Chapter 18
It was in the afternoon, less than an hour after the phone call.
Master Yun, with the spirit of a chef, arrived at the Ling family's house early, accompanied by Old Liu, who was helping out.
"Woof woof~"
"Woof~"
Dog Captain Liangyi, along with Foodie Taiji and Mischievous Yin Yang, took on the role of bodyguards. As soon as Old Master Yun and Old Liu stepped into the courtyard, the three little puppies rushed up to them, their innocent barks threatening the unfamiliar guests.
Old Liu, carrying pots and pans, glanced at the ground and saw three little puppies. "Oh, aren't these Jin Li's puppies? Master has adopted them."
That's actually quite a cute way to call out.
Old Man Yun said, "Stop talking nonsense."
"Alright then." Old Liu took a big step, leaving the puppy behind.
"Woof..."
When Liangyi saw Lingxi come out, he immediately stopped his brother and subordinate who was about to rush forward again.
He wobbled and ran towards her with his short legs.
The three dogs, who couldn't even walk properly yet, dared to come out and guard the house.
That's commendable courage!
Lingxi praised the three dogs, rewarding each one with a loving pat. The dog captain enjoyed double the pat, his eyes squinting comfortably, and he even turned his belly over for her to pat.
How can she be so cute!
"Master, let's gather in the middle of the courtyard tonight."
Lingxi washed her hands and came to Master Yun and the others. While helping to set out the things, she explained her plans.
Master Yun nodded without objection and began to rummage through the things he had taken.
Lingxi rarely cooked while living here, and she didn't have many kitchen utensils; everything was brought by Master Yun himself.
Old Liu strolled over to the large vat and exclaimed in surprise, "What a huge grass carp!"
Just then, the big fish flicked its tail, and Old Liu nimbly stepped back, splashing water onto the spot where he had just been standing.
That was close, I almost got my clothes wet.
"Old Taoist priest, come and see, this fish is quite good."
Lingxi fed this grass carp for over a week, nourishing it with spiritual water and herbs. As expected, it gained a few more pounds.
Master Yun came over, also somewhat surprised, "Master, where did you buy this fish? It looks very lively."
Lingxi: "I bought it from Long Xingye last week. I put it in the water tank and fed it for a while."
"Feed them in the tank?" Old Liu was skeptical.
“Yes, that’s right,” Lingxi said matter-of-factly.
Old Liu, who had previously contracted a fishpond and painstakingly raised fish, but most of them died, remained silent.
The master even raises fish so well.
There's a small hut in the corner of this yard. It only has a roof, no walls, and no door.
Inside, there was a cement-built earthen stove with some firewood piled up beside it. However, the stove had never been used and was covered in dust.
Master Yun had just filled the water container and was about to wipe himself down.
Unexpectedly, as soon as I turned around, the stove, which was still filthy, suddenly became cleaner than when it was first built.
No one but a master could achieve this effect.
Master Yun's fingers tightened around the rag, and he subconsciously turned to look at Ling Xi's receding figure, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.
Lingxi happened to pass by and noticed that the stove was so dirty that it would take forever to clean, and it would be much faster to use a spell.
After finishing, I went straight to the backyard to pick some vegetables.
Old Liu, with his sharp eyes, noticed the change in Master Yun's gaze and followed his line of sight to the master whose figure had disappeared into the backyard. He immediately sensed something was wrong and instinctively became wary.
Master Yun remained standing still, his face expressionless.
If Old Liu hadn't witnessed what just happened, he wouldn't have thought about it.
But who is Old Liu?
"A discerning eye for people—isn't that just a sign that you've harbored some inappropriate thoughts?"
No, he was afraid something might go wrong.
Old Liu walked straight over and pulled Yun Laodao aside, whispering a warning: "Old Daoist, look at your age, don't do anything foolish."
Old Daoist Yun, who was just about to make a plan, was startled. When did Old Liu become so shrewd?
"You found out?"
"No, you old fool, are you serious?!"
He... he really did take a liking to her!
The news startled Old Liu so much that he jumped up and down. He looked at Old Daoist Yun with increasingly strange eyes, and seemed hesitant to speak, unsure of what to say.
"Yes, I have plans, don't worry about it."
Having lived for fifty years, this was the first time he felt his life held promise. Having already glimpsed the future, he didn't want to give up, nor did he want to lose hope—what if she would accept him as her disciple?
It's fine if he doesn't accept the money; he can be the master chef for free.
If none of them agree, then that is the fate of Master Yun. He has done all he can and has no regrets.
What are your plans?
laugh……
Old Liu scoffed. "With a master's skill, why would he even look at an old geezer like you? He thinks Old Daoist Yun is just asking for death."
Seeing that Master Yun was determined to go down a dark path, Old Liu made a snap decision and dragged him outside the Ling family's residence.
Fearing the master would hear, they deliberately kept their distance.
Old Daoist Yun frowned and said in a deep voice, "Old Liu, don't delay my business."
"no!"
Old Liu sternly stopped him.
He wanted to completely shatter Master Yun's delusions.
Old Daoist Yun chuckled in exasperation, "What are you up to? This is so strange."
"Besides, I acknowledge that I've become the master's disciple...?"
"I said you like masters, and that's not true..."
They each spoke their own words, but stopped talking at the same time halfway through.
Becoming an apprentice?
like?
Old Liu breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness, Master Yun is still a decent person.
When Old Man Yun heard Old Liu's suspicions, his face darkened even more.
insult!
A huge insult!
He could no longer contain himself and roared, "Old Liu!"
"Why."
Old Liu responded in a low voice, feeling guilty.
