NovelEnglish
Chapter 101-110
Ch.101: Fight for Commendation; E’ming Battles Ruoye
That scimitar was shaking more and more uncontrollably. Xie Lian was at a loss on what
to do, and gently stroked down along the spine of the blade, “I’m sorry I’m sorry, I didn’t
see it was you, I won’t do it again.”
After stroking it a few times, E’ming squinted its eye, and the trembling finally stopped.
Xie Lian then asked, “Where’s your master?”
Suddenly, a voice came from behind, “Pay it no mind.”
Xie Lian looked back and immediately rose to his feet, surprised and delighted, “San
Lang? Why have you come?”
Behind him was a youth who approached easily with an air of playful arrogance. It was
Hua Cheng. He had tied his black hair up into a crooked ponytail again, dressed in a
white tunic, the red outer robe tied around his waist, his sleeves rolled up, revealing that
pale white but firm arms as well as the tattoo on one of them. As he walked, the little
silver bells on his boots chimed, sounding quite mellow, looking very much like a
strapping young lad of the village, yet exceedingly carefree. A piece of weed grass hung
from his lips and he smiled at Xie Lian, “Gege.”
Xie Lian had originally planned on visiting Hua Cheng to give his proper thanks after
settling the two children, but Hua Cheng himself showed up instead. Lazily, Hua Cheng
came next to him and pulled out that silver scimitar from the ground with just one hand,
looking it over, then lifted to rest it on his shoulder. “Gege is busy here, there’s no need
to trouble you to make a trip over there, so I came over myself. You also forgot this.”
There was actually a bamboo hat carried on his back, and he removed it to give it to Xie
Lian. This was forgotten at the mansion of that wealthy merchant, and Xie Lian was
slightly taken aback, then immediately said, “I completely forgot about it, thanks for
going through the trouble.”
Just as the words left his mouth, he suddenly remembered what he told Hua Cheng
after that something that had happened the night before: “I’m looking for my bamboo
hat, my bamboo hat is missing”. It was nonsense uttered out of confusion but Hua
Cheng actually went and found the bamboo hat for him, and Xie Lian felt a wave of
embarrassment, afraid that Hua Cheng was going to tease him for it. Fortunately, Hua
Cheng didn’t even mention the incident, and changed the subject with a smile. “Gege
picked up two more kids?” He said as he patted Gu Zi’s head, ruffling his hair into a
mess. Gu Zi seemed to be scared of him, rushing to hide behind Xie Lian. Xie Lian
chided, “Don’t worry, this gege is a good person.”
However, Hua Cheng said, “Nah, I’m a very bad person.” Although that’s what he said,
still he flicked his hand and a tiny silver butterfly was flipped out of his sleeve, fluttering
its little wings, flying errantly towards Gu Zi. Gu Zi’s inky little eyes were bulged, staring
at the tiny silver butterfly with eyes unmoving, and finally he reached out to try to catch it
in spite of himself.
With that, his guard against Hua Cheng was greatly dropped. Then, Hua Cheng
nonchalantly swept his eyes over Lang Ying, but his gaze was significantly different.
When he looked at Lang Ying, his eyes were cold and sharp, unkind and unfriendly.
Lang Ying lowered his head and also shrank back behind Xie Lian anxiously.
Xie Lian held the bamboo hat in hand and said, “If you’re gonna come, just come. What
are you doing cleaning Puqi Shrine?”
“It’s nothing more than some house cleaning, don’t you think everything feels so much
more refreshing now that all the trash is cleared out?”
“...” Xie Lian remembered the missing Qi Rong, and wondered did Hua Cheng actually
throw him out like he’s garbage? Just then, there was a sudden wail from behind Puqi
Shrine, “HUA CHENG YOU FUCKER GO TO HELL AND GET BOILED IN A POT OF
FRYING OIL! MURDER! HUA CHENG IS COMMITTING GHOST MURDER!!!”
