Demon hunter's Cooking Manual

The sudden sound of the door being slammed startled the young girl, causing her to drop the bowl she was holding. The half bowl of soy milk traced a white arc in midair.

"Ah!"

The young girl let out a surprised cry.

But the cry abruptly stopped.

Because Jason caught the bowl.

Not just the bowl, even the soy milk in midair was caught and returned to the bowl without spilling a single drop.

"This?"

The young girl stared at the scene, completely frozen in shock.

"Don't waste food."

Jason said this as he placed the last bun in his mouth and headed towards the front courtyard.

The timing was just as he expected.

Him?

Of course, he couldn't afford to waste time.

After all, it would soon be lunchtime.

...

Outside the martial arts academy, three men stood under the signboard of "Mu-Style Boxing Gym."

Two men were in front, one stood behind.

The two at the front were burly, dressed in black short outfits, with bronze-studded wrist guards on their wrists. Their exposed chests revealed thick black hair. Their faces were full of ferocity, heads completely shaved, standing there exuding an aura of menace.

"Tsk, quite an impressive display."

The man on the left glanced at the brand-new signboard, sneering.

"Exactly!"

"Even making Mr. Chen personally deliver the invitation."

The man on the right nodded and echoed, then suddenly turned around and flashed a sycophantic smile at the man behind them.

The abrupt change in expression was unnervingly natural yet hard to accept.

Especially when the man on the left also broke into the same smile and turned around.

In an instant, the two fierce-looking men transformed into servile lapdogs.

"Indeed, Mr. Chen even hosted a banquet for this country bumpkin last night."

"Truly giving him face."

"Frankly speaking, this country bumpkin only managed to win against Peng, Zhang, Li, and Zhao because he suddenly appeared, catching people off guard. If they fought again, with Peng, Zhang, Li, and Zhao's skills, they'd easily take him down."

The man on the left said.

The man called Mr. Chen simply nodded noncommittally.

He wore a long white robe made of silk, embroidered at the edges with creamy wave-like patterns. A large jade thumb ring glimmered on his right hand under the morning sun, complementing the movements of his folding fan. His gold-rimmed glasses and neatly combed hair gave the man, who appeared in his thirties, a scholarly demeanor.

Yet the occasional flicker of cold light in his triangular eyes behind the glasses betrayed his true nature, far removed from that of a cultured gentleman, despite the carefully curated look.

"This Master Mu does have some skill."

"At the very least, he's not one of those useless braggarts who used to stroll into Martial Arts Street."

"He deserves respect."

The man called Mr. Chen spoke slowly and politely, but his gaze towards the "Mu-Style Boxing Gym" veiled a mocking undertone.

Respect?

Of course, he respected him.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered using poison.

He had painstakingly established Martial Arts Street and would naturally not allow anyone else to interfere.

Perhaps in the future.

But for now?

At such a critical moment, it was only natural to eliminate the problem.

Who knows how Peng Liang handled it?

Did he make it look like suicide?

Or simply slash his throat and toss him into the mass grave?

He didn't know.

After all, to be cautious, he drank the same wine as that country bumpkin, and compared to the bumpkin's physique, he himself had already passed out once the man left.

Thus, everything was handed over to Peng Liang.

But he was quite confident.

After all, Peng Liang wasn't doing this for the first time.

He would surely execute the task flawlessly.

As for what comes next?

That was the very reason he came here today.

To collect the corpse of that country bumpkin.

And incidentally take over this courtyard. Though it wasn't worth much, renting it out would still yield some profit, enough to hire two or three good hands from the alleys.

These would be real helpers who could be put to use immediately.

Just as well, the docks hadn't been peaceful lately, with those destitute laborers stirring up trouble. They needed to be shown some blood.

Oh, yes!

And that bumpkin's maid!

She could be taken in as well!

A maid brought by some country bumpkin, her beauty and figure were even better than the top courtesan at Zui Xiang Lou.

Now she would be his.

Thinking of this pleased him, and Chen Tong couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth curl upwards.

And at that very moment—

Creaaaak.

The martial arts academy door opened.

Chen Tong froze as he stared at the tall, broad figure emerging from behind the door.

The two sycophantic subordinates were similarly startled, recoiling in surprise.

Each prided themselves on their physique and often enjoyed watching commonfolk tremble in fear before them. Yet here, before this towering and burly figure, they instantly seemed two sizes smaller, if not more.

As the figure stepped forward, shadows enveloped them.

In that instant, the two couldn't help but retreat.

The earlier disdain vanished entirely.

Chen Tong quickly regained his composure and, seeing Jason walk out, promptly showed a warm smile.

"Master Mu, good morning."

"I was supposed to deliver this to you last night, but I overindulged and passed out, my apologies."

As he spoke, Chen Tong clasped his hands in greeting.

One of the followers immediately pulled an invitation from his pocket and extended it to Jason.

Jason received it, but did not open it, instead responding with a smile.