A Dish Just for Her

In truth, the dinner menu for the Inner Dining Hall had already been decided, and the kitchen staff were busy preparing it. So why did I say those things to Seonwoo Seol? To appease her, of course. As the saying goes, the more you talk, the more slips of the tongue you make.

But come to think of it, I had rarely cooked a meal for just one specific person since arriving in the Central Plains. Sure, I often cooked for myself, but that didn't count as cooking for someone else. When you get too used to mass-producing food every day, you lose the touch for cooking small portions of one or two servings. Back during my military service as a mess hall cook, I went on leave and confidently cooked for my family, only to end up serving them a batch of japchae that tasted like a salt flat.

So, before my hands completely forgot how to scale down, I should practice making small portions... Well, that was just an excuse. Honestly, if not now, when would I ever get to cook for Seonwoo Seol? It would be pretty pathetic to just blurt out, "Please eat my cooking" out of nowhere. *Ahem.* It was a bit embarrassing, so I quickly got to work.

While rice cakes did exist in the Central Plains, they were almost exclusively treated as sweet desserts. They were usually stuffed with sweet red bean paste or other sugary, nutty fillings. That was why Seonwoo Seol had looked so surprised when I mentioned making a spicy dish with rice cakes. To her, the only rice cakes she knew were probably sweet, soft glutinous rice cakes.

I decided to make the soft, chewy wheat rice cakes we all know from scratch. Preparing finely ground wheat flour and glutinous rice flour, I began kneading them with lukewarm water. Without the glutinous rice flour, it wouldn't turn into chewy wheat rice cakes; it would just become thick udon noodles. I also had to add a pinch of salt. Since they would be submerged in a heavy sauce later, I added just enough salt to make the dough taste slightly savory.

Once the dough was kneaded, I placed a cotton cloth in a steamer and steamed it thoroughly. After about thirty minutes, it turned into a piping hot, steaming mass of dough. Now, I had to pound it well to force out all the air pockets inside. How? By using the first stage of the Hundred Medicine Fist Secrets, Jwaworyuji! Touching it with bare hands would burn, but with fist qi infused in my knuckles, it was no problem at all. And so, the legendary Baekyak-gwonkyeol was put to use ruthlessly beating a hot lump of rice cake dough.

After thoroughly pounding it with my fists, I coated my hands with a bit of soybean oil, formed a small circle with my thumb and index finger, and squeezed the dough through to shape it. Anyone else watching would have shrieked in horror at the sight of someone shaping scalding hot dough with their bare hands, but hey, convenience is king. Once the long cylinders of rice cake were extruded, I cut them into uniform pieces with a knife. With that, the soft, chewy wheat rice cakes were complete. I set them aside safely.

"Chef Yoon, your guest has arrived."

While I was covering the rice cakes with a cotton cloth, a servant's voice called out, prompting me to hurry out of the kitchen. Seonwoo Seol greeted me with a slightly haughty expression. Well, to be precise, she wasn't exactly welcoming me. She was just standing there, hands clasped behind her back, hovering on her tiptoes as she waited.

"I thought you said it was a spicy dish? Today's dinner at the Inner Dining Hall is gon chau ngau ho (stir-fried beef rice noodles), isn't it?"

"Well, I realized you've helped me out quite a bit recently and shared some valuable information. I figured I should repay the favor."

"So... this dish is just for me?"

"I'm only human, so it's only natural to return a favor. And yes, it is a dish made for just one person. A delicacy that even the Headmaster himself has never tasted."

You know this is a massive privilege, right? When I replied with a playful wiggle of my eyebrows, Seonwoo Seol let out a fake cough and slowly nodded.

"Ahem! Well, um... that does sound rather enticing..."

"It'll take a little time to prepare, so please wait just a moment. You can wait in the private room over here."

