AZI Volume 3 Chapter 41

Night falls, and the moon looms over the skies.

The campsite that Long Hua and Yu Ji had chosen is on top of a hill, as they didn't want a repeat of the night before.

"Right, let's do this."

Placed in front of Long Hua is a sand piranha—that is situated on top of a cutting board, the size of a desk. This oversized cutting board was found inside the storage pouch—that was taken from the Ashen River Hall.

"Surnamed Long, can you even cut this thing?"

Carefully poking the piranha's sharp scale, Yu Ji finds the task of cutting this creature daunting, especially so since what Long Hua is holding in his hand is an ordinary kitchen knife.

"The fact that this thing hasn't shown any signs of rotting… Either it's built differently, or the storage pouch has a state preservation effect."

Throwing this information out there with a purpose in mind, Long Hua taps the piranha's scales with the kitchen knife, and adds—

"In any case, start putting the spit together."

"Un."

Nodding her head, Yu Ji moves behind Long Hua, and takes out the components for constructing a portable barbecue spit from the storage pouch.

Judging by how the Ashen River Hall's storage pouch is filled with such odd equipment, it would seem like in the world that they had come from, these tools were a daily necessity.

"…"

While Yu Ji is putting the spit together—along with the campfire, Long Hua shrouds his kitchen knife in sword Qi, and in a single chop, he severs the piranha's head from its body.

Without pausing, Long Hua places his left hand onto the piranha to prevent it from moving, while stabbing the knife into its abdomen.

In a swift manner, the knife divides the fish's abdomen, and just as quickly, Long Hua pulls out the fish's innards.

In a crude manner—that is somewhat similar to shaving off the skin of a fruit, Long Hua shaves off the scales of the fish in a few swings, along with a few centimeters of the meat beneath it.

"Skewer."

"You really managed to do it?"

Handing Long Hua a large metal skewer, Yu Ji watches him pierce the piranha's body using it.

After seasoning the fish with salt and pepper, Long Hua brings it over to the spit.

"Take care of cooking it, I'll clean up the cutting board to use as a plate."

"Got it."

As Yu Ji spins the spit, Long Hua takes out a towel, and dabbles it in water to wipe off the cutting board.

In this manner, time passes, and eventually—

"Should be edible now."

Saying this, Long Hua takes the fish off the spit, and places it onto the cutting board before trimming a slice off.

"…"

As Long Hua brings the slice of meat towards his mouth, Yu Ji looks on with an expression of doubt.

Taking the first bite, Long Hua closes his eyes with a somewhat pleased look on his face, while Yu Ji asks—

"How is it?"

"I didn't scream in agony or anything, right?"

Trimming a slice off as well, Yu Ji takes a bite.

The grilled surface is crisp, while the meat that is seasoned with salt and pepper is—

"Delicious…"

In a desert environment of this nature, a meal like this could only be considered a luxury.

"But… Having to use water to clean up the cutting board is a bit…"

Understanding Yu Ji's concern, Long Hua nods, and replies—

"I doubt we'd be able to have this for every meal. Still, it's important to keep our spirits up. Sacrificing a bit of water for the sake of it, it isn't a bad trade-off by any means. Any leftover fish can be sold to the market later. Some brave culinarians would probably be willing to pay handsomely to eat this."

Hearing this, Yu Ji's eyes gave off a sharp gleam.

"Surnamed Long, you really get me."

"Can it, let's just finish the meal quickly. Well, considering how big it is, I doubt we'd be able to eat all of it in one sitting. Also, being on a full stomach would make you sleepier, so don't stuff yourself silly."

Recalling what Long Hua had said previously about the storage pouch having a state preservation effect, Yu Ji asks—

"Any leftovers can be preserved in the pouch, right? So, our next meal could be this as well?"

"I suppose?"

Shrugging his shoulders on the outside, Long Hua thought—

(Ai, exchanging words with a smart person makes life much easier.)

Raising his calabash, Long Hua takes a drink, and remarks—

"If there's an oasis to be found in this desert, having another meal like this wouldn't be an issue."

"Having a bath would be nice as well… Ai, I wonder what the others are doing right now?"

"Focus on yourself. Knowing surnamed Ye, he's not the sort to die easily. As for that little girl, she has the vice-captain with her. They both have a good head on their shoulders; they won't die easily either."

"Doesn't this mean that we kind of ended up with the most ideal combination possible?"

"Maybe?"

Setting the calabash down, a strong gale brushes pass Long Hua, and—

"…"

Staring pass Yu Ji's right shoulder—

"...…"

The expression on Long Hua's face can only be described as unamused and thoroughly fed-up with all the nonsense.

"Surnamed Long, something happened?"

"Heh… Yeah, something big is happening."

Noticing how Long Hua is actually looking pass her, Yu Ji suddenly has a feeling of bad premonition—causing her to slowly turn her head around.