148

Chapter 148: Temporary Closure - 2

In a world without genetic testing.

Hair color becomes an important measure for identifying the lineage of a family.

In the case of the Sacheondang clan, even distant relatives or illegitimate children are considered part of the family if they are born with purple hair. It's truly a convenient setting.

But what other genetic traits does the Sacheondang clan possess, aside from purple hair?

As Hwarin's case shows, inheriting the clan's blood means being born with a strong innate resistance to poison.

During our travels, I once became curious about this and asked Hwarin about it.

"So, if someone from the Sacheondang clan isn't born with purple hair, do you test them by feeding them poison? What do you think of your own clan?"

"If they have a resistance to poison, then it wouldn't be a problem to feed them some, right?"

"Resistance, not immunity! Even children born into sword families start with wooden swords. Do you think poison is a toy? The children of the clan have resistance to strong poisons. Even that resistance is cultivated as they learn their toxic arts."

Resistance to strong poisons, huh? True, even if one isn't from the clan, there could be individuals born with resistance to weaker poisons, or who could use their inner strength to expel poison.

Fortunately, thanks to this, the clan elders did not force me to prove my direct lineage by consuming poison. However, doubts still lingered.

The black-haired barbarian. Without having learned toxic arts, unable to prove through the ingestion of poison. There is the evidence of Balmonghwan, but since it's not a soul-bound item, doubt remained.

How could I prove my affiliation with the Sacheondang clan?

I have a way to do that.

"Utilizing the settings of a martial arts dating sim, of course."

In a world where people pay in copper and eat carbonara. I criticized this game in lengthy feedback, but it wasn't all complaints and critiques.

There were a few settings I praised the production team for, some even related to the Sacheondang clan.

Let's put that to use.

"Jeomsu-i."

Looking at the menu, I called out to Jeomsu-i.

"Have you finally decided? If you're still worried because of the clan folks, don't be. We have top-notch chefs who can satisfy your culinary needs!"

I know. That's why I asked to be brought here by the clan.

The setting of the martial arts dating sim which I could utilize.

A way for the clan's people to acknowledge me as their bastard child.

Something that only those with the blood of the Sacheondang clan can do in this world.

It is.

"Bring me a pineapple pizza."

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In this world, only those who carry the blood of the Sacheondang clan can eat pineapple pizza.

I vehemently protested many aspects of this martial arts dating sim game while paying with copper and eating carbonara, but I never objected to this particular setting.

Pineapple pizza. It's practically poison.

"What?"

"What did you say?"

"What, what?"

Ignoring the surprised reactions of those at the table, I calmly handed the menu to Jeomsu-i.

"I must've heard you wrong, could you repeat that, please?"

However, Jeomsu-i tilted her head without taking the menu, puzzled.

"Pineapple pizza, please."

"Oh! Is it for the clan folks next to you? What will you have, Boss Kang?"

"No, it's for me to eat."

"Boss Kang, you might not be familiar since you're from another country, but that's a Sichuan dish that only the Sacheondang clan can eat."

I wonder if sweat wasn't trickling down Jeomsu-i's nape. Trying her best to hide her astonishment, she explained to me.

"I also carry the blood of the Sacheondang clan."

"Ha-ha! Boss Kang, your jokes! I know you're a regular, but that kind of joke isn't funny!"

Jeomsu-i laughed, waving her hands dismissively, apparently thinking my statement was a jest.

"..."

Silently, I looked at Jeomsu-i, who found my so-called funny joke amusing, with a smile on my face.

"Are you serious?"

No bluff.

"Pineapple pizza. You truly dig your own grave."

The clan elders looked at me as if they had me in checkmate.

"Young Master. It is true that those of the Sacheondang clan can eat pineapple pizza. However, it requires training from a young age to consume its poison. A reckless order for someone who has never tried it before."

"Yeah, Yunho. I can swallow poison and be fine, but even I struggle with pineapple pizza. Don't push yourself."

Hwarin too, looking worried, held onto my arm, trying to dissuade me from ordering.

A dish that even those who can eat it must acclimate to from childhood? So pineapple pizza is like an upgraded version of fermented skate in this world.

"At our Guhaharu, we have Sichuan fusion cuisine for customers from Joseon like you! How about trying our Sichuan spicy rice cakes instead?"

Spicy rice cakes seem like something another girl would enjoy, not my style.

