Chapter 168: 168. Chapter 166: The Meddlesome Chef

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Someone like Director Qiong would never remember the favor of a lowly cook like him.

Someone like Dong Qiong would never remember a favor from a lowly cook.

Ding Huan dared not keep the Ningxing Bamboo on his person, yet he also refused to give it away for free.

Ding Huan dared not keep the Condensing Star Bamboo on himself, yet he wasn't willing to give it away for free.

"How about this: once we reach the sect, I'll ask the Quest Hall what the Ningxing Bamboo can be exchanged for?"

"How about this: once we reach the sect, I'll ask the Task Hall what the Condensing Star Bamboo can be exchanged for?"

Seeing Ding Huan's reluctance, Director Qiong could only offer a vague, meaningless promise.

Seeing Ding Huan's reluctance, Dong Qiong could only offer a hollow promise.

After all, he had to show face to Guan Cui—she was the chef of the Young Master's wife, even if only temporarily.

After all, even if you don't give Ding Huan face, you must give Guan Cui face. She's the chef of the Shao Sect's Lady—even if temporary, she deserves some respect.

"Then thank you, Director Qiong," Ding Huan said, knowing this was the best he could get—after all, he was lowly ranked.

"Then thank you, Dong Qiong," Ding Huan said, knowing this was all he could get—who was he to demand more?

Although Ding Huan didn't earn the right to enter the Yan Yue Sect, his status had clearly risen.

Though Ding Huan hadn't earned entry into Yanyue Sect, his status had clearly risen.

After all, he had dined with Elder Gu and Director Qiong.

After all, he'd eaten with Elder Gu and Dong Qiong.

In the following days, whenever Ding Huan went out to forage for ingredients during camp setup, the two Yan Yue Sect guard disciples would greet him voluntarily.

In the following days, every time Ding Huan went out to gather ingredients during camp setup, the two Yanyue Sect guard disciples would greet him voluntarily.

Guan Cui was becoming increasingly satisfied with Ding Huan.

Guan Cui was growing increasingly satisfied with Ding Huan.

He was the right choice—fresh ingredients arrived every day.

This chef was the right choice—fresh ingredients arrived every day.

His cooking methods never repeated themselves—steaming, boiling, frying, deep-frying, stir-frying—there seemed to be nothing this Chef Ding couldn't do.

His cooking methods rarely repeated—steaming, boiling, frying, deep-frying, stir-frying—he seemed to know them all.

Before setting out, everyone back home and all his acquaintances had said the journey from the mortal world to the sect was the most dangerous part.

Before leaving, everyone—family and friends alike—said the journey from the Mortal World to the sect was the most dangerous.

Now, to Guan Cui, it felt no different from a leisurely mountain excursion.

To Guan Cui now, it was no different from a leisurely mountain excursion.

When entering the Dahu Canyon, Director Qiong had described how perilous the journey would be—it seemed he had deliberately exaggerated to instill caution.

When entering the Great Ravine Gorge, Dong Qiong had described the journey as extremely perilous. It seemed he'd deliberately exaggerated to instill caution.

It was already the twelfth day since entering the Dahu Canyon, and it was time to set up camp again.

It was the twelfth day since entering the Great Ravine Gorge, and camp setup was about to begin.

At that moment, five or six bloodied, disheveled figures rushed toward the Yan Yue Sect's formation.

At that moment, five or six blood-soaked, disheveled figures charged toward Yanyue Sect's formation.

"Stop!" Elder Gu immediately ordered the group to halt.

"Stop!" Elder Gu halted the group immediately.

Soon, the men reached them.

Even after seeing Elder Gu and the others, the leader still went berserk, swinging his weapon wildly.

Despite seeing Elder Gu and the others, the leader still swung his weapon wildly, as if possessed.

Elder Gu let out a cold command and seized the incoming sword with one hand.

Elder Gu let out a cold shout and seized the thrusting sword with his hand.

Due to Elder Gu's stern voice, the attackers seemed to snap out of their frenzy and came to a stop.

At Elder Gu's cold shout, the charging men seemed to snap back to sense and halted.

"Are you Elder Gu Youchang of the Yan Yue Sect?"

"Are you Elder Gu Youchang of Yanyue Sect?"

The man who had attacked Elder Gu finally recognized him, his voice filled with excitement.

The man who had attacked Elder Gu finally recognized him, his voice trembling with excitement.

Elder Gu nodded:

"That's right, I'm Gu Youchang. If I'm not mistaken, you're from the Tianqi Sect, aren't you? What happened to you?"

"Yes, I'm Gu Youchang. If I'm not mistaken, you're from Tianqi Sect? How did you end up like this?"

"Elder Gu, ahead, ahead..."

The man was suddenly unable to articulate what he wanted to say.

The man couldn't articulate what he meant.

Ding Huan's mind stirred—Tianqi Sect? Wasn't that the sect connected to Zhi Qi?

