Chapter 12

"Look, that's Qiao Nan, and that's Pei Wei."

Bai Wanqing pointed at the man and woman, then turned to face the withered old man and introduced Chen Xi in a low voice: "This is Old Man Ma, the senior disciple of Qiao Nan and Pei Wei. All three are Three-Leaf Spirit Chefs."

Chen Xi nodded and bowed, saying, "Chen Xi greets the three seniors."

Sizzling!

No one paid attention to Chen Xi; only the sound of the oil pan frying the dishes continued uninterrupted.

Chen Xi had experienced countless such scenes from childhood to the present, and his character had been tempered to be exceptionally resilient, so he did not feel embarrassed.

However, Bai Wanqing could not bear it. She walked straight to Old Man Ma, snatched the iron spoon, and said fiercely, "Old Man Ma, didn't you see me introduce a disciple to you?"

Old Man Ma glared, about to get angry, but seeing that Bai Wanqing was staring at him without yielding, he knew he couldn't do anything about this lady. He could only say with a pained expression, "Little Bai, don't cause trouble. This is a fine dish of chopped pepper spirit deer meat!"

As he spoke, his bony hand lifted the iron pan, and the fresh, spicy, and glossy dish was flipped into the plate. The soup was oily and red, the meat was diced, and the various tender green ingredients complemented it, making it fragrant and visually appealing.

"Old Man Ma, open your eyes and look. Chen Xi is skilled in talisman making, has flexible wrist strength, and sharp perception. He is also at the innate realm. Is such talent not worthy of being your disciple?"

Bai Wanqing had lost her usual gentle and composed demeanor. She pouted and said unreasonably, "I don't care. You must take Chen Xi as your disciple today!"

Old Man Ma was taken aback, as if remembering something, and laughed strangely, "Chen Xi? Could it be that broom star?"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Nan and Pei Wei, who were busy at the kitchen counter, stopped their actions and looked at Chen Xi with strange expressions.

Bai Wanqing's body stiffened, and she was extremely angry, wishing she could strangle this old man. Why did he have to bring up such a topic? How could he speak like that?

She looked at Chen Xi, feeling extremely anxious.

But Chen Xi pursed his lips lightly and said calmly, "Whether I am a broom star is not important. What matters is that I didn't expect Old Man Ma to be so worldly. Aunt Bai, let's go."

Bai Wanqing exclaimed, feeling a bit guilty for bringing Chen Xi here.

"Hold on."

Just as the two were about to leave, Old Man Ma shouted angrily, "Who the hell is worldly? Whether someone is vicious or benevolent, to me, they are all bullshit!"

The more he spoke, the louder his voice became, almost roaring, "I take disciples. As long as they can inherit my culinary skills, who cares about the rest?"

Bai Wanqing was pleasantly surprised, "So you're going to take Chen Xi as your disciple?"

Old Man Ma's expression froze, uncertain.

"Senior, take him. The person Aunt Bai looks favorably upon, I believe in!" Qiao Nan winked at Bai Wanqing and said with a serious face.

"That's right, Senior. I see that Chen Xi is young and steady, and skilled in talisman making. Take him as your disciple," Pei Wei's gaze lingered on Chen Xi for a moment, then she subtly gave him a flirtatious look and pleaded pitifully to Old Man Ma.

Chen Xi was taken aback, silent, but a glimmer of hope rose in his heart.

The previous rejection was because Old Man Ma had mocked him to his face. If he had humbly begged for mercy, even if he successfully became Old Man Ma's disciple, he would still have to endure Old Man Ma's ridicule. He would rather not have this opportunity.

But after hearing Old Man Ma's roar, he realized that Old Man Ma was not as despicable as he had thought, and the last bit of anger in his heart dissipated.

Being despised, ridiculed, and looked down upon is not scary. What is scary is having no pride, no dignity, and no principles. What is scary is not being able to distinguish right from wrong, good from evil, and truth from falsehood!

This was what his grandfather said, and Chen Xi had adhered to it since childhood, ingrained in his bones.

Old Man Ma snorted, looked at Chen Xi, and said, "Since that's the case, I'll give you a chance. There's a green bamboo shoot there. Cut it into slices."

The green bamboo shoot was entirely green, like jade, containing threads of spiritual energy, and was one of the common vegetables.

Chen Xi moved to the kitchen counter, where a snow-white kitchen knife and a nearly two-foot-long green bamboo shoot were placed before him.

"Knife skills are one of the important means to measure a Spirit Chef's level. Three parts are the stove, seven parts are the cutting board. Without a knife, there is no dish. Old Man Ma is testing your knife skills. Try your best."

Bai Wanqing explained in a low voice, her clear eyes full of encouragement.

Chen Xi nodded, picked up the green bamboo shoot, examined it for a moment, and then gripped the kitchen knife, cutting swiftly!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The fine and rapid chopping sounds were like rhythmic drumbeats. Chen Xi's wrist was steady like a pine, and the snow-white, sharp kitchen knife was precisely controlled, slicing out thin, snow-white bamboo shoot slices as thin as cicada wings.

Five years ago, Chen Xi had taken over the cooking at home from his grandfather, and he was naturally very proficient with the kitchen knife. Additionally, he had been making talismans for years, which made his wrist strength and precision outstanding. Now, fully focused, his movements were not only smooth and precise but also quick.

Soon, the green bamboo shoot was transformed into a row of neatly arranged, snow-white bamboo shoot slices.

In the distance, Old Man Ma, without even looking, said indifferently, "Steady wrist, precise knife skills, but the thickness is inconsistent. Only half of the slices are as thin as cicada wings. Barely better than the average."

