Chapter 1810: Chapter 1837: February, It’s Your Large Intestine
Li Xiaobai placed the Nine-Turned Intestine on the corner of the table and followed the crowd back to the stove.
Monk Changsheng’s eyes were gloomy. This was the first time in his life that his plans had failed twice in a row.
The young man in front of him hadn’t made a mistake, and under the supervision of the Law of Order, he couldn’t forcefully keep him. At most, he could get those two accomplices killed in the back mountain.
“This time’s sacrificial meal smells better than any from the past months. I am much looking forward to it.”
“Just now, Master Changsheng and I have finished praying to the gods. Once we offer the most delicious dish, the blessings will descend.”
Shangguan Dong said loudly.
The order of the dishes matched the order of the villagers. The two picked up chopsticks, took a piece from each dish, put it in their mouths to chew slowly, savoring it for a while before giving their critiques.
“Fang Hua is not bad, the culinary skills have improved. This month was not wasted.”
Shangguan Dong showed a satisfied expression.
“Wang Dachui’s Double-sided Azure Dragon is also excellent, whether in carving, plating, or taste, it can be called perfection.”
Monk Changsheng looked at Wang Dachui and said with a laugh.
This was both praise and a reminder. Yesterday, because of a single glance from him, Wang Dachui crippled one hand. Today, he gave him a sweet reward.
“Indeed, not bad.”
“But among these dishes, there is a strange flavor mixed in. Master, have you noticed it?”
Shangguan Dong’s gaze floated over each dish, trying to find Li Xiaobai’s Pork Intestine. Suddenly, he sniffed an indescribable smell, very fragrant, yet mixed with a fishy and foul odor.
Monk Changsheng also caught the scent and finally fixed his gaze on an inconspicuous plate of Pork Intestine at the table’s corner.
“Li Xiaobai’s Pork Intestine, the smell is emanating from here!”
At first sight of the intestine, they didn’t react, but soon their eyes were fixed on it.
The strange flavor mixed in the delicious dishes was emanating from this intestine.
“Bring it over.”
Changsheng instructed the village chief to bring the Pork Intestine closer and sniffed it.
In an instant, his expression changed, first puzzled, then pleased, finally looking as if he had tasted a fly.
Just by the taste, he knew Li Xiaobai had failed. He couldn’t save the two trapped in the back mountain, but realizing he had to eat and evaluate the dish under the supervision of the Law of Order, his expression turned from blue to pale repeatedly.
The village chief, Shangguan Dong, next to him, didn’t look much better. He hadn’t taught Li Xiaobai to make something resembling crap, yet he had to eat it himself.
“Who made this?”
Monk Changsheng asked with a gloomy face, holding up the tray.
Li Xiaobai strutted forward: “It’s me!”
Monk Changsheng: “What is this dish called, who taught you to make it this way?”
Li Xiaobai said indifferently: “Supreme Celestial Delicacy, Nine-Turned Intestine, a path I discovered myself, comprehended from the natural world.”
The villagers watched, eyes full of confusion, not understanding what was happening. They couldn’t smell the terrifying odor from a distance.
Monk Changsheng nodded, giving crazy hints: “This dish is quite challenging, handling intestines requires incredibly precise techniques. Over-treating loses its original flavor, under-treating means the residues inside are cooked along.”
“Master is an expert, indeed it is so.”
Li Xiaobai nodded, showing the eager expression of a fine horse meeting its connoisseur.
It nearly made Monk Changsheng faint with anger. He wanted Li Xiaobai to himself explain any issues in handling the intestine, but this guy had no awareness, dead set on making him eat crap!
Hmm?
Not right?
If the intestine’s filth wasn’t properly treated, it indicated Li Xiaobai made a mistake in preparation, and the Law of Order should have taken him away.
But here he was, alive and well. It meant there was no mishandling in the Pork Intestine’s preparation, it was perfectly executed.
Why, then, was there this odor?
Could it be an ordinary dish with an unusual flavor?
He’d heard of dishes that smell awful yet taste delightful, perhaps this intestine was such a case.
Thinking this, he looked at village chief Shangguan Dong and softly said: “Village chief, you taste first.”
Shangguan Dong, expressionless, picked up a small piece of meat with his chopsticks, put it into his mouth, and closed his eyes to savor it.
There was no other way, this was the rule. As a tasting judge, he couldn’t just swallow it and give a rough evaluation. That would break the rules; he had to taste carefully before giving a response that matched the process.
Seeing him chew and swallow without adverse reaction, Monk Changsheng couldn’t help but ask curiously: “How is it?”
Shangguan Dong, with a poker face, slightly nodded: “Not bad.”
Monk Changsheng felt things weren’t so simple, confirming once more with Li Xiaobai:
“Have you tasted it yourself?”
Li Xiaobai, confident: “I tasted a piece.”
“How did you find it?”
“I removed most of the intestine’s fishy smell but left a part. I believe keeping a portion of the intestine’s flavor lets you know you’re eating intestine!”
“You intentionally kept it?”
“During cleaning, I left a part.”
“Was it intentional or accidental?”
“Intentional.”
Li Xiaobai was full of pride.
The villagers looked on admiringly, believing they couldn’t be so confident before the Divine Envoy.
Monk Changsheng asked no more, took out a small knife, marked on the intestine, hesitated a while, and finally cut a piece from the edge.
With elegant manner, he put it into his mouth, chewing slowly.
As the intestine went down his throat, his calm expression instantly changed, a putrid stench surged to his brain; he almost vomited. Though he hadn’t eaten crap, this intestine’s flavor was indistinguishable.
Under the expectant gazes of Li Xiaobai and hundreds of villagers, he chewed mechanically, unable to swallow.
His face grew paler, his breathing more rapid, and there was a glint of tears in his eyes.
This state persisted for several breaths. Then he snatched the tablecloth, wiped his mouth, quickly spat out the intestine, and wrapped it in the cloth, placing it aside.
Monk Changsheng’s mouth was bitter, his tongue numb.
Seeing this, Li Xiaobai curled his mouth slightly upward, speaking loudly: “Master, just tasting a sliver made you cry with emotion, I am flattered.”
“Could my Nine-Turned Intestine stand first among all these dishes?”
At these words, the villagers were stirred, yet due to the Law, dared not speak, looking around, seeing deep shock in each other’s eyes.
What kind of dish was that?
They’d never eaten it, but after Monk Changsheng ate it, tears indeed appeared at the corner of his eyes, nearly falling—a testimony to its supposed deliciousness?
Moreover, only Li Xiaobai’s dish made the master cry, indicating that possibly this Nine-Turned Intestine was first!