Chapter 170: Training Begins with Improving the Rations

Lin Xiao quickly ran through his thoughts, organizing the teachings he needed to impart.

These lessons would be more than enough to keep those fellows busy learning for a while.

Moreover, Lin Xiao intended to tailor his instruction to each individual's abilities. Although the earlier sparring match had a touch of youthful rivalry, it had also allowed him to discover various hidden strengths among the team members. These traits could definitely be put to good use; otherwise, it would be a terrible waste.

Lin Xiao had already decided not to return to school during this break. Traveling back and forth was too time-consuming, and coupled with his desire to avoid Luo Yao, staying put was simply the best option.

After organizing his thoughts, Lin Xiao found a secluded spot and changed into his military uniform.

There can be no rules without standards. Since he had chosen to stay in the military, he couldn't keep walking around in casual clothes—that would show a complete lack of etiquette.

Upon donning the uniform, Lin Xiao felt an instant surge of energy and spirit. He pulled out a mirror and inspected himself thoroughly. He looked every bit the part.

With preparations mostly complete, the next step was to put his training plan into action.

Checking the time, he saw it was already ten-thirty in the morning. At this rate, even if he went over right now, there wouldn't be much time left for training.

That being the case, he might as well let Chu Xing continue leading their training for the morning. Of course, he wouldn't just idle away his time either; he planned to visit the mess hall.

In his training methodology, dietary nutrition was a crucially important component. Training always began with improving the food.

Lin Xiao quickly located the mess hall, though he wondered if the cooks on duty would let him in.

Just as he was hesitating whether to step inside, he unexpectedly saw Rat emerging from the building.

Rat was quite surprised to see Lin Xiao. He had assumed Lin Xiao would be busy whipping those green recruits into shape at that hour, and never expected to run into him here.

"Pig-The-Second, what are you doing here?"

"I was about to ask you the exact same question."

"I'm here to deliver ingredients. Searching for ingredients in the mystic realms is one of our main duties, you know."

Lin Xiao understood instantly. So that was how it was. Since he had bumped into Rat, matters would be much easier to handle.

"I've designed a systematic training regime for those fellows, and the intensity is quite high. Consequently, their nutrition needs to keep pace, so I thought I'd come check out the mess hall. I was just fretting over what to say to get inside when I ran right into you."

Rat swallowed hard. He was well aware of Lin Xiao's culinary skills. If the regiment's head cook could receive pointers from Lin Xiao, didn't that mean everyone's meals would improve by leaps and bounds? For the special spiritual martial forces, this was undoubtedly monumental news.

"Leave it to me! Come on, I'll take you in. I'm on very familiar terms with the chefs here!"

The two walked straight into the mess hall, where quite a few cooks were bustling about.

Lin Xiao noticed a wide variety of ingredients. Alongside standard provisions, there was a substantial amount of spirit beast meat.

Given the heavy training load of the military and the exuberant appetites of energetic young men, food consumption was naturally high, which meant they mostly prepared large-batch mess hall meals.

After just a few glances, Lin Xiao spotted numerous flaws. If he knew nothing about cooking, he might have let it slide, but seeing it now was simply agonizing. He felt an intense urge to step in and offer corrections immediately.

In the end, however, he held back. Stepping in uninvited to critique someone's work was far too abrupt.

Seeing Rat return shortly after leaving, accompanied by an unfamiliar face, a man hurried over.

The man was slightly plump, with a genial smile on his round face. Fine beads of sweat glistened on his forehead amidst the kitchen's steamy heat.

"Old Wang, why are you back again? Didn't you just drop off the ingredients for us?"

Lin Xiao was slightly startled before realizing that "Old Wang" must be Rat's real name.

"Brother Xiao, my legal name is Wang Hua. I suppose I forgot to introduce myself earlier."

"No matter, that's just a minor detail."

"This is Wei Xuan, our head military chef. Old Wei, stop staring in a daze! This time I've brought you a master chef. Remember the Brother Pig-The-Second I told you about earlier? This is him."

Wei Xuan's eyes lit up instantly.

"Is this true? Was the food you had me taste earlier made by this young brother here?"

"Brother Xiao, didn't you prepare a bit extra before you left? Since Old Wei and I are close, I gave him some to try. Once he tasted it, he was utterly awestruck by your culinary skills and has been eager to meet you ever since."

"You flatter me, Brother Wei. I've come here today with a favor to ask."

"Just name it, Brother Xiao. As long as it's within my power, I will certainly help."

"Many thanks then, Brother Wei. It's nothing too complicated. I'm currently leading a platoon of recruits and have formulated a new training regimen for them. To execute it properly, their diet must keep pace. Therefore, I'd like to borrow the kitchen. I'll provide my own ingredients. Furthermore, I can't stay here permanently, so when I'm away, I'll have to ask Brother Wei to cook for those lads according to my standards."

"That's a mere trifle! You can use the kitchen however you like. But I have a request of my own: while Brother Xiao is here, would you be willing to impart some culinary guidance to our cooking staff?"

"No problem at all! In fact, I've already spotted a few issues. I'll point them out to you right now."

"I am all ears!"

Ignoring Rat entirely, Lin Xiao and Wei Xuan immediately plunged into discussion.

They discussed and practiced simultaneously. Wei Xuan's eyes grew brighter and brighter—so cooking could be done this way as well?

After Lin Xiao's modifications, Wei Xuan tasted the food himself. Despite only very minor adjustments having been made, the flavor seemed to undergo an instantaneous sublimation.

This filled him with even greater admiration for Lin Xiao, making him almost want to drop to his knees and acknowledge Lin Xiao as his master on the spot.

The other kitchen staff, who had initially cast disapproving glances and grumbled about Lin Xiao's interference, quietly shut their mouths the moment they tasted the finished dishes.

"Those are all the issues I've found for now. Brother Wei, you all go back to your work; I need to prepare meals for my soldiers."

"No problem. I don't have anything pressing here. I wonder if I might observe from the side?"

"Of course. After all, I'll be relying on you to cook when I'm not here."

With that, Lin Xiao set to work, quickly whipping up enough food to feed an entire platoon of recruits.

Wei Xuan watched the entire process with literal stars in his eyes. With Lin Xiao's permission, he tasted the food again. Conquered entirely by the flavor, he officially became Lin Xiao's devoted little fanboy.

Lin Xiao checked the time; it was nearly twelve o'clock.

Lunchtime had arrived, and those fellows would be marching in soon. Hopefully, they would appreciate the meal he had prepared for them—after all, the ingredients he used were entirely grade-five spirit beast meat!