Chapter 204
Chapter 204
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 204
Chapter Title: The Calm Before the Storm
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The first-ever Best Noodle King Competition concluded with great success.
Just seeing the number of tourists who came to watch the competition was enough to bring a pleased smile to my face.
In this era, the cost of a single trip was by no means small.
This meant that those who visited Hanzhong to see the competition had a certain degree of financial stability.
For all I knew, the money they spent on food and lodging alone would probably cover the costs of hosting today's event.
And that wasn't all.
When all those people who had flocked here returned home, word of the competition was sure to spread far and wide.
I'd have to conduct a public opinion survey through the Underworld Network to know for sure, but I anticipated a significant promotional effect.
*So this is why they hold regional festivals.*
In the modern world, regional festivals had become so common they were almost meaningless, but here in the martial world, it was a massive success.
Thanks to this, I decided to give a substantial bonus to the Military Affairs Department, which had submitted the initial proposal.
"Hehehe, let's go wet our throats for the first time in a while."
"Keke, I wonder if Sect Leader Jin will recognize our contributions."
"It's quite strange to feel this proud without getting any blood on my hands. Kuhaha."
"..."
It seemed I'd have to take care of the guys from the Red Dragon Hall working as contractors in the Military Affairs Department, too.
*If they say they want to change jobs, I should probably accept them.*
Though I doubt the Red Dragon Hall would be willing to let them go.
Just then, our dear Ms. Myo released the recipe for her championship-winning noodles under an open license.
It must have been a difficult decision, even if she didn't work in the food service industry.
Thanks to her, Hanzhong now had a specialty product called 'Noodle King Noodles', which would surely keep the excitement of the competition alive.
In fact, there was a little story behind this.
When her identity as the general manager of the Merchant Guild was revealed, the chefs who had participated in the competition immediately protested.
*'We traveled a thousand li to become the Noodle King, yet how can the judging be so unfair!'*
In response, Myo Hyang simply served each of them a bowl of the leftover broth from her noodles without a word.
*'We greet the Noodle King!'*
The chefs prostrated themselves before her.
*'So it was real skill...'*
On that occasion, Myo Hyang announced that she would release the recipe to all the taverns, eateries, and inns based in Hanzhong.
I'll admit it now, but I almost pissed myself at the overwhelming presence she exuded at that moment.
I made up with Yang Ryeong right after the award ceremony.
*'I won't make excuses. I wanted to win. I thought Wolharu would take first place if I just beat your ramen, Sect Leader. I'm sorry.'*
*'...'*
Her incredibly bold attitude left me so dumbfounded my soul nearly ascended to the heavens, but on the other hand, I didn't feel bad thinking that my ramen had been acknowledged.
Besides, even if she hadn't interfered, Myo Hyang would have won anyway.
Still, I didn't just let it slide.
*'Let's call it even if you do one job for me for free.'*
*'Deal.'*
Well, after wrapping up the competition like that, I left the venue, took off my noodle mask, went home, and flopped into bed, pretending to have a cold.
If I had won, I would have revealed my identity like RDJ and said, 'I am the Noodle King,' shocking everyone. But coming in third was just too embarrassing.
As I lay in bed, reviewing the day's events.
*Click.*
"Sect Leader!"
Myo Hyang entered, dressed in a red silk robe adorned with gold thread.
On her right sleeve, the character for 'Special' was embroidered in gold thread, symbolizing her rank as a Special Chef.
Wearing the robe of a Special Chef, she twirled in front of me and said proudly.
"Look at this! Didn't I tell you I'd win?"
"Congratulations, sis."
She smiled brightly and placed her hand on my forehead.
"I heard you caught a cold. What a shame you couldn't even watch the competition today."
"Ah, it's fine."
*I saw more than enough of it.*
"Instead, I'll make you the noodles that won today. Just lie down for a moment."
"In that case, let's call So-so and Hwa-ran to eat with us. It's the first bowl of noodles you're making as the Noodle King; we should all try it together."
