Chapter 21 (Sixth update before it goes to VIP) I ate it all!
Chapter 21 Did they eat it all?
Kunlun Mountain and Kunlun Palm were once renowned heroes in the martial arts world, but they have gradually declined in the last twenty years.
"So the old man was once a disciple of the Kunlun Sect. The Kunlun Sect is skilled in using the Kunlun Palm. Could it be that the old man's Cloud Piercing Mountain Breaking Hand is a variation of the Kunlun Palm?" Wang Sumo couldn't help but make the connection, but she had only seen the Cloud Piercing Mountain Breaking Hand and never the Kunlun Palm, so she only knew one aspect and not the other.
She is indeed intelligent and has a high level of comprehension.
What a pity...
Master He laughed and said, "If you put it that way, it's barely plausible. The Cloud Piercing Mountain Breaking Hand was indeed inspired by the Kunlun Palm, but you can't say that it was a variation of the Kunlun Palm."
Wang Sumo was puzzled.
Grandpa He sighed again, "He really did go to Kunlun later and became a disciple of the Kunlun Sect Leader for about three to five years. I don't know what he went through during that time. When we met again, he had already left the Kunlun Sect. But by then, his Cloud-Piercing Mountain-Severing Hand had already begun to gain some fame in the martial arts world, and he had sparred with many fellow martial artists. Coupled with the legend of the Divine Heaven Sect, the name Cloud-Piercing Mountain-Severing Hand had truly begun to circulate in the martial arts world."
Two years and five years later, a total of about seven or eight years, the old man finally made a name for himself in the martial arts world.
Wang Sumo was still happy for the old man.
Master He sighed, "Old Qu is exceptionally intelligent, diligent, and quick to learn. The fact that he was accepted as a disciple of the Kunlun Sect, and even personally taken in by the sect's leader at the time, speaks volumes. If he hadn't been misled into the Shentian Sect and wasted those years, with his talent, he should have made a name for himself in the martial world much earlier. But even so, Old Qu's Cloud-Piercing Mountain-Severing Hand is indeed not a variation of the Kunlun Palm. Or rather, it should be said that the Cloud-Piercing Mountain-Severing Hand is a completely different set of techniques that Old Qu comprehended from the Kunlun Palm."
At this point, Master He couldn't help but sigh, "It's a pity he never wanted to mention his past in the Kunlun Sect. With Lao Qu's intelligence and diligence, the Kunlun Sect Master was willing to teach him the Kunlun Palm, a secret technique of the Kunlun Sect. Logically, Lao Qu shouldn't have left the Kunlun Sect. But not only did he leave in sorrow, he also never mentioned his time in the Kunlun Sect, and even more so, he never used the Kunlun Palm in the martial world again. Girl, do you know why it's said that the Cloud Piercing Mountain Breaking Hand was inspired by the Kunlun Palm, but not transformed from it?"
Wang Sumo shook her head.
She truly did not know; she had never even seen the ultimate technique of Kunlun Palm.
Master He said in a deep voice, "No matter what the reason, Lao Qu left the Kunlun Sect. And since then, Lao Qu has never used Kunlun Palm, or any other martial arts or secret techniques of the Kunlun Sect. Girl, the Cloud Piercing Mountain Breaking Hand you saw is actually a martial art that is completely opposite to Kunlun Palm, that is, it goes against the grain."
Wang Sumo understood somewhat. "Elder Master He, do you mean that the Cloud Piercing Mountain Breaking Hand was created by the old man to keep his agreement with the Kunlun Sect and not to use the Kunlun Palm or any other Kunlun Sect techniques?"
Master He nodded, "Yes."
Wang Sumo was filled with indescribable shock and surprise.
Master He continued, "Old Qu is an absolute martial arts prodigy. He was able to master all the secret techniques of the Kunlun School, but then discarded them all and came up with a new Cloud Piercing Mountain Breaking Hand that was completely different from the Kunlun School. Tell me, how many people in the entire martial arts world can do that?"
