AST 1623 - Regarding Tantai Lingyan’s Initiative, Night Demon Mountain (1/2)

The thought of these made Tantai Lingyan's face even redder as she headed out after getting dressed. The sky had just darkened when she went out. Remembering the fact that she hadn’t eaten, she was reminded that the same went for Qing Shui. Opening the door to her room, she walked out.

At the same time, Qing Shui was done taking a shower as well, washing off the heat that was surging inside his body. The agony had made him both miserable and happy. When Qing Shui heard the knock on the door, he froze for a moment. He had already identified the owner of this presence and only froze from his surprise.

Opening the door, he saw Tantai Lingyan standing outside his door, her face still with the trace of a blush. Qing Shui knew naturally that her hint of color was different from before. He smiled happily at the sight of her. ”Come in and sit!”

Tantai Lingyan walked in without speaking, a faint fragrance drifted through the air. It left Qing Shui with a surreal feeling.

“You surprised me with your presence.” Looking up at the sky, Qing Shui chuckled.

Qing Shui did that on purpose. Since Tantai Lingyan was here—although he couldn’t be direct, there were still subtle hints that he had to show. It wasn’t to take advantage of her, but to allow them to feel closer.

”I haven't eaten yet.” Tantai Lingyan said softly.

Although Qing Shui knew that Tantai Lingyan didn’t come to engage in anything with him, neither did she come embarrassed. He smiled and asked, ”What do you want to eat? I’ll make it for you.”

Qing Shui was chauvinistic at times as well but his form of chauvinism was special. For example, in the face of danger, he would face it on his own and never allowed his women to do so. Even so, he would still cook for them.

He didn’t think that cooking was a shameful thing for men to do. Most of the men on the Nine Continents didn’t cook, regardless of how successful or not they were.

There was even a lower probability for those who were successful to cook since there were others who could do it instead. Those who weren’t successful had their women to cook for them. It was only right for women to cook. Doing the laundry was also something that was a rightful task for women since the ancient past.

Qing Shui was like this in his previous life as well. As time went by, many strong women advocated equality between men and women, monogamy between husband and wife and so on. Although they still weren’t completely equal, they were to an extent. In the past life, there were many men who would cook in the kitchen. Compared to this world, there were a lot more of them at that time.

Tantai Lingyan watched Qing Shui as he proceeded to the kitchen with a smile on his face. She was a woman but she didn’t know how to cook. She was a powerful warrior who could go on without eating for a long time.

Qing Shui was pleased that Tantai Lingyan had come to tell him she hadn’t eaten. It was an obvious excuse. With their level of cultivation, they could go on without eating for half a month. With that said, eating could still strengthen their internal organs as well as other benefits. So, if they had a choice, they would still have three meals a day.

Even more than that was the fact that eating was a form of enjoyment. The desire for food and sex was natural among humans. Hence, they had delicacies for land and sea for meals or local specialties.

There were many people like that. Thus, it was how the food and catering industry in this world continued to develop. No matter if a person was powerful or otherwise, food was in great demand.

Qing Shui took a lot of ingredients from the Realm of the Violet Jade Immortal and started making their meal. He was very skilled and happy, putting his all in it. Everyone could do well in anything when they put their minds to it. Cooking was no exception. Furthermore, Qing Shui was already naturally gifted in cooking. His cooking skills and medical skills were not inferior to anyone, or at least, he hadn’t met any as of now.

Realm of the Violet Jade Immortal had amassed too much spice. More than a dozen other spices were the work of his Realm of the Violet Jade Immortal.

Qing Shui knew that Tantai Lingyan wasn’t here just for food but he couldn’t be sure. At least he could tell that she wasn’t here entirely for dinner, but he still wanted to make it well.

In his past life, there was a saying that the stomach was the way to a man’s heart. Qing Shui didn’t know if it was applicable towards women but he felt that it should be useful nonetheless.

Soon enough, the tantalizing aroma began to spread. Tantai Lingyan believed that she had strong self-control but nonetheless caught herself anticipating the dishes as well. She looked at the exquisite and aesthetically pleasing dishes, taking in their fragrant aroma. She could hardly believe that meals could be this well done.

Qing Shui spotted Tantai Lingyan by the kitchen door and laughed. ”Do you want to try to cook?”

”I don’t know how, so I had better not.” Tantai Lingyan said quickly, but Qing Shui could tell that she wanted to try or even to learn.

”Come on, give it a try. Actually, ingredients play a huge role in the preparation so yours would be just as fragrant. Just try it if you don’t believe me.” Qing Shui said with a smile.

Tantai Lingyan nodded and smiled after some thought before Qing Shui began instructing her on the sequence of ingredients and steps for the most basic dish.

With Qing Shui's ingredients and his instructions on when to pour them in, the process was similar to Qing Shui’s. After all, the most difficult thing about cooking was the control of the flame. Qing Shui was already doing it for her.

Tantai Lingyan could not believe it when she caught a whiff of the aroma. She had tried cooking before but she didn’t think she did a good job at all. Hence, she never did it again. She believed it must have something to do with the ingredients too. After all, one cannot accomplish one's intentions if they lack the necessary materials. Still, she knew that the main reason for this was because Qing Shui had been there to tell her what to do.

Carrying the finished dishes to the table, Qing Shui took out Plum Blossom Wine and two small crystal-like tripods. They were three-legged, the type of small tripod for drinking in ancient times.

Tantai Lingyan looked at them. The wine inside was clear like spring water but the scent of the wine was not drowned by the meal’s aroma. She knew that it was Plum Blossom Wine. Qing Shui had previously gifted it to her but she didn’t drink it often.