Chapter 202 The World’s Greatest Noodle King Tournament (2)

Chapter 202: The World’s Greatest Noodle King Tournament (2)

News of the Noodle King Tournament set not only Hanjung, but even Shanxi and Sichuan ablaze with excitement.

Renowned chefs from famous taverns and restaurants participated in droves.

The expenses to reach Hanjung were by no means small, yet they willingly endured the loss of their hard-earned money to participate.

The prize for the winner was simply that immense.

The winner would receive a prize of two hundred taels of silver, along with the glorious title of ‘Master Chef’. Moreover, the restaurant that produced the champion would be bestowed with the prestigious ‘Three-Star’ rating – the equivalent of a Michelin Three-Star rating. How could anyone not covet such an honor?

‘Two hundred nyang is more than enough to build a ramen factory.’

Consequently, the current atmosphere within Hanjung was hot enough to be called a furnace.

Thanks to this, not only Master Jibbap Myao, but even the cleaning service, who had only ever eaten meals prepared by others their entire lives, decided to participate.

“Hmph, this time I’ll let you taste the simplified noodles of the Cheongjang Family’s secret recipe.”

“…So, why did you call me?”

“Why? I called you to taste it. Come on, hurry up.”

“Shut up! Let’s see what you made first. Look at that black stuff. Is this even edible?”

“It’s good for you! Good for men too.”

“That! Isn’t that poisonous mushroom over there? You boiled broth with that, didn’t you?”

“Medicine and poison are one! Don’t you know? Medicine and poison are originally one and the same.”

“…….”

Her brazen answer made him shake his head involuntarily.

Thud.

No longer confident he could handle the cleaning lady, he swiftly deployed the Flying Wind Technique and left the spot.

The cleaning shop bellowed for me to take a bite before leaving, but I ignored her. Avoiding that crazy woman was the only sensible choice.

‘She’s lost her mind…’

Stepping outside the Jeonwang Gate, the streets were teeming with people.

Merchants, citizens browsing goods, travelers, and street vendors catering to them lined the area—it looked just like Exit 1 of Konkuk University Station.

‘Hmm.’

The bustling scene made my chest swell with pride without me realizing it.

It felt like all my efforts had finally paid off.

Yes, this must be the taste of politics.

“How’s business?”

I greeted a street vendor selling Bingdanghoro, channeling the spirit of a local district congressman.

But.

“Hiiik! This humble servant was wrong! I’ll give you every penny I have, just please spare my life! Without me, my three-year-old son will starve to death.“

The middle-aged man who seemed to be the owner was startled and begged profusely.

”Even if I haven’t done anything wrong, I’m sorry. No, just being born is my mistake. But for the sake of my child, please spare my life.“

”No.”

Why this reaction?

I’m doing such a great job in politics.

* * *

A short while later.

“Are you really asking because you don’t know the reason?”

“Would I ask if I knew?”

Today’s counselor, Yang-ryeong, sighed and shook her head.

“It’s because of Lord Munju’s actions.”

“What have I done? I’ve only made sure you eat well and live comfortably.”

“That’s true, but… you wielded the sword without mercy, didn’t you? You actually beheaded thirty warriors of the White-Blue Alliance.”

“I enforced just laws.”

“People know that. But they’re afraid. They fear that the fierce former Lord Jeonwangmunju might draw his sword at any moment.”

“…I see.”

“Yes.”

After a moment’s thought, I asked Yang Ling again.

“Then would spreading good deeds help? Like picking up trash or diligently sorting recyclables?”

“……I don’t know what you mean, but is there really a need to change public opinion? Things look just fine now.”

“Fine? What’s so fine about it? People run away when they see me.”

Swoosh.

Yang-ryeong folded the fan she was holding.

I’ve always wondered why she carries a fan. It’s not even that hot.

“This is Hanjung.”

“I know.”

“It’s the front line facing Sipmallyeon.”

“So?”

“What if, when Sipmallyeon invades, the people refuse to obey orders? Or if they betray us? I believe fear of the ruler is necessary, even just to prevent such a situation.“

”Hmm…“

It wasn’t wrong.

You never know when it might become a battlefield, so even if not a full army, some level of military discipline, like civil defense, was needed.

I suppose I had been looking at the situation too leniently.

”I’ll have to wait and see. Thanks for the advice.”