*And to see the losers, too.*
"Shouldn't you be resting?"
"I rested a bit, and I feel better now."
"Alright. I'll make it extra delicious for you."
Her energy incredibly high, she pulled me by the hand.
***
A short while later.
When I went down to the dining hall, Jeok Hwa-ran and Cheong So-so were already sitting there, presumably called by Myo Hyang.
"..."
"..."
Pouting faces.
I knew why they were like this.
*'You made this for people to eat?!'*
*'To think the Blue Flower Divine Maiden, said to revive even the dead, would try to kill someone with food!'*
*'But... poison and medicine are originally one and the same...'*
Cheong So-so, who had served poison mushroom noodles while claiming the unity of medicine and poison, failed spectacularly.
*'No, you have to make something edible...'*
*'My insides! My insides are burning!'*
*'B-but my grandfather definitely said it was delicious...'*
Jeok Hwa-ran, who for some reason had dumped a bomb's worth of Sichuan peppercorn powder into her noodles, was swiftly eliminated amidst harsh criticism.
It was so bad that even the usually composed Alliance Leader Mok Geuk flew into a rage.
"Tsk."
The sight made me click my tongue automatically.
I really couldn't help but compare them to Myo Hyang.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Like what?"
"It feels like you're looking down on me."
Anyway, this Cheong So-so girl is just sharp.
"You're imagining things."
"No, I'm not. It really felt like you were looking down on me..."
Just as she puffed out her cheeks in annoyance, Jeok Hwa-ran sniffled.
"Sob, sniffle. I wanted to become the Noodle King and serve you delicious noodles, Brother..."
"No."
*You don't even have the basics down, and you want to be the Noodle King?*
*Chop, chop, chop, chop.*
In contrast, Myo Hyang, who had claimed the title of Noodle King, was happily cooking while humming a tune.
*Glare.*
Jeok Hwa-ran shot a venomous glare in her direction.
It seemed she was feeling jealous.
"Hey, why are you so on edge on a good day like this?"
"But..."
"Come on, forget about being eliminated and let's have some noodles. Sis! Is it ready yet?"
"It's ready!"
Just then, Myo Hyang arrived with a tray.
As she placed the steaming bowls before us, a savory aroma wafted up.
"Wow!"
"Oh my?"
Even the presentation was excellent.
Cheong So-so and Jeok Hwa-ran couldn't take their eyes off the bowls, where red, yellow, and green garnishes blended in perfect harmony.
*Let's see.*
The moment I put her noodles in my mouth.
"Gasp! Th-this is!"
An indescribable wave of emotion washed over me, starting from the tip of my tongue.
It was simple yet complex, a taste that seemed familiar from childhood yet was clearly something I'd never had before.
It was so good I thought the word 'drug' might have been invented to describe this very thing.
*This is...*
Faced with a flavor that my ramen couldn't even hope to touch, I admitted defeat. No, I had no choice but to admit it.
Myo Hyang's noodles were just that incredible.
*Slurp. Chomp. Slurp.*
And I wasn't the only one who felt this way.
The two girls, who had been gloomy just moments ago, were now devouring their noodles like mad.
"I'm full, but I can't put my chopsticks down!"
"M-me too! My hands won't listen to me!"
Seeing them, Myo Hyang gave a small, scornful smile and muttered.
"I knew this would happen, so I deliberately put in twice the noodles. Go ahead and eat a ton, you thieving cats. Turn into pigs for all I care."
"..."
*Seriously, is this some kind of dark cooking society?*
***
A month later.
As expected, the quality of Hanzhong's food industry rose rapidly after the competition.
It was only natural.
Everyone was selling Noodle King Noodles made from Myo Hyang's recipe.
Of course, they couldn't match the original, but the flavor was so incredible that even a half-decent imitation was better than average.
Consequently, the number of merchants and tourists visiting Hanzhong also increased.
It had become a city one had to visit if passing nearby, even without any particular business to attend to.
And all of this.