Gu Zi cried, “Dad!” And his two little legs ran, rushing on out over, and Xie Lian hastily
followed too. There was a small creek behind Puqi Shrine, and it was where he usually
did laundry and washed rice. At that moment, Qi Rong was also dunked in the water, his
body bound tightly by Ruoye, desperately keeping his head above water, roaring with all
of his might, “I WON’T GET OUT, I REFUSE TO GET OUT! I WILL STAY IN THIS
BODY UNTIL IT DIES! I WON’T SURRENDER!!!”
Hua Cheng spat out that piece of weed grass, “You take yourself for some kind of a
hero? Useless trash.”
Xie Lian explained woefully, “...I captured him a few days ago on some mountain. He’s
possessing someone else and won’t come out. The man is still alive, so if we forcibly rip
out a soul, the flesh won’t survive. Honestly... does San Lang have any ideas what we
can do?”
Hua Cheng replied, “Hm? You want ideas on how to make him suffer a fate worse than
death? There’s plenty.”
That was obviously a threat. Qi Rong cussed, “THE TWO OF YOU! BROKEN POT
MATCHING A ROTTEN COVER! HEARTS OF SNAKES AND SCORPIONS!
GUrglegurglegurgle...” He hadn’t finished before he was submerged in the creek again.
Although whenever Xie Lian saw him he’d remember how his mother’s corpse was
dissolved into ashes and would be filled with anguish, still that body belonged to another
and so it must be conserved. Thus, he fished Qi Rong up from the creek and dragged
him to the front door of Puqi Shrine.
Qi Rong hadn’t eaten for a full day and night, so his stomach was shriveled from
hunger, and after having been bullied by Hua Cheng, he was full of rage but no energy.
He wolfed down the meat pies Gu Zi snuck back from that wealthy merchant’s house,
leaving not a single crumb, appearing truly wretched and pathetic. Xie Lian shook his
head and noticed that Qi Rong’s limbs were stiff, probably from some spell casted by
Hua Cheng and was petrified, so he called out, “Ruoye, return.”
Ruoye had spent days binding Qi Rong and was already feeling extremely aggrieved,
so with the call it immediately whooshed over, and wrapped itself in loops around Xie
Lian’s whole body like a white snake. Xie Lian pushed open the door and comforted it
as he did so, untying it from his person, “Alright, alright. I’ll give you a bath in a bit, don’t
feel bad. Go play on the side.”
Thus, Ruoye dragged its bandages and dejectedly floated to the side. Hua Cheng also
casually tossed E’ming, and E’ming itself assumed a dignifying pose to land and stood.
On the wall, Ruoye suddenly discovered a silver, shimmering scimitar leaning next to it,
and very carefully approached. That eye on the hilt of the scimitar E’ming also twirled
and looked over, its eye calculating. Fang Xin somberly did not move, making no show
of acknowledging anything.
Xie Lian had been spending these past days studying up on cooking and felt he might
have gained quite the insight, his heart full of confidence. Wanting to show off his skills
and host Hua Cheng properly, Xie Lian kept him for the meal, and naturally Hua Cheng
agreed to it cheerfully. When they returned from town Xie Lian had bought a bunch of
groceries, and he piled them all on the altar. Picking up the butcher knife, he chopped
and sliced, clinking and clanking the pots. That altar table could be used as a desk, a
kitchen island, and also a dining table; cutleries could be set, kids could all sit around,
truly a table of a hundred uses. Hua Cheng leaned against the wall and watched for a
bit, but finally he couldn’t watch anymore and spoke up, “Do you need help?”
Xie Lian was at the height of his fervor and dismiss him, “No need. Just Ruoye’s help is
plenty.” Then he threw out a few bundles of firewood that hadn’t yet been chopped into
kindle. PA! Like an attacking viper, that white silk bandage whipped the logs and the
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtchunks of wood that were thick as thighs were instantly chopped into thin sticks of
kindle.
