CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 66: CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM CONGEE

Thankfully, Chen Changgui is a smart child who doesn’t speak carelessly. As Fei Ying happened to walk up the stairs and heard what was said, his eagle eyes locked onto Xiao Feng.

In an instant, Fei Ying caught the hatred and malice in Xiao Feng’s eyes, directed even at an innocent child. What a malevolent nature this one has!

Xiao Feng clearly recognized Fei Ying and quickly composed himself, bowing in respect to Fei Ying: "Sixth Elder."

Without revealing his emotions, Fei Ying shielded Liu Lingshi and Lin Qing behind him: "It’s said that after parting for three days, one should look at a person with fresh eyes! I still remember the first time I met you, your Spirit Root was completely destroyed, and now you’re already at the Third Rank of the Golden Core Stage."

Of course Xiao Feng noticed his movements, and secretly clenched his fist: "I don’t deserve such praise. I was just lucky. If it weren’t for Liuyun Sect’s help back then, I might not have survived to this day. The grace of Liuyun Sect, I dare not forget."

While they exchanged pleasantries, Chen Muxue had already taken Chen Changgui and slipped away quietly. As they sneaked away, Chen Muxue said: "You dared to shout! Remember, that guy called Xiao Feng, avoid provoking him if you can in the future!"

The character setting of Xiao Feng as a male protagonist is such that he never forgets a slight, and the grievances he suffers will one day be returned manifold. He is the true male protagonist in the original story, where thirty years of eastward flow are terrifyingly faced with slaps across the face!

Alas, it’s a shame that I was made into a villain.

Leaving them aside, thinking about the bedridden Cen Lizhui, Chen Muxue decided to make something to nourish him — Whatever comes out of her iron pot is truly nourishing.

Chen Muxue decided to make some porridge, a common remedy for ailing individuals.

The inn’s kitchen didn’t have many ingredients, but they did have mushrooms and chicken, and of course, rice.

After washing the rice clean, she soaked it in clear water for thirty minutes. During this time, she sliced the fresh cleaned mushrooms into thin slices.

The thin slices required precise knife skills because, in Chen Muxue’s mushroom chicken porridge, the mushrooms are added last to preserve their freshness.

Chen Muxue wielded her kitchen knife with expert finesse, slicing the mushrooms so each piece could almost be carried away by the wind.

Then she washed some lettuce, only using the fresh green leaves and discarding the stems, as they are hard to chew and their fibers could affect the patient’s digestion.

She sliced some ginger, chopped the clean chicken breast into small pieces, and marinated it with a little salt, oil, and starch.

Once all the ingredients were ready, the rice had soaked sufficiently. She put enough water in the pot, naturally adding boiling water with her pinky finger, then added the ginger slices and soaked rice, with a small spoonful of oil, boiled it on high heat, then reduced to low heat.

Not knowing where Xiao Hu ran off to, though Changgui didn’t have a Spirit Root, as a farm child, he was skilled at keeping the fire going.

After simmering for about thirty minutes, the rice porridge became soft and mushy. During this time, it needed occasional stirring to prevent it from sticking to the pot.

She stirred in the chicken quickly to separate it, then added the mushroom slices, let it cook for two more minutes before turning off the heat, and finally added the lettuce leaves, seasoning with salt.

After witnessing an intense Tribulation, the people at the inn hadn’t yet collected their thoughts when suddenly engulfed by the enticing aroma. The fragrance from the porridge was not overpowering, yet it evoked memories of home-cooked meals from childhood.

Most cultivators actually grew up in households that weren’t well-off. Many were born with a Spirit Root and shot to fame, but before being taken in by a Sect, they had some domestic memories.

Having a Spirit Root at birth, they were thoroughly cared for by their families, and for the cultivators, their childhood memories were warmly rooted in a simple yet delicious bowl of porridge.

Some young cultivators even secretly wiped away their tears.

Chen Muxue didn’t realize her simple pot of chicken mushroom porridge could evoke such homesickness in others. Looking at the big pot of porridge, she was at a loss. She planned to wait until it cooled down when it would be mealtime soon, so she cooked extra to leave for dinner, but she wasn’t yet willing to think that this wasn’t the Qian Ding Sect, and leaving her pot there made her a bit uneasy.

Sensing Chen Muxue’s worry, the iron pot flashed bravely, as if patting its chest in assurance that absolutely no one could steal it.

"Who gave you such confidence, don’t you know there’s always someone better out there?"

"Buzz!"

Uncertain if it was just her imagination, Chen Muxue felt as though the pot rolled its eyes at her.

"Alright, I’ll trust you for a while," Chen Muxue said as she ladled a bowl of porridge and walked out.

She admitted, a part of her was doing it out of spite!

Chen Changgui silently followed behind Chen Muxue, full of worry: Did the Sect Leader get struck on the head by lightning during the Tribulation, talking to a pot and then even throwing a tantrum with it!

The Liuyun Sect lent Chen Muxue two rooms, one for Muxue and Xiaohua, and another for Xiaohu and the three boys. Now, Cen Lizhui was in Xiaohu and his friends’ room.

Opening the door, she found Cen Lizhui enjoying the good life with Xiaohu massaging his back and Changfu fanning him. Chen Muxue gave a soft cough.

"Smack!" Startled, Changfu jerked, causing the fan to hit Cen Lizhui’s head. He scrambled to pick it up, crowding Xiaohu who lost his balance and fell right onto Cen Lizhui.

At that moment, Cen Lizhui thought he saw the gates of the Underworld open.

The floating soul above, could it be Cen Lizhui’s freshly discharged spirit?

"How’s the rest going?" Chen Muxue knowingly asked.

Having finally recovered, Cen Lizhui, his face dark with lines, replied, "Just fine..." His usually lazy fox eyes widened significantly in disbelief staring at the bowl in Chen Muxue’s hand.

He sniffed, just as fragrant as always — could it be for me?

Cen Lizhui’s sudden starry-eyed look made Chen Muxue blink.

Changgui suddenly grew more alert, ears pricked, watching Cen Lizhui warily like a dog sniffing an unfamiliar scent.

"Ahem... Here it’s for you, eat up." Chen Muxue handed the bowl to Cen Lizhui.

The latter eagerly took the bowl and performed a trick, tossing the bowl into air and catching it, managing to keep the contents from spilling despite multiple attempts.

Cen Lizhui added a new burn to his list of injuries.

He couldn’t resist scooping a spoonful, but this time, smartly blew on it before eating. The delicious taste slid down his throat effortlessly, leaving just freshness in its wake. The rice was cooked to softness, yet the chicken and mushrooms maintained enough texture, preventing the dish from becoming sloppy. The pure rice fragrance was enhanced by the savory chicken and mushrooms, with the lettuce adding a touch of crispness.

It made one crave spoonful after spoonful! After downing a fresh bowl of porridge, his body gained more strength while sweat shed heavily, as if expelling all discontent, leaving him refreshed!

Finally, finally, he got to taste it! Cen Lizhui’s eyes brimmed with tears, it wasn’t easy!

Just as he was overwhelmed with emotion, Xiaohu suddenly asked at the most inappropriate moment: "Where is Xiaohua?"