Chapter 003 Pine Mushroom Rice

Chapter 003 Pineapple Rice

Whether it's "one sword piercing the clouds" or "two swords piercing the clouds," it's generally better not to acknowledge someone who specifically comes to her by name.

Wang Sumo looked bewildered, shook her head as if she didn't understand, and bent down to pick up the pine mushrooms that had just fallen.

Although we didn't bump into it, the pine mushrooms were knocked off.

The other person picked it up before she could reach out.

Wang Sumo looked over in surprise.

The other person made a soft "humph" gesture at her, but it seemed that because the boss was there, they couldn't make it too obvious, so although they made the "humph" gesture, they didn't actually make any sound.

Hey!

It was one thing to give her a light "humph," but to "hijack" her pine mushrooms was another!

She spent all morning cooking and cleaning most of the garden before she finally bought it, and it's still in such good condition.

But the other party showed no intention of returning it to her?

Good grief, you picked it up and immediately kept it in your hand?

Wang Sumo said leisurely, "The Longevity Gentleman Sword, you picked up someone else's pine mushroom and didn't even return it?"

He Ping instructed, "He Lin, return the things to Miss Wang."

Sure enough, there are still reasonable people out there. Wang Sumo glanced at the guy named He Lin from earlier.

The other person pouted and muttered under their breath, "Senior Brother, she doesn't even admit she's..."

Wang Sumo was both amused and annoyed. "What? Just because it's not the person you're looking for, you can keep the pine mushroom? When did Qingyun Manor turn into bandits?"

"You!" He Lin was furious.

Ugh, and she's fierce, clumsy, and has a loud voice...

Wang Sumo reached out, and He Lin had no choice but to reluctantly return the bag of pine mushrooms to Wang Sumo.

Wang Sumo accepted it and said generously, "Farewell."

"Miss Wang, please wait." He Ping spoke again.

Wang Sumo didn't want to "stay," but the others from Qingyun Manor blocked her way from afar.

Wang Sumo could only turn back and "stay." As soon as she turned around, she saw that the guard named He Lin had already unfurled a portrait scroll. Her portrait was clearly and distinctly depicted on the scroll.

While not exactly identical, they're practically identical!

No wonder...

Wang Sumo coughed twice, trying to smooth things over, "Where did you find this artist? The drawing is quite lifelike~"

He Lin couldn't help but grumble inwardly.

He Ping cupped his hands again, "Miss Wang, we are here on the orders of the Master of the Manor to invite you to Qingyun Manor."

Wang Sumo put his hands behind his back and said leisurely, "Everyone in the martial arts world knows the rules of Bazhenlou: we don't serve meals to guests, and we won't make an exception for Qingyun Manor."

He Ping said gently, "Qingyun Manor is also aware of the rules of Bazhenlou. However, a few months ago, the former manor lord suddenly lost his appetite and could not eat anything. The manor lord asked Miss Xiang to help him take a look."

“The old master should go to see a doctor when he is sick. If a meal can cure him, then there would be no need for pharmacies and clinics in the world. Wouldn’t it be better to just turn them all into restaurants? You could have both food and medical care.”

He Lin was about to argue, but it seemed that what the other party said made sense.

In fact, it makes sense.

He Ping said, “What you say is true, young lady. But I heard that Chief Escort Yang of Jinwei Escort Agency suffered from anorexia for half a year and no medicine could help him. Then he ate a meal at Bazhen Restaurant and suddenly recovered. This matter has been widely discussed in the martial arts world. Now the old master is in the same situation as Chief Escort Yang back then. The master had no choice but to resort to this measure. I hope you can forgive me, young lady.”

Uh, one or two of them are anorexic. Is it really that hard to be a leader in the martial arts world?

Everyone I usually see at Bazhenlou is full of energy, looking like they could even devour Bazhenlou itself.

Wang Sumo sighed softly, "If that's the case, I would like to ask the old master to take the time to come to Bazhenlou in person. Chief镖头 Yang also happened to come to Bazhenlou back then. If we make an exception this time, Bazhenlou will have to go to any sect leader or elder in the martial arts world who has anorexia or indigestion. If we don't go, it will be unfair to others, and Bazhenlou won't be able to get anything done all year round."

"you!"

Upon hearing that the other party had asked the old manor lord to make the trip in person, He Lin immediately put away the portrait and was about to step forward.

