Tangroot were similar to shallots, while Rockmon resembled goats.
Stir-frying the two together removed the gamey flavor while enhancing the freshness.
They were practically a perfect match.
She also picked up a slice of meat with her chopsticks and paired it with a strip of scallion cooked to just the right softness before placing both into her mouth.
The savory richness of the lamb-like meat, the sweetness of the wild shallots, and the saltiness of sea salt exploded together across her tongue, making her narrow her eyes in satisfaction.
Whether animal or plant, everything in the beast world was completely natural and free of pollution, giving every ingredient an intense flavor.
So even with nothing more than salt for seasoning, the dish still tasted excellent, leaving Hayoon very satisfied.
The stir-fried lamb with scallions paired especially well with staple food, so she reached out with her chopsticks toward the stem-root flatbread in the other basin.
As she turning her head, she said to Haeun, who was completely focused on devouring meat, "Eat some bread too. Don't just eat meat."
He was still growing, after all.
Only balanced nutrition would help him grow strong and healthy.
Haeun answered obediently and picked up a piece of flatbread.
With a loud crunch, he bit into it.
"Haah, haah..." The crispy pan-fried exterior had trapped the heat inside, making Haeun quickly stick out his tongue and blow on it twice.
Hayoon said helplessly, "Eat slowly. Don't burn your tongue."
"Got it, Sis," Haeun said while holding the flatbread in both hands. His face was full of amazement as he exclaimed, "Oh my Beast God, this smells so good too! Is this really made from root stems? How can it smell this amazing?"
Hayoon replied, "You were standing right beside me while I cooked, weren't you? I used ordinary Kudzu root stems."
The flatbreads were made about the size of a palm, and because the outer surface had been pan-fried, they were wonderfully crisp.
On top of that, she had cooked them in a stone pan.
The uneven surface of the pan had left textured marks on the flatbread, giving it an even richer bite.
Seeing Minho also pick up a piece of flatbread, Hayoon explained a little more:
"I peeled the root stems and cut them into chunks first, then steamed them on the newly woven rack... the steaming screen, I mean. After that, I mashed them up and removed the tough fibers inside. Then I mixed them with bird eggs, diced Tangroot, and salt before pan-frying everything together."
"The Tangroot and bird eggs fried in beast fat were very fragrant, so even the root stem flatbread became delicious."
Actually, Hayoon thought that if she could add some pepper, the flavor would definitely become even richer.
Unfortunately, she currently had too few seasonings on hand.
Later, when she went gathering in the wilderness, she would have to pay attention to collecting more.
If possible, she could even ask the tribe members to help her search for some.
After listening to her explanation, Minho looked down at the small flatbread in his bowl and nodded thoughtfully.
Haeun, meanwhile, was completely focused on eating. To him, Hayoon's explanation just sounded like, "blah blah blah... delicious."
He nodded enthusiastically in agreement, taking one bite of flatbread and one bite of meat, eating until both cheeks were puffed full.
Unable to free his mouth long enough to speak, Haeun stopped talking altogether, while Hayoon also ate more gracefully.
As she ate, she secretly observed her "landlord" and noticed that compared to the root stem flatbread, he was eating much more of the stir-fried lamb with scallions.
Afraid there would not be enough food, she had deliberately prepared extra portions.
She was a sub-beastman, so her appetite was much smaller than the other two. By the time she put down her chopsticks, the other two were still eating.
No one spoke at the table at all.
The only thing visible was the food disappearing at an astonishing speed.
In the end... the two of them finished everything!
Even though Hayoon had mentally prepared herself, her eyes still widened slightly.
Minho was a strong adult beastman, so his appetite was understandable. But Haeun really was... a growing boy who could eat a family into poverty.
At that moment, he was so full that he kept hiccuping. Stretching out his neck and leaning back slightly, his stomach was visibly swollen.
Hayoon asked worriedly, "Haeun, you didn't overeat to the point of hurting yourself, did you?"
"Hic..." Haeun rolled his eyes toward her. "I'm fine. I'll feel better soon. Just leave these here, I'll wash them later, hic."
Hayoon replied helplessly, "If it's really that bad, you should get up and walk around a little."
Haeun waved his hand with difficulty. "Sis, I'm really okay."
Minho stood up.
Under the glow of the sunset, his tall body cast a long shadow.
"You two stay seated. I'll clean up today."
Feeling embarrassed, Hayoon quickly said, "I should do it instead, shouldn't I? You've already been tired from working all day."
"I'm not tired."
Minho genuinely meant it. Carrying wood and repairing the cave all day was nowhere near as exhausting as half a day of hunting.
Hayoon was already a little intimidated by him to begin with. Seeing him insist, she could only sit obediently on the stone stool.
"Alright then. There's hot water I boiled in the stone pot on the stove."
Minho skillfully stacked the dishes together and carried them to the stove.
He first washed them with hot water before bringing them to the stream to rinse them once more.
By the time he returned after finishing everything, Haeun had mostly recovered.
Seeing the siblings stand up, Minho asked, "What else do you need to do?"
Hayoon replied, "Ah, I was planning to gather some Fire Flame Hemp before it gets dark."
Minho nodded. "I'll go with you."
Haeun immediately raised his hand. "Are we making hemp rope? I'm going too!"