It must be said that Master He's words were like a boulder dropped into a lake, instantly creating ripples on the once calm surface, each ripple striking the heart.
“Old Qu is a disciple of the Kunlun Sect Leader, and he is also intelligent and hardworking. If the Kunlun Sect Leader were still alive, who would be in charge of the position?” Old Master He’s words enlightened Wang Sumo.
Master He took a deep breath. "It's not that Lao Qu doesn't want to stay in the Kunlun Sect, but that after the Kunlun Sect leader passed away, the Kunlun Sect couldn't keep Lao Qu. How could the intricate relationships among these sects possibly bind Lao Qu?"
"It was only out of gratitude for my master that I had to bow my head. But since then, Kunlun has been gone. In recent years, the Kunlun Sect has been plagued by talent shortages and a lack of successors, and it has gradually disappeared from the view of the martial arts world. Lao Qu did not establish a sect and always went his own way, which is inextricably linked to his experience in the Kunlun Sect. But he was magnanimous by nature. After leaving Kunlun, I met him again. And this time, his Cloud-Piercing Mountain-Splitting Hand and my Gentleman's Sword were evenly matched."
Wang Sumo asked, "The old man did it?"
Master He nodded with a smile, "He did it. Moreover, he was unarmed, while I wielded the Qingyun Sword. With the added advantage of the sword, although I fought to a draw with the two of them, I was actually slightly inferior. One should look at a scholar with new eyes after three days. Old Qu's martial arts have improved so rapidly, which makes me feel gratified, but even more so, I am shocked."
"I too have been stuck at the level of the Longevity Gentleman's Sword for a long time, unable to break through. After sparring with Lao Qu, we drank heavily for three days, thoroughly enjoying ourselves. Lao Qu told me about the origin of the Cloud Piercing Mountain Breaking Hand, and I suddenly had a revelation. The Gentleman's Sword is born from the 'Worry-Free Sword.' In fact, my master had already told me that the highest level of swordsmanship is to forget the rules and let the sword become a part of your body, as natural as any movement. Although the Gentleman's Sword is different from the Worry-Free Sword, they are always of the same lineage. Lao Qu's words made me suddenly realize the truth, and I truly understood what my master had said."
"In these three days, I have mastered the ninth form of the Longevity Gentleman Sword. It is completely opposite to my master's Worry-Free Sword. It breaks through and then builds up, pointing to the blue sky. In these three days, Lao Qu accompanied me, using his Cloud Piercing and Mountain Breaking Hand to help me repeatedly test the ninth form of the Longevity Gentleman Sword."
"That feeling of being completely immersed in martial arts, becoming one with heaven and earth, and blending into one with the surroundings, making the sun and moon pale in comparison, and the realization of man and sword as one reached its peak in those three days. Only then did the Longevity Gentleman Sword have its complete nine forms."
After hearing what Master He had to say, Wang Sumo felt a jolt and goosebumps rose all over his body.
Anyone who travels the martial arts world, whether skilled in martial arts or not, would surely be shocked by these words from Master He.
The martial arts realm that many martial artists pursue throughout their lives, or the momentary enlightenment they gain, can all be summarized in what Master He just said.
Master He had already reached that level, so everything that followed was effortless and serene...
"After the ninth form of the Gentleman's Sword was stabilized, Lao Qu and I fought again. This time, we fought from sunrise to sunset, and from sunset to dawn, all day long. In the end, he lost to me by half a move. It was that half-move victory achieved by the ninth form of the Gentleman's Sword over the past few days. But we laughed for a long time on the mountaintop. The image of him vowing to beat me next time, many years ago, reappeared in my mind. But this time, we both had an epiphany—there is always a higher mountain, and the victory or defeat of our youth is no longer important. The most precious thing in the world is to have someone to run towards the pinnacle of martial arts with you."
Old Master He gently shook his head, but his eyes were full of longing and satisfaction.