Having shown off its skills, Ruoye arched into an exaggerated, odd form in front of
E’ming and Fang Xin, as if demonstrating its strength and beauty. The demonstration of
beauty didn’t last long before Xie Lian moved again and placed a plate on the ground
then threw over a big cabbage. Ruoye was just about to strike when suddenly, E’ming’s
eye flashed, and it flew off the ground, whirling out shimmers of silver light. Leaves of
the cabbage filled the air, and when it was about to land on the ground, it had already
been thinly and cleanly chopped into a plateful. Xie Lian squatted down to pick up the
plate and praised when he saw the cabbage, “Amazing. You cut better than Ruoye!”
Instantly Ruoye pressed itself against the wall, looking like someone backing away and
had nowhere left to run after having touched the wall. E’ming however, started twirling
its eye crazily, appearing fully cocky and content, like it had reached a state of
sainthood. Between the sabre and the bandage, Fang Xin still remained unmoved. Xie
Lian hadn’t noticed the little battle between the spiritual devices at all, and was focused
on throwing all sorts of different veggies and seasonings into the pot. He turned to ask,
“By the way, how long are you staying for this time, San Lang?”
Hua Cheng had been watching his actions the entire time and had looked like he
wanted to advise him of something at first, but in the end said nothing. He smiled,
“Depends. If there’s nothing going on over there, I’ll stick around here and play for a few
days. If I hang around, pray gege won’t mind.”
Xie Lian hastily said, “Why would I? As long as you don’t mind my place being a bit
cramped.” Chattering and blabbering, Xie Lian told Hua Cheng all about how the female
ghost was throwing blames, causing troubles the moment she arrived at the Great
Martial Hall. Of course, he refrained from mentioning how he himself was accused and
the whole business with dripping blood on Yan Zhen. Then, he remembered Jun Wu
saying Hua Cheng had planted a spy in the heavenly realm, so maybe Hua Cheng
already knew everything? Fortunately, whether or not he knew, he made no show of it,
and only looked contemplative. Xie Lian chatted, “San Lang, who do you think the father
of that fetus spirit is?”
Hua Cheng looked up and smiled faintly, “Hard to say. Maybe, that Golden Belt really
was just something she picked up off the ground.”
A vague response like this wasn’t at all like Hua Cheng’s usual style, and Xie Lian was
puzzled. But soon, a bubbling pot robbed away his focus.
After two incense time, he opened the cover to the pot.
Usually, all Qi Rong ate were offerings to Xie Lian from the village people, and although
it was nothing more than steamed buns and pickles, noodles and eggs, wild fruits or
such others, at least they were food fit for humans. The moment the pot cover opened
and the smell of its contents wafted outside Puqi shrine, he started cussing deafeningly,
“GOD FUCKING XIE LIAN! BLACK HEARTED SNOW LOTUS! YOU MIGHT AS WELL
JUST KILL ME WITH THE BLADE RIGHT NOW! SO ACTING ALL GOOD FISHING ME
OUT WAS TO MAKE ME SUFFER THIS TORTURE?! I’VE SEEN THROUGH YOU!!!”
Before opening the pot cover Xie Lian was full of confidence. Now, he started doubting
himself again. He tried his best and exerted so much effort but resulted in such a pot,
Hua Cheng was still watching on the side, whatever should he do? Was he really going
to make Hua Cheng eat something like this??? Listening to Qi Rong screaming bloody
murder, Xie Lian was becoming even more demoralized. Sensing Hua Cheng crossing
his arms about to go out, Xie Lian raised his hand to stop him, “Nevermind him.”
He sighed, filling a bowl with the thing from the pot, and said to Hua Cheng, “Don’t eat
anything from this pot. Just wait for me for a second,” Then he went out, ushering Gu Zi
and Lang Ying to go get a bucket of water, sending them away from the premises,
before squatting down with that bowl, looking pleasant and airy, “Little cousin, it’s time to
eat.”
Qi Rong was both shocked and terrified, “WHAT. WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHAT ARE
YOU PLANNING?! XIE LIAN I’M WARNING YOU, I’VE A LIFE IN MY HANDS, YOU
BETTER THINK THIS THROUGH! WHOEVER THE HELL CAN EAT THAT SHIT WILL
BREAK FREE FROM THE BONDAGE OF THE THREE REALMS, FLEE THE
DHARMA WHEEL, NO ONE...”
