As the autumn air thickened around noon, leaves rustled cheerfully in the crisp breeze.
In the sleek, spotless kitchen, Ying Bing’s icy beauty was focused, her elegant eyes narrowed with the solemnity of someone performing a very important task.
It seemed, at any moment, some legendary Divine Skill might emerge from her research.
Tian Xun, sensing the gravity of the situation, adopted a serious expression herself and asked:
“Little Hero Ke’s favorite food? What is it?”
“…”
“Ice Sister?”
“Oh… he has quite the appetite, doesn’t fuss, and recently has been eating a lot.”
Ying Bing, as she spoke, couldn’t help but cross her arms, trying to suppress some unusual baby food vibes.
“And you, Ice Sister?”
“I like sour and spicy.”
Tian Xun squinted, deep in thought: “Then let’s make him a sour and spicy mishmash stew!”
“This? Even Hero Ke Mo has made it.” Ying Bing tilted her head slightly, unsure what kind of dish this was.
“Is Young Hero Ke also skilled in cooking?”
Tian Xun’s eyes lit up with fighting spirit: “If we’re both chefs, then I must bring out my best tricks and show him the flavors of Eastrim cuisine!”
Apart from being a disciple of the Yantian Sect, Tian Xun had another identity: the daughter of the owner of the Moon Tower, the largest tavern in Eastrim, renowned across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, visited by countless elegant figures.
It was a popular spot for influencers to check in.
Ahem, back to the point. Thus, since childhood, Tian Xun had a strong interest in culinary arts, though her father had told her she had broader horizons and shouldn’t follow this path. Nonetheless, she had secretly acquired many precious ingredients.
“Ice Sister, you can learn this from me, and you’ll be flawless.”
“Hmm, what should we do first?”
Ying Bing nodded slightly, listening carefully.
“Once the dish is determined, we must prepare the ingredients.”
Tian Xun pulled out a jar from her spatial rings.
The smell that wafted out made even Ying Bing wrinkle her nose.
“What is this?”
“Commercial Dynasty’s Ancient Vinegar. My dad treasures it and only uses it on special occasions.”
“What occasions?”
“Last time, an esteemed guest came to our tavern and ordered nine dishes, saying none of them suited his taste and criticized relentlessly. My dad personally cooked and used this vinegar to prepare a dish for him, and the man’s expression changed dramatically, and he left without eating a bite, presumably in humble agreement.”
With many eateries in Eastrim, it was common for competitors to come to criticize.
One dish from her dad’s hand silenced the critic, using ingredients that were, naturally, extraordinary.
“Ah… I think I didn’t bring any chili peppers.” Tian Xun scratched her head.
“I’ve got some. We can use them sparingly. Last time, I added too much.”
“How long did you add them?”
“Ten seconds.”
“Let’s try eight seconds this time; it should be fine.”
Tian Xun smelled the blacksha oil and started to sweat.
Hmm, maybe ten seconds is safer.
“Ice Sister, could you peel these potatoes? Note to use gentle force, otherwise they might explode.”
“Potatoes can explode?”
“Ha-ha, this is a rare kind of potato ingredient, can be made into a potato mine. My old dad gave me this as a secret weapon. Today, there’s finally a chance to use it!”
Tian Xun hadn’t heard the rest of her father’s words when she left in a hurry.
“Throw it at bad guys.”
As all knew, the Empress Palace Mistress had an extraordinary eye for everything under heaven and beyond.
Except for ingredients.
Next, Tian Xun earnestly taught, and Ying Bing carefully followed. Everything seemed to go incredibly smoothly.
“When Young Hero Ke is surprised, I’ll do an interview with him.”
Tian Xun was daydreaming about overachieving on her task.
…
“My parents and grandparents went shopping today, so Ice Chunk gave me the surprise.”
Little Li sat in the courtyard lost in thought, his lips curling faintly: “It can’t be the kind of surprise my parents can’t watch, can it?”
Thinking about it this way, he was rather excited.
“Ah, right, where are Leader Shang and Teacher Qin?”
Li Mo suddenly froze, realizing the previously bustling courtyard was now left only with Old Huang, who was still fumbling about.
He needed to find them.
“Don’t know.” Huang Donglai was deeply engrossed in researching inner visualization techniques, unaware of when they left.
“Even Tian Miao is missing, strange.”
Li Mo couldn’t figure it out. Normally, if Ice Chunk had prepared a surprise for him, why would Leader Shang miss such an occasion?
He soon found out why.
After a while.
“Whoa…”
Huang Donglai abruptly stood up, full of alertness, ready for battle, his body tense to the extreme.
“Old Huang, did you find a way to break through your realm?”
“No, I have never felt such a strong sense of crisis!”
Huang Donglai’s crisis sense was always acute.
“Oh?”
Li Mo also stood up, all serious. Old Huang wouldn’t fake it when it came to this.
But this was inside their house in Qingyuan, with Qin Yuzhi, at the 7th realm, nearby.
What kind of danger would cause Old Huang’s crisis sense to go haywire?
Li Mo frowned deeply but could not think of an answer.
The two exchanged a glance, the meaning clear without words.
Suddenly, two soft footsteps approached at the gate. Huang Donglei snarled lowly: “Brother Li, combination technique!”
“Got it!”
“Huh?”
Ying Bing and Tian Xun entered the yard carrying a large pot, only to see Li Mo riding on Huang Donglai’s back, forming the ‘Ice’ character.
“What is this?”
Tian Xun blankly asked.
“This is… their combined finishing move, a sign of their bond and such.” Ying Bing sighed helplessly.
“…” Tian Xun’s mouth opened and closed.
The bond between Young Hero Li and his companion √
But how was she supposed to write this down on the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Trending Chart?
“Ice Chunk?”
Li Mo too was baffled. Why was it her entering?
Wait…
“Stop fooling around, come eat already.” Ying Bing placed the large pot down and gently waved at him with a softened expression.
Li Mo swallowed hard.
His steed’s knees buckled, and he carefully lowered Li Mo down.
So… this is where the crisis sense came from?
So, this is the surprise?
“I taught the Ice Sister how to cook this. Come, taste it.” Tian Xun said.
As the lid was removed, the contents of the mishmash stew were colorful, the sour and spicy aroma overwhelming, with both meat and vegetables, making one’s mouth water.
Seemingly… not wrong?
Li Mo glanced at Huang Donglai.
He saw his steed also frozen in confusion, his eyes full of wisdom.
Could Old Huang’s crisis sense be wrong? Is that why he’s bewildered now?
Moreover, Tian Xun was indeed the daughter of the Eastrim Tavern. Her teaching… should there be a problem?
“Come, taste.” Ying Bing gently handed him chopsticks.
“…”
Li Mo swallowed hard, ultimately nodding and picking up a piece of potato.
The End.
