Divine Descent

Holding the 【Incomplete Divine Ability of the Old Man of the Creek】 close to his chest, Shen Xiuhan left the Ji Mansion.

Although he had not obtained any more clues about the Diaohai Pavilion this time, being able to acquire this fragmented scroll was already a massive harvest.

The annotations on the fragmented scroll alone revealed many secrets of martial arts.

Secret methods, divine abilities...

And that so-called "Divine Descent" was likely a realm even higher than the legendary Gangjin Rank.

Shen Xiuhan took a deep breath, calmed his mind, and turned to walk toward the Mei Courtyard.

Over the next few days, his primary goal was clear.

He needed to accumulate fifteen days' worth of intelligence to prioritize the Deduction of this 【Incomplete Divine Ability of the Old Man of the Creek】, to see just what secrets this cultivation method from the Diaohai Pavilion held!

He stepped into the Mei Courtyard.

On the bluestone martial arts field, the outer courtyard disciples were still practicing their punches, their shouts rising and falling in waves.

The one supervising today was neither Xu Chuan nor Xiang Yunting, but a stranger.

He was lean with slightly high cheekbones, wearing an expressionless face that made him seem quiet and aloof.

There were four male disciples in the martial arts hall's inner courtyard. Aside from Shen Xiuhan, he had already met Xu Chuan and Xiang Yunting.

This man could only be his Fourth Senior Brother, Shen Huai.

Seeing Shen Xiuhan enter, Shen Huai nodded slightly as a greeting.

Shen Xiuhan nodded back and swept his gaze across the field.

Xiao Wen was nowhere to be seen, and the other disciples selected during the placement meet were also absent.

They had likely gone to report for duty at their respective placements.

Shen Xiuhan withdrew his gaze and walked toward the inner courtyard.

By noon, inside the kitchen.

The cook, Madam Shi, was busy at the stove.

Catching sight of Shen Xiuhan, Madam Shi quickly put down her work and greeted him warmly. “Sixth Young Master, you are here! I haven't seen you at the martial arts hall these past two days. Will you be dining here today?”

In the eyes of the maids, cooks, grooms, and other servants responsible for cleaning and cooking in the Mei Courtyard, the social hierarchy was crystal clear.

Outer courtyard disciples were merely outsiders who paid a tuition fee to go through the motions.

Only the disciples who had entered the inner courtyard were considered high and mighty masters.

Thus, in private, they addressed the inner courtyard disciples as young masters and young ladies, based on the order of their entry.

Shen Xiuhan waved his hand calmly. “No need to trouble yourself. I will just grab something and leave shortly. I won't be eating in the courtyard today.”

Hearing this, a flash of joy crossed Madam Shi's eyes, though she still spoke politely, “Oh, how can that be? You work so hard to temper your blood qi, Young Master, you shouldn't go hungry...”

“Really, there is no need.”

Shen Xiuhan politely interrupted her, his gaze shifting to the ingredients on the table.

Madam Shi did not press further, already overjoyed in her heart.

As the saying went, a cook who didn't steal was as rare as a harvest without grain.

The Mei Courtyard had always treated its inner courtyard disciples exceptionally well, especially when it came to meals, sparing no expense.

However, most of the inner courtyard disciples held placements elsewhere, leaving only one or two at the martial arts hall each day.

As the head cook, Madam Shi would secretly pack up any extra or leftover meat and vegetables to take home.

Even though Shen Xiuhan had not come the past two days, the kitchen had prepared his lunch as usual.

Today, they had prepared a full portion for him once again.

Since Shen Xiuhan was not eating, she would be able to bring home another meal of good meat and vegetables tonight.

Her young son at home had just turned six—right at the age where he was growing and needed meat the most.

Shen Xiuhan, Xu Chuan, and Xiang Yunting had long been aware of Madam Shi's little schemes.

Seeing that she knew her boundaries—only daring to take leftovers, never embezzling the purchasing funds, and never being skimpy on the disciples' portions—they chose to turn a blind eye and did not expose her.

