Chapter 73: Junior Sister's Worry and Doubt During the day, the Taoist temple is quiet and peaceful. Several cats were walking in a line on the top of the courtyard wall with light footsteps. A fox followed behind them. I don't know how it got up there. Although it was not as nimble as the cats, it was not clumsy at all. From its expression, we could see its concentration and seriousness, as if it was practicing the technique of a cat walking on a wall. There were three people in the courtyard below, divided into two sides. The young junior sister brought out a wooden table from the cafeteria, placed the sand table used by the sixth senior brother for planchette writing on it, broke off a dry branch to use as a pen, and was practicing writing hard, muttering to herself. "Cold, coming, heat, going... "Autumn, harvest, winter, storage..." Every time she wrote a word, she had to read it out loud. If she didn't, not only would she not be able to write it, but she would also not know what to write next. The two people next to them were one talking and the other learning. "This is called a flat knife, which can be used to hollow out wood, make grooves or carve curved shapes; this is called a flat scraper, which can be used to cut straight lines or trim flat surfaces; this is a bevel knife, which can be used to carve thin lines or carve details; this is a scraper, which is mainly used to scrape wood flat; this is called a carving knife, which is usually used to do the most detailed and final work."
The third brother sat on the stone steps in a very casual manner, facing a few carving knives and said to Lin Jue: "The so-called carving beans into soldiers is mainly divided into three steps: “Carving, refining and possessing spirits; "Carving is the first step. It may seem boring, but it is actually very interesting once you get into it. It is the best way to kill time in the mountains. It is better than digging, farming and playing in the mud. "Don't underestimate this step! Although the strength of the bean soldier's physique and power are mainly determined by the materials and sacrifices, the bean soldier's combat skills are mainly determined by the step of spirit attachment, but carving is equally important! “In addition to using magic power to give spiritual charm to each cut, the carving skills cannot be ignored! "Legend has it that there was once a craftsman who did not know how to cultivate himself or practice magic. He relied solely on his skills to carve objects that were indistinguishable from the real thing. He then pointed directly to the Great Dao, and his sculpture actually became real." Lin Jue couldn't help but feel surprised: "Is there such a thing?" "The world is so vast that nothing is impossible. All kinds of skills and techniques are ultimately the same thing. So why do you think that the spiritual techniques and techniques you practice will definitely surpass the efforts others have put into their entire lives? Why do you think that the path you take will definitely be lighter and farther than the paths others have taken?" The third brother smiled and picked up a piece of wood. "This is soft wood from the mountains. You can use it to practice first. I'll teach you the simplest one first." "it is good." There were fallen wood flowers all over the yard. There was also a rustling sound while practicing calligraphy next to me. When the autumn wind blows, the flowers on the ground fly everywhere. …… call-- The fire in the stove suddenly became brighter. It was not a waste for Lin Jue to practice the method of carving beans into soldiers. Wood chips were good starters and the wood itself was firewood. After practicing, it could be used as firewood. At this time, the stove was full of wood chips, burning red. When the flames were burning fiercely, Lin Jue threw in a few more pieces of wood. After learning for a few days, the wood had been carved into a roughly round sphere.
Lin Jue did not forget to reach out and touch the fox lying next to him. There are a few cats lying nearby. The autumn atmosphere in the mountains is obvious. As the weather gets colder day by day, making a fire while cooking has become a kind of enjoyment. These cats also like to come to the front of the stove and help people make a fire. Even when making a fire, the cats gathered in the stove hole must be invited out first. At first, Fuyao also liked to learn from them, but he was very obedient. When Lin Jue found that he was covered in black and said something to him, he really stopped going in. "Brother, let me do the burning." The junior sister came over quietly, her fair brows slightly wrinkled, and obvious worry was visible on her face. "Okay." Lin Jue carefully stepped over a row of cats. The junior sister also stepped in carefully. But when the fox saw him leaving, he looked at him, then stood up and followed him, sitting down by the stove. In autumn, fish, crabs and hares are all very plump. Early this morning, the clouded leopard brought two fat hares to the temple. Seventh Senior Brother also went to the river at the foot of the mountain to fish for two mandarin fish. Lin Jue thought for a while, then went to the fields outside to dig a lot of ginger, added freshly ripe green peppercorns, and cooked a peppery and ginger shredded rabbit. The mandarin fish was steamed with bacon. The junior sister’s talent lies in the five elements. She also learned the spiritual method of fire. Her attainments progressed quickly and she was closely following Lin Jue. This was reflected in the way she made a fire. She could make the fire big or small as she wished. There was no need to add or reduce firewood. She could control it naturally with just a finger or a blow. Before long, a strong and pungent aroma emanated from the kitchen, accompanied by the sizzling sound of boiling oil. As the noise gradually subsided, the aroma became less pungent and softer, and the only sounds in the kitchen were the burning firewood and the bubbling in the pot. With a wave of hand, the breeze blew away the white smoke. The snow-white rabbit meat is rolling in the pot, some of which has a little bit of sunset red, rising and falling in the thick and delicious soup. The oil around it has a little green and yellow because of the shredded ginger and green peppercorns. The slightly stimulating aroma from the shredded ginger and green peppercorns in his nostrils makes Lin Jue feel somewhat familiar. With a spatula, he scooped up a piece of rabbit meat from the corner. He took a bite and it tasted almost familiar. Lin Jue was very satisfied. He pinched another piece for Fu Yao and handed another piece to the little sister who was tending the fire. "Taste it." "Ah?" The little sister looked up, but was stunned. "Don't we have to wait until the table is served and Master opens his mouth before we can eat?" “Just a taste.” "Oh……" The junior sister then dared to reach out her hand, carefully picked up the rabbit meat without touching the spatula, and put it into her mouth. Freshly dug young ginger is the best in this season. In addition to the fragrance of the ginger itself, there is also a unique spicy flavor. The green peppercorns are slightly numbing, and have a more astringent fragrance than mature peppercorns. The rabbit meat is not dry at all, but very tender in the mouth, and has already absorbed the flavor. The junior sister opened her eyes wide in surprise. Not only because it was a flavor she had never tasted before and a taste category she had never experienced before, but also because in her impression, rabbit meat was very unpalatable, especially wild rabbit, which had almost no taste, no oil, and tasted dry. If you chewed it carefully, you could taste the fishy smell of the meat itself. Usually, Clouded Leopard or Fourth Brother's friends in the mountains would often catch wild rabbits and send them to her, and they tasted just like this. But this pot is completely different. "How about it?" Lin Jue asked casually.
