Yan Ling Ji knew this was her only chance to find that master from years ago. Even within Daoism, there couldn't be that many experts, so the high-ranking ones among them should all know each other.
"Daoism has all sorts of people, but I think you still need to tone yourself down a bit," Zi Nu said.
The Heaven Sect leader, Xiao Meng, was in Xin Zheng, along with that other master and possibly the Human Sect leader, Wu Chen Zi, who might have come with Xiao Meng. If Yan Ling Ji showed up still exuding all that seductive charm, she probably wouldn't leave a good impression.
"What should I do then?" Yan Ling Ji asked, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
"I'll go with you," Zi Nu replied. She wanted to meet these Daoist masters herself and see what they were up to in Xin Zheng. More than that, she was curious about the girl who had defeated Wei Zhuang. And if she could catch a glimpse of the Human Sect leader, Wu Chen Zi, that would be even better. What woman in the world wouldn't dream of a wedding like Xiao Meng's? So naturally, every woman yearned for a man like Wu Chen Zi. If she couldn't have one, at least seeing him would be something.
"Also, the Heaven Sect leader, Master Xiao Meng, is in Xin Zheng too. She should know who you're looking for," Zi Nu reminded her.
"Master Xiao Meng, the Heaven Sect leader?" Yan Ling Ji grew even more anxious. As the head of an entire sect, what should she do? She was a refugee from Bai Yue—would Xiao Meng reject her, or even cripple her cultivation to prevent Daoist techniques from spreading to outsiders?
"Yes. Marquis Chang Xin, Lao Ai, is actually Luo Wang's Yan Ri, and he's come to Xin Zheng to assassinate Qin Wang Ying Zheng. So Daoism must have sent experts to protect him. I just didn't expect it to be the Heaven Sect leader, Master Xiao Meng. As for the other master, it might just be a coincidence that he's passing through. But with Heaven Sect's Master Xiao Meng in Xin Zheng, the Human Sect leader, Wu Chen Zi, is probably nearby as well," Zi Nu explained.
Yan Ling Ji felt even more panicked. With the two Daoist sect leaders plus another master, they would definitely know who had taught her that heart method back then. But would they cripple her cultivation?
"Do you think Daoism forbids teaching martial arts to outsiders? Will they abolish my Daoist cultivation and inner energy?" Yan Ling Ji asked nervously, then added, "Because I'm from Bai Yue."
Zi Nu wasn't entirely sure. A few years ago, Daoism had issued the Fourth Heaven-Human Dao Decree, executing Lord Chang Ping and anyone who stole Daoist heart methods or martial arts, precisely to prevent their techniques from leaking out.
However, Yan Ling Ji's heart method had been given to her willingly by a Daoist, so it should be fine. As for her being from another ethnicity, unless it was something like the Xiongnu, who had endless blood feuds with the Central Plains, Daoism treated everyone equally. Otherwise, they wouldn't have tried to take her as a disciple.
"Since that master wanted to accept you as a disciple, it shows that Daoism doesn't care about your background," Zi Nu said earnestly.
Though convinced, Yan Ling Ji was still tense, causing the flame on her spirit fire hairpin to flicker unsteadily.
"Actually, you could be considered a Daoist outer disciple already. Daoism has many outer disciples—anyone with some Daoist cultivation can count as one," Zi Nu said.
Daoism's quirky management system was unique among the Hundred Schools. Even most inner disciples weren't promoted from the outer sect; they were usually inner disciples who went down the mountain to travel, took on apprentices, and brought them back. Yet somehow, so many people were willing to identify as Daoist outer disciples.
And so, Han Fei and the others accompanied Yan Ling Ji to the hotpot restaurant in Xin Zheng run by Mo, the Daoist outer disciple in charge.
The power of foodies is immense. In a short time, what started as simple clear broth pots had evolved into various bases. Even spicy versions had emerged, though this was a soul-stirring kind of spice: mustard-based pots. In this Qin era, where seasonings were scarce, this dark cuisine of mustard pots surprisingly attracted countless brave souls willing to try it. There were even pots made with baijiu as the base. All sorts of bizarre culinary inventions kept popping up.
The ingredients had expanded from chicken, duck, and fish to tigers, leopards, and wolves. Under Xiao Meng's lingering grudge, the three rural overlords had joined the hotpot menu as well. Dog meat hotpot, in particular, had become a new favorite.
"So lively!" Han Fei and his group had timed their arrival for mealtime, only to find the place absolutely packed. The entire two-story restaurant was full, and if Mo hadn't reserved a private room for them, they'd have had to wait in line.
"What would Ninth Young Master like to eat?" Mo personally attended to their group.
"What are your signature dishes?" Han Fei asked.
"We have three main categories: shabu-shabu hotpot, stewed hotpot, and border hotpot. Which one would Ninth Young Master prefer?" Mo explained.
Han Fei was taken aback. He knew Mo's restaurant was popular because of hotpot, but he had no idea there were so many varieties.
"Shabu-shabu hotpot comes in spicy or non-spicy, or you can do a yin-yang pot with both flavors," Mo added.