"No, bring the pineapple pizza."

I'm not joking. Bring it.

"Please wait a moment!"

Jeomsu-i retreated into the kitchen with a gloomy face, despite my assertive voice. It's not like I ordered a poison, why so serious?

As I watched Jeomsu-i enter the kitchen, murmurs arose from where the clan members were seated.

"Did the clan leader's bastard receive toxic arts training?"

"He clearly has no signs of having undergone such training."

"Maybe he was raised by the Sacheondang clan then?"

"I've never heard of a black-haired person being raised by the Sacheondang clan."

"Is he really going to attempt to eat pineapple pizza without any training?"

"If he carries the clan leader's blood, it's said that the direct descendants enjoy pineapple pizza often."

"Even direct descendants can enjoy it because they've been eating it since childhood. But an unknown bastard suddenly tries to eat pineapple pizza?"

"I'm barely able to enjoy a single slice of pineapple pizza myself, and he's ordering it. I've had my doubts whether he's really the bastard, but soon we'll know."

All eyes of the clan members were now fixed on me. That's right. Keep looking at me. Pay more attention.

"Excuse me. I am the head chef of this Guhaharu."

As I was enjoying the attention, a man from the kitchen approached me.

"Ah, the renowned chef, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"And who might you be?"

The head chef of Guhaharu did not accept my greeting, instead, he threw a sharp glance around and asked.

"Pardon?"

"Which member of your clan has been harassing a regular customer? I came out to see for myself. Is it someone here?" he asked, looking toward the clan members.

"No, there's been no harassment."

"When I was in Sichuan, I've occasionally seen martial artists from the clan force others to eat pineapple pizza as a kind of prank. Since Boss Kang is a regular patron of our establishment, I cannot stay idle and had to come out."

"No, it's truly for my own consumption."

"It seems you've come with members of the clan. If it's neither harassment nor a punishment, might it be a rash act of bravado? Even attempting to eat pineapple pizza could result in extreme nausea and vomiting. No matter how much bitter tea you drink afterward, your tongue will be tormented by its sweetness for days."

Was pineapple pizza used by the clan like jeotgal for punishment games?

"It is alright. I too carry the blood of the Sacheondang clan."

I said with a smile, convincing the chef.

"Really?"

"Yes, so please prepare it with peace of mind."

"Huff. Whether you're telling the truth or not, I'm a top chef. As an apology for the rudeness, I'll start with the finest pineapple and use the best ingredients and skills to make Sichuan's famous dish, pineapple pizza for you."

"I appreciate it."

"Yes. Even if you end up meeting the King of Hell after eating it, you'll be able to confidently say you had the best pineapple pizza."

No, meeting the King of Hell... that would mean your business would be over.

Whether he knew what I was thinking or not, the chef entered the kitchen again, full of zeal.

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"Here it is, the p-pineapple pizza!"

Jeomsu-i appeared, bringing the pineapple pizza. My goodness. Is that a nose plug she's wearing?

Imposing. The pineapple pizza placed on the table occupied a sizable space.

Why so much pineapple? It's practically glazed with it. Such a cursed food exists in this world too. No matter how many times you see it, one never gets used to it.

"Young Master. Better let me eat it. After all, we can prove your bloodline by going to the Sacheondang clan."

"Yunho... there's no need for you to do this because of me."

Seeing my laughter at the overwhelming sight of the pineapple pizza, they thought I was terrified and earnestly tried to dissuade me.

"Leave it be. A man with a treacherous tongue shall now fall by his own tongue."

The clan elders crossed their arms and watched me, as if looking forward to my downfall.

"Yunho, even if you can't eat it, it doesn't mean you're not of the clan. There's no need to seed unnecessary distrust..."

"It's okay."

I raised my hand to stop Hwarin mid-sentence, then grabbed a slice of pizza with the tongs and placed it onto my plate. The smell of sugar, so intense, that I wondered if it surpassed the pineapple itself, assaulted my nostrils.

In this world, only those of the Sacheondang clan can eat pineapple pizza. An instinctual urge to vomit surged within me at that very moment.

'It's okay. You can do this, Kang Yunho.'

I had already tested it. I can do it. I was about to swallow food that wasn't even considered food, let alone a treat.

"Sweetness in the air?"

"Look there, pineapple pizza!"