He trailed off when he saw Hua Cheng, who was inside the shrine, ladle himself a full
bowl, sitting down next to the altar table, and taking a bite, his face unchanging, steady
like the mountains. Qi Rong was shaken to the core. A thought he had never had
flashed through his mind –
As expected of a Supreme!
Xie Lian pressed the bowl against his face and said calmly, “It’s fine too if you don’t want
to eat it. If you come out.”
That was never going to happen. Qi Rong bit down his teeth tightly. However, Xie Lian
squeezed his cheeks and forced open his mouth, dumping the contents of the bowl
straight down his throat.
The next second, a sharp scream shot through to the skies above Puqi Shrine.
The bowl in Xie Lian’s hand sat empty, and Qi Rong who was on the ground bore a
twisted, scrunched up face, even his voice was hoarse like an old man wasted away,
groaning, “...I...hate...”
Seeing that even with a bowl forced down Qi Rong still refused to come out, Xie Lian
didn’t know whether if he should be glad or anguished. Although he really wanted to
force Qi Rong out as soon as possible, but since he didn’t succeed, it almost seemed
like it proved what he cooked with all his heart wasn’t that bad after all, and maybe it’s
even something worth being happy about. Turning around, he saw Hua Cheng also had
a bowl in his hand, eating leisurely, looking his way as he ate, and that bowl was almost
empty. Xie Lian’s eyes lit up and he rose to his feet, “San Lang, you finished?”
He thought he flopped the meal at first and was too embarrassed to offer it to Hua
Cheng, but who knew Hua Cheng himself went and started eating. Hua Cheng
chuckled, “Yea.”
“...” Xie Lian prodded very carefully, “What did you think?”
Hua Cheng slurped up the soup too and smiled, “Not bad. A little thick. Try making it a
little lighter next time.”
Xie Lian sighed a breath of relief and nodded, “Alright, I’ll remember that. Thanks for
your feedback.”
Qi Rong: “UUUUGGGGGHHHHHHHHH–!!!”
——-
●[六道輪回 ] Dharma Wheel - Buddhist beliefs in the six realms of existence:
Heaven, Asura, Human, Animal, Ghost, Hell
——-
Ch.102: Sage Stew of the Crown Prince to Welcome Unexpected Guests
At first, Xie Lian had planned to show off his culinary skills, but after tonight, his
confidence plunged by a million fold.
Hua Cheng had suggested that he could make dinner instead, but how could Xie Lian
have the face to ask him to cook after Hua Cheng fixed his door and cleaned his shrine
too? Who in their right minds would treat their guests this way? Besides, who did he
take an esteemed Supreme Ghost King for?
Fortunately he brought plenty of supplies back from town and although a large portion of
it went into Xie Lian’s pot, there were still some buns and pies, veggies and fruits left, so
they munched on what they had. But after munching, what then?
The next day, the problem was solved on its own. Bright and early in the morning the
door of Puqi Shrine opened to the knocking of a bunch of village girls who came to offer
large pots of porridge and a roasted chicken. The village girls were shy and anxious, so
who they came for was quite obvious. Xie Lian couldn’t help but sigh in awe to himself,
thinking beauty really could fill a stomach.
That roasted chicken was divided between the two children; Xie Lian only had some
porridge and Hua Cheng didn’t touch anything. He smiled, “Gege is really popular in this
area.”
Xie Lian laughed, “Don’t tease me, San Lang. They were obviously drunk but not on
wine.”
After that bowl went down, Qi Rong was bound outside the shrine for an entire night,
howling and screeching, yelling along the lines of “I’d rather be captured by Lang
Qianqiu, be butchered to a million pieces, than to be stuck here and fed poison by you!”
“Cousin Crown Prince, I’m wrong, please I beg you, give me the antidote!” And he even
seemed to have hallucinated and became delusional. Little Gu Zi was horrified. By early
morning Qi Rong was shrivelled up and sucked dry, his face completely green, and
lapped at the the porridge Gu Zi held in his hand before finally regaining some strength,
croaking with a broken voice, “Bullshit! Popular? Who the hell would come for him??
