Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 315

The remaining eight tails that the Gumiho [a mythical nine-tailed fox] had hidden within her body burst forth like flower buds.

Simultaneously, a cacophony of voices, almost deafening, began to echo.

“…Isn’t this the Imperial Palace? Why am I here?”

“Daji, you vile creature…! Did you think you could deceive the Ice Jade Sword Empress, Lee So-hwa, and get away with it!”

“W-what?! Why is my body turning into a fluffy ball of fur?!”

“Ah… delicious… How can anyone make noodles this delicious?”

It seemed the consciousness of the Eight Immortals [legendary figures in Chinese mythology] dwelling within the Gumiho’s tails had awakened.

‘Is it because the Jeong Un’s heart within the dish caused such a ripple within the Gumiho? But why was an 8-star dish created…?’

Until now, Cainchel had only created one 8-star dish: ‘Happiness-Inducing Beef Stew.’

He had used it to completely lift the curse of the Seven Deadly Sins that remained in Britannia.

And now, that miracle was happening again.

‘…Is it because the heart passed down through generations blossomed through a dish made for only one person?’

He couldn’t think of any other reason.

“Gye Seom-wol! Why do you keep getting closer?! Get away from me! It’s making me feel awful!”

“Do you think I like this any better?!”

The Eight Immortals were now fighting amongst themselves.

Their voices were transmitted to Cainchel’s ears through the vibrations of the tail fur.

If the sounds were coming from their mouths, he wouldn’t have been able to understand them at all.

One tail stretched out and slapped the other tails.

“Everyone, please be quiet for a moment. I can’t have a proper conversation like this. It seems that handsome hero over there saved us, so let’s hear what he has to say.”

“Agreed.”

“I think that’s a good idea too. By the way, I told you not to stick to me!”

“How can I not stick to you when we’re attached to the same butt? If you have a problem with it, try falling off!”

“…I said be quiet!”

Thanks to Jin Chae-bong, the eldest of the Eight Immortals, they were finally able to have a proper conversation.

Cainchel explained what had happened as simply as possible.

The Eight Immortals listened intently to Cainchel’s voice, forgetting even to breathe.

“…So, you’re saying we woke up because of the dish the hero made?”

“That seems to be the most likely explanation.”

“Ah… How can we ever repay this kindness…”

“Let’s talk more about the details after we get out of here. It’s almost time for the Imperial Guards who left the palace to return.”

Sanga, who was occupying the Gumiho’s main body, nodded vigorously.

In response, the tails fluttered.

‘First, I need to join up with the Dark Demonic Emperor, Dokgocheon, and escape from the Imperial Palace.’

“Then, please excuse me for a moment.”

Cainchel picked up the Gumiho’s body, which housed a total of nine consciousnesses, and flew straight up into the sky above the Imperial Palace.

* * *

Cainchel and Dokgocheon, having successfully recaptured the Imperial Palace, reunited in a nearby cave as planned.

Wang Jeok-sam’s face lit up when he saw the faces of the Bantian Alliance [an anti-establishment group] experts who had safely joined them.

“Lord! You’re safe!”

“Oh, aren’t you Hero Wang Jeok-sam! I never thought I would owe my life to the Dark Demonic Emperor, Dokgocheon. By the way, could I possibly get some more of that… what was it… canned food? It was quite delicious.”

“I’m sorry, but that’s a bit difficult…”

According to him, it would take quite some time for the experts who had been charmed by the Gumiho to recover.

However, they had eliminated the Gumiho, which could be considered the source of the problem. Soon, everyone would be back to normal.

Dokgocheon crossed his arms and glared at Cainchel. He didn’t seem to understand the situation.

“By the way, can you explain why you brought that woman with you?”

“Well, it might take a while to explain.”

“Speak. We have plenty of time.”

Murderous intent flickered in Dokgocheon’s eyes. If anyone else were standing before him, he would have drawn his sword.

In a way, it was only natural.

How many people could maintain their composure when faced with an enemy who had almost destroyed the entire Jianghu [the martial arts world]? Moreover, she was flaunting her fox ears and tails as if to provoke him.

