Chapter 285 - 138: But, It Shouldn’t Be This Strange

Chapter 285: Chapter 138: But, It Shouldn’t Be This Strange

The next morning, the sky was overcast and gray.

Low-hanging clouds pressed down from above, like a thick felt blanket soaked with water, heavy and threatening to burst into a downpour at any moment.

Jiang Mu pushed open his door and found that Shui Miaozheng was already awake.

Faint noises and the subtle aroma of food drifted from the direction of the kitchen.

He followed the sounds and saw Shui Miaozheng, wearing a plain apron, busy at the stove.

"Xiaojiang, you’re up."

Shui Miaozheng heard him and looked back, smiling gently. "I’ve prepared washing water, blue salt, and a willow twig for you on the rack by the door. Go wash up. Breakfast will be ready soon."

"Okay. I appreciate it, Aunt Shui."

Jiang Mu acknowledged her and walked over to the rack by the door, picking up a willow twig to brush his teeth.

The awkwardness from last night seemed to have faded away with the darkness.

Neither of them mentioned it again; everything felt natural and ordinary.

After washing up, Jiang Mu returned to the kitchen doorway. Leaning against the frame, he asked, "Aunt Shui, need any help? Stoking the fire or preparing the vegetables?"

Shui Miaozheng was bent over, checking the porridge in the pot. Hearing him, she straightened up, tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and shot Jiang Mu a playfully reproachful look before shaking her head and smiling.

"No, no. The kitchen is all smoke and fire. It’s not a place for a man. People would laugh if they heard about it. Go sit in the hall and wait. Don’t get in the way here."

With that, she turned around and bent over to lift the pot lid.

As she bent down, her normally loose robes stretched taut, her waist and hips creating a sudden, swelling curve.

The fabric of her skirt was stretched tight.

Like a sausage skin about to burst.

Jiang Mu’s gaze swept over it inadvertently. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly looked away.

He rolled up his sleeves and walked over.

"Let me help. It’ll be faster with two people, and we have to go clean up the demon nests and do our tasks later."

Shui Miaozheng was about to refuse, but she saw that he had already deftly taken over the task of chopping vegetables. She shook her head in resignation, but a smile played on her lips as she teased him.

"Fine, I’ll let the great Hall Master condescend to help for once. If anyone found out that the famous Killing Deity Jiang of Hu State also knows how to chop pickled vegetables, they’d probably die of shock."

"Food is the staff of life. There’s no shame in cooking."

Jiang Mu replied with a smile as his knife rose and fell, the rhythmic CHOP-CHOP-CHOP of the vegetables light and quick.

The two of them worked together in the narrow kitchen, one chopping vegetables, the other managing the pot.

"A little more heat on the fire."

"Got it."

"Pass me that salt jar... Ah, careful, it’s hot."

The small kitchen felt a bit crowded with an extra person, but they each stuck to their roles with surprising coordination.

They made small talk about unimportant things.

About the weather, about the sights of Yan City—the atmosphere was light and natural.

But the cooking area was cramped, and as they turned and passed things to each other, a few bumps and brushes of their bodies were inevitable.

Jiang Mu didn’t pay it much mind, but the woman would occasionally blush. She would look like she wanted to say something, but then she would see the man’s focused profile and swallow her words.

The roaring stove fire made the kitchen increasingly stuffy and hot.

Tiny beads of sweat gradually appeared on Shui Miaozheng’s forehead.

The warm, lingering scent from the night before was steamed out by the heat, growing thicker. It was like a spoonful of rendered lard mixed with the sweet fragrance of gardenias, a cloying aroma that assaulted the nostrils.

Jiang Mu, who had been focused until now, couldn’t help but feel a little constrained in this environment.

His gaze started to wander occasionally.

Eventually, their wandering eyes met. They shared an awkward smile, pretended to make a bit more small talk, and went back to cooking.

Fortunately, breakfast was simple and quickly prepared.

Plain porridge, some side dishes, and a plate of freshly made scallion pancakes were set on the small table in the main hall, radiating a sense of domestic warmth.

They sat opposite each other, eating in silence.

After a few sips of porridge, Jiang Mu asked, "Aunt Shui, what’s the plan for our group today? What tasks need to be done?"

Shui Miaozheng put down her chopsticks and thought for a moment before saying:

"You can stick with me for now. In the area we’re responsible for, there are still a few scattered demon nests that need to be cleared out. We also need to set up some warning and lethal Talisman traps at several key passes to prevent infiltration by Demon Army scouts. The tasks aren’t too heavy, but they require care."

Jiang Mu nodded, then said:

"I have some personal matters to attend to this morning. I should be able to get back and meet up with you all around noon."

"Personal matters?"

A hint of concern flashed in Shui Miaozheng’s eyes. "It’s not very safe around here. Is it dangerous? Why don’t I go with you? We can have Cuicui and the others start setting the traps."

"No need. It’s not dangerous. I’m just going to see a friend."

Jiang Mu shook his head, declining her offer.

Shui Miaozheng knew what he was capable of, and seeing his confident expression, she didn’t press the issue. She only advised him softly:

"Then be careful, and come back soon."

"I will."

...

After breakfast, Jiang Mu left the encampment alone and headed toward the wilderness where Meiruo Temple was located.

Arriving in a familiar area, he sensed that no one was around, then raised his arm and made a light slash through the empty air.

Demonic Qi flowed from his fingertips, and space tore open like a piece of cloth, revealing a rift.

Jiang Mu stepped inside.

The scene before him changed, and he was once again back at the familiar temple.

Unlike its previous dilapidated and gloomy state, Meiruo Temple, while still desolate, had clearly been cleaned and tidied. The broken walls and rubble had been gathered, the weeds pulled, and it looked much neater.

The broken doors and windows had also been crudely repaired.

Yu Xiaoqian was holding a broom, carefully sweeping the courtyard with several other female ghosts.

"Bookworm..."

Catching sight of the suddenly appeared figure out of the corner of her eye, Yu Xiaoqian first froze, then her face broke into a delighted smile.