CFSMS -Chapter 45 My Beautiful Yellow Croaker Grilled Fish!

Old Li, after harassing Qin Zhan and Lou Xiaotian for a while, tossed aside the One-Realm Communicator that had been vibrating nonstop and turned his attention to the fish Lu Wu was preparing.

After being submerged in scallions, ginger, and garlic for about half an hour, the fish were finally taken out by Lu Wu.

A grill had already been set up nearby, with glowing red charcoal burning inside. The smoke was minimal.

This was premium fruitwood charcoal. As it burned, it released a unique fruity wood fragrance that elevated the flavors of whatever was being grilled.

Seeing that the fire was ready, Lu Wu skewered the fish and placed them on the grill before brushing them with a layer of oil.

Drops of oil fell onto the charcoal, causing the flames to crackle and pop.

Spicy, cumin-flavored, garlic-flavored, and even honey-glazed versions were prepared. Seeing that Lu Wu was getting busy, Old Li took the initiative to help.

The fish rotated over the charcoal fire, ensuring both sides cooked evenly. As layer after layer of sauce coated the fish and mingled with the flames, an irresistible aroma surged straight into the nose.

As time worked its magic, the chili peppers, after being heated to high temperatures, began releasing their distinctive spicy fragrance, gradually taking over the entire courtyard.

That spicy aroma slowly fused with the fish meat, while the skin turned a beautiful golden color.

The enticing scent of charred perfection kept Old Li rooted before the grill without moving an inch.

Occasionally, sparks burst from the fire and ignited strands of his hair, but he didn’t care. He simply patted them out and continued standing guard.

Anyone who didn’t know better might think he was admiring some peerless beauty.

But in Old Li’s eyes right now, even the most beautiful woman in the Qingyuan World probably couldn’t compare to the attraction of the grilled fish before him.

Lu Wu leaned over for a glance.

“It’s ready to eat.”

Done!

The moment he heard those words, Old Li reached out to grab some, only to hear knocking at the door.

Sweeping outside with his spiritual sense, Old Li immediately saw who was there, and his face darkened.

He had forgotten to remove the restriction on the door.

Watching Lu Wu get up to answer it, then looking back at the fish on the grill, Old Li finally received karmic retribution for all his earlier showing off.

“Boss Lu, I noticed you like tea last time, so I brought you some more.”

Qin Zhan handed over a tin of tea leaves.

It was the exclusive spiritual tea of the Holy Sword Sect, something nearly impossible to buy even with money. Yet Qin Zhan casually used it as an excuse.

Stretching his neck, he looked past Lu Wu and spotted the fish lying temptingly over the charcoal fire.

He quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Luckily, he had arrived in time.

As for Old Li’s murderous glare, Qin Zhan ignored it completely.

When delicious food was involved, everything else could wait.

“Boss Lu, the wine you asked me to keep an eye on finally became available today. I figured you might not have time to buy it, so I brought it for you.”

Not to be outdone, Lou Xiaotian spoke up.

Holding a wine jar in his arms, the aloofness he once carried was nowhere to be seen.

Like Qin Zhan, he kept peeking inside.

Though both had clearly come prepared, they pretended it was all a coincidence.

“What a coincidence indeed.”

Lu Wu accepted the gifts and smiled at the two men standing awkwardly at the entrance.

“I just grilled some fish. Come in and eat with us.”

“Oh, that’s too much trouble.”

Qin Zhan said that with his mouth, but his actions were remarkably honest. He immediately dashed inside.

“Boss Lu is too kind.”

Lou Xiaotian nodded reservedly and slipped past Lu Wu.

At the doorway, Lu Wu raised an eyebrow while holding the tea tin in one hand and the wine jar in the other.

Only after putting the gifts away did she free up a hand to close the door.

The restriction on the door flashed once, completely eliminating the possibility of any more visitors arriving.

The four sat around a table, staring at the grilled fish before them while their chopsticks trembled with anticipation.

“It’s a new recipe. Please help me taste-test it.”

The moment Lu Wu finished speaking, the chopsticks of the other three nearly turned into afterimages.

The crispy skin on the fish was broken apart, releasing a burst of steam.

