HSSB108: One who loves eating
Yuan Zhengfeng having left the Mountain with the Clear Qi Robe, Yan Di and Shi Tie also participating in their war efforts against the Sacred Sun Clan, Broad Creed Mountain's daily affairs were all currently being handled in their stead by Fang Zhun.
As an important participant in the war of the Eastern Tang, having returned to the Mountain, Yan Zhaoge naturally had to come and meet Fang Zhun.
Fang Zhun said slowly, "This time was still a little risky. Although eldest apprentice-brother went on ahead to the Eastern Tang earlier than our enemies predicted, this level of conflict still had the possibility of you coming to some harm."
Yan Zhaoge smiled, answering, "What second apprentice-uncle says is true. Thinking back on it now, I indeed feel a bit of fear on what happened then. However, it was still worth it, though it was a pity that we couldn't leave the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler behind for good."
Fang Zhun waved his hands, "That was only completely according to the best case scenario; the current results are already extremely good."
"We must make prompt and decisive decisions, but we also cannot underestimate how fast our opponents can react to them."
"While Huang Xu isn't Huang Guanglie, he also isn't someone that easy to deal with."
His tone was gentle; speaking to Yan Zhaoge, although he was passing down teachings as an elder, he did not give off the feeling of speaking down to him from a point of superiority.
Just from the atmosphere of the conversation alone, it seemed more relaxed than when Yan Zhaoge had been conversing with Shi Tie.
"What second apprentice-uncle says is true," Yan Zhaoge smiled.
Fang Zhun said, "I already know of Yan Xu's matter. I also feel very sympathetic for what happened to your Yan Family that year."
Yan Zhaoge shook his head, "Second apprentice-uncle overspeaks things. Yan Xu having been personally killed by me, our revenge can also be considered taken. Having known of this, my Father has also managed to get his mind over things."
Fang Zhun said, "The Glacial Dragon Martial Saint's relic as well as that ring of our clan's late disciple Ye Jing can be made a decision on after Master and them have returned to the Mountain. Zhaoge, you go back and take a good rest first."
Yan Zhaoge bowed, "I'm leaving. Farewell, second apprentice-uncle."
Exiting the Assignment Hall, Yan Zhaoge let out a long breath.
When the Broad Creed Three Heroes were mentioned, the first who came to mind was generally Yan Di, who possessed the greatest martial talent as well as prowess amongst the three.
But actually, before Yan Di had risen to prominence, Broad Creed Mountain's most famous figure of their generation had precisely been that peaceful and amicable looking Fang Zhun currently sitting within the Assignment Hall going through the clan's documents.
The name of the Hidden Dragon, already clearly said everything.
And the person of the Sacred Sun Clan who had been Fang Zhun's rival in the past, both of them similarly high-potential seedlings, was their current Clan Chief, Huang Xu.
Even if it was now, with Huang Xu having taken over Huang Guanglie as the new Chief of the Sacred Sun Clan, there were few who believed that Fang Zhun was inferior to him in terms of individual ability.
As Yan Zhaoge walked on a small road of the mountain, his thoughts drifted as he suddenly came to think about many things.
"Right, how is junior apprentice-sister Feng's current condition?" Yan Zhaoge asked.
The Ah Hu beside him gave a simple and honest laugh, "When you, Young Master, entered the Assignment Hall just now, I already sent people over to ask about it."
"Miss Feng has already entered the clan and begun cultivating. Over this past half year, whilst taking good care of her injuries, she has also been working on changing her martial foundation."
"After all, she is a disciple of Broad Creed Mountain now. In order for her future path to be a little smoother, it is not good for her to continue cultivating in the martial arts of the Sacred Sun Clan. Spending a little more time on reforging her foundation now is also normal."
"The old Clan Chief personally asked about her matter, and used one of our clan's precious Ocean Changing Stones to reforge the qi ocean within her dantian for her."
Ah Hu scratched his big head, "I've heard that she has already gradually come to make a full recovery from her injuries, and the reforging of her foundation is also already complete. The clan has arranged her a cave dwelling to reside in at the back mountain, with everything else to be decided upon after your return."
Yan Zhaoge nodded, "Let's go take a look. If her current state already fulfils the conditions, the matter of helping her to regain her Extreme Yin Physique will have to be pushed ahead of schedule."
As he walked, Yan Zhaoge sighed, "Time waits for no man; her opponents will not stay at the same spot waiting for her. And she has already been delayed by two years."
