Chapter 45: My Big Grilled Yellow Croaker

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: My Big Grilled Yellow Croaker

After harassing Qin Zhan and Lou Xiaotian, Uncle Li tossed aside his constantly vibrating One World Communication and watched Lu Wu prepare the fish.

About half an hour later, Lu Wu took out the fish, which had been marinating under a mountain of scallions, ginger, and garlic.

A grill was set up to the side, its stove filled with red-hot coals that produced very little smoke.

This was top-grade fruitwood charcoal. As it burned, it released a unique, clean fragrance that would add another dimension to the food’s flavor during grilling.

Once the coals were ready, Lu Wu skewered the fish, placed them on the grill, and brushed them with a layer of oil.

As oil dripped onto the charcoal, the flames burned with a CRACKLE and POP.

There was a spicy one, a cumin-dusted one, a garlic-flavored one, and another to be glazed with honey. Seeing that Lu Wu had her hands full, Uncle Li offered to help.

The grilled fish were turned over the coals, cooking evenly on both sides. As layers of sauce were brushed on, the resulting aroma, intermingled with the flames, shot straight into their noses.

As time and heat worked their magic, the unique, piquant aroma of the chili peppers began to fill the entire courtyard, an intoxicating scent.

This spicy aroma gradually fused with the fish, and the skin began to turn a glistening golden-brown.

The tantalizing, charred aroma kept Uncle Li rooted in front of the grill, unwilling to move an inch.

An occasional spark flew up and set his hair alight, but he couldn’t care less. He just patted it out and continued his watch.

From his unblinking stare, anyone who didn’t know better would have thought he was gazing at a peerless beauty.

But in Uncle Li’s eyes at that moment, probably not even the greatest beauty in the Green Origin Realm could compare to the allure of the grilled fish before him.

Lu Wu peeked over and announced,

"It’s ready to eat."

’It’s ready!’

Just as Uncle Li was about to make his move, a knock came from the front gate.

Uncle Li swept his Spiritual Sense over the gate and saw the two people outside. His expression immediately soured.

’He’d forgotten to activate the restriction on the gate.’

Watching Lu Wu get up to open the gate, and then glancing back at the fish on the grill, Uncle Li knew his gloating had finally come back to bite him.

"Boss Lu, I noticed you liked tea last time, so I brought you some more."

Qin Zhan handed over a canister of tea leaves.

The Holy Sword Sect’s unique Spiritual Tea—a priceless and unobtainable treasure on the open market—was being used by Qin Zhan as a mere excuse.

He craned his neck to look past Lu Wu and saw the fish on the grill, practically begging him to dig in. He let out a soft sigh of relief.

’Thankfully, I made it in time.’

Qin Zhan completely ignored Uncle Li’s murderous glare.

Delicious food was at stake; everything else could wait.

"Boss Lu, that wine you asked me to keep an eye out for went on sale today. I was worried you wouldn’t have time, so I bought some for you."

Lou Xiaotian, standing beside him, was not to be outdone.

He clutched a wine jar, his once cool and aloof demeanor completely gone.

Just like Qin Zhan, he was peeking inside. They had clearly come prepared but were pretending it was all a coincidence.

"What a coincidence."

Lu Wu took their gifts and smiled at the sight of the two men standing at the gate, their eyes shifting nervously.

"I just happened to grill some fish. Come on in and have some."

"Oh, we couldn’t possibly."

Though his words were modest, Qin Zhan’s actions were anything but. He dashed inside in a flash.

"You’re too kind, Boss Lu."

Lou Xiaotian gave a reserved nod and slipped past Lu Wu.

Standing at the gate with the wine jar in one hand and the tea canister in the other, Lu Wu raised an eyebrow. Only after stowing the items away did she have a free hand to close the gate. ℯℯ𝑙.

A restrictive ward flashed over the gate, completely sealing it off from any other potential visitors.

In the small courtyard, the four sat around a table, staring at the grilled fish, chopsticks poised eagerly in their hands.

"It’s a new recipe. I’d appreciate it if you’d help me taste-test it."