The greatest advantage of the Inner Dining Hall was the existence of private dining rooms completely separated from the rest of the crowd. The atmosphere was worlds apart from the chaotic, bustling market-like vibe of the Outer Dining Hall. I could finally understand why Geum Ho used to look down on me so much when I was just the Head Chef of the Outer Dining Hall. After showing Seonwoo Seol to the private room, I dashed back to the kitchen.

Now, it was time to make the broth. Normally, I would use kelp, but I had never seen kelp in the Central Plains. Instead, I substituted it with hosi—dried oyster powder, which was packed with umami—along with dried anchovies and green onion roots. Once the anchovies and green onion roots were strained out to leave a clean broth, I added eohwan (fish balls), finely chopped green onions, onions, and cabbage.

Obtaining high-quality fish balls in an inland academy was usually incredibly difficult, but fortunately, a whole box of eohwan that Geum Ho had ordered before being kicked out had arrived around lunchtime. Thanks, Geum Ho. I wasn't even surprised by these convenient coincidences anymore. But seriously, what on earth did he plan to do with a whole box of fish balls? There wasn't a single dish on his menu that called for them. Regardless, it was a blessing for me, so I decided to put them to good use.

Adding various vegetables and fish balls to the anchovy broth made it look like a simple fish cake soup, but the moment the next ingredients went in, it transformed into the dish we all know and love. I added finely ground chili powder, minced garlic, a bit of sugar, a touch of honey, and finally, threw in a generous handful of the freshly made wheat rice cakes. What was this? It was tteokbokki, reborn in the Central Plains. In the local tongue, you could call it Nalcho Yeongo (Spicy Stir-fried Rice Cakes).

I debated whether to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠make old-school soup-style tteokbokki or the thick, sticky street-vendor style, but in the end, I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠went with the absolute classic: soup tteokbokki. The wheat rice cakes glowing orange from absorbing the red broth, the green scallions, the plump fish balls... Ah, my memory has been failing me lately.

"I forgot the boiled egg."

"Pardon?"

"Ah, it's nothing."

I had muttered it to myself, but a nearby servant responded, giving me a start. I really needed to break this habit of talking to myself. Having lived alone in a cave for four years, the habit still slipped out from time to time. At any rate, I added the crowning glory of any tteokbokki—a hard-boiled egg sliced perfectly in half. Perfect. It looked absolutely spectacular. It looked so good I wanted to devour it myself. Honestly, having made it this delicious, I really should have eaten it all, but since I had promised it to Seonwoo Seol, I had no choice.

Since wild raspberries were nearing the end of their season, I mashed a generous handful of them, mixed in a drizzle of honey, and stirred them into ice-cold milk. Normally, spicy tteokbokki demanded a sweet peach drink like Coolpis, but as a substitute, I crafted a homemade wild raspberry milk. Entering the private room, I set the tteokbokki and the wild raspberry milk down in front of Seonwoo Seol. She tilted her head in curiosity.

"I've never seen this dish before."

"It's called Nalcho Yeongo. I'm certain you'll love it."

Hey. Try it, try it. Don't be scared, dig in.

Staring intently at the tteokbokki on the plate, Seonwoo Seol asked, "You said it was a rice cake... so these long, cylindrical things are the cakes?"

"Yes. They have a subtle sweetness, but it's from the grain itself, not from added sugar or honey. It works great as a snack, but it's also hearty enough for a full meal."

Seonwoo Seol carefully picked up a piece of rice cake and popped it into her mouth. As she chewed with her small mouth, the corners of her lips curled up ever so slightly.

"It's so soft and chewy. And this red sauce... it's fiery and spicy, yet incredibly clean."

"Since the broth is brewed from anchovies and hosi, it won't leave a heavy, powdery aftertaste. It's clean."

Since I couldn't make gochujang (chili paste) on the fly, I had made a gochujang-free version. When you base the sauce on chili powder and soy sauce, it avoids any chalkiness and delivers a crisp, sharp flavor. Even without tasting it, I could picture it perfectly in my mind. The smooth, tongue-clinging spiciness derived from the chili powder, sugar, and honey. Combined with the deep umami of the dried oyster and anchovy broth, and the savory fish balls made with high fish-to-flour ratio, it was bound to be the ultimate soup tteokbokki.