Look at that shabby appearance! Also, don’t you be so full of yourself, Hua Cheng you
fucker. You can only attract some country chicks from remote places like these at most.
They only came clinging because you’re dressed so extravagantly. If you dressed the
part of a beggar, I doubt they’d even look at you!”
Xie Lian thought that wasn’t right at all. Even if Hua Cheng dressed like a beggar, Xie
Lian believed, should he went begging he would collect a mountain of gold. Still, he said
nothing, and started doing chores leisurely. After a while, another wave of smell wafted
outside and Qi Rong roared again, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?! WHAT THE
HELL!”
Xie Lian replied warmly, “That pot of ‘Love for All Seasons’ stew. I’m heating it up.”
Hearing this, Hua Cheng applauded softly, “What a good name.”
“YOU GAVE THAT FUCKING THING A NAME?!?! STOP!!!”
Afraid that Xie Lian would really feed that to him again, just heating the thing up
reminded Qi Rong of his terrifying memories so he daren’t talk anymore. After finishing
the meal, Lang Ying silently collected the cutleries as if going to do the dishes and Xie
Lian chided, “Let it be. Just go play. I can take care of this.”
Maybe he wasn’t allowed to cook, but he could still do dishes. Hua Cheng watched
Lang Ying take Gu Zi out to play and said, “Let me do them.”
Xie Lian declined the offer, “There’s even less reason for you to do them. Just sit.”
Before he finished speaking, just then, they heard the Qi Rong who was bored with
nothing to do after having filled his stomach make catcalls, speaking with a greasy tone,
“Hey chickee, what’re you doin’ checking me out? Did I make your little tender heart
quiver?”
That ghost was just griping about how he didn’t care for country girls but turned around
and started flirting, and so tastelessly too! Xie Lian shook his head, thinking he best
drag Qi Rong in after all, lest he scare people while stuck outside. Unexpectedly, before
he even opened the door, voices of awe from the villagers rang out, “Whoa, legendary
beauty!”
“Why would such beautiful ladies come to our village...”
“I’ve never seen such pretty ladies in my life! And there’s two of them!”
Soon after, there was a series of knocking on the door of Puqi Shrine. Xie Lian was
puzzled, ‘Legendary Beauty’? Two of them? Why would two legendary beauties come
knocking on my door? Ah, could it be? Did that wealthy merchant bring his new wives to
come return their gratitude?’ Thinking that this could very well be the case, Xie Lian
hurriedly grabbed for the “Please donate to help with renovations of this shrine” sign,
ready to set it outside. But then, he heard the frosty voice of one of the women, “What’s
this thing at the door? Burns the eyes.”
Immediately, the voice of another woman came, sounding puzzled, “Maybe it’s for
guarding the door? No way. There’s no reason to sink so low as to use such a vulgar
spiritual beast?”
Although they were female voices, but Xie Lian had certainly heard of them before. It
was Wind Master Qing Xuan and Earth Master Yi!
At first he had wanted to open the door immediately, but then, he whipped his head
around, and looked at the Hua Cheng behind him who was lazily cleaning up the altar
table, and Xie Lian stopped his hands, cautiously peeking out the door through the
cracks instead.
Outside the door stood two slender and delicate women. One was dressed in white
cultivation robes, her lips rosy, her form charming and sensual, a whisk in her hand, her
eyes bright; the other was a black clad woman, skin white as snow, brows beautiful and
sharp, yet her expression was dark, her hands clenched in fists, looking away into the
distance. That white robed woman cultivator was face full of smiles, waving her hands
all around, “Haha, thanks everyone, thank you! No need to compliment so much, no
need to make such a show. I’m very troubled with you all like this. That’s enough now,
thank you. Haha.”
Xie Lian: “...”
All around was a large tightly knit crowd of beauty-watching villagers, and after having
seen beauties they started pointing and bashing Qi Rong. Qi Rong was displeased and
yelled madly, “WHAT ARE YOU ALL LOOKIN’ AT! SO WHAT IF THIS ANCESTOR
LIKES LYING ON THE GROUND! FUCK OFF! THERE’S NOTHIN’ HERE TO SEE!”
