Do You Admit Defeat?
Haetaewon, the estate that doubled as the Headmaster's office. The modest banquet held to celebrate the academy's opening had come to an end. Jo Janglim, the Headmaster of the Mutual Righteousness Academy, stood in the courtyard of Haetaewon, staring up at the sky in silence. Dan Buyong and Oh Waja, who had attended the banquet, stood quietly behind him, waiting for him to speak.
"You've arrived?"
"Yes, Headmaster."
Oh Waja and Dan Buyong quietly clasped their hands in greeting, and Jo Janglim nodded.
"How did you find the banquet?"
"Was it not a delightful feast for the instructors, the assistant tutors, and the students alike? Did something displease you, Headmaster?"
To Oh Waja, the banquet had been thoroughly enjoyable. It was rare to eat such delicious food and share in everyone's joy. Thus, he answered with complete honesty.
At Oh Waja's response, Jo Janglim turned to Dan Buyong and asked, "I, too, enjoyed it. What did you think, Hall Master Dan?"
"When I spoke with the other instructors, they said they highly appreciated the high-level duel. However..."
"However?"
"It was not planned by you, Headmaster, but rather an arbitrary clash between the Outer and Inner Dining Halls. Might it not appear differently to outsiders than we intend?"
Worried that the duel authorized by the Headmaster might stir up unnecessary discord, Dan Buyong asked in a concerned tone, "I only worry that it might have disrupted your grand design, Headmaster."
Jo Janglim chuckled at her words. "Hall Master Dan, you truly are a wonder."
"Pardon?"
"You wear a cold expression that makes you look as if you couldn't care less about the academy or the students, yet your heart is the most considerate in this entire institution."
"I... I do not deserve such praise."
"Well, I suppose that is how you captured the heart of the Cold-Blooded Poison Sword. Hahaha!"
The 'Cold-Blooded Poison Sword' was the title of Dan Buyong's husband, Gwak Yeondong. He had earned the moniker due to his icy disposition, and his marriage to Dan Buyong, who exuded an equally chilling aura, had once been the talk of the entire Central Plains.
"..."
As Dan Buyong lowered her head in embarrassment, Jo Janglim stroked his beard and laughed. "Hahaha, let us leave Hero Gwak out of this. Any more, and I fear Hall Master Dan's face might burst."
"...Yes, Headmaster."
"By the way, the Head Chef of the Outer Dining Hall possesses remarkable culinary skills. Was it you who recommended him, Hall Master Dan?"
"Yes. Though he can be rather flippant and frivolous at times, he treats food with utmost sincerity, so I requested his services."
Jo Janglim nodded. Since he was a chef chosen by the fastidious Dan Buyong, Jo Janglim had approved the hire immediately without even conducting a background check. It seemed Dan Buyong's eye for people was indeed excellent.
"His name was... ah, Yoon Gomyung, was it not? Did he perhaps practice medicine in the past?"
"Pardon? Did I mention that to you?"
"Hmm, did you not?"
"No, I did not. He does possess medical knowledge, but he is a chef who insisted on walking the path of culinary arts. How did you know that, Headmaster?"
Dan Buyong was startled. While she had praised his cooking skills to recommend him as the new Chief Chef of the Outer Dining Hall, she had deliberately omitted any mention of his medical expertise.
"...It was merely a hunch, a hunch. Hahaha."
Jo Janglim claimed it was a hunch, but in truth, it was anything but. The moment he had first laid eyes on Yoon Gomyung on the roof of the Outer Dining Hall, his heart had skipped a beat.
Muryul, my old friend. You vanished from this world over twenty years ago, so why only now?
After his close friend, who had vowed to pass his martial arts to only a single successor, suddenly disappeared, Jo Janglim believed he would never again sense that unique qi, which carried the bitter scent of medicinal herbs. Yet, here it was. He had felt his old friend's qi emanating from a complete stranger, Yoon Gomyung. He had harbored a sliver of hope that a successor might one day appear. But he had never expected that successor to manifest not as a physician or a martial artist wielding fist techniques, but as a chef of all things.
He possesses the strength of a Peak expert, capable of freely projecting his qi. Why on earth did he choose to be a chef?
Could there be some issue with Yoon Gomyung? Jo Janglim questioned the two hall masters.
"Are you certain Chef Yoon is a righteous man?"
If Yoon Gomyung, whom he suspected to be Muryul's successor, had fallen into unorthodox or demonic paths, it would be a tragedy. Jo Janglim voiced his concern, and Oh Waja answered immediately.
"If he were an evil man, he would not have hesitated when offered a position at the Mutual Righteousness Academy. Even when Hall Master Dan proposed the job, he said he would need time to think it over."
"Is that so?"
"Perhaps because he has yet to reach his thirties, he is full of vigor and overflowing with passion for cooking. As long as the academy does not mistreat or neglect him, he will likely remain our Chief Chef for a long time."