"Old Taoist, it's all my fault for having impure thoughts. I'm getting old and my eyesight isn't good anymore. Please forgive me."
"snort!"
Old Liu: "No, Master Yun, you're so old. If Master Ling isn't blind, he wouldn't accept you as a disciple!"
"It all depends on human effort."
After saying that, Master Yun hurried back.
"You're so old, I thought you were still a young man." Old Liu followed behind Old Man Yun, muttering under his breath.
On the dining table, the ingredients were arranged in order: shepherd's purse, plantain, mint, lettuce, purslane, a fish, and some rice. They had also asked Master Yun to prepare more ingredients, otherwise it would have looked too meager and unappealing.
What's rather surprising is that Lingxi even spotted dried goods and spices.
Some of them I didn't recognize, but their unusual packaging and different textures made them look expensive.
"This, Taoist priest, please give me the expense bill later, and I'll give it to you together."
"Oh, right, and this too." Lingxi brought over a bucket of spiritual water. "We'll use this water for all the cooking later."
"Ding-dong~ Ding-dong~"
The doorbell rang.
"Master, I'm entrusting this place to you."
Master Yun said, "No problem."
Lingxi went to open the door and let Lin Fengjuan and the others in.
Lingxi walked away, and the old Taoist Yun curiously scooped out a cup with a ladle, took a sip, paused for a moment, and then went to the table to get some freshly picked wild vegetables.
Master chef and enthusiast Yun Laodao immediately noticed the difference.
The water is unusual, and so are the plants.
To Master Yun, every single plant and tree inside Linxi Cave was something he could recognize with his eyes closed.
He already knew what to do, so he didn't ask. "Old Liu, make the fire burn brighter."
"Okay, okay."
Lingxi stared intently at the visitors through the gate.
The women all dressed up in their finest attire, even Lin Fengjuan wore a cheongsam and carried gifts in different gift boxes, all chosen to suit the aesthetic tastes of young women.
"Master Ling~"
“Sister Ling…”
"Master~~"
Lingxi had gotten used to the word "master" and couldn't change it no matter how many times she said it, so she could only let it be.
"What's going on here?"
Everyone is dressed so formally.
"Congratulations on moving to your new home!"
As they spoke, everyone simultaneously raised the gift boxes in their hands.
"Thank you." Lingxi was a little stunned, but felt a warm glow in her heart.
It's been a long time since I've had so many people come to her house; it feels so good to have such a lively atmosphere.
"Mr. Long looks very energetic today."
Long Xingye chuckled, "Master, you really know how to talk."
"Come in quickly, the weather is nice today. Here, let's put them on."
Lingxi gave each of them a small pouch filled with mint leaves, which are very effective at repelling insects.
"Wow, this mint flavor is really strong."
Long Xingye took it, and before he could even smell it properly, the domineering fragrance wafted into his nostrils, making him feel much more awake.
He took the purse again, brought it closer, and took a deep breath. A chill swept over his body, making him shiver unprepared.
"Ha ha ha ha……"
Li Yuncheng, who had not only smelled it but also tasted it, couldn't help but laugh.
"That's refreshing." Long Xingye's eyes lit up. How much could these mint leaves fetch if sold?
"Really? I'm glad you like it. I've prepared some more for you later, so you can take them with you when you go back."
Lingxi led them to the front yard, where decorations had been set up on the long table, and double-petaled roses in full bloom were placed in the vase.
A white tablecloth was laid out on the table.
Jin Li, Li Yuncheng, and Long Xingye are all young people who get along well and have already sat down at the table to chat.
Jin Moli didn't go; she liked to stay close to Lingxi.
Lin Fengjuan didn't sit down either. She stood by the table and went to Lingxi. Today, she was not only wearing a red cheongsam, but also had makeup on and her hair up. Her face no longer showed the dejection of the past few days.
"Grandma Lin, you look so beautiful today."
"Our Master Ling is becoming more and more radiant."
Jin Moli nodded in agreement.
Lingxi's cultivation level increased yesterday. Although she restrained her aura, her body and flesh had already been continuously strengthened through cultivation.
Even if she were only wearing a simple white dress, her demeanor and ethereal beauty, not to mention her increasingly mysterious and unpredictable abilities, would cause a mysterious event with a mere touch of her delicate fingers.
Such an extraordinary demeanor naturally inspires even greater respect in those who are patient with him.
At this moment, Lin Fengjuan subconsciously stopped calling her "Ling Yatou" and instead started calling her "Master" along with everyone else.
Lingxi didn't speak, but she still felt a little suffocated, either unable to breathe or feeling a tightness in her chest.
She was not saddened by Lin Fengjuan's title of "master".
Further improvement in cultivation level is an inevitable outcome.
It's just a title; their concern for her is genuine, and their kindness towards her is real.
She picked up the glass on the table, took a sip of water, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. "Grandma Lin is so happy, has she already made up her mind?"
“Ling girl, no… Master Ling, I…”
Lingxi heard this and interrupted with a smile: "Grandma Lin, you don't need to call me Master anymore. Didn't we agree last time that you would just call me Ling girl?"
Lin Fengjuan keenly sensed that something was amiss, but she didn't insist. On instinct, she immediately changed her tune: "Oh, Ling'er is easier to say. I've discussed it with Jasmine, and she wants to take that path, so I support her. No matter what, we have to give it a try."
Jin Moli nodded, "Ling... Sister, I want to go."
"Then let's do it today, since everyone is here."
"today?"
Lin Fengjuan was a little anxious, as she hadn't prepared everything for the apprenticeship ceremony.
"Today."
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