Arriving at the back mountain, approaching Feng Yunsheng's dwelling, Yan Zhaoge's mind moved slightly.
From the roadside walked out a middle-aged woman, actually an Elder of Broad Creed Mountain's Assignment Hall.
Seeing Yan Zhaoge, she nodded, then vanished once more without saying anything else.
Yan Zhaoge similarly acknowledged her with a nod, then continued walking forward.
Within the forest, the sounds of a waterfall resounded. As Yan Zhaoge passed through the forest, an enormous waterfall now appeared before his eyes.
The water flow descended from above with an incomparably loud rumbling noise, striking down on the deep pool of water below, causing large sprays of water to erupt.
Looking carefully, Yan Zhaoge saw that at the bottom of the waterfall, a figure was standing ramrod straight, allowing the violent waterfall to sweep down upon her non-stop however it liked.
White clothes like snow, black hair cascading.
A jet-black sword was grasped within that pair of hands that was clear and white as jade, currently waving it about repeatedly.
With a wave of the sword, that enormous waterfall was actually cut apart in an instant!
The next moment, the water flow recovered and the waterfall descended once again.
Next, as the sword was brandished yet again, the waterfall was cut apart.
This was a cycle that continually repeated itself.
Yan Zhaoge stood there, not moving as he observed silently, Ah Hu also accompanying by his side.
While that figure displayed extreme perseverance, Yan Zhaoge and Ah Hu were similarly extremely patient.
Time passed, from noon till sunset, not even a single bit of break time in between.
"Although it is only in embryonic form, within that knife is vaguely housed the strong points of both the Sacred Sun Clan and Broad Creed Mountain," Seeing how the other party relied on not just pure perseverance in her training, Yan Zhaoge thought, "I did not see mistakenly that year; her comprehension skills are definitely in no way inferior to the late Xiao Shen's, while her diligence is also one of a kind."
Ah Hu's expression was a little grave, "Although it's only watching her train, Young Master, I have the feeling that she should be extremely proficient in close combat. Facing her at the same cultivation level, she might be even more outstanding than Xiao Shen and Chao Yuanlong."
Yan Zhaoge shrugged, "That's right; I've watched her live in action before. From her usual training, it is actually very easy to underestimate her."
"Even if one discounts the matter of her Extreme Yin Physique, she is also a talented genius in the area of the martial dao. If she had not castrated Xiao Shen, even if she had permanently crippled one of his legs, there should still have been people in the Sacred Sun Clan who would have protected her."
Seeing Feng Yunsheng finally cease her movements, leaping out from beneath the waterfall, Yan Zhaoge prepared to stride out to meet her, "From the looks of it, it indeed seems like she's ready."
Just as he was preparing to raise his leg, Yan Zhaoge's movements paused slightly.
As he saw Feng Yunsheng scanning the surrounding area somewhat warily, as if making sure that there was no one nearby.
Upon confirming this, her face revealed a relaxed smile as she walked towards an area of dense forest just adjacent to the waterfall.
Yan Zhaoge frowned, "Eh? Is there something unspeakable going on here? If there really is, there really should be no way that our clan's Elders keeping an eye on this place would be unable to detect it at all."
As curiosity welled up within his heart, Yan Zhaoge followed after her, Ah Hu also following behind him hurriedly.
Entering the forest, he saw Feng Yunsheng currently squatting on the floor without any care for her own image at all, that little black dog Little Meaty of hers wagging its tail as it sat by the side.
A pile of firewood was ignited by Feng Yunsheng, on which there was a rack, upon which a string of something was currently being barbequed.
The Feng Yunsheng of now, far from how valiant she usually seemed, currently looked like a cat who had stolen a fish as she hurried over to the vicinity of the rack, a look of enjoyment on her face as her nose twitched gently.
She let out a soft sigh of praise, "The world only knows that this Tiger Claw Fish contains intense poison, yet doesn't know how unparalleled it is in terms of taste!"
Hearing this from a distance away, Yan Zhaoge and Ah Hu could not help but stare at each other.
…The Tiger Claw Fish was not merely intensely poisonous for ordinary people; it could even bring down a Martial Scholar!
The corners of Yan Zhaoge's mouth twitched slightly, "So she's a foodhound[1]!"
[1] A Mehword.
