The Culinary God’s Noodle Cart in Shaanxi
The next day.
We woke up inside a sleeping bag that was damp and reeking of a chaotic blend of scents.
…
A sweet, feminine fragrance.
The faint, lingering smell of alcohol.
And—
The overwhelming presence of Jeoktoma.
…
It was, quite literally, a disaster.
…
“Gaga…”
Baek Ri-seol mumbled, burying herself into my chest with half-closed eyes.
“It hurts so much down there…”
…
She was always a heavy sleeper in the mornings, and she hadn't even fully regained her senses yet. Her eyes were barely open, and she looked like she was on the verge of tears.
…
I broke into a cold sweat in an instant.
“…Huh?”
…
No way.
Was it really too much?
…
I quickly pulled back the sleeping bag to check on her condition. My expression stiffened immediately.
…
It was visibly, bright red and swollen.
…
“……”
For a moment, I couldn't say a word.
…
“Should I apply some ointment for wounds?”
“……”
Baek Ri-seol didn't say anything for a long time. She just stared at me blankly with a dazed expression.
…
A moment later.
“…If I eat chicken.”
She muttered weakly.
“I think I’ll heal faster…”
…
I almost burst out laughing.
“I’m sorry…”
“We’re out of chicken.”
…
Baek Ri-seol’s pupils wavered for a second.
“…Waaaah.”
“It hurts…”
…
I chuckled and slowly stroked her hair. Then, something suddenly came to mind.
“By the way.”
“Do you know what Jajangmyeon is?”
…
Baek Ri-seol looked up at me with half-closed eyes.
“…Jajang?”
“Noodles?”
She mumbled from inside the sleeping bag, still unable to even open her eyes properly.
…
I smirked and said,
“It’s even more dangerous than chicken.”
“Once you get hooked.”
“…You can’t stop.”
…
Baek Ri-seol’s eyes flickered.
“Go cook it now, Gaga… Operation start.”
…
I was practically shoved out of the carriage.
…
The morning air was quite crisp. Dong-gwi was already awake, blinking his sleepy eyes and wandering around the carriage.
Hee-hing—
…
“Alright.”
“You need to eat, too.”
I first took care of Dong-gwi with water and feed. The donkey began to eat greedily.
…
Then, I immediately started preparing the meal. Today’s menu was the Central Plains’ first-ever Jajangmyeon.
…
I took out the Cheonmyeonjang (sweet bean sauce) I had packed. Normally, I would have had to add caramel to the black bean paste, but there was no way such a thing existed in this world. So, I just dumped in a mountain of sugar. And, of course, I couldn't forget the Homemade MSG.
…
Sizzle—
The Cheonmyeonjang began to fry slowly in the leftover chicken fat from yesterday. A savory, salty aroma spread through the air.
…
I also took out the hand-pulled noodles I had prepared earlier. Since I had pulled them by hand, they were in better condition than I expected.
…
In the meantime, I stir-fried finely chopped pork and vegetables with the sauce. Onions. Cucumbers. Potatoes. And pork.
…
Sizzzzzle—
As the oil and sauce mixed together, a heavy, rich scent rose up.
…
The problem, however, was the color. Perhaps because there was no caramel, it didn't quite reach that signature pitch-black Jajang color I knew. It looked more like a brownish hue.
…
I stared into the pot with a slightly nervous face. Honestly, this was my first time making Jajangmyeon here.
…
“Hmm…”
I carefully tasted it. It was salty, sweet, and strangely addictive.
…
“…It works.”
I muttered to myself and nodded. This was definitely a winning dish.
…
Now, all that was left was to boil the noodles and pour the sauce over them. But I didn't stop there.
…
“For Jajangmyeon,”
I muttered with a serious face,
“…There is something absolutely necessary.”
…
That is, Tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork).
There was still plenty of oil left. I coated the pork in the batter I had saved from yesterday’s chicken and dropped it straight into the hot oil.
…
Kwahhh—
The hot oil boiled like crazy once again.
…
The smell of the pork frying to a golden brown was intoxicating. I immediately started preparing the sauce. The key to Tangsuyuk is, of course, that insane sweet and sour sauce.
