The Sword Queen's Counterattack
While Man Hanseok, Gongson Yeongji, and I offered our polite clasped-hand greetings, the Sword Queen marched straight toward the pillar. With movements as swift as a flash of light, she pinched Yang Seoran by the ear.
"Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow! Ah, that hurts, Master!"
"You insolent girl. I told you to come as soon as possible to finish handing over your duties, yet you are still loitering around the academy?"
"That's not it...! Master, my ear is going to fall off!"
"Letters of complaint are already flying into the Sword Pavilion claiming that the Small Sword Empress is running rampant and causing trouble within the academy. Did you truly think I would let you be?"
And here I thought there was no such thing as sweet, refreshing justice in the Central Plains. Turns out it was waiting in the Sword Pavilion all along. Watching Yang Seoran get utterly dominated like this was incredibly satisfying.
"If you run away again, I will personally ask the Dean to have you flogged. Go ahead, try running."
"I am seventeen now, Master! That kind of threat won't work on me! Besides, the academy's regulations don't even allow flog—oww!"
"If I ask him to beat you, he will gladly oblige. What is there to stop me?"
"H-How could you?!"
In the end, after having her ear pulled so hard she looked like she was turning into an elf, Yang Seoran received a final scolding before leaving the private room with a dejected face. I felt just a tiny bit sorry for her.
"I apologize for interrupting your meal because of my foolish disciple. Your name is...?"
"I am Yoon Gomyung, the Master of the Inner and Outer Dining Halls."
The Sword Queen's indifferent expression instantly vanished, replaced by a look of deep intrigue as she stared at me.
"The very same Three-Virtue Chef, Yoon Gomyung, who astounded Sect Leader Mong?"
"I am merely a humble cook, far below the standards of the martial world."
"So that bastard, the Drunken King, lost to someone who claims to be below the standards of the martial world? How pathetic of him."
I shut my mouth at her blunt dismissal of my humility. Just how far has my nickname spread? I never dreamed rumors could travel this fast in a world without social media.
"This young lady has already introduced herself as the Little Heavenly Demon... and seeing that long spear, is the one beside her the Mount Tai New Hero?"
"Yes, ma'am. I am Man Hanseok. And this is..."
"Ah, I am... Gongson Yeongji..."
The Sword Queen smiled warmly at Gongson Yeongji and gently patted her head.
"If I may ask, what brings the Sword Queen to the academy?"
At Seonwoo Seol's question, the Sword Queen stared at her intently for a moment before replying with a soft chuckle.
"Hmm, it seems you haven't heard the rumors yet?"
"Rumors?"
"We will be seeing each other again soon, so don't be too curious."
With those words, the Sword Queen offered a bright smile, clasped her hands behind her back, and strolled away. She was completely unpredictable, from her entrance to her exit.
"Is she really... the Sword Queen?"
"No one entering the academy would dare falsely claim the title of the Sword Queen, On Ban-hui. Besides, Lady Yang was dragged away without being able to utter a single peep."
Gongson Yeongji nodded at my words, her eyes fixed on On Ban-hui's retreating figure. The Sword Queen, On Ban-hui. She was the Lord of the Sword Pavilion of the Bota Sect—a sect of female martial artists similar to the Emei Sect—and held the legendary title of 'Sword Queen'. She was considered at the absolute pinnacle of masters in her age group, and even older generation experts dared not treat her lightly.
Her signature technique, the Red Butterfly Sword Play, was said to be incredibly beautiful yet terrifyingly lethal. Rumor had it that those slain by it felt a sense of ecstasy even as they died. But you can't exactly ask a dead person, so how does anyone know about the ecstasy? I didn't know her exact age, but she was definitely old enough to be the mother of the Small Sword Empress, Yang Seoran. Somewhere in her late forties, if I recalled correctly.
"Martial artists are truly fascinating."
"Huh? In what way?"
"They age so slowly."
Looking at On Ban-hui, she looked like she was only in her early thirties. Considering that people in the Central Plains usually marry around eighteen or nineteen, it was perfectly normal for her to have a child Yang Seoran's age... She really was of the parent generation.
"Don't tell me you were thinking that while looking at the Sword Queen? She would be furious if she heard you."
"Hey, it's perfectly normal to gossip about the king himself when he's not around."
"Hearing you say that still makes my spine shiver."
This is why absolute monarchies are no good. They need a grand 'revolution' like France had... Ah, wait. If the Dongchang catches wind of this, my head will literally roll. Better shut my mouth.
"Anyway, I wonder what brought the Sword Queen here."
"It didn't seem like she came just to catch the Student Council President... Aren't you curious, Chef Yoon?"
"If someone of the Sword Queen's stature came all this way, it must be for something important."
I had already heard that the Sword Queen was actually taking over as the temporary Chief of the Eastern Pavilion. But since Yang Seoran had begged me to keep it a secret, I had to play dumb. Seeing my nonchalant attitude, Man Hanseok scratched the back of his head and spoke up.
