Poison Doctor Roaming the Martial World

Fearing that Mo Ye would not agree, Jing Nan added fuel to the fire, "Does Your Highness still remember the repeating crossbow brought back from Anshun?"

"Of course I remember." That was designed by Xiao Wu'er herself for that fool Mo Yu. She wanted to destroy it, but he kept it and had Jing Nan take it back to the army to study it and see if they could make the same weapon. "How is it?"

Jing Nan wasn't afraid of Mo Ye scolding them for being incompetent. "None of the weapon craftsmen in the army have succeeded in making it. They say that the repeating crossbow has a precise structure, and they can only copy it. No one knows how the arrow box is made inside, and it is seamless all around, so it cannot be forcibly dismantled."

Mo Ye only knew that the repeating crossbow had a long range and could fire many arrows, so he thought that the army could replicate it. He never expected that no one could make it. Little Wu'er, you are really a treasure.

Jing Nan grinned slyly, "Your Highness, are you really willing to give such a treasure to someone else?"

Mo Ye ignored Jing Nan and packed his things to set off to catch up with Yang Jianwu.

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Shamen was a notorious assassin organization in the martial arts world, located about a day's journey from the capital. Starting with the previous emperors, the imperial court had made several attempts to eradicate it, but all failed. Later, Shamen did not do anything to harm the imperial court, so it disappeared.

Yang Jianwu only agreed to take a stroll after being half-coaxed and half-persuaded by Puyang Xuan. The Shamen was an assassin organization built halfway up the mountain. The scenery was pleasant, and it didn't feel as shady as she had imagined. The mountain was surrounded by fruit trees, and the palace had a beautiful view every ten steps. It was a living paradise.

Seeing Yang Jianwu's great praise for the palace scenery, Puyangxuan quickly began to devise a plan in his mind on how to keep her here for a long time.

"Sword Dance, are you hungry? We've been traveling all morning and haven't eaten much." Puyang Xuan kept pestering her, changing his address from "Miss Yang" to "Sword Dance"—it sounded more affectionate that way.

Yang Jianwu was actually quite hungry. It was her first time visiting someone else's home, so she couldn't very well ask for a meal. Now was the perfect time to suggest it. "I am a little hungry. How about trying the food at the Sha Palace?"

Puyang Xuan quickly ordered people to prepare, "The food at Shamen is quite good, I'm sure you'll like it. By the way, do you have any particular favorite dishes?"

"No, I'm not a picky eater." Yang Jianwu actually has high requirements for food. When it comes to filling her stomach, she prioritizes being full, while color and taste come second.

Pu Yangxuan thought to himself, "She can even eat earthworms, she really isn't picky about food. Under what circumstances would she eat them raw? She must have experienced extremely dangerous environments, otherwise she wouldn't have said those things."

And what exactly was that glowing bamboo tube that saved him last time? It was like a mystery that drew him in.

"Sword Dance, was the dry ration you left me last time made of meat?" Thinking of the chewy, fragrant taste, she unconsciously smacked her lips twice.

Yang Jianwu didn't hide anything, "Yes, that's dried meat. It can be made with beef or pork, and it tastes pretty good. It can replenish a lot of energy for the body. When you're traveling, you must replenish your energy in time. This is much better than coarse grain biscuits or the like."

Puyang Xuan really missed the taste of that dried meat. "Jianwu, are you planning to go back to Anshun? Should we make some to eat on the way?"

Yang Jianwu looked at Puyang Xuan with suspicion and mercilessly exposed him, "I think you're the one who wants to eat it..."

Puyang Xuan wasn't embarrassed at all. "Haha, you figured it out. It really tastes good. Shall we consider making some..."

Before Puyang Xuan could finish speaking, he noticed Yang Jianwu's eyes shining as she stared at a certain spot. Following her gaze, he saw a bamboo forest. Um... she was so happy to see bamboo?

Yang Jianwu tugged at Puyang Xuan's sleeve and shook it gently, "Can I go pick some bamboo shoots to eat?"

"Bamboo shoots? What are those..." Puyang Xuan looked completely bewildered.

Yang Jianwu pointed to the newly sprouted bamboo in the bamboo forest, "Those are bamboo shoots, they're especially delicious."

Puyang Xuan nodded blankly. How could he refuse Yang Jianwu's expectant and adorable look? But, could this thing be eaten? It grows in the bamboo forest of the Sha Palace every year, but no one has ever used it to make food.

With permission granted, Yang Jianwu ran happily towards the bamboo grove. "Ziping, go borrow a bamboo basket. Let's pick some bamboo shoots."

"Yes, Miss." Zi Ping accepted the order and left.

Hibiscus went over to help, and the bamboo shoot, which was only knee-high, snapped in two with a snap under the force. Just by hearing the crisp sound, you could imagine how tender the shoot was.

Seeing Yang Jianwu so happy, Puyang Xuan went over to help, wondering whether he should give the servant in charge of taking care of the bamboo forest some reward money.

Puyang Xuan was about to pull up a bamboo when Yang Jianwu stopped him, saying, "That one is too tall and too old. It won't taste good. We need one like this, no taller than your knees, up to your calves. That's the best."

"Okay, fine." Puyang Xuan followed the instructions and searched for a new target.

Because they didn't know that bamboo shoots were edible, there were plenty of bamboo shoots in the temple, and the group quickly gathered a large pile. Zi Ping borrowed two bamboo baskets used for gathering herbs and filled them to the brim, while the others also carried some bamboo shoots that couldn't fit in their hands.

Looking at the tender bamboo shoots, Yang Jianwu couldn't help but smile. "Puyang Xuan, may I borrow your kitchen for a moment? I'd like to cook a few dishes."

Looking at Yang Jianwu's sweet smile, he figured he would agree even if it cost Puyang Xuan his life. "Use whatever you want. Just tell the servants what you need."

"Alright." Yang Jianwu thanked Puyang Xuan and then had the servant lead the way to the kitchen, with Mu Jin and Zi Ping following behind, preparing bamboo shoots.

Puyang Xuan watched Yang Jianwu's retreating figure and murmured, "So easily pleased just by picking some bamboo. She's so easily satisfied."

Yuan Song approached from a distance, bowed to Puyang Xuan, and said, "Greetings, Master." Looking at Yang Jianwu's retreating figure, he asked, "Is this the Miss Yang who saved you back then?"

Puyang Xuan proudly introduced, "Yes, this is Miss Yang who saved me. Isn't she special? Instead of picking the precious flowers, she picked those little bamboos that were everywhere."

Yuan Song agreed, "This girl surely doesn't recognize those rare species, does she?"

Puyang Xuan thought Yuan Song was a bit silly, "How could a doctor with such superb medical skills not recognize her?"

"Um... I should recognize it."

"That's settled then, so in her eyes, the value of small bamboo is much greater than that of those rare varieties."

In the kitchen, bamboo shoots that have been washed many times are quickly peeled and blanched to retain their freshness to the greatest extent. Yang Jianwu only transforms into a foodie when she encounters ingredients she wants to eat, at which point the kitchen is her domain.

Quickly prepare the ingredients and cook them in the pot. Soon, plates of bamboo shoot dishes are served: stir-fried bamboo shoots with meat, stuffed bamboo shoot tips, braised bamboo shoots, bamboo shoot and meat stew, fresh bamboo shoot and shrimp soup, and a dish of hand-peeled bamboo shoots soaked in broth to absorb the flavor. These are kept in the kitchen to be enjoyed later that evening.

Looking at the table full of delicacies, Puyang Xuan asked hesitantly, "Is this bamboo really edible?"