"So, I've known Lao Qu for many years. We're familiar with each other and know each other inside and out. But later, we had different fates and had to separate. But I will always remember the time we spent studying martial arts together. He helped me break through the ninth form of the Gentleman's Sword, and I studied the Cloud Piercing Mountain Breaking Hand with him. We traveled the world together, fighting evil and helping the weak. It was during those two years that we met Jin Niang."
Jinniang...
A girl's name should reflect the spirit of two people who are both making a ruckus, and that she is the "protagonist" who doesn't lose.
But judging from what the old man and Master He were saying, Jinniang would probably end up with the old man...
When Jinniang was with the old man, Master He could still bring it up, which meant he had actually let go of the past.
Jinniang was my childhood sweetheart.
But compared to the bond between the old man and Master He, who roamed the martial world together, this white moonlight became a white moonlight that wouldn't cloud one's judgment...
Although she was also curious about what kind of woman Jinniang was, perhaps because the mountain wind carried a chill, and because Master He was in a very good mood, and because he had been standing by the window reminiscing for a long time and talking for a long time, Master He subconsciously clenched his fist and coughed lightly twice.
Wang Sumo could sense that Master He was happy when these past events in the martial arts world were mentioned.
However, anything in excess is as bad as too little.
“Master He, it’s getting late. Why don’t you get some rest? I’ll head back now,” Wang Sumo said.
It's good to keep the conversation focused on Jinniang.
Just as Old Master He was about to speak, he coughed lightly twice with his fist clenched, and then responded gently, "Okay."
"Then tomorrow, shall we make braised pork and two other dishes to go with our drinks?" Wang Sumo asked before leaving.
Master He smiled gently.
After leaving Nanshan Garden, Wang Sumo looked back at the garden.
Actually, she was quite happy today. She was most afraid of climbing mountains, but she climbed to the top of Qingyun Mountain with Master He. She told Master He about many of her experiences at Bazhenlou, the people and things she encountered, and also heard Master He tell many old stories about the martial arts world, especially about the old man...
Yeah, I also made a huge plate of candied ginkgo nuts, the kind with a waterfall of candied strands.
Today was also a very satisfying day for her.
...
After Wang Sumo left, the disciples serving in the garden went inside to collect the bowls and chopsticks.
Having grown accustomed to seeing the small kitchen deliver plates and then return them fully loaded every day, the disciple serving the meal was immediately stunned to see a dish on the table that was so empty that he didn't even know what it was.
this……
However, the disciple who was serving suddenly realized what was happening and then his face lit up with joy.
He almost shouted with joy, disturbing the old manor lord.
However, seeing that the old manor lord was staring intently at something in his hand with a gentle smile on his face, I was glad that I didn't make a sound to disturb him.
The serving disciples quickly tidied up the table and chairs, picked up the bowls and chopsticks, and quietly withdrew.
Seeing that other disciples were still working in the garden, he strode forward, lowered his voice, and said happily, "They've all eaten! The old master ate all the dishes that Miss Wang made."
ah?
The other party was also visibly surprised.
The old master has had a poor appetite for more than half a year. Not to mention eating everything, even if he takes a few extra bites of any dish sent from the small kitchen, they and the people in the small kitchen will remember it.
According to what you just said, the whole dish was eaten?
"Wh-what kind of dish is it?" the other person asked in surprise.
The disciple in charge of tidying up the room shook his head awkwardly, then looked back at the room and whispered, "They ate everything clean. I don't know what the dishes were, but they were made by Miss Wang. I'm afraid I should ask Miss Wang."
Is the owner of Bazhenlou really that amazing?!
The two looked at each other in bewilderment.
But after all, I heard just yesterday that Miss Wang made braised lamb liver in the main kitchen, which made all the chefs in the main kitchen and a few fellow apprentices who squeezed over to watch the excitement drool with envy.
Looking at it today, it's clear that there's no smoke without fire.
"Should we ask the old master?"
"No need. I see the old master is quite happy, looking at what he's holding and thinking about something. It's best not to disturb him. Take the bowls and chopsticks to the small kitchen, and I'll go tell the master."
