Magic Chef Of Ice And Fire

MCIF Chapter 3.2

Chapter 3.2 - A Chef's Cultivation

Nian Bing said, "Why didn't you say that earlier? You hadn't said it clearly, how could you blame me? I've finished eating. I'm going to go out and exercise."

Zha Ji helplessly said, "This time I will forgive you as I hadn't given you an explanation. If you give another reply like that at noon, you won't get an evening meal. You should go exercise now. Take that axe and go chop some firewood."

Nian Bing looked in the direction Zha Ji's finger pointed. He only saw a large axe in the corner with a handle nearly as tall as himself. The blade of the axe was about a Chi (a third of a meter) in length. Although it appeared to be somewhat rusted, he could still sense it's sharpness. He nodded his head and said, "Master, I am going now. How much firewood do we need before I return?"

Zha Ji stared blankly. He had originally believed that Nian Bing would have surely complained once he saw that huge axe, but he hadn't expected him to readily agree. He unconsciously asked, "Don't you think this axe is too big?"

Nian Bing helplessly said, "I still have to go and chop wood even if it's big! Now that you have me, just leave all the heavy manual work to me. It must be inconvenient with your hands. Rest well. Maybe your hand tendons will grow back in the future." Saying this, he walked over to the large hatchet.

Hearing Nian Bing's words, Zha Ji's chest expanded as it once again felt as if something was residing in the center of his chest. His heart fluttered as a warmth that had been absent for many years reappeared.

The axe truly was heavy; he was barely able to drag it over using both his hands. Using such a heavy axe to chop wood could not be considered convenient.

Zha Ji said, "Nian Bing, you only have to chop a little firewood before returning, just enough for our livelihood. What I need you to do is to use that axe to split and chop the logs, nice and slender. To become a chef, one must have a robust body. At the same time, your knife handling must become reliable and steadfast through practice. Do you understand?"

Nian Bing nodded his head in understanding as he smiled and dragged the large axe outside.

"Wait a moment." Zha Ji couldn't help but break into a cold sweat when he discovered he had forgotten the most important matter. The Heavens have sent me such a great disciple with much difficulty. Even a hundred deaths could not redeem Zha Ji if Nian Bing lost his life because of his carelessness.

Walking out of the room, Nian Bing turned his head to look at Zha Ji, "Master, do you have something else?"

Zha Ji patted his stomach and said, "I have truly gone senile. You have just arrived and I forgot to introduce you to the state of affairs around here. This forest is called the Peach Blossom Forest because over seventy percent of the trees growing here are peach trees.

Nian Bing thought to himself, 'Isn't this nonsense? There aren't any peach trees, so why would you call it Peach Blossom Forest?' and asked, "How is it like that?"

[TL Note: Nian Bing doesn't recognize those trees as peach trees.]

Zha Ji said, "The majority of peach blossoms here are a different kind. Do you know why there are no people here? That is because these kind of peach blossoms can secrete a type of poison that spreads through the wind. I named it Peach Blossom Miasma as its toxicity is absolutely fierce. If people or animals inhale it, they would immediately convulse and die. That is why this is one of the Ice Moon Empire's forbidden areas. Not many creatures can live here apart from the few animals that possess an innate resistance. People definitely won't come here. Therefore, you do not need to be afraid of any pursuit. "