Records of Mysterious Things in the Southern Dynasties

Chapter 547 Don't Offend the Cook
Lan Jing, the cook in the Qi Prince's mansion, was no ordinary man. His father, Lan Qin, was a famous general in the Southern Dynasty who was on par with Chen Qingzhi.

After Lan Jing entered officialdom through his father's influence, he hadn't even had a chance to distinguish himself when the Hou Jing Rebellion broke out, and Gao Cheng seized the opportunity to invade the south. He was defeated and captured...

Following the custom of the time, Lan Jing revealed his identity and paid a huge sum of money to redeem himself, asking Gao Cheng to release him so he could return to China.

However, he encountered Gao Cheng, who disregarded rules and was a rogue by nature.

Although Gao Cheng had received a considerable sum of money, he refused to release the man and instead took him in as a servant, making him work as a cook in his household, thus humiliating Lan Jing.

Lan Jing, born into nobility, was ashamed to serve others, and besides, what could a young master like him possibly know how to cook? Every time he cooked, it was either too salty or too bland, either burnt or undercooked. Each time, Gao Cheng would berate him severely and find various ways to humiliate him…

Unable to bear the humiliation, he repeatedly begged to be redeemed, which displeased Gao Cheng. Gao Cheng then ordered the head cook to beat him with a stick and threatened him, "If you keep babbling, I will kill you!"

Lan Jing knew he couldn't go home, and he was so angry that he wanted to kill Gao Cheng, but of course, it was just a thought... He knew it was impossible; how could a mortal kill a god?
That day, he was cleaning the stove in the kitchen when the head cook came in and ordered, "The king wants to eat fish, and specifically asked you to cook it. Remember to scrape off the scales clean, and don't break the gall bladder, you fool!"

"..." Lan Jing's heart sank, knowing that she was about to be humiliated again.

Gao Cheng knew better than anyone that his cooking was terrible, so the fact that he specifically asked Gao Cheng to cook meant that Gao Cheng probably needed someone to vent his anger on again...

~~
Lan Jing squatted by the well, clumsily handling the large carp, when she inadvertently caught a glimpse of her haggard and tired face reflected in the water basin.

I noticed my left eyelid was still swollen; that was from when Gao Cheng beat me up last time I put too much salt in the chicken soup. This time, cooking fish is even more difficult; I wonder how badly I'll get beaten up again.

The thought that he, a son of a noble family, had fallen to such a state filled him with shame and indignation. He was utterly despondent and threw down the scissors in his hand, intending to jump into the well to commit suicide.

Unexpectedly, the person fell into the well and was frozen in place, suspended in mid-air, neither rising nor falling...

"Who's playing a trick on me?" He was a man of the world; seeing himself upside down, unharmed, yet unable to fall into the water, he knew someone was using magic on him.

"I am the immortal of the well, immortal, immortal..." Then a voice, feigning old age, echoed in the well.

"I have no grudge against you, so why are you playing tricks on me?" Lan Jing was already on the verge of collapse, feeling that everyone was persecuting her.

"What are you saying?" the Well Immortal said. "You jumped into the well for no reason. If I let you fall in, wouldn't that pollute my well? Who would come to draw water from it in the future?"

“You’re right.” Lan Jing smiled sadly and said, “Then send me up there, and I’ll stab myself to death with scissors.”

"Young man, why are you so eager to die at such a young age?" Jingzhongxian said in an old-fashioned tone, "In this chaotic era of war, those who don't want to die won't live much longer. What's the rush for you?"

Lan Jing, filled with anger and with no one to confide in, tearfully recounted her ordeal to the well-dwelling immortal. "A scholar can be killed but not humiliated. Do you understand now?"

"I still don't understand. Since that person insulted you, you should have killed him. Why did you commit suicide?" Jingzhongxian asked.

"What are you saying? If I could kill him, would I need to commit suicide?" Lan Jing said speechlessly.

"Who is there that you can't kill? Tell me," the Immortal in the Well pressed.

