Chapter 024: It Really Spat Fire

Xiao Yang was slightly taken aback. "Is that a poem?"

Guan Yun replied seriously, "It is!"

Duan Fei laughed. "A mishmash of nonsense, it makes no sense!"

Guan Yun said, "If you’re so capable, write one yourself."

Duan Fei retorted, "I’ll admit, when it comes to martial cultivation, I’m not your equal. But as for poetry, I’m certainly not inferior!"

Guan Yun challenged, "Then compose one!"

Duan Fei coughed lightly, cleared his throat, but produced nothing.

Guan Yun pressed, "Go on then, compose!"

Duan Fei stood up, waved his hands, and sighed. "Ah… I don’t have your thick skin. I concede."

Guan Yun chuckled, "Admitting defeat is admitting defeat. Tonight, we’ll share the chef’s delicacies!"

Duan Fei’s expression changed. "I’m not eating!"

Guan Yun replied, "Then write a poem!"

Duan Fei frowned. "I don’t have the nerve, I won’t compose!"

Guan Yun said, "Then you’ll eat the chef’s delicacies! Choose one of the two."

Duan Fei grumbled, "I don’t want either."

Guan Yun stood up. "Then let’s duel. If you win, we’ll do as you say."

Duan Fei looked miserable. "Brother, you’re a second rank martial artist, I’m just first rank. Is there any point in competing?"

Guan Yun insisted, "That’s settled then. Eat! Today is Xiao Yang’s first visit to the dormitory, you should join in."

Duan Fei was nearly in tears. "Alright! I’ll just take one bite, is that fine?"

Guan Yun smiled slightly. "Eat one bite first, then we’ll see. As for how much, you’ll listen to the chef."

Xiao Yang sat there, watching the two argue back and forth, observing Duan Fei’s expression, and recalling Zhang Ren’s words in his mind.

He stood up, lowering his voice. "Tell me, is the chef’s cooking really that terrible?"

Guan Yun smiled calmly. "Not at all."

Duan Fei sighed. "It’s not terrible, but it’s deadly! You’ll understand soon enough!"

Xiao Yang was astonished. Not terrible, but deadly? Could it be poisonous?

That didn’t make sense. Guan Yun could eat it, so it couldn’t be poisonous.

If the food wasn’t poisonous, and not hard to eat, how could it be deadly?

Neither Guan Yun nor Duan Fei explained further, simply watching Xiao Yang with an expression that said, ‘You’ll soon understand.’

Not long after, a cheer erupted from Jiang Shaohuang’s room. "It’s done!"

The three of them turned toward the door of Spring Hall. Soon, Jiang Shaohuang, his corpulent body quivering, carried out a long wooden tray, upon which sat three large covered soup bowls and three sets of chopsticks and bowls.

"Come, come… the feast has arrived!" Jiang Shaohuang walked with surprising agility for his size, his steps swift and light, the tray steady in his hands.

He approached the stone table and set down the three large soup bowls, distributing a set of bowl and chopsticks to each of them.

Xiao Yang noticed, "There’s one set missing."

Jiang Shaohuang replied, "No, just three sets."

Xiao Yang asked, "You’re not eating?"

Jiang Shaohuang answered, "As a gourmet, the divine aromas during cooking are enough to satiate me."

After wiping the sweat from his face, Jiang Shaohuang solemnly declared, "Three exquisite dishes, prepared with care by Gourmet Jiang Shaohuang, for the enjoyment of my fellow residents!"

He reached out and slowly lifted the lid of the first soup bowl. "The first delicacy: Flaming Stewed White Stag!"

The moment the lid was lifted, a burst of flame shot up.

Inside the soup bowl was not soup, but chunks of stag meat, each piece crowned with a layer of fire—who knows what spices were used.

Next, Jiang Shaohuang uncovered the second bowl. "The second delicacy: Flaming Stewed Sky Duck!"

Again, chunks of meat, each wrapped in flames.

Immediately, he opened the third lid. "The third delicacy: Flaming Stewed Azure Dragon!"

It looked much the same—flames dancing atop chunks of meat.

White Stag and Sky Duck—Xiao Yang was familiar with both, each a third-rank beast.

But this Azure Dragon?

How could there be an Azure Dragon?

Xiao Yang gazed at Jiang Shaohuang in surprise.

Jiang Shaohuang sensed his gaze. "The beast used for the third dish is the Azure Python—renamed Azure Dragon for symmetry in the menu."

Azure Python—a fifth-rank beast!

Of these three dishes, two used third-rank beast meat and one used fifth-rank. The price of beast meat multiplied with rank; White Stag, Sky Duck, and Azure Python were not cheap, especially the last.

And the perpetual flames—what fuel fed them? The spices couldn’t be cheap either.

Yet as Xiao Yang looked at the flames licking the dishes, he hesitated… Was it edible?

Guan Yun looked at Xiao Yang. "You’re our guest today. Please, begin."

Duan Fei echoed, "You first, you first!"

Xiao Yang eyed the three flaming dishes. "How does one eat something on fire?"

Jiang Shaohuang explained, "Rest assured, the flames are virtual, infused from Fire Pepper. Try placing your hand over them—it won’t burn. I guarantee the Fire Pepper draws out all the beast meat’s spiritual energy; it’s a superb tonic for the body, immensely beneficial to martial cultivation."

Xiao Yang reached out and tested the flames atop each dish. As promised, they were warm but not scalding—about fifty degrees.

At that temperature, water could be drunk directly—it wouldn’t burn a person.

He took up his chopsticks and picked a piece of White Stag meat, placing it in his bowl.

The meat burned with persistent flame, yet the heat was not enough to char it, preserving a vibrant red appearance—tempting and appetizing.

Xiao Yang raised the bowl, brought the meat close, and tasted it.

A bit spicy, but delicious.

Not hard to eat at all!

Then, he took a large bite of the flaming White Stag meat.

It was indeed delicious; beast meat was inherently flavorful, and Jiang Shaohuang possessed real culinary skill.

Delighted, Xiao Yang felt his worries melt away, and took another piece.

This time, he bit off half the chunk, savoring the rich and spicy flavors that flooded his mouth, his tastebuds thoroughly gratified.

The White Stag meat was stewed to softness, breaking apart easily and sliding down his throat.

Jiang Shaohuang, Guan Yun, and Duan Fei stared at Xiao Yang, petrified, eyes fixed upon him.

Just as Xiao Yang was puzzled, suddenly—his expression changed.

From his mouth, down his throat to his stomach, the spiciness intensified rapidly, growing ever stronger.

The temperature, already bordering on scalding at fifty degrees, was tolerable, but distinctly hot.

Combined with the spice, the sensation grew overwhelming.

Now, the burning feeling surged, and Xiao Yang felt as though flames ignited from mouth to stomach, pain spreading through his body, making him tremble.

"Ah—!"

Xiao Yang opened his mouth, exhaling a breath—and a plume of fire burst forth.

He jumped in fright. My goodness! He was literally breathing fire!