[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-immortal-food":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-immortal-food-lord-of-the-immortal-food-chapter-749":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Lord of the Immortal Food",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2313872,4524,"Chapter 749: Kindred Spirits","lord-of-the-immortal-food-chapter-749",749,"\u003Cp>The sky was high and the wind cool; from afar, the Five Tombs looked on, and the sun hung high over Leyou Plain as Cui Zhao night gripped Li Piaoqing’s hand as if entrusting her with a sovereign’s great charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changsun Jue stood silently to one side, clutching several scrolls, feeling like a eunuch awaiting imperial summons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Piaoqing smiled: “How could I possibly steal someone else’s glory?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Zhao night gazed at her softly, as if meeting her destined soul, and pleaded: “Then you must become our vice-chair.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Piaoqing laughed again: “Alright then—just don’t kick me out later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I return to the west after the Feather-Scale Trials, I won’t be able to attend for a long time. That would be mere idle occupancy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Cui Zhao night remember: “By the way, you’re here for the Feather-Scale Trials too? Which sect are you from? Tomorrow, let’s go to the Tian Shan Sword Banquet together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Piaoqing smiled: “I came with Tian Shan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was just about to say—everyone seems eager to attend, but there aren’t enough invitations.” The girl spoke slowly, smiling. “As a token of thanks for your invitation, I’ll write eleven more. One is specially for that friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gestured toward the official’s daughter who had brought her in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Zhao night blinked: “So you’re a senior disciple of Tian Shan… May I ask which Pool Master is your master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I’m from an obscure little sect—just hitching a ride on Tian Shan’s reputation.” Li Piaoqing smiled. “Do you have paper and brush?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she said this, Cui Zhao night could not comprehend: no obscure sect under a great sect’s shadow, no outsider passing through, could ever meddle in a great sect’s internal affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially not casually promising a dozen invitations—who would you even issue them in the name of?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tian Shan Sword Banquet was one of Tian Shan’s most important acts this trip; nearly ten or seven of the top twenty on the Wildfowl List would attend. Cui Zhao night herself had requested over a dozen invitations, as the people she intended to invite were mostly scions of noble families from the Divine Capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So now, the part of Cui Zhao night’s mind shaped by her noble lineage stirred awake. She studied the calm, smiling face before her and thought: perhaps she truly came from a minor sect—but either she was the very one organizing the banquet, or her identity was concealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changsun Jue was naturally curious, but her hands had already passed over a small stack of paper slips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Piaoqing thanked her, bent down, picked up a fine brush, and wrote a few brief lines. Cui Zhao night, already curious, leaned in with a smile to peek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t crowd me,” Li Piaoqing laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me see what kind of divine being you are,” Cui Zhao night pressed closer—truthfully, the girl carried a fresh scent; the pouch she wore was unlike the refined incense of the Divine Capital, making Cui Zhao night involuntarily sniff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Zhao night peered over Li Piaoqing’s shoulder and saw three elegant characters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By this invitation, (Cui Zhao night saw the name left blank),\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the sixteenth day of the third month, at the Jade Lin Tian Shan Villa, join the Sword Banquet—it is our great honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Written on the fifteenth day of the third month, Year Renwu, by the Tian Shan Sword Gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Zhao night narrowed her eyes: this bore the Tian Shan Sword Gate’s seal—so she must be one of them. How could an outsider use this name without permission? And there was no official stamp—she began to doubt the invitation’s legitimacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the girl added another line in smaller script:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The invitation was hastily written; use another slip to verify.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Zhao night and Changsun Jue leaned close together, watching the girl’s graceful hand write the final six characters:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Issued by Li Piaoqing of Yufei Mountain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Piaoqing’s brush moved like a silken thread, swiftly completing all eleven invitations. Then she pulled two small seals from her robe, dragged the finished slips over, and stamped them with two sharp “pats”—one red, then another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One read: “Western Ultimate Tian Shan Sword Gate.” The other: “Li Piaoqing, Master of Yufei Mountain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl’s hands were swift and practiced; in moments, all eleven invitations were ready. She gathered them, bowed her head, and smiled as she offered them to the quiet Cui Zhao night: “Please, Chairperson, distribute them. Tomorrow, I’ll welcome you all at the Tian Shan Villa.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Zhao night accepted without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Piaoqing paused, studying their expressions: “You recognize me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Zhao night remained silent. Changsun Jue, however, had widened her eyes, mouth agape, staring fixedly at the table, her face pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heaven have mercy—Changsun’s seventeen years had never prepared her for this. She felt as embarrassed as if caught in an affair—though she’d never wanted to have one, and had only been coerced by Cui Zhao night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yufei Mountain’s Li Piaoqing—who didn’t know her? A distant, thunderous name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long before Pei Ye arrived in the Divine Capital, she was already the very best… the very best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qu Xin had said outright: “The sender was Li Piaoqing, Master of Yufei Mountain in Boxiang Province. She’s seventeen, kissed Pei Ye, but never slept with him—they’re still entangled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changsun Jue flushed crimson, her breath weak: “Master Li… I-I’m sorry. We have no improper thoughts toward Young Master Pei.