The Heavenly Demon Causes Chaos (5) - Hwaeum Beggars' Inn's Incredible Food
The Beggars' Inn in Hwaeum is something else. The people working here were personally trained for years by actual professional chefs, so their skill is on another level.
"Even if you say such things, I will not believe your words. Murim food being delicious? It must be a trick to mock me!"
While grumbling inwardly, I outwardly pretended to know nothing and spoke to the innkeeper.
"Might I order some food?"
"Yes, of course."
"What do you have?"
Since there was no menu board like in the modern world, I asked, but instead of answering, the innkeeper pulled out a wooden plaque from her robes. Written on it in familiar Murim script were the dishes served here. Noodles, dumplings, and the like were expected, but there was also white meat, stir-fried sparrow, and pickled vegetables. Wasn't this variety too much for a single inn? How could they possibly prepare all of this?
"Innkeeper! What exactly is this stir-fried sparrow?"
"It's sparrow meat stir-fried with vegetables in soy sauce..."
While Baru listened to the innkeeper's explanation, I was examining the menu when I realized there was a huge problem.
I had no money.
It wasn't a joke. I literally didn't have a single coin on me. All I'd done today was wander around and get into fights, so even after moving nonstop for half a day, my pockets were empty.
Of course, I could always dine and dash. I could shout that the food was compensation for the earlier trouble. But I didn't want to leave any more negative impressions on a place I'd have to frequent for a long time.
Just as I was wondering what to do, the man I'd knocked out first opened his eyes. He clutched his head, looked around, spotted his comrades sprawled on the floor, and cautiously raised his head. The moment our eyes met, he immediately slammed his forehead to the ground and shouted.
"I'm sorry! I must have gone crazy from drinking too much!"
One beating and the alcohol had worn off, it seemed. Hmm. Perfect timing. If it was this guy who started the trouble first, I could squeeze some money out of him without any issues.
"I was an idiot! Please have mercy! If you want to vent your anger, then just on me...!"
"Don't worry. No one died, and I have no intention of killing anyone."
"Thank you so much!"
The man repeatedly slammed his head against the ground in gratitude for my merciful treatment.
Viewers might think whatever they wanted, but this was already an extremely lenient handling. Even though they picked the fight first, not a single drop of blood was shed. Even the monks of Shaolin would praise my mercy at this point. So no one could complain if I collected a small price for that mercy.
"As compensation, I'd like to receive some payment for sparing your lives."
"What would you like?"
"For now... yes. Everything written on this wooden plaque."
When I pointed from the beginning to the end of the menu, the man nodded. His expression didn't darken, so it seemed this wasn't much of a burden. In that case, I might as well add one more thing.
"And go out and bring back a decent pipe and some good tobacco leaves."
"Understood!"
After the man rushed outside, I turned to the innkeeper.
"That's how it is, so I'll be counting on you."
"Everything on the menu, then. Understood."
Their reactions were consistent, so there must be something they could all relate to, but I couldn't understand it myself. Since they were laughing anyway, I asked for an explanation so I could laugh along, but the only things that appeared were "gasp" and "ack." Damn them. What kind of broadcast has viewers ostracizing the streamer?
"I'm looking forward to what's coming! Just from the owner's explanation, it sounds like wonderful dishes will appear."
"Yes. I'm looking forward to it too."
It might be a bad thought, but I hoped the food wouldn't taste good. If delicious food came out, wouldn't all the hardships I'd endured in Murim have been for nothing?
While chatting with Baru, the innkeeper soon brought several bowls to our table.
"I brought the ones that come out quickly first. I'll bring the rest slowly."
The things placed on the table were noodles, dumplings, and white meat. The three dishes the viewers had recommended came out first. Should I try the noodles first?
It looked very different from what I remembered. First of all, the contents were different. The noodles I knew were so dried and twisted that it was hard to tell if they were noodles or old tofu. The noodles in the bowl were moist. On top of that, the toppings were on a completely different level. In my memory, noodles were at best topped with a few pieces of green onion, but what was in front of me now was piled high with meat, egg, and green onions.
Food like this coming from an inn?! Impossible. This couldn't be happening. This kind of treatment was something you'd only receive at a noble household. No, maybe they put extra effort into the toppings as an apology for the earlier incident. Yes. That must be it. It had to be.
Repeating this to myself, I picked up the spoon. Noodles or toppings could be changed in a short time, but the broth was different. This broth, which required long hours of simmering, would reveal the true nature of this inn.
