Chapter 134: Chapter 132: New Medicinal Cuisine

Using a blade made for killing to chop vegetables.

This was the method Mo Qi had devised to integrate his culinary skills and Sword Technique in the shortest possible time.

A palpable killing intent instantly enveloped the entire restaurant.

The flash of the blade was everywhere, like a tiger’s roar and a dragon’s cry. Everyone felt the chilling illusion of a greatsword hanging over their necks.

Chills ran down their spines, and their hearts pounded uncontrollably.

No one knew what was wrong with Mo Qi. Even Liu Hui and Jin Sanpang could only look at each other, not daring to ask.

The disciples waiting for the Medicinal Cuisine were all terrified. ’Could it be that the large crowd has angered him?’

Many felt the urge to leave, but they couldn’t resist the temptation of the Medicinal Cuisine and found themselves rooted to the spot.

"Someone, get the dish!"

Just as everyone was on pins and needles, a voice tinged with pleasant surprise came from Mo Qi in the kitchen.

Hearing this, Jin Sanpang started to go in, but someone else was faster.

"Tell the disciple this is my newest Medicinal Cuisine. They can’t just swallow it—they have to chew it," Mo Qi instructed as he handed a special food box to the person.

He glanced up and was met with a surprising face.

"It’s you!"

"Greetings, Honorary Grand Elder." Ji Lin bowed with an obsequious smile. "I was wrong before. I was blind and foolish. I hope you can forgive my many offenses. From now on, I am but a servant in your shop. Please, feel free to command me."

Mo Qi instantly understood. ’So he’s here to apologize.’

To be honest, his impression of Ji Lin wasn’t just bad; it was terrible.

He clearly had power, yet he cowered like a dog before the Wolf Fang Sect.

But when facing his own people, he was arrogant and tyrannical.

But as the saying goes, you don’t hit a man who’s smiling. Mo Qi nodded. "Take it out. And don’t forget what I said."

"Right away!" Ji Lin was overjoyed. He wasn’t afraid of Mo Qi giving him a cold shoulder, only that Mo Qi would refuse his apology.

The three patriarchs had given him a strict order: he had to obtain Mo Qi’s forgiveness.

And so, a Supreme Elder of the Void Realm generation eagerly became a waiter in Mo Qi’s restaurant. Wiping tables and serving food, he was all smiles, looking as happy as could be.

Jin Sanpang was rather unhappy about this, feeling that Ji Lin had stolen his job.

"Your Medicinal Cuisine. Please, take your time," Ji Lin said with a gentle smile, placing the food box before a disciple.

The disciple scrambled to his feet, his face a mask of terror.

’This is a Supreme Elder!’

’And it’s Ji Lin, of all people—the one famous for being stern and ruthless!’

’He personally brought me my food and even said "please."’

’Oh my god, am I dreaming?’

"Oh, right. The Grand Elder said this is his newest Medicinal Cuisine. You can’t just swallow it whole; you have to chew it."

With that, Ji Lin turned and returned to the kitchen, leaving a crowd of dumbfounded disciples in his wake.

"Quick, open it and see!"

Prompted by the others, the disciple finally snapped out of his daze.

He held his breath, his hands trembling slightly with excitement.

He slowly lifted the lid, but the expected exotic aroma and wave of Spiritual Energy never came.

Hmm?

’It’s not quite like the rumors!’

A lone, grape-sized black ball sat on an ordinary plate. No matter how he looked at it, it resembled a metal pellet.

’This... is this really Medicinal Cuisine?’

’Aren’t Mo Qi’s Medicinal Cuisines supposed to be so fragrant that the smell alone makes your mouth water?’

’What the hell is this dark little thing?’

’Even the lowest-grade Elixir looks a hundred times more appetizing than this.’

"The Grand Elder said it’s a new creation. Maybe... it’s a failed experiment?"

Someone offered their opinion, but it was immediately shot down.

"Don’t be ridiculous. Would the Grand Elder serve a failure?"

"Then why does it look like this?"

"You’re asking me? Who should I ask?"

"I mean... won’t we know if he just eats it?"

It wasn’t clear who said it, but the disciples’ eyes lit up, and all heads turned toward the owner of the Medicinal Cuisine.

"Fine! I’ll try it!" The owner of the Medicinal Cuisine steeled himself. He had already made up his mind: even if this "Pill" of a dish was a failure, he would accept his fate.

He picked up the black ball. It was surprisingly elastic to the touch and felt slightly warm.

He popped it into his mouth, his first instinct to swallow it whole like an Elixir. But at the last second, he remembered Ji Lin’s instructions and bit down hard.

SQUIRT—

Scalding juices exploded in his mouth like a flash flood, the chewy ingredients dancing across his taste buds. The exquisite flavor made the disciple’s eyes fly wide open.

An incredibly rich aroma filled his sinuses as he breathed.

’So hot, yet so satisfying!’

Ahhh!

He felt as if his entire being was ascending.

’This pellet... no, it’s not a pellet!’

’It’s more like I just took a huge bite of a real dish!’

He couldn’t find the words to describe the sensation on his tongue. After swallowing the juices, he chewed again.

SQUIRT—

Another gush of liquid burst forth, completely different from the first, yet just as delicious.

The disciple was stunned.

’Didn’t I just swallow a huge mouthful? How is there still more?’

Swallow, chew. Swallow, chew again!

He repeated the motion over and over, each time bringing a new experience, a new surprise!

The springy morsel seemed to contain an inexhaustible supply of juice.

Under the bewildered gazes of the crowd, the disciple closed his eyes, chewing while letting out a constant stream of "Ahhhs," his face a picture of blissful anticipation and contentment.

"I mean... do you have to get so worked up over a little pellet?"

"Shit, anyone who knows what’s going on would think you’re just eating. Anyone who doesn’t would think you’re visiting a whorehouse!"

The surrounding disciples grumbled to themselves.

"Amazing! So delicious!"

He must have chewed over a hundred times. Only when the food in his mouth was a complete pulp and no new juices emerged did the disciple reluctantly swallow it all down.

His eyes were glued to the plate. After confirming multiple times that it was licked clean, he reluctantly turned his attention inward to assess his body’s condition.

A subtle yet powerful Energy was gathering in his lower abdomen. He knew this was the Medicinal Power from the dish; he just needed to calm his mind and refine it.

"How are the medicinal effects?"

"Did it meet your expectations?"

"How do you feel? Any discomfort?"

The crowd peppered him with questions.

The disciple first bowed toward the kitchen, then gave a mysterious smile. "You’ll know once you’ve tried it."

With that, he left without a single look back.

No one was a fool. From the man’s reaction, it was clear that the unremarkable "pellet" was no failure.

In an instant, curiosity consumed them all.

In the kitchen, Mo Qi, who had been observing the entire scene, nodded in satisfaction.

’It seems my approach was correct. Now, how can I improve on it?’

...

In a private room on the other side of the restaurant, Niu Kexin was engrossed in her needlework.

Liu Ruyan sat beside her, chin in hand, watching with wide, blinking eyes. An occasional look of inner conflict crossed her face.

"Sister Kexin, you’re so talented with your hands! Are you making those clothes for Brother Mo?"

Niu Kexin smiled faintly and nodded. "I heard he’ll be leaving on a long journey soon, so I wanted to hurry and make him some clothes. This way, when I’m not with him, he’ll have something to remember me by."

Liu Ruyan was taken aback. "Sister Kexin, you’re not going with Brother Mo?"

Niu Kexin’s smile remained. "No. He’s destined to do great things. If I stay by his side, I’ll only be a burden. It’s better for me to remain here at the Void Sect and wait for him."