When I Returned to Farming, National-level Big Juniors Flock - Chapter 29



Only Krnovel

29. Just give me one

Choi Jeong-il stood there speechless.

The appearance of a purified reservoir with no trace of turbidity left.

I couldn’t help but be amazed at how a polluted land designated as a restricted area could change like this in an instant.

“Sit down, don’t stand.”

Oh Hyun-seong said, gesturing.

He was sitting down, having spread out the fishing chair he had brought with him in a suitable place.

Choi Jeong-il, who was sitting next to me, was handed a fishing rod.

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to taste it today, but I have to try it.”

Two floats thrown onto the clear water of a reservoir.

In this peaceful and deserted place, the two men were given an incredibly leisurely time.

“I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve been fishing.”

“That was the last time I did anything with you.”

“Haha… It’s been a long time.”

Choi Jeong-il fiddled with his fishing rod.

It was a fishing trip that I had been so passionate about, but now the rod I was holding felt awkward.

It’s been years since I’ve let it go because I was busy with work.

Even during those special mission days, I never missed a single fishing trip, so what on earth was keeping me so busy?

He had that thought again.

“The favor I mentioned earlier, why don’t you say it now?”

“ah.”

He nodded at Oh Hyeon-seong’s words.

“If my guess is correct, the crops grown in your field will have the effect of suppressing or removing the accumulated toxic energy in the human body. Otherwise, the effect would be inexplicable.”

“so?”

“We need the spirit crops that you are growing, senior.”

Choi Jeong-il spoke bluntly.

I could guess what his intentions were.

“Is this for use in your lab?”

“That’s right. I can’t be sure because it’s unknown territory, but if we extract the components of the crops, we may be able to create a cure to treat the aftereffects of the turbidity. Maybe it’s even possible to prevent the turbidity from accumulating in the first place.”

He continued speaking with considerable enthusiasm.

“Even if mass production is successful and distributed to hunters, since it goes through our process, there’s no need for you to be bothered by the crops being known.”

“I’m sorry… but that won’t work.”

Oh Hyun-seong answered bluntly.

Choi Jeong-il, who had not expected such a sharp rejection, was startled.

“I get what you’re saying, but whatever effect it has on crops, it’s not going to be some grand discovery that will help humanity in any way.”

“…Why? This is the first time a method has been discovered that can neutralize the accumulated turbid energy in the human body. This could be a discovery that could even change the future of humanity…”

“The problem is that crops need the touch of the spirits to grow properly.”

Oh Hyun-seong answered briefly.

Then Choi Jeong-il was left speechless.

“For that cure to be a meaningful discovery on a human level, it would have to be supplied to many people. But with the scale of the field I’m currently cultivating, it’s not even close. Of course. Right now, all I can do is provide the ingredients I need to eat.”

So what must he do to make his plan successful?

The scale of farming had to be greatly expanded.

It’s not just a matter of increasing it by several times; you’ll have to have the spirits build a giant automated factory.

Choi Jeong-il did not seem to have thought of it, but crops with such efficacy were not produced overnight, but were the result of the spirits’ meticulous care.

‘If that happens… these guys will follow without question.’

Oh Hyun-seong looked down at the lower spirit sleeping soundly in his shirt pocket.

The spirits were basically willing to listen to anything he said as their contractor.

Moreover, if you convince them that it is to save people, it is obvious that these weak-hearted guys will follow along obediently.

Even if I’m treated like an agricultural factory, I’ll do my job without complaint.

Naturally, Oh Hyun-seong had no intention of seeing that happen.

“I realized that if an individual tries to save humanity or a country on his own in a grand way, he will only end up destroying himself. It was right before I retired.”

Oh Hyun-seong smiled bitterly.

“For now, all I have to do is take good care of the people around me. Rather than leaving a mark on human history, I just need to help each other when I can and share a delicious meal with each other. That’s all I can do right now.”

A tone of voice that is soft but firm.

If it were just a sample that could be helpful for research, then that would be understandable, but the point is that mass production of a cure was impossible from the start.

Then Choi Jeong-il, who had been silent for a moment, opened his mouth.

“…I was short-sighted. This time, my vision was narrow again.”

“That’s what everyone does when faced with a goal they desperately want.”

The two began to focus on fishing again.

About an hour passed like that.

For some reason, Oh Hyeon-seong caught a carp before Choi Jeong-il.

But the condition of the carp was not good.

Even without looking closely, his skin was badly damaged from fish disease.

“Even though the water was purified, it was impossible for the fish that had been affected by the pollution to return to normal.”

“But it’s not always like that.”

Oh Hyeon-seong looked at the carp carefully and said.

The carp I caught last time was completely sick, but the one I caught this time was in much better condition.

After that, the two continued to catch more fish, and the further back they went, the more they could see that the condition of the fish was improving quickly.

A significant difference that occurred in just a few hours.

Splash splash!

An otter can be seen leisurely playing at one end of the reservoir.

Even at this moment, the reservoir, which is receiving the power of the spirits, has become a reservoir with water that is so clear and clean that it cannot be found anywhere else on Earth.

A pure environment with absolutely no pollutants, including no turbidity.

Thanks to that, it seemed to have a significant effect.

Those caught in the latter half and in good condition were already edible.

But they released all the fish they caught that day.