"Whew, haaa..."

Having cleared half the plate, Seonwoo Seol wiped the tiny beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she continued to eat with gusto.

"Is it too spicy?"

"It's spicy, but... *whew*... it's so good... haaa."

"If it's too hot, drink the wild raspberry milk next to you."

Seonwoo Seol picked up the wild raspberry milk, which was chilled so cold that condensation was trickling down the glass, and gulped down half of it before letting out a long sigh.

"Ah...!"

With the thick, sweet wild raspberry milk instantly neutralizing the heat, it was bound to blow her mind. Wash away the tongue-tingling spice with the milk, ramp the heat back up with the tteokbokki, extinguish it again with the milk, and repeat—Seonwoo Seol had fallen into the infinite loop. Going through this cycle just three or four times was guaranteed to completely wash away any built-up stress and anger. This was exactly why there were so many tteokbokki joints back in Korea.

"Do you like it?"

"Of course! I've always been quite fond of Sichuan cuisine, but even in Sichuan, the capital of spicy food, I've never seen anything like this."

Sichuan cuisine was indeed magnificent. However, sometimes a straightforward, intuitive heat (xin) could hit the spot far better than the complex, numbing sensations of ma and la. After polishing off the tteokbokki and downing several glasses of wild raspberry milk, Seonwoo Seol leaned back in her chair with a look ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of pure bliss.

"Whew... this is the best. The combination of Nalcho Yeongo and wild raspberry milk is unmatched."

"Maybe next time I should add some glass noodles. It's also delicious if you toss in some cheese or Chinese sausage."

"...Why are you only telling me this now? You should have put them in from the start!"

"Well, obviously, it's best to taste the pure Nalcho Yeongo first before experimenting with other ingredients later."

"You said it yourself, Chef Yoon—this is the first time you've cooked a dish solely for one person. How do I know when there will ever be a next time?"

"Which is exactly why you should treat me well, don't you think?"

"...Seeing how good you are at exploiting weaknesses, you'd make an excellent commander for one of our Sacred Cult's combat units."

"If I join the Sacred Cult, what grand reward will you give me?"

"My presence?"

With that, Seonwoo Seol cupped her chin in her palms, framing her face like a blooming flower.

...For a split second, I almost wavered. When a gorgeous girl shamelessly flirts with you, it's impossible not to be swayed. I quickly recited the verses of the Great Luo Mind Classic to restore my inner peace and overcome the temptation. Then, with the serene expression of a wise sage, I replied:

"Wouldn't I just end up having to serve meals to that 'presence' every single day? That's no different from what I'm doing now."

"...That's strange. Usually, everyone agrees to this."

"Ahem, I am not part of 'everyone.' I possess an unyielding, upright character..."

"Then how about five taels of silver a month, plus triple bonuses on holidays..."

"Deal!"

"...Huh? What does that mean?"

"Uh... nothing."

Whoa, I almost accepted without thinking. As expected of the Little Heavenly Demon, she was incredibly generous. Even the academy only paid me three and a half taels of silver ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a month, but she offered a whopping five taels. Thank goodness the Little Heavenly Demon didn't understand English slang.

"At any rate, I am not swayed by money."

"...It looked like you were completely swayed just now, though?"

"A mighty tree may sway momentarily in the wind, but it never topples."

When I flatly denied it, Seonwoo Seol glared at me for a moment before letting it go. It seemed her full stomach made her quick to abandon her suspicions.

"The Nalcho Yeongo was delicious. If I keep helping you out like this, I'll get to eat more delicious food, right?"

"To some extent, yes. But you can't just force your help on me and then hold out your hand demanding a meal."

"I have at least that much tact, you know?"

"It's not a matter of tact; it's the fact that you are in a position where you can actually pull that off."

"I'm not that kind of person! What do you take me for?!"