"They used to invite peak masters as special instructors in the past. Perhaps it's something like that?"
"Oh, you're right! Just as Senior Man said, she might be here as an instructor."
"To be able to take classes from such an Absolute Master. I'm so jealous of the Dongdo in the Eastern Pavilion. Oh, that means Junior Gongson can attend her classes starting next semester too."
"If that's the case, it would be wonderful..."
At Man Hanseok's words, Gongson Yeongji's eyes sparkled as she seemed to picture the upcoming semester. I, too, was curious about what kind of leader On Ban-hui would be as the Chief of the Eastern Pavilion. Wait, is this going to increase my workload too?
The two of them looked incredibly tense. Man Hanseok was wearing clothes that were practically rags, while Gongson Yeongji wore a worn-out training uniform that Seonwoo Seol had used during her first year. Looking as disheveled as beggars from the Beggars' Sect, they stared at me with anxious eyes.
I reached into my robes and produced two medicinal pills.
"These aren't just simple halves of the Taecheongdan. I spent some of my own money to add extra herbs. I modified the formulation so that the efficacy doesn't hit you all at once, but rather seeps in gradually."
"What benefit does that have?"
"It gives you more time to gather your energy—in other words, to accumulate qi. Hanseok, even if you can eat three servings of wheat noodles, what would happen if I kept piling on another bowl before you could even finish the first one?"
"Ah, the noodles would get soggy and bloated."
"Exactly. If a massive surge of energy rushes in before you can properly accumulate it, there's a high chance the qi contained within the Taecheongdan will dissipate. So, I've delayed the onset of the energy surge to give you a buffer."
The two of them nodded, understanding my explanation. However, Gongson Yeongji seemed to have a question. Her hand was twitching as if she wanted to raise it but hesitated.
"What is it, Yeongji? Is there something you're curious about?"
"It's not that I don't trust you at all, but... Chef Yoon, how do you know such advanced medical arts...?"
"I'll tell you when we have some free time."
I had never told anyone, including Seonwoo Seol, that I had stumbled upon the Medicine Sage's hidden cave while gathering firewood. To explain that, I would also have to explain that I came from a completely different world. Well, my future self will have to deal with that explanation somehow.
"Are we ready?"
Seonwoo Seol entered the room, wearing a white apron and arm guards, which was unusual for her.
"You look fully prepared."
"The first time anyone consumes a spiritual medicine, their entire body expels impurities. If it gets on your clothes, it's incredibly hard to wash out."
Now that Seonwoo Seol was here, it was time to get serious. Sitting cross-legged, the two of them placed the pills I gave them into their mouths and closed their eyes. I sat between them and began to insert acupuncture needles with both hands.
"Try not to move. If you feel a massive surge of energy, just let it flow naturally. You don't need to actively guide it like you would during normal meditation; the qi will find its own way."
Neither of them replied, seemingly focusing inward to monitor their bodies. The moment I finished placing the needles, both of them flinched simultaneously.
"Ugh..."
"Ah..."
It was starting. I immediately looked at Seonwoo Seol and said,
"Lady Seonwoo, please assist Yeongji."
"Understood."
While Seonwoo Seol placed her hand on Gongson Yeongji's back to guide her energy, I did the same for Man Hanseok, helping direct his qi to the correct pathways.
"Haa..."
"Fuuu..."
Once we began guiding their energy directly, the tension left their faces, replaced by expressions of comfort. The amount of qi contained within even a half-portion of the Taecheongdan was like a vast ocean. A single misstep could sweep everything away. Thus, careful regulation was absolutely necessary to keep the energy flowing in the right direction.
Thump, thump... I could feel the massive torrent of qi surging through their acupoints and meridian vessels, shattering the impurities lodged within them. It felt like blasting a clogged pipe clean with a high-pressure water hose.
The first thing I realized was that the Taecheongdan's efficacy was outstanding. While it might fall short of Shaolin's Great Pill, this level of energy was easily enough to grant them internal power bordering on the peak of a first-class master.
Secondly, Man Hanseok's excess yin energy had subsided significantly. At this rate, he would be no different from any ordinary, healthy martial artist. Seonwoo Seol seemed to have noticed something similar, as a faint smile played on her lips. It looked like there wouldn't be any major issues.
After some time had passed, the qi bestowed by the halved Taecheongdan gathered completely into their dantian, and black sweat began to ooze from their skin. The pungent, musty odor left no doubt that these were indeed the expelled impurities.
I glanced over at Man Hanseok and saw him sitting there with a blissful, relaxed expression, looking exactly like a middle-aged man soaking in a hot bath. His face was somehow incredibly irritating, giving me a sudden urge to flick him on the back of his head. He's surprisingly annoying to look at right now.
A short while later, the two of them opened their eyes, looking refreshed. Of course, that refreshed look lasted only a second before they grimaced at the thick, sticky impurities covering their bodies.
