Magic Chef of Ice and Fire

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The sweetness of the white porridge, mixed with the freshness of the vegetables, the two different scents beautifully combined. After devouring a bowl of porridge, Nian Bing felt as though he regained some strength, even his spirit had improved significantly. The ordinary vegetable porridge brought him an aftertaste so delightful, it satisfied his taste buds so much that he couldn't help but grow fond of Cha Ji.

"Grandpa, thank you. This porridge tastes so good, did you make it?" Nian Bing asked curiously.

A glum expression flashed across Cha Ji's eyes, "all I can do now is make these ordinary dishes."

"Ordinary? How could it be? This vegetable porridge is the most delicious thing I have eaten. The taste is really great. Even the meals my mom used to cook, weren't as tasty." Mentioning his mother, Nian Bing's eyes turned red, his intense hatred spread, causing Cha Ji to secretly become apprehensive.

"Young man, I still don't know your name? And why did you fall into the water? Where are your parents?"

Nian Bing's whole body stiffened, although he was only ten years old, he was much more mature than his peers due to the strenuous travels he went through with his father over the past few years. He clung to his father's advice to say only a part of his mind to strangers. After an inadvertent slip of tongue that had them pursued for a month two years ago, he profoundly understood this. He lowered his head and said, "My name is Nian Bing, I can't remember anything else."

How could Nian Bing's words be believable to the cunning and seasoned Cha Ji? Cha Ji didn't question any further though, he just smiled faintly and said: "My name is Cha Ji, you can call me Grandpa Ji. If you say you have forgotten everything already, do you have a place to go?"

Struggling to hold back his tears, Nian Bing shook his head, "I...I don't know where to go."

Seeing his sad demeanor, Cha Ji couldn't bear it and said, "Nevermind, child, I know you must have some secrets you cannot tell. I won't force you. If you want to, you can stay here for the time being. After all, in this Peach Blossom Forest, it's just me."

Nian Bing opened his eyes wide and said firmly, "No, thank you Grandpa Ji, but I must leave. You saved me, I can't get you implicated."

Cha Ji frowned slightly, "So, somebody is trying to kill you. What kind of person would be so ruthless as to not spare even a small child like you? You were crying out for your dad and mom in your sleep, have your parents met with misfortune?"

Tears rolled down his cheeks, Nian Bing cried out in grief. Cha Ji quickly hugged him and comforted, "It's okay, it's all over. You must have been scared. My place is very secret and it's so-called forbidden land. Ordinary people won't come here. You can stay here in peace for now. At least wait until you've recovered before thinking about leaving. Sleep a bit more, I'll make something good for you to eat in the evening." Under the comfort of Cha Ji, Nian Bing fell asleep once again.

When Nian Bing, who was ten years old, woke up from his sleep again, his mind had completely stabilized. The sunlight that had been pouring in through the window had disappeared, the birds seemed to have returned to their nests to rest, and the surroundings had become quiet.

Getting up from the bed, Nian Bing found himself in a large homespun robe, obviously Cha Ji's. He moved his body a little and felt no exhaustion. Softly and quietly, he opened the door and walked out. The surroundings were pitch black, and he could not see anything clearly. The misty night brought a bit of chill. He unconsciously tightened his robe and walked towards another room with light next to him. He accidentally hit something with his foot and made a slight sound.

"Nian Bing? Come in." Cha Ji's voice came from the room.

Nian Bing pushed the door and walked in. It was a wooden house slightly larger than his room. Cha Ji was holding a book in his hand, reading under the bright oil lamp. Seeing him walk in, Cha Ji put the book aside and smiled, "Let's go, Grandpa will take you to the kitchen. Everything has already been prepared, and we just need to heat it up."

It was then that Nian Bing noticed Cha Ji was very tall, but his upper body was bending somewhat with age. Gripping Nian Bing's small shoulder, Cha Ji led him out of the room and said as they walked, "I'm the only one living in this small yard. Now that you're here, it's not as lonely anymore. Come, see what delicious meals Grandpa has prepared for you."

The kitchen, a separate room, was located five meters away from the two bedrooms. When Nian Bing followed Cha Ji here, he was surprised to find that the kitchen was actually bigger than both his room and Cha Ji's combined.

Cha Ji lit the oil lamp. On the table beside it were several dishes covered with woven wicker lids. Through the gaps, it was evident that these dishes were all vegetarian.

Cha Ji took off the lid, revealing four green vegetable dishes, each differently prepared. He went to the stove, took out the flint, and, with trembling hands, tried to ignite the unevenly arranged firewood. "I prepared the meal a while ago, but it's gotten cold now. Let's heat it back up. The taste might not be the same, but it shouldn't differ by much."

Nian Bing was surprised to notice that Cha Ji's hands were constantly trembling. Sparks were flying from the collision of the flint, but because his hand was shaky, it was difficult to ignite the firewood. He quickly and politely stepped up and offered, "Grandpa, let me help you."

Cha Ji sighed, his face again expressing melancholy. He handed over the flint to Nian Bing, "I'm old. I should have used the oil lamp instead. Who would have thought, the once Ghost Chef could not even light a fire now. Everything has become the past."

Nian Bing did not take the flint nor respond to Cha Ji's remarks. Instead, he fully concentrated and said softly, "Passionate Fire Element, I call on you to bring warmth to the world." His voice wasn't steady, but it carried a special tone causing resonance. He slowly reached his hand down and a small red flame slowly rose. Although the flame wasn't very bright, the firewood in the stove ignited as soon as it touched the flame.

Cha Ji watched Nian Bing, his eyes wide in astonishment, and murmured, "Magic, this is Fire Magic. Dear Sky God! Did you send this child to me deliberately? Thank you, thank you, I finally have hope, this is so good." He was cheering incoherently, his previously hunched body now straightened in excitement.

"Grandpa, Grandpa Cha, what's wrong with you?"

Cha Ji snapped back to reality, grabbed Nian's shoulders in excitement, and said, "Child, you're a mage, right? You're a Fire Mage, tell me."

Nian Bing shivered all over, realizing that he had impulsively revealed his magical ability. He vigorously shook his head and denied, "No, I'm not. I... am not."

"No, you are." Cha Ji affirmed, "Child, rest assured, I mean no harm to you. I'm just too happy. You're so young and you're already a Mage, this must be a blessing from heaven!"

Nian Bing seemed to recall the scene in the Ice God Tower and shouted emotionally, "No, I'm not! I am not!"

Only then did Cha Ji realize that the recently recovered Nian Bing was somewhat overwhelmed by his provocation. He quickly said, "Child, listen to me, just listen to me, okay? Look at my hands." Saying this, he released Nian Bing, and flipped his hands upwards to reveal his wrists.

Drawn in by Cha Ji's words, Nian Bing subconsciously looked at his wrists. "Ah- " On each of Cha Ji's hands, there was a horrifying scar as deep as one centimeter at the wrist, although the wound had healed long ago, the scar was still startling. The whole wound was sunken, showing dark purple, it looked extremely terrifying.