The two quickly split up and went their separate ways.
Huo Lianchi and He Huai'an were discussing their appointment in the study when an old servant from the garden came to deliver a message that the disciple serving at Nanshan Garden had arrived.
Huo Lianchi and He Huai'an both stopped.
Huo Lianchi still held the invitation in his hand. The disciple who had just entered bowed to Huo Lianchi and He Huai'an, saying, "Master, Young Master, the old Master just finished all the dishes that Miss Wang made in one go. There's nothing left on the plate."
Although Huo Lianchi and He Huai'an had some expectations, they only thought that the old man would have an appetite and eat a few more bites. They never expected that Bazhenlou and Wang Sumo would be so amazing.
The reply from Nanshan Garden left both of them stunned.
The old man ate the whole plate.
"Did you eat it all, Uncle?" He Huai'an asked again to confirm.
The disciple bowed his head again, "Yes, Young Master."
The disciples of Nanshan Garden would not lie after confirming repeatedly. Huo Lianchi and He Huai'an exchanged a glance, their eyes showing surprise, but even more so, delight.
"What dish is it?" Huo Lianchi asked gently.
The disciple replied awkwardly, "The old master ate so cleanly that it was impossible to tell. I've already asked someone to inquire with Miss Wang. Look, she even used a spoon to finish it all."
spoon?
Huo Lianchi frowned slightly. He was raised by the old man and had been influenced by him since childhood.
That must be very much to his liking, otherwise the old man wouldn't have used a soup spoon instead of chopsticks.
Ultimately, this news acted like a shot in the arm, gradually easing the worries that had been weighing on Huo Lianchi's mind.
Previously, he was Chief Escort Yang of the Jinwei Escort Agency; now, it's the old man...
Miss Wang from Bazhenlou has something on her body.
Beside him, He Huai'an also showed a happy expression and quickly said, "It's too late today. Tomorrow morning, I'll have the kitchen go to Miss Wang to learn how to make this dish. If you want to eat it again in the future, Uncle, the kitchen can make it for you."
The serving disciple bowed in response and was about to leave when Huo Lianchi called out again, "Wait."
"Master." The other party stopped.
Huo Lianchi put down the invitation in her hand and said softly, "Go and tell the Second Young Master as well, so that he knows."
After the servants left, only Huo Lianchi and He Huai'an remained in the room.
The atmosphere in the room was somewhat somber when the invitation to Mingyue Tower was mentioned earlier, but now that the interlude has passed, Huo Lianchi and He Huai'an still have joy in their eyes.
"The Eight Treasures Pavilion truly lives up to its reputation. It was worth the special trip I made to invite Miss Wang here." He Huai'an said with relief. "This afternoon, I heard He Lin mention that my great-uncle had tried several bites of candied ginkgo nuts. I didn't think much of it at the time, assuming that my great-uncle found it novel and that He Lin's exaggeration was also part of it. Now I can rest assured. He finished the whole plate of food. It's a good start."
He Huai'an is always good at talking.
Compared to He Lingyun, talking to and being with He Huai'an is much more comfortable.
He Huai'an continued, "Then Uncle doesn't need to worry about Grandfather anymore. Uncle should attend the invitation from Mingyue Tower. This time, Mingyue Tower has extended invitations to all major sects to discuss important matters concerning the martial arts world. Qingyun Manor's influence and status in the martial arts world are unparalleled; but if this conference really follows the example of twenty years ago and elects a leader of the martial arts alliance, Uncle will miss the opportunity if he doesn't attend."
Huo Lianchi picked up the invitation he had just put down again, his brows furrowing slightly.
He was about to say something, but then he glanced at He Huai'an and said in a low voice, "Let's see in a couple of days."
But compared to before, whether it was because he had relented or because the old man's condition had improved, he felt relieved.
He Huai'an understood and didn't say anything more.
"Then I'll take my leave." He Huai'an respectfully cupped his hands and departed.
