"Ah—!!!"
A scream rang out.
Zhao Gao's expensive red python robe disintegrated inch by inch within the golden light as black smoke rose.
In the blink of an eye, he was forcibly transcended by the golden swastika symbol, leaving nothing but a pile of black ash on the ground. When the red rain washed over it, the remains vanished without a trace.
"Namo Amitābha. Amitābha."
Wu Gou withdrew his hand and lightly blew on his fingers.
"Behind the vermilion gates, meat and wine rot; on the road lie the bones of those frozen to death."
"Safe travels, benefactor. Remember to cultivate a kinder tongue in your next life."
After speaking, he gave a light huff and skipped back to Chen Zhou’s side, clutching the invitation.
At this time, Chen Zhou was chatting with Song Zi'an. Seeing Wu Gou return, he asked casually, "How did it go?"
Wu Gou pouted and tossed the gilded invitation onto the table.
"Transcended."
"A dead soul has its own place to go. Why linger in the mortal realm and act like a tyrant?"
Chen Zhou picked up the invitation and scanned it.
The content was exactly as Zhao Gao had said: Crown Prince Yin Wudao invited the lords of the two regions to the Red Rain Night Banquet to discuss the matter of the Golden Buddha.
Additionally, the end of the invitation mentioned that Prince Cangming of the Eastern Region was also invited.
"It seems Yin Wudao has no small ambition, wanting to gather several factions together."
Wu Gou leaned in and asked, "So, are we going or not?"
Chen Zhou closed the invitation and replied, "We're going. Why wouldn't we?"
"The other party is so sincere; he even blinded one of his own eyes and lost a personal eunuch. Wouldn't it be quite disrespectful if I didn't go?"
Chen Zhou wasn't surprised that the other party could guess his identity.
The Northern and Southern Regions were vast, and with the successive upheavals, he hadn't deliberately suppressed information. Anyone with the intent could find out that the Bone Temple had unified the two regions.
But what did the actions of the Bone Temple have to do with his Bone Altar?
Figuring out one of his personas—which was intended for others to see anyway—was one thing. To truly probe his depths? They were still a long way off.
"Pack up. Prepare to depart."
The red rain outside continued to fall. Zhao Fu brought the waiter over to thank them again.
Though Zhao Gao had said the province office wouldn't pursue the matter, the common people knew better than anyone how fickle officialdom could be. They didn't dare gamble on whether they'd be settled with later.
"Benefactor, we'll set off for Thousand Isles County now."
Zhao Fu carried bags and bundles on his back, his hand tightly clutching the bone token. It was their only hope.
Chen Zhou nodded. "Go. Be careful on the road."
Song Zi'an walked out from the kitchen, holding several oil-paper parcels, and handed them to the manager.
"Manager, these are a few flatbreads I just baked and some dried meat. Take them for the journey."
Song Zi'an's eyes showed some reluctance. After all, he had lived here for three years, and the manager had treated him well.
"Thank you for your care these past three years. I have no way to repay you but with these rations."
"My master once said that the best chef is one who can fill a person's stomach so they don't feel homesick."
"I hope you can settle down once you reach the other side, Manager."
Zhao Fu took the oil-paper parcels, his eyes reddening slightly as he patted Song Zi'an’s shoulder. "Good lad. The mountains are high and the road is long. Take care of yourself as well."
Even if they were just ordinary flatbreads, when made by Song Zi'an, they had a rich wheat aroma that made one feel at peace.
After seeing off the manager and the waiter, Chen Zhou and the others also prepared to depart for the province capital.
Dream Demon piglet floated at the very front. Wu Gou sat directly on its back, claiming that standing high allowed one to see far.
Song Zi'an followed behind, carrying a massive black iron cauldron on his back.
The cauldron looked extremely heavy, yet it sat as steady as a mountain on his back.
On the way, Chen Zhou asked seemingly at random, "You have a master?"
Song Zi'an was stunned for a moment, then hesitated.
But since he had already eaten the pine nut and received Chen Zhou’s life-saving grace, he felt there was no need to hide anything.
"Yes. My master is the successor of the Zhenlong Cauldron lineage."
"Zhenlong Cauldron?" Chen Zhou raised an eyebrow. That was an interesting name.
"It's normal for you not to know, my lord. This lineage is thinly populated and has always been passed down to a single disciple."
Song Zi'an explained, "The Zhenlong Cauldron treats food as the Dao, cultivating only one cauldron and one dish."
"I am an orphan. My master found me in a mass grave and brought me to the mountain, raising and teaching me from a young age."
"Only my master and I lived on the mountain, accompanied by ingredients all day, identifying myriad herbs and recognizing the five grains."
When mentioning his master, Song Zi'an’s gaze became exceptionally soft.
"Master often said that all things in heaven and earth can be used as ingredients. As long as one's heart is sincere, even a bowl of plain water can yield the hundred flavors of life."
"Master possesses a special destiny and has delved extremely deep into the path of food."
Chen Zhou became interested. "A special destiny? Could it be the Heavenly Chef Noble?"
He had seen several auspicious gods who were quite heaven-defying, so he was sensitive to special destinies.
Song Zi'an snapped his head up, his eyes full of surprise. "To think that you actually know of the Heavenly Chef, my lord!"
"Yes, Master indeed has the Heavenly Chef Noble destiny."
"When Master cooks, he can move the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. There is nothing in the heavens, the earth, or the mountains and seas that he cannot cook."
"I'm ashamed to say that my aptitude is dull. I followed Master for over ten years but only learned a fraction of his skills. I haven't even touched the threshold of harmonizing the five flavors or glimpsing the true flavor."
Chen Zhou understood.
No wonder Song Zi'an had no reaction after eating the pine nut; the real 'main character' was his master.
However, the fact that Song Zi'an could create dishes that suppressed aberrations showed he had indeed received the true inheritance. Perhaps he was just lacking in heat or a specific opportunity.
"Then where is your master?" Chen Zhou asked.
Before even finishing his training, his cooking could rival the Snow Lotus Wine of the Heavenly Sword Sect. How powerful must the true Heavenly Chef be?
Wu Gou chimed in from the side, "A Heavenly Chef? Sounds like someone who can make lots of delicious food. That old man must be a divine figure."
Song Zi'an gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
"Five years ago, Master was summoned to the provincial capital. They said he was to prepare imperial meals for the royal family. There has been no news since."
"Entered the palace?" Wu Gou frowned. "That's a dye vat. Once you go in, it's hard to come out."
"Do you think your master stayed in the palace to enjoy wealth and honor?"
"No." Song Zi'an’s tone was firm.
"Master often said: 'Not for the sake of serving the elite at high tables, but wishing to attain longevity through true flavor.'"
"He cooks only to seek the Dao. He would never allow himself to be trapped within palace walls for the sake of glory and riches."
"Before he left, Master left a letter. It said that the provincial capital is not a good place. If he did not return, I was never to go looking for him."
"Unless... a heaven and earth phenomenon occurred."
Song Zi'an looked up at the sky filled with red rain. "I waited for Master on the mountain for two years. Seeing that he had not returned, I came down to search while waiting."
"Until I saw this falling red rain. I felt this must be the heaven and earth phenomenon Master mentioned."
"My purpose in going to the provincial capital this time is specifically to find my master."
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