“Wise decision. But was that why you came to ask?”

“Ah, no. I came to find out what kind of food people in Hanjung like, since I didn’t know.”

Hearing this, Yang-ryeong pressed her hand to her forehead.

“Who exactly do you think I am?”

“A successful restaurant owner.”

“……”

Well, she wasn’t wrong.

* * *

Looking at the results alone, asking Yang-ryeong for advice was a good choice.

“Are you perhaps thinking of participating in the upcoming competition?”

“You’re the Hao Men branch chief, after all. Your intuition is second to none.”

She immediately pinpointed the reason I’d come.

“Why not learn it properly? I’ll teach you thoroughly.”

She offered a better solution.

“From whom?”

“Who else? Me.”

“You know how to cook?”

“Every dish served at Wolharu was developed by me. Even the current head chef learned from me.”

Her skills were impressive too.

Truthfully, for the future of Mujeon Foods Co., Ltd., I did need to learn cooking.

While I had experience making simple snacks during my previous life when living alone, I didn’t possess the culinary skills required to run a food factory.

Things like don sausage or budae jjigae were just recipes I’d brought over from the modern era.

So, I promised fair compensation and appointed her as my private tutor for the day.

“Alright. I’ll take you up on that. If I win, I’ll give you one-fourth of one-half of the prize money.”

“So stingy…”

The problem was.

Clang clang clang clang.

“Again! The thickness is completely uneven! You call yourself a pro and can’t even do this properly?! Have you never used a knife before?”

“I’m a deaconess, so…”

“Shut up! Just cut already!”

Her teaching was as harsh as Ramsey’s scathing remarks.

“What are you doing pouring so much oil?!”

“Do you think using lots of ingredients makes it taste good? How many times do I have to tell you? True flavor comes from balance!”

“Boiling it over high heat makes the broth cloudy. You didn’t even know that basic fact and you thought you could enter the competition?”

“Just let it rest a little…”

“Rest? What rest?!”

Three hours of being roasted alive in that kitchen.

I finally managed to complete the prototype ramen.

“…This is it.”

The visuals were so mouthwatering they made my mouth water.

The noodles, made by slicing aged dough with a knife, were fried once in pork fat to enhance their flavor.

The broth, simmered from chicken bones and various vegetables, evoked the savory richness of chicken stock.

Scallions, garlic, and Sichuan pepper were stir-fried in oil and added on top for a spicy aroma.

Finally, topped with Wolhyang-ru’s secret soy sauce.

It’s the ultimate ramen, combining my own recipe with Yang-ryeong’s vision.

“Hmm, the smell is promising.”

“The taste should be excellent too.”

“If it’s not good, I’ll start over from scratch, so be prepared.”

“No.”

Isn’t that too strict?

Yang-ryeong, having issued the warning, picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of the noodles.

Slurp.

A tense moment.

And the result was.

“Hmm, not bad. There are a few things that could be improved, but this is definitely good enough to challenge for the championship. Have you thought of any other dishes? If so, let’s try making them. And teach me too.”

It was a huge success.

* * *

Three days later.

Buzzing with activity.

The crowd, either participating in or watching the 1st Heavenly Noodle King Competition, swarmed in droves.

“It’s a huge success!”

Seeing this, Yoo So-pyeong was overjoyed and expressed his gratitude to each member of the Military Affairs Department.

“It’s all thanks to you all.”

“Congratulations, Brother.”

“Master So-pyeong, congratulations. Heh heh heh.”

“Heh heh heh, I knew you’d succeed, Teacher Sopyeong.”

“Right, right. If he weren’t a subordinate of Jin Munju, I’d have taken him straight to the Red Dragon Hall.”

“To celebrate your success, I’ll kill someone for you. Just name your wish.”

A strange conversation ensued, but I forced myself to ignore it.

‘If only they’d hurry up and get lost to the Red Dragon Hall…’

Come to think of it, I wonder if those guys got permission for their dual positions.

Well, that’s not important right now.

‘Hmph, I can do this. Wutian.’

I gathered my focus and closed my eyes.

Clear Mirror Lake.

Painting a vast lake in my mind… Yeah, right.

“By the way, I heard you’re entering the tournament too, young lady? Heh heh heh.”