HSSB109: To be rewarded
Keeping in mind Feng Yunsheng's words, Yan Zhaoge carefully observed that thing being barbequed on the rack once more. Only the size of one's palm, resembling a frog whilst also a fish-it indeed looked like a Tiger Claw Fish.
Smelling it, Yan Zhaoge smacked his lips, "Ke, it smells quite good; perhaps it really is delicious."
"You look like your eye for things is not bad, and it feels like you are quite practised at eating."
He himself was actually also very passionate about tasting various types of delicious food, just that ever since having come to this world, there had been various matters of many kinds that he had had to busily attend to. Also, he was supplied with the best clothes and the best food, coming whenever he wished it.
He was no longer like he had been in the past, searching for and uncovering new succulent delicacies all around as an old tiger.
Seeing Feng Yunsheng this way now, Yan Zhaoge began to resonate with her on some level. Smelling that flavour once more, he instantly felt the gluttony sleeping deep within him rousing, hooked.
Yan Zhaoge coughed, striding out unceremoniously.
Feng Yunsheng was startled, looking like a cat who had had its tail stepped on as she literally jumped.
Seeing that it was just Yan Zhaoge, the wariness within her eyes faded.
But the next moment, a deep embarrassment surfaced within her eyes as she unconsciously took a step to the side, blocking the pile of firewood and the barbeque rack behind her.
She who was normally very skilled with her words actually stuttered a little at this moment, "Se…senior apprentice-brother Yan, whe…when did you return to the Mountain ah?"
Yan Zhaoge said as though nothing was up at all, "Just today. Hearing that you have basically made a full recovery from your injuries, and are also finished with the reforging of your foundation, I've come to discuss with you about your cultivation from now on."
Walking before Feng Yunsheng, Yan Zhaoge exploited his height advantage to gaze over and behind her, "Then, I discovered something rather impressive ah…"
Feng Yunsheng finally managed to calm down, as she let out a dry cough, "Senior apprentice-brother Yan, you should also know that us martial practitioners have a greater need for food and drink, in order to constantly replenish the depleted stamina within our bodies."
"En, and as for me, I also rather like personally cooking food for myself. This can also be considered a hobby, just like how some other people like playing the zither, playing chess, reading or painting, just that this hobby of mine, en, is slightly unique a little, that's all."
Her words became smooth, but however one listened, it carried the feeling of her being a little guilty and embarrassed.
Yan Zhaoge smiled, generously giving himself a place by the fire, "Those who see get a share; those who see get a share!"
Feng Yunsheng was momentarily stunned, before, no longer feeling constrained, she laughed, "Delicacies ah, are originally better shared. Senior apprentice-brother Yan wanting to taste my craft, you are naturally most welcome."
She paused for a moment, before adding, "You can rest easy; while the Tiger Claw Fish is indeed poisonous, I've already handled them. There's nothing to be afraid of."
After the string of Tiger Claw Fish had been barbequed, Feng Yunsheng took them down one by one, handing them over to Yan Zhaoge and Ah Hu.
Little Meaty shook her tail as she came over, looking toady to the extreme.
"There's definitely your share," Feng Yunsheng laughed, also giving it a fish.
Looking at Ah Hu who was still a little dazed, Feng Yunsheng was all smiles, "Try it; my taste is very strict; those delicacies whose taste I can never get over aren't many yo."
At this moment, Yan Zhaoge suddenly had the feeling of not knowing whether to laugh or to cry.
This script, is a little wrong…
Most of the time, wasn't it the male main character, with barbequed fish or chicken or something of the kind, hitting on chicks in a foreign world?
After one barbeque session, the beautiful girl falling head over heels or something along that line…
With me here, the situation seems to have been totally reversed?
As I thought, this script is wrong!
But…gotta say that…
The taste is indeed not bad…
Rather delicious…
"While we eat, we also cannot forget about the real important matters," Swallowing the food in his mouth, Yan Zhaoge looked at Feng Yunsheng, "Still remember what I said to you half a year ago in the Eastern Tang, right before we parted ways? Your days of hardship, are coming."
Hearing his words, Feng Yunsheng's gaze abruptly lit up, to the point of even becoming a little dazzling, "I have always been looking forward to this day."
Yan Zhaoge said, "You wasted two years of your time, and still have to start all over again now. Let alone Meng Wan; even catching up with the other Maidens of Extreme Yin will not be an easy thing."
