Chapter 319 – Stir-fried Double Crisp (e)

Translated by Gumihou

Edited by Gumihou

 

Ling Xiaoxiao spoke to Dong-Fang about what happened to them at Sacred Universe Kingdom, Dong-Fang appeared a little envious. “Peach blossoms, treehouse, flower fields and snow mountains, just hearing you talk I can almost imagine it. Who knows when I could go and visit those places myself, ah.”

Ling Xiaoxiao said nothing.

She was an intelligent person and knew that his majesty did not really expect an answer to his question. He was just sighing at life in general.

While they talk, the empress sat on the side without saying a word or even showing a trace of interest. As though what they were talking about had nothing to do with her.

The three people sat together for the entire night. All three were Cultivators, therefore staying up all night without sleep did not bother them the slightest.

Early next morning, the oppressive aura that had covered the Capital City suddenly dissipated and the Spiritual aura around them returned to normal.

[1] Everyone knew it was a sign that Qing Chen’s breakthrough was over.

Dong-Fang was the first to stand up and walk out, Ling Xiaoxiao quickly followed. As soon as they went through the door, they saw Qing Chen walking towards them.

With eyes filled with snow [2], all dressed in green, the man in the snow appeared tall and slender. With his clothes fluttering in the wind, he appeared like a figure from a painting made to come alive with just a few strokes of the brush. Nevertheless, the details appeared fine and filled with meaning.

The red sun was just peeking over the mountain tops and red rays of sunlight were spreading across the ground, falling over the person in the snow, painting him with tints of colour, like bold strokes of red on paper.

Ling Xiaoxiao had always thought this person before her was very attractive to look at. However, because he was the cool and silent type, he did not leave much impression on people. Now that she thought back to it, he had always been the one to [3] sit in the background as others chatted.

However, right then, when they saw him strolling under the red rays of the sun, they could not help but relax their breath and placed all their attention on him.

When he finally reached them and exchanged words with Dong-Fang, she sighed [1]. Once again, she thought back to the image just now.

What a beautiful sight.

This kind of deep appreciation had nothing to do with love. It was closer to a pure appreciation of something beautiful.

“You’ve finally broken through!” Dong-Fang happily threw his arms around Qing Chen. “Here I thought you might encounter some problems like last time. Fortunately [1] the night passed through without incident. If the others heard you’ve made it, they would certainly be relieved.”

Qing Chen smiled, “I’ve made you worried.”

“So, what? You still managed to breakthrough. Now I don’t have to slog through those ancient books to see if I can find a way to help you. You’re one of my big headaches, you know?” said Dong-Fang. “Come, come, I’m going to throw a party to celebrate your breakthrough.”

Knowing that the other was happy for him, Qing Chen did not refuse the offer but said instead, “It’s fine to have just a few people. Let’s not make it too crowded.”

“Why not?”

Qing Chen’s answer was very calm, “Because I’m shy.”

Dong-Fang nearly [1] spit up blood.

“Y-y-y-y-you, fine! As you wish! As you wish!”

In the end, the banquet was only attended by a few people from the College. During the feast Dong-Fang kept sighing now and again, reminiscing about Shiyu’s craftsmanship.

However, it was not long before Qing Chen gave him a critical hit. “You may wax nostalgia for Shiyu’s craft alone. I shall be going to the Sacred Universe.”

Dong-Fang was very hurt, “You’re all leaving me!”

These days, ever since Liu Suifeng had disappeared off to goodness knows where he often came to visit Qing Chen and the relationship between the two had gotten much better than before.

Now with Qing Chen also leaving, he would really be the only one in their group left behind.

However, his sadness lasted only for a moment. “Well, when you see Xiao Shi at Sacred Universe Kingdom, tell her that as long as I’m around, Eastern Empire will be her backer!”

If you owe people something you must pay them back. It was thanks to her that he was able to reach Divine Transformation level. What’s more, the choice to back Shiyu doesn’t sacrifice Eastern Empire in any way. In fact, it was most likely a win-win situation.

“I shall carry your message to her,” promised Qing Chen.

 

Please read this at kitchennovel dot com ~

 

Another day later, Qing Chen and Ling Xiaoxiao set off for their journey.

[1] Patriarch Ling was persuaded by Ling Xiaoxiao’s vision, and to support her, he decided to send a group of people to Sacred Universe Empire first.

[4] Before leaving the Imperial Capital, Ling Xiaoxiao told the subordinates, “You go ahead to Sacred Universe and settle yourself there. I will stop by the Spiritual Beast Mountain Range before heading that way. [4] You should get there in half a month from the flying monster station.”

