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.”