"Telling you won't help."

"How do you know it's useless? Tell me, and I'll help you kill him," Jingzhongxian said gruffly.

"He is not someone a little monster like you can handle."

"Speak! If I can't kill him, I'll change my surname to yours!" Jing Zhongxian was getting impatient. "It's Gao Cheng, the master of this Qi Wang Mansion, who has already become a god. Go ahead and kill him!" Lan Jing said irritably.

"..." Jingzhongxian fell silent for a moment.

"Haha, scared now?" Lan Jing couldn't help but laugh. "It's alright, I'll just take it as you bragging and send me up."

"Who said I was bragging? You just wait and see!" said the Immortal in the Well.

Lan Jing then saw a light emanating from the well, reflecting the scene on the ground.

I saw another version of myself squatting by the well, having already prepared the fish, then getting up and carrying a basin towards the kitchen...

Then heat oil in a wok, coat the fish with batter, and fry until golden brown. In a separate pot, simmer a sweet and sour sauce, and quickly pour it over the fish. As it sizzles and bubbles, a delicious and colorful Yellow River carp is ready to be cooked.

Lan Jing stared in disbelief, thinking to himself that this monster's cooking skills far surpassed his own. He quickly said, "Alright, alright, that's enough for me. No need to go assassinate anymore..."

The other Lan Jing seemed not to hear his voice. He carried the plate of fish through the corridors and halls to deliver the dish to the Shence Hall where Gao Cheng and others were discussing matters.

Upon hearing Gao Cheng's order, the guards not only failed to stop him, but instead looked at Lan Jing with schadenfreude, all thinking that he was about to be in trouble again.

Inside the Shence Hall, Gao Cheng sat on a folding chair, surrounded by his confidants, including Cui Jishu.

Lan Jing looked at Gao Cheng with curiosity and saw that he was a peerless handsome man with the appearance of a virgin and an extraordinary demeanor. No wonder he was the man who could give birth to the Prince of Lanling.

"What are you looking at so suspiciously?!" Unfortunately, his words completely ruined his image. Gao Cheng glared at him and cursed at the crowd:

"Last night I dreamt that this scoundrel was wielding a knife and trying to kill me. It's really an ominous sign. If I can't eat this fish, I'll kill him!"

"If Your Majesty wants to kill, then kill. There's no need to eat the fish, is there? It's definitely not palatable anyway," the crowd laughed.

"How will you know if you don't try it?" Lan Jing retorted, unconvinced. "Since this is the last meal prepared for Your Majesty, please do me the honor of tasting it!"

"Hahaha!" Gao Cheng was amused and picked up his chopsticks, saying, "I'm immune to all poisons, why would I be afraid of eating a bite of your stinky fish?!"

As he spoke, he glanced at the fish on the plate; its color was a vibrant amber, dazzling and eye-catching, the sauce glistening and glossy, making it incredibly tempting. His eyes lit up, and he exclaimed:

"No wonder you're so confident, but good looks aren't enough; taste is the most important thing." He picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks, and immediately smelled its aroma. He put it in his mouth and tasted it. It was surprisingly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sweet with a hint of sourness, and mellow without being greasy!
"Excellent fish! Excellent fish!" Gao Cheng exclaimed. "For the sake of this dish, I'll spare your life for now. From now on, do it this way!"

“There will be no future.” Lan Jing shook her head.

"Why?" Gao Cheng was taken aback.

"Because this is your last meal before your execution!" Lan Jing said, a black and white chaotic blade appearing in his hand, which he stabbed at Gao Cheng with lightning speed.

Gao Cheng was shocked to see this, but he was extremely brave and did not dodge or flinch. Blood-red flames suddenly rose from his arms, and he actually wanted to catch the white blade with his bare hands!

However, the blade was too fast; he slammed his palms together, but caught nothing...

At the same time, I felt a chill on my neck, and my huge head had been chopped off!
(End of this chapter)