The young monk Shang De pressed his palms together. His complexion was filled with gentleness and traces of smile. All the muscles on his face squeezed into a beaming grin as he looked directly at Bu Fang. Yet, his gaze was as sharp as the blade of a sword that emitted a blinding glare.
Serpent-woman? Bu Fang was startled, but kept his cool under the young monkâs fierce glance as he curled his lips.
âYes, I do know.â Bu Fang calmly replied, remaining at ease without any apparently change to his composure.
He was wondering why those serpent-men havenât visited him yet. It turned out they did indeed run into trouble on the way. But then again, that wasnât a surprise at all⌠the Imperial City nowadays was in the eye of the storm. Just last night, a group of top-notch warriors crowded by his store.
Serpent-men were already an exotic breed. For them to encounter the unexpected when stepping into the human realm⌠was easily anticipated.
But what exactly did this monk want to express?
Bu Fangâs gave the young monk Shang De a questioning glance, âAnd then, do you need me to do something?â
The young monk felt pleased at first when Bu Fang confirmed his inquiry, but was now stupefied by Bu Fangâs question. He had no idea how to respond to this remark, since it was that old fox, Zhao Musheng, who captured the serpent-men.
âIf you canât help them out, then bring them here.â Bu Fang flickered a glance at the bald head, then turned around to head back to the kitchen.
He had agreed, back in the Illusory Spirit Swamp, that as long as they came to his store, he would lend a helping hand. However, this did not mean Bu Fang felt obligated to track them down if they got into trouble on the way here.
The young monk rubbed his head and broke into a grin. Alright, this owner has got quite a personality! But he couldnât answer this question, so heâd leave the head splitting puzzle to Zhao Musheng.
The young bald monk returned to his seat and gazed toward the Sweet ânâ Sour Ribs on the table. The tangerine-red Sweet ânâ Sour Ribs emitted hot steams and a rich meaty aroma. It reinvigorated his appetite. Nevermind the portion of meat bun he ate on the way here, his stomach was rumbling with hunger once more.
He picked up his chopsticks, lightly tapped them on the table, and snatched up a piece of tangerine-red Sweet ânâ Sour Ribs. The ribâs meat was rather tender. One could feel its springiness once the chopsticks landed on it.
Having licked his lips, the young monk first glided his tongue over the ribâs sauce. The sweet and sour taste of the sauce instantly made his eyes sparkle.
Stuffing an entire piece of Sweet ânâ Sour Ribs into his mouth, the young monk felt his eyes light up. The intense meaty fragrance burst forth, and the tender, juicy meat tapped at the inner walls of his mouth.
âSo⌠so delicious!â The young monk continued to chew. His eyes protruded as he let out an odd laugh. This rib⌠was so damn tasty!
Gulp, the piece of rib was swallowed. The young monk smacked his lips, as the entire mouthful of meaty aroma left him intoxicated.
As a carnivorous monk, his obsession with meat was one unfathomable to the common person. He ate all sorts of meat. One of the biggest reasons was because he once lived alone in a boundless, desolate desert that was devoid of plants or spirit fruits. It only had endless supplies of a furry spirit beast.
To survive and keep himself alive, he ate the beastsâ flesh raw and drank their blood. The flavor of that spirit beastsâ meat was seriously not worthy of any complimentsâŚ
Ever since he returned, the young monk Shang De developed an addiction to meat, and swore to try all gourmet meat dishes in this world.
He poured himself a cup of Ice Heart Jade Urn Wine. The clear, spring-water-like wine nectar emanated a rich wine aroma, tingling the young monkâs nostrils.
With a slurp, the wine nectar was down his throat, in perfect combination with the meaty aroma. The young monk couldnât help but lightly yelp in delight.
From afar⌠Ouyang Xiaoyi fixated her big eyes on this bald monk drinking wine and eating meat without reservation. She felt like her foundational knowledge about monks had completely collapsed.
âIsnât it recorded in the books that monks donât drink wine or eat meat?â Ouyang Xiaoyi twitched her mouth.
How was this young monk Shang De, with his greasy mouth, anything like the conventional monks recorded in the books⌠these writings were all lies.
The young monk kicked up his foot and placed his leg on a stool. His foot jerked up and down as he placed another piece of Sweet ânâ Sour Ribs in his mouth. The young monk seemed to have discerned Ouyang Xiaoyiâs gaze, and nodded at her with a beaming smile.
Ouyang Xiaoyi humphed and turned her gaze away.
Ji Chengxue had finished his meal and laid down his chopsticks. He was filled with joy. It had been a while since he last tasted Owner Buâs gourmet delicacies. Today, he finally ate to his heartâs content.
âUncle Lian, letâs go,â Ji Chengxue said to Lian Fu, who sat besides him and had just finished an order of Egg-Fried Rice.
Lian Fu curled his orchid-shaped fingers, and lightly consented. He stood up but felt reluctant to leave. This store was filled with memories.
As the emperor, it was unsuitable to leave the palace for too long. Ji Chengxue stopped by today to get a sense of the Five Stripes Path-Understanding Tree coveted by numerous Battle-Saints. And, on top of that, to try Owner Buâs new wine. Though it was a shame he didnât get a chance to taste it, it was still satisfying to be reminded of Owner Buâs spectacular cooking.
The two of them left, whereas Wu Yunbai and Master Ah Wu continued on. They had ordered many dishes and were fully immersed in this feasting journey.
âŚ
Imperial Mausoleum of the Imperial City. Tiny pieces of snowflakes softly drifted down. A cold breeze brushed past, touching upon all in the surrounding. The leaves emitted crumpling sounds as they rubbed against each other.
The imperial mausoleum was located on top of a steep mountain, at a high altitude. With the light snow, the temperature there was still a lot colder than the Imperial City, which was regaining its warmth as spring season arrived.
