Ch#7
Jeok I-geon ate his meal perfectly well, even with me trembling like a leaf right in front of him.
Although I slowly calmed down as the relief of survival washed over me, I couldn’t help but feel a rising anger at how utterly unfazed the bastard was.
Still, it wasn’t my place to demand answers, so my only job was to quietly tend to his meal.
I could only lament the fact that I had to do this four times a day.
Back when I was an office worker, I was happy if I could just manage two meals a day.
But here, three meals weren’t enough; I even had to serve him a late-night snack.
Since his daily routine consisted entirely of intense physical exertion, it wasn’t completely incomprehensible, but from a working perspective, it was incredibly tedious.
I missed the days when I did nothing but laundry all day.
Trudging back to Jamigwan with the empty tray, my heart ached with self-pity.
My energy was already so drained on the very first day; I was already at a loss as to how I would survive the next two months.
Still, getting through breakfast unscathed was a victory in itself.
I forced myself to think positively.
Negative thoughts only ruin one’s health and drag down self-confidence.
Besides, hadn’t the ice water worked?
Since I had made a good start, it wouldn’t hurt to be a little bolder.
“Here comes Seol-ha!”
“Seol-ha-ya!”
Before I could even step inside Jamigwan, a crowd of maids, led by So-ok, rushed over to me.
“What did the Second Young Master say?”
“It’s the first time he’s ever ordered ice water! No, it’s the first time he’s ever requested anything from our Jamigwan!”
“What should we make for lunch?”
“Did he mention anything else he wanted to eat?”
All this fuss over a single cup of ice water.
When you thought about it, Jeok I-geon hadn’t actually done anything for them. If anything, he had just been a nuisance.
Yet seeing how thrilled they were, Jeok I-geon was certainly in a league of his own.
Well, I suppose that was why he was the protagonist.
A sudden wave of irritation washed over me.
My stomach churned at having to listen to endless praise for Jeok I-geon.
I desperately wanted to grab someone and expose who Jeok I-geon truly was, but doing so would likely brand me a traitor among the maids.
To be honest, I doubted they would even believe me. Badmouthing Jeok I-geon would remain impossible even after he eventually revealed his true colors.
After all, everyone valued their own life.
Besides, I absolutely needed Jamigwan’s help going forward.
For that reason, it was in my best interest to throw them a bait they would love.
It looked like I’d be saying a lot of things I didn’t mean for a while.
My conscience pricked me, but this was all for survival.
So, let’s not feel too guilty.
“Thank you so much for today. The Second Young Master was very pleased the moment he drank it.”
“Oh my! Did that taciturn man truly say he liked it?”
“Really?”
“Yes, he said exactly this: ‘Good.’”
I deliberately mimicked Jeok I-geon’s blunt tone.
At that, squeals of delight erupted from all around me.
“We should have brought it to him sooner!”
“Ugh, I wish I could have heard his voice too!”
Are they really that happy?
Barely holding back a sigh, I added,
“If possible, it would be great if ice water could be prepared with his meals from now on… but I suppose that might be difficult? Ice is quite precious, after all.”
“No! Absolutely not!”
“Exactly! We have so much ice in the Ice Storage!”
“Hardly anyone asks for ice anyway, so that much will be perfectly fine.”
“I might as well put the Ice Storage staff to work. It was annoying watching them laze around and waste time anyway, so this is perfect.”
Okay, the ice water is secured.
“How about a simple bowl of noodles for lunch?”
“Noodles?”
“Yes, he seemed to like noodle dishes. If we pile on plenty of meat as a garnish, it will make a wonderful meal.”
“Alright! I’ll stake my life on the noodle dough today!”
“I’ll handle the broth. I’ll throw in a whole chicken and simmer it thoroughly!”
Jamigwan’s culinary masters rolled up their sleeves. Watching their eyes burn with fierce determination made me feel as if I were looking at a group of fanatics.
Slipping away from their intense momentum, I approached So-ok.
“So-ok-ah, do you happen to have any leftover snacks?”
“What? Seol-ha, did you skip breakfast because you were so worried about the Second Young Master? Oh, dear. Wait here a moment.”
As expected, there was nothing like a fellow maid’s affection.
A moment later, So-ok stealthily slipped a fairly heavy bundle into my sleeve where no one else could see.
Offering a silent thank-you with my eyes, I headed back to Geonyeonggak.
I had been told that Jeok I-geon and Cheon Gang trained individually at the personal Training Grounds around this time.
My main routine in the meantime was cleaning up the spots that hadn’t been touched yet or inspecting the work done by the other maids, like senior maid Do-ae.
I had been ready to give them a thorough scolding if they had slacked off on the pretext of their aching arms, but my warning must have hit home, as everyone had finished their chores impeccably.
Although the venom hadn’t completely vanished from the looks they gave me, they were clearly intimidated.
Grandmother told me never to reveal my martial arts carelessly.
But what’s the worst that could happen?
Even looking back, that situation earlier had been entirely unbearable.