He Ping reached out to stop her, and said calmly, “Miss Wang, you may not know this, but since the old master fell ill and lost his appetite, he has been recuperating in the garden and has not been able to travel far. We left the manor more than a month ago specifically to ask for your help. Miss Wang can rest assured that everyone in the manor will keep quiet about our trip to Qingyun Manor and will not cause you any trouble.”

After He Ping finished speaking, he bowed again and clasped his hands in a gesture of respect. “Miss Wang, we were indeed impolite in this matter. But the manor was truly in a difficult situation and had no other choice. Please forgive us for what we have in store for you, Miss Wang.”

He Ping took out a brocade pouch embroidered with a toad from his bosom and handed it over.

Wang Sumo took it and examined it carefully.

After confirming, a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes, and his tone changed as he suddenly asked, "Where did you get this brocade pouch?"

He Lin interrupted, "In the dungeon of the manor! A while ago, a petty thief came and stole things from the manor. He was caught, his leg was broken, and he was locked up in the dungeon for a long time."

Wang Sumo: !!!

He Ping added, "Before we left, he happened to find the person guarding the dungeon and gave him this brocade pouch, saying that we could take it with us to find the owner of Bazhenlou. Miss Wang will decide for herself."

Wang Sumo was exasperated. "What did he steal?"

He Lin pouted, "Our old manor lord raised free-range chickens!"

Wang Sumo: ? ? ?

He Lin said irritably, "Our old master has been ill for a long time and only raised this one free-range chicken. He could talk to it and keep it company. Not only did he suddenly steal it, but he also killed the chicken. The chicken feathers all over the place made our old master so angry that he fell ill!"

Wang Sumo: (⊙o⊙)…

Oh no, but it doesn't sound too fake!

It's something that only one person could do.

They went to Qingyun Manor and stole a local chicken, even making the old manor owner sick with anger—that chicken must be incredibly delicious!

Wang Sumo: -_-||

He Ping cupped his hands in greeting, "Miss Wang, please come back to the manor with us and ask around; you'll find out soon enough."

Wang Sumo came to her senses and looked down at the brocade pouch in her hand again.

Previous memories are like fleeting shadows.

— All good things must come to an end. Farewell, Eight Treasures Pavilion. This is the "Golden Cicada Pouch." If one day I find the spices you need in the martial world, I will have someone deliver this pouch to you. You will know what I'm looking for when you see it.

Lu Wenqu...

Wang Sumo put away the brocade pouch. "I need to tell the old man who takes care of the carriage first. This trip to Zhaocheng will take several days by water. The old man gets seasick and can't stand the ride, so he and the carriage will have to wait in Licheng. I need to give him these instructions before I leave."

That means they've given in!

He Ping's eyes lit up with joy. "Thank you, Miss Wang! I can have someone tell the old man. There's no need for you to make the trip."

Wang Sumo smiled and said "tactfully," "No, the old man is stubborn. I'm afraid your people might go but not come back..."

The explanation is very clear.

He Ping understood: "..."

Wang Sumo lowered his head and shook the bag of matsutake mushrooms in his hand, and continued, "I may have to trouble you all to wait another night. I have to cook a meal for the old man before I leave, since I finally managed to buy these fresh matsutake mushrooms."

Glug glug...

He Lin's stomach growled uncontrollably. How embarrassing! He'd been traveling all day and hadn't eaten anything except a few bites of dry, crumbly bread!

Wang Sumo, with an "I see, I understand" look on her face, warmly invited, "Shall we go together?"

He Lin wanted to refuse!

But then his stomach growled again, and He Lin's face turned green!

*

By the stream, Wang Sumo was washing pine mushrooms in the clear water when he heard Lao Qu roar, "You went and swept up spider mites for someone else!!"

Wang Sumo comforted him, "Great, you even got some exercise!"

He kept teasing her: "What's the point of moving your bones and muscles?!"

Wang Sumo was so shocked by the loud noise right next to his ear that he felt half of his soul leave his body. He was stunned for a moment before gently covering his ears and exclaiming, "Grandpa, that's not the Cloud-Piercing Mountain-Splitting Hand, that's the Lion's Roar! It must have been at least several decades of skill..."

Old Qu, his beard bristling and eyes wide, exclaimed, "Why aren't you cleaning your own Eight Treasures Pavilion!"

Wang Sumo: "..."

Wang Sumo sighed, "Isn't that because you were there?"

Old Qu crossed his arms, sat down defiantly, and declared, "I'm never sweeping again!"