Whether in aroma or appearance, it was flawless.

As the crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside fish touched their taste buds, praises escaped from everyone almost simultaneously.

“Delicious!”

Lou Xiaotian burned his tongue slightly, but he couldn’t even bear to open his mouth and blow on it, afraid the fish might somehow fall out.

“One word—perfect!”

Old Li gave Lu Wu a thumbs-up.

Though he was the oldest person present, the agility of his arms left Lu Wu amazed.

Fortunately, nobody was fighting the chef herself for food.

She picked up a piece as well.

The fish skin cracked crisply beneath her teeth.

The crunch was so satisfying that even the crumbs were too precious to waste.

Inside, the fish remained fresh, tender, and juicy despite being grilled, without the slightest toughness.

It was so delicious one might wish to swallow their own tongue.

Lu Wu switched to another flavor.

This fish had been brushed with honey water while grilling, giving it a faint sweetness. Even after swallowing, the lingering flavor remained in her mouth.

Among all the versions, this one paired best with the fruity fragrance of the charcoal.

“Mmmph! Mmmph!”

Qin Zhan could only make muffled noises, having no time to speak.

His eyes were locked onto the spicy grilled fish.

That was his favorite flavor.

His chopsticks shot out like lightning, seizing the tenderest portion of the belly. With a swift movement, the fish disappeared into his mouth.

A step too slow, Lou Xiaotian watched helplessly as Qin Zhan claimed the prime cut.

He immediately turned his attention to another fish.

But when he glanced up, he saw the old man opposite him.

Though Old Li’s movements appeared leisurely, he still managed to snatch away the belly portion of the cumin-flavored fish first.

The beautiful yellow croaker had now become a mutilated croaker.

Lou Xiaotian exhaled a puff of unwilling white air through his nose.

He didn’t dare touch the honey-glazed fish favored by Boss Lu.

That left only the garlic-flavored one.

And he was determined to have it.

But the enemies before him were simply too formidable.

So Lou Xiaotian decided to employ a feint.

Right in front of Qin Zhan, his chopsticks moved toward the spicy fish.

The moment the motion began, he saw Qin Zhan’s vigilant expression.

Suppressing his delight, Lou Xiaotian kept a straight face.

The instant Qin Zhan moved to defend the spicy fish, Lou Xiaotian’s chopsticks changed direction and landed in the garlic-flavored platter.

Applying force, he snapped through the fish bones with his chopsticks.

One lift and one pull later, over half the fish dropped directly into his bowl.

Success!

Lou Xiaotian’s eyes curved into happy crescents.

Lu Wu swept her tongue across the lingering sweetness between her lips and quietly transferred the last of the honey-glazed fish into her own bowl.

Qin Zhan and Lou Xiaotian never touched her fish.

But Old Li had been eyeing it greedily for quite some time.

She was worried that even she, the cook, might end up unable to eat her own grilled fish.

Better strike first.

Although they were supposedly having a meal, the empty space above the table was filled with attacks and counters.

Chopsticks collided repeatedly.

The exchange was practically filled with flashes of blades and sword shadows.

The wooden chopsticks nearly produced metallic clanging sounds.

After a whirlwind sweep of destruction, the table was completely empty.

Even the remaining barbecue seasoning had been scraped clean.

Patting his stomach, Qin Zhan wiped the corner of his mouth in satisfaction.

At this moment, dressed in a blue cloud-patterned robe, he once again looked every bit the elegant young master.

There was no trace of the ferocious food-warrior from moments earlier.

“You all sit for a while. I’ll go make some tea.”

Lu Wu didn’t have many friends in this world.

Only the few people before her.

And she genuinely enjoyed entertaining them.

She gathered the plates and headed toward the kitchen.

As soon as she left, the kindly smile on Old Li’s face vanished.

When he looked at the two young men again, his gaze was as sharp as swords.

“You’ve received the benefits.”

“Now it’s time to do your jobs, isn’t it?”

Old Li had concealed his identity before, but after this “coincidental” meeting, there was no longer any need.

Without him explaining anything, both men already understood.

This seemingly ordinary old man was none other than the Grand Elder of the Bun Sect—the one responsible for distributing all their benefits.