"Cui Ji~ Aren't you supposed to go keep Old Fossil company while she eats Spring Never Ages tonight?"
Cui Ji's face immediately stiffened.
She looked at the Herrscher of Reason, who was holding a burger. After swallowing a mouthful, she said bitterly,
"Master, I... can I not go?"
Perhaps the long years of Spring Never Ages had already made Cui Ji accustomed to it. She had long since grown tired of that taste.
Constant suffering was not frightening, but the occasional sweetness was the most deadly thing of all.
Once you had truly tasted the deliciousness of a burger, would you still be willing to go back to eating Spring Never Ages?
"Eh~ We can discuss buying meals, but accompanying Old Fossil to eat Spring Never Ages is non-negotiable."
"Martial Uncle, you can't break the rules."
Li Sushang held the Meat Pancake in her hands with great satisfaction.
Seeing Cui Ji struggle to the point of tears, the Herrscher of Reason suddenly put on the air of a life mentor.
She stood up, walked to Cui Ji's side, and patted her shoulder.
"Cui Ji~ This isn't a long-term solution. Old Fossil will find out sooner or later."
"Do you want to eat Spring Never Ages every day from now on? Don't you want delicious burgers every day?"
"Don't you want to taste Old Fossil's real cooking?"
Like the whispers of an ancient god.
The Herrscher of Reason's voice lingered endlessly by Cui Ji's ear.
"Master, I do~"
"What? I can't hear you. Come on, say it louder."
"I want Big Mac Burgers every day~!"
"That's more like it!"
"Come on, Martial Granddisciple, let's discuss the battle plan."
Just beyond a single wall.
Fu Hua appeared to be casually feeding Chi Yuan, but she had actually heard every word they had said.
She gave the outermost Chi Yuan a meaningful look.
The other bird saluted Fu Hua with its plump, tender belly puffed out.
Then it scampered toward the front courtyard.
When it saw the Herrscher of Reason and the other two huddled together, whispering their conspiracy.
They paid absolutely no attention to the burgers on the table.
A cold glint flashed in Chi Yuan's eyes.
It moved at incredible speed, leaping straight onto the stone table.
It seized the Herrscher of Reason's burger in its beak and ran toward Fu Hua.
"Um... Ancestral Master! Chi Yuan took your burger!!!"
"What! You stinking fat chicken, stop right there! You dare steal my burger? Believe it or not, when New Year comes, I'll have Old Fossil stew you into soup!"
Who cared about the battle plan now? The Herrscher of Reason immediately ran after Chi Yuan.
Li Sushang hurried to the stone table and discovered that her Meat Pancake and Cui Ji's Big Mac Burger were untouched.
She immediately sighed in relief.
But then her gaze froze.
"What is it, Sushang?"
"Why did Chi Yuan only take Ancestral Master's food? It didn't touch ours at all."
Upon hearing that, Cui Ji looked as if she had suddenly understood.
"This... could it be—"
"Ancestral Master Chi Yuan made its move."
"You stinking fat chicken! Stop—"
When the Herrscher of Reason arrived in the backyard and saw Fu Hua sitting on the bench, her body immediately stiffened.
Beside Fu Hua sat the Chi Yuan that had stolen the burger.
"Little Herrscher, what did you come here for?"
Without looking up, Fu Hua read the ancient book in her hands and spoke calmly.
"Old Fossil, haha, I just wanted to spend some time with you~"
"Is that really so?"
"..."
"This burger is mine now."
The Herrscher of Reason said nothing, and Fu Hua simply took the burger.
No~! My burger—
Li Sushang and Cui Ji arrived soon afterward.
The instant they saw the burger in Fu Hua's hand, both of their hearts tightened.
"Master."
"Ancestral Master."
"You two go on with your business. I need to speak with Little Herrscher about something."
Fu Hua slowly set down her book, raised her head, and spoke to Cui Ji and Sushang behind the Herrscher of Reason.