"Just bring us whatever you recommend—we're not familiar with your menu," Han Fei said, giving up. He was more of a drinker than an eater anyway.
"Then I suggest a border pot and a stewed pot. For stewed, we have donkey, dog, tiger, and goose meat. Unfortunately, we didn't get any bear today..." Mo went on enthusiastically. Under his innovations, stewed dog meat had joined the hotpot lineup, along with various tigers, leopards, and bears. The border pot was another type of hotpot, using a stove-fired cauldron with flatbreads placed around the edges to bake.
By the time Mo served the ingredients and pots, Han Fei and the others were stunned. Just how bored were the Daoists to invent such ways of eating? And weren't Daoists against needless killing? How did every animal end up in their deluxe hotpot series?
Mo brought a border pot since there were so many of them: Han Fei, Zhang Liang, Wei Zhuang, Zi Nu, Nong Yu, Hong Lian, and Yan Ling Ji—seven in total. A shabu-shabu pot wouldn't have been big enough. As for how the border pot came about, it stemmed from Xiao Meng's grudge. When she first came down the mountain, she'd been chased across a village by an imperious goose. Later, that goose became iron-pot stewed goose—though without an iron pot, they used a cauldron instead. Inspired, Xiao Meng drew from old Beijing hotpot to create the border pot. Fish soon joined the mix, proving even more popular than the goose.
"I finally understand why your business is booming," Han Fei said to Mo.
It looked appetizing at first glance, and even after getting full, you'd realize there were still so many varieties left untried, guaranteeing a return visit. This eating style appealed to everyone, from commoners to nobles: peasants could have chicken, duck, mutton, or fish; aristocrats could indulge in tiger or bear meat. And there was scarcity marketing too—telling you upfront that bear wasn't available today but might be next time, luring you back. Nobles fell for that hook hardest; the unattainable was always the best.
Han Fei and the others also discovered the fun of hotpot: snatching the meat. Food grabbed from others tasted even better. Wei Zhuang finally had a chance to get back at Han Fei—anything Han Fei put in, once it left his chopsticks, was fair game and never returned.
"Brother Wei Zhuang, could you let me have some meat?" Han Fei pleaded.
But all he got was Wei Zhuang's cold glare and a casual swipe that even took the piece from his chopsticks.
Hong Lian was thrilled to see her ninth brother getting owned, which only made Wei Zhuang strike faster. Hong Lian joined in the fun too, targeting everyone at the table. The others might indulge her because she was a princess, but Yan Ling Ji wouldn't—and Hong Lian couldn't out-snatch her anyway.
"I'm the princess! I command you not to snatch from me!" Hong Lian fumed at Yan Ling Ji, grinding her teeth.
Yan Ling Ji shot her a provocative look. I've dared to assassinate even your father, and have you forgotten the days I had you pinned to the floor?
Zhang Liang and Han Fei exchanged glances, thinking that maybe having Yan Ling Ji as Hong Lian's bodyguard wasn't such a bad idea after all. Only she could keep Hong Lian in check without her throwing a fit.
Zi Nu and Nong Yu ate leisurely, but their strikes were swift, managing to make even eating look elegant.
The meal was a whirlwind feast. At first, they thought there was too much and it'd go to waste, but by the end, they were adding more dishes. Unbelievably, the bill came to over one gold, and they'd nearly forgotten they were there on serious business.
"You're a Daoist outer disciple, the one in charge of Xin Zheng, right?" Han Fei said to Mo.
Who would have thought that Mo, running such a bustling place filled with constant slaughter, was Daoism's overseer in Xin Zheng? If not for Zi Nu's flawless intelligence, Han Fei might have doubted the info.
"How did Ninth Young Master know?" Mo asked, not surprised. As Han's Sikou, if Han Fei couldn't uncover that, it'd question his abilities and Liu Sha's strength.
"Your aura—it's well-hidden, but some habits can't be changed," Wei Zhuang said.
"And your fingers. A normal shopkeeper's fingers differ from constant accounting with engraving knives, but yours are unusually flexible, with bends ordinary people can't achieve. That's from years of practicing Daoist hand seals. And only Daoist outer disciples in charge practice the Nine-Character Seals," Han Fei added.
Mo glanced at his fingers and nodded. Years of using Dao seals allowed fingers to bend in ways others couldn't, leading to noticeable changes.
"So you're here to see me?" Mo asked, puzzled.
"We're here to meet the Heaven Sect leader, Master Xiao Meng," Han Fei said.
"You think I'll help you?" Mo replied. They couldn't force him to run, and killing him? Han Fei wouldn't dare, especially knowing Master Xiao Meng was in Xin Zheng.
"You can pass on the message. Whether she agrees to see us is up to Master Xiao Meng," Han Fei said.
Mo thought for a moment before replying, "I can relay the message, but Master Xiao Meng is the Heaven Sect leader, and I might not be able to reach her."
Mo was half-truthful, half-deceptive. As a Human Sect disciple, with Xiao Meng as Heaven Sect leader, he truly might not reach her directly. That was the facade he wanted Han Fei to see—that Heaven and Human Sects were separate. In reality, both sects used the same transmission symbols.
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