The words had barely left Lu Wu’s mouth when the three men’s chopsticks moved so fast they left afterimages.

The charred skin of the grilled fish was pushed aside, releasing a cloud of hot steam.

Both its aroma and color were impeccable.

As their taste buds savored the fish—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside—the men couldn’t help but praise it in unison.

"Delicious."

Lou Xiaotian had slightly burned his tongue, but he couldn’t even bear to open his mouth to let the heat escape, terrified he might drop the precious morsel.

"One word: incredible!"

Uncle Li gave Lu Wu a thumbs-up.

He might have been the oldest one present, but the agility of his arms left Lu Wu speechless with admiration.

Fortunately, no one was competing with her, the chef, for food.

She also took a piece with her chopsticks.

Biting into the fish skin produced a satisfyingly crisp CRUNCH.

It was so crispy that one couldn’t bear to let even the tiniest crumb go to waste.

The meat inside remained succulent and tender after grilling, not the least bit tough or dry. It was so good you wanted to swallow your own tongue.

Lu Wu tried another flavor. This fish had been brushed with honey water while grilling, giving it a faint sweetness. The pleasant aftertaste lingered long after she had swallowed.

The clean fragrance of the fruitwood charcoal had melded most perfectly with this fish.

"Mmmmph!"

Qin Zhan could only make muffled sounds, too busy eating to speak.

His eyes were locked on the spicy grilled fish—his favorite flavor.

His chopsticks shot out like lightning, snatching the most tender piece of belly meat. In one fluid motion, he lifted it and stuffed it into his mouth.

Lou Xiaotian, a step too slow, saw the prime cut snatched away by Qin Zhan. He decided to switch targets to the other fish, only to see the old man opposite him, with deceptively light movements, already claim the belly of the cumin-flavored fish.

The pristine yellow croaker had been defiled. Lou Xiaotian huffed in frustration.

He didn’t dare touch the honey-glazed fish that Boss Lu seemed to favor, so he was determined to claim the last one: the garlic-flavored fish.

But his opponents were too strong, so Lou Xiaotian decided to employ a feint.

Right in front of Qin Zhan, he aimed his chopsticks at the spicy fish. The moment he moved, he saw Qin Zhan’s guarded expression.

Lou Xiaotian pursed his lips to hide his delight.

The instant Qin Zhan moved to block him, his chopsticks descended upon the garlic-flavored fish.

With a firm squeeze, he snapped the fish’s spine. Then, with a single fluid motion, he scooped up more than half the fish and deposited it in his bowl.

’Success!’

Lou Xiaotian’s eyes crinkled into a smile.

Lu Wu licked the lingering sweetness from her lips and silently scraped the last of the honey-glazed fish into her own bowl.

Qin Zhan and Lou Xiaotian wouldn’t dare go after her fish, but Uncle Li had been eyeing it like a tiger for some time now.

’I’m the one who cooked it, but I’m afraid I won’t get any if I don’t act fast. Better to make my move now.’

They were supposed to be having a meal, but the air above the table was a flurry of back-and-forth attacks as chopsticks clashed. It was a scene of flashing blades and sword shadows.

The wooden chopsticks were practically making metallic clanging sounds.

After a storm of eating, the table was picked clean.

Even the leftover bits of seasoning were scraped up.

Qin Zhan rubbed his stomach and wiped his mouth in satisfaction.

Now, dressed in his cloud-brocade blue robes, he once again looked like a graceful young nobleman, with no trace of the fierce, almost feral, expression he wore during the meal.

"You guys sit for a bit. I’ll go make some tea."

Lu Wu didn’t have many friends here, just the few in front of her.

She was quite happy to host them.

She gathered the plates and headed for the kitchen. The moment she was gone, the amiable smile on Uncle Li’s face vanished, and his gaze toward the other two men turned as sharp as a drawn sword.

"You’ve had your fun. Isn’t it time you got to work?"

Uncle Li hadn’t revealed his identity before, but their "coincidental" meeting here was no accident.

Even without Uncle Li explaining, both of them knew. This seemingly unremarkable old man was the Great Elder of the Bun Sect, the very person who handed out their benefits.