Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Eel Overload
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Eel.
A fish with a superb nutty flavor.
When my energy was depleted, nothing was as hearty as eating eel. That's why I used to like eel. Until recently.
"Gaga, have some food."
"Thanks. What about you?"
"I've already eaten."
The good fish Yeonhui had mentioned.
It was eel.
Eel soup simmered thickly with various vegetables. A common dish in the Central Plains.
"Gaga, ah~"
Yeonhui scooped up a tender piece of meat with her spoon and held it out to me. She used to show a bit of shyness before. Now, she volunteered to feed me as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Ah, ah~"
"How is it? Does it taste okay?"
"Yeah, it does. It really wakes up my appetite."
"Really? How does it compare to the Moyong Family's?"
A sudden thrust of an attack.
The key was not to show any signs of fluster.
"Way better! You were right, Yeonhui. They say meals are a matter of habit? The Moyong Family's were so bland that I ended up skipping some."
"Right? If it's not enough, I can get more, so eat up hearty."
It went over more smoothly than expected, but Yeonhui still hadn't forgotten about Moyong Hye's scented pouch. This was a kind of ideological screening.
"You're eating really well. How did you endure being so hungry?"
"It's been a while since we talked like this. I just wanted to spend a little more time with you. Meals can wait."
"Gaga..."
I desperately answered to lift Yeonhui's mood. She brought both hands to her mouth as if moved by my words. The room's slightly chilly temperature seemed to warm up.
"You seem to like the eel a lot?"
"Oh, yeah. I always liked eel. I can't get enough."
"I see..."
A somewhat exaggerated response to keep the brighter atmosphere going.
I didn't know.
That this was the beginning of a disaster.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Eel grill.
Eel fry.
Eel rice bowl.
Eel sashimi.
Eel porridge.
Eel steamed.
Eel braised.
What is this?
The foods I'd eaten over the past week. All eel dishes, just prepared differently. All chosen by Yeonhui, who stuck close by my side to ensure I ate well.
Eel, more eel, and even more eel.
Each one masterfully cooked by top chefs, so they tasted great, but eating nothing but one food endlessly was grueling.
And sensing some intent behind the menu selection made it worse.
'This... can only be that.'
At first, I didn't think much of it. I figured she was just taking care of me since I said I liked it. Naïve of me. But the daily eel dishes continued. And the sides that came with them.
Garlic. Chives. Onions. Oysters.
Dessert was raspberry tea.
They all had one thing in common.
'They're all great for stamina!'
Eel is a tonic food.
Practically a bundle of nutrition. Good for the skin, aids blood circulation, strengthens the stomach.
But the effect people think of first with eel.
Stamina!
'The effect is potent.'
I was already vigorous(?). A martial artist without a healthy body? Impossible. And with daily eels... I became a volcano ready to erupt at any moment.
'Feels like I'm back in puberty.'
There was that time.
When just seeing a skirt made body and mind surge.
Exactly like now.
"Gaga, are you okay?"
"Just thinking for a bit."
It was tough. Yeonhui was always beautiful, but lately her beauty felt lethal. My eyes drifted to her figure unwittingly, and when she came close, I could feel my heartbeat spike in real time.
And the natural reaction that came with it.
'Can't give in!'
Moyong Hye's presence seemed to have greatly stimulated Yeonhui.
Resorting to such sneaky tactics!
I had to endure agonizing days of restraint.
"Gaga, hold me..."
Yeonhui had been more affectionate lately. Whenever there was a moment, she'd plead for a hug. Holding her filled my nose with her refined fragrance.
"Is something wrong?"
"No. Not at all."
An inevitably awkward posture.
It was torment.
Yeonhui's relentless affection offensive was a form of torture for me.
"Yeonhui. But lately, there's a lot of eel dishes?"
"Oh, about that. Since you liked it, I asked my eldest brother to get some eel."
"Yeah. But?"
"The merchants messed up the quantity. Something went wrong midway, and they delivered ten times more than requested. So no worries about eel for a while!"
No, what kind of mess-up leads to ordering ten times the amount?
And if there was a communication issue, send it back! Why buy it all?
Why be so unnecessarily kind? The Namgung Family has the power to throw their weight around. Why...
This couldn't go on.
No matter my superhuman patience, humans have limits. I never knew being healthy could be this hard.
'Somehow, I have to get rid of the eels.'
Eel was the problem.
I had to dispose of all the eel piled up in the Namgung Family. Not just that issue, but eating the same ingredient daily wasn't easy. I'm not Namgoong Hyu.
