Chapter 309

"I didn't expect you all to be quite competent—good. When I return, I'll have Father King increase your pay."

Ao Ling looked at the shrimp soldiers and crab generals blocking the way, not annoyed at all, but rather intrigued.

Our dragon clan still needs people like this.

Who is it!

So arrogant, yet still giving them a raise—the shrimp soldiers and crab generals inwardly scoffed.

Upon taking a closer look at the newcomer, he instantly trembled like chaff in a sieve.

"Your, Your, Your Highness Princess"

The shrimp soldiers and crab generals' voices trembled, their weapons nearly slipping from their hands.

"Do well"

Ao Ling nodded and strode straight in.

"Yes"

The shrimp soldiers and crab generals knelt in unison and responded.

Seeing Ao Ling walk a few steps, they then used their weapons to push themselves up.

"How did this Princess return? Didn't the Dragon King say the Princess went out to sea to study under a master?"

The shrimp soldier lowered his voice, puzzled.

The crab general quickly turned away, scolding the shrimp soldier: "Is this something you should concern yourself with? Don't ask what you shouldn't."

It's better for these lowly ones to remain a bit ignorant.

After being berated by the crab general, the shrimp soldier felt somewhat wronged, scratched his head, and stammered: "I was just wondering why the Princess wants to raise our wages?"

Upon hearing this, the crab general's mung bean eyes turned shifty; seeing Ao Ling hadn't walked far, his voice grew louder.

"The Princess saw us guarding the gate, hard at work, and amidst her busy schedule returned just to raise our pay—Shrimp Er, you actually judge us with ill intent?"

"Do you still have a conscience?"

"I, Crab Five, refuse to associate with you."

Shrimp soldier: "..."

If it weren't for the official rank being one level higher, today's matter wouldn't be settled.

Ao Ling proceeded without pause to the main hall of the Dragon Palace, where upon seeing Ao Guang seated on the throne, Ao Ling's expression changed, and he quickly said: "Father King"

Who called him? Originally resting at his leisure, Ao Guang heard the sound, felt doubtful, and opened his eyes.

Upon seeing the visitor, the entire dragon was stunned, then his dragon beard twitched, and he exclaimed excitedly: "Ling, Ling'er, how did you return?"

"Isn't it because I missed you? I came back to take a look."

Ao Ling smiled playfully and did not reveal his true purpose.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been chased out of the Dragon Palace by Father King and still gotten off lightly.

Ao Guang nodded, yet inwardly he was utterly puzzled—his daughter had returned, which pleased him greatly, but he had not overlooked a single detail.

"It's only been a few days—this is far too fast. Learning skills takes time; how could she have graduated already?" He sighed, Ao Guang's gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny: "You wouldn't have been sent back by someone, would you?"

If that were truly the case, his Eastern Sea would lose all dignity.

"What do you mean 'sent back'? In your eyes, am I really that incompetent?"

Ao Ling rolled her eyes, somewhat indignant.

Ao Guang's eyes held a hint of joy: "Could it be that you weren't driven away?"

"No"

Ao Ling wordlessly turned his head toward one side.

"Then why did you return so early?"

Ao Guang was deeply puzzled and no longer leaned on his throne; he sat upright.

Could it be that the daughter acted willfully and ran out on her own? Ao Guang's heart sank—this would not do.

That great immortal is none other than the master of the Great Immortal Sun Wukong, and Sun Wukong himself possesses vast divine powers—let alone his master; we dare not offend the Dragon Palace, and must absolutely avoid provoking him.

After coughing a few times, Ao Guang spoke earnestly: "Ling'er, as your father, I know you must have endured much hardship outside, but studying under a master without enduring hardship makes it impossible to learn true skills."

"So do not flee or abandon your future due to temporary suffering."

"I was neither driven out nor did I run away."

Ao Ling stomped her foot in anger: "I merely requested leave to return and take a look."

"No need, no need"

【48> Ao Guang waved his hand: "Everything at home is fine, Mother Empress's health is also quite good.