The villagers saw how freakily that man behaved, looking maliciously violent with a
green face, and dispersed in fright. Shi Qingxuan turned to Qi Rong, “This... green
young master, pray tell is His Highness the Crown Prince inside the shrine?”
Hearing that woman address Xie Lian as “His Highness the Crown Prince”, Qi Rong
immediately lost interest in the two beautiful women before him, and clicked his tongue,
“TSK! So you’re shitty officials from the Upper Heavens! As if this ancestor is a dog
guarding his door. Listen here, I am...” He hadn’t finished before Ming Yi glumly
approached, and then there was a wail followed by sounds of smacking. From Xie
Lian’s position he couldn’t quite see just what Ming Yi was doing and could only see Shi
Qingxuan sweep his whisk, chiding, “Ming-xiong, it’s not good to use violence!”
Ming Yi said coolly, “What’s there to be afraid of? Didn’t he say he’s not a domesticated
spiritual beast.”
“...”
To prevent Qi Rong from getting beaten to death, Xie Lian could only open the door,
raising his hands to stop her, “My lord! Have mercy! Don’t hit him, he’s a person!”
Seeing that Xie Lian had opened the door, Ming Yi flipped away her black hem and
removed her boot from Qi Rong’s back. Shi Qingxuan on the other hand rushed up and
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmclutched her hands in a curtsy gesture, “Your Highness, I’ve come a few days early!
What’s with that person? He’s so full of demonic essence, you can’t hide it, do you take
us for blind? Well, let’s talk inside. This time I’ve something really important I need your
help with...” As she spoke she walked around Qi Rong who was lying on the ground
and crossed over the threshold. Hua Cheng was still inside, so how could Xie Lian dare
to let them in, and he cried hastily, “Wait!”
However, it was too late. Puqi shrine was only so big and had no place to hide.
Immediately the two saw behind Xie Lian’s person stood a Supreme Ghost King who
was in the middle of doing dishes. Four pairs of eyes met; sparks flew. Hua Cheng
smiled a smile with teeth, yet the smile was ominous and his eyes had no trace of mirth.
In an instant, Ming Yi’s pupils shrank, and she backed three feet away. Shi Qingxuan
flung out her Wind Master fan, striking an attacking stance, exceedingly alarmed,
“CRIMSON RAIN SOUGHT FLOWER!”
Outside the door, the ashen faced Qi Rong roared with rage, “AND I’M THE NIGHT
TOURING GREEN LANTERN! HOW COME NONE OF YOU RECOGNIZED ME WHEN
BEATING ME BUT KNEW IT WAS HIM WITH JUST ONE LOOK?!”
Ming Yi had once infiltrated the Ghost City and spent many years as a spy under Hua
Cheng. It was only recently that she was discovered and captured by Hua Cheng, then
locked in a maze dungeon and beaten. To have enemies face each other, their eyes
bloodshot, the tiny little Puqi Shrine was filled with the smell of venom inside and out.
Hua Cheng tossed the rag in his hand and squinted a smirk, “Lord Earth Master looks
lively.”
Ming Yi also replied coldly, “Lord Ghost King also looks leisurely as always.”
After having made false perfunctory greetings, the next words that came out of Hua
Cheng’s mouth were even colder, his expression icy.
“Leave.” He warned, ”I don’t care what important business you have. Do not come
anywhere near here again.”
Although she feared Hua Cheng, still she refused to back down meekly and Ming Yi
responded with a solemn voice, “To come here was not my will!”
The smell of venom was going to turn into explosives. Next to them, Xie Lian was
growing nervous, “W-w-what, Lord Wind Master, what should we do?”
Shi Qingxuan knocked her fan on her head a few times and said, “I didn’t expect
Crimson Rain Sought Flower would be here either! Didn’t you guys just meet recently?
How come you’re together again so fast? Anyway, if this can be solved without fists
that’d be good. Violence is bad. If they start fighting we’ll have to hold them back.”