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Zhao night seized her wrist under the table, shot a glare at this disruptive fool, and forced a calm tone: “We don’t really know you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Piaoqing tucked away her seals and smiled gently: “We’re friends now. Why look at me like that? Is my reputation so bad?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That gentle smile instantly won over Changsun Jue, who hurried to say: “No, no, Master Li—I’ve long wanted to meet you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Piaoqing laughed: “I only hope you won’t ask embarrassing questions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Zhao night watched her calmly, her mind turning over several thoughts, then slowly reached out and took hold of Li Piaoqing’s forearm, speaking sincerely: “Master Li, I never imagined meeting you here. I’ve long admired your name. With you in our fellowship, it’s truly an honor—we will surely trust each other in the days to come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Piaoqing smiled: “Really? Then may I ask—how did you come to ‘long admire’ my name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Zhao night and Changsun Jue answered without hesitation: “Qu Xin told us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She sold you out for three buns,” Changsun Jue added bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three buns sold you out,\" Changsun Jue added bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As late spring dawned earlier, Pei Ye rose with Yang Zhen at the same hour for the first time, ignoring the black-clad boy’s startled gaze. After washing and dressing, he picked up his cat and sword, and walked proudly out the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, he would meet the Flying Light Sword Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scholars sought the top imperial exam rank; generals desired command of mighty armies; but for a swordsman, the highest pursuit of “external things” had only one answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scholars seek the top rank in the imperial exams, generals crave command of mighty armies, but for a swordsman, there is never a second answer to the highest pursuit of \"things beyond the self.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These mysterious, slender, sharp blades were born with spirit—rarely encountered, never sought and found. News of them was scarce; countless swordsmen who chased after them found not a single trace, as if the legends existed only in tales.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the title of “Sword Master” had always been one that distinguished a man from all other swordsmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crane List changed hands, but a Sword Master lived, he remained a Sword Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to intuition, most were solitary, or at least not purely of any sword sect. This represented another vast world of swordcraft beyond sect control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to expectation, most of them were solitary figures, or at least not purely members of any sword sect—this represented another vast world of the sword path beyond sect control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His first Sword Master was Ming Qi Tian—his awe need not be described—but he had not seen the woman in months, and Liuli even longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Flying Light” was the second famous sword he had encountered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ye remembered vividly the scene in Jiang’s rain: mist and rivers turned into ghostly spirits, a blade of bright and dark light slicing through Zhao Lingjun’s red robe, turning his long hair white and instantly etching wrinkles into his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ye vividly remembered the scene in Jiang’s rain: mist, rivers, and mountains teeming with ghosts and spirits; a blade of light and shadow interwoven slashed through Zhao Lingjun’s red robe, his long hair turned white, and wrinkles instantly formed on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a rare, unrepeatable encounter—Pei Ye would not miss it. Though the Sword Master seemed uninterested in him, he had not been hostile, and had even saved his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Sword Master still lingered in the Divine Capital, he might vanish at any moment—Pei Ye must seize this chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, he was not merely interested in “Flying Light.” He was deeply drawn to the Sword Master himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this, he had prepared thoroughly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he arrived at the Xiwen Pavilion, morning light had risen, and faint voices echoed in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ye learned Li He’s residence and came to this quiet little courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far in the northern corner of the Xiwen Pavilion,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up and saw Xu Chuo’s tower, a maple tree stretching over the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door stood half-open. As Pei Ye approached, a voice called from within: “Come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ye stepped across the threshold and saw the man kneeling by the well, drawing water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you eaten? There’s porridge in the pot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good morning, Elder. I’ve eaten,” Pei Ye bowed respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li He lifted a bucket of water, poured it into a basin, and washed bowls and chopsticks: “Good morning, Young Master Pei. The Prince said you wished to meet me—is there something you need?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finished speaking, but received no reply. He turned his head and saw the boy standing at the door, eyes full of sincerity. His attire, however, was slightly surprising—not a sword disciple’s robe, nor a martial outfit, but a long scholar’s gown, his hair tied in a scholar’s topknot, two books tucked under his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He received no answer after asking, so he turned his head to glance at the boy, who stood before the door, his sincere eyes fixed on him. His attire was slightly surprising—not a sword cultivator’s robe, nor a martial suit, but a long gown, his hair tied in a scholar’s topknot, two books tucked beneath his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ye bowed again, deeply: “The day I saw your glory by the river, I could not forget it. I dreamed of you day and night—so I came to pay my respects.