Chapter 240: This is a vegetable dish, not rice

Seeing pile after pile of wood worms that had fallen at his feet, Zhang Chong was completely stunned.

He kept saying it was impossible, having fished wood worms for so many years, yet he had never seen such a thing.

However, Ye Zhangqing didn't bother with him at the moment, looking at the wood worms at his feet, he let out a soft 'yi', picked one up casually, and examined it closely.

"It's very similar to bee pupae."

He hadn't seen it before, but now Ye Zhangqing discovered that this wood worm wasn't just similar to the bee pupae of his previous life—it was practically identical.

Bee pupae, however, are a delicacy, rich in high-quality protein; whether deep-fried or made fragrant and crispy, their taste is superb.

"Junior brother, can we take these wood worm corpses?"

He turned to ask Wei Feng, and upon hearing that, Wei Feng responded doubtfully.

"It's possible, but these wood worms aren't useful at all."

Wood worms also have little value; they're usually killed and thrown away directly, and no one has ever been seen collecting their corpses.

"Shī xiōng, what do you want these wood worm corpses for?"

"Let's test them back home; maybe they'll make a nice dish."

Ye Zhangqing replied offhand, but as soon as he said that, Wei Feng beside him froze, and then his expression gradually changed.

"Shī xiōng says these wood worms are a delicacy?"

"You won't know until you try."

In an instant, Wei Feng's eyes turned red as he looked at the wood worm corpses; Senior Brother Ye Zhangqing said these wood worms are a delicacy, so they definitely are.

Having grown up in Tree City since childhood, he never noticed this—really, he deserves to die.

Immediately, Wei Feng sprang into action, pulling out several large hemp bags from somewhere and swiftly gathering the wood worm corpses on the ground.

Seeing this, the people nearby were stunned again—why collect wood worm corpses?

In Tree City, wood worms are harmful pests with no benefits, yet now the Young City Lord is actually collecting their corpses, and he's even excited—what's going on?

Soon, Wei Feng had gathered all the wood worm corpses scattered on the ground.

After finishing, the two prepared to leave, but behind them Zhang Chong shouted angrily.

"Hold on, the match isn't over yet."

Zhang Chong couldn't accept this result, but Ye Zhangqing turned his head, completely uninterested, and said.

"Consider yourself the winner, Master Worm Fisher."

At your age, still squabbling over food—what difference does it make if you win?

Having said that, Ye Zhangqing didn't wait for Zhang Chong's reply, took Wei Feng and left directly; as for Wei Feng, he couldn't even be bothered to pay attention to that old man.

At that moment, all he could think about was the taste, wondering just what flavor these wood worms had.

"Hold on, you young whippersnapper, if you've got the skill, let's have another go."

Behind them, Zhang Chong kept shouting angrily, but Ye Zhangqing and the others paid no heed; the onlookers watched the furious Zhang Chong, and their expressions turned somewhat strange.

Although no one said it outright, everyone knew that Zhang Chong had been utterly defeated this time.

Look at their several large hemp bags of wood worm corpses—Zhang Chong didn't even see a shadow; the outcome was clear at a glance.

All the way back to the City Lord's Manor, as Ye Zhangqing and the others returned, Bai Hua Xianzi, who had been lounging in the courtyard resting, walked up with a smile and said.

"You're back already?"

"Shī xiōng said he wanted to try a new dish using wood worm corpses."

Without waiting for Ye Zhangqing's reply, Wei Feng spoke up first; upon hearing that, Bai Hua Xianzi's eyes lit up instantly.

I didn't expect there to be a new dish to try.

Soon, the many disciples still in the City Lord's Manor all heard that Ye Zhangqing was going to make a new dish, and they came excitedly to wait outside the kitchen.

As for those not in the City Lord's Manor, such as Hong Zun, Qing Shi, and Zhāng Tiānzhèn, no one went to inform them.

Just let them play outside.

In the kitchen, Ye Zhangqing first washed the wood worm corpses clean, then let them dry.

For this first attempt, Ye Zhangqing planned to use the simplest method: deep-frying.

First, it would preserve the original taste, to confirm whether the wood worm's flavor matched what he imagined.

Second, it's simple—just need some oil and fry them.

The key point in deep-frying wood worms is controlling the oil temperature; if the oil is too hot, it will burn the worms, so the temperature must not be too high.

First, heat the oil, then let it sit for thirty seconds, after which pour in the wood worms.

Fry them until golden all over, then scoop them out.

It's a very simple process, so it didn't take much time either way, and Ye Zhangqing finished it.

As each golden wood worm came out of the pot, a fragrance wafted out.

Bai Hua Xianzi, Zhao Zhengping, Zhao Rou, Xu Jie, and the crowd gathered around, sniffing the tempting aroma, each eagerly anticipating.

"These wood worms are so fragrant!"

"No wonder it's Junior Brother Ye Zhangqing—he can find delicacies wherever he goes."

"Besides, it's got to be Junior Brother Ye Zhangqing—he has a pair of eyes skilled at discovering delicacies."

Hearing the praise from everyone, Ye Zhangqing picked up a wood worm, tasted it carefully, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

Indeed, it tastes very much like bee pupae, but even more delicious than bee pupae; biting into it, it's crisp and crunchy, with a faint woody fragrance.

You see, Ye Zhangqing didn't add any seasoning—this is the wood worm's natural flavor.

"How is it, Junior Brother Ye Zhangqing?"

Everyone asked nervously; upon hearing that, Ye Zhangqing laughed and said.

"You senior brothers will know once you try it."

Since it's just a trial and it's not yet mealtime, there's no need to fight for a spot.

Upon hearing that, the disciples all picked up a wood bug and then carefully placed it into their mouths.

At first they might have been a little uneasy, but when the wood bug's unique fragrance burst in their mouths, the disciples' eyes instantly widened.

"This taste.............."

Zhao Zhengping looked shocked, his whole body stood there dumbfounded; he never expected the wood bug's taste to be so good.

As for Xu Jie beside him, he had already scooped up the plate, muttering to himself while frantically shoveling wood bugs into his mouth.

"I couldn't really taste it; let me try again."

"Trying what nonsense, Third Shī xiōng, you're going too far."

"Holy shit, this fucking is a dish, it's fried wood bugs, not rice, Third Shī xiōng, leave some."

"You think you're eating rice, taking bite after bite?"

Seeing Xu Jie directly lift the plate and dig in, the disciples also instantly became annoyed: 'How can you fucking eat wood bugs like that?'

One plate of wood bugs wasn't enough to fill anyone's teeth gaps, and Xu Jie alone ate a large half.

In just a few breaths, the plate of wood bugs was completely cleared, and the disciples, still unsatisfied, turned their gazes toward Ye Zhangqing.

Faced with the gazes of many senior brothers and sisters, Ye Zhangqing smiled helplessly.

Then please trouble all you senior brothers to help wash these wood bugs.

Junior brother, I said earlier, this small matter we'll handle.

That's right, senior brother is known for loving cleanliness; I guarantee I'll wash them white and tender.

Fried wood bugs, the most troublesome part is cleaning; as for the cooking process, it's simple, not troublesome.