From a thatched house made of twitch-grass, a man dressed in a modest linen garment slowly sauntered out.
The man had a broom in his hands, and stepped unhurriedly into the gloomy but dignified imperial mausoleum, within which were erected numerous gravestones. He swept away the fallen leaves that had landed on the tombstones with his broom.
The crinkling noise from sweeping reverberated within the deadly still imperial mausoleum, adding to it an ominous echo.
âTsk tsk⌠the once awe-inspiring King Yu of a generation, badly defeated in the battle over the throne, and now finds himself in this deplorable, wretched state. Has the glory of yesteryears been washed away into tepid streams of water? Oh how pitiable, how lamentable.â
The tranquil imperial mausoleum suddenly rang with laughter, and crispy taps of footsteps followed suit.
The man with a broom in his hands instantly froze. He held his body erect and narrowed his eyes at the sniggering man. His gaze was deadly, as if made of gray ashes, and his face was deadpan.
Zhao Ruge was dressed in a white robe and held his hands behind his back. Besides him were a couple of guards wrapped in black robes, with faces concealed that couldnât be easily discerned. The levels of energy on these guards were terrifyingly strong, and had already suppressed the guards of the imperial mausoleum.
Zhao Ruge strolled around the entrance of the imperial mausoleum with large strides. As an outsider, he didnât dare step into the imperial mausoleum of the imperial household.
He had absolutely no idea what might be the consequence of trespassing onto the imperial mausoleum.
Ji Chengyu studied Zhao Ruge for a bit, then lowered his head and resumed sweeping off dead leaves from the tombstones. His movements were sluggish, much like those of an enervated elder. The once bold, spirited demeanor of King Yu was nowhere to be found.
âYour highness King Yu, surely you donât want to be stuck in this imperial mausoleum for the rest of your life? Think about Ji Chengxue sitting upon the throne right now. Are you not filled with unreconcilable anger?â Zhao Rugeâs gaze stared daggers as he continued: âWhy should you, King Yu, guard the imperial mausoleum like some watch dog, while he, Ji Chengxue, sits comfortably on the throne? Why him?â
Ji Chengyuâs eyes turned, his ashen pupils revealed a trace of wan smiles, âZhao Ruge, what have I got left to fight against Ji Chengxue at this point? Everything has been settled already. Father chose him, that makes me⌠a sore loser from head to foot.â
âA loser? Thatâs not the King Yu in my mind.â Zhao Ruge snickered.
Ji Chengyu shook his head, ignored Zhao Ruge, and turned to another tombstone. It was the tombstone of Emperor Changfeng, one that was awfully plain and unlike anything one would expect of an emperorâs gravestone. Unadorned, it came off as rather shabby.
Ji Chengyu hang his head lower, kept his face obscured, and continued languidly sweeping at the fallen leaves.
âJi Chengyu, I, Zhao Ruge, came here today just to tell you that you arenât without a chance to turn the tides. As of now, Lian Fu is in the Imperial City, which gives you a window to extricate yourself. if you donât want to leave, I have nothing more to say. But if you feel the slightest unwillingness to take your defeat lying down, then I, Zhao Ruge, and my father⌠Zhao Musheng, will provide you with all the resources you need!â
Zhao Ruge then asked: âWhat will be your choice?â
A winter breeze brushed by and blew at the snow floating in the air. Snowflakes landed on Zhao Rugeâs face, but were instantly melted by his body temperature, and turned into droplets of water.
His gaze fixated on the shadow within the imperial mausoleum. He believed that Ji Chengyu wouldnât just give up like that.
Sure enough, the silhouette of a figure slowly walked out with a broom still in his hands. His eyes were still clouded by a deadly gray hue, but this time a stroke of hope burned amidst the deadly ashes.
âZhao Musheng? That old fox⌠is truly vexing.â
Ji Chengyu lifted the broom onto his shoulder, and tug apart the velvet hair tie on his head. A headful of hair instantly sprang out and hang loose.
Zhao Ruge peered at him while the corners of his mouth curled.
âŚ
In the dead of night, two crescent moons intertwined as they hang high above in the sky.
In a courtyard within the Imperial City, Zhao Musheng stood with his hands behind his back. His gaze was gentle yet distant, and the energy on his body slightly fluctuated, as if they were streams of moving water.
Suddenly, a figure covered with the stench of alcohol appeared within the courtyard. One could even occasionally hear burps.
Zhao Musheng knitted his brows into a frown and turned toward this shadow.
âShang De, you were drinking again. Votaries shouldnât drink alcohol to begin with, but now youâve gone from bad to worse.â
âHehe, Head Elder, Shang De knows you understand why votaries shouldnât consume wine. But once the wine and meat had passed through the intestines, this monk only seeks indulgence!â Shang De said to Zhao Musheng with his flushed face and alcohol breath.
Read Latest Chapters at wuxiaworld.eu
âAlright, I donât care how much liquor you drink, as long it doesnât hold things up.â Zhao Musheng frowned and sighed as he responded.
If this were any other monk from the Mahayana Island before him, he wouldâve slapped the wits out of him already. But as for Shang De⌠sigh.
âHead Elder, I have the intelligence you ordered me to gather. That Owner Bu⌠admits that he knows these serpent-men.â Shang Deâs eyes were drowsy and he could barely stand up straight without toppling over.
He leaned against a tree, and remarked: âThat Owner Bu said⌠âso what if I know themâ, what should we do?â
The muscles on Zhao Mushengâs face squeezed into a light smile, âSo what if I know them? Things are much easier as long as he does know themâŚÂ Bu Fang, ah Bu Fang, this old fellow would like to see whether youâll fold your hands and watch them die⌠hahaha!â