That day, when quitting time arrived.
The orange-red afterglow of sunset spilled into the Big Mixed Courtyard as He the Venerable and the others returned one by one.
Shouts rose from all around, and the bustling, smoky air of evening meals began to fill the courtyard.
"Brother Yi, watch me show off my skills! Sister Qin's iron pot stewed fish is fragrant, sure, but my boiled tofu with pickled vegetables is not to be outdone!"
He the Venerable bustled about, moving tables, chairs, and benches as he shouted.
Outside it was freezing cold, but Cultivators at the Qi Cultivation Second or Third Layer were unbothered by such a chill.
His hands moved nimbly as he set up two pots: one iron pot for stewing a large cut of meat with vegetables, and one copper pot for poaching fish slices and blanching greens.
"Who wants to eat your bland pickled vegetable tofu! It's tasteless!"
