Chapter 20:

Trade Market:

In a hurry, Qin Wan entered the main hall and found a self-service machine. She typed “Yun Shan” into the search bar.

The next second, the page redirected to “0 results found.”

Unwilling to give up, she then typed “Concentration Incense.”

The result was the same, “0 results found.”

If there were new listings, they should have appeared. Seeing “0” meant the items were sold out.

Qin Wan lamented, “Why did I think it was too expensive and only bought 2!!”

The thought of having hundreds of Concentration Incense sticks in front of her, but not valuing them, only to watch them being bought by others, shattered Qin Wan’s heart.

As a chef, Qin Wan originally intended to calmly contemplate and develop a few new dishes.

However, as soon as the incense was lit, her entire demeanor changed. Her thoughts became more active than before, and ideas kept flowing, so much so that she had to jot them down.

Qin Wan had never experienced anything like this before and thought she had suddenly had a breakthrough.

When the incense burned out, the state of inspiration that had burst forth also ended. She racked her brain for a long time before finally having a vague idea.

Refusing to believe it, she lit the second incense.

The result: another burst of inspiration!

It was at this moment that Qin Wan realized the product was indeed effective, and at 10 points per stick, it was not expensive at all.

From that day on, she visited the trade market several times a day, determined to buy more Concentration Incense.

Unfortunately, since it was sold out, no new listings appeared.

“…Could it be that I won’t be able to buy them in the future?”

Feeling heavy-hearted, Qin Wan unconsciously walked to the mission hall, intending to find work to earn points.

Her gaze wandered.

When she saw a certain job advertisement, her eyes lit up.

**

After confirming her application, Qin Wan obtained Yun Shan’s contact information from the NPC staff, and then messaged her using the black wristwatch.

“Hello, my name is Qin Wan. My family has been in the culinary business for three generations. I would like to apply for the position of the manor chef.”

Qin Wan revised her wording several times and read the message three times. Satisfied, she sent it.

Not long after, Yun Shan replied, “If you’re free, come over now.”

Overjoyed, Qin Wan hurried over.

Upon arrival, she found more than ten people waiting for an interview.

Qin Wan’s heart tightened, was the competition so fierce? She wasn’t afraid of competition, but she feared that a suitable candidate might be chosen before it was her turn, and the interviews would conclude.

To her surprise, during the interview, a blue-named male player (three stars) arrogantly declared, “Concentration Incense, 20 points per stick, I want 50 sticks.”

Qin Wan: ???

Was this really an interview scene and not a marketplace?

“Today, we are only hiring a chef, not selling Concentration Incense. Please leave,” Yun Shan sighed in exasperation.

How many of these encounters had there been?

Using the banner of culinary expertise, the first thing this person did was talk about buying incense.

“You better think carefully. This is a significant deal, and I’m offering double the price!” The blue-named player thought he would be warmly received, but he was casually dismissed, which left him flustered.

Seeing that he wasn’t leaving, Yun Shan directly called out, “Lu Liu.”

In a flash, a vine shot out and bound the person, swiftly tossing him over the fence without a word.

“This is the bodyguard I’ve hired at a high salary,” Yun Shan stated seriously, “I’m only hiring a chef, if you have other matters, you can discuss them with her.”

The entire room fell silent.

Of the dozen or so people waiting, twelve left immediately, leaving behind five genuine chefs.

The next candidate, in his forties, had the black text “Chef Meng” displayed above his head, and surprisingly, he was an NPC. “Three stars, awakened talent ‘Great Strength,’ with over 20 years of experience in the industry.”

Yun Shan glanced at Lu Liu, suspecting that this was arranged by Lu Ming.

Lu Liu looked back indifferently, but internally, she was completely baffled—what am I supposed to do? Am I expected to throw this person out too?

“Why are you applying?” Yun Shan asked as usual.

Chef Meng’s eyes gleamed with a hint of passion, “I want to become the best chef!”

Art can transcend into the divine, and skill can reach the level of the sacred.

