After knocking the Mandarin-Duck Water Spirit Crane unconscious with a single blow of her stick, Xue Fuyao took out a sack, stuffed it inside, and returned to Wang Zheng with a spring in her step.
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and head back."
At her words, Wang Zheng hurriedly nodded and, along with the other guard, followed Xue Fuyao toward the spot they had already found.
It was a cave that had been swept very clean, with lovely scenery and a full assortment of cooking utensils prepared inside.
"I originally wanted to arrange for a cook, but I still think food tastes better when we make it ourselves," Wang Zheng said.
Xue Fuyao offered no opinion and tossed the sack behind her onto the ground.
The Mandarin-Duck Water Spirit Crane had yet to wake when she slit its throat.
Since they had chosen the location specifically, there happened to be a stream near the cave.
Wang Zheng and Xue Fuyao went to the stream together, drained the dead Mandarin-Duck Water Spirit Crane's blood, plucked its feathers, removed its innards, and washed the remaining meat clean.
The guard had wanted to help, but Wang Zheng refused, giving the reason that food only tasted good when you made it with your own hands.
Xue Fuyao deftly marinated the Mandarin-Duck Water Spirit Crane's remaining body with seasonings, then set it over the fire to roast. As it roasted, she brushed on the sauce she had just mixed to help the flavor soak in.
Before long, a tantalizing aroma of roast meat filled the air.
Because the Mandarin-Duck Water Spirit Crane was rather large, the two ate as they roasted it, so the outside would not burn while the inside remained raw.
Wang Zheng eagerly accepted the plate of freshly roasted