsticks, and drinking cups, which she fills with fresh water. Min Joon brings out the dishes they prepared. Once everything is on the table, they join mother/Auntie to enjoy the meal.

Throughout the meal, they talk about the day’s events. Mrs. Pak made a few sales, so she’s happy. When they tell of the exhibition, she’s taken aback. Min Joon has told her about Master Chen, and his way of teaching many times. However, it is evident that Ki Jung did not come to harm. When they tell him how badly she beat Master Chen, she gets a little worried. People like Master Chen can be small-minded and hold grudges. She hopes that he will not try to do anything to Ki Jung, but it is hope without much strength behind it.

The biggest news is about the winnings that Min Joon brought home. 100 gold is a lot of money in this house. They are not poor, but never have they had 100 gold at one time in the house. This worries Mrs. Pak because the bookie might try to get his money back by thievery. She’s even more sure of it when she learns that Ki Jung came back with 500 gold from the same bet. She wants to take the gold and put it in a special type of container that they can then squirrel away in a safe spot that is not immediately able to be accessed. These come in many forms, including rings.

Ki Jung agrees to the use of the special ring, which requires a drop of blood and a password to access. She asks Auntie June if she has one that will fit her one of her toes. After a moment’s consideration, she says that she does and that she’ll get it after dinner is over. With that out of the way, the conversation continues with less exciting news and discussion.