Murim's Weakest Princess-Chapter 131: Children’s Menu

After descending the dangerous flight of stone stairs, Pearl showed Anji the route to the most important place in the western district.

"It opens in the morning at ten and closes after seven in the evening. You can come anytime for food. There is always someone around to serve you the menu of the day during those hours. However, you can also choose to make your meals if you dislike the menu or need food outside those hours. Many of the more capable researchers have their assistants cook their meals here. Ingredients are free to use. You don’t have to hold back." frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Approaching the kitchen, Anji immediately noticed the sooty walls. Judging by the amount of soot built up, they had not been cleaned for at least a decade. However, exterior cleanliness was the least of her concerns. The Celestial Dragon Sect cook constantly reinforced the cooking space’s cleanliness and well-maintained utensils. Knives had to be sharp and put away in safe places, dishes must be washed thoroughly, and the wok must always be oiled.

"That is the main entrance where you can order food and sit in the mass hall. However, most researchers and librarians prefer to take it away in their lunch boxes back to their workplace. It’s up to you what you want to do, but the only cooking allowed in the sect is here. Oh, and maybe in your special dormitory. However, you’re not allowed to cook without an adult supervising. Orders from our superiors."

Nodding along, Anji entered the back door with Pearl, which led to a huge kitchen. About four other newly graduated apprentices were working on preparing ingredients inside under the instructions of a librarian who was the only person wearing an apron.

"Oh? Who do we have here today?" the librarian in an apron smiled and waved at Anji. "Hello, little cutie! Are you hungry? We just finished making some omelettes."

Instead of speaking, Anji’s stomach answered for her. Blushing, she looked down at her toes and shook her head. It had been some time since she parted with Gu Ying. It was definitely past her regular lunch hour, but it was still too early for dinner. Anji thought she would finish her tour and greet everyone before she ate. However, her stomach was too impatient.

Gasping a little, Pearl apologised and quickly requested two lunch sets. Unlike Anji, the senior librarian was used to eating at odd hours. Her work was irregular, and depending on how much work they had to do, it was normal for them to skip meals. Most cultivators here are already above the Strengthened Core stage and do not need a lot of food. Researchers with higher cultivation levels seldom ate. Their sect leader was one such example. However, forgetting about Anji’s stomach was a major mistake Pearl wished had never happened. How could they neglect a child as considerate as her?!

"Two lunch sets coming up!" the librarian in charge of the kitchen hollered.

Immediately, the other cooks scrambled to their station, chucking logs into the fireplace and whipping up a meal. They were making fried rice served with winter melon soup. Anji watched as the librarian with an apron went around to check on their cooking. Despite the chaotic culture of the Mystical Qilin Sect, cooks must come from a different culture. The librarian in charge of the kitchen was strict and meticulous regarding food handling. Under her care, the meal would definitely turn out healthy and delicious.

"This place might look like a dumpster, but the food is safe to eat. Nobody has gotten food poisoning in over thirty years since we established a new career path for those wanting to retire from research or administration. All the cooks here were once librarians and will still be referred to as such. However, they are permanently staffed in the kitchens. Some of them have become herbalists at the infirmary, and that is where we are heading after this. Unfortunately, there is no cleaning crew. Nobody enjoys cleaning in their retirement. Hence, many places with nobody to tend to regularly under a cleaning roster are neglected."

Chuckling, Anji could relate. Laundry, dishes, sweeping and mopping were some chores that most servants disliked doing. However, it paid well despite the back-breaking labour, and many only needed to do it for a few hours a day. Anji tried her hand with cleaning chores and decided that the older servants who worked at the Celestial Dragon Sect would perform better with a little assistance. She was glad she took the time in the last three years to design several cleaning gadgets to make the tasks easier. After all, nobody in the Mystical Qilin Sect seemed to think automating cleaning chores was worth investing time into.

"Does the kitchen not use any special inventions or spells?" Anji finally asked. There was not a single trace of spell in the kitchen, not even the stove.

