Chapter 42 - 41: Roasting Immortal Swan, Intoxicated Mao Ruxue_1

Upon closer inspection, it was Mao Ruxue practicing her swordplay.

Her body moved gracefully like a startled swan, her sword following her every shadow.

Within the shadows of her every step, Chen Chang’an could sense the operation of Yin and Yang energy.

It appeared that during his absence these last few days, Mao Ruxue had already grasped the basics of the "Yin Yang Secret Canon".

"Not bad."

Upon witnessing this, Chen Chang’an nodded in approval.

In less than three days, she was able to get a basic grasp of the "Yin Yang Secret Canon", an advanced technique of the Six Realms.

Even with the help of his cultivation method, this level of aptitude was quite impressive.

It appears that the disciple he had casually adopted wasn’t a bad find after all.

Chen Chang’an didn’t disturb Mao Ruxue’s cultivation. After watching for a while, he

went straight into the back kitchen of the hall with two swans in tow.

Although they are called immortal swans, they have no real connection to immortality.

This breed is neither a dao beast nor a spiritual beast, but just a breed of poultry that happens to be more aesthetically appealing than most.

These swans first appeared in the Wuxiang realm as a source of food and then, due to some traders’ mindless speculation, their prices rose drastically, becoming ’immortal’ swans that even ordinary people or cultivators couldn’t afford!

However, it certainly didn’t deter Chen Chang’an’s plan to roast them.

Clang, clang, clang~!

Inside the kitchen, Chen Chang’an was busy at work.

Starting a fire, boiling water, getting a wok ready, heating up oil...

"Quack, Quack~!"

With the sounds of quacking resonating, the whole kitchen was soon filled with delicious aromas.

Then, dishes full of color, fragrance, and flavor started to be served up on the table.

Braised swan meat, drunken swan with immortal wine, spicy swan, five-flavored swan, white-cut swan, two swans made into five dishes....

Each one exuded a mouthwatering aroma that made one’s heart flutter upon taking a whiff.

"Hmm?"

"What’s that smell? It’s so fragrant!"

The tempting smell first reached Mao Ruxue, who was practicing her swordsmanship in the courtyard.

She stopped her sword practice, walked into the kitchen, and found Chen Chang’an busy at work.

"Eh? Senior Brother??"

"Senior Brother, you’re back?!"

Upon recognizing Chen Chang’an, she first appeared puzzled, then immediately called out with excitement.

She put down her sword and quickly strode into the kitchen.

The days without Chen Chang’an on the mountain were liberating but unbearably dull for her.

"Hmm, I’m back."

"I’m no expert in cultivation and had no real challenges, so I came back early."

"When I came back, I saw you were engrossed in your sword exercises in the courtyard and didn’t want to disturb you."

"Now that you’re finished, come and have something to eat."

At this moment, Chen Chang’an was just finishing up the last dish. He nodded to Mao Ruxue and said,

"Sure, Senior Brother."

Upon hearing this, Mao Ruxue happily nodded, then pulled up a stool and sat down at the table.

As a matter of fact, ever since she smelled the enticing aroma of the roasted swan, she has been eager to taste it.

She was just waiting for Chen Chang’an to say these words.

So, after sitting down, she quickly picked up her chopsticks and started eating.

The next moment, when a piece of swan meat touched her tongue, Mao Ruxue’s eyes lit up.

"Hmm??!!"

"Senior Brother, what did you make this out of? It’s so delicious!"

Mao Ruxue could swear; this was absolutely the best thing she had ever tasted in her life, bar none!

"I caught some wild swans on my way up the mountain. They looked plump, so I brought them back for cooking."

"As for the cooking skills, I picked them up over the years during my spare time. If you want to learn, I can teach you in the next few days."

Chen Chang’an brought over the last plate of swan meat, then spooned two bowls of rice onto the table.

Then, he sat down, picked up a piece of roasted swan and put it in his mouth.

Thankfully, the taste is still there.

It seems my cooking skills haven’t regressed over the years.

Ever since I achieved the ability to live without food, Chen Chang’an rarely eats.

The number of times I cook can be counted on one hand.

Normally, I only cook when I crave for something and occasionally go down the mountain for a feast. Sometimes, when I feel lazy, I just catch a few wild animals from the mountain to cook.

On average, less than three times a year.

In the five years that I’ve been Emperor Song, I haven’t cooked even once.

I thought that after not cooking for so long, my skills would have withered away.

But it seems that I’m still not too bad. Apart from the taste being slightly off, everything else is fine.

I have to say, this is a pleasant surprise.

"Senior Brother, can you really teach me?"

Upon hearing Chen Chang’an’s words, Mao Ruxue lifted her head in disbelief.

These days, skills can’t be passed on personally.

This is not only true in the mundane world, but also in the Human World.

Every craftsman keeps his skills close to his heart, and wouldn’t easily pass them on to others.

Mao Ruxue did not expect that her newly acquainted senior brother would be willing to teach her such great skills.

She was overwhelmed with excitement.

"Mhm, you think about it. If you really want to learn, I’ll teach you."

Chen Chang’an nodded, apparently not bothered by this.

"Senior Brother, no need to think about it, I’ll learn."

Mao Ruxue nodded vigorously.

Such excellent skills, she’d regret it if she didn’t learn.

"Alright, get a few more of these geese from down the mountain in a few days, and I’ll teach you." Chen Chang’an nodded.

Seeing Mao Ruxue so happy, he felt a warm smile in his heart.

Well then, now I have another excuse not to lift a finger in the future.

"By the way, Junior Sister, has anyone come looking for me on the mountain these past few days?"

Again, he picked up a piece of goose meat casually and put it into his mouth, asking Mao Ruxue.

"Senior Brother, I was just about to tell you about this."

Upon hearing Chen Chang’an’s words, Mao Ruxue mumbled as she ate.

"On the day you just went down the mountain."

"A middle-aged Taoist who claimed to be Lao Niu came looking for you."

"I told him you were in seclusion, and he left, saying he’d call you in a few days."

"But, Senior Brother, how did that Taoist know that you were not in seclusion but had gone down the mountain? I’m pretty sure I didn’t let it slip!"

At the end, Mao Ruxue asked in confusion.

"It’s fine, he isn’t a Taoist, but the Mountain Lord of the nearby Origin Mountain. According to seniority, you could call him Senior Brother."

"He knows my situation, so the lie about seclusion can’t fool him."

Chen Chang’an said after listening.

"Alright, Junior Sister, I got it. Besides that, is there anything else?"

Chen Chang’an flicked the rice in his bowl. As for the person Mao Ruxue mentioned, he already knew who it was.

And because he knew, Chen Chang’an didn’t take this matter to heart.

That old guy usually doesn’t come to see him unless it’s a big deal!

So, after knowing about this, Chen Chang’an quickly brushed it off.

And then he asked Mao Ruxue again about the events on the mountain over the past few days.

"Senior Brother, apart from this, there is nothing else."

Mao Ruxue said.

"Oh, right, Senior Brother, there’s one more thing."

"The day after you went down the mountain, someone from the main peak came. He was a second generation disciple from the Hall of Merit."

"He found me and said I should go to the main peak for a month-long sect cultivation in two months."

"He gave me this token, saying I could use it to get there."

"Senior Brother, is this true?"