Half an hour later, Qin Hui and Li Dazhuang got a stone pot and started cooking.
Besides some ingredients, the stone pot contained wild chicken and tree roots.
As this was a highly nourishing item, the two of them deliberately cooked it behind the mountain cave, away from everyone else.
"Brother Hui, can this thing really strengthen martial artists?"
Li Dazhuang asked curiously, looking at the tree root. It looked no different from ordinary tree roots; he could dig them up anywhere he wanted.
"You'll understand after you finish drinking the soup,"
Qin Hui said with a slight smile, feeling a sense of anticipation.
Li Dazhuang nodded at his words and couldn't help but turn up the heat.
Half an hour later, Li Dazhuang opened the lid, and a rich aroma wafted towards them.
"Wow, it smells so good."
Li Dazhuang exclaimed excitedly. While some medicinal ingredients were highly nourishing, they tasted awful. This was different; it smelled amazing, let alone tasted like it.
However, just as the two were about to start eating, a sudden voice came from behind them.
"It smells so good! I was wondering why I couldn't find you anywhere. So you were having a private feast here. What delicious food is this? Let me take a look."
Su Shijun squeezed herself between them, her eyes curiously fixed on the wild chicken in the pot. After half an hour of simmering, the chicken meat had become very tender and delicious.
"What are you waiting for? Eat up quickly, or it'll get cold,"
Su Shijun said casually.
Seeing Su Shijun about to pick up her chopsticks, Qin Hui quickly stopped her. "Uh, Sister Shijun, everyone else is cooking too. Why don't you go eat with them? This little bit isn't enough for three people."
"Oh, little Hui, are you trying to get rid of me now?"
"I don't care today, I'm eating with you guys."
Su Shijun pinched Qin Hui's waist, making his eyes dart around in pain.
Li Dazhuang, seeing this, covered his mouth and snickered.
It wasn't that Qin Hui was stingy about not letting Su Shijun eat. This was a highly nourishing item for martial artists. How could a woman like Su Shijun digest it?
If she ate it, she would probably explode. It wouldn't be good if she got sick.
But Su Shijun knew nothing of this. She ladled herself a bowl of soup and was about to bring it to her lips.
However, just as Su Shijun was about to drink, Qin Hui stopped her.
"Sister Shijun, you can't drink this soup like this. You need to dilute it with some clear water."
Since he couldn't stop her, Qin Hui decided to reduce the medicinal effect to its lowest possible level, thus avoiding further trouble.
Su Shijun looked at Qin Hui with some surprise, thinking, "Isn't concentrated soup tastier? Wouldn't diluting it reduce its nutritional value?"
However, seeing Qin Hui's sincere expression, Su Shijun began to dilute it with clear water.
While Su Shijun was diluting the soup, Qin Hui and Li Dazhuang each picked up a chicken leg and devoured it heartily, their bowls filled with chicken soup and tree roots.
Su Shijun took a small sip. As the broth entered her mouth, a wave of freshness spread through her palate.
She had to admit that it was the most delicious chicken soup she had ever tasted.
After that, Su Shijun unceremoniously gulped down the entire bowl.
Just as Su Shijun was about to reach for a second bowl, there was nothing left in the pot. Only a pile of chicken bones remained on the ground!
"You, you guys!"
Su Shijun was speechless. They had told her to dilute it, but they had eaten all the chicken soup and chicken while she was doing so.
Su Shijun felt she was too naive and too kind, being tricked into counting money for the deceivers.
Qin Hui and Li Dazhuang looked helpless, lowering their heads and grinning sheepishly.
But it had to be said, the chicken soup tasted excellent. After drinking it, her stomach felt warm, like the winter sun.
"Ahem, Sister Shijun, next time, I'll cook a whole chicken for you."
Qin Hui quickly apologized.
"Hmph!"
"You said it. I want to eat it tomorrow, and it has to be as delicious as this one."
Su Shijun acted like a spoiled child, which made Qin Hui want to laugh.
But seeing the fierce look in Su Shijun's eyes, Qin Hui suppressed his smile.
"Sister Shijun, Brother Hui, you guys chat. I'm going to digest this."
Li Dazhuang said quickly.
After drinking the soup, he felt his body filled with energy, as if it was about to explode.
Li Dazhuang knew this was a sign of his impending breakthrough. It would be great if he could break through, as he had been waiting for this day for a long time.
For some reason, Su Shijun also felt her body becoming hot. But she had only drunk a sip of soup, so how could this have happened?
At first, Su Shijun didn't pay much attention. However, after chatting with Qin Hui for a while, this heat intensified. Even her oval face turned rosy, making her look incredibly charming.
"Sister Shijun, what's wrong?"
Qin Hui, being a doctor, noticed something was amiss and asked quickly.
"N-nothing."
Su Shijun shook her head quickly. How could she admit that her body was feeling hot?
"Little Hui, I'm going to rest now."
Su Shijun dared not stay there any longer, fearing that Qin Hui would see her embarrassed state, which would be too awkward.
However, as Su Shijun stood up, her legs felt weak, and she stumbled towards Qin Hui.
Qin Hui quickly caught Su Shijun in mid-air, embracing her. He couldn't let Sister Shijun fall.
Upon contact with Qin Hui's warm embrace, Su Shijun's eyes became hazy. She was enjoying the sensation, but her reason told her she shouldn't.
"Sister Shijun, your body is very hot. I told you not to drink it, but you insisted."
Qin Hui was somewhat speechless. Upon touching Su Shijun's body, Qin Hui understood her symptoms.
Clearly, the chicken soup had been too potent. Su Shijun couldn't digest it, which caused her body to feel hot.
"Ah, but, but what should I do now?"
Su Shijun, her face flushed, leaned into Qin Hui's arms. It wasn't that she didn't want to leave, but she was simply too weak to stand. Moreover, her body was becoming increasingly uncontrollable. If she didn't release the heat, she might fall ill.
"Don't worry, leave this small matter to me. I'll help you cool down."
Qin Hui chuckled slyly and lifted Su Shijun, heading towards a dense grove of trees nearby.
Being in the woods would make things more convenient.
Seeing Qin Hui carrying her into the woods, Su Shijun's face turned extremely red. She kept hitting Qin Hui's back with her small fists to protest.
However, Su Shijun's protests were clearly ineffective...