Jun Changxiao’s meal at Star Moon Tower cost three hundred taels of silver. He didn’t feel any heartache—after all, his wallet was quite full. Even adding another zero to that amount wouldn’t matter.

“Sect Leader, does our sect have any cooking utensils? Like earthen pots, iron woks, steamer baskets and such?”

After leaving the restaurant, Liu Wanshi asked.

“Seems like we do?” Jun Changxiao said uncertainly.

Since transmigrating here, he had first freeloaded meals at Auntie Wang’s house in Qingyang Village. After being recruited during the Hundred Sects gathering, Li Qingyang had been responsible for cooking.

“Food is the foundation of the people.”

Liu Wanshi said seriously: “We can’t be sloppy when it comes to eating. Let’s go to the market and get some supplies.”

“Alright.”

Jun Changxiao took her to the market where they purchased a whole pile of utensils and also stocked up on many seasonings.

Sect Leader Jun, who had been somewhat skeptical initially, saw how focused Liu Wanshi was when selecting materials and immediately determined she truly understood culinary arts.

“Does the sect have a vegetable garden?”

“No.”

“Does the sect have livestock pens?”

“No.”

“Does the sect have a fish pond?”

“No.”

Liu Wanshi stopped and blinked: “This isn’t there, that isn’t there—what do the Sect Leader and senior brothers eat every day?”

Jun Changxiao said: “Sometimes we eat rice with vegetables, sometimes we eat noodles.”

“What?”

Liu Wanshi’s eyes widened.

After a moment, she puffed out her cheeks and put her hands on her hips: “Martial cultivators eating such things every day—how can their nutrition keep up!”

“No way, absolutely not.”

She circled around Jun Changxiao, wagging her finger: “After we return to the sect, I’m going to properly improve your meals.”

Jun Changxiao said: “That Qingyang kid—every time he cooks, either the pot burns or he makes the dishes too salty. If you can improve our meals, it would definitely be a merit lasting through the ages.”

After some deliberation, Liu Wanshi said: “Let’s first buy some vegetable seeds and poultry to take back.”

“Buy as much as you want. I’ll pay.”

…

Outside Qingyang City, on the official road.

A horse carriage sped along, while Jun Changxiao sitting inside was on the verge of tears.

“Flutter, flutter.”

Several old hens flew about in the canopy, chicken feathers landing on his forehead.

Why didn’t he dodge?

The carriage was packed full of chickens, ducks, geese, little lambs, and calves, cramming the small canopy completely—there was nowhere to dodge!

Liu Wanshi hugged a small white rabbit, rubbing her little face against its soft fur, and smiled: “Sect Leader, we can raise these poultry first.”

“Hehe.”

Jun Changxiao gave a dry laugh, then touched his forehead. Immediately feeling something sticky, he knew this must be chicken droppings!

…

As dusk arrived.

Jun Changxiao returned with Liu Wanshi and a group of poultry.

However, upon arriving at the Tiegu Sect’s main gate, he saw a person wearing a conical hat and coarse clothing, holding a blade and standing proudly.

Who was this person?

“Sect Leader has returned!”

Tian Qi ran out quickly from inside the sect. He first glanced at Liu Wanshi, then looked at the Sect Leader, and hastily pinched his nose: “Sect Leader, did you also go to Qingyang Village to carry manure?”

“Carry your sister!”

Jun Changxiao pointed at the pile of poultry: “Hurry and call people to take all this livestock to the inner courtyard.”

“Yes, yes!”

Tian Qi was about to turn and leave.

“Wait.”

Jun Changxiao pointed at the person wearing the conical hat at the entrance: “Who is he?”

Tian Qi lowered his voice: “Sect Leader, he says his name is Ma Yongning, a wandering blade master who came here to exchange martial arts with you.”

“This disciple already told him you weren’t at the sect, but he just kept standing there. He’s been standing for almost four hours now. I estimate he’s already fallen asleep.”

“Zzz! Zzz!”

Faint snoring sounds could be heard.

The corner of Jun Changxiao’s mouth twitched: “He can fall asleep while standing?”

“Quickly, quickly.”

He waved his hand: “Go call people.”

“Yes.”

Tian Qi ran swiftly into the sect.

In a short while, all the disciples came out and quickly transported the poultry to the rear courtyard. While they busied themselves, the wandering blade master remained standing at the gate, snoring continuously.

Jun Changxiao shook his head: “Dudu, come inside.”

“Mm.”

Liu Wanshi tiptoed in, walking into the sect with high spirits.

