[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-venerable-demon-chef":3,"chapter-venerable-demon-chef-venerable-demon-chef-chapter-42":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Venerable Demon Chef",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},912516,1190,"Chapter 42 - 40: Array Outline","venerable-demon-chef-chapter-42",42,"\u003Cp>\"Young man, I’ve told you many times now. Hurry up and make a few small dishes. The three dishes and one soup you have listed on the wall will do just fine,\" the old man said with a wide grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Qi was about to say something, but Yang Ming and Yu Liang stopped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Junior Brother, you should just do as he says,\" Yang Ming transmitted, watching the old man cautiously, terrified he might get angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s right. If he gets upset, we won’t be able to protect you,\" Yu Liang added via transmission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Qi was shaken. His curiosity was piqued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’What kind of person could scare Yang Ming and Yu Liang this badly?!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and went back to the kitchen. A few short minutes later, the three dishes and one soup were served.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man inhaled the aroma, his face a mask of pure bliss. His eyes narrowed to slits, and he gulped repeatedly, his Adam’s apple bobbing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked nothing like a lofty master. He was more like a starving wolf, just short of wagging his tail with his tongue hanging out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you let him go now?\" Mo Qi demanded, slamming the dishes down on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man just smiled and waved his hand. Liu Hui was free again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young man, don’t be so grumpy. I came here today with good news for you,\" the old man mumbled, stuffing his face with his bare hands without a shred of decorum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not interested,\" Mo Qi snapped. He had no goodwill for this old man who had broken his rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh!\" The old man chuckled. \"I was going to introduce you to a young lady, but what a shame... Tsk, tsk. Don’t you come crying to me later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Qi rolled his eyes, his tone resolute. \"Don’t worry. Even if I stay single for the rest of my life, I will never beg you for anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man gave him a strange smile and said no more, turning his full attention to the delicious food before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, a graceful figure appeared at the entrance of the restaurant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her slender, curvaceous figure was enough to set one’s imagination racing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, as the figure drew closer, everyone saw that it was a young girl with a filthy face and dressed in rags.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Ming and Yu Liang were startled once more, their gazes darting between the old man and the young girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, as if they had realized something, they both clapped their hands over their mouths to stifle their gasps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Am I dreaming? Is that personage really going to introduce his granddaughter to Mo Qi?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This is explosive! But then again, with that kid Mo Qi’s culinary skills, is there anyone he couldn’t win over?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Liang and Yang Ming exchanged glances, communicating in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Qi noticed neither their strange behavior, nor the fact that the previously nonchalant old man was now fidgeting restlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing the girl, a genuinely doting smile spread across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ruyan, long time no see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl was none other than Liu Ruyan, whom Mo Qi cared for like a little sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Mo, Ruyan missed you,\" Liu Ruyan said with a sweet smile, jogging over and throwing herself into Mo Qi’s arms. She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist and snuggled her head against his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she passed the old man, she \"discreetly\" stomped hard on his foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s face froze. He sucked in a sharp breath, the corner of his mouth twitching uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Qi, used to Liu Ruyan’s affectionate behavior, just smiled and patted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We haven’t seen each other in over a month, and you’ve gotten taller.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?\" Liu Ruyan beamed. \"Do you like it, Brother Mo?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha, of course I do!\" Mo Qi said, naturally taking Liu Ruyan’s small hand and leading her to a seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must be hungry. I’ll go make you something delicious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mhm,\" Liu Ruyan nodded obediently, even puckering her lips and swallowing cooperatively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her adorable display swept away all of Mo Qi’s earlier frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, you’re not playing fair, kid,\" the old man suddenly grumbled. \"When I wanted to eat, you hemmed and hawed, but as soon as this little girl shows up, you rush to the kitchen yourself?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Qi shot the old man a look. \"She’s my sister. Is that any of your business?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister? Heheh.\" The old man’s eyebrows rose, and his smile turned mischievous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Ruyan turned her head away from Mo Qi and shot the old man a ferocious glare, grinding her teeth threateningly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How weird,\" Mo Qi muttered, ignoring the old man. He gently pinched Liu Ruyan’s cheek and smiled. \"Don’t mind him. Just wait a bit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he walked into the kitchen. Liu Ruyan gently caressed the cheek he had just pinched, her heart fluttering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Ming and Yu Liang’s jaws dropped, their faces a mask of utter disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’What in the world is going on?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Mo Qi has known Liu Ruyan all along, but he doesn’t know her grandfather, Liu Hong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’And this grandfather-granddaughter pair, Liu Ruyan and Liu Hong, are pretending not to know each other in front of Mo Qi.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This is... City folk sure are something else.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should we give Mo Qi a heads-up?\" Yang Ming transmitted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, no, no! We shouldn’t get involved in this. We can’t afford to offend them,\" Yu Liang transmitted back, shaking his head frantically. \"Let’s just act like we know nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the table in front of Liu Ruyan was laden with all sorts of dishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just the standard three dishes and a soup from the wall; there were also many new creations that even Yang Ming and Yu Liang had never tasted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Hong’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could tell at a glance that the dishes in front of Liu Ruyan were leagues better than the simple three dishes and a soup he had received.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inhaling the fragrance wafting through the air, he desperately wanted to leap over and snatch it all for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandpa, if you dare try to steal any, I’ll pluck out your entire beard and confiscate all your snacks when we get back!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Ruyan’s warning made Liu Hong deflate like a punctured ball, and he slumped back into his chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go on, try it,\" Mo Qi said with a smile, setting down the last dish and sitting across from Liu Ruyan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I won’t hold back!