"Therefore, I can only prescribe you a violent medicine," Yan Zhaoge said mildly, "This matter concerns the wider situation of our clan, and is no longer only your own personal matter. Even if you can't take it anymore, I will have no choice but to continue forcing it down on you."
Feng Yunsheng smiled slightly, "If I could simply and easily catch up with the leaders without having to put in much effort, where does that leave the similarly talented Little Wan and the others?"
She met Yan Zhaoge's gaze, not wavering in the slightest, as she said solemnly, "However tough it is, I can also bear it. Either I succeed, or I train myself to death here in the Mountain; I would also not attend the Extreme Yin Bout to shame myself and the clan!"
Yan Zhaoge waved his hands, "Relax, no need to be so tense; we also don't ask of you to succeed in your first attempt. On the contrary, sparring with the other Maidens of Extreme Yin is originally also a required form of tempering."
"Most importantly: a level a step, continuing to constantly rise, till you reach the eventual peak."
Feng Yunsheng nodded, "I understand."
In the days that followed, Yan Zhaoge began instructing Feng Yunsheng in her initial stages of preparation.
And as time passed, the conflict between Broad Creed Mountain and the Sacred Sun Clan also gradually subsided.
One day, the heavens and the earth shook as the Clear Qi Robe returned to the Mountain, the old Chief Yuan Zhengfeng and the other experts of Broad Creed Mountain beginning to return one by one.
The Yan Zhaoge who had been remaining on the Mountain these past days also received the summons of his Grand Master, Yuan Zhengfeng.
At first glance, Yuan Zhengfeng seemed like a rather diminutive, insipid old man. However, as he sat there, he was like the focal point of the Great Hall, such that it would be hard to overlook him.
Sitting by his left was another elderly man, as well as an elderly woman.
Yan Zhaoge recognised them as the Grand Elders of the clan, longtime Elders of the same generation as Yuan Zhengfeng.
While by Yuan Zhengfeng's right were seated the trio of Shi Tie, Fang Zhun, and his father Yan Di.
Seeing Fang Zhun and Yan Di seated side by side, Yan Zhaoge's gaze flickered slightly.
His second apprentice-uncle was hailed as the Hidden Dragon.
But it was precisely because his father had suddenly soared into prominence out of nowhere that the Hidden Dragon was today still the Hidden Dragon, having yet to take that last step of the Hidden Dragon soaring into the heavens, currently still a dragon within the abyss.
However, in this world where martial practitioners reigned supreme, while a person's strength as well as potential were indeed important factors for measuring their leadership capabilities, in order to ensure that it would be long lasting, some various other factors still had to be considered.
In most people's eyes, not taking into account their martial prowess, when compared to Yan Di in other areas, Fang Zhun appeared more suited to be the next Clan Chief.
Some years ago, when Fang Zhun's stance towards the outside world had not been so tough as it was now, he had even enjoyed the unanimous support of the clan's moderate faction with the clan's longtime Elders at its head.
The other Sacred Grounds were also similarly paying attention to the candidature of Broad Creed Mountain's next Chief.
Not only was this true for the Sacred Sun Clan and the Heavenly Thunder Hall with whom they shared a disharmonious relationship, even Jade Sea City and Infinite Boundless Mountain were extremely concerned about this.
Over the years, while Fang Zhun had also switched to a tougher stance, compared to the all fangs bared Yan Di, he was still much, much gentler in comparison.
Before Yan Di had risen into prominence, Fang Zhun had been regarded by all as Yuan Zhengfeng's definite successor.
However, the latecomer Yan Di's current momentum was coming to overshadow him more and more.
Countless thoughts flashed through Yan Zhaoge's mind before he quelled them, bowing to them all.
Yuan Zhengfeng said smilingly, "This time, we have all been errand boys for Zhaoge."
Yan Zhaoge had a sufficient understanding of his Grand Master. In front of members of the younger generation, he was actually usually very humorous. His words now were not words of blame or sarcasm; rather, seeing such a competent youngster appearing from within his clan, this old man felt greatly comforted as he made such a joke.
Yan Zhaoge smiled as he replied cheekily, "These words of yours will reduce my lifespan; these past days, I've been tossing and turning in bed, agonising over being sent to the Disciplinary Hall."
Yuan Zhengfeng shook his head, smiling, "You will indeed have to make a trip to the Disciplinary Hall, though it's not to be punished, but to be rewarded."