"A fruit on pizza? A true denizen of the Central Plain would never put such a thing as pineapple on a pizza!"

"Pineapple pizza? Has the chef finally decided to kill someone?"

"Why does this cursed food even exist here at Guhaharu? Is this not a Sichuan restaurant but a purveyor of hell's dining?"

"To eat such a cursed meal. The Sacheondang clan folks surely... No! Why is the black-haired one touching the pineapple pizza!"

My pizza emanated an intense sweetness that drew everyone's gaze in the restaurant, not just the clan members.

'Here goes nothing.'

I picked up the pizza with one hand, folded it lengthwise, and shoved it boldly into my mouth.

"He ate it!"

"The barbarian ate the pineapple pizza! He'll start vomiting anytime now!"

"Quick! Have a physician on standby!"

Ignoring the screams around me, I continued to chew and swallow the pizza. The sweetness I tasted in it was troublesome.

To think they call this pizza. Only when starving would one eat this... My taste buds are in agony. Pizza should only be topped with meats, seafood, and vegetables.

"I can't look!"

"Oh Mighty Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, protect me by your eternal oath. Grant me your super talisman orders. Guide me to the realm of the immortals!"

"We must stop him immediately. Life is fleeting, but we can't just let a person pass away so easily!"

Despite the many cries of alarm, I could only focus on the sensations on my tongue.

'It tastes good. No, it can't possibly be good.'

The pizza, made by a special chef to presumably set a date for my meeting with the King of Hell, overloaded with high-quality ingredients, was excessively sweet. But could it perhaps be categorized as 'tasty'?

'No, to think pineapple pizza tastes good... I must be a heretic.'

I silenced the minority opinion within me and kept swallowing the pizza silently.

"Look over there. He barely holds back, but he's clearly eating!"

"Is that not pineapple but perhaps ananas?"

"Even a direct descendant would spit it out upon first tasting! Why isn't he spitting it out?"

"When I first tried it, I lost consciousness! Why isn't he passing out?"

'Well, I tested it once before.'

Back when I roamed the Central Plains. While working dishwashing at an inn, I overheard that they were preparing pineapple pizza for guests from the clan.

The problem was that not even the chef had the guts to taste and evaluate whether the pineapple pizza was good. With important guests to please, someone had to taste and appraise it.

"I'll try it."

Was it because the reckless Kang Yunho doesn't control my body, but I do? Or perhaps it was the power of the Heaven Defying Being.

My body, undeniably a creature of this world, instinctively felt repulsion, but there wasn't a significant issue with eating it.

Thus began the ritual of eating ten servings of the Thankful Pineapple Pizza per day.

Like a poison taster taking measured breaths, I composed myself, put my hands together in prayer, assumed the position, and started the eating ritual of the Thankful Pineapple Pizza.

'To make money, one must make simple tasks seem difficult.'

Initially, I ate two slices and then deliberately regurgitated one.

Next time, I ate three slices and regurgitated one. After that, half a pan, a full pan, up to two pans.

By the time I had to leave the inn after my work was done, my pockets were unexpectedly filled with a generous salary.

Now, eating this pizza is not difficult.

The pizza I'm eating now is within the category of food when compared to the culinary trash made by a chef who has never made pineapple pizza before.

It may not be recognized as authentic pizza though.

"Does the black-haired one have poison running through his veins instead of blood?"

"It's certain! The blood of the Sacheondang clan courses through him!"

"He's not a person! That's a beast! Without a doubt, a bird that drinks poison! Kieeek!"

I continued to eat pizza without hesitation.

"He... he ate it all!"

"To devour an entire pineapple pizza in one sitting!"

It quickly disappeared as I had been working hard all day and had a lot of brainstorming to do.

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"Feasting like this after a long time is quite taxing."

I said, with an air of confidence, as I rubbed my stomach and looked toward the clan elder whose jaw was seemingly still detached from shock.

How's that? Isn't it the perfect evidence?

"Kugh..."

The clan elder looked at me and gulped.

The restaurant, which had been as chaotic as a typhoon passing, quieted down with my meal.

The spectators, who had en

joyed the show, were now eating their own food, while the clan members gazed at me with shocked faces.

Now that everyone had heard about my identity and had seen the evidence, there was only one thing left to say.

"Clan elder. Have you now come to recognize me? No, not just me, but my blood?"

Time to drive the last nail in.