"Cutting ingredients into slices requires uniform thickness, as thin as cicada wings. This ensures that the dish is evenly flavored, cooks at the same time, and looks aesthetically pleasing. If the size, thickness, and length are inconsistent, it will cause the dish to have uneven flavors, different levels of doneness, and an unappealing appearance."

Pei Wei's beautiful eyes sparkled, and she praised with a smile, "Little brother Chen Xi, your knife skills are quite good."

"Cut into strips!"

Old Man Ma glared at Pei Wei and harshly made another request.

Chen Xi took a deep breath and focused on the cutting board again. Cutting into strips required even higher precision, and he did not dare to be careless.

Thud! Thud! Thud...

The kitchen knife moved like flowing mercury, falling at an even faster pace, and fine, hair-like bamboo shoot strips fluttered out.

Chen Xi felt as if he were making a talisman, with the kitchen knife becoming a talisman brush, the bamboo shoot slices turning into talisman paper, and the bamboo shoot strips becoming straight, sword-like talisman patterns.

Drawing talisman patterns required uniform ink, creating a world within a small space.

Cutting into strips was similar, requiring equal length and uniform thickness, showcasing skill with each cut.

Strictly speaking, cutting into strips was much easier than drawing talisman patterns, which involved various twists and turns, flexibility, and intricate changes, far more complex than the simple action of cutting into strips.

Therefore, after fully mastering the force and precision, Chen Xi's cutting speed suddenly increased, and the kitchen knife seemed to come alive, moving quickly with a lively rhythm.

"Initially clumsy, but mastering the essence halfway through. Could this kid be a culinary genius like me?" Qiao Nan stroked his chin, pretending to think deeply.

"Roll, shameless guy!"

Pei Wei rolled her eyes and then looked at Chen Xi with admiration, muttering, "Serious men are the most handsome. Little brother Chen Xi, I'm waiting for you to love me. I'll be even more caring than Wanqing..."

"Flirt!"

Even Bai Wanqing couldn't stand it anymore. Her fair, delicate face flushed with anger, but she was secretly very happy. Chen Xi receiving praise from Qiao Nan and Pei Wei far exceeded her expectations.

A glimmer of light flashed in Old Man Ma's eyes, but his expression remained indifferent.

In Songyan City, as long as the conditions were not poor, almost no children of any family would cook. Cooking was considered a waste of time, hindering cultivation. Indeed, unless one reached the level of a Spirit Chef, those who cooked were usually servants, and their masters only needed to enjoy the results.

Therefore, seeing Chen Xi's proficient knife skills, Old Man Ma was indeed slightly moved.

But this was far from enough. His culinary skills were unparalleled in Songyan City, and he himself was a Three-Leaf Spirit Chef. He would not make a hasty decision about choosing a disciple.

Chen Xi put down the kitchen knife, and the cutting board was covered with a layer of fine, snow-white green bamboo shoot strips, each as delicate as cotton, crystal clear, and very eye-catching.

"Chen Xi, well done!" Bai Wanqing praised first.

"Good, half as good as me in my prime, but still outstanding," Qiao Nan said solemnly.

"Little brother Chen Xi, I've fallen in love with your serious look. Oh, is this the feeling of being unable to resist?"

Pei Wei first rolled her eyes at the boastful Qiao Nan, then held her rosy face with her fair, long hands and murmured with fascination.

Though the praise from the three felt a bit awkward, Chen Xi felt much more relieved and looked up at Old Man Ma.

"Hmph, your knife skills are still far from good enough."

Old Man Ma's face was tight, walked forward, picked up a green bamboo shoot strip with his left hand, and lifted the kitchen knife with his right hand. His wrist flicked, and an astonishing scene unfolded.

Aiming at the green bamboo shoot strip in his left hand, the nearly one-foot-long kitchen knife danced rapidly in his hand, creating a flurry of snow-like knife shadows. The movements were smooth and effortless.

Chen Xi's eyes widened, but he was confused.

"He's carving patterns!"

Bai Wanqing explained in a low voice, "Carving patterns on the surface of ingredients not only makes them visually appealing but also makes them easier to absorb flavors during cooking, especially for meat with abundant spiritual energy. Carving patterns on the surface allows the spiritual energy to be absorbed more easily."

Chen Xi understood and thought, "Is this old man going to make me do this next?"

He was a bit hesitant. Compared to the fine, cotton-like bamboo shoot strips, the kitchen knife seemed enormous. He doubted he could even touch the strips without breaking them, let alone carve patterns.

Bai Wanqing snorted, "It's just a broken bamboo shoot strip. What's the use of carving patterns or not? Don't worry, if Old Man Ma really makes you carve patterns on the strips, he's just trying to make things difficult for you. I won't allow it."

"I won't allow it either," Pei Wei interjected, deliberately glancing at Chen Xi with a supportive look.

"Since Aunt Bai doesn't agree, as a gentleman, I also disagree," Qiao Nan raised his head and said with a dignified tone.

Old Man Ma's figure paused, and he threw the kitchen knife away, jumping and roaring, "I'll take this disciple, okay? Just because I scolded him, you all gang up on me?"

"That's what you said!"

Bai Wanqing, Qiao Nan, and Pei Wei said in unison.

Chen Xi watched, feeling a warm current rise in his heart. He knew that if it weren't for Aunt Bai, these people wouldn't even give him a second glance, no matter how good his knife skills were.

He couldn't help but feel curious about Aunt Bai. Who was she? Not only was she familiar with the Songyan Academy's instructor Meng Kong, but she could also get along well with three Spirit Chefs. She didn't seem like an ordinary cook at all.

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