CHAPTER 65: 65. HUAIKONG, WHO WAS TOO CLEVER FOR HIS OWN GOOD [SEEKING COLLECTION]

This medicinal cuisine required considerable effort from the Yang Family to gather, with each herb over a hundred years old, totaling a value exceeding 5000 Gold Coins. Its effect is to replenish Qi and nurture the body, even highly valued in medicinal cuisines.

Once it’s brought up, it naturally cannot be taken back.

Upon arriving at Yunlan Mountain, the two met Yun Liao.

Upon learning that Huaikong brought medicinal cuisine today, Yun Liao hesitated a moment but ultimately agreed to let them stay at the Immortal Sect for a bit longer.

The cuisine’s reputation was something he had heard of in Xingyue City, saying Huaikong’s medicinal cuisine could make the lame walk and the blind see. If Taotie was known for his cooking, then his fame across East Lake likely came from his ability to make medicinal cuisine.

These recent days, the honored elder had been eating ordinary meals with them daily, which was somewhat inadequate. Since the medicinal cuisine was beneficial to the elder, Yun Liao had no reason to block it.

He even thought about consulting the elder on some Profound Realm issues once the elder fully recovered.

"Demon Chef, feel free to do as you wish; the rule for this hour today need not be observed."

Huaikong replied, "Thank you."

Yang Zongxian, smiling, said, "Thank you, Elder Yun. Initially, we were worried about the time constraints when we came. Now that we have ample time, this medicinal cuisine should reach Brother Yu just in time, making my effort worthwhile in finding these ingredients."

Yun Liao nodded, "You get busy; I’ll be leaving now."

Yang Zongxian followed and asked, "Elder Yun, do you know if Sect Leader Wen has returned?"

...

Once Yun Liao left, the kitchen soon plunged into bustling activity.

"Hurry up!"

"Unload everything, place the Lily there, and crush the Star Shells on the cutting board..."

Huaikong’s voice continuously echoed both inside and outside the kitchen.

...

Tingyu Pavilion.

Last night, Yun Liao had heard of Wen Ping’s return and brought Yang Zongxian to the Tingyu Pavilion. After receiving permission to enter, Yang Zongxian had two burly middle-aged men set down the box they had carried.

"Put it down."

Thud!

The two men placed the wooden box in front of Wen Ping.

Yang Zongxian began to speak, "Sect Leader Wen, three samples of Immortal Breeze have been made; please have a look."

Wen Ping nodded.

As Yang Zongxian opened the wooden box, he continued, "Sect Leader Wen, my inspiration for this piece was from my wife. Since it’s Immortal Breeze, naturally it should relate to those four words. The fabric is made from material that holds its form for a hundred years, and it is remarkably soft; saying it’s warm in winter and cool in summer is no exaggeration. That’s the first level of this garment, and the second level is the embroidery symbolizing eternal life with Jianmu Tree leaves, embroidered with silk from century-old silver silkworms—light and soft, equally representing immortality. I wonder if Sect Leader Wen is satisfied with this piece?"

Wen Ping nodded, satisfied, and said, "No need to look at the rest; take just this one."

"Try it on, Sect Leader Wen."

Speaking thus, Yang Zongxian took the clothes and helped Wen Ping put on the shirt, pants, and fasten the belt.

After putting it on, Yun Liao stood on the side, giving a thumbs-up and smiling, "Sect Leader, looking sharp!"

Wen Ping gave a slight smile, then made a calm expression as if he had anticipated this, and said to Yang Zongxian, "Yang Clan Leader, we’ll go with this one; make 20 sets for me. Each set for 150 Gold Coins."

...

After finalizing both male and female styles, Wen Ping, along with several others, left Tingyu Pavilion, intending to head to the kitchen to satiate his hunger.

As they walked, the system informed him that Huaikong and others had already been staying in the Immortal Sect for an hour.

Wen Ping glanced at the map provided by the system, located where Huaikong was—right in the kitchen—and then asked, "Is Huaikong himself cooking today?"

"No, today Huaikong is making medicinal cuisine."

"Medicinal cuisine? Are we having this for breakfast?"

"No, Sect Leader, you’ve misunderstood; the medicinal cuisine Huaikong is making is for Elder Yu. Medicinal cuisine cannot be allowed to cool down, as its efficacy halves when cold; thus, he is borrowing our kitchen to make it."

"It’s already been an hour, hasn’t it?"

Wen Ping’s eyes narrowed, directly meeting Yun Liao’s gaze, causing Yun Liao to feel a bit unsure.

"It’s due to the preparation time for the medicinal cuisine..."

"It’s not about the time."

Wen Ping’s words made Yun Liao and Yang Zongxian both breathe a sigh of relief; they both thought Wen Ping was pursuing overdue matters.

After all, the rule of one hour was set by Wen Ping himself.

But at this moment, Wen Ping steadily walked directly towards the kitchen, not in the state of going to eat, seeming like he had something urgent, and his face showed no trace of a smile.

Before long, Wen Ping arrived at the kitchen, stood at the doorstep, and glanced several times at Huaikong, who was busy inside.

When Huaikong turned around, he happened to see Wen Ping and quickly greeted him, "Sect Leader Wen, you’re back."

"Demon Chef, what are you doing?"

Seeing Wen Ping’s expression was somewhat cold, Huaikong quickly replied, "Sect Leader Wen, today I’m borrowing the Immortal Sect’s kitchen to make a medicinal cuisine. This is something I learned in my early years, which can replenish Qi and blood, suitable for Yu Mo right now."

On the side, Yang Zongxian was worried that Wen Ping would not give more time, so he quickly added, "Sect Leader Wen, this medicinal cuisine indeed is a tonic, beneficial for Brother Yu’s current physique."

Hearing this, Wen Ping glanced at the iron pot behind Huaikong.

The steam was rising unrestrainedly from beneath the pot lid.

Seeing that Wen Ping’s expression was still unfavorable, Huaikong immediately asked, "Sect Leader Wen, making this medicinal cuisine is quite troublesome, which is why we’ve exceeded staying for more than an hour at the Immortal Sect."

Seeing Wen Ping’s adverse expression, Yang Zongxian also quickly intervened, "Sect Leader Wen, Brother Yu is my good friend, and we’re preparing this medicinal cuisine in hopes he gets better soon."

"The time is not the issue; the issue is with your medicinal cuisine."

"This medicinal cuisine is called Qi Revitalizing Soup; I’ve been making it for ten years, and many have revived with just one bowl."

"Since the Demon Chef is so confident in your medicinal cuisine, I have nothing to say. The cuisine can be prepared, but I’ve got to say something upfront."

"What is it?"

"Once the medicinal cuisine enters Elder Yu’s stomach, you can take Elder Yu straight down the mountain."

"What does Sect Leader Wen imply?"

"No reason."

Having agreed to treat Yu Mo and accepted tens of thousands of Gold coins as medication fees, Wen Ping now considers himself a physician. Though somewhat amateurish, relying on the Life Cigar’s ability, Wen Ping simply dislikes patients "taking his prescribed medicine" while simultaneously "taking medicine prescribed by other physicians."

The feeling is akin to preferring fried eggs without reasoning and disliking boiled eggs for no apparent reason.

No rational justification necessary, dislike is enough for him to act this way.

Especially now that he’s acting as a physician.

This sensation is even stronger.

Wen Ping continued, "Demon Chef, if you insist on this, then you can take Elder Yu down the mountain. I, Wen Ping, will not treat anyone who consumes another’s medicine while using mine."

"This..."

Huaikong glanced at the nearly finished medicinal cuisine, stood with difficulty, and showed a troubled expression.