The lamplight under the eaves illuminated the figure. Huo Lianchi looked at the figure outside the window through the window, and after a long while, she lowered her head again, remembering Wang Sumo whom she had seen yesterday.
She is very smart, good at reading people, and can also pretend to be dull.
Huai'an also said that after arriving at Qingyun Villa, she quietly observed the surroundings for a long time.
Leaving aside Chief Escort Yang of Jinwei Escort Agency, even the sect leader Yu Daozi of Xuanji Sect would not give a Bazhenlou to someone with whom he has no connection. Even if it were a coincidence, it would be because Wang Sumo had the opportunity to give it to him.
She placed the Eight Treasures Pavilion openly and honestly in the martial arts world, in a place that everyone could see, which ironically prevented the covetousness of petty villains...
Wang Sumo wasn't just clever, he was extremely clever.
The taste of the food at Bazhenlou is one thing, but Wang Sumo must be incompatible with the old man's temperament.
He Ping mentioned that the old master Qu had accompanied Wang Sumo at the Bazhenlou restaurant. The old master's kindness towards Wang Sumo was probably related to the old master Qu. He must have chatted with Miss Wang for a long time about the old master Qu tonight, and was in a good mood, which made him have a better appetite.
Bazhenlou never visits.
In Huo Lianchi's view, Wang Sumo's visit was probably also related to marrying the old man.
The old man misses his old friends...
Huo Lianchi seemed to be deep in thought.
*
Inside the Delightful Garden, Wang Sumo seriously watched her crucian carp by the pond for a while, and even fed them fish food with great seriousness, muttering, "Eat more, grow more fat, and I'll eat you in a couple of days~"
He Lin happened to come to the garden looking for her.
Rumors are circulating in the manor that the old master ate all the dishes she made in one go.
He Lin was both surprised and excited, and of course he couldn't sit still and had to ask for clarification, since he was familiar with Wang Sumo!
From the moment they entered the garden, He Lin kept asking questions, "So you made tofu with scallions?"
"Just this simple dish? The old master ate it all?"
"My God! The old master ate it all? He hasn't eaten like this in ages!"
"That must taste so good!"
He Lin himself was drooling.
Wang Sumo looked at him and said with disdain, "Hey, He Qingque, your drool is dripping into my fishpond. Are you secretly eyeing my crucian carp?"
Since the fish had been fed, Wang Sumo patted his hands and the dust off his clothes, got up and went into the house.
He Lin quickly followed, "How could I dare! The manor lord said that I should follow you closely these next few days. Whatever you need to do, I'll find people in the manor to help me. You have no idea how happy the manor lord was when he heard that the old manor ate a whole plate of food!"
Wang Sumo looked at him, "How happy are you?"
Uh, He Lin: "..."
You really let him describe it?
Wang Sumo smiled, "It's getting late, I need to get my beauty sleep. Grandpa wants braised pork tomorrow, remember to tell the kitchen to prepare the ingredients."
Red, braised pork?
He Lin thought he had misheard, "Is it braised pork?"
I was afraid I had misheard.
Wang Sumo turned around and replied with a smile before closing the door, "Yes, it's braised pork. Also, there are two side dishes to go with the drinks. Do you have swimming crabs? I saw them at the dock before; they're at their fattest now, perfect for scallion and ginger swimming crab. Remember to have someone go buy some!"
"Huh?" He Lin actually took out a small notebook and wrote it down.
Wang Sumo was both amused and annoyed. "He Qingque."
He Lin could only write it down while explaining, "The master said that not a single thing can be missed, otherwise I will be punished by sweeping Qingyun Peak for a month."
"Don't you really like climbing Qingyun Peak?" Wang Sumo asked deliberately.
He Lin looked at her and said, "Sweeping Qingyun Peak is different from climbing it. Sweeping is tiring..."
"Okay, I've got it all figured out. Scallion and ginger swimming crabs. Have someone buy them and bring them up the mountain first thing tomorrow morning." He Lin said quite seriously.