…
First, I boiled the water. Then, I added four generous spoonfuls of my homemade fermented vinegar, two spoonfuls of soy sauce, and poured in plenty of sugar without holding back.
…
Bubble, bubble—
A sweet and sour aroma began to rise from the pot.
…
I took out the starch powder I had prepared. I added two spoonfuls and stirred slowly. The sauce began to thicken.
…
Finally, I added carrots, onions, and the remaining vegetables and stir-fried them together.
…
Sizzle—
The sweet and sour scent spread throughout the entire campsite.
…
I stared at the pot for a moment and muttered to myself without realizing it.
“…Done.”
“This is truly irresistible.”
…
Finally, I boiled the hand-pulled noodles. I rinsed the firm, chewy noodles in cold water, shook off the excess, and placed them in a large bowl. And then—
Thwack.
I poured the heavy Jajang sauce right on top.
…
The brownish sauce slowly covered the noodles. The savory smell of chicken fat and the deep aroma of the Cheonmyeonjang hit me at the same time.
…
Next, I plated the freshly fried Tangsuyuk. I didn't even hesitate for a second.
…
Splosh—
I poured all of the sweet and sour sauce over it.
…
The thick sauce slowly flowed down over the crispy batter. The pieces of onion and carrot clung to it, looking incredibly appetizing.
…
I muttered with a very firm expression,
“Dipping the sauce separately…”
“…is nothing but heresy.”
…
Dong-gwi, listening from afar, flinched for no reason.
…
And at that moment, a groggy voice drifted from inside the carriage.
“…The smell.”
“Gaga…”
“The smell is insane…”
…
I chuckled and called out toward the carriage.
“Seol-ah.”
“Let’s eat.”
…
Baek Ri-seol looked to be in a truly sorry state. One step. Another step. She was walking, but her legs were trembling like someone whose strength had completely given out.
…
Eventually, Baek Ri-seol pouted.
“Gaga… it hurts so much down there, I can barely walk.”
…
I was the sinner. I had used the size of a Kunlun beast on a virgin. And three times at that…
…
In the end, I initiated a delivery service.
“Seol-ah.”
“Spread a cloth on the floor there.”
“…Jajang is a delivery food.”
…
I hurriedly offered the Jajangmyeon and Tangsuyuk to her.
…
Baek Ri-seol flared her nostrils and her eyes sparkled.
“The smell is insane…”
Then, looking down at the chopsticks, she asked with a dazed face,
“But how… do I eat this, Gaga?”
…
I ended up providing a mixing service as well. I stirred it diligently from the very bottom to ensure the sauce and noodles were evenly coated.
…
She was acting like a total baby. But strangely, I enjoyed it.
…
“Here.”
“Try it.”
…
Baek Ri-seol picked up a thick clump of noodles with a look of high anticipation. She shoved them into her mouth.
Slurp—
…
In an instant, her pupils dilated.
“Ahhh—!”
…
An exclamation burst out after just one bite. Her face looked completely blown away by the flavor spreading in her mouth.
…
I immediately picked up a piece of Tangsuyuk—and shoved it right into her open mouth.
“Ouch, hot…”
Baek Ri-seol chewed the Tangsuyuk while blowing on it. Her eyes widened again.
-----
After eating to her heart's content, Baek Ri-seol began to doze off with a half-dazed expression. It seemed the aftermath of last night was still severe. She went back inside to sleep… and I spent the day on personal maintenance. I washed the disastrous sleeping bag, hung it in the sun to disinfect, and spent the day tidying up the carriage.
…
It was a day where I truly felt the sorrow of a married man.
…
Suddenly, anger flared up toward Jeoktoma. That guy who only enjoys the pleasure without any of the responsibility…
…
In the end, I came down with body aches the next day and rested for another day.
-----
Only after resting for two full days was Baek Ri-seol able to fully recover. Perhaps thanks to the unique regenerative powers of the Blood Demon, she was now back to normal, sitting in the driver's seat of the carriage.
…
I glanced at her holding the reins and asked,
“Why didn't you use your regenerative powers sooner?”
…
Baek Ri-seol brushed her red hair, scattered by the wind, with her hand and smiled faintly.
“For a day or two…”
“…I wanted to act spoiled and be loved.”
…
I was speechless for a moment.
