White Tiger watched Chen Ji over there, chattering excitedly and waving his arms like mad. His expression remained impassive as he turned his head away. A moment later, however, he couldn’t resist glancing back.
Chen Ji hopped down from Second Master Huang and met Grandpa White Tiger’s azure-blue eyes. In that instant, he imagined words popping into the tiger’s mind: Human, you’re back?! What’d you hunt? Run into any trouble?
—The kitty was worried about you.
Chen Ji’s eyes curved into a grin. He reached out and rubbed Grandpa White Tiger’s massive head. The plush, substantial feel of it made him reluctant to stop. “Today I caught some river shrimp, dug up bamboo shoots, and even nabbed a bamboo rat…”
At that point, he let out a sudden “Ah!” “I’m screwed!”
He’d been so groggy from his nap that he’d completely forgotten about killing that bamboo rat. He shouldn’t have snapped its neck back then. If he’d left it with one last breath, would it still be edible after these past four hours?
Hiss… Two hundred bucks a pop!
White Tiger and Second Master Huang watched as Chen Ji strode purposefully inside. Second Master Huang turned his head to see White Tiger looking right back at him. He dipped his head slightly before hurrying in after Chen Ji.
The renovation crew lit up when they saw Chen Ji return, greeting him warmly. The homeowner might’ve been absent, but the lunch spread was top-notch. The burly workers had heated up the pot of sauced pork ribs he’d prepared, devouring it until grease dripped from their chins. Their fondness for him was through the roof.
“Boss Chen, looks like you scored big on the mountain!”
“Boss Chen’s back!”
They were nearing the end of the workday anyway. Chen Ji waved them off. “Got something urgent. Catch up in a bit.”
Everyone figured he needed the bathroom and didn’t press. Moments later, a yellow weasel darted inside. They froze. Weasels were rarely seen in broad daylight, and these creatures were notoriously clever. Chasing it off might bring bad luck, but letting it roam could mean it’d snatch something.
Instead, the weasel trailed right after Chen Ji. Soon enough, Chen Ji emerged carrying it and plopped it into the little rocking chair in the yard. “Second Grandpa, take a load off.”
The yellow weasel actually settled into the chair, rocking leisurely back and forth just like a person.
The foreman gawked in amazement but knew better than to stare. “Second Grandpa’s got some real spirit to him! Boss, we’re wrapping up for today. Wanna take a look?”
Chen Ji had checked inside and found the bamboo rat still fairly fresh—probably thanks to its demonic nature, which kept it from rotting so quickly. He pulled out a pack of smokes and handed one to the foreman. “Sure thing. Lead the way, Master Zhang.”
The foreman guided Chen Ji around the yard, pointing out the repaired sections and inviting him to thump the surfaces to test their sturdiness. Chen Ji kept pace, passing out cigarettes to the rest of the crew as he went. Those who took one murmured, “Thanks, boss.” Second Master Huang watched from the sidelines and couldn’t help thinking Chen Ji cut quite the figure.
After a full inspection, Chen Ji was thoroughly pleased. He confirmed the next day’s schedule with the foreman, who then rallied the team to pack up and head out. As they left, the foreman even cupped his hands toward Second Master Huang, mimicking Chen Ji. “Second Grandpa, we’re off!”
Second Master Huang lifted his little head and let out a squeak, as if to say “Got it.” The workers chuckled and filed out.
The System Cat chimed in: [Bamboo rat, bamboo rat… Got the recipes lined up! From the videos, best to torch the fur first, then gut it—Chen Ji, you sure this thing’s edible? Won’t it be too nourishing?]
Inside the house, Second Master Huang and White Tiger’s cultivations dwarfed the bamboo rat’s by miles. The System Cat was just a projection that couldn’t die from any food, and Grandpa Mountain Lord was a statue besides. Only Chen Ji was fragile enough to worry about.
Chen Ji had already skewered the bamboo rat on a steel rod and set it over the fire to burn off the fur. He replied with some concern of his own. [Should be okay… Second Master Huang said it’s edible.]
The System Cat stared at the roasting rat with blatant drool. [Cook it up first… I’ll scan it after.]
Chen Ji nodded and absentmindedly flipped it over. When he peered closer, he couldn’t help but call out, half-amused, half-bewildered. “Second Grandpa—!”
【What’s the matter?】 Second Master Huang scampered in from outside. White Tiger followed at a leisurely pace into the kitchen. Fortunately, the kitchen was spacious enough that White Tiger could fit without issue.
Chen Ji held up the skewer for them to see. The fur that had been singed showed no signs of burning away at all. “This bamboo rat seems… fireproof.”
He’d never encountered anything like it. Fire was supposed to harm demons, by rights.
Before Second Master Huang could respond, a burst of azure-blue flame erupted with a boom, engulfing the bamboo rat. Chen Ji jolted in shock. In the next instant, the flames vanished, leaving the fur reduced to a sooty char.
Second Master Huang twitched but played it cool. 【Oh, there we go now—this thing hadn’t cultivated a thing except its fur.】
“Then I’ll leave it to you, Second Grandpa.” Chen Ji hoisted Second Grandpa Huang onto the stovetop. Second Grandpa sneaked a glance at White Tiger, who lounged nearby as if nothing had happened. He shrank back a bit before extending a paw to Chen Ji.
Chen Ji instinctively gripped the front paw. Second Grandpa cleared his throat. 【Get to work! What’re you pinching me for?!】
Chen Ji blinked. “Huh?”