When she saw the spacious courtyard and the grand hall with its jade-carved balustrades, she exclaimed in surprise: “Sect Leader, our Tiegu Zhengzheng Sect is so imposing!”

…

After returning, Jun Changxiao first took a bath. He had just sat down in the chair in the main hall when Li Qingyang, Lu Qianqian, and the other disciples returned from their tasks.

Xiao Zuiji didn’t come in—having carried manure all day, he consciously went to bathe.

“Sect Leader.”

Su Xiaomo said: “Little Yellow has been found!”

“Not bad.” Jun Changxiao nodded.

Lu Qianqian leaned against the doorframe, saying indifferently: “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back first.”

“Wait.”

Jun Changxiao said: “I went to Qingyang City today and brought back a girl. The inner courtyard is being renovated, so she’ll stay in your room for now.”

“A girl?”

Lu Qianqian’s willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“Clang!”

Suddenly, the three-foot-long sword at her waist was unsheathed, pressing against the neck of someone who had been sneaking up from behind.

Liu Wanshi hadn’t expected her to suddenly draw her sword. Tears the size of beans rolled down as she cried: “Sister… don’t kill me… I just took a bath…”

“Qianqian.”

Jun Changxiao hastily said: “Quickly put down your sword. She’s the girl I mentioned.”

“Oh.”

Lu Qianqian responded and returned her sword to its sheath.

Liu Wanshi, who had just been shedding tears, broke into a brilliant smile: “Sister, you’re so beautiful—just like a fairy!”

“Dudu.”

Jun Changxiao beckoned with his hand: “Come over quickly.”

“Mm.”

Liu Wanshi entered the main hall.

After bathing, she had changed into loose robes. Her small face was fair and tender with lingering baby fat, making her look even more adorable.

Jun Changxiao said: “Her name is Liu Wanshi. You can call her Dudu. From now on, she’ll be our Tiegu Zhengzheng Sect’s chef… Gold Medal Chef!”

Li Qingyang was overjoyed.

The Sect Leader had found a chef—he finally didn’t have to cook anymore!

“Senior brothers.”

Liu Wanshi bowed: “Please take care of me from now on.”

Jun Changxiao said: “Dudu, let me introduce everyone. At the door is First Disciple Lu Qianqian, this is Second Disciple Li Qingyang, beside him is Third Disciple Su Xiaomo…”

With each person he introduced, Liu Wanshi bowed, appearing very polite.

After the introductions were complete, Jun Changxiao said: “The inner courtyard is being renovated. You’ll stay in the same room as Qianqian for now.”

“Mm.”

Liu Wanshi nodded, smiling brilliantly.

Li Qingyang said: “Sect Leader, it’s almost dark. Shouldn’t we make dinner?”

Liu Wanshi raised her little hand high, volunteering: “I’ll do it!”

…

To the left of the main hall was the kitchen. After Li Qingyang’s renovation and transformation, it was quite presentable.

Liu Wanshi tied on her apron and picked up the cleaver from the cutting board.

“Sect Leader.”

Li Qingyang, watching from outside, said in a low voice: “Dudu is so young—can she really cook?”

Jun Changxiao said: “Judging from how she holds the knife, she should be more professional than you.”

Li Qingyang felt very hurt inside.

Liu Wanshi’s expression became focused as the cleaver flashed with “swish swish swish” sounds, immediately presenting a series of blade lights that made people dizzy watching.

“A master!”

Jun Changxiao and Li Qingyang exclaimed in unison.

After a moment, the blade lights dissipated. Liu Wanshi planted the cleaver into the cutting board—the scallions, ginger, and garlic arranged on top still appeared completely intact.

“A master, a supreme master!”

Jun Changxiao and Li Qingyang’s eyes widened.

The arranged scallions, ginger, and garlic appeared intact, but in reality they had been sliced into thin pieces—they were just so close together that it was hard to see clearly!

Such knife skills were amazing!

Liu Wanshi began lighting the fire, saying: “It’s too late, so I’ll just stir-fry the leftover rice for you all.”

“Mm, mm.” Jun Changxiao nodded.

After the fire started and the wok heated, Liu Wanshi added oil, then ginger, scallions, garlic, and other seasonings. Finally, she tossed in the rice, wielding the large ladle to stir-fry. The entire process flowed like clouds and water, executed in one smooth motion.

Moments later.

The aroma of fried rice wafted out from the kitchen.

Jun Changxiao and Li Qingyang stuck out their noses to sniff, then immediately exclaimed loudly: “It smells so good!”