"Is money. Fuhahaha."
Led to tax revenue.
"We're rich, Sect Leader. Kehehehe."
"We?"
"Ah, no. I mean, 'your' War King Sect will get rich."
"That's right. Fuhahahaha."
From my office on the top floor of the War King Pavilion, I looked down at the streets of Hanzhong stretching out beyond the window.
Watching a city develop is always fun. It's even more fun when that city is mine.
How should I put it? It felt like playing SimCity.
As I looked down with such a sense of pride, it felt like the world was mine.
Filled with this feeling, I handed seven money pouches to Yu So-pyeong.
"...What is this?"
"The Military Affairs Department worked the hardest to host this competition, right? It's a bonus. I included enough for the contract workers, too. Oh, the black pouch is yours. The amount is different, so don't get them mixed up."
Five silver coins per pouch.
I'd put a special eight in Yu So-pyeong's.
It was a generous bonus, almost equivalent to a full month's salary, but I didn't regret it at all.
The results of this competition were just that great.
Visibly moved, Yu So-pyeong rubbed his eyes as he accepted them.
"Th-thank... Overwhelming thanks."
"Fuhaha."
And that's not all.
"I've already spoken to Wolharu, so go have a drink after work."
A generous company dinner.
I had booked Wolharu, the most high-end tavern of this era.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Yang Ryeong for promising a generous 50% discount.
"Sect Leader!"
"Hah, you'll be walking on a path of flowers from now on. It's too early to get emotional."
As I was talking with the deeply moved Yu So-pyeong.
*Knock, knock.*
"Sect Leader, you have a visitor."
A disciple guarding the main gate entered and announced the visitor's arrival.
"Who is it?"
"He said you would know him if I said 'Hongsam'..."
"Hongsam? Like steamed and dried ginseng?"
"I'm not sure about that, but he definitely wrote 'Hongsam' in the guestbook."
"So it's a person's name..."
I'd never heard the name before. He wasn't an acquaintance, nor was he a prominent figure.
Nevertheless, the fact that he said I would know him meant he was using an alias.
*Who could it be?*
After running my mental CPU for a moment, I figured it out.
*Jeok Sam...?*
Just as Jeok Hwa-ran ran the Red Flower Pavilion, Jeok Sam had replaced the 'Jeok' in his name with 'Hong'.
*Why?*
If this were a normal visit, there would be no reason to use an alias.
That meant there was a reason he had to visit discreetly.
"Where is he?"
I immediately asked for his whereabouts.
"He left a message saying he would wait in front of the west gate."
"Alright. Let's go see."
Yu So-pyeong, who must have also figured out 'Hongsam's' identity, spoke with questioning eyes.
"It seems something has happened. If he used an alias, it's likely an intelligence-related matter."
"You think so?"
"If he comes with a request... it would probably be best to grant it, within reason."
"I wasn't planning on refusing anyway."
As Yu So-pyeong said, it was best to grant it if possible.
After all, the War King Sect didn't operate its own intelligence organization.
Of course, as long as we were doing business with the Red Dragon Hall, that was unlikely to happen, but if by some chance our relationship soured, we would have no choice but to rely on the Underworld Network.
"I just hope it's not something troublesome..."
With that thought, I ran across the rooftops toward the west gate.
When I arrived nearby, a figure I presumed to be Jeok Sam was sitting weakly under a tree.
He was wearing a human-skin mask, but his aura was the same.
"Have you been well?"
"Keke, it's been a while."
"You came all this way but didn't come inside."
"I've been quite busy lately."
"Come on, no matter how busy you are, you must have time for a meal. I know a good place. Let's call Hwa-ran and have dinner together."
"Tsk, to think my pretty little sister fell for a guy like this..."
Just as I was about to approach him with a joke.
*With her looks, she could... Huh?*
The sudden, strong scent of blood snapped me to my senses.
"...What in the world happened to you?"
"You're sharp."
*Drip. Drip.*
Drops of blood falling from his hand stained the ground.