"I remember very well, see you tomorrow." Wang Sumo finished speaking and was about to close the door when He Lin quickly stopped her. "Hey, hey, hey!" "Wait! I haven't finished yet! Didn't you say you'd make two side dishes to go with the drinks? One is scallion and ginger crab, where's the other one?"
He Lin was afraid he might forget something, and if the old man had nothing to eat tomorrow, he really would have to go up the mountain to sweep Qingyun Peak!
Wang Sumo smiled politely, glanced behind him, and then decisively closed the door.
He Lin: "..."
He Lin: "???"
"Hey!" He Lin heard the sound of someone coming upstairs.
Wang Sumo was a woman, and it wouldn't be right for him to shamelessly open the door and chase after her after she had already closed it. He could only back up little by little, just enough so that Wang Sumo could see him outside the courtyard as she went up the steps, or at least hear his voice, "Miss Wang, you still haven't told me! What's the other dish!"
I'm not afraid of those who try to take advantage of others, but I'm afraid of those who are serious and a bit dull.
Wang Sumo pushed open the second-floor window. He Lin had just stepped back to the fishpond when he saw her open the window. He Lin smiled and said, "Miss Wang!"
Wang Sumo sighed softly, "Didn't I tell you? Behind you."
Behind him?
He Lin looked puzzled and was about to turn around when, due to the slippery ground in front of the fishpond from the previous water, he lost his balance and fell sideways into the pond with a "thud!"
Wang Sumo: "..."
She didn't expect it either.
When He Lin sat up, there was a crucian carp on his head!
Not only on its head, but He Lin was also holding one in his arms. The fish seemed utterly hopeless, and He Lin was somewhat bewildered.
Looking at the scene, Wang Sumo laughed and said, "These two are it. Dull-witted, a pot of crucian carp and tofu soup."
[Author's Note]
We'll be giving out red envelopes to the first 100 people!
——————
I'd like to recommend my friend's novel, "Neither Rich Nor Noble," by Qi Yue (book ID: 9174836). It's already finished, super good, you can jump right in!
Qian Tong, true to her name, was the daughter of a wealthy merchant from Yangzhou.
At the full moon celebration banquet, a fortune teller gave her a reading of her destiny.
This woman will be either rich or noble in the future.
Qian Tong didn't believe it.
As the saying goes, wealth doesn't last three generations, and poverty doesn't last five generations. The Qian family, by her generation, had reached its third generation.
Upon learning that her family planned to marry her off to the prefect's youngest son in exchange for Jinshan, Qian Tong resolutely refused. She went to the docks herself, found the most shabby young man, and put him in a sack.
Being mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace and planning ahead, she decided to sacrifice herself by marrying a poor young man in order to reduce public resentment towards the wealthy.
—
Song Yunzhi, the only son of the current princess, could recite the Three Character Classic at the age of three, compose poems and lyrics at the age of ten, and fight on the battlefield at the age of sixteen. He was a man of both literary and military talent, and became famous at a young age, believing that he had reached the pinnacle of his life.
After serving the emperor day and night for four years, he received a mission.
The arrogance of wealthy merchants in Yangzhou prompted him to investigate incognito.
No sooner had he arrived in Yangzhou than a burlap sack was put over his head.
When the sun rose again, a young woman peeked out from the golden light, smiled at him with narrowed eyes, and said, "Young master, I promise you a lifetime of wealth and glory, how about it?"
Upon first seeing Qian Tong, Song Yunzhi sneered inwardly, "That's exactly who I'm investigating!"
Goodbye Qian Tong: "Extravagant and unscrupulous business practices, investigate thoroughly!"
One month later: I gradually began to doubt the meaning of life.
Six months later: "Qian Tong, where's my belt...?"
On his wedding night, Song Yunzhi sat amidst a mountain of gold until midnight, finally picking up his pen and writing a letter to the emperor: "The situation is complex, and I wish to seek the truth. Therefore, I have settled here and will not return to the capital for the time being."
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