…
Baek Ri-seol avoided my gaze and muttered softly.
“And.”
Her fingertips moved slightly downward.
“…Gaga’s traces.”
“I didn't want to force them away with healing.”
“Should we… stop the carriage?”
…
Baek Ri-seol’s ears turned bright red in an instant. She just stared straight ahead and pulled the reins.
“…Let’s go.”
-----
To avoid attention, we traveled all day with the Blood Body Transformation deactivated. Baek Ri-seol disguised herself as an ordinary woman with black hair and black eyes, and I also kept my energy suppressed as we moved quietly along the main road.
…
And when night fell, we would set up camp in the mountains or near a valley where no one was around and return to the Blood Demon mode.
…
Eyes turning red. The Blood God’s Energy slowly rising. And the subsequent transmission of demonic arts.
…
Baek Ri-seol was a much better teacher than I had expected. From how to handle the flow of blood energy to how to maintain the Blood Body Transformation stably—she taught me everything through her own body.
…
Sometimes, passing travelers would ask about our identities. Every time, we would naturally make up an excuse.
“We are newlyweds preparing to open an inn.”
…
Strangely, that excuse worked better than expected. Baek Ri-seol was a woman full of life, and I looked like a merchant pulling a cart.
…
And just like that, after a long journey on the main road, we finally arrived in Shaanxi.
-----
Upon arriving in Shaanxi, we entered Huaiyin County.
…
As a village near Mount Hua, where the Mount Hua Sect—a prestigious sect of the Nine Great Sects—was located, the atmosphere of the streets was extraordinary. Martial artists with swords at their waists walked the streets naturally, and Mount Hua disciples in white martial arts uniforms with plum blossom patterns engraved on them were visible everywhere.
…
We first rested at an inn for a few days, then rented a small detached house on the outskirts of the village. On the surface, it was just a house where a newlywed couple was staying for a while. That was the extent of our cover story.
…
It was much more comfortable than an inn. It was good for practicing Blood Demon arts at night, and it was perfect for spending quiet time together.
…
Baek Ri-seol looked around the house and nodded with a satisfied face.
“It’s good…”
She smirked and poked my side.
“Now we can stick together with Gaga without worrying about others.”
…
I cleared my throat for no reason. I had already ordered a top-quality bed.
…
Above all, if we were caught practicing in the Blood Body Transformation state, it would be a hassle. Being suspected of being a Blood Demon in the middle of the righteous path was exhausting just to think about.
…
And we immediately started the next preparation. Modifying the carriage.
…
We tore out part of the cargo space and installed a simple furnace and cooking area. Once we attached a folding table, it looked quite like a decent street food cart.
…
The first menu we decided on was banquet noodles and spicy mixed noodles. The reason was simple. It was incredibly easy to make.
…
If I prepared the broth, toppings, and seasonings in advance—all Baek Ri-seol had to do was put the broth and toppings on the boiled noodles. The same went for the spicy mixed noodles. Just put the chili paste sauce and vegetables on the noodles, and it was done.
…
Above all, the taste itself was on a different level from the bland noodles sold at inns. I was quite confident.
…
So, I set the price more than twice as high as existing inns.
…
Baek Ri-seol looked at the price tag and widened her eyes slightly.
“Isn't it too expensive?”
…
I smirked.
“It’s fine.”
“Would you eat noodles from another place if you were them?”
…
Baek Ri-seol frowned as if she had imagined it for a moment.
“No.”
“Absolutely not.”
…
I nodded with satisfaction.
“I am the Culinary God of Luoyang.”
“I can charge this much.”
…
In the end, we hung a small sign in front of the carriage. Shixin Somyeon (Culinary God’s Noodles).
…
Baek Ri-seol looked up at the sign and smiled with a proud face for no reason.
…
Watching her, I suddenly felt like we were a real newlywed couple.
…
And at that moment, Jeoktoma revealed its presence after a long time.
…
I smiled and pulled Baek Ri-seol’s waist toward me.
“Wife.”
“I’m tired.”
“Let’s go check if the bed in our new home is okay.”
…
Baek Ri-seol’s ears turned red in an instant, but she soon raised the corners of her mouth slightly.
“Shall we?”
“…Husband?”
