<The Demon Lord of the Swordsmanship Family, Chapter 131>
“Eat up!”
The table was piled high with gimbap like a mountain. At a glance, there were more than fifty rolls, right?
There were many kinds.
From the classic best-seller gimbap to tuna with a mayonnaise twist, Korean-style barbecue beef, fiery and refreshing red pepper gimbap, and finally the fried pork cutlet gimbap that our Spring loves the most.
It seemed like they brought every variety written on the fast food menu.
Did Jin Yuri make all this? Seriously?
I can’t believe it. She couldn’t even properly grill pork belly!
“…Seriously, just tell me. Did you buy these? No, you must’ve asked one of your family members to help, right?”
“Tsk, tsk, what a hurtful remark! Spring, what about your daddy?”
“Dad! Sister ruined it!”
“A-ah, no. That’s…”
Think about your past!
I wanted to fire back, but I couldn’t because Spring was right there.
“For you, who lack faith!”
“For you!”
“In anticipation of this, I prepared this statement!”
“Statement!”
What’s with the interjections?
Something must’ve happened while I was in the U.S. Those two seem to hit it off really well now.
Anyway, Jin Yuri fiddled with her phone and handed it over.
It was a video.
A familiar place came into view.
The living room of Jin Do-ha’s house. Jin Yuri is rolling gimbap here.
Together with Yoo Hae-ryun.
“Huh… Did you really film this?”
“Since someone might’ve doubted it. I’m good at cooking, just not this one. Right, Spring? Spring, didn’t you try the tteokbokki I made?”
“Yeah! Sister’s tteokbokki is delicious. Daddy, stop doubting her.”
“Doubt is bad.”
“Bad!”
Oof!
Spring cheerfully saying “bad.”
Jin Yuri clutches Spring and exclaims “So cuteeee!” as she scrubs Spring’s cheeks, causing our daughter to squirm.
Thinking about it, Spring, who usually sits on my lap, is currently rubbing her face against Jin Yuri’s chest.
Snap!
I’m feeling jealous.
Something sticky and damp, an unfamiliar sensation.
Is this the infamous… je…alousy?
Jin Yuri, busy preparing something. She pulls out a burner from an extra-dimensional pocket, along with a canister of butane gas.
She taps the bottom of it deftly and attaches it to the burner.
Sizzle, the fire ignites. She places a pot on top, pours water from a liter bottle…
Ramen! She pulls out a pack of ramen!
“Wow…”
How long has it been since I’ve had ramen? Ever since I came to the U.S., I haven’t touched it for nearly two months. The spicy broth and chewy noodles… slurp. My mouth was already watering.
“As usual?”
“As usual.”
With a cool look, Jin Yuri tapped the bundle of five packs, then neatly sliced them with mana. The noodles are dropped in.
I lost my breath at the sight.
“Daddy, you’re falling for sister! Your eyes are shining!”
“…”
My pride was wounded, so I couldn’t respond.
…But it’s incredibly cool.
Jin Yuri flips the noodles casually, glancing sidelong.
‘He’s hooked.’
She didn’t misread it. Park Ki-hyuk’s eyes are all dreamy.
No doubt about it; her charm attack hit Park Ki-hyuk’s heart.
‘Success!’
The answer is ramen after all!
The number one food people miss when going abroad: kimchi and ramen.
Prism Know-it-All wasn’t wrong. Thank you, Know-it-All. I’ll give you a lot of five-star reviews!
Thinking about it, isn’t ramen the love potion between couples? After all, the phrase “Do you want to eat ramen?” exists between lovers.
Still, don’t get too cocky.
Don’t jump the g*n, heart. Not yet.
Ahem.
Jin Yuri manages her expression as she casually starts the conversation.
“You only write letters to Daddy and conveniently skip mine.”
“…Mr. Lee.”
“Hmm? What was that?”
“No, I had something to discuss with Uncle Do-ha, and you already talk on the phone often with you, right?”
“Still, it was a little hurtful. Next time, write me one too.”
“…Alright. Nothing else? Did they solve the engine problem?”
“Ah, engine problem. Right. I did hear about it. But…”
After all, even the most beautiful sight after dinner is still appreciated.
“Since the ramen is done, let’s eat first, then talk! Here, have some!”
She hands me the pot, and I dig in without restraint.
Hot as it is, I transfer it to a bowl and dive in. Anyone watching would think I’m drinking it.
“Grghhh! This is it!”
Park Ki-hyuk’s exclamation echoes from the very depths of his soul.
The intense spiciness he hasn’t tasted in a while feels like a celebration. His body shivered.
Even while shivering with excitement, Park Ki-hyuk picks up a piece of gimbap. He picks it up with chopsticks, but the whole thing comes with it?
“The ones in front of you were deliberately left whole. Eat them like that.”
