Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 2831: Lin Muʼs Choice Of Chores

After Meng Bai had finished his test and returned to the courtyard to rest, Lin Mu decided to do what he had thought about earlier.

Doing chores for the temple and helping Them out. Lin Mu wanted to give something back to the monks in a way that felt meaningful.

In the Courtyard, Lin Mu found the meditating monks and spoke to him about it.

”Iʼd like to cook a proper meal for the temple today,” Lin Mu had told Monk Hushu.

The monk had blinked in surprise. ”You… want to cook for everyone?”

Lin Mu nodded. ”A full vegetarian spread. Something special. Consider it a gesture of gratitude for your hospitality.”

Monk Hushu scratched his head. ”Well, the monks arenʼt exactly picky. We mostly eat for sustenance, not taste.”

”Then let me show you what joyful sustenance can be.”

And so, preparations began. He researched what the monks usually ate as well as what unique ingredients could be found in the area. He asked Little Shrubby as well who had already gone to check and gather some ingredients.

But Lin Mu didnʼt take the ingredients from him, as that would not be the right way. It would be the same as taking the fruits of someone elseʼs labor. Instead, he decided to do it all himself from the start to the end.

And to ensure that he had the same experience as the junior monks, he even restricted his cultivation to that of a spirit realm cultivate, intending to do all manually.

Lin Mu first visited the templeʼs gardens and various areas. He carefully selected a wide variety of ingredients: golden snow fungus, Cloud Mountain tofu, thunder lotus roots, spiritual bok choy, jade mushrooms, silky immortality soybeans, and spicy red qi peppers that had to be handled with gloves.

Some ingredients, like moonleaf basil and silver petal garlic, required him to climb a few ridges to pluck fresh under the morning dew.

Despite the labor, he was smiling the entire time.

By the time he returned, the temple kitchen was already buzzing with activity. Junior monks were preparing the usual humble fare when Lin Mu strolled in carrying three large baskets.

”Iʼll be taking over the kitchen today,” Lin Mu declared.

One of the monks looked startled. ”All of it?”

”Yes.”

Another leaned over and whispered, ”Is this a test? A hidden trial from the Abbot or the elders?”

They couldnʼt help but wonder as guests like Lin Mu werenʼt subject to such labor.

Lin Mu just smiled as he rolled up his sleeves.

With sleeves tied up and hair in a neat topknot, Lin Mu took command of the space. He appointed several monks as assistants—some chopping, some stirring, others carefully measuring out herbs under his sharp direction.

His demeanor was calm but focused. He treated each ingredient with respect, infusing Qi into the vegetables to cleanse and amplify their natural properties without overpowering them.

He even used alchemical fire technique he had learned from the memories of the Withered Spirit Daoist to control the stoveʼs temperature with greater precision, producing heat gentle enough to preserve every note of flavor.

Slowly but surely, the dishes began to take form.

Stir-fried jade mushrooms and thunder lotus root, glazed in a light tangy sauce of fermented plum and moonflower nectar.

Golden snow fungus soup, brewed with medicinal roots and spiritual herbs, its scent floral and earthy.

Tofu squares, pan-seared and marinated in a reduction of immortality soy milk, citrus zest, and crushed qi pepper for an unexpected spicy twist.

Steamed silver-leaf dumplings, stuffed with minced spiritual bok choy, cracked pine nuts, and sun-dried starfruit for a hint of sweetness.

Jade rice, infused with lotus seed extract and topped with crisp shreds of roasted seaweed harvested from the Shanxi Empireʼs Capital cityʼs coast he had brought with him.

And for dessert, sweet lotus petals in crystal sugar syrup, chilled and served with crushed ice gathered from the templeʼs uppermost peak.

Each dish not only looked beautiful, but emanated a subtle glow from the Qi still imbued in the ingredients.

When the monks gathered for the final meal of the day, they were met with an unfamiliar sight—long tables filled with dishes far more elaborate than anything theyʼd seen in the temple kitchens.

The aroma alone turned heads.

Lin Mu had especially invited everyone to have a meal together tonight which the elders were eager to grant.

”Did… did the Abbot invite a chef from the Imperial Court?” one of the junior monks whispered.

”No,” Monk Hushu replied with a chuckle. ”Lin Mu did this.”

The Abbot himself arrived, gazing at the feast with amusement. ”Is this a banquet… or a sermon in disguise?”

Lin Mu bowed. ”Just a humble offering, Abbot. Please, enjoy.”

At first, the monks hesitated. Their usual meals were plain, subtle, quiet. This looked and smelled extravagant—even indulgent. But when the Abbot sat and took the first bite, he closed his eyes and let out a small, surprised exhale.

”…This tofu… sings,” he muttered.

Encouraged, the rest began eating—and soon, the dining hall was filled with quiet gasps, soft laughter, and murmurs of joy. Even the quietest monk gave a rare smile as he reached for a third helping of dumplings.

Monk Hushu looked at his bowl, nearly empty now. ”Youʼve fed us more than just food today,” he said softly.

While Monk Hushu had enjoyed quite a lot of great meals cooked by Little Shurbby and Lin Mu, this was his first time eating a meal like this made from the ingredients from his homeland.

Lin Mu smiled, sitting cross-legged beside the stove. ”Sometimes the Dao appears in silence. Sometimes it sizzles in a hot pan.”

As the sun dipped behind the peaks, Lin Mu sat beneath a tree outside the hall, sipping leftover soup from a clay bowl. A few monks were still wandering nearby, content and chatting quietly in the temple courtyard.

He after all needed a lot more food than others to satisfy his stomach, so he had made extra portions for himself.

The Abbot approached, hands folded behind his back.