Ao Guang waved his hand, "Everything at home is fine, Imperial Address, your mother's health is also quite good.

You had better return soon—mastering a full set of skills is more important."

Before he could finish two sentences, Ao Guang began directly driving people away.

"This time I came specifically to visit you—this has been approved by my Master."

Ao Ling said patiently.

Of course, he also added in his heart: and incidentally take a few of your precious gems back as meal money.

Having received Ao Ling's clear reply, Ao Guang breathed a sigh of relief, finally putting his mind at ease—not having been driven away or having run off himself!

Then he looked again at Ao Ling, Ao Guang somewhat curious: "Ling'er, what have you learned at the Immortal Ascendant's place?"

Having just said that, he then muttered to himself: "In such a short time, you probably haven't even begun to be taught anything."

Normally, wanting to learn true skills through apprenticeship isn't that simple,

usually requiring one to perform menial tasks, serve tea and water for a year or two to temper one's character, before the master gradually imparts true skills to the disciple.

"Taught already"

Ao Ling blinked.

"Is that so?"

Ao Guang heard these words and instantly felt energized; he slapped the throne and stood up.

"What have you been taught?"

"Master is currently teaching me to cook."

Ao Ling said delicately.

Upon hearing this, Ao Guang was dumbfounded.

"Cook, cook?"

Ao Guang stammered, then looked anxiously at Ao Ling and said: "Ling'er, you haven't gone to the wrong place, have you?"

Ling'er isn't supposed to be studying immortal arts under a master, so how did she end up learning to cook instead? Ao Guang's face was filled with doubt.

"With Sun Wukong Senior Brother there, how could I possibly go wrong?"

Ao Ling lightly bit her silver teeth.

"Father really has no one else, is she really that unreliable, to say such things about her?"

"There's Sun Wukong the Great Immortal."

Ao Guang suddenly realized, putting his heart at ease: "Then there's no mistake."

"Master originally ran a restaurant, so teaching me cooking skills is perfectly normal."

Ao Ling shrugged her shoulders.

Speaking of cooking skills, Ao Ling became even more excited, leaping joyfully and saying: "Tonight's dish, I'll make it!"

"Let Father King and Mother Queen see what I've learned these days."

"Ling'er cooking?!"

Ao Guang's eyelids twitched as he recalled a past impulsive moment; after eating that meal, he lay in bed for a full day.

Ling'er's cooking, its power is terrifyingly formidable.

Seeing Ao Guang's frightened expression, Ao Ling became utterly ashamed and angry.

"Today's me is no longer the former me!"

"My current cooking skills will definitely make you look at me anew."

Ao Ling spoke with conviction, she is indeed a disciple personally taught by Master!

Although she hasn't yet qualified to cook independently, constant exposure ensures she won't be bad; at the very least, she has confidence—her current level surpasses that of the palace chefs.

Today, let Father King completely change his negative view of my cooking skills!

"I'll take charge of all the meals in Dragon Palace."

"Master, this is what you meant... tonight's meals, I'll handle?"

Sun Wukong's mouth twitched as he looked at the two soup pots before him and Chen Nuo and said.

Chen Nuo nodded, then slowly and deliberately picked up his chopsticks.

"You handle your meal, I eat my own cooking—this is also fine, right?"

Chen Nuo spoke in a calm tone.

"But"

Sun Wukong's face turned anxious as he protested: "But it can't be like this either."

Sun Wukong wanted to cry but had no tears; he had thought Master was letting him take full responsibility for tonight's meal, but didn't expect it was just to let him handle his own.

Look, he barely managed to make a Buddha Jumps Over the Wall with great difficulty, and Master here also made one.

Saying his was poorly made and demanding to eat it personally... "Let's eat first."

Chen Nuo softly said a sentence, then took the lead in opening the lid of the soup pot.

All the delicious flavors blended internally, only releasing their long-accumulated intoxicating meat fragrance at the moment the lid was lifted, filling the entire room.