“My goodness.”
It’s glowing.
Jin Yuri, what are you…
With a cheerful expression, Park Ki-hyuk grabs and eats the gimbap.
Chomp, chomp, he ate it with an adorable delight.
“Here, have some kimchi. It’s homemade, it’s delicious. Try it.”
Chomp chomp.
“It’s tuna gimbap. You love this one, don’t you?”
Nod nod.
“If you need more, just say so. I still have plenty.”
Nod! Nod!
In small details like these that care seeps in.
‘You’ll be mine one day.’
Jin. Yu. Ri. With the name carved into Park Ki-hyuk’s heart.
Just imagining it raises goosebumps!
“Ugh, slow down a little. You’ve got some rice stuck on your lips.”
Jin Yuri wipes the rice from Park Ki-hyuk’s lips and pops it into her own mouth.
Sweet. So sweet.
U.S., ramen, success.
She savoringly chews the rice as she wears a meaningful smile.
‘Does he like her?’
Park Bom alternated between watching her father and sister as she nibbled on the fried pork cutlet gimbap.
‘He does seem to like her!’
Hyeon-ji had said so. When someone likes another, their eyes sparkle. Remembering this, Bom thought back.
Daddy’s eyes when he looks at Bom.
“My dear little daughter.”
“Spring, what would you like to eat?”
“Daddy, shall we play?”
In Bom’s eyes, Daddy’s eyes always shine like a star.
Daddy loves Bom.
Daddy’s eyes shine.
When you fall in love, your eyes sparkle.
Hyeon-ji was right.
Tap tap!
Park Bom’s thought process led to this conclusion.
“Daddy and sister… Sister and Daddy.”
Both like Bom, and Bom likes both.
Since the arrows go back and forth, they form a triangle.
Daddy, Strawberry Sister, and Bom… a triangle with these three at the corners.
Triangles are always right.
After all, two make a star!
Therefore,
‘Great!’
Park Bom stops eating her fried pork cutlet gimbap and clasps her hands on both sides.
On the right, Park Ki-hyuk. On the left, Jin Yuri.
“Triangle!”
“Huh?”
“Spring?”
“We’re a triangle!”
Park Bom grins widely.
Park Bom (7 years old). Discovering the concept of love!
Dum dum!
…
And a step behind, watching these three silently was Berrie.
“Minnyaoung~.”
– What are you doing, huh…?
Gulp gulp, eating with joy, Park Ki-hyuk.
Snickering mischievously while watching such Park Ki-hyuk, Jin Yuri.
Looking at Park Ki-hyuk and Jin Yuri and smiling cheekily, Park Bom.
The cat thinks,
Humans are inexplicable.
Meanwhile, as Park Ki-hyuk, Park Bom, and Jin Yuri enjoyed their time together at their quarters, Kim Yeon-hee, who had orchestrated their meeting, was busy even without time to eat.
Her first destination was High Castle.
Isn’t that how social life works? There’s an order and procedure.
No matter how much the Red Dragon wants to see us, rushing in recklessly is foolish. First, the staff meet to adjust what they want with what we want.
“Excuse me, may I say something? To my understanding, your proposal is in exchange for artificial spirit stones: magic gems, and assisting Optimum in expanding to the West…”
“Forgive me if this is too forward, but Optimum isn’t in the West because they chose not to, not because they couldn’t. After all, the gates of the West are managed by you, aren’t they, Red Dragon?”
“Optimum prefers to deal as equals. This region doesn’t interest us.”
The hub of America’s economy is ultimately New York’s Wall Street.
The place with Wall Street is the East Coast.
Thus, it was natural for Optimum, which focuses on markets and investments, to concentrate its efforts in the East. In fact, Optimum’s American branch is exclusively established in the East Coast.
“How about this: I’ll give you a discount. I’ll increase the volume for you. In return, give me the technology. Artificial Spirit Technology.”
“C’mon now. I’m not a thief asking for everything. How about just a small part? Just the tips, please. That way, I can also justify this, can’t I?”
After all, chasing monetary profit into a closed market like the West isn’t attractive.
Hence, Kim Yeon-hee aimed for the technology.
Artificial spirits.
Artificial spirits, a technology unique to the Palace in the West, have never leaked.
Even obtaining just a part of it would still be an important achievement.
“Consider this well and let me know. My schedule is tight.”
Her second destination was the Elemental Sect’s Palace.
More precisely, to meet with the head of the Elemental Sect who represents the West Coast of America.
The Elemental Master, Lockshan.
“Nice to meet you, Kim.”
“It’s nice to see you, Lockshan.”
“It has been nearly 10 years, hasn’t it? Since the ‘Mexican Red Gate’ incident, right?”
“That’s right.”