Since Oh Waja, a man of sharp intuition, spoke so highly of him, the young chef seemed all the more trustworthy. Dan Buyong added a few words of her own.
"He treats the kitchen staff and servants with kindness. I hear they are even holding a modest get-together among themselves now that the banquet is over. He is polite to his subordinates, never raising a hand or using harsh language."
Hearing even Dan Buyong praise Yoon Gomyung, Jo Janglim smiled warmly.
"That is wonderful to hear. Hall Master Oh, Hall Master Dan, I expect you to provide Chef Yoon with ample support. Since it is the Outer Dining Hall, make sure to supply them generously with high-quality ingredients and the like."
"Of course, Headmaster."
"Chef Yoon will be delighted."
After exchanging a few more words, Jo Janglim waved his hand to dismiss them. The two hall masters clasped their hands in a respectful salute and departed from Haetaewon. Left alone once more, Jo Janglim clasped his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky again.
Was that dish called the Smoked Beef Brisket Rice Bowl?
He couldn't stop thinking about the Smoked Beef Brisket Rice Bowl served at today's banquet. That moist, tender beef glazed in a sweet and savory mushroom-soy sauce... It was a dish that lingered in his memory.
I should ask him to prepare it for me sometime.
Jo Janglim smacked his lips in anticipation.
I wrote a letter.
[To the Chief Chef of the Inner Dining Hall, Personal and Confidential]
= Hey Geum Ho, open this and read it yourself.
[The white frost blanketing the earth has melted away, and as the warmth of spring fills the air... (omitted) ...I hope you have been well.]
= Are you still behaving yourself, or are you planning to run away from the academy?
[I am deeply pleased to have emerged victorious in our culinary duel a few days ago. I learned much from the occasion, and competing against you was a truly invaluable experience.]
= Geum Ho, I'm absolutely thrilled right now. I'm barely holding back from shaking my ass and teabagging you.
[However, I hope you bear in mind the promise we made to one another. In the event that one party emerged victorious... (omitted) ...I sincerely hope that the terms agreed upon that day will be fulfilled in the near future.]
= You remember the loser has to grant the winner's wish, right? So why haven't I heard from you?
[Should you be willing to meet, I am available at any time, so please do not hesitate to speak your mind.]
= Don't even think about dodging me. Hurry up and set a time.
[Though I wish to rush over and knock on your door immediately, I know it would be impolite... (omitted) ...I trust you will not commit the folly of startling the snake by beating the grass.]
= Seriously, get in touch before I march over and smash the doors of the Inner Dining Hall. If you're mad, you should've won.
[Though my words may be disorganized, I earnestly request that you reply with a faithful word.]
= Peace.
— Yoon Gomyung, Chief Chef of the Outer Dining Hall
= Written by your big bro, Gomyung.
I sealed the letter and sent a servant to deliver it. When the servant returned from the Inner Dining Hall, he looked utterly bewildered.
"Chief Chef, what on earth did you write in that letter?"
"Why? Did something happen?"
"The Chief Chef of the Inner Dining Hall read it slowly, started shaking with rage, and then ripped it to shreds right then and there."
Aigoo, do you have any idea how much effort I put into writing that? And he just tore it up? What a hopeless punk.
"So, what did he say?"
"He crumpled the shredded pieces into a ball, threw it, and told me to tell you—while practically vibrating with anger—to meet him at the Inner Dining Hall during the Hour of the Sheep, right after lunch..."
"Perfect. I'll step out for a bit during the Hour of the Sheep, then."
"Right... but what did you actually write?"
"Oh, just a quick note asking him to meet up so we could discuss some business. I can't believe he reacted like that. Hilarious, isn't he?"
I shrugged, and the servant simply nodded, accepting the explanation. Seriously, how terrible is Geum Ho's reputation that even the servants just shrug it off?
In any case, once lunch ended, I headed to the Chief Chef's office in the Inner Dining Hall. The Inner Dining Hall definitely felt more luxurious and polished. As I was leisurely looking around, Geum Ho storming in, scowling and stomping his feet heavily against the floor.
"You... what was your intention in sending such a letter?"
Whoa, is he about to swing at me?
Geum Ho glared at me with an expression that suggested he was ready to clamp a kitchen knife between his teeth and unleash a demon-slaying slash.
"Did I write a curse, or did I insult your lineage? I just sent a friendly reminder because it seemed like you forgot our promise. Why are you so angry?"
"It was a letter written solely to humiliate me!"
"I'm asking if there was a single derogatory word in that letter. Every sentence was perfectly polite, wasn't it?"
He probably had no comeback for that. After all, the actual text of the letter was completely formal and proper. Perhaps recalling the literal contents of the letter, Geum Ho huffed and violently flung open the door to his office. Slam!
"Careful, you're going to break the door."
"Shut up!"
What a temper. The people around him must have an exhausting time. Before I could even sit down, Geum Ho pointed a finger at me, looking desperate to get this annoying chore over with.
