Chapter 233: Supreme Delicacy, Liu Yang Jiao

“What scent is this? So fragrant!”

The Round Fat Middle-aged Man sniffed the air twice, his nostrils flaring in surprise.

“Probably my disciple preparing dinner. He’s been handling the cooking for us ever since we set out.”

Old Doctor inhaled deeply, chuckling. “Never thought Chen Ye’s prized student was also skilled in the kitchen.”

The Round Fat Middle-aged Man blinked, then took another deep breath. His appetite was now in full frenzy.

“What exactly is he making tonight?”

Seeing the man’s restless expression, Old Doctor laughed. “I don’t know myself. Why don’t we go take a look?”

“That’d be wonderful!” The man blurted out.

Seeing the amused look on Old Doctor’s face, he suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

“Chen Ye, to be honest, I have no other vices in life—only food. If I see something delicious and unfamiliar, I simply can’t rest until I find out what it is.”

“Xu Xian Sheng truly is a man of simple, genuine taste.”

The two stepped out of the hall and into the courtyard, where wisps of smoke curled into the evening sky.

A group of disciples from the Round Fat Middle-aged Man, along with Wei Zian and the others, were gathered around a firepit, eyes glued to the flames.

Above the fire, several plump rabbits and fish sizzled, their rich aroma saturating the entire temple.

The one roasting them was none other than Lu Qing.

The rabbits had been hunted during their journey—Lu Qing had taken Xiao Li with him into the woods by the roadside.

For days, they’d been rushing along the path, eating hastily and poorly. Tonight, they’d decided to treat themselves to a proper meal.

As for the two fish? That was an unexpected bonus.

After catching several fat rabbits, they passed a mountain stream. Remembering how long it had been since Xiao Li had tasted fresh fish, Lu Qing, struck by inspiration, pulled out his Fishing Rod from the Qiankun Yiqi Dai and cast a few times.

To his surprise, he landed several large carp, each weighing over two jin. Xiao Li had been so thrilled that, in his excitement, he’d scratched at a massive boulder on the bank—shattering it into pieces.

Due to time constraints, Lu Qing had given one of the fish to Xiao Li right away. The rest he saved, planning to prepare a uniquely flavored dish later.

“Are they roasting something?” The Round Fat Middle-aged Man frowned, puzzled. “But roasted rabbit and fish alone… how could the scent be so intense?”

He’d eaten roasted rabbit and fish before, but never anything with such a mouthwatering fragrance.

Then, he noticed Lu Qing scoop up a handful of gray-white powder from a bowl at his feet and sprinkle it over the roasting rabbits.

Instantly, the aroma intensified—so powerful it made Wei Zian and the others instinctively swallow hard.

“That’s it!” The man’s eyes widened.

The peculiar, intoxicating scent he’d been chasing was unmistakably from that gray powder.

“Brother, is the rabbit done yet?”

Xiao Yan, crouched beside Lu Qing, her lips glistening with drool, asked eagerly.

“Just a little longer,” Lu Qing said, brushing oil over the rabbit. “Wait until the skin turns crisp. Then it’ll be perfectly golden outside, tender and juicy inside—delicious.”

Gulp.

Hearing that, Wei Zian and the others felt their mouths water even more.

“Haha, little master, what heavenly dish are you cooking? Even from inside the hall, my master and I could smell it!”

The Round Fat Middle-aged Man laughed heartily as he approached.

“Master.”

The man’s disciples, startled, realized their master had emerged—none quite knew how to react.

“Dad!” The girl ran forward, grinning. “Lu Gongzi’s roasting meat—it smells amazing!”

“See? I told you I’d be drawn here,” the man chuckled. “Lu Xiao Langjun, your roasting skills are truly soul-stirring.”

“Master flatters me. It’s merely a humble talent,” Lu Qing said modestly.

“By the way,” the man asked, “what’s that gray powder you sprinkled on the rabbits? The scent exploded the moment you added it.”

“It’s a seasoning I’ve concocted myself. A little sprinkle during roasting enhances the flavor.”

Lu Qing handed over the bowl containing the gray powder.

The man took it, dipped a finger, sniffed, then tasted it.

His eyes lit up.

The powder was indeed peculiar—slightly salty, yet layered with an unusual, fragrant aroma.

Lu Qing continued roasting. When the rabbit skin began crackling and oozing golden oil, he sprinkled on another generous handful of the spice, then pulled the meat from the fire.

He then grabbed a stack of wooden plates, using a small knife to carve the rabbit into portions.

In no time, four roasted rabbits were divided into ten plates—everyone received a share, except Xiao Li, who was waiting.

After portioning the meat, Lu Qing took a bowl, opened a bamboo tube, and poured out a half-dish of bright red powder.

“Master, Xu Xian Sheng—please.”

He handed two full plates to Old Doctor and the Round Fat Middle-aged Man.

“Chen Ye, I won’t be polite,” the man said, already reaching for the plate.

“None needed. I haven’t had A Qing’s roast meat in a while,” Old Doctor accepted with a smile.

“Master, Xu Xian Sheng, please enjoy. I’ll go prepare more.”

After passing the plates, Lu Qing turned back toward the fire.

“Chen Ye, thank you.”

Once Lu Qing left, the Round Fat Middle-aged Man seized a piece of rabbit, popped it into his mouth—

And immediately froze.

The crisp skin shattered under his teeth. The meat inside was tender, juicy, bursting with savory depth. It was, without a doubt, the finest roasted rabbit he’d ever eaten in his life.

“Chen Ye! Your disciple’s roasting skill is unmatched in the world. This rabbit—truly a masterpiece of flavor!”

He sighed in awe, after taking a bite.

“Ah, you’re too kind…”

Back at the fire, Lu Qing handed a smaller portion to Xiao Yan.