At that moment, one of the Gumiho’s tails popped out.

“Are you perhaps Dokgocheon, Oppa [an affectionate term for older brother or male friend]? Wow, it’s been so long. How have you not changed at all?”

“That voice… Could it be Yo-yeon?”

“Yes, it’s Sim Yo-yeon.”

“…Good heavens.”

Sim Yo-yeon was the granddaughter of the Supreme Elder of the Demonic Cult, and she and Dokgocheon had known each other since childhood.

Dokgocheon raised a hand to his head and muttered.

“I searched for you so much after you went missing. I never imagined you would be one with the Gumiho…”

“I’m here too, Young Master. I’m sorry to appear before you in this state.”

“…Don’t tell me Baek Neung-pa is there too?!”

The Eight Immortals referred to the eight strongest and most beautiful female experts, regardless of whether they were righteous or evil.

Some of them had close relationships with Dokgocheon, the Young Master of the Demonic Cult.

‘No wonder there are so few female experts in the Bantian Alliance. Did he eliminate the seeds in advance?’

Wang Jeok-sam checked the Gumiho’s pulse and muttered in astonishment.

“T-there really are eight different internal energies mixed in one body! If Daji had known how to use martial arts, an unimaginable disaster would have occurred…”

“…That’s certainly fortunate. But the situation has become quite difficult. If we let the Gumiho live, the same thing will surely happen again.”

However, if they killed her, the lives of the Eight Immortals who shared the same body would also be lost.

“Well, I guess there’s only one conclusion.”

They couldn’t risk endangering the entire Jianghu to save nine people.

Dokgocheon bit his lip and drew the sword he was wearing at his waist.

Then, Cainchel stood between the Gumiho and Dokgocheon, as if to protect the Gumiho.

“Ugh… Do you think I like this? Yo-yeon is like a daughter to me!”

Dokgocheon’s voice trembled as if he were holding back tears.

He had done everything he could to find the missing Sim Yo-yeon.

But he had no choice but to stop searching in the face of the great task of retaking the Imperial Palace.

And now, he was reunited with her in this worst possible way.

Dokgocheon continued, with tears of blood in his eyes.

“But since she’s one with the Gumiho, I have no choice but to kill her!”

“Yes. I know that we can’t let the Gumiho go free.”

“Then why are you blocking me!”

“Because if we take the Gumiho’s life while there’s still a way to save her, we’ll regret it for the rest of our lives.”

“…Are you saying you can return Yo-yeon, who’s one with the Gumiho, to her original state?”

“I’m not sure, but there’s a possibility.”

“…!”

Dokgocheon grabbed Cainchel’s shoulders with enough force to crush them.

Wang Jeok-sam, who was listening to the conversation next to him, was also surprised.

“…No matter how great your cooking is, there’s no way you can physically separate the Gumiho and the Eight Immortals who have become one.”

“Physically… Just take a look at this for a moment.”

Cainchel grinned and called out the name of the sleeping automaton.

“Asura, come out for a moment.”

Then, the entrance to the interdimensional pocket opened, and the sound of gears turning echoed.

Clatter-!

“Yes, Chef. How can I help you?”

“There’s a human inside the pocket…? No, that’s a doll.”

“In the Central Continent, there are those who aspire to create dolls that look exactly like humans. If you cut off the tails with the souls dwelling within and transplant them, they will be able to have their own bodies.”

“Even so, isn’t it just a doll? Can you call that alive?”

“The doll’s body is just a temporary measure. Some alchemists aspire to create new living beings. If we use their knowledge, we can create bodies that look exactly like humans, at least on the outside.”

“…Hmph, even a Jiangshi [a type of Chinese zombie] needs a corpse. Is such a ridiculous thing really possible?”

“Trust me. I’ll take responsibility for helping Lady Sim Yo-yeon regain her body.”

Of course, that would require the cooperation of Bishop as well as Astolfo.

‘Will it be okay, Bishop?’