"good to eat!" There was surprise and sadness in the junior sister's eyes. "Then try another piece." "Isn't this bad, Senior Brother?" The little sister said in a low voice, "We have to wait until the table is served and the master gives the order." "That's true, but the people who are responsible for lighting the fire and cooking always have some privileges, and the cooks in the army can always eat more." Lin Jue said with a smile, "Besides, they really need to taste more flavors." "..." The junior sister was stunned. She had never heard of such a theory. There was no such logic before I went up the mountain and when I was at home. But before he could figure it out, the meat was handed to him again. The junior sister could only pick it up with sorrow in her heart. "Senior brother..." "What's wrong? You've been frowning all day." "It's my turn to cook tomorrow." "is it?" "yes……" The junior sister said worriedly. Originally, she had eaten the meal cooked by the sixth and seventh senior brothers. Although she had no cooking skills, she thought she could barely cope with it. At most, she would just have to be more careful. But she never thought that this senior brother who looked not much older than her actually had such a skill. In recent days, every time the day of cooking for herself approaches, she becomes more worried. "Brother, tell me, they are used to eating the food you cook, so if they eat the food I cook, will they scold me to death?" "how could be?" “I’ll be disgusted!” “No, I don’t think so…” "..." The little girl's face became more and more worried. "Ha ha……" Lin Jue couldn't help but laugh twice. While scooping the vegetables, he said with a smile: "If you are worried, I will cook for you first." "How does this work?" The little girl immediately raised her head. "Why not? When I was cooking, didn't you come to help me light the fire and do chores every day?" Lin Jue said, "Next month, I will help you cook, and you can continue to help me light the fire and do chores."
"How can this be done..." The tone has become much weaker. "I enjoy it, there's nothing wrong with it. Besides, if I let you guys continue to cook, it would be too much, I won't be used to the food." Lin Jue said this honestly. "Really?" "It's too boring in the mountains." Lin Jue said, "But you have to learn." "I will definitely work hard!" The little junior sister's expression became serious, and the haze of sorrow was swept away, and her eyes became brighter. But then came some doubts. "Senior brother..." "what happened again?" "You really like cooking?" "Why? Isn't it interesting? And you have to help me wash the pots and dishes." "Then tell me, why do you all have a hobby? For example, the eldest brother likes farming, the second brother likes playing the piano, the third brother likes carving and brewing wine, the fourth brother likes playing the flute, the fifth brother likes playing with mud and firing porcelain, the sixth brother likes being a carpenter, and the seventh brother likes fishing and playing around." The younger sister became more and more confused as she spoke, "Even you like cooking, why don't I have any hobbies?" Lin Jue couldn't help but look at her with pity. Because you have been doing hard work. …… It is indeed quiet in the mountains. Just like what Third Senior Brother said, once your practice is on the right track and you have no doubts about spiritual techniques, you only need to practice and comprehend the spells by yourself, and you don't have to recite scriptures every morning, then you will be bored. Got to find something to do. Go to the mountains to practice magic. The scenery in the mountains changes constantly. The stream and the mountains are my companions, the clouds and the moon are my companions. When he returned to the Taoist temple, he practiced carving, making fire and cooking. The wood thrown into the stove gradually changed from the roughest balls to regular ones, and then took on new shapes. The dishes are different every day. Sometimes, when we are in a good mood, we will bring out jars of wine and have a drink together. Bright moon when you wake up, fresh breeze when you are drunk. January after month. It is easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. The month for the little junior sister is over, and it is the eldest senior brother's turn to cook, but it is still Lin Jue who cooks. It is the second senior brother's turn, but it is still Lin Jue who cooks.
Lin Jue didn't care at all. It is said that several senior brothers take good care of them on a daily basis, whether asking for advice or helping them, they are never vague. Compared to this, cooking a few meals is just a small matter. Just as he said, it not only adds flavor to life in the mountains, but can also be regarded as a kind of pleasure. (End of this chapter)