'Namgoong Hyu?'
That name flashed in my mind.
Right, Namgoong Hyu.
The man who never tired of chicken breast daily.
Now beyond enduring, reached the realm of enjoying it... The monster I created.
I already felt indebted to Namgoong Hyu.
To him, brainwashed because of me.
How about granting him a "special treat" deviation?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Long time no see, brother-in-law."
"Have you been well?"
"Same as always. But I'm a bit hurt. Not even a single letter."
"Sorry. I've been busy handling tasks Father-in-law assigned..."
"Eh, it happens. It's good to see you adapting to the family more."
Namgoong Hyu was even more muscular than before. A body that thoroughly eliminated any trace of fat.
"So, what brings you to meet me alone today?"
"I've been treated to many meals by you. It's only polite to treat you once."
"Oho! I'm looking forward to it. Chicken breast dishes prepared by you!"
No, Namgoong Hyu.
Sorry, but no chicken breast today.
Today, I'll free you from the shackles I placed!
"Today's treat isn't chicken breast."
"Brother-in-law? What do you mean?"
Namgoong Hyu showed disappointment.
I'm going mad.
His regret over no chicken breast felt bizarre.
"Actually, I have a confession for you, brother."
"What do you mean?"
"Brother. I hate chicken breast."
Du-dung!
I swear I heard that sound.
Namgoong Hyu said with an incredulous face.
"What...?"
"Chicken breast is too tough. And that distinctive gamey smell. That's why I hate it."
"How could you...!"
Namgoong Hyu's reaction was like his faith being denied.
His eyes burned with betrayal.
"No way..."
"Not a single lie. Pure truth."
"No!"
Namgoong Hyu staggered as if strength left him. Looked like he'd collapse.
"The reason I recommended a chicken breast-only diet was... a kind of harsh prescription."
"..."
"Forgive me, but the you I met before was far from healthy. If continued, you'd eventually face disaster."
He didn't respond.
"So I had to tearfully choose that method. Chicken breast! Good for health but disgustingly tasteless!"
"Chicken breast is delicious!"
"No. It was to curb your appetite. Meals are just a means to build muscle, not to enjoy. I wanted you to dread eating itself!"
I continued in an impassioned voice.
"But you had stronger will than I thought. To reach the point of enjoying chicken breast. Probably because they were made with love by your wife."
"..."
"You even fooled yourself. Seeing that, how guilty do you think I felt? Every time you called that gamey smell the aroma of swelling muscles, my heart tore!"
"Stop!"
He's thoroughly mad.
Didn't expect defenses this solid.
"Now it's time to return everything to normal. Here, look at this."
"!"
I clapped, and a maid brought the food.
The plate piled high with grilled eel.
A special one I ordered myself.
"Come, brother. Savor this rich aroma."
I waved my hand over the plate. The bamboo-smoked grilled eel's scent followed my gesture into Namgoong Hyu's nose.
"Kuh, kuh."
"How is it? The bamboo-infused grilled eel aroma."
Namgoong Hyu looked struck at a vital point. I pushed the plate closer.
Eel grilled golden on skewers.
Sauce with a touch of honey in reduced soy. The slightly charred surface glistened with oil.
"Imagine. Crispy texture, oil flowing through soft flesh. The seared surface holding the bamboo scent."
"Don't want to hear it!"
"Would you still recoil after tasting the sweet aftertaste?"
He denied, but his eyes followed the eel.
See? Body is honest.
Remember, Namgoong Hyu. The days of gourmet pleasures.
"I'm not recommending just any food. Eel aids muscle growth as much as chicken breast."
"Really?"
"Of course. I guarantee it."
Halfway there.
Time for the finishing blow.
I picked up a piece of grilled eel and took a big bite.
At the same time, the signature crunch filled the quiet room.
"Mmm! That's it!"
"..."
"It's delicious. Brother, just try one bite."
I said with a bright smile.
Namgoong Hyu hesitated.
To him now, I must seem like a heretic tempting apostasy.
"For your sincerity, I'll just taste it."
"You'll be satisfied."
"No chance!"
Namgoong Hyu hesitantly brought the eel to his mouth.
"!"
Immediate reaction at the first bite.
Seeing his eyes sparkle, I was certain.
The stubborn Namgoong Hyu had fallen in an instant.
"W-Well, it's edible."
"Have some more."
"It's only because of your kindness! My resolve is firm!"
Tak, tak.
His hand blurred like multiples, devouring the eel.
Thus, I led him into culinary corruption.