Otherwise, she would have been replaced long ago.

Shen Xiuhan looked around the kitchen.

On the counter were prepared meat and vegetables, along with two fresh river fish.

Pointing at the fish, Shen Xiuhan asked, “Is Master's lunch today these two yellow croakers?”

Madam Shi was taken aback, then nodded quickly. “Yes, the Hall Master loves eating fish, especially yellow croakers. She has them two or three times every ten days...”

Shen Xiuhan nodded, his gaze shifting. “Is there soy sauce?”

“...Uh, yes!”

Completely baffled by his questions, Madam Shi quickly pointed to a nearby condiment tray. “It's the soy sauce brewed by Old Chen's family at the east bridge head. It has the richest and most savory flavor...”

“Very good.”

Shen Xiuhan rolled up his sleeves and walked to the cutting board. “I will personally cook Master's lunch today. You can go busy yourself with the others' meals.”

“This... this won't do, Young Master!”

Madam Shi turned pale with fright. She rushed forward to stop him, saying anxiously, “The Hall Master's meals have always been prepared by this humble servant. If we suddenly switch cooks and the flavor changes, causing her to lose her appetite, I cannot bear the blame...”

Shen Xiuhan laughed in spite of himself.

Shen Xiuhan waved his hand, his tone turning firm. “No more words. I was born a fisherman, so preparing fish dishes is second nature to me.”

With that, he grabbed the two yellow croakers, filled a basin with clean water, and got to work.

Scaling, gutting, and cleaning—he did it all in one smooth, continuous motion.

Yellow croakers had tender flesh, fine scales, few bones, and thick meat. They were among the best-tasting freshwater fish and perfect for braising.

Once the fish were washed, his knife rose and fell, scoring diagonal cuts on both sides of each fish.

He picked up a piece of ginger, crushed and shredded it, cut some scallions into segments, and stuffed them all into the fish bellies.

Standing to the side, Madam Shi watched in a daze.

Having cooked fish for years, she had always just thrown the whole fish into the pot, at most tossing in two slices of ginger.

When had she ever seen such meticulous preparation?

Ignoring her gaze, Shen Xiuhan heated the wok, poured in oil, and gently slid the fish inside.

A cloud of white smoke billowed as the hot oil spluttered.

Once the fish took shape in the wok and their skin tightened, Shen Xiuhan waited until one side was fried to a golden brown before gently flipping them with a spatula. He then poured in the soy sauce, followed by some yellow wine and water.

The broth bubbled and gradually began to reduce.

The savory aroma of the soy sauce mingled with the rich fragrance of the yellow wine, wafting out with the rising steam.

He covered the wok and turned down the heat to let it simmer.

After about half an hour, the sauce had reduced beautifully—thick, glossy, and evenly coating the fish.

The white, tender fish meat and the enticing dark glaze released a rich aroma that drifted straight up his nose.

“It... it smells so good...”

Standing nearby, Madam Shi's nose twitched, and she couldn't help but swallow her saliva.

This fish was perfect in color, aroma, and taste—it seemed like an entirely different dish from what she usually made!

In fact, it wasn't just her...

Even the head chefs of the taverns and inns in the Inner City probably couldn't do any better than this, right?

He plated the two braised fish, poured the remaining thick sauce over them, scooped two bowls of white rice, and arranged everything onto a serving tray.

Shen Xiuhan picked up the tray and stepped out of the kitchen. “Sorry to disturb you. I will bring this fish to Master myself.”

Madam Shi opened her mouth, watching Shen Xiuhan's retreating back as she muttered to herself, Thank goodness he is a martial artist... Otherwise, with how delicious his fish smells, my job as the cook would be in serious danger...

In the main room of the backyard.

Carrying the tray, Shen Xiuhan walked up the steps, freed one hand, and knocked gently on the door.

“Come in.”

Mei Shuangfeng's voice drifted from inside.

Pushing the door open, Shen Xiuhan stepped over the threshold, only to freeze slightly.

For beside Mei Shuangfeng, who was seated behind a red sandalwood desk, stood another person.