The old man is getting angry.

Wang Sumo coaxed, "Then let's find someone to sweep it?"

Old Qu glared at her angrily.

Wang Sumo was very sincere, "Seriously, Grandpa. I mean, find someone to keep you company, whether it's cleaning the Eight Treasures Pavilion, or switching hands while driving, or even going fishing together!"

Wang Sumo was very satisfied with his idea.

Old Qu was furious: "You might as well raise a dog!"

"Dogs are fine too!"

Wang Sumo pulled out the booklet she had prepared long ago from somewhere.

Good heavens!

It depicts various kinds of dogs, along with detailed information about them.

Personality, fighting ability, appearance, intelligence, keenness, gluttony, lifespan, even how noisy, how clean, and how easy it is to clean, etc...

Wang Sumo flipped through the pages for him like a revolving lantern, "Grandpa, which one do you like?"

Old Qu, who had been glaring and throwing a tantrum, actually came over, and the two of them sat side by side, watching intently.

They completely forgot that one of them was yelling and the other was washing pine mushrooms.

Surprisingly, they began discussing the dog-raising plan at Bazhenlou in a harmonious, excited, and seamless manner!

The people from Qingyun Manor around were all dumbfounded...

He Lin leaned closer to the leader and whispered, "Is this really the Cloud Piercing Mountain Breaker, the senior who has unfollowed me?"

He Ping's lips twitched slightly, but he didn't respond.

He Lin sighed, "I feel like both of them are so unreliable..."

He Ping looked at him, then changed the subject, "Go."

"Go, go where?" He Lin asked, looking surprised.

He Ping smiled and said, "Miss Wang just said she'd also like to make chicken stew with pine mushrooms—"

He Lin was a little confused. "And then?"

“Then,” He Ping smiled, “we still need one more chicken. You’ll have to make a trip for it.”

He Lin: !!!

*

The stove by the stream was simply built with pebbles, and all they needed was a meal and a soup; there was no need to go to great lengths to build a grand feast.

Soon, the fire was lit.

Rinse the rice with water, cook it until half-cooked, and then steam it in a ceramic steamer. This method produces rice with less moisture, a chewier texture, and is more suitable for making matsutake mushroom rice later.

Old Qu had been clamoring for claypot rice the last time, but she had been eating spicy food for two days in a row, and she was worried that he would get a sore throat, so she hadn't made it yet.

The old man was still angry for a long time.

This is just the right time to make a pot of matsutake mushroom rice for Lao Qu!

It's also served with a matsutake mushroom and chicken soup.

Excellent!

While the rice was steaming in the earthenware pot, Wang Sumo began to meticulously prepare the pine mushrooms and other ingredients.

Pine mushrooms are precious and produced in very limited quantities because they cannot be artificially cultivated. They can only grow naturally in the mountains under specific conditions and weather, hence their rarity and high value.

When used as an ingredient, matsutake mushrooms are not only delicious but also very beneficial to the body, making them suitable for all ages.

There are many ways to cook and eat matsutake mushrooms, but no matter which method you choose, they must be thoroughly cooked, otherwise they might just turn into something otherworldly.

There's a lot of dirt on the pine mushrooms, but the best and most delicious parts are in the outermost layer, which is a bit sticky.

I couldn't just scrape it off with a knife, so I washed it several times with clean water and then simply cut off a small portion of the root.

Lao Qu was originally watching Wang Sumo wash pine mushrooms, but He Lin was so noisy, even noisier than a chicken.

Because Wang Sumo asked him to buy live chickens and kill them on the spot.

So He Lin not only bought the chickens, but also had to kill them!

But He Lin has never killed a chicken before!

Ever since he returned from the market, he and that chicken have been causing a ruckus, with him being chased around by the chicken. It's unclear who's trying to kill whom!

He always complained, "That stubborn donkey from Qingyun Manor isn't very bright..."

"Old man, please," Wang Sumo whispered a reminder.

Old Qu rolled his eyes, but obediently kept quiet and focused on watching her wash the pine mushrooms.

After processing, slice some of the matsutake mushrooms and set aside, and dice the rest.

Ordinary tools cannot be used to cut matsutake mushrooms; a ceramic knife is necessary to avoid damaging their flavor and value.

Lao Qu loved listening to the sound of her chopping and stir-frying vegetables. The chopping was a clean, crisp sound, pleasing to the eye.