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Ruyan was no stranger to Mo Qi’s cooking, but this was her first time trying his Medicinal Cuisine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With just one bite, the blissful flavor seemed to melt her very heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow, this is so delicious!\" Liu Ruyan exclaimed, then began to wolf it down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she ate, she deliberately described the texture, unique qualities, and flavor of each dish of Medicinal Cuisine in a loud voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Liu Hong, who loved good food more than life itself, this was nothing short of torture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m leaving!\" Liu Hong shot to his feet and, in a huff, jabbed a finger toward the spot between Mo Qi’s eyebrows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Ming, Yu Liang, and Liu Hui were aghast. They never expected Liu Hong to attack so suddenly, and it was too late to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Mo Qi reacted thanks to his exceptional Spiritual Power, his movements were slower than a snail’s pace compared to Liu Hong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Liu Ruyan’s expression remained unchanged, as she was completely lost in a sea of Medicinal Cuisine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>ZZT!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Hong’s finger tapped Mo Qi’s forehead. A dazzling light flared for an instant, then vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the light faded, Liu Hong was nowhere to be seen in the restaurant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Ming, Yu Liang, and Liu Hui rushed over, looking at Mo Qi anxiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you okay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Qi snapped out of a daze and shook his head, feeling as if something new had been added to his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, the long-dormant Chaos Scripture suddenly flared with a brilliant light, absorbing the new information in Mo Qi’s mind and quickly providing feedback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Array Outline. The fundamental principles of Arrays. Incomplete version has now been supplemented and completed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Array Outline?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Mo Qi was trying to make sense of it, another voice echoed from within the Chaos Scripture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice belonged to the old man. \"Kid, consider this my payment for the meal. Once you’ve learned it all, I’ll pay you again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Qi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’What a character.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Mo Qi wasn’t opposed to this method of payment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrays. Mo Qi had heard of them before; they were a truly wondrous art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said that a powerful Array Master could fight a hundred men at once, battle opponents far beyond their own level, and even construct Arrays with special functions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I wonder if there are any Arrays that can enhance one’s cooking skills,’ Mo Qi mused, stroking his chin. A smile crept onto his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mo Qi, say something! What’s wrong? Don’t scare us!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Mo Qi just standing there with a foolish grin, not answering their questions, everyone’s hearts sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Could that one finger poke have scrambled his brains?!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Qi snapped out of it and smiled. \"I’m fine, I’m fine. Sorry to make you worry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re really okay?\" Yu Liang asked again, still worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really, I’m fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Mo Qi’s repeated assurances, and after Yu Liang gave him a thorough inspection, the others finally relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, Liu Ruyan had nearly finished her meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned back in her chair and patted her full, round belly without a care for her image. \"I wish I could eat so many delicious things every day,\" she said wistfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Qi laughed. \"Then come every day, and I’ll cook for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, I couldn’t possibly.\" Ruyan blinked playfully. \"Are you looking for a waitress? I could come help out, serve dishes, wash plates, that sort of thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright,\" Mo Qi agreed after a moment’s thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d always assumed Liu Ruyan was like him—born into poverty, with the status of a servant. He’d much rather have her with him than see her suffer working for someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, he really did need a hand serving dishes. The thought of them working together as a brother-sister team was rather appealing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Ming and Yu Liang, however, were terrified. They knew who Liu Ruyan was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making her a waitress, serving food and washing dishes... they wondered if Liu Hong would flip the entire Void Sect on its head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The next day」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the restaurant had even opened for business, Mo Qi’s mountain peak was already crowded with people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were returning customers who had come to cause trouble the day before, only to be won over by the Medicinal Cuisine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others were curious disciples who had come to see what the fuss was about, not believing in the Medicinal Cuisine at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And more still were spies with ulterior motives, sent by various powerful figures to gather intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Qi took his one hundred twenty-thousand-plus contribution points to the Void Sect treasury and exchanged them for a huge pile of Second Level and Third Level Spirit Medicines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elder guarding the treasury had been absolutely flabbergasted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such an extravagant expenditure was rare even for Elders, let alone a mere disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I really should thank Xu He. He shortened my path to the Essence-Refining stage by at least half a month.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Spirit Medicines he’d bought with his 120,000 contribution points were enough for him to break through to the Essence-Refining stage; now all he needed was time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Qi stepped outside the restaurant, his calm gaze sweeping over the crowd that had been waiting for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This establishment is small and can only serve one hundred people at a time. Anyone else will have to wait in line outside. I have a few rules that I expect everyone to follow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, no troublemaking. If you have a problem with someone, take it to the bottom of the mountain. Anyone who dares to start a fight on my territory gets one warning. A second offense gets you blacklisted, and you will never be served here again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second, no Medicinal Cuisine is to be wasted or taken away. The only exception for take-out is if you purchase it for ten times the normal price.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Third, in my restaurant, what I say goes. If you have any doubts or complaints, you are free to leave. This establishment is under no obligation to provide any explanations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2096,"2026-06-03T06:19:40.984Z","2026-06-03T06:19:44.707Z",1,"novelbin.me","3f958ec2a99a7d1936074c760755d1882a6dd0acf948fe1d45b9ac83f4d42db3","venerable-demon-chef-chapter-43","venerable-demon-chef-chapter-41",421,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvenerable-demon-chef-cover.jpg"]