Raising Orphans, Not Assassins-Chapter 78Vol. 1 - - Egg Fried Rice

At the orphanage

The sound of sizzling oil crackled from the kitchen.

Chen Ye held a metal wok in his hands. Inside, fluffy white rice mixed with golden bits of scrambled egg.

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With a few swift movements of his spatula, he stirred the ingredients together, ensuring an even blend.

Picking up a nearby plate filled with finely chopped green onions, he tipped them into the wok, letting them mix with the rice and egg.

After a few more tosses, he sprinkled in a pinch of salt.

Slowly, a rich and enticing aroma filled the kitchen.

Seated at the table, Nan Yiyun’s expression was dark as he inhaled the mouthwatering scent of the fried rice. The corners of his mouth twitched, and he discreetly swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

Before long—

The egg fried rice was ready.

Chen Ye scooped it into two bowls.

He placed one in front of Nan Yiyun and set the other before himself.

Passing a pair of chopsticks over, he said apologetically, "My apologies, Master Nan."

Nan Yiyun snorted, turning away, his face still stormy with anger.

The entire left side of his face was swollen, with a clear palm print imprinted upon it.

His face was completely unbalanced—as if he’d been slapped a dozen times on one side.

Chen Ye felt rather guilty.

During their fight earlier, he had misjudged his strength.

With his body filled with pure Innate Qi, a single slap had sent Nan Yiyun reeling, making the old man see stars.

After exchanging more than ten moves, Nan Yiyun finally gave up, his face dark with frustration.

He simply couldn’t land a hit.

And when Chen Ye retaliated with a palm strike, the force of his internal energy had shaken Nan Yiyun to his very core, as though his organs were about to shatter.

Only after the fight did Chen Ye realize—he had actually slapped Nan Yiyun’s face so hard that it swelled.

When Nan Yiyun touched his own face, he was so furious he nearly fainted.

So, as an apology, Chen Ye had offered to make him a late-night meal.

"Hmph!"

Nan Yiyun eyed the steaming fried rice before him. The golden egg, the crisp green onions, the fluffy white grains—

His throat bobbed as he swallowed again.

His expression finally softened.

Picking up the chopsticks, he grabbed his bowl and began eating heartily.

The moment the fried rice entered his mouth, his eyes widened.

"Mm!"

A grunt of satisfaction escaped him.

Chen Ye, seeing this, simply smiled and picked up his own bowl.

A short while later—

Nan Yiyun wiped his greasy mouth with his sleeve and let out a satisfied sigh.

"Now, this is worth living!"

Licking his lips, he suddenly noticed his wine gourd sitting on the kitchen counter.

His face darkened slightly.

Grabbing it, he pulled out the stopper and took a long swig.

The rich fragrance of Shaoxing Yellow wine filled the air as he swallowed. A faint flush crept onto his face.

He let out a small burp and turned to Chen Ye.

"Among grandmasters, we are equals in title," he said. "Brother Dong, though I’m a few years your senior, would it be acceptable if I called you that?"

Chen Ye smiled. "Brother Nan."

Nan Yiyun had just begun to smile in return—only for his swollen cheek to pull at the movement.

His expression instantly froze.

"I lost, and I accept my defeat," he said begrudgingly.

I’ll write down the training method and inner cultivation technique for Thousand Layers, Hundred Waves Technique for you."

"But we need to agree—this is for your eyes only. You must not pass it on."

His expression was serious, though there was a faint bitterness beneath it.

Who would have thought that sneaking out for a meal would lead to him stumbling upon a grandmaster?

And then gambling away his martial arts manual?

If it weren’t for the fact that Chen Ye was polite, well-mannered, and a damn good cook—

He would have run away long ago.

Chen Ye chuckled. "Brother Nan, you needn’t worry. I only wish to study it."

"Thousand Layers, Hundred Waves Technique’s resonance-based energy strikes are quite fascinating."

Hearing this, Nan Yiyun immediately understood what Chen Ye was aiming for.

He frowned slightly. "You’re thinking of integrating resonance-based strikes?"

Chen Ye nodded lightly.

Nan Yiyun shook his head.

"If you practiced the inner arts of another sect, it might be possible," he explained.

"But you practice daoist methods. The moment you condensed Innate Qi, your body became flawless and without leaks."

"The core of Thousand Layers, Hundred Waves Technique is generating multiple streams of internal energy that resonate with each other."

"But right now, you only have a single, unified stream of Innate Qi. It’s impossible."

"Unless—" Nan Yiyun hesitated, then scoffed. "Unless you can cultivate a second stream of Innate Qi. But that’s impossible."

He finished his analysis with confidence.

Chen Ye simply smiled and didn’t argue.

His Innate Qi was boundless.

If he wanted to cultivate another stream of energy, it would be effortless.

But if he said that out loud, he would surely give Nan Yiyun a heart attack.

Nan Yiyun took another swig of his wine, looking somewhat melancholic.

"Damn it… I finally took in a disciple," he muttered. “And his Foster Father turns out to be a grandmaster too."

Chen Ye chuckled. "I run an orphanage. I raise people—I don’t teach martial arts."

Nan Yiyun shot him a glare. "Hmph! Someday, that brat Sun Sheng will think only of his Foster Father and not of his master."

"If he ever masters martial arts, he’ll be closer to you than to me."

"What the hell is this? Am I your damn babysitter?"

Nan Yiyun wanted to curse out loud but, considering that Chen Ye was also a grandmaster, he swallowed the words.

Instead, he sulked and took another drink.

"Brother Dong, you’re a strange one," he grumbled. "I thought I was odd, but you’re even weirder than me."

He studied Chen Ye, clicking his tongue.

"You don’t look a day over twenty-five. At your age, having already cultivated Innate Qi—you could start your own sect. Daoist martial arts are sturdy, with long-lasting foundations. They even extend lifespan. With your abilities, you could protect a sect for over a hundred years."

Nan Yiyun took another sip of wine, his throat warming.

"And yet, you’re here running an orphanage? You’re truly an odd one."

Chen Ye merely smiled. "Everyone has their own path."

Nan Yiyun nodded. "Fair enough."

"Then I’ll leave Xiao Sheng in your care," Chen Ye said with a grin.

Nan Yiyun’s face darkened.

Had he really become a babysitter after all?

"Hmph."

He let out a disgruntled snort, grabbed his wine gourd, and stood up.

Waving a hand dismissively, he said, "I’m off."

Chen Ye walked him to the orphanage’s gate.

…

The next morning—

On the wooden kitchen table, he found a complete copy of Thousand Layers, Hundred Waves Technique.