After the two left, Fu Hua said nothing.
The Herrscher of Reason grinned and sidled over to sit beside her.
"Old Fossil~ What did you want with me?"
"Have you gotten tired of Spring Never Ages and steamed buns?"
"Eh! Yes, yes, Old Fossil. Look how long you've been making them, always the same combination."
"I'm not only tired of eating them—I'm sick of looking at them too."
Hearing Fu Hua get right to the point, the Herrscher of Reason immediately stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Is that so? Then tonight, I'll make something else."
"Really?! You can finally make something delicious! That's great—"
"Enough. Come with me to the city center this afternoon. There's a commission."
Fu Hua reached out and gently pushed away Little Herrscher, who was rubbing her face against hers.
"Alright~ Then this burger..."
"I see you bought quite a few. This one is mine."
With that, Fu Hua picked up the burger, freed herself from the Herrscher of Reason's embrace, and slowly walked into the house.
The Herrscher of Reason froze for a moment, then waved her arms and noisily followed after her.
"No~ Old Fossil, that's the limited edition my good Martial Granddisciple bought for me! Give it back—"
Judging Fu Hua's position, the Herrscher of Reason lunged directly at her.
She reached out, ready to snatch the burger back.
But Fu Hua reacted swiftly and extended it farther forward—
"If you want it, you'll have to rely on yourself."
She turned around and knocked Little Herrscher away with an elbow strike.
Fu Hua smiled as she spoke.
The Herrscher of Reason had been clutching her stomach, about to complain, but when she saw the smile on Fu Hua's face.
She froze slightly.
She didn't seem so stiff anymore... and she looked so pretty—
"Little Herrscher? Why are you blushing?"
"Ah, it's nothing. Just you wait—"
The Herrscher of Reason curled both hands into claws and charged again.
Fu Hua slipped aside to evade her attack, holding the burger-bearing hand behind her back.
With her other hand, she blocked the Herrscher of Reason's attacks.
After several exchanges, neither gained the upper hand.
"Old Fossil!!! Give my burger back—"
The Herrscher of Reason lowered herself and thrust out a palm.
Fu Hua twisted aside to dodge, but before she could react.
The Herrscher of Reason spread her arms and directly embraced her.
Her hands immediately landed on two soft things.
And since Fu Hua seemed to have stopped moving, the Herrscher of Reason said happily,
"Ha ha, Old Fossil, your skills have deteriorated. I caught you, didn't I?"
Splat—
The burger fell to the ground with a sound.
The instant the Herrscher of Reason looked over, her eyes froze.
Huh? Isn't the burger in my hands? Then what's on the ground—
She gave it a squeeze, and only then did the Herrscher of Reason suddenly understand.
"Ah, th-this, um, Old Fossil, I—"
"Short-range force..."
Clang—
The enormous sound carried out, and Li Sushang and Cui Ji poked their heads around the archway from the front courtyard to look.
They saw Fu Hua, her face flushed red, hurriedly straightening her clothes.
Beside her, the Herrscher of Reason crouched on the ground, clutching her head.
"Master, what happened?"
"Ancestral Master, what happened?!"
After calming herself down, Fu Hua waved a hand and said blandly,
"It's nothing. Go on with your business."
The two exchanged glances, then withdrew again.
Fu Hua bent down and picked up the burger that had fallen on the ground. Fortunately, its outer wrapping was still fairly secure, and it had not burst open.
"Are you alright, Little Herrscher?"
"...I didn't do it on purpose."
"I know."
"Then why did you hit me... You didn't even give me a chance to explain."
"Sorry, that was my fault. It was an instinctive reaction. Can you forgive me?"
Fu Hua reached out and pulled her up, asking sincerely.
"Sigh, forget it. It's not like I'm some cannon-fodder grunt. That punch of yours barely hurt at all."
"Mm, thank you."
"Wait, I still haven't forgiven you."
Before you continue