The meat that was still affected by the takgi would taste like cheap factory-made meat, and I didn’t start fishing to taste these guys.

***

The next morning.

Oh Hyun-seong, who woke up slowly, discovered that Choi Jeong-il was gone from the house.

Let’s go to the reservoir just in case, and sure enough, Choi Jeong-il was there, having already spread out his mat.

“Detective Choi, didn’t you say you were going home today?”

“…Please give me just one more day.”

Choi Jeong-il said with a slightly red face, as if he was embarrassed.

In the first place, it wouldn’t have been a problem since he had advised me to stay longer, but since he’s not the type to change his mind easily, it was even more embarrassing.

“When on earth did it come out?”

“I couldn’t sleep at dawn, so I came out first. But look at this. It’s a moonfish.”

“Wolcheok? You caught a guy over 30 here?”

“It’s a 4-pound goldfish.”

“What? Really?”

Oh Hyun-seong, surprised, hurriedly approached Tong.

Then, there really was a huge carp caught inside.

A reservoir spirit that easily exceeds 40 centimeters in size.

“What on earth have you done?”

“Haha! Isn’t it true that a diligent bird catches even the smallest fish?”

Choi Jeong-il said proudly.

It was funny to see the fisherman so genuinely happy, but he had to admit it.

It’s a native carp with a size that looks like it bulked up at a gym.

What’s surprising, though, isn’t just its size.

The first day it was hard to eat, but the meat that had all sorts of minor ailments was completely cleaned today.

“If the meat is healthy, it must taste good too.”

“That’s why I’ve been waiting. Let’s taste it first.”

Choi Jeong-il, who had already set up all the equipment, skillfully prepared the carp, and Oh Hyeon-seong brought the ingredients from home.

I tried to bring Joo Ji-hye too, but she was still half-asleep and was throwing a tantrum, saying she didn’t like fish, so I left her behind.

Unlike them, who had vague memories of their childhood, she was from a generation where the only taste of fish that came to mind was factory-made.

Anyway, after setting up, they gathered the seasoning sauce and fresh ingredients together and boiled the spicy fish stew.

And then I took a bite.

“crazy…”

Oh Hyun-seong and Choi Jeong-il both let out exclamations at the same time.

So this is what it could taste like.

I’m at a point where I can’t even speak properly.

The world’s most luxurious diet, made with ingredients that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth.

“…What have you been eating until now?”

Choi Jeong-il is deeply moved by a spoonful of refreshing soup.

I’ve been a fisherman for a long time, but this is the first time I’ve really tasted real meat.

Oh Hyun-seong also deeply sympathized and picked up his cell phone.

“This won’t work. I’ll have to call Jihye too.”

***

The third day.

Joo Ji-hye went to Seoul to complete a few days of filming schedule.

However, Choi Jeong-il was still in Changyeong-ri.

When Oh Hyeon-seong finished his farm work and went to the reservoir, he was there waiting for him, as usual, even having prepared some raw fish.

“It’s freshwater fish, what kind of sashimi are you making? Even if you talk about the hunter’s strong stomach, I said I don’t want to eat it.”

“I checked everything, and these guys don’t have any parasites.”

“What the heck is that…”

Oh Hyun-seong checked it himself with a suspicious look.

But even after careful examination, there really were no parasites in the meat.

Not only the flesh, but even deep inside the intestines.

“…Why is it real?”

Is this also the influence of the spirits?

Just because the water is clean doesn’t mean there are no parasites. It seems like it’s become a place where some different rules apply.

Anyway, if you don’t have a parasite problem, there is no reason to avoid freshwater fish soup.

Turup!

Healthy and fresh sashimi made from real fish.

Rather than the terribly crumbly texture of synthetic sashimi, the chewy texture filled my mouth with a rich and savory taste.

The condition of the meat itself seemed to have improved as it adapted to the new environment.

They came to their senses belatedly after having finished the meeting without thinking.

“Eating this makes me more confident.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m going to catch a six-pound carp.”

Choi Jeong-il speaks once again in a solemn tone.

Of course, the reaction that came back was absurd.

“What…? You’re going to catch that? Is that even possible in a reservoir in the middle of the mountains like this?”

“I’ve been to all sorts of places, but this is truly a place I’ve never seen before. It’s a story that can be told. As a fisherman, I know it when I see it.”

“You’re the boss…”

“Just wait a moment. I’ll catch the fish of your dreams for you.”

Choi Jeong-il spoke with great confidence.

He continued fishing, holding his position for a long time, and before he knew it, the sun had set and the sky was getting dark.

“How long are you going to do this? No matter what, you have to sleep.”

“Big carp are better caught at night.”

“It’s all sorts of things.”

Oh Hyun-seong shook his head.

But soon he ended up laughing out loud.

Because at some point, a side of him that had been dry and invisible seemed to have come back vividly.

It’s because I’m reminded of old memories.

“Well… Then should I give it a try?”

He sat down next to Choi Jeong-il.

We lit a small bonfire in one corner with firewood we brought from home and spent the night looking at the moon reflected in the water.

Of course, I didn’t even get to see that damn thing.

***

It’s already been a week.

Choi Jeong-il still hasn’t gone to Seoul.

He set up a makeshift shelter, starting with a tent, at the reservoir, and guarded his fishing rod with a shaggy beard.

“You… aren’t going home?”

“6… just one 6…”

“You’re crazy.”

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