“Heh heh, she’s already been in secluded training for half a month. Who’d have thought I’d see the young lady cooking. You really do see everything in this life.”

“Everyone’s too soft. What kind of person is the young lady that she’d prepare for a mere cooking competition? She must be developing a new killing technique, no doubt.”

“……”

I couldn’t focus on the news of Jik Hwa-ran’s participation.

‘No wonder she hasn’t been around lately.’

I’d been wondering where she’d gone, since she used to visit almost daily. I thought she might be sick, but who knew she was hiding away making noodles?

This means everyone from eldest sister Myohyang to Jik Hwaran and Cheong Sosso will be participating.

Well, no matter how hard Jik Hwaran and Cheong Sosso try, they won’t be a match for Master Myo’s home cooking.

And.

‘My ramen is ramen that saves the world……!’

No one from the Central Plains can beat my ramen.

One hour remains until the competition begins.

It’s time to start preparing.

“Hmm, I’m a bit tired. Feels like I might have a cold coming on too. Cough cough.”

“Oh dear, please go inside and rest. With Yook in charge, you needn’t worry about the competition venue.“

”Then I’ll leave it to you.“

”Yes. Get some good rest.”

Escorted out by Yoo So-pyeong, he immediately stepped into the Flying Wind Technique, heading straight for Wolhwa Pavilion.

Entering through the fourth-floor window, Yang-ryeong, as if waiting for him, handed over a bundle of wrapped ingredients.

“I picked only the best. And please, just use the main gate.”

“Thanks. I won’t forget this favor.”

“When you get the prize money, don’t try to take a cut like last time.”

“What do you take me for?”

I suppose I can exclude about three public service fees?

* * *

The venue was set up in an open field outside Hanjung.

Originally, it was planned to be held in the Grand Martial Arts Hall inside the Jeonwang Gate, but with over three hundred participants, they had no choice but to relocate.

Because of this, everyone from the Jeonwang Gate worked incredibly hard, setting up outdoor fire pits and assembling temporary cooking stations.

Three hundred participants gathered in the tournament grounds built with the blood, sweat, and tears of our gate disciples.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

Soon, the drumbeat signaling the tournament’s start echoed, and Yukhak’s opening address began.

“…Even this splendid weather… Through fair judging, the victor… Shall receive the title of ‘Special Grade Master’ and two hundred taels of silver… Therefore, I now declare the First Heavenly Noodle King Tournament officially open!”

Ah, for reference, Yukhak is the official second-in-command of the Jeonwang Gate. Thanks to that, he’s giving the opening speech for me instead.

Waaah-!

After Yookhak, true to his nature as a grumpy old man over fifty, finished his lengthy speech and stepped down, the crowd filling the area erupted in cheers.

Whooo.

A gust of wind blew by, brushing against the noodle bowl I was holding.

The problem was.

‘Why is she here?’

Jik Hwa-ran’s seat was right next to mine.

But switching seats wasn’t an option.

‘I have to be as quiet as possible and avoid getting caught.’

I resolved to shut my mouth and focus on cooking.

“Huu.”

The time limit was one hour. The process involved raising your hand in order of completion to receive evaluation from the judges, the Han-jung’s Yuji.

Needless to say, the later you finished, the worse off you were.

If the judges were full, their scores would inevitably be lower.

So I quickly moved my hands to open the bundle containing the ingredients.

“Wh-what the hell!”

Seeing ingredients that weren’t even B-grade, let alone S-grade, I gasped in shock.

It was an utterly unbelievable situation.

How could the ingredients provided by Wolhwaru, the finest restaurant in Hanjung, be so wretched?

And as I tried to confirm this, I soon couldn’t help but doubt my own eyes.

Right there, in the second row from the front, Yangryeong was preparing noodles alongside Wolhwaru’s head chef.

Wink.

True to her role as the head of a spy group, she caught my gaze and sent a telepathic message along with a wink.

[Don’t be too upset. Didn’t you also pretend to be Geumja and pay with coins?]

That was true.

Yang-ryeong had stolen the ramen recipe under the pretense of teaching me to cook, and now she’d gone so far as to swap ingredients to eliminate me.

Thud.

My legs went limp with utter despondency.

‘You… you! You damn bitch!’

For someone like me to fall for such dirty tricks.

The martial world truly is a place where you can never let your guard down.