I scooped up some broth with the spoon and smelled it first. The smell was decent. There was almost no gamey odor, and it seemed several spices had been added, making my mouth water involuntarily. I had an ominous feeling, but my body was honest. The moment I put the spoon in my mouth—
"Haa."
A long breath escaped me without realizing it. The broth of these noodles wasn't as flashy as modern food. Instead, it knew exactly what the true flavor of broth should be. This rich umami taste, as if an entire cow had been packed into it! What on earth? What kind of process made this taste possible? How could such flavor be achieved in the harsh environment of Murim?!
"Just that gives this taste?! Don't say such nonsense!"
It wasn't like I hadn't tried similar things in Murim. Recalling hazy memories of the past, I'd attempted all sorts of methods. But whenever I tried, the broth came out with a bloody taste and a terrible smell that made it inedible! There was never such a rich broth like this!
The viewers seemed to think my complaints were just grumbling from someone who'd failed at cooking in the past.
"Uh, well..."
When I explained my method while digging through old memories, the chat filled with criticism.
So the reason I failed to recreate modern flavors in Murim was simply because I didn't know the proper cooking methods? That couldn't be. It just couldn't.
"Even so, food like this can't come out in Murim's environment! What trick did you use?!"
So their words meant that after many experts in the modern world collaborated, they succeeded in creating this taste. It wasn't strange that I, who had no knowledge at all, couldn't reach modern flavors... No, that's bullshit. Considering the time and power I possessed, if I'd had even a little proper knowledge, I could have recreated something similar. Then I wouldn't have thought about just filling my stomach with elixirs instead of eating garbage food while living in Murim. Damn it. This noodle soup was so delicious that it made me even more resentful.
When I looked up to check Baru's reaction, she had her face buried in the bowl, drinking the noodles like she had no time to worry about appearances. No need to ask if she liked it. Since it seemed like it would take time for Baru to come to her senses, I decided to focus on eating as well.
Should I try the dumplings next? At first glance, they didn't seem much different from what I'd eaten before. The skin seemed a bit more elastic, but that was a minor difference. Thinking lightly, the moment I took a bite of the dumpling, I realized I'd made a huge mistake.
The skin wasn't just a simple wrapper. It was a dam holding back a flood of meat juices. As soon as the skin collapsed under my teeth, the juices that flowed out filled my mouth completely. The rich umami that filled my mouth and the pleasant texture inside that delighted my palate. What was this? At this level, it seemed better than most dumplings I'd eaten in the modern world.
After devouring one dumpling as if possessed, I seriously wanted to smoke a pipe. The sense of doubt about my past, where I'd tried in the wrong direction because I didn't know the method, was unbearable. That beggar bastard. He said he'd bring a pipe and ran outside, so why wasn't he back yet?
"MintChocolatePineapplePizza!"
Just as I was about to pick up the dumplings with my chopsticks again, someone outside called my name.
"I know you're in there! Show yourself!"
Ignoring them probably wouldn't make them leave, so I might need to step out for a moment to sort things out. Ha. Even dogs don't bother you while you're eating. I wonder what kind of bastard it is.
When I stood up and went outside, I saw several soldiers surrounding the Beggars' Inn, with the Hwaeum magistrate in the center.
"Are you MintChocolatePineapplePizza?"
Oh. This was the first time someone pronounced my in-game name correctly. Usually they gave up halfway through.
"That's me, but what's the matter?"
"I've received word that you're connected to the destruction of Mount Hua. May I hear your side of the story?"
His expression wasn't good. Did he think I was the culprit behind Mount Hua's destruction? Broadly speaking, it wasn't wrong, but this time I'd only destroyed the Blood Cult's scheme. It was a bit unfair.
"Come quietly with me. It won't take long."
"You expect me to believe that?"
"I'd appreciate it if you did. I don't want to make a big scene."
Huh. So he was openly asking for a fight. Seeing that this was happening even though I'd done the right thing, it seemed I was destined to be chased by the authorities. Thinking about it, this might actually be for the best. I was already annoyed and needed someone to vent on anyway. Just as I was thinking about smashing a few of them, the inn door opened and Baru appeared.
She chewed the food in her mouth while examining the people outside, then walked forward without a hint of caution.
"Hwaeum Magistrate! It's been a while! Why haven't you been offering sacrifices at the rocky mountain lately?"