“Thank you, Brother.”

She grinned, happily digging in.

“Please, don’t be shy,” Lu Qing said to the girls. “There’s not much, but do enjoy the taste.”

They’d been eyeing the meat all along, but politely declined at first—then accepted when urged.

Ma Gu and Wei Zian had already taken their portions and, without hesitation, sprinkled the red powder over their meat before devouring it.

“Master, your roasting skills are still flawless!” Ma Gu said, still amazed.

“Indeed,” Wei Zian nodded. “Lu Qing’s cooking is the best I’ve ever seen. Even the mansion’s head chef can’t compare.”

Even his mother, when craving something special, would “escape to the summer pavilion” for a few days—really just to sneak over for a meal.

Seeing their reactions, the girls abandoned restraint and began eating with delight.

A chorus of amazed murmurs followed.

Lu Qing smiled, accepting the praise.

Then—his trouser leg tugged.

He looked down. Xiao Li was staring up at him, eyes wide with longing.

“Xiao Li, don’t worry. Your fish is ready.”

Lu Qing had roasted the rabbit first. The fish, cooked later, was just finishing.

But the timing was perfect.

He removed the two grilled fish and placed them before Xiao Li.

Then, swiftly, he rinsed rice, threw in some meat, and set it on the fire to simmer.

Only then did he pick up his own plate and begin eating.

The meat was still warm. Crisp skin, tender flesh, rich juices—Lu Qing took a bite and nodded in approval.

Not bad. Even after some time away from roasting, his skill hadn’t waned.

After finishing a bite of pure, unseasoned rabbit, he sprinkled a little red powder over it and continued.

Ma Gu and Wei Zian did the same, occasionally adding more of the spice to their remaining meat.

Then, the girls noticed.

Curious, one of them asked, “Lu Gongzi, what is this red powder? Why do you all keep adding it?”

“It’s chili powder—another seasoning I’ve developed. But it’s quite intense. I didn’t add it to your portions, fearing you might not like it. See, Xiao Yan’s meat has none.”

“Yeah, Sister,” Xiao Yan wrinkled her nose. “That chili powder is so spicy. I don’t like it.”

“Chili powder?” The girls stared at the red powder.

“Chili powder?” The Round Fat Middle-aged Man, overhearing, leaned in. “Chen Ye, what exactly is this chili powder?”

“It’s a seasoning A Qing invented himself,” Old Doctor explained. “But it’s quite pungent. I don’t care for it much, though A Qing and Zi An seem to enjoy it.”

“Ah! So it’s truly unique. Then I must try it!”

The man, a lifelong food lover, couldn’t resist.

He took his half-eaten plate and walked forward.

“Lu Xiao Langjun, may I taste this chili powder?”

“Of course. But it’s quite fiery—may I ask if you’re prepared?”

Lu Qing handed him the bowl.

“Haha! I’ve always loved trying strange foods. No need to worry,” the man laughed, mimicking Lu Qing’s earlier gesture—sprinkling the powder over his rabbit, mixing it in, then taking a bite.

At first, nothing.

Then, after a few chews—

A searing heat exploded in his mouth.

It was intense, almost painful.

Yet, layered with the rich, savory flavor of the rabbit, it created a sensation unlike anything he’d ever known—sharp, thrilling, exhilarating.

“Amazing!” He gasped, eyes wide. “This is unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. I love it!”

Seeing his master’s joy, the disciples couldn’t help but try.

Three of the male disciples followed suit—liking it just as much as their master.

The girl, however, turned red-faced, coughed violently, and bolted for water—looking utterly miserable.

“Dad! You lied! How could this be good?!”

After gulping down several mouthfuls, she finally regained her breath and glared at her father.

“I didn’t lie! It’s delicious!”

The man took another bite, savoring the fiery kick that shot straight to his brain.

His face radiated pure bliss.

The girl stared, stunned.

How could such a painful sensation be so… good?

No wonder Lu Gongzi said it wasn’t for everyone.

Lu Qing watched the scene, amused.

He’d expected this.

In this world, the use of spicy flavors was still quite limited.

At least in Cang Zhou.

Most people used only mild spices—like old ginger—for cooking.

But the chili powder he’d made—derived from a unique herb—was far too potent for most to handle.

“Lu Xiao Langjun, this chili powder is extraordinary. I’ve never tasted anything like it. What is it made from?” the man asked.

“The main ingredient,” Lu Qing explained, “is a medicinal herb I discovered by chance.”

He’d once taken Xiao Li into the mountains to gather herbs.

While searching, he’d stumbled upon a plant called Liu Yang Jiao.

After studying it closely, he realized it bore a striking resemblance to chili peppers from his past life—only far hotter.

And unlike ordinary chilies, Liu Yang Jiao also replenished vital energy. It was a rare and valuable medicinal herb.

Delighted, Lu Qing had dug up several plants and planted them in his courtyard.

Over the past two years, they’d grown beautifully. He’d harvested plenty.

And through experimentation, he’d developed multiple ways to use them—this chili powder being just one.

“From medicine, you’ve crafted a masterpiece of flavor,” the man said, grinning. “I see now—you and I are kindred spirits when it comes to food!”

“I do enjoy cooking,” Lu Qing admitted. “I often experiment at home.”

“Haha! Then I’m truly fortunate! To taste such a delicacy in this remote place!”

The man laughed heartily.

The thought of traveling with Lu Qing for the next few days filled him with joy—perhaps the best decision he’d made in years.

One plate of roast meat was never enough for warriors like them.

So Lu Qing continued cooking—preparing more dishes, each one more surprising than the last.

Every bite left the Round Fat Middle-aged Man and his companions astonished, exclaiming in delight.

But just as they were all enjoying themselves in the Mountain God Temple—

A sudden uproar erupted outside.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end