Second Grandpa shot him an exasperated look, nodding toward the wire brush. Once Chen Ji grabbed it, Second Grandpa brushed his paw against it, then signaled to start. Sure enough, a single stroke from Chen Ji swept away all the charred ash, revealing tender pink meat beneath.
“Second Grandpa, you’re amazing! Didn’t nick the meat at all!” Chen Ji praised.
Second Grandpa looked a tad guilty. With White Tiger now turning to leave, he let out a huge sigh of relief. 【Mm-hm!】
Chen Ji tested it out and found a regular kitchen knife couldn’t pierce the skin. He used Second Grandpa’s claw to slash across it instead, successfully gutting the rat. He gave the little paw a squeeze—talk about a weasel claw knife!
Handy as hell!
Chen Ji’s eyes sparkled. Second Grandpa’s claws were incredibly useful. If he could fashion a blade from clippings like these, it’d be a divine weapon.
Decision made: After dinner, he’d use the excuse of giving Second Grandpa a bath to clip his nails! Collect a boxful and forge a cleaver!
…Or maybe a butcher’s knife? Wider applications.
White Tiger Grandpa’s teeth and claws would work too. Chen Ji recalled how the tiger had munched through the Crossing Peak Serpent like a spicy strip—and that thing was way tougher than a bamboo rat. Bath and nail clipping for him later, too!
With Second Grandpa’s help, he finally broke down the bamboo rat and got it into the pot. Second Grandpa snapped his claws, turning the gas flame from blue to a greenish hue. He didn’t leave, curling up on the stovetop to watch Chen Ji cook.
The river shrimp were a bit fiddly, but the mountain stream water was pristine—no grit even after a quick rinse. Being so small, a diagonal snip with scissors took off the legs and whiskers in one go.
Once the shrimp were prepped, Chen Ji fired up a big pot of oil. It hissed and spat as he jumped back to avoid splatters. Golden bubbles danced on the surface, and the fresh shrimp aroma mingled with the oil’s richness, slowly filling the air. He counted off the time in his head—this couldn’t go too long. With their stove, about thirty seconds would do.
Right on cue, he scooped them out. Already tiny, the shrimp had curled into golden balls after frying. A quick stir-fry in a new pot with seasonings, and they were ready to eat.
Sometime during this, the System Cat had shown up too. It and Second Grandpa perched on the edge of the stovetop, watching raptly without so much as a blink.
Chen Ji smiled and used his chopsticks to feed one to the System Cat. “Ahh—careful, it’s hot…”
He popped another into Second Grandpa’s mouth before the weasel could protest. Straight from the wok, the fried shrimp had crispy shells, chewy and firm insides, laced with sweet-and-sour notes. One bite and savory juices burst forth.
【Hot… hiss, but delicious!】
[So good! Waaah, it’s been ages since I had shrimp!]
Chen Ji chuckled at the way they grimaced from the heat but refused to let go. He sliced the bamboo shoots and threw the drained pork into the steamer alongside.
All told, it took nearly an hour of bustling around to finish four dishes and a soup. Everyone was starving, so there wasn’t much chatter—just heads down and serious eating.
Chen Ji set aside a portion to offer Grandpa Mountain Lord before digging in himself. He sampled the bamboo rat cautiously. Far from being chewy, it was melt-in-your-mouth tender and full of flavor. The taste was distinct from pork or beef, closer to rabbit—pretty good, but not the sort he’d shell out big money for a second time.
Of course, when it came free to his door, he wouldn’t say no.
He noticed Second Master Huang and Grandpa White Tiger tucking in with gusto. Stuffed and content, Chen Ji leaned back in his chair, slurping a soda. Something nagged at him, though. He felt like he’d forgotten… something. It was weird, like there was unfinished business, but nothing specific came to mind… Oh shit—the fox!
He hadn’t fed it lunch either!
Chen Ji had hoped to toss it some scraps, but ever since White Tiger Grandpa and Second Master Huang arrived, leftovers were a thing of the past. He sighed and raided the fridge instead. Thankfully, he’d thawed plenty of meat lately in case White Tiger Grandpa got hungry—always a basin’s worth ready to go.
The red-furred fox was on its best behavior. Despite missing two meals, it trotted over to nuzzle Chen Ji, rolling onto its back with a pitiful mewl or two. He set a heaping plate of meat in the corner, then inspected its wounds. They were nearly healed, with fresh fur sprouting. He gave it a rubdown. “Wounds are pretty much good. You can head out anytime if you want.”
The red-furred fox let out a couple whines and gave his hand one last insistent nudge before retreating to its meal.
Chen Ji watched it chow down with vague amusement. Back when he didn’t know better, the fox had terrorized Xiao Wang’s family, so he hadn’t exactly pitied it. Now that he realized it had been avenging him, any lingering grudge was gone.
After a bit, he headed back out to dole out yogurt bowls. Second Grandpa had just finished lapping his up when Chen Ji scooped him up right in front of Grandpa White Tiger. Bewildered, he got a belly rub for his confusion. “Second Grandpa, time for your bath…”
Second Master Huang: [What the hell?]
Chen Ji: “You’re always going back and forth to the mountains every day—let me dust you off!”
Second Master Huang thought it over and figured it wasn’t impossible, so he obediently nestled into Chen Ji’s arms and went along.
Not long after, Second Master Huang’s voice was heard: [You wash if you want to wash! Why are you clipping my nails?! If it’s not you, where’d you get scissors that can cut my nails?! Put it down! Put it down—! Your Second Grandpa is purely wild-born, why clip nails?! Ah—!]