Of course, I had to remember to handle things somewhere other than Geonyeonggak in the future.
After passing a few instructions to the maids, I headed back to Jamigwan once more.
Just yesterday, the laundry area had been my main workplace and sanctuary, so walking down this path felt rather strange.
But I would get used to it soon. From today on, it would be the path I trod the most.
Jeok I-geon’s lunch was to be delivered directly to the Training Grounds by me.
According to the booklet Madam Gwak had given me, Jeok I-geon had a habit of eating lunch at the Training Grounds, slightly later than most.
Training at dawn.
Training after breakfast.
He ate his lunch while training, had dinner after bathing,
and then read books for a bit before having a late-night snack and going to sleep. This was Jeok I-geon’s routine.
How incredibly diligent.
Though I suppose that was why he had reached such a monstrous realm at such a young age.
Of course, he also had a few fortuitous encounters thanks to his protagonist buff.
I remembered reading those parts a couple of times because they were so entertaining.
Would those fortuitous encounters happen exactly the same way this time?
The question popped up, but I quickly brushed it aside. I wouldn’t be here by then anyway.
Whether Jeok I-geon obtained a fortuitous encounter or not had nothing to do with me.
I was going to escape this Demonic Cult and go far, far away.
“But what is this sound?”
It was just as I neared the Training Grounds carrying the noodles. Along with a fierce, air-piercing sound, the ground shook as if an earthquake had hit.
“Ah, no!”
Terrified that the broth would spill, I unconsciously circulated my inner energy cultivation technique to maintain my balance.
“Could that have been…!”
My suspicion vanished the moment I stepped into the Training Grounds.
For Jeok I-geon was there, sword in hand, practicing his techniques.
At a glance, he wasn’t using any inner energy at all, executing his swordsmanship purely through physical strength.
Wow, that’s possible without inner energy?
I was utterly overwhelmed.
The dazzling techniques were one thing, but Jeok I-geon’s absolute focus was nothing short of wondrous.
For me, it was the first proper supreme martial arts I had witnessed since crossing over to this world.
“You may set the meal down in the pavilion over there.”
I had been completely spaced out.
“…Yes.”
Startled by the sudden voice beside me, I barely managed to snap out of it.
Of all people, to spy on Jeok I-geon’s training.
I felt a wave of self-loathing at why I kept doing such crazy things.
I gave Cheon Gang a quick bow and hurriedly set up lunch in the pavilion.
As if he had been waiting for my meal, Jeok I-geon put down his sword and walked straight up to the pavilion.
Before uncovering the noodles, I poured a cup of ice water first.
Perhaps he had grown used to it after just one try, as Jeok I-geon drank the ice water down in large gulps without a word.
It seemed his praise from earlier was a one-time thing.
Heartless bastard.
But I still had my trump card.
As I lifted the cover off the noodles, I felt Jeok I-geon falter.
Heh, look at that.
You didn’t expect this, did you?
Whether in Korea or in this world, noodles were a staple food of the common people.
Born and raised as the noble Second Young Master of the Demonic Cult, Jeok I-geon’s first time eating noodles was only after he unified the Murim.
Until then, he probably didn’t even know such a dish existed.
Despite being a psychopath, his palate was surprisingly simple, so from then on, he always ordered noodles first wherever he went.
Since he had eaten it back then without ever getting tired of it, he was bound to love it now.
Yet in front of this unfamiliar dish, Jeok I-geon once again said nothing and simply glared at me with a terrifying look.
I really could never get used to those eyes of his.
Quickly lowering my gaze, I explained,
“This is a dish called chicken kalguksu. The broth is made by thoroughly simmering chicken, and the noodles are hand-kneaded, thinly sliced, and boiled. It may look simple, but it should suit your taste.”
Despite my polite explanation, his fierce gaze did not soften.
Trying my best to hide my nervousness, I added,
“It is highly nutritious, so it will help restore your stamina. You train every single day without fail, so please think of it as a restorative meal.”
Interested now?
At the mention of a restorative meal, Jeok I-geon’s pupils definitely flickered.
I’d bet my neck that you’ll finish every last noodle and drain the broth.
Once you eat it, you won’t be able to stop thinking about it.
Hesitating as if in deep thought, Jeok I-geon finally picked up his chopsticks.
Soon, the sound of him eating the noodles echoed. Before long, he quickly brought another mouthful to his lips.
The intervals between his chopstick movements grew shorter and shorter, until he was suddenly slurping down the kalguksu.
Look at him go.
He’s even slurping the noodles.
Watching Jeok I-geon lift the bowl to gulp down the broth, a small chuckle escaped my lips.
Now you’re curious about what’s coming next, aren’t you?
They say there’s no one who can resist the temptation of good food.
Not that I was trying to seduce him, but either way, lunch was a success.
‘My lifespan probably just increased by a day or two.’
Letting out a silent sigh of relief, I watched Jeok I-geon eat with a sly, knowing look.