“I agree, mostly.” Qi Rong was hoping the two would start brawling and had been
listening intently. Just then he suddenly spoke up, “OHhh – so you’re that slutty woman
Wind Master???”
Both Xie Lian and Shi Qingxuan turned to look at him. That was exactly how Qi Rong
had called Shi Qingxuan when he was in his own cave, but even before the person
herself he’d dare curse her like this, and Xie Lian couldn’t tell if it was out of bravery or
lack of mental capabilities. Shi Qingxuan had always been raised in dignified grace, so
this was probably the first time hearing someone else curse her in this way. She blinked,
looking confused, then turned to Xie Lian, “Your Highness. Please wait.”
Then, she exited the shrine and closed the door. Outside, there was another desperate
wail from Qi Rong and another bout of smacking. A moment later, Shi Qingxuan opened
the door to come back in, and he had returned to his male form. “Alright, where were
we. I’m feeling kind of hungry too, so how about we all sit down and eat something?
There’s nothing that can’t be negotiated, and nothing that can’t be solved at the dinner
table.”
“...”
Even though Xie Lian kind of didn’t want them to start fighting inside Puqi Shrine, but
Hua Cheng seemed to be extremely angry over the whole affair of Ming Yi’s infiltration,
and without knowing the inside story, it seemed rather impossible to have them sit down
and eat agreeably. However, Hua Cheng actually didn’t seem to object to the idea, and
after a frosty moment, the ice on his face cleared away and he turned back to continue
doing dishes. After he was done, he walked to the pot and ladled a full bowl of that Love
for All Seasons stew.
Seeing that he backed down first and ceased a battle, the others all sighed a breath of
relief. The next step was to change the subject and liven the atmosphere, so Shi
Qingxuan asked, “Your Highness, what’s in that pot? It seems to be hot still?”
“Oh. I made that.” Xie Lian said.
That pot had been stewing for a long time, the flavours completely soaked in, and most
of the smell had already dissipated. Although the colour was still questionable, but the
shapes had all but melted away from the stewing, looking much better than it did the
night before. Hearing his response, Shi Qingxuan was vibrating with excitement,
“Really? I’ve never eaten anything made by the hands of heavenly officials! Come come
come, let’s have a taste.”
He said as he went to grab for two sets of cutleries and filled two bowls. To be honest,
Xie Lian had wanted to stop him at first. However, because Hua Cheng had been so
firmly encouraging, burying seeds of confidence within him, and plus earlier that
morning he had changed up the seasoning according to Hua Cheng’s suggestions as
he heated the stew, so the thought “maybe I saved it” appeared in his mind. After some
hesitation, he still didn’t say anything, and secretly watched with hope as Shi Qingxuan
passed one of the bowls to Ming Yi. “Come, Ming-xiong. This one’s yours.”
Ming Yi took a look at the contents in the bowl and turned her face away, looking
unwilling.
It was a rude gesture. Shi Qingxuan was outraged, and forced the bowl to her,
unrelenting, “EAT! Didn’t you say you were hungry earlier on the road?”
Hua Cheng lazily raised a spoonful and blew on it, bringing it to his lips then swallowed.
He smiled at Xie Lian, “It’s definitely lighter today. The flavour’s just right.”
Xie Lian smiled too, “Really? I added more water today.”
Hua Cheng took another bite and smiled happily, “Gege did his best.”
Watching Hua Cheng looking like he was tasting some delicious delicacy, it was
exceedingly convincing. A moment later, Ming Yi took the bowl after all. Shi Qingxuan
smiled, “That’s better!” And the two spooned a mouthful at the same time, taking a bite.
————–
Ch.103: Venerable of Empty Words; Mourning at the Feast
“How is it?” Xie Lian asked.
THUD! And Ming Yi collapsed onto the altar table face down, as if she lost
consciousness.
Next to her, two lines of tears silently streamed down Shi Qingxuan’s face.
historical
“...”
Xie Lian asked hesitantly, “My lords, how is it exactly? Will you pull yourselves together
and give me some constructive criticism using words?”
Shi Qingxuan snapped out of it, wiped a face full of tears
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