Zombie Bodyguard

Chapter 2139: Chapter 2136: Medicine and Food from the Same Source

Lin Tian swallowed his saliva and said, "Then I won’t be polite."

His stomach had long been hungry, who cared about culinary skills or not. He picked up the wooden spoon, filled a bowl with fish soup, and ate and drank heartily. Seeing Lin Tian eating ravenously, the Fishing Elder smiled with satisfaction.

No one knows what kind of fish this is; the fish soup is incredibly delicious, and the fish meat is both tender and smooth—a top-grade ingredient.

Oh, that’s strange. There’s a warm sensation in his stomach. Lin Tian put down the bowl, wanting to serve himself another one, but suddenly felt a warmth in his abdomen, like warm water flowing, cozy and exceptionally comfortable.

Seeing Lin Tian’s surprised expression, the Fishing Elder chuckled proudly, "Little brother, does your abdomen feel warm? Do you know why that is?" Lin Tian naturally shook his head.

The elder didn’t keep him guessing and continued, "This type of fish usually lives in the Underground River, and as the sun sets, they swim up through the crevices to the river channels. These fish have absorbed certain substances from the Underground River, maybe stalactite essence, or perhaps rare herbs. Eating this fish can greatly enhance one’s vitality."

"Ancient Martial Artists can use it for cultivation, while ordinary people can enjoy it for improving health and longevity. So, how was I not generous to you?" the Fishing Elder said, laughing.

"How miraculous?" Lin Tian was astonished; it was the first time he’d heard of such a fish. But considering clams can nurture pearls, it seemed reasonable that the Underground River could produce this type of fish as well.

"Bragging again, Old Man Ling. Go on bragging, it’s just for boosting vitality. Hardly anything special. Look at my red mushroom and nameless root—those are top-tier ingredients. Little brother, try them." The Taoist Elder protested and promptly invited Lin Tian to taste.

When it comes to gourmet food, Lin Tian never refuses, but if Xiao Manxuan knew, she’d probably drool a thousand feet.

He picked up his chopsticks, about to grab the plate of red mushrooms, when the Taoist Elder held off his chopsticks and handed him a cup of water: "Don’t rush, drink the water first to cleanse the palate from all the greasy flavors so you can savor the essence of the ingredients."

This remark drew an eyeroll from the Fishing Elder, who clearly scoffed at this notion.

Lin Tian, half believing, drank half a cup of water, then tried the red mushrooms. They had a unique texture, delicious and juicy, better than any mushrooms he had ever eaten.

However, though tasty, after consuming the red mushrooms, they didn’t have any unique effects, definitely inferior to the fish soup.

The Taoist Elder seemed to have guessed Lin Tian’s thoughts, smiled, and pointed at the plate of nameless root: "Try this next."

Lin Tian picked a piece, this kind of rhizome was white and shiny with a fragrant scent, unknown what plant root it was. He put it in his mouth, chewed a few times, and just as he was about to swallow, it suddenly dissolved.

Could this be the legendary melt-in-your-mouth? Lin Tian was thoroughly amazed.

As the dissolved substance entered his abdomen, a few seconds later, a refreshing essence surged up from his stomach to his mind. Lin Tian felt invigorated, as if he hadn’t slept for three days and nights, then had a fully satisfying sleep, waking up refreshed.

"Truly wondrous..." Lin Tian couldn’t help but say.

The Taoist Elder stroked his beard seriously, "This rhizome plant and red mushrooms are mutual symbionts. Collecting and cooking them, they can induce enlightenment and clear the Spirit Platform, aiding meditation."

Aiding meditation? Lin Tian’s mind stirred, remembering his practice of the Xuanwu Meditation. Last time, his meditation failed due to mental distractions. If he consumed this red mushroom and nameless root, it might greatly aid in cultivating the Xuanwu Meditation.

Lin Tian thought of a better solution: the red mushroom and nameless root might be rare medicinal herbs, or foods with medicinal properties. He might be able to extract their essence and refine them into a new Elixir.

However, he didn’t know the availability of these two ingredients, and asking the elder for them might be tricky,

He was lost in thought there, not speaking or commenting, the two elders didn’t agree.

"Little brother, you tell me, isn’t my fish soup better than his vegetarian dish?" The Fishing Elder challenged.

"What vegetarian dish? This is mountain delicacy, not the white radishes you grow at home." The Taoist Elder retorted.

Upon hearing the two elders bickering, Lin Tian felt a headache. Truth be told, both’s culinary skills were top-notch, and the ingredients were premium too, hard to determine a winner, each had its features, and couldn’t be compared.

After contemplating, Lin Tian said, "Gentlemen, before evaluating, let me first ask you a question: between soul and spirit, the soul governs one’s consciousness, while the spirit governs the body. In your view, which is more important?"

"Of course equally important." The two elders replied promptly, in unison.

Lin Tian chuckled internally; as long as they thought this way, it would be easy to proceed.

He continued solemnly with nonsense, "Soul and spirit rely on each other, internally connected, fundamentally unified, not superior nor secondary, and the ingredients from both of you—one strengthens the body, and one clears the spirit. Now, would you say these ingredients differ in rank, differ in priority?"

The elders pondered deeply, and Lin Tian seized the moment, "Certainly not, and as for culinary skills, gentlemen, each of you has employed suitable cooking methods that preserve the essence of the ingredients while retaining the delicious taste. The suitable culinary methods are the best culinary skills, essentially indistinguishable in rank."

"Well said!" The Fishing Elder clapped the table, loudly applauding.

The Taoist Elder also applauded: "Marvelous, marvelous indeed, the reasoning of the little brother is brilliant, both the metaphor for soul and spirit and the notion of suitability are incredibly insightful."

Phew, Lin Tian breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, his eloquence was intact, or else who knows how long these quirky elders would argue, hindering any chance of eating.

"Uh, gentleman, could we start eating now?" Lin Tian reminded.

"Surely, little brother must finish it all." The Fishing Elder waved grandly, laughing heartily, his mood clearly good, highly satisfied with Lin Tian’s previous words.

Lin Tian hurriedly grabbed a bowl to serve rice, calling the two elders to start eating. The Fishing Elder ate in a match with him, not caring about appearances, eating as comfortably as he wished. Meanwhile, the Taoist Elder ate with meticulous precision, and once he started eating, he didn’t utter a word, perfectly adhering to the ancient principle of "don’t speak while eating."

After the meal, naturally, Lin Tian couldn’t be lazy and went to wash the dishes for them; after all, he had eaten their food and planned to stay the night in their place.

When he finished washing and returned, the elders had already set up a chessboard, lighting an oil lamp, engaging in a fierce battle. On the board, black and white pieces exchanged moves, neither yielding.

Of course, Lin Tian didn’t play Go, only knew that surrounded pieces were captured. The elders didn’t have any grand strategies; even in one corner, they could create chaos, capturing each other’s pieces, playing back and forth joyfully.

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