"I take you for Seonwoo Seol, the Little Heavenly Demon and successor to the Leader of the Sacred Cult."

After all, she had ordered the Vice Commander of the Hidden Shadow Unit around at her whim just to investigate me. It wasn't like I was wrong. Sensing she had been caught red-handed, Seonwoo Seol wiped her mouth and stared at me.

"...Why is it so hard to argue with you, Chef Yoon?"

"Because I only speak the absolute truth."

"You're unbelievable, really."

With a soft chuckle, Seonwoo Seol stood up from her seat.

"Tomorrow, you'll be running things according to the menu, right?"

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances."

"I'll be looking forward to it."

Why is it that everyone except me looks so cool or beautiful when they make an exit? Before finally leaving the Inner Dining Hall, Seonwoo Seol turned back to flash a bright, dazzling smile that showed off her pearly white teeth.

"..."

Seriously, she is devastatingly gorgeous.

The Four Seas Hall, where the disciplinary hearing for Geum Ho was being held.

Headmaster Jo Janglim, the four Hall Masters, and the Head of Academic Affairs, Woo Mi-do, sat with solemn expressions, looking forward. In front of them sat Geum Ho, his face gaunt and hollow after just a single week, his head hanging low.

"Head Chef Geum Ho, you have been summoned here today for failing to fulfill your duties as the Head of the Inner Dining Hall and its Head Chef. Do you, Geum Ho, understand the transgressions you have committed?"

Unlike Woo Mi-do's clear, ringing voice, Geum Ho's reply was barely a whisper.

"...Yes."

"You, Geum Ho, have embezzled and sold off expensive ingredients—including dried abalone, cordyceps, ungjang, and deer antler—for personal profit over the span of approximately two years since becoming the Head Chef of the Inner Dining Hall. Do you admit to this?"

"...I admit to it."

He had no choice but to admit it. Geum Ho never wanted to step foot inside the Maeunghojeon ever again. The things that had transpired within those walls were impossible to forget.

"This is a personal question, but why did you commit such acts, Geum Ho? As the maternal grandson of the Geumyoung Merchant Group's leader and the eldest son of the Total Alliance Sect Leader, you should have lived a life wanting for nothing."

At Dan Buyong's question, Geum Ho lifted his head. Why was he, who should have been ruling over the Inner Dining Hall, bound in red ropes and subjected to this humiliation? He couldn't comprehend where things had gone wrong, or what mistake had brought him to this reality. Staring blankly into space, Geum Ho muttered in a hollow voice,

"...I do not know."

"Is that so."

Receiving his answer, Dan Buyong nodded, concluding her questioning. The Headmaster and the four Hall Masters whispered among themselves for a moment before reaching a conclusion. The Headmaster whispered a brief instruction to Woo Mi-do.

"...Deliver the verdict."

"Understood."

Woo Mi-do nodded in return and delivered the final declaration, marking the end of the disciplinary hearing.

"..."

"Do any of the attendees have any objections to this verdict?"

"None."

"No objections."

"None from me."

"I agree."

Hearing the responses of the four Hall Masters, Woo Mi-do waited for the Headmaster's final word.

"Since there are no objections, we shall conclude this disciplinary hearing."

"...With that, the disciplinary hearing for Head Chef Geum Ho is officially adjourned. Tiger Brigade, take him away."

It ended rather anticlimactically. As the members of the Tiger Brigade grabbed the dazed Geum Ho by his arms and dragged him away, Dan Buyong clicked her tongue.

"His skills weren't bad, but his character was his undoing."

"He was always a controversial figure, even before this."

"Hall Master Dan, you look like you still have something on your mind..."

"Since the Head of the Inner Dining Hall has been officially dismissed, I was thinking we should appoint someone new to the position."

At the words of the Eastern Hall Master, So Sanyeong, Dan Buyong swept her hair back and replied:

"Headmaster. I formally propose that we appoint the acting Head of the Inner Dining Hall, Chef Yoon Gomyung, as the official Head of the Inner Dining Hall."