Chapter 125: From Now On, Leave These Matters to Me

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Lin Xiao felt a secret thrill in his heart. When he first obtained the ability of insight, he never imagined it would have such practical uses. He wasn’t foolish enough to show off; quietly profiting was the better approach.

Along the way, Lin Xiao had the War Wolf Mercenary Group gather a great deal of ingredients. Among the numerous spirit beasts they encountered, only two possessed spirit pearls. Even so, this amazed the mercenaries greatly.

In the past, on missions lasting several days, finding one or two spirit pearls was considered lucky. Yet now, less than half a day had passed and they already had four spirit pearls. If word got out, other mercenary groups would surely be green with envy.

As dusk gradually settled, despite the War Wolf Mercenary Group’s solid strength, moving at night remained fraught with danger. Zi Shu quickly issued the order to rest.

Everyone had been waiting for this moment. Upon hearing the command, all eyes turned to Lin Xiao. Naturally, Lin Xiao understood why—they were all eager for a meal. Were these people all just food lovers? They had eaten so much at noon and were hungry again already.

Lin Xiao did not refuse; after all, his reason for joining the War Wolf Mercenary Group was because they were recruiting cooks. It was only right to fulfill his role well.

Still, he didn’t rush to start cooking. Instead, he glanced at Zi Shu again.

“Big Brother Zi Shu, is it really okay to make a fire and cook here?”

Zi Shu knew exactly what Lin Xiao was concerned about. After half a day’s journey, although they hadn’t reached the core region of the secret realm, they had moved beyond its outskirts. The number and level of spirit beasts here were far greater than when they first entered.

Lighting a fire and cooking would inevitably attract many spirit beasts.

In the past, Zi Shu might have preferred to just eat the dry rations they carried. After all, dry food was better than what Si She cooked.

But things were different now. Knowing Lin Xiao’s exceptional culinary skills, no one wanted to even try the dry food.

“Don’t worry about cooking. If some spirit beasts are attracted, that’s fine—we actually want to kill more of them. This is like waiting for rabbits by the stump. It’s best to cook more this time. Tomorrow we’ll enter the core area, which will be relatively dangerous. If a large pack of spirit beasts is drawn here, we won’t be able to hold out.”

“I understand.”

With Zi Shu’s assurance, Lin Xiao knew what to do. Before he could say anything, the mercenaries began to bustle about. Those who gathered firewood gathered it; those who started fires started fires.

These small tasks required no effort from Lin Xiao. Those who couldn’t help began setting up tents—they would spend the night here.

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Once the spirit beasts were mostly dealt with, Lin Xiao immediately set to work.

He heated oil in a pot!

He multitasked, cooking several dishes at once.

Soon, the enticing aroma filled the air.

The others couldn’t help with the cooking, so they stood guard around the perimeter.

Only one person was the exception—who else but Si She?

Si She’s gaze never left Lin Xiao’s movements. Initially, she wanted to learn something, but Lin Xiao’s dazzling speed and skill overwhelmed her.

Lin Xiao noticed this. Since Si She was in charge of everyone’s meals before, she should at least have some basic skills.

“Si She, want to help?”

“Can I?”

“Of course. Just follow my instructions.”

Si She was delighted. She couldn’t hope to match Lin Xiao’s multitasking prowess, so she preferred focusing on one thing for now—there would be plenty of time to learn later.

Lin Xiao didn’t know Si She’s actual cooking level, so he only assigned her the simple task of grilling meat. When the time came to flip or season, she just needed to do so as instructed.

There was a lot of food to prepare this time. Lin Xiao concentrated on cooking and paid little attention to Si She, only reminding her when necessary.

The food’s aroma inevitably attracted nearby spirit beasts.

Beasts accustomed to eating raw meat and blood had never smelled anything so fragrant before. One by one, they instinctively moved toward the scent.

Zi Shu and the others told Lin Xiao to focus on cooking; they would handle the spirit beasts.

Confident in the War Wolf Mercenary Group’s strength, Lin Xiao did not worry about the beasts, though he could occasionally hear the sounds of battle between mercenaries and beasts.

Before long, Lin Xiao finished quite a few dishes. Taking a moment’s respite, he surveyed the surrounding battlefield.

Perhaps because the nearby spirit beasts were not very high-level, those drawn by the aroma posed no great threat to the War Wolf Mercenary Group.

Lin Xiao had more ingredients than before, all freshly hunted by the mercenaries.

He shook his head and stopped paying attention to the beasts, preparing for another round of cooking.

Zi Shu had said to prepare plenty this time; tomorrow, upon entering the core area, they might not be allowed to light fires for cooking.

Just as Lin Xiao was about to begin, he suddenly remembered that Si She’s grilled meat should be ready.

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“Si She, the time’s about right. The grilled meat should be done.”

As Lin Xiao spoke, he glanced instinctively toward Si She’s direction and his expression turned strange.

By the makeshift grill, Si She was roasting meat skewers.

Those skewers were blackened like charcoal.

Lin Xiao was puzzled. Reviewing the instructions he had given, he was certain there had been no mistakes.

“Si She, did you really follow my instructions?”

“Of course! Not a single step was wrong.”

Lin Xiao was skeptical. He pointed at some skewers next to her. “Grill some more; I’ll guide you beside you.”

Si She playfully stuck out her tongue, then picked up more skewers. Lin Xiao thought it over and took some prepared skewers himself, offering hands-on coaching. Surely nothing unexpected would happen this time.

Their movements were basically identical, and the entire process completely the same.

Yet when the finished products came out, Lin Xiao was dumbfounded. His grilled meat sizzled with oil, boasting perfect color, aroma, and taste—making mouths water.

Si She’s, on the other hand, were nothing short of a disaster.

Lin Xiao couldn’t figure out where the problem lay.

It didn’t make sense!

Their methods were not just similar—they were exactly the same. So why was the result so vastly different?

In the end, Lin Xiao could only conclude that perhaps Si She was simply not cut out for cooking.

“Si She, from now on, leave these things to me. You just focus on eating.”

Si She looked up at the sky in frustration. She had truly tried her best to learn from Lin Xiao, hoping to cook for the War Wolf Mercenary Group when he wasn’t around.

But it seemed she simply couldn’t learn.

With this realization, her mood soured.

Pouting, she went off to vent her anger on some spirit beasts.

Watching her retreating figure, then glancing at the ruined grilled meat she left behind, Lin Xiao felt a question rise in his mind.

If Si She had always been the cook, then how had the War Wolf Mercenary Group survived until now?