Ch 19: The Malevolent Monster Just Wants To Farm

The cat demon was completely focused on food. She tried planting all the seeds that Jiang Lin had given her. Within a few months, thanks to the fertile soil and abundant spiritual energy of White Tiger Ridge, even some fruits and vegetables that weren’t typically suited for summer and autumn managed to thrive. Now, White Tiger Ridge had several new types of vegetables, making the dining table more varied and the food more plentiful.

The pheasant demon was even more impressive. The houses outside the valley that Jiang Lin had seen were all built under her direction. Jiang Lin had already noticed that she had an excellent sense of aesthetics, but it turned out she also had a bit of a perfectionist streak.

The monsters had originally planned to build their own houses, but the pheasant demon noticed that White Tiger Ridge was so vast, and everyone living too far apart made it difficult to communicate and cooperate. Moreover, some of the weaker little demons preferred to have a neighbor close by.

After thinking it over and consulting with the other demons, she decided to set aside a specific area for them to build houses together. Of course, those who preferred solitude, like Qing Huan, could still choose a place they liked to live on their own.

Once that decision was made, the demons were ready to build their houses. However, the pheasant soon had another idea: houses that were neatly arranged looked better, adding some flowers and trees would make them even more beautiful, and having a small river nearby would be more convenient…

Thus, the first monster community in White Tiger Ridge was born.

After hearing all this, Jiang Lin looked at the pheasant with admiration: what a talent, living in White Tiger Ridge was practically a waste of her potential.

“Oh, right, my lord,” the cat demon remembered something else, “While you were away, many more demons came to pledge their allegiance to you.”

One of them was a powerful ox demon named Han Dong, who was also referred to as “Mad Bull” by the snake demon Qing Huan. This guy was won over purely by the cat demon’s cooking.

One day, while the cat demon was hosting a barbecue for the other demons, they suddenly heard heavy footsteps approaching. Before they knew it, the massive figure of Han Dong, wielding a giant hammer, charged over with an imposing aura.

The demons were all startled and prepared for battle, but the burly ox demon’s voice boomed like thunder: “What’s that smell? Give me some!”

The cat demon nervously handed over a freshly grilled piece of venison…

And so, apart from Jiang Lin, two of the most powerful demons in White Tiger Ridge were drawn in by the allure of good food.

Jiang Lin: “…” What an unexpected gain.

That evening, White Tiger Ridge hosted a grand banquet. The cat demon showcased all her culinary skills, preparing a feast to welcome Jiang Lin back. When Jiang Lin took a bite, he couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer talent the cat demon had for cooking. The food was so delicious that it felt like his taste buds might melt from the flavor.

He seriously said, “From now on, you’ll be in charge of the kitchen in White Tiger Ridge.”

The cat demon was overjoyed and solemnly promised, “I will not let you down, my lord.”

Jiang Lin turned to Zong Yu, who was sitting nearby, and said, “You should try this. It’s way better than what I make.”

Zong Yu picked up a slice of fish in spicy broth, ate it without showing any emotion, and then shook his head, “It’s not as good as what you make.”

Jiang Lin: “???”

He picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. The texture was tender and smooth, with a perfect balance of spicy and savory flavors—something he could never achieve himself. Was this kid’s sense of taste broken?

He didn’t believe it. “Try it again.”

Zong Yu obediently took another bite but still shook his head stubbornly. “Yours tastes better.”

Jiang Lin suddenly felt conflicted. He thought he’d misunderstood this little tyrant. Now it seemed that Zong Yu not only had a bad temper but also had a flawed sense of taste—he couldn’t even tell the difference between good and bad food.

With this in mind, as he looked at Zong Yu’s delicate, pretty face, a surge of affection welled up in his heart.

Zong Yu, who suddenly met Jiang Lin’s affectionate gaze: “???”

Jiang Lin soon realized that Zong Yu truly didn’t like the food the cat demon made. While everyone else at the table was eating heartily, Zong Yu picked at his food, taking only a few bites before putting down his chopsticks.

Feeling concerned, Jiang Lin took Zong Yu for a walk after the meal.

He asked, “Is there something wrong with your sense of taste?”

Zong Yu hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. “It’s not a problem with taste.”

Jiang Lin: “?”

Zong Yu glanced at him and explained, “I was born with a diminished ability to appreciate the flavors of food. No matter how great the chef is, the food tastes the same to me.” It didn’t really have much flavor.

Jiang Lin frowned. “Isn’t that still a taste issue?”

He asked, “Have you seen a doctor about this?”

Zong Yu nodded. “I have.”

“What did the doctor say?”

Zong Yu replied, “They said it can’t be cured.”

Jiang Lin’s eyes filled with sympathy. “That’s really tough.”

But Zong Yu suddenly looked up at him with bright, shining eyes. “But you’re different. I can taste the flavors in the food you make.”

His voice was full of excitement. “That bowl of noodles that night was the best thing I’ve ever eaten in my life.”

Jiang Lin: “…”

“Sigh.” He suddenly let out a sigh.

Zong Yu was puzzled. “Why are you sighing?”

Out of nowhere, Jiang Lin said, “I’m sighing because my heart isn’t soft enough.”

Zong Yu: “?”

He was about to ask what that meant when Jiang Lin suddenly asked, “Did you get enough to eat tonight?”

Zong Yu shook his head honestly.

Jiang Lin then took him to the riverbank, caught two plump fish, and grilled them for him.

Grilling was something Jiang Lin had become quite skilled at by now.

Zong Yu ate happily, and even the little horns on his head seemed to shine brighter.

Jiang Lin rested his chin in his hand, watching lazily. “Is it good?”

Zong Yu, too busy eating to talk, just nodded.

Jiang Lin murmured, “But if you can only eat the food I make, what will you do if I’m not around?”

Zong Yu, though focused on his food, still caught that remark. He looked a bit puzzled, a piece of fish still in his mouth, and mumbled, “But we can live for a very, very long time.”

As for what to do after a long, long time, Zong Yu hadn’t thought that far ahead.

Jiang Lin clicked his tongue but didn’t explain further.

Three hundred years later…

Early morning.

A quiet valley suddenly echoed with a roar: “Zong Yu, you little brat! You’re bullying Qingluo again!”

Most of the other demons were still asleep, but the roar startled them awake. After realizing what it was about, they just twitched their ears or tails and went back to sleep.

Ah, the king and the little king, they do this every now and then.

In the valley…

Jiang Lin, freshly awake, stepped outside and immediately saw a small girl in green clothing hanging upside down from a tree. Her demonic power had been sealed, and her feet were tied by her own vines. Her small body swayed pitifully in the cold winter wind.

The moment she saw Jiang Lin, Qingluo’s eyes quickly filled with tears. “Waaah… Daddy!”