Taking advantage of the chopping sounds, Lao Qu asked in a low voice, "Are you really going to Qingyun Manor?"

Wang Sumo smiled and said, "I promised them, so of course I have to go."

Old Qu was about to speak again when He Lin chased the chicken past him. The chicken didn't seem worried at all; in fact, it seemed quite happy.

Lao Qu: "..."

Old Qu was about to speak again when this time the chicken chased He Lin past him. The chicken continued to be unconcerned and even became more and more courageous, showing a strong momentum to press its advantage!

Lao Qu: "..."

Old Qu finally couldn't take it anymore. He stopped, kicked a pebble, caught it in mid-air with his right hand, and threw it with force towards a tree not far away.

The chickens just ran past under the tree.

The moment the pebble hit the tree, an invisible current of air surged forward like violent ripples after impacting the tree.

The chicken, which was running happily, suddenly stopped, then with a "whoosh," it fell headfirst to the ground and couldn't get up.

He Lin was startled.

After hesitating for a second, wondering if the chicken was faking its death, I finally turned back in fear and found that the chicken was indeed dead!

Perfectly dead!

He Lin was still a little confused when he heard Qu Lao's annoyed voice: "So noisy!"

He Lin swallowed hard, and this time he no longer doubted that this was the "Cloud Piercing Mountain Breaker".

"Even killing a chicken is so troublesome!" Old Qu complained in a low voice.

Wang Sumo chuckled softly and pointed out, "You need an old hen for soup, but he bought a big rooster."

Lao Qu: "..."

I'm so worried. I should change "The Immortal Gentleman's Sword" to "The Silly and Foolish Sword".

While Lao Qu was renaming the "Eternal Gentleman's Sword," Wang Sumo had already finely chopped the pine mushrooms, placed them directly on the back of a knife, and put them into an iron pot to boil for fifteen minutes. Next came the green beans, diced bamboo shoots, and yam.

The pine mushroom pieces are smooth and crunchy, the green peas are soft and glutinous, the bamboo shoot pieces are crisp and tender, and the yam is starchy and sticky. Add some chopped green onions and set aside.

The guards of Qingyun Manor, who had been idly pacing around, were drawn over, especially when the iron pan was heated up and the pork fat was fried in the pan, releasing a fragrant aroma. Someone even secretly swallowed their saliva.

Not only He Lin, but everyone hadn't eaten much all day, just a couple of bites of flatbread.

The moment the aroma of the oil wafted out, my senses immediately went blank, just like my stomach!

Fry the ingredients until fragrant, then add diced pine mushrooms, green peas, bamboo shoots, and yam in that order. Add salt, stir-fry repeatedly, and surprisingly, several different layers of rich aroma are created amidst the fragrant oil.

How ridiculous! Even He Ping couldn't help himself this time, and unconsciously joined his fellow disciples in getting closer.

The steamed rice was scooped out and poured into an iron pot, where it was stir-fried several times along with the diced ingredients. Then water was added and the pot was simmered. Even with the lid on, the enticing aroma and wok hei (wok aroma) still wafted out through the gaps in the lid, filling the air with a delightful fragrance.

The firewood crackled and popped, and the aroma from the pot made it impossible to concentrate on anything else; it was as if everyone was constantly thinking about it, and the only thought swirling in everyone's mind was—

When will this braised rice be ready?

Finally, what seemed like an eternity of waiting for the martial arts tournament passed. Wang Sumo finished preparing the chicken soup ingredients and reached out to lift the lid of the pot.

Swish swish swish!

All eight horses stretched out their necks, and only they probably knew who hadn't!

The enticing aroma emanating from the iron pot made one want to reach out a hand from their throat.

Looking at Wang Sumo again, it seemed that her actions of pouring soy sauce and fermented black bean sauce, and even sprinkling scallions, were not just cooking, but rather performing a martial arts manual with smooth and flowing movements, transforming the tangible into the intangible, and the intangible into the ordinary—a master of all trades!

Once the rice is cooked, add oil to the pan again, then fry the sliced ​​matsutake mushrooms with a little salt and other seasonings until both sides are a tempting golden brown. The unique aroma of the matsutake mushrooms fills the air, making your mouth water.

When Wang Sumo used chopsticks to place the pine mushroom slices onto the braised rice, a pot of steaming hot and fragrant pine mushroom braised rice was finally ready!

Everyone was left with only one honest thought—

It smells amazing!!

[Author's Note]

Enjoy reading! [Thumbs up]