"Ugh, the smell..."
"It's awful..."
Seeing them pinch their noses, Seonwoo Seol immediately pointed toward the door.
"I already told the servant to heat up the water in the bathhouse, so it should be ready by now. Grab the clean clothes you brought and run along to the bathhouse."
At her words, the two of them bowed quickly and bolted toward the academy's bathhouse.
"If we hadn't laid down those straw mats, the floor would have been ruined by all those impurities."
"The stench would have lingered forever."
Since we could just burn the straw mats, I rolled them up and tossed them outside. As Seonwoo Seol and I cleaned up after sending Man Hanseok and Gongson Yeongji away,
Seonwoo Seol, who had been quiet, folded her rag and placed it aside before asking,
"There are the Orthodox, the Unorthodox, and the Sacred Cult. Chef Yoon, which side do you think you stand on?"
"That's a rather serious question. As for me... well, if I had to say, I'm neither Orthodox nor Unorthodox. Wouldn't that make me a neutral Jeongsajigan?"
"What if you had to choose just one?"
"I don't particularly want to join any of them. I might look like I play nice with superiors right now, but I have a bit of a rebellious streak. I don't do well working under others."
"Then will you spend the rest of your life at the academy with the children?"
"Most likely, yes. Though I don't know if the academy will remain standing until the day I die."
"Why don't you... just come to the Sacred Cult? If you join us, there are so many people who would treat you incredibly well."
"Now, now, we must follow proper procedures. Go and get permission from Dean Dan first."
I answered playfully, assuming she was just trying to tease me as usual. But Seonwoo Seol remained silent, reaching out to grab my arm instead.
"Chef Yoon Gomyung, I am being entirely serious."
With those words, Seonwoo Seol stared straight into my eyes. Just as she said, her gaze was deep and earnest. It's embarrassing when she looks at me like that. Suppressing my urge to crack a joke, I adopted a serious tone as well.
"Do you desire me that much?"
"Yes. I don't want anyone else to take you away."
"Why is that?"
"Do you remember when you were prepping meat to make the Uyuk Sogoban at the start of the semester?"
"Vaguely. I also remember you leaving the kitchen in a hurry, as if you had somewhere urgent to be."
"You invested an entire day just to smoke meat that would disappear into someone's stomach in a matter of minutes."
"Well, that was simply something that had to be done for the sake of flavor."
"To be honest, until then, I thought you were just like any other cook who would throw things together half-heartedly. But your attitude toward cooking was completely genuine. I felt I shouldn't disturb that sacred space, which is why I left the kitchen."
Seonwoo Seol added softly,
"Because no matter what, one should never get in the way of someone walking their chosen path. I am still wavering and unsure of how to act, but you are different, Chef Yoon. I think you are truly incredible."
I had no idea Seonwoo Seol had been harboring such thoughts. I had merely done what needed to be done, but if it had appeared that way to her, I suppose I was glad.
"But why bring this up all of a sudden?"
"From that moment until now... I haven't wanted to lose you, Chef Yoon. And I still don't want to let you go."
"......"
Hearing her words, an indescribable emotion welled up inside me. It was a mixture of the achievement and satisfaction of being recognized by someone, along with a slight embarrassment at being held in such high regard. The tips of Seonwoo Seol's ears were turning bright red. It must have been incredibly embarrassing for her to say something like this to a man like me.
Seeing the courage it took for her to make this proposal, I pondered deeply before finally squeezing out an answer.
"In the future, if the day comes when I feel my connection with the academy has run its course... please allow me to join the Sacred Cult then."
"...Do you mean it?"
"I do."
As I looked back at her and answered in a serious voice, Seonwoo Seol nodded.
"I hope you will keep that promise."
"The same goes for you, Lady Seonwoo."
"I will keep it, staking my title as the Little Heavenly Demon."
"And I, staking my title as the Three-Virtue Chef."
With those final words, the atmosphere in the room suddenly felt suffocatingly warm.
"......"
"......"
Neither Seonwoo Seol nor I could bring ourselves to look each other in the eye. Ah, my face is burning. What on earth am I supposed to say next? Just as I opened my mouth to say anything to break the silence,
"Chef Yoon."
His skin still damp from his bath, Man Hanseok suddenly burst through the door. Seriously, nobody ruins a moment quite like Man Hanseok. Realizing he had interrupted something, he stood there awkwardly, looking back and forth between Seonwoo Seol and me.
"Uh, well, I'm really sorry to interrupt when you two are having a moment."
"If you're sorry, could you perhaps excuse yourself?"
"Junior Gongson went to see the Sword Queen."
"Huh? Why would Yeongji go to see the Sword Queen?"
"I'm not entirely sure either... She was taking so long to come out, so I asked one of the female students. She said Junior Gongson went to see the Sword Queen along with the Student Council President."
Wait, what kind of situation is this now? I was left with a very complicated, subtle feeling.