Lockshan and Kim Yeon-hee’s connection dates back 10 years.
Back then, when the Red Gate in Mexico appeared, causing the entire city to vanish, it was an unprecedented disaster, even for Mexico.
Upon discovering that the “Red Gate” was connected to “the Evolutionary Group,” various countries sent their support teams.
At that time, the representative from Korea was Optimum with Kim Yeon-hee, and from the U.S., it was the elite from the Palace led by Lockshan.
“As you might already know, we’ve sealed the deal with High Castle this time.”
“I am aware. Finally introducing artificial spirit stones, huh. For years, it was a struggle trying to convince the stubborn professors. It nearly exhausted me.”
“Haha. Exhaustion? That’s so like you, Lockshan.”
“Judging by the current situation, the deal will likely go smoothly since the Guardian Spirit strongly wishes it.”
“Important intelligence.”
“Please do not repeat this elsewhere.”
To Lockshan, Kim Yeon-hee’s visit is welcomed.
Why? Because her coming here means they can finally materialize the anticipated meeting.
“My disciple has been indebted to your son.”
“I’ve heard. It was William, wasn’t it? I heard Ki-hyuk is doing well thanks to William.”
“One of these days, I’d like to arrange a meeting…”
“Lockshan, cut to the chase. This was the real reason, wasn’t it?”
“Aha, busted!”
“Could it be that leaking information earlier was also part of it…?”
“Indeed! It’s much easier conversing with someone as perceptive as you!”
In truth, this meeting’s purpose goes beyond merely catching up with an old friend.
It’s about paving the way for the next destination Kim Yeon-hee plans to visit today.
The final place she would head to.
A prestigious household in America, brought together unintentionally due to an altercation.
“I must commend you for making this long journey, Your Majesty of Optimum.”
“Mr. Chandler Riley.”
It was the Chandler family.
Late at night.
Spring had already fallen asleep by the time Mom reached the villa.
“Mom, you’re here.”
“You’ve come, Mother.”
“Yes, yes. Why are you both out here? Where’s Spring?”
“She’s asleep.”
“Have you eaten, Mother?”
“Don’t ask. Oh, it’s annoying. They eat such heavy meals here, and I can’t seem to get used to it…”
“Shall I cook some ramen for you?”
“Eh? Is there ramen?”
“Certainly. Let me cook it for you quickly.”
“That’s alright, alright. No need to trouble yourself, dear. Ki-hyuk, you’re on duty.”
“Yes, I’ll prepare it.”
Soon, the ramen I made along with the kimbap rolled by Jin Yuri was served. Mom came out from her room, dressed comfortably, and picked up her chopsticks.
Then, she said—
“Well, tomorrow I’m going to the Chandler family.”
“Surprising? Did the talks go well?”
“To begin with, yes. It seemed there was no bad bl**d.”
“But isn’t it dangerous, Mother? After all, Chandler has some issues with us.”
“Hmm, I can’t read minds, but I don’t think it benefits them to hold a grudge against us at this point.”
“Unless… the lost Chandler Murray was the official heir, but…”
“Apparently, he was a headache to the family. Either excommunication or isolation was his fate.”
“A headache trying to take revenge on Mom is not something to take lightly.”
“Heh.”
“Right. So why are they asking to meet? Isn’t this matter already settled with no hard feelings?”
“You’re sharp, Yuri. Now what I’ll say next is exactly about that. Park Ki-hyuk, listen carefully. This is the result of what you created.”
To summarize, the primary issue was not just the damage to honor.
The real problem for the Chandler family is that their standing has been diminished.
Where?
In the West, within the Palaces.
Why?
“How did you handle this matter? Didn’t you report it to the Mechanic Master of the East?”
“Ahh!”
“Ahh?! You forgot about that?”
“…Yes.”
“Phew… Anyways, when you extended your hand first to the East, it put the Chandler family in an awkward position. While what you did wasn’t incorrectly handled…”
In short:
The East and West, though in the same United States, fiercely monitor each other. If I handed over the West’s misdeeds to the East…
What would happen? They would seize the opportunity to unleash a barrage of attacks based on facts: propaganda and manipulation.
Naturally, the West would tremble and denounce the Chandler family as the perpetrator of this whole situation.
“Currently, the Chandler family is in a difficult position within the Palaces.”
Thus, they invited me as a last resort.
“It’s an act to say they’ve resolved everything with you and turn this into a mere incident.”
“…Hmm.”
An idiot managed to shake a supposedly prestigious family.
“But there’s more. They made an unexpectedly intriguing proposal.”
“Proposal?”
“Yes.”
Mom drained the last of the broth in her bowl and alternated her gaze between me and Jin Yuri.
And what she was about to say truly sparked our interest.
“You two. Have you ever seen an 8-level Gate?”
“…!!”