― Heh heh. Of course. A human soul dwelling in the Gumiho’s tail. What an incredible specimen to get my hands on…

‘Hey! If you do anything weird to Lady Sanga’s soul, I’ll only let you make fish and chips with jelly for the rest of your life.’

― …I’d rather avoid that. In any case, this will greatly accelerate the research on turning chimeras back into humans. Just wait ten more years, partner.

‘Ten years? I’ll be old and dead by then. One year.’

― …Four years. Anything less is absolutely impossible.

‘Okay. I’ll give you four years.’

With this, the Eight Immortals would be able to obtain human bodies, at least in appearance. And Bishop and Astolfo would be one step closer to their aspirations.

Of course, creating a human homunculus doesn’t mean you can immediately transplant a soul into it.

It would take at least a few more years to grow them to the appropriate age. Until then, the Eight Immortals would have no choice but to stay in Britannia.

‘All of them will soon be Sword Masters, right? They’ll definitely be a huge asset in the future.’

“Then, this is goodbye.”

“Hero! Are you really leaving like this? I haven’t even had a chance to properly thank you… Please don’t go, I know a great brothel. Let’s secretly spend a week together…”

Cainchel was just as sad.

But he had no choice.

Even though the souls of the Eight Immortals and Sanga resided within her, he had saved the Gumiho, a public enemy of the Jianghu.

He had to return to Britannia before that fact became known to others.

The Gumiho was now dead in this place. That was enough.

Dokgocheon cleared his throat and extended his hand.

“I’m only receiving help from you until the very end.”

“I don’t know if this made up for the elixirs I got from you. Well, I’ll leave the rest to you.”

Cainchel Van Zistad, the hero who saved the vast Central Empire.

Dokgocheon would never forget that name.

“I should be the one asking for a favor. Please take good care of Yo-yeon. It’s not just because she’s my niece, but she’s a great beauty. Invite me to the wedding when you have it.”

“…I think you’re misunderstanding something.”

“Heh heh heh. I’m just kidding.”

At that moment, Maia, who had swallowed the remaining elixirs in one gulp, returned to her true form.

On her back was a bundle containing the weapons made by Gangseon Taebaek.

When he opened it slightly to check the contents, he saw a total of six weapons, including a bow, a one-handed sword, and a spear.

“Oh? When did you bring these?”

― Haha. This dragon wasn’t just playing around either. Oh, and they said they left the names blank, so you can name them yourself, right?

“Hmm. I’ll have to think of something good on the way.”

― Don’t name them after cooking utensils again. The people who receive them will cry.”

Cainchel responded with a grin.

With that, all the work in the Eastern Continent was finished. It was time to return to Britannia.

Wang Jeok-sam handed Cainchel a few talismans as he was about to leave.

“You can use these to contact me. The battle against the demons will surely continue in the future. If you ever need the help of the Bantian Alliance, please call us at any time.”

“Then, I’ll accept them without hesitation.”

Cainchel picked up the Gumiho and climbed onto Maia’s back. Then, they soared high into the sky in an instant.

Sanga, who was occupying the Gumiho’s body, asked cautiously.

“…Are you perhaps leaving like this because of me? You saved the Central Plains, but you didn’t receive proper compensation…”

“No. I received something more valuable than any treasure. This is satisfying enough.”

“Oh, my…!”

For some reason, the eight tails were very excited and began to thrash around.

It seemed they had misunderstood something.

Before he knew it, night had fallen and a large moon was floating in front of him.

It felt as if he was flying towards the moon.

Cainchel closed his eyes quietly and said.

“By the way, do you know what the name Sanga means?”

“No… Did you perhaps hear it from my father? Ah, please tell me! I want to know!”

“I heard that in the Central Plains, people have long believed that a goddess named Hanga lives on the moon. She is said to be in charge of welcoming those who ascend to the heavens from there. Sanga is a different reading of the name Hanga.”

“Ah…”

Sanga had been waiting for Jeong Un to return for a very long time. But in the end, she never met the living Jeong Un.

“If I were Master, I would say this.”

“What would you say?”

“This time, it’s my turn to wait on the moon.”