Throughout his life, he had pursued the pinnacle of culinary artistry, and nothing else.

Seeing his sincere attitude, Yun Shan agreed to let him stay, “A 15-day trial period, and upon employment, employee benefits will be provided, with one Concentration Incense per week.”

“Good.”

With the manor having found a chef, the remaining three interviewees left disappointed.

Refusing to give up, Qin Wan pleaded, “You may not need a head chef, but do you need an assistant chef? I’m willing to work as an assistant for free, as long as I receive 1 stick of Concentration Incense per week.”

Dishes developed in the game could be made in reality.

If 2 sticks of Concentration Incense could provide her with a new understanding of culinary skills, then obtaining more would undoubtedly elevate her abilities to a higher level!

Therefore, Qin Wan earnestly pleaded, vowing not to let go of any glimmer of hope.

“Qin Wan, a second-rate chef from a prestigious family?” Yun Shan pondered.

“Yes,” Qin Wan earnestly replied. “Though young, I’ve been honing my skills for many years. I have a solid foundation in ingredient selection, knife skills, and heat control.”

“In that case, you should join us,” Yun Shan decided.

“What?” Surprised by the sudden turn of events, Qin Wan was momentarily stunned – she felt she hadn’t said much before the other party was already moved.

“It’s evident that both of you have an indescribable passion for culinary arts. To enhance your skills and strive for the peak, that’s why you’re here to apply,” Yun Shan smiled. “So, I’ll give you a chance.”

She then arranged accommodation for both and led them to the kitchen. “Utilize the available ingredients to each prepare three dishes. No restrictions, just make them delicious.”

“No problem,” Chef Meng promptly agreed.

“I won’t let you down,” Qin Wan assured earnestly.

Yun Shan: “I’m looking forward to it.”

**

Chef Meng and Qin Wan stayed in the kitchen to prepare lunch, while Yun Shan headed to the bamboo house to give a detailed checkup to Lu Ming.

Lu Liu boldly followed to protect her. “Wasn’t the plan to hire just one chef?”

“It happened coincidentally,” Yun Shan explained as they walked. “Both have good potential, so I decided to take them both.”

Whether it was Chef Meng or Qin Wan, in the previous life, they were estate employees. In this life, their fates intertwined once again.

“Do you know that Chef Meng?” Yun Shan casually inquired.

“I don’t,” Lu Liu shook his head.

“Is that so?”

Yun Shan was no longer sure if it was her own ability that attracted NPC talent to her doorstep, or if Lu Ming had quietly lent a hand.

At times, she felt grateful to Lu Ming, almost as if she had gained NPC assistance by cheating. At other times, she thought it was simply fair compensation for her efforts.

She also considered what it would be like to use the lord to command NPCs, seize power, and have the entire camp under her control. What were NPCs then? It was only out of good relations with everyone that she didn’t act.

In a sense, she was an extremely dangerous individual with numerous opportunities to act, and NPCs were right to be wary of her.

Her emotions were quite complex.

The more Lu Liu thought about it, the more something seemed off. She countered, “Should I know him?”

Yun Shan: “It doesn’t matter whether you know him or not.”

Starting over, she was too weary to bother.

Lu Ming wanted to offer help, but she relied solely on her own abilities.

As they chatted, the bamboo house came into view.

Having just finished a medicinal bath, Lu Ming looked much better, with a hint of laziness on his face.

Catching sight of Yun Shan, his expression stiffened, and he suddenly felt a rush of heat to his ears.

Yun Shan scrutinized him carefully and remarked, “His condition is actually better than I anticipated.”

“It’s probably due to Zuo Xin’s efforts,” Lu Liu speculated. “After getting the Tranquilizing Potion prescription, he’s been drinking it daily, which has somewhat alleviated his symptoms.”

Yun Shan recalled the past and shook her head with a sigh, “Simple-minded people have their luck.”

Zuo Xin: “…”

He was still right there!

“How are you feeling?” Yun Shan asked Lu Ming.

