Chapter 24: Treating to a Meal

Lu Youjiao spoke incessantly of Hong Qigong's mighty feat of single-handedly uprooting Qingyu Guan, while beside him Shopkeeper Wei kept clicking his tongue in wonder and prostrating himself in admiration, playing the perfect straight man.

The more Lu Youjiao spoke, the more excited he became, spittle flying, gesticulating wildly, his face flushed red.

Wu Chengyu responded perfunctorily, also feigning praise for the Beggar Sect, but Qingyu Guan was no longer something he took to heart; as long as it did not threaten Wu Chengyu himself, be it evil dao or demons, it had nothing to do with him. Idle and bored, he rarely took a good measure of Lu Youjiao.

Now that Hong Qigong was absent, this future Beggar Sect Chief Lu Youjiao was the one in charge of this branch. Previously with Hong Qigong blocking the front, Wu Chengyu couldn't be bothered to spare him a second glance; a sweep of his peripheral vision yielded a six-character assessment: short, dark, and coarse.

Now observing him face-to-face up close, those six characters described him aptly. If Lu Youjiao shaved his head and left a peach-heart shape on his crown, it would be even better. No wonder the moment Wu Chengyu saw him, his mind conjured that impression — it overlapped with a certain little black fatty.

Of course, this refers to build and complexion; Lu Youjiao's features were both fierce and stupid, far less clever and sharp than Teacher Guo.

It seems he listened to too much crosstalk from a certain platform recently; Wu Chengyu couldn't help but shake his head and smile wryly. Lu Youjiao, who was in the middle of extolling Hong Qigong, immediately showed displeasure upon seeing this.

"What, does Young Master Wu feel this one's words are wrong? If you have any dissatisfaction with my Beggar Sect, just speak plainly."

TMD, are all Beggar Sect people this pigheaded? Can't even shake one's head and laugh? Wu Chengyu cursed inwardly, but still had to immediately placate Lu Youjiao; people this stubborn are hard to predict behaviorally — they dig in on principles and won't listen to reason.

Wu Chengyu would still need to recuperate here for the next few months; he didn't want any knots with Lu Youjiao.

Wu Chengyu took a steamed bun from A Ku's hand and tossed it straight to Lu Youjiao, who caught it subconsciously and for a moment couldn't bring himself to flare up.

This was a deliberate psychological nudge by Wu Chengyu. As a member of the Wuyi Sect, Lu Youjiao had long begged for food; a meat bun was a good thing to him, and he was habituated to instantly putting on a smiling face when given alms — it was already a professional instinct. With this move from Wu Chengyu, the displeased face from just now instantly wanted to laugh but couldn't, looking rather comical.

"Where would I dare be dissatisfied with the Beggar Sect? I merely heard Rudder Master Lu speak of Chief Hong's divine wisdom and martial prowess, eliminating treachery and purging evil, and couldn't help but feel yearning — sighing that last time my time with Chief Hong was too short, unable to respectfully listen to the elder's teachings."

A stubborn fellow like Lu Youjiao is easy to placate, and with Shopkeeper Wei beside him helping speak well, the moment Wu Chengyu said this, Lu Youjiao's complexion immediately improved again.

Just then a voice suddenly came from outside the City God Temple: "Oh? Am I really that yearning-worthy? I feel like you've actually been looking down on me this whole time."

It turned out Hong Qigong had returned; everyone immediately rose to greet him.

In a few strides he reached Lu Youjiao, snatched the bun that had just landed in his hands and wolfed it down in three bites, then fixed his eyes on the sole remaining one in A Ku's hand. A Ku blinked, and hid behind Wu Chengyu.

Sometimes eyes don't lie. Wu Chengyu had mentally roasted him many times and subconsciously rolled his eyes, all caught by Hong Qigong's gaze — there really was a sense of being disdained by Wu Chengyu. Hong Qigong couldn't figure out the reason, nor catch any evidence.

How would Wu Chengyu let him seize a handle? He immediately clasped hands in salute: "Congratulations to Chief Hong for pacifying Qingyu Guan, removing a scourge for the ordinary commoners."

Hong Qigong's expression turned serious. He first signaled everyone to sit, then said to Wu Chengyu: "This trip to Qingyu Guan was indeed horrifying to hear; that evil dao had already killed several children. My Beggar Sect failed to detect it in time and even abetted the villain — where is there any cause for congratulation?"

Wu Chengyu glanced at Lu Youjiao, his eyes seemingly saying: learn a little, this is what a Chief's responsibility and magnanimity look like. Alas, Lu Youjiao's eyes remained blank.

