Chapter 664: Chapter 664: Yang Cheng’s Cooking Skills
Yang Cheng kept watch on the mountain. He was worried the scent of blood might attract other beasts, which the villagers couldn’t handle.
However, staying on the mountain was too boring, so he searched for some poisonous creatures to absorb and enhance his Poison Control Skill.
All the poisonous creatures visible within a kilometer were dealt with, and he couldn’t find any more.
Fortunately, around four o’clock, the last pig was finally divided and carried down the mountain.
"I’ll head down first; take care, everyone."
Yang Cheng didn’t need to carry the pork. With a leap, he dashed down and vanished from everyone’s sight in the blink of an eye.
The meat from more than a dozen wild boars was too much. After they carried it down the mountain, the village women gathered to process the meat.
First, they removed the hair from the pork, blanched it, and then started stewing it in the pots.
Wild boar meat is extremely tough and needs several hours of stewing before it’s edible. Luckily, by the time Yang Cheng and the others came down the mountain, the meat was almost ready.
As for the remaining pork, the women salted and stored it in a cool place, where it could be kept for a long time.
The young men were all slumped on the ground, famished and lacking the energy even for a bath.
When Yang Cheng walked over, he saw Auntie Pang lift the pot lid, revealing a pile of unappetizing wild boar meat. This meat naturally had little fat, and clear stewing didn’t enhance the flavor much.
Unlike the villagers, he’s tasted plenty of delicious food and couldn’t swallow such bland meat.
"Didn’t I buy some spices? Why aren’t you using them?"
Yang Cheng looked at Auntie Pang in confusion.
Auntie Pang smiled awkwardly: "Little Divine Doctor, I don’t know how to use those spices. If I get the amount wrong and ruin the meat, it’ll be a big mistake."
"Hand over the spices and let me do it."
Yang Cheng said, taking the spatula from her.
Back at home, he cooked often, and his grandfather praised his culinary skills, saying if he ever lacked livelihood, he could be a cook and still support himself.
Seeing Yang Cheng ready to cook, everyone curiously gathered around, as if watching a circus performance.
By now, the meat in the pot was almost done. Yang Cheng scooped out some of the water and added various seasonings and spices.
Soon, the aroma spread, tempting everyone to salivate.
"Divine Doctor Brother, the meat you cooked smells amazing!"
The familiar little boy approached, saliva dripping from his chin.
Yang Cheng found it amusing and said softly, "Xiaodong, it’s not ready yet. Wait till it’s done, and you’ll be the first to eat."
"Yay! Divine Doctor Brother is the best!"
Xiaodong grinned broadly, happily waiting by the stove.
With several large pots, Yang Cheng added spices to each, soon enveloping the entire village in a delicious aroma.
Spices not only enriched the taste of the pork but also masked the wild boar’s inherent gamy smell— a fragrance the villagers never experienced, as even Uncle Pan hesitated to buy spices in town before.
After a dozen minutes, Yang Cheng gently stirred the contents, intensifying the rich aroma.
"Auntie Pang, stir the meat in the other pots too. Once the broth reduces enough, it’s ready to serve."
"Alright!"
Auntie Pang nodded repeatedly and quickly called several aunties to help.
Soon after, Yang Cheng shouted loudly, "Braised pork is ready! Line up for your share, no pushing; there’s plenty for everyone today."
He kept his promise, serving Xiaodong a full bowl of braised pork to enjoy at the side.
Xiaodong picked up a piece, bit down, was momentarily scalded, then his eyes lit up in surprise, exclaiming, "This meat is so good! Divine Doctor Brother, you’re amazing!"
Though wild boar is tough and chewy, after a long stew and enhanced by spices, each bite was so tasty it felt like swallowing your tongue.
Xiaodong said no more, focused on his meal.
The others, mouths watering, grabbed their meat and squatted nearby to feast.
"Oh my god, I’ve never tasted meat this good!"
"After Little Divine Doctor’s braised pork, other meat will never taste the same."
"So this is what spices taste like. We should buy some when we earn enough to stew meat ourselves."
The villagers were thrilled, complimenting the dish as they ate.
Watching everyone enjoy themselves, Yang Cheng felt fulfilled too. He genuinely liked Hidden Cloud Village where everyone’s wish was simple: to eat well, drink well, and live healthily each day.
Yet in the bustling world, human desires grew exponentially, making Yang Cheng feel they weren’t like humans but true Taotie.
After serving everyone, Yang Cheng finally served himself a bowl. Surveying his surroundings, he spotted Yun Chan and sat beside her to eat.
Yun Chan offered her meat to him, saying softly, "Eat more, you must be exhausted from last night."
"Cough cough..."
Hearing this, Yang Cheng choked, coughed violently, then leaned close to Yun Chan’s ear with a grin, whispering, "Are you jealous?"
"I am not! Just worried about your health, coming down only at noon, possibly staying up all night, and giving Enlightenment to brides today. Can your body handle it?"
Yun Chan was curious if Yang Cheng’s body was ironclad, seemingly never tiring.
"I told you before, Auntie’s body contains a type of Source Energy that I need, and yesterday, I successfully extracted it, increasing my cultivation by three levels."
Yun Chan nearly exclaimed, but managed a quiet voice instead: "You’re not lying, right? Really increased by three levels?"
As a cultivator herself, Yun Chan knew the difficulty of advancing a level. Her transition from the Qi Refining Realm to the Foundation Establishment Realm took many years, even with consumption of the Purifying Spirit Spring.
Yang Cheng simply extracted a Source Energy and had such an extraordinary opportunity.
"Why would I lie? My body’s brimming with energy now; not just one bride for Enlightenment, but even seven in one night, I could handle it."
Yang Cheng declared confidently.
"Boastful! Beware of getting drained."
Yun Chan rolled her eyes, thinking he was too boastful.
With everyone buried in their meals, unnoticed, Yang Cheng moved closer to her, chuckled, "How about I visit tonight, you clean up and wait for me?"
"Scoundrel!"
Yun Chan’s cheeks instantly reddened; she quickly lowered her head to avoid being seen.
"It’s set then, leave the door open for me tonight."
Yang Cheng assumed her lack of refusal meant agreement, happily enjoying his meat.
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