“I want to sleep,” Lu Ming replied coldly.

Yun Shan was taken aback and after a while said, “Feeling sleepy is a good sign. I won’t disturb you then, go ahead and rest.”

“Okay,” Lu Ming replied indifferently. Due to the recent bath, his ears were slightly flushed.

Yun Shan, Zuo Xin, and Lu Liu then left the room.

“Why do I feel like he doesn’t want to see me?” Yun Shan wondered.

Lu Liu looked at the sky, “Perhaps he’s been through something triggering.”

Yun Shan: ?

Zuo Xin hesitantly explained, “During the illness, it’s known that offending a divine doctor can lead to guilt.”

Yun Shan: Oh, feeling bashful.

**

Two days later, Han Jiaqing called the core members of the guild together for a meeting. “After trying the Concentration Incense, what are your thoughts and insights?”

Kang Zeyang spoke first, “The effect is damn good! Concentration is improved, time flies by. After working in the fields, no more sore waist or aching legs, can even work for an extra hour.”

Another person said, “When I read medical books while burning the incense, my memory noticeably improved, and my understanding ability greatly increased.”

Feng Yao added, “When training at the field and using the incense, my learning progress doubled. An NPC I was training with had an epiphany while borrowing the incense, and the next day, he went from a beginner to intermediate, doubling the cost. Later, he voluntarily exchanged contact information with me, saying as a token of gratitude, he’s willing to train with me at the original price, anytime.”

Guild members: ???

This is too much.

Feng Yao continued, “I speculate that the Concentration Incense is akin to a double skill experience card, equally effective for NPCs.”

He looked around and emphasized, “This means that gifting NPCs with Concentration Incense will have remarkable effects.”

Han Jiaqing gasped, suddenly realizing the true value of the Concentration Incense.

**

Lunchtime arrived.

Chef Meng prepared braised duck with potatoes, stewed rabbit meat, and pumpkin pies.

Qin Wan prepared braised duck, soy-braised beef, and osmanthus cakes.

Chef Meng, with over twenty years of experience, showcased his expertise. The braised duck with potatoes was tender and flavorful, the stewed rabbit meat was delicate and delicious, and the pumpkin pies were soft, glutinous, and slightly sweet.

Qin Wan’s braised duck was equally tender, with a hint of seafood sauce. The soy-braised beef was succulent and flavorful, and the osmanthus cakes were fragrant, sweet, and delicate.

Dahei couldn’t stop eating the soy-braised beef.

The five white falcons adored the duck meat, indulging in both the braised duck with potatoes and the braised duck.

The newly arrived four-star white tiger cub was not picky, eating everything. From the pumpkin pies to the stewed rabbit meat, and then from the stewed rabbit meat to the osmanthus cakes – wherever there was competition, it was present.

Judging by their eating habits, Qin Wan’s three dishes were more popular.

“It seems you’ve put effort into ingredient selection,” Chef Meng expressed his approval.

Qin Wan admitted, “My culinary skills are not as good as yours, I just got lucky.”

The braised duck was prepared for the white falcon, the soy-braised beef for the wolfhound, and the osmanthus cakes for the white tiger – all tailored accordingly.

Chef Meng didn’t mind, “Only someone capable could get lucky. Take this braised duck for example…”

He became animated, commenting on everything from ingredient selection to knife skills, from seasoning to cooking time, offering both praise and criticism, in a very fair judgment.

Guided by Chef Meng, Qin Wan felt like she was awakening from a dream. She quickly took out pen and paper, eager to take notes, her eyes shining, “Please continue.”

The master’s guidance, meticulous and detailed, was no less effective than the Concentration Incense.

Seeing her eagerness to learn, Chef Meng became even more enthusiastic, speaking eloquently and at length.

“It seems they are getting along very well,” Yun Shan smiled.

“What about the lord? What’s for lunch?” Zuo Xin asked while looking at Yun Shan.

Yun Shan rolled up her sleeves, “I’ll prepare a nourishing meal for him.”