Chapter 36: I Want Immortal Ascension (Part 5)
Liu Sheng delicately took the apron, pinching it between her index finger and thumb. It was stained with various brown marks, like dried blood.
She was disgusted internally, but put on a grateful expression, and forced herself to wear it. Fortunately, it didn't smell strange.
“Excuse me, where can I wash my hands?” Liu Sheng asked.
“Very good. The first rule of being a chef is to be clean and hygienic.”
Pig-Head Chef smiled appreciatively, but his smile, with its yellowed fangs exposed, looked even more terrifying.
“There’s a well out the back door, but don’t draw water from it. I’ve placed a bucket of clean water next to it.”
Only then did Liu Sheng notice a small wooden door at the back of the kitchen.
Stepping out of the wooden door, she found a small Courtyard, divided into neat plots of land, filled with strange dark green plants. She could barely make out eggplants that looked like they had tumors, cabbages covered in blisters, and radishes that seemed to be stirring in the ground.
In the center of the small Courtyard was a well, and indeed, a bucket of water was placed beside it.
As she approached the well, she smelled a stench of decay. Using the moonlight, Liu Sheng peeked in with her Little Tentacle and saw a human figure in the well, its body folded in half and stuffed inside.
“Who would dare to draw water from this…” Liu Sheng muttered, scooping a ladle of water from the bucket to wash her hands.
Back in the kitchen, the basin of “dumpling filling” had been placed on the wooden table by the window.
Meanwhile, Pig-Head Chef was skillfully kneading dough on the stove, forming it into long strips, cutting it into small pieces, and then rolling each piece into a snow-white, round dumpling wrapper. Soon, a stack of wrappers was made.
His movements were surprisingly pleasant to watch; if not for his terrifying pig head, he could almost rival any human chef.
Liu Sheng tried to overcome her unease, doing her best not to think about the source of the meat filling, and instead focused on making dumplings.
She took a dumpling wrapper in her palm, spooned a dollop of filling into the center, then folded the wrapper in half and pinched the edges to seal them, creating a plump and delicate dumpling.
Pig-Head Chef glanced at the dumplings Liu Sheng made, his brows relaxed, showing great satisfaction. Then he concentrated on rolling more wrappers.
One pig, one person; one rolling wrappers, one making dumplings. Their cooperation was seamless, and soon, rows of dumplings appeared on the table.
When Pig-Head Chef saw there were enough wrappers, he stopped and helped make dumplings.
Before long, the dumpling filling was used up, and the table was covered with beautiful, jade-like dumplings, seemingly out of place in this eerie and bloody kitchen.
Pig-Head Chef ladled some of the simmering broth into a small pot, brought it to a boil, then added a dozen or so dumplings. After the water boiled and the dumplings floated three times, he gently scooped them out with a slotted spoon and placed them in a large bowl.
He brought the steaming bowl of dumplings directly to Liu Sheng, offering her chopsticks and a spoon.
“You’re not bad. This is your payment for today. Hurry and try the dumplings you made while they’re hot.”
For some reason, Liu Sheng felt quite pleased hearing Pig-Head Chef’s praise at that moment.
Although she still didn't know what kind of meat the filling was, the dumplings in front of her, plump and hot with filling, floated in the broth, emitting an enticing aroma that made her mouth water.
Liu Sheng, who hadn't eaten for who knew how many days, could no longer resist the temptation. Moreover, she knew that not eating would only anger Pig-Head Chef, so she mentally prepared herself, scooped up a dumpling, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and put the dumpling into her mouth.
Unexpectedly, the dumpling was exceptionally delicious. The wrapper was smooth and thin, and the strange, mysterious meat filling was savory and juicy, bursting with a peculiar and wonderful flavor in her mouth. It had both the richness of meat and the freshness of vegetables, making her instinctively want a second bite, then a third.
Liu Sheng devoured the large bowl of dumplings like a whirlwind, even drinking every last drop of the remaining broth. The broth was also incredibly rich and fragrant, making for a perfect ending.
Pig-Head Chef watched Liu Sheng eat the dumplings, and a rare hint of tenderness appeared in his fierce eyes.
“All right, that’s enough work for today.”
Pig-Head Chef also reminded her in a deep voice, his tone meaningful.
“And you should go back now.”
Liu Sheng looked out at the moon through the window frame; now only a thin sliver of moon remained in the sky.
【You must never go out when the moon is completely dark.】
Liu Sheng untied the apron and returned it to Pig-Head Chef, hastily saying thanks before running outside.
She could still remember the way back. Having eaten a large bowl of dumplings, she felt warm all over and full of energy, running incredibly fast.
On the way, she saw a few scattered figures helping each other, rushing back.
Everyone was hurrying along, the moonlight gradually dimming, and the night growing deeper.
Everything around was unusually quiet, with only the hurried footsteps echoing on the bluestone path.
Finally, she returned to Xichun Dormitory. By now, the moonlight had completely vanished, and the Courtyard, without any lights, was pitch black, making it impossible to see one's hand. From near and far, the panicked sounds of those Disciples who hadn't made it back in time could be heard.
Fortunately, Liu Sheng had “Mom’s” Guai Qi eyes, which allowed her to not only see with normal vision but also determine direction by sensing Guai Qi.
Liu Sheng relied on her Little Tentacle to run through the long corridor, up the stairs, and to room “Ugly Twelve,” entering and closing the door in one fluid motion.
She leaned against the door, panting heavily, filled with lingering fear.
Outside, screams rose and fell, breaking the previously frozen silence.
Inside the room, it was dim. The Little Tentacle scanned around, confirming that only Liu Sheng was inside. Her three good roommates had truly vanished.
Liu Sheng fumbled her way to the small table, took out a tinderbox, and lit the small candle.
As the faint candlelight flickered, Liu Sheng finally felt a sense of security, and her mood gradually calmed down.
Time slowly passed in silence. The screams outside gradually faded, replaced by a deathly stillness.
Liu Sheng sat at the small table, dipped her brush in ink, took a piece of paper, and began to write.
Next time, she absolutely couldn't be so rushed.
When the complete darkness had fallen just now, she could feel an indescribable presence behind her, staring at her, as if thousands of eyes were gazing at her with malice, causing a layer of goosebumps to rise on her skin.
At that moment, a gradually approaching chill also crept up her back, as if a hand was reaching for her spine. Just as its fingertips almost touched her, she stepped into the room.
But the Little Tentacle saw nothing, only darkness as thick as substance behind her.
This time, she was lucky to have Pig-Head Chef’s reminder, but she might not be so lucky next time.
She needed to plan her time carefully.
She drew the phases of the moon in a circle on the paper, then drew a large circle around the full moon.
The grotesque meat lump had appeared during the full moon. If it only appeared once every half a day, then its next appearance should be around...
Liu Sheng looked at the moon phase opposite the full moon—it was the time of the new moon!
In other words, it was right now!
Outside the door, a slow, deliberate knocking sound began.
Thump, thump, thump.
It sounded as if someone was hitting the door with their head.
And not just one head.
I made myself hungry writing this _(:з」∠)_