He had searched the square in Daye City earlier but hadn't seen any Tianqi members—he'd assumed they hadn't participated in this sect recruitment.

Earlier, he'd searched the Grand Industry City square but hadn't seen Tianqi Sect—he'd assumed they hadn't joined this sect recruitment.

Yet here they were, already ahead of the Yan Yue Sect.

Yet here they were—not only present, but ahead of Yanyue Sect.

"Don't panic, calm down, and speak slowly," Director Qiong interjected.

"Don't get worked up—calm down and speak slowly," Dong Qiong couldn't help saying.

Fortunately, the man finally regained his composure, his voice tinged with regret:

Fortunately, the man calmed down, his voice tinged with guilt:

"I'm Han Weicheng of the Tianqi Sect, the lead organizer for this recruitment in the mortal realm. Also here is our Elder Zhen Feng, along with two Foundation Establishment disciples.

"I'm Han Weicheng of Tianqi Sect, the leader of our recruitment team from the Mortal World. Also here is our Elder Zhen Feng, and two Foundation Establishment disciples."

Together with the sixteen new recruits we gathered, we numbered twenty in total..."

"Adding the sixteen recruits we gathered, we were twenty in total..."

Elder Gu frowned slightly:

"Director Han, you only had four experienced members plus sixteen novices—your strength was too weak to cross the Dahu Canyon."

"Han Zhishi, you have only four seasoned members plus sixteen novices—your strength is too weak to cross the Great Ravine Gorge."

This wasn't meant as mockery; the Tianqi Sect was never known for combat prowess—it was purely an artifact-crafting sect.

This wasn't meant as mockery—Tianqi Sect was never known for combat prowess; they were purely an artifact-crafting sect.

Thus, even with four members, their actual combat capability remained negligible.

Thus, even with four members, their combat strength remained pitiful.

Judging by Han Weicheng's condition, they must have encountered powerful beasts—or worse, a pack of them.

Judging by Han Weicheng's condition, they must have encountered a powerful beast—or a pack.

Han Weicheng spoke mournfully:

Han Weicheng spoke bitterly:

"No, we knew our strength alone was insufficient to cross the Dahu Canyon, so we allied with the Da Jian Sect."

"No—we knew Tianqi Sect alone couldn't cross the Great Ravine Gorge, so we teamed up with Da Jian Men."

Upon hearing they'd allied with the Da Jian Sect and still ended up like this, Elder Gu's expression turned grave.

Hearing that even Da Jian Men had been reduced to this, Elder Gu's expression immediately turned grave.

The Tianqi Sect could be dismissed, but the Da Jian Sect could not.

Tianqi Sect could be dismissed, but Da Jian Men could not.

The Da Jian Sect was a sword cultivation sect; most of its disciples could fight and kill opponents of higher tiers, rivaling or even surpassing the Yan Yue Sect in combat strength.

Da Jian Men was a sword sect—most of its disciples could fight and kill opponents of higher ranks. Their strength rivaled Yanyue Sect's, and their combat prowess was even greater.

"How many did the Da Jian Sect bring?" Elder Gu asked gravely.

"How many from Da Jian Men?" Elder Gu asked gravely.

Han Weicheng's spirit was still shaken:

"Led by their Third Elder, Guan Qiusheng, along with Director Ge Zhu and four Foundation Establishment inner disciples."

"Da Jian Men's Third Elder, Guan Qiusheng, led them—along with Zhishi Ge Zhu and four Foundation Establishment inner disciples."

Elder Gu's face turned utterly pale.

He didn't know the others, but he knew Guan Qiusheng well—this man was stronger, not weaker, than himself.

He didn't know the others, but he knew Guan Qiusheng well—this man was stronger than him, not weaker.

As for Ge Zhu, no need to ask—he could effortlessly obliterate Director Dong Qiong from the Yan Yue Sect.

As for Ge Zhu—no need to ask—he could obliterate Dong Qiong, the emissary Yanyue Sect had sent.

If even Da Jian Sect's Third Elder couldn't prevail, how powerful must the beast be?

If even Da Jian Men's Third Elder Guan Qiusheng couldn't stand against it, how powerful was the beast?

"Where is Elder Guan?" Elder Gu asked slowly.

Han Weicheng shook his head:

"I don't know. Suddenly, black mist exploded out of nowhere, followed by the screams of our disciples.

"I don't know. At that moment, black mist suddenly exploded out of nowhere, followed by the disciples' piercing screams."

I heard Elder Guan roar, then felt something clamp around my neck—I could barely breathe, and all I could do was flee blindly..."

"I heard Elder Guan's roar, then felt something clamp around my neck—I could barely breathe, and only knew to flee blindly..."

"You didn't encounter a beast?" Elder Gu was even more stunned.

"I don't know if it was a beast—I saw nothing. A mass of blackness fell from the sky and exploded, then I felt my neck being crushed, icy cold seeping through my entire body, freezing me solid."

