Chapter 46: Sneaking Food

When Meng Yingxing placed the plate of deep-fried crispy pork that Xiu Qingcheng had specifically requested onto the table, Xiu Qingcheng’s eyes immediately went straight.

The crispy pork was encased in a thin, crunchy, golden-brown crust, wrapping the tender meat within.
The unique aroma of fried food wafted towards her, and Xiu Qingcheng couldn’t even begin to imagine how delicious it would be!

The sight made Xiu Qingcheng’s mouth water.

‘This disciple’s cooking skills seem even better than he lets on,’ Xiu Qingcheng thought.

Then, she swayed her sword body, trying her best to appear demure as she waited for Meng Yingxing to return to the kitchen.

Once Meng Yingxing was back in the kitchen and the sizzling sounds of cooking began, Xiu Qingcheng dropped the act.

A cluster of light enveloped the Ting Tian Sword, and at the same time, pale specks of light scattered from it, causing the light around the sword to gradually expand.

In the blink of an eye, Xiu Qingcheng transformed back into her girlish form, plopping down on the bench in a highly unladylike, cross-legged position.

Then, with the speed of lightning, she extended her demonic claws toward the plate of crispy pork on the table.

Her gracefully curved fingertips, with their slight upward tilt, unabashedly grabbed a piece of the incongruous crispy pork.

Xiu Qingcheng picked up a piece of crispy pork, tilted her head back, and popped the entire strip into her mouth in one go.

This time, Xiu Qingcheng finally didn’t have to curse the gods’ horses.

She even had to admit that the heavens had not been unkind to her!

After obtaining this semi-real body, Xiu Qingcheng’s mouth could actually taste things!

As Xiu Qingcheng ate the crispy pork, the crunchy outer layer shattered between her teeth, and the rich aroma of oil and meat instantly filled her entire mouth!

The meat was tender and juicy, the texture was rich—it was simply a delicacy of the mortal world!

How many years had it been!
Xiu Qingcheng couldn’t even remember how many years!
She was finally eating again!

At this thought, Xiu Qingcheng couldn’t help but shed tears.

With a hint of reluctance, Xiu Qingcheng finally swallowed the well-chewed piece of crispy pork, then subconsciously extended her small tongue to lick the corner of her lips.

After savoring one strip of crispy pork, Xiu Qingcheng glanced guiltily toward the kitchen, only relaxing a little when she confirmed Meng Yingxing was still busy inside.

At this moment, Xiu Qingcheng was like a cat that had stolen a fish.
There were glistening traces of oil by her lips and the same evidence on her fingertips, yet she greedily reached for another piece of crispy pork from the plate.

However, Xiu Qingcheng had some restraint.
Eating too much would inevitably arouse Meng Yingxing’s suspicion, so she very controllably ate only three pieces.

Xiu Qingcheng also discovered that after she ate, the food would turn into scattered spiritual energy inside her, extending the duration of her spirit body’s manifestation.

In other words…

She didn’t have to poop.

‘As expected, a pretty girl’s body needs a pretty girl’s solution! Pretty girls don’t poop!’

‘Long live pretty girls!’

After one last lingering look at the crispy pork, Xiu Qingcheng placed her hands on her slender, crossed ankles and, under a glow of light, transformed back into the Ting Tian Sword.

She obediently waited for her good disciple to bring her the next delicacy.

That’s right, the reason Xiu Qingcheng had Meng Yingxing make so much good food this time was precisely so she could sneak a ton of it without being discovered!

“Meow~”

Xiu Qingcheng heard a cat’s cry.
Following the sound, she tilted her head and saw a small gray cat of unknown origin sitting on the sill of the wide-open window.

Xiu Qingcheng knew there were cats around.
As a sword that didn’t sleep at night, she had even heard the sharp, miserable cries of feral cats in heat.

Xiu Qingcheng made a “tsk-tsk” sound to tease the kitten, but since her voice could only be heard by Meng Yingxing, the cat paid her no mind.

‘Oh no, my cat-petting addiction is flaring up.’

But Xiu Qingcheng was afraid the kitten would make a noise and draw Meng Yingxing out, so she had to suppress the urge stirring in her heart.

A little while later, Meng Yingxing came up with the next dish.
This time it was stir-fried beef tenderloin with green peppers.

Xiu Qingcheng saw Meng Yingxing standing by the table with the dish, staring at the crispy pork for a moment.

“What is it, little disciple?”

Xiu Qingcheng smiled faintly, feigning the concern of a good master.

Meng Yingxing shook his head.

“Does the crispy pork seem like there’s less of it? Or is my memory wrong?”

“There’s not less. I’ve been watching the whole time. No one stole any.”

Xiu Qingcheng’s words sounded like a classic case of protesting too much, but Meng Yingxing had to believe her, so he could only assume he had misremembered.

Xiu Qingcheng snickered to herself.
Indeed, no person had stolen any food, but a sword had.

“Hurry and put that dish down. You can go make the others.”

Eager to taste the next dish, Xiu Qingcheng urged Meng Yingxing to leave.

Meng Yingxing dazedly turned and went back to the kitchen.

The moment Meng Yingxing entered the kitchen and closed the door, Xiu Qingcheng flashed with a white light, and the Sword Maiden made her dazzling entrance.

This time, before she had even fully transformed, Xiu Qingcheng’s hands were already moving impatiently.

She used her fingertips to flick aside the bothersome green peppers in the dish and picked up a long strip of beef.

Although Xiu Qingcheng knew this was somewhat impolite and unhygienic, only heaven, earth, and she knew about it here, so who cared?

“So hot, so hot!”

The impatient Xiu Qingcheng was bitten by the hot beef strip.
She quickly let go and shook her hand.

After that, Xiu Qingcheng learned her lesson.
She used her spiritual energy to insulate against the heat and even blew on the beef strip a couple of times before daring to put it in her mouth.

“Hmm… a little salty.”

Xiu Qingcheng put on a professional air and critiqued the dish Meng Yingxing had made.

Perhaps Meng Yingxing didn’t eat this kind of dish very often, so he had less experience.
Xiu Qingcheng could understand if it came out a bit salty.

But that was fine.
In the future, she would have Meng Yingxing make this kind of dish every few days to properly train him!

It totally wasn’t so she could sneak food to her heart’s content!

As a disciple, wasn’t it reasonable to satisfy his master’s desires?

Although the second dish was a bit salty, for someone who hadn’t eaten in so long she couldn’t even remember when, Xiu Qingcheng was not a picky eater.

The fairy-like, aloof young girl, now with her hands and mouth covered in grease from sneaking food, actually possessed a unique charm.

The cat perched on the windowsill tilted its head, looking at Xiu Qingcheng, probably wondering how this human’s eating habits were so similar to its own.

Afterward, Xiu Qingcheng repeated the process.
Whenever Meng Yingxing brought up a new dish, she would use the interval while he was making the next one to secretly feast.

Occasionally, when Meng Yingxing brought up a dish, he would look at the food on the table and fall into deep thought.

Every time she saw this reaction from Meng Yingxing, Xiu Qingcheng would add a comment.

“How is that possible!”

“No way!”

“You’re definitely seeing things!”

Xiu Qingcheng had thought that by sneaking a few fewer pieces from several more dishes, she would be able to eat her fill.
But unexpectedly, this small amount of food only made her hungrier.

‘How can it only be this much? It’s not enough at all!’

In order to eat to her heart’s content without cleverly exposing her identity, Xiu Qingcheng looked at the cat perched on the windowsill and began to brew an evil plan.