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li He blinked slightly: “What glory? I may not even teach you anything—I may not even know how to use a sword better than you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder, you misunderstand,” Pei Ye interrupted softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You misunderstand, Elder,\" Pei Ye softly interrupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard of the orchid in the gate of Changmen, once gazing across the world’s end;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard of E Lv Hua at the Chang Gate; once we gazed across the distance as if separated by heaven and earth;\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet who knew that one night, a guest from Qin’s pavilion stole a glance at the flowers in the King of Wu’s garden.” Pei Ye murmured quietly, then offered the two poetry collections under his arm with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder, since childhood I’ve loved poetry. These days I’ve read your works—I was utterly enchanted. I could not help but come to meet you, to seek your guidance in the way of poetry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder, since childhood I have loved poetry; these past days I read your works and was utterly enchanted—I could not help but come to meet you, hoping to learn the way of poetry from you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li He stared at him in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ye’s eyes shone with reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few breaths, Li He shook the water from his hands, silently took the two poetry books, and looked down: one was “Li Changji’s Poems,” the other “Ten Selected Poets of the Locked-Scale School.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened them—no publisher’s name, no payment offered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What… do you wish to ask?” Li He said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think your poem is truly excellent. How did you write it?\" Pei Ye quickly pulled over a small stool and sat beside the washing basin, turning pages and pointing: \"This one—‘Wu silk and Shu tung stretch high in autumn’—after reading it, I felt deeply moved.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think this poem of yours is truly excellent—I wonder how you composed it.\" Pei Ye quickly brought over a small stool and sat beside the washbasin, turning the page and pointing, \"This one—'Wu silk, Shu tung, stretched high in autumn'—after reading it, I felt deeply moved.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that so? What do you feel in your heart?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In recent days, I’ve been eager to learn the qin. After reading this poem, I was deeply moved—as if hearing celestial music. Though I haven’t even touched the instrument yet, I already feel I’ve gained three-tenths of its skill.\" Pei Ye recited the polished lines, \"All of this is due to your transcendent poetic artistry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This poem is about the konghou, not the qin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Oh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ye frowned. \"Is that so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. This publisher made an error—the title was omitted from the page margin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see. What’s the difference between the konghou and the qin?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li He demonstrated two hand gestures on the washbasin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ye frowned and nodded. \"Oh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you want to learn poetry… was that poem you just recited your own?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm, more or less.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"More or less?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm… I came up with the idea, but I had a friend refine the lines—what advice do you have, Master?\" Pei Ye clasped his hands, calm and composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This poem is already excellent—elegant diction, tender emotion. I couldn’t write anything like it,\" Li He said. \"Learn much from your friend. If you wish to absorb some of my style, I won’t hoard my own methods—just infuse each line with your own perspective and feeling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ye nodded thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To be specific: first, let your emotion shape your perspective—don’t suppress it—then use lines to depict it,\" Li He said, finally finishing the dishes. \"Take color as an example—what color do you see in this fading flower?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Red…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see ‘rust-red.’ The flower’s shape is cold and rigid; it bloomed long in a damp, shadowed corner, and now it withers, unseen by all—isn’t that ‘rust-red’?\" Li He said. \"When crafting the line, place the color as the final character—it becomes more vivid, more striking. Never withhold your raw perception of any scene: first pierce the gloom, then enter the narrow, and finally, form the line as such.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ye frowned slowly, then sighed. \"If only I’d had your guidance earlier, this poem offered to you would have been far superior. Now I see it’s still crude.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your poem isn’t crude—but wait, this was meant as an offering to me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. Is there something wrong?\" Pei Ye thought: I clearly said I was dedicating it to someone I deeply admired, asked Li Yujin to infuse it with intense emotion, and even confirmed it several times—how could I have gotten it wrong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li He fell silent. \"This poem… you wrote it specifically for me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"More or less.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not appropriate to offer to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s too sentimental,\" Li He said, looking up seriously. \"Reading it, one might think we’re either bosom friends or… lovers. I doubt we’re either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Oh.\" Pei Ye pulled his sleeves down, motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps you should just move on to the next passage,\" Li He suggested after a pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright. Now that poetry is settled, we’ve shared mutual interests and enjoyed each other’s company,\" Pei Ye said coolly. \"Before parting, I’d like to humbly ask you about swordcraft.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. Well, since we’ve discussed poetry, we may say our tastes align and our host-guest exchange has been delightful.\" Pei Ye said calmly, \"Before parting, this junior wishes to humbly ask you about the way of the sword.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li He sighed in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>",2711,"2026-06-20T13:17:12.150Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9e2b95e7ae3581790acb19f2e4e4dd51a1d641ca4d047de269a3ee07f88f36f7","lord-of-the-immortal-food-chapter-750","lord-of-the-immortal-food-chapter-748",771,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-immortal-food-cover.jpg"]