"I don't know if it was a beast—I saw nothing. A mass of blackness fell from the sky and exploded, then I felt my neck crushed—ice-cold seeped through my whole body, as if freezing me solid."

Even as he spoke, fear still lingered in Han Weicheng's eyes.

Even as he spoke, fear still burned in Han Weicheng's eyes.

"What about you guys?" Elder Gu looked at the several people behind Han Weicheng.

They were even worse than Han Weicheng; after so long, their faces were still pale, and they hadn't even regained their composure.

"Qiong Zhishi, what do you think?" Elder Gu felt this matter had slipped beyond his control.

Qiong Zhishi shook his head—he didn't know what to do either.

If we set up camp here, it's too close to where Tianqi Sect and Da Jianmen had their incident; the outcome is hard to predict.

"What if we retreat a bit and set up camp, then wait for other sects to arrive before moving forward together?"

One of Yanyue Sect's guard disciples spoke timidly.

They came here only to complete a task; if they'd known it would be this terrifying, they never would've come.

Just as Qiong Zhishi was about to speak, Ding Huan stepped forward and said:

"Qiong Zhishi, since childhood, my sixth sense has always been extremely accurate. I have a faint feeling that setting up camp here is exactly right—if we retreat, we truly can't say whether something bad will happen."

Everyone stared at Ding Huan in astonishment.

It wasn't whether Ding Huan's intuition was correct—it was that Ding Huan had no right to speak up at all.

What place is this? Sect elders and sect zhishi are discussing matters.

A guard disciple chipping in might be understandable.

But Ding Huan? A cook? Where does he get the authority to speak up? And to offer such a critical suggestion?

Perhaps it was because Ding Huan contributed a single Ningxing Bamboo, or perhaps because he was Guan Cui's cook.

Though Qiong Zhishi slightly frowned at Ding Huan's lack of decorum, he did not rebuke him; instead, he turned his gaze toward Elder Gu.

Elder Gu paused briefly, then said:

"Fine. We'll set up camp here tonight, but we'll increase patrols along the perimeter."

Elder Gu accepted Ding Huan's suggestion.

"Han Zhishi, you and your group go rest inside first. The outside duties will be handled by Yanyue Sect."

Elder Gu kindly added a reminder.

Han Weicheng, as a zhishi sent out to recruit disciples, naturally understood social niceties.

Elder Gu told him to have his people rest, but he couldn't take that literally.

This was Yanyue Sect's territory, and it was their turn for night watch—no matter what, he had to step forward; otherwise, if he angered Yanyue Sect, they might simply kick them out of the group.

"Elder Gu, since I've experienced this incident, I'll join the night watch as well," Han Weicheng immediately said.

Elder Gu paused briefly, then nodded:

"Very well. You and Qiong Zhishi each take one side; I'll handle the front. Remember, I'll set up a defensive array and mark a protective line—no one is to step beyond it."

Ding Huan suddenly spoke up:

"Elder Gu, as a cook, I've made no contributions so far. Tonight, I'd like to join the night watch as well."

"You'll join the night watch?" Ding Huan's words startled everyone again.

What kind of watch could a cook possibly stand?

"Ding Dao you, this isn't a joke—you're not a sect disciple, just a cook. This isn't your responsibility…" Qiong Zhishi stared at Ding Huan in disbelief.

The implication was clear: you, a cook, with your meager strength, what good are you on watch? Just don't cause trouble.

Ding Huan smiled:

"Qiong Zhishi, I do have some strength—I simply have terrible talent and spiritual roots, which is why the sect never selected me."

Elder Gu recalled Ding Huan's recent actions and nodded:

"Alright. How about you stay with Qiong Zhishi?"

Ding Huan quickly said:

"Qiong Zhishi already has several Yanyue Sect guard disciples—could I join Han Zhishi's side instead?"

This was Ding Huan's true goal—he wanted to get close to Han Weicheng. The night watch was merely incidental.

Earlier, Zhi Qi had mentioned he had friends in Tianqi Sect, and Ding Huan had been thinking all along about how to get to Tianqi Sect.

Now, finally, he'd encountered a Tianqi Sect zhishi—how could he miss this chance to make contact?

As for danger, he'd already calculated it—tonight, he would be safe. As for others? He was just a cook—he couldn't care less.

Guan Cui beside him looked helplessly at Ding Huan: you're a cook—why are you getting involved in night watch? This is meddling.

She couldn't easily speak up, though—Ding Huan was merely her hired cook, not someone from her Jin household. What he chose to do, she truly had no authority to interfere with.

She'd invited him originally just to handle meals for this month-long journey. Once they reached Yanyue Sect, Yanyue Sect had its own dedicated cooks for her.

After observing him over this period, Guan Cui had planned to keep Ding Huan permanently by her side to cook for her.

Yet she also had a vague feeling that Ding Huan wasn't as ordinary as a mere cook.

For anyone else, such an invitation would be eagerly accepted—but Ding Huan? He might not care at all.

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