Chapter 4 – Crazy about eating
Upon hearing this, Ye Changqing began to cook the noodles, while the three of them curiously approached the large table.
As they got closer, they caught a whiff of an enticing aroma, their eyes instantly locking onto the bowl of minced sauce from which the fragrance emanated.
"It smells so good."
Their expressions changed, the aroma making their mouths water, and the cravings in their stomachs erupted completely at that moment.
"Junior Brother Changqing, did you make this?"
Drooling at the mouth, they turned to Ye Changqing and asked.
"That's right."
"Could we... have a taste?"
"Don't rush, Senior Brothers. This minced sauce is best enjoyed with noodles."
Hearing this, Ye Changqing's mouth twitched. Just a moment ago, they seemed indifferent.
Upon hearing this, the three of them refrained from reaching out and obediently stood by the table. However, their eyes shone with an insatiable hunger as they stared at the bowl of minced sauce, drool trickling from their mouths.
"Damn, Junior Brother, your drool is dripping on my shoes."
"Senior Brother, you're no better. Your collar is soaked."
"Ah..."
They had never felt time pass so slowly. Looking at the bowl of minced sauce and then at Ye Changqing cooking the noodles, the three of them wondered why the noodles were taking so long today.
Usually, the noodles were ready as soon as the water boiled.
"Junior Brother Changqing, is it ready yet?"
This was the third time they had urged him. Hearing this, Ye Changqing replied helplessly.
"Just one more boil, Senior Brothers, please be patient."
"How can we not be anxious? As the saying goes, if you're not eager to eat, there's something wrong with you. Junior Brother Changqing, I think it's almost done. I prefer my noodles a bit firm."
For a taste of the minced sauce, the three of them had thrown all dignity aside.
Previously, they only came to the kitchen when they had no other choice, but now they were eager to eat.
As the three waited, other menial disciples also arrived one after another, entering the courtyard.
Like the three before them, they were initially stunned upon seeing the large pot and table, but soon after catching a whiff of the minced sauce, they too became restless.
The aroma was simply irresistible to them.
"Junior Brother Changqing, is it ready yet?"
"I can't wait any longer. How about you just give me a bowl of raw noodles, Junior Brother? I usually enjoy raw food."
The noodles for the first three Senior Brothers were ready, and Ye Changqing added the minced sauce, green onions, cucumbers, and other toppings for them.
He also instructed the three to mix the noodles and minced sauce thoroughly before eating.
The already irresistible aroma of the minced sauce became even more enticing as the three mixed it, causing everyone around to drool uncontrollably.
"Damn, it really smells amazing."
"I wonder what it tastes like."
All the Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers stared intently at the three, eager to know what this never-before-seen braised noodle dish tasted like.
As the three lifted a mouthful of noodles with their chopsticks and brought it to their mouths, everyone held their breath, waiting for their verdict.
Meanwhile, Ye Changqing, who was still cooking the noodles, shook his head and chuckled. How did eating noodles become such a tense affair?
"Junior Brother, how is it? How does it taste?"
"Is it good?"
Seeing the three chewing their noodles with expressions of utter enjoyment, the other Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers anxiously inquired.
Just give us a word on whether it's good or not.
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The three didn't answer, but in the next moment, they transformed into bottomless pits, devouring the noodles in their bowls with the speed of a storm.
It was as if they hadn't eaten in days. Seeing this, everyone present knew that these braised noodles had to be delicious.
One by one, they crowded around Ye Changqing, eagerly awaiting their own bowl of noodles.
For a moment, the entire courtyard of the kitchen was filled with clamoring voices.
"Junior Brother Changqing, give me a larger portion. I've been cultivating my body recently, and my appetite has grown."
"Weren't you saying yesterday that you were going to switch to alchemy and planned to move to the Medicine King Peak? What body cultivation? Junior Brother, don't listen to him. I've been working on crafting, give me a large bowl."
"Junior Brother, is it ready yet? Look, the noodles are already floating. It's done, it's done."
"Junior Brother, where are my raw noodles? I don't like cooked food, just give me the raw noodles."
More than twenty people surrounded Ye Changqing, shouting and clamoring, but Ye Changqing remained unfazed, methodically cooking the noodles.
This large pot could cook at least a dozen bowls of noodles at once.
Before long, the second batch of noodles was ready. Seeing this, the eyes of the many Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers turned red, looking at those dozen bowls of noodles as if they were priceless treasures.
The oldest Senior Brother among them spoke up.
"Fellow Junior Brothers, I believe our Dao Yi Sect has always upheld the tradition of respecting the elderly and cherishing the young, so these braised noodles..."
"They're mine."
Before the Senior Brother could finish speaking, the other Junior Brothers shouted in unison, rushing forward and pushing him out of the crowd.
"I was here first. First come, first served, don't you know?"
"Didn't you hear the Senior Brother say to respect the elderly and cherish the young? I'm the Senior Brother, so you should let me have this bowl."
"No way, anything else is negotiable, but this bowl of braised noodles must be mine."
"Junior Brother, I'll give you a Body Refinement Pill if you let me have this bowl of braised noodles first. How about it?"
"I'll give you two. Senior Brother, let go."
For a bowl of braised noodles, the Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers were even willing to trade a Body Refinement Pill.
It's important to know that the Body Refinement Pill is a necessary pill for Body Refinement cultivators, and as menial disciples, they only receive ten pills a month.
Yet now, they were willing to trade it for a bowl of braised noodles.
Moreover, none of them had even tasted it yet, but just from the aroma, they were certain that these braised noodles were a culinary delight. Otherwise, why did the first three eat as if they were starving beasts?
The speed at which they ate was simply inhuman.
In fact, if anyone had the most authority to speak on the matter, it would undoubtedly be the three Senior Brothers who had already tasted the noodles.
At this moment, the three of them had finished their large bowls of braised noodles. The aroma was enticing, but the taste was even more exquisite, leaving them wanting more.
The sauce mixed with the noodles created a flavor that was simply irresistible.
So, after finishing one bowl, the three of them didn't hesitate and quickly approached Ye Changqing.
"Junior Brother, another bowl, please."
As soon as they said this, the other Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers, who were still fighting over the braised noodles, all turned their eyes towards the three, each with a dangerous glint in their eyes.
The oldest Senior Brother among them put on a half-smile and said,
"I think you should line up and let the other Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers who haven't eaten yet have their turn. What do you say?"
For a moment, the pressure from more than twenty Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers made the three of them swallow nervously. Their rational minds told them to listen to the Senior Brother, but their mouths betrayed them.
"But Senior Brother, I still want to eat."
Meanwhile, another disciple had already grabbed a bowl of braised noodles. Mimicking the three, he mixed it thoroughly and took a bite, his entire being seemingly transcending in that instant.
"So... delicious."
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