Chapter 304: After You

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

The guards had been dealing with an influx of nobles attempting to sneak into the castle lately. Despite their wealth, these nobles were notorious for their laziness. The Sea Demons, however, had little patience left to spare for such individuals.

Pointing towards the castle’s pinnacle, one guard remarked, “See that? That’s the guy who recently duped our lord by claiming he could prepare ancient delicacies. His remains are probably mummifying up there by now, wouldn’t you say?”

Liao Ning raised her head to look. Instantly, her hair stood on end as she spotted a grim row of five to six corpses adorning the castle’s roof. They seemed to have been lifeless for quite some time. It was no wonder that when these charlatans arrived at South Mountain Island, no one dared to venture into the central castle. This was the grim fate awaiting those who lied.

The guard sighed, “Alright, it’s not easy for the two of you to make it here. Be cautious not to meet the same end. Come on, let’s go. There are some houses outside available for rent.”

“I genuinely know how to prepare ancient delicacies,” Liao Ning asserted, taking a step forward. “You can let me demonstrate. After all, you’re not asking for a wide array of ancient delicacies, are you? I’ve honed my skills preparing dishes for a live audience.”

The guard squinted his eyes, then relented, “Fine, since you’re so insistent, follow me. If you’ve got the time now, think about your approach. Don’t end up risking your life later.”

Liao Ning and Zhou Ling followed the guard into the castle, revealing its opulent interior. Pearls adorned nearly every surface, and the entire castle was surrounded by water. The temperature was mild, and a refreshing scent filled the air.

“Young lady, this is the largest island on Deep-sea Planet. If you truly possess the skills to make ancient delicacies, you might have a future here,” the talkative guard continued as they walked, giving a brief tour of the castle. “It appears you know your way around such dishes as well. Stick to what you’re good at, and don’t let nerves get the best of you.”

Grateful for his guidance, Liao Ning smiled and proceeded to the kitchen. Upon entering, she overheard someone pleading, “Sir, please, I have money and gemstones. I can offer you all the gems you desire!”

Seated in the center, a white-haired man waved his hand in exasperation, and the guard swiftly escorted the begging individual away.

“Pathetic! Isn’t there a single soul here who knows how to prepare ancient delicacies?” the white-haired man exclaimed in frustration.

He turned abruptly and spotted the guard ushering in two more individuals. “What? Another fraud? That man from earlier will soon have his heart and lungs ripped out. Later, I’ll toss him into the deep sea as fish food! If you’re impostors, you can take the plunge into the sea right now!”

Liao Ning observed the man, whose white hair resembled her own. Despite having blue eyes, their shade appeared so dark that they seemed black from a distance. A faint resemblance to Liao Ning herself was apparent; this must be Quidy.

Seeing that Quidy was in a foul mood, the guard wisely kept quiet, instead signaling to Liao Ning with a meaningful glance.

Liao Ning quickly comprehended the message. She spoke up, “Sir, I’ve learned the art of crafting ancient delicacies from a live-streamer. May I demonstrate my skills?”

“You’ve learned it before?” Quidy seemed somewhat skeptical. “Did you learn it from my kid? The one known as Liao Ning on the live-streams?”

Liao Ning forced an awkward smile, baffled by the fact that everyone called her

Liao Ning. “Yes, I learned from her. I can certainly give it a try.”

Not detecting any change in Liao Nings expression, Quidy sat back down and relented, “Alright, then, start with clam fish soup. The one that detoxifies the merfolk? It’s a type of soup, correct?”

Inwardly, Liao Ning sighed. It appeared that he had indeed watched her live-streams and remembered the names of the dishes.

“Yes, I’ve demonstrated clam fish soup before. I can prepare it,” Liao Ning replied respectfully. “However, with so many people watching me prepare these ancient delicacies, I’m feeling a bit nervous. Could you allow us to cook here privately?”

Surprisingly, Quidy agreed, “Of course!”

Then, he added, “The two of you can enjoy the soup yourselves.”

Liao Ning nodded with a grateful smile. The entire kitchen staff withdrew, and guards stood watch at the door. They were within Sea Demon territory, so there was no fear of any mischief from these two newcomers.

As for Liao Ning, she worried that her culinary expertise might reveal her true identity, so she requested privacy for their cooking session.

With the clam fish soup, a dish she had crafted countless times, Liao Ning swiftly completed the preparation. She allowed it to simmer for a bit longer, concerned that Quidy might grow suspicious if she displayed too much expertise in crafting ancient delicacies. She waited for a full 40 minutes before calling everyone in.

“Hey! It seems like you really know your way around this. The aroma is tantalizing,” Quidy remarked as he ladled a bowl of soup and extended it towards Liao Ning. “Please, after you..”