"That wish of yours, spit it out already."
"No thanks. I'm tired from feeding the kids, so I'm going to rest a bit before I tell you. Ahhh!"
I sank deep into the chair and stretched lazily. Geum Ho's face was a sight to behold.
"Hey, relax your face. Anyone watching would think I was the one who lost."
"..."
Seeing Geum Ho's face turn from bright red to a deep shade of purple, I figured I should stop teasing him. Why was this kid so impatient?
"Since you look so desperately eager, I'll just get straight to the point."
"...Just spit it out."
Look at him. He reacts so beautifully to every jab, how am I supposed to stop teasing him?
"Actually, before the wish, I have a question. Do you really like the Inner Dining Hall that much? I mean, the building itself is fantastic, but..."
"...Of course I do," Geum Ho replied, his expression relaxing slightly as he began to explain. "The Mutual Righteousness Academy is the premier academy where the finest talents of the Central Plains gather. And the instructors and assistant tutors who teach those talents are all peerless geniuses in their respective fields. Naturally, the dining hall serving such people must be operated at the absolute highest standard."
His logic wasn't flawed. In fact, he was entirely correct. It made sense to invest generously in peerless geniuses. But seeing him immediately puff up with pride made me realize how simple-minded he was. It was one of those moments where the messenger was so obnoxious that you wanted to reject the message itself.
"But does that mean you can look down on the Outer Dining Hall, which feeds the very students who will become those talents?"
"...There is still a clear difference in class between you and me."
"Right. And our duel proved that I'm the one on top. Isn't that so?"
Grind!
Geum Ho ground his teeth so hard I thought they might shatter. Doing that in a world without dental implants is only going to hurt him in the long run. Why did he hate me so much? I mean, it's not like I killed his parents or became his sworn enemy. Can't he handle a little teasing, like we're close friends? Feeling genuinely baffled, I asked him.
"If I had been at the Outer Dining Hall for over a year, I wouldn't even say this. It's barely been a month, and a fellow Chief Chef who's around my age is looking down on me. How do you think that makes me feel?"
"..."
"We're all just trying to make a living here. So stop looking down on us. Do you think I went through all that trouble to duel you just for fun?"
I dropped the playful tone and spoke with absolute sincerity. But even after hearing my honest thoughts, Geum Ho had no intention of listening. He simply turned his head away, pretending to look at something else. I'd have a better chance of going on Show Me the Money and rapping about the Four Books and Five Classics to a brick wall. What's the point of being serious with someone who won't even listen?
"Forget it. Why do I even bother? Here is my wish."
"Speak."
"On the last day of every week, let me cook in the Inner Dining Hall."
"...What?"
He reacted as if he had just heard the most absurd thing.
"I'm not telling you to step down as the Chief Chef of the Inner Dining Hall. I just want to showcase my cooking here once a week. Is even that too much to ask?"
Of course, there were times when instructors and assistant tutors came down to the Outer Dining Hall because the Inner Dining Hall was full or because they had heard rumors. Still, serving the high-ranking figures in their own territory once in a while would be a great way to make a lasting impression.
"Is that truly all?"
"Well, if I asked for anything more, you'd definitely throw a tantrum and scream bloody murder anyway."
"When did I ever do that?!"
"I can tell just by looking at you."
He was throwing a fit right now; I could easily picture him losing his mind if I demanded anything excessive. Besides, if he stepped out of line again, I could always crush him in another culinary duel. I decided to leave it at that for today. I stood up and brushed off my clothes.
"I'm leaving now, but you really should offer your guests a cup of tea. Judging by how you decorated this room, your family must be loaded. Why are you so stingy to a guest?"
"...Just get out."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm leaving. No need to be so hostile."
Master Yakseon, can I please use the Hundred Medicine Fist Secrets just once? My fists are practically crying.
The moment Yoon Gomyung sauntered out of the office, Geum Ho slammed his fist onto the table. Slam!
"That arrogant mountain-bumpkin bastard...!"
He needed to learn his place. A chef from some backwater valley should spend his days tossing wild herbs, not acting high and mighty. Not only had Geum Ho lost, but that bastard had dared to set foot in his workplace. How many times in his life had Geum Ho ever suffered such humiliation?
"Yoon Gomyung, you son of a bitch! Ahhhh!"
Overwhelmed by a wave of humiliation and rage that consumed his entire body, Geum Ho lost his mind and flipped the table. Amidst the papers and books scattering in every direction, a particularly prominent red silk envelope fluttered to the floor.
"..."
Wondering if he had ever kept such an expensive envelope, a huffing Geum Ho picked up the red silk pouch.
[To the Chief Chef of the Inner Dining Hall, Geum Ho, Personal and Confidential]
Recalling the letter from Yoon Gomyung he had received earlier, Geum Ho scowled and tore the envelope open roughly.
"...!"
As his eyes slowly scanned the contents, a dark smirk twisted the corners of Geum Ho's lips.
"...This is it."