No one wanted to bring up Qingyu Guan again. With Hong Qigong present, Shopkeeper Wei was rather ill at ease; Hong Qigong also wasn't good at dealing with merchants. Shopkeeper Wei's flattery worked on Lu Youjiao, but on Hong Qigong it would only feel annoying.

Shopkeeper Wei read the room well and immediately rose to take his leave. Seeing him depart, Hong Qigong also became more casual, eyeing Wu Chengyu and asking:

"You've been holed up at home these past few days doing who knows what. How come today you have time to come find me, and just as I happen to return? Looks like you calculated my whereabouts."

Wu Chengyu would never admit it; he replied with his most sincere smile.

"Actually I just came to visit the Beggar Sect brothers, especially Big Brother Lu. It's my good luck that I happened to wait until Chief Hong returned."

"However, since Chief Hong has returned, this youngster also happens to have a matter to request."

"Speak and let's hear. There aren't many things you, brat, can ask of me."

"This time I was fortunate to receive Chief Hong's rescue; my gratitude is beyond words. I've prepared a few small dishes at my place tonight to invite Chief Hong for a tasting, and beg Chief Hong to grace us with your presence."

"Really just inviting me to eat?"

"Of course not. There's also a small matter, inconvenient to speak of here, but for Chief Hong it's absolutely a trivial effort. Tonight at the Hour of the Rooster, I'll respectfully await Chief Hong's grand arrival."

"Scram."

The Hour of the Rooster is between 17:00 and 19:00, right at dinner time.

Wu Chengyu prepared dinner early. This meal was truly heartfelt, indeed meant to thank Hong Qigong. Besides ordering a red-braised pork knuckle from Hongyun Restaurant, he also used the Bamboo Slips manual function to repeatedly experiment and produced three dishes and one soup.

Fresh and fragrant re-stir-fried shrimp scrambled eggs, oil-braised spring bamboo shoots made from in-season bamboo shoots, with seasoning and the bamboo shoots' fresh fragrance matched just right.

Fat chicken legs steamed and shredded into strips, drizzled with a dipping sauce blended per the Bamboo Slips' formula — a plate of hand-shredded chicken. Also fresh mushroom soup, slow-fried over low heat to fully draw out the mushrooms' umami, needing little seasoning — just a pinch of fine salt and a handful of scallions.

Wu Chengyu isn't that cheap cousin of his; cooking doesn't require affectation of elegance — one look and you can tell she was brainwashed by Huang Yaoshi, what with "whose jade flute secretly sends the falling plum blossoms" and "Good Match Soup." Wu Chengyu only makes home-style dishes, but with the Bamboo Slips bonus, these few dishes far surpass his previous level.

Hong Qigong arrived as promised, even knowing to bring his own wine. Seeing the dishes Wu Chengyu prepared, he was quite surprised. He is absolutely a gourmet; he never expected Wu Chengyu's personally cooked home-style dishes to completely exceed his expectations. The presentation wasn't exquisite, but the flavors were cooked superbly; in a moment his chopsticks became blurs.

Before long, aside from half a knuckle remaining, Wu Chengyu's dishes were swept clean by Hong Qigong. Good thing Wu Chengyu had anticipated this and set aside a separate portion for A Ku; otherwise A Ku would have gone hungry.

Hong Qigong ate and drank his fill, rubbed his belly, and let out a loud burp — utterly satisfied yet still wanting more.

"Never thought Huang Laoxie's disciple's greatest talent would actually be cooking. Interesting. Wu brat, consider again joining my Beggar Sect?"

Before he liked Wu Chengyu for his talent; now the invitation is purely impure in motive. Wu Chengyu fundamentally couldn't be bothered to entertain his words and decided to get straight to the point.

"Since Chief Hong is satisfied with this meal, this youngster counts it as repaying Chief Hong's kindness of aid. Next is that trivial effort I spoke of."

"Speak and let's hear."

Wu Chengyu pointed at his own left leg injury, smiling: "Help this youngster break it."

Sometimes the road ahead winds and turns. I posted last Monday, and by this Monday — five workdays plus two rest days — the collection count was 42, and I basically despaired, thinking it might go bust.

But unexpectedly the final result was passing review and getting signed. The editor group I submitted to wasn't interested, but another editor group quickly fished it up. Looks like authors and editors also have compatibility matches, but anyway I successfully signed. Thank you all for your support.

From now on I'll write step by step according to my outline. I ask for nothing else, only that everyone keeps following along.

Thanks

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(Chapter End)