Chapter 264: Everything Proceeds in an Orderly Manner
Jiang Chen had just finished his morning chores when a Paper Crane descended from the sky.
Tie Zhu hopped off, looking like a new man. Gone was the ashen-faced, dying invalid of five days ago. His cheeks were flushed with health, his eyes bright, and a vigorous spring in his step.
“Senior Brother Jiang!” Tie Zhu bowed deeply, his voice thick with emotion. “I owe you my life. If not for that ounce of Ice Heart Jade Pot Wine, I’d still be rotting in that bed.”
“We’re family,” Jiang Chen said, waving off the gratitude. “No need for formalities.”
Tie Zhu nodded, eager to repay the debt with labor. “So, where are we digging this pond?”
“Follow me.”
They walked to the edge of the irrigation canal, adjacent to the five-acre Spirit Farm. Jiang Chen swept his hand across the open ground. “From here, extending to the Four Seasons Fruit Tree.”
Tie Zhu narrowed his eyes, surveying the terrain with a professional gaze. “What are you planning to raise?”
“Fish, shrimp, turtles… anything I can eat,” Jiang Chen said simply. “Why buy questionable stock from the market when I can raise premium quality right here?”
Tie Zhu rubbed his chin. “If you’re keeping it simple, I suggest zoning. Deep water for the fish, shallow banks for the turtles. It makes feeding and harvesting easier.”
“This is why you’re the pro,” Jiang Chen grinned, giving him a thumbs-up.
They mapped out the dimensions: roughly 66 square meters, with a central depth of two to three meters. It was large enough to be productive but small enough for Jiang Chen to manage alone alongside his other duties.
Tie Zhu spat on his hands and began to dig. Jiang Chen retreated to the stone house to start lunch. He was cooking early because they were expecting company.
Half an hour later, Mo Yu arrived. He took one look at the half-dug pit and his eyes lit up.
“Old Jiang!” Mo Yu called out. “Can I fish here once it’s stocked?”
Jiang Chen poked his head out of the kitchen window. “As long as you don’t mind catching nothing and losing face in front of my livestock, go ahead.” He pointed a ladle at the pond. “Use your fisherman’s eye. Tell me if the layout needs tweaking.”
“On it.” Mo Yu marched over to supervise Tie Zhu.
Jiang Chen shook his head. “Good thing it’s Old Mo. Any other fisherman would just be a nuisance.”
Time passed quietly. As noon approached, a thunderous BOOM shattered the peace.
The ground shook. Tie Zhu and Mo Yu leaped out of the pit, weapons half-drawn, scanning for an attack.
“Did the excavation collapse?” Mo Yu yelled.
The dust settled. There was no enemy, no earthquake—just a deep crater in the nearby ditch and a groaning figure climbing out of it.
Jiang Chen walked out onto the porch, unbothered. “Relax. It’s not an earthquake. It’s just a drunk landing.”
“Drunk?” Tie Zhu blinked.
“Burp!” Han Xin clawed her way out of the ditch, swaying unsteadily. “Who’s drunk? This old lady is perfectly sober!”
Tie Zhu squinted at the disheveled woman. She looked familiar. “Senior Sister Han?”
Han Xin froze, trying to regain some dignity. She smoothed her robes, ignoring the leaves stuck in her hair. “I am merely… an insignificant Earth Spirit Root disciple passing through.”
Mo Yu snorted. “Just be glad you didn’t crash into my future fishing spot.”
“Alright, stop standing there,” Jiang Chen called out. “Food’s ready.”
The promise of food cut through the confusion instantly. The group filed into the stone house, their noses twitching at the aroma filling the living room.
Jiang Chen uncorked a bottle of Top-grade Spirit Wine and poured a round. “It was a bit rushed, so I only made a few simple dishes. Don’t judge me too harshly.”
On the table sat:
Four bowls of Spirit Spring Stewed Pigeon.
A whole River Fish Boiled in Spirit Water.
A platter of Spirit Rice Steamed Pork Ribs.
A spicy plate of Green Pepper Stir-fried Chicken Giblets.
“Simple?” Han Xin stared at the spread, her mouth watering. “Senior Brother Jiang, you have a twisted definition of ‘simple’.”
The pigeon soup was a clear amber, dotted with goji berries and red dates. The fish was snow-white and tender, garnished with scallions. The ribs glistened with savory oil, and the spicy giblets sent a pungent, appetizing heat into the air.
“Dig in,” Jiang Chen laughed. “There’s plenty of Top-quality Spirit Rice to go around.”
For Jiang Chen, this was just lunch. For the others, it was a revelation. They ate with a fervor bordering on religious devotion, silence reigning over the table as chopsticks flashed and bowls were refilled.
Thirty minutes later, not a scrap remained. Even the soup had been wiped clean with buns.
Han Xin drained her wine cup and let out a satisfied sigh. “This old lady has never loved vegetables so much in her life.”
“I used to eat to stay alive,” Tie Zhu murmured, patting his stomach. “Now… I feel like my cultivation just jumped a notch.”
“Amateurs,” Mo Yu scoffed, though he looked just as content. “Old Jiang’s cooking is basically low-grade Spirit Cuisine. Of course it has effects.”
Han Xin and Tie Zhu exchanged shocked glances. They knew Jiang Chen was talented, but this? This was a lifestyle upgrade they hadn’t expected.
After a brief rest, the group mobilized.
Jiang Chen handled the dishes. Tie Zhu and Mo Yu returned to the pit to finish the excavation. And Han Xin, swaying only slightly, headed for the fields to adjust the Formation’s coverage area.
Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.
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