Pearl shook her head. "The chefs don’t think food tastes good when cooked with spells. They think a big fire represents passion. I can’t argue with that because the food is amazing. You’ll understand it when you try it later."

Five minutes later, the smell of something delicious filled the air. Anji’s stomach growled angrily at the reminder that it had not eaten since morning. Normally, the diners would collect the food themselves after hearing the wooden clappers that a cook would use to signify an order was ready, hollering their number for collection. However, there were only two people present. Hence, the head chef decided to present them with their meals instead.

"Fried rice and winter melon soup for two, and a special treat on the children’s menu from us."

Winking at Anji, the head chef introduced herself as Jiu. Her nickname among the people in the western district was Aunt Wine because she made amazing plum wines during the plum season.

"It’s rare to see anyone eating in the mass hall. The last time you ate here was four years ago, Pearl. Who is this little cutie?" Aunt Wine asked, patting Anji on the head and cooing as she ate the children’s menu special first.

Unlike Pearl’s lunch set, Anji had a slightly smaller lunch portion but with an extra side of two fried dumplings. Seeing how Pearl did not have dumplings, Anji grabbed one with her chopsticks and placed it in Pearl’s bowl with a smile. Her action touched the hearts of those watching. Unlike the other areas of the sect managed by researchers, the kitchen and infirmary did not need to follow superiors’ orders. They reported directly to the sect leader, but most of the time, there were no issues to report. Nobody messed with them either because they did not want to starve or die from illness in the future.

"She’s the new special student. I’m giving her a tour of the Western District today. We’re heading to the infirmary later before I introduce her to the researchers in charge of her training."

Oh? In all her years living in the Mystical Qilin Sect, it was the first time someone like Anji appeared. The girl was not yet in a uniform like the rest of them. Her clothes might look simple, but the fabric was of great quality. She must come from a respectable and educated rich family, from her conduct. Anyone who was going to have her as their disciple will be very blessed. It was a shame Aunt Wine was no longer a librarian. She would have loved to have Anji under her wing and watch her grow up.

However, why would any rich, educated and respectable family send their young daughter here? Unlike other sects, most people who entered the Mystical Qilin Sect could never leave it. Moreover, there were strict admission criteria. This child, Aunt Wine learned was Anji, must be a genius with an unfortunate fate.

"Children must eat a lot to grow healthy," she told Anji. "I live in the retiree quarters, which are not far from here. You can find me whenever you are hungry if nobody is in the kitchen. Any food allergies or dislikes?"

Shaking her head, Anji could not recall any allergies. Her mother also told her not to be a picky eater.

"Mother said that I should not be a picky eater. The farmers worked hard to grow various vegetables, so I should learn to eat anything."

The wonderful answer made Aunt Wine lose her composure. She hugged Anji tightly and looked at Pearl.

"Can I adopt her?"

Shrugging, Pearl continued eating.

"Only if she agrees," the senior librarian pointed out. "I don’t think you can adopt her. She already has a guardian sent by her parents living in the outer court while she’s here."

Hearing that the sweet child’s parents went to such lengths, Aunt Wine had even more questions now about who Anji was. If her parents did not abandon her, why was she here in this isolated sect?

Letting Anji out of her hug, Aunt Wine observed the girl while asking about the child’s preference for food. So far, she learned that Anji was a fan of dried persimmons, which was difficult to grow in her hometown. Also, she enjoyed eating chilli dumpling noodles that an old couple in the village used to make for her.

Eventually, their time together had to end when Anji finished her meal and declined a second helping. However, the kitchen crew brightened when Anji promised to return for dinner later with Pearl.

"Thank you for the delicious meal. We’ll be back later!"

Waving goodbye to Anji and Pearl, Aunt Wine watched them leave. Only after the little pitter-patter of Anji’s footsteps was gone did she snap back to her normal self.

"What are you waiting for? Quickly make preparations for dinner! And add a new children’s menu! Little Cutie will be back in less than four hours. Chop chop!"