Although the leader of the group was unsure why the young lady decided to change her schedule, [4] it did not conflict with their original instructions from Patriarch, which was to leave for Sacred Universe first.

 

[5] As for the reason behind Ling Xiaoxiao and Qing Chen’s unscheduled stop at Spiritual Beast Mountain Range, it was to meet with the three Pandas.

When Shiyu left, the Pandas had intended to go with her. However, fearing they would cause trouble, the brothers stayed back at Spiritual Beast Mountain Range with Shiyu’s family.

After [1] learning from Ling Xiaoxiao that there were no Divine Transformation experts within Grand Martial City, Qing Chen decided that it was alright to bring the Pandas with them. Moreover, the north of the city was close to the Mountain Range. The brothers could escape there if something happen.

After considering matters a little more, Qing Chen decided to take the brothers with them.

 

Time passed by in a flash. A blink and 10 days were gone.

Shiyu spent this time working on her heat control. After some time, she managed to achieve some improvement. Today she was going to try and make something that tested the combined ability of knife work and heat control. She was going to make Stir-fried Double Crisp for Fat Cat to review.

Speaking of which, when she arrived at [1] Sacred Universe Kingdom, she found that it was located near both the sea and mountain. Therefore things like pork kidney, one of the key ingredients in the dish could be easily found. The other key ingredient, jellyfish, could be found near the coastal areas.

This dish is quite delicious, fragrant and crisp. The time spent in the wok should be short, about 10 seconds only. Otherwise, the ingredients will become too hard and rubbery if cooked too long. Moreover, the tossing skill must be good, otherwise, the heat would not be properly distributed on the food.

Shiyu used the treehouse kitchen to make this dish. It was already evening but the three cooks have not gone home yet. They were curious what the master would do today.

After getting all the ingredients ready, Shiyu looked very relaxed. She was fairly used to the stir-fry method. As for the wok tossing method, with her current strength, she would have no problem with it. Therefore, she was relatively sure that she could master the Stir-fry Double Crisp soon.

The ingredients were all ordinary things. Therefore, Shiyu did not use Ocean Heart Flame but an ordinary stove to cook her dish.

Once the fire rose and the rapeseed oil [6] heated up, a distinctive aroma wafted from the wok. If the rapeseed oil is not heated to a certain point, it would smell ‘grassy’ which is not good. If she put the ingredients in before the oil is properly heated up, the dish would be stained with this grassy flavour.

Therefore, before she threw in the ingredients, she should check the oil carefully through her sense of smell.

[7] The scent of the oil differs in different stages of cooking, which would tell her when to put in the ingredients.

 

[Gumihou: I think, Qing Chen is author-san’s secret favourite character. She only ever lavishes such abstract description on him. He was never xx in yy colour]

 

We now have Glossaries for Character, Cultivation Terms, Clan Names, Restaurants & Places

 

[1] Some small adjustments for smoother delivery: Such as removing ‘however’, ‘at the same time’ when it was not, in fact, needed at all

[2] Eyes filled with snow, I kid you not. I guess his eyes are completely white? Also, the description is very abstract…

[3] You mean, along with 70% of the group? The only chatty people there are Shiyu, Feng Luo, Dong-Fang and… nobody else.

[4] Adjust sentence so that it makes sense: Not sure why the sentence starts with ‘however’. The paragraph is also a little odd and contradicts the previous paragraph. I think it’s supposed to show that Ling Xiaoxiao is clever and decisive? Except there’s nothing for her to show so it’s just making drama out of nothing. Deleted three ‘first’, ‘see you in half a month’, ‘at the same time’, ‘still obey her instruction’

[5] Are you paid by the number of words? :

‘The reason why Qing Chen and Ling Xiaoxiao were heading towards Spiritual Beast Mountain Range instead of heading straight for Sacred Universe Kingdom was entirely because the three Pandas are now at Spiritual Beast Mountain Range.’

[6] Rapeseed Oil/Caiziyou – for once, the information given is correct. I think it’s because this is the preferred oil to make Mala Oil

https://themalamarket.com/products/caizi-you-sichuan-roasted-rapeseed-oil

Mala Oil information and recipe

“Caiziyou differs from other vegetable oils. Below 410-464F (210-240C), the rapeseed oil will smell “raw” or grassy. To rid this raw quality, the oil must first be heated until smoking and allowed to cool before using.”

 https://blog.themalamarket.com/sichuan-chili-oil-recipe/

[7] Scent of oil will be different… Actually, this move isn’t necessary if you’re clever about it. Just cook the oil on the wok until it starts to smoke, then lower the fire and you can get on with the next step.

 

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