As his injuries gradually healed and he grew familiar with Houyi, Kuafu, and the other Wu warriors, Lin Xuan no longer felt as awkward in the Houtu Tribe as he had when he first arrived. He knew all too well that to make a name for himself in this primordial world—and especially to gain more benefits in this Wu tribe—he couldn't rely on a little "luck" and "nerve" alone. He had to show them his "value."
That value didn't necessarily have to be combat strength. It could also be something else that would appeal to the Wu. For instance—good food.
The Wu were bold by nature, and their meals were just as hearty. They mostly roasted or boiled their food, favoring big hunks of meat and great bowls of wine. Fine cooking and seasoning weren't their concern. That gave Lin Xuan room to shine.
One evening, Kuafu returned carrying a freshly hunted beast that resembled a musk deer but was much more powerfully built. It was a Fragrant Antelope Beast, and its blood had yet to fully congeal; its vital energy was abundant. As usual, the tribe would hold a small bonfire gathering to share a fresh catch like this.
"Brother Xuanyuanzi, you're in for a treat tonight! Fragrant Antelope Beast meat is wonderfully tender!" Kuafu called out enthusiastically.
Lin Xuan looked at the whole carcass, simply skinned and rinsed, ready to be set over the bonfire and roasted. An idea came to him. He stepped forward and said to Kuafu and the Wu women preparing the food, "Brother Kuafu, ladies, back home we have a way of preparing meat that might make it taste even better. Would you let me give it a try?"
At his words, the Wu all turned to look at him curiously. They found it novel that this "weak Human Race" fellow wanted to show off his cooking skills, but they were also a little skeptical. A broad-shouldered, stout auntie grinned. "Little brother, with those skinny arms and legs, you know your way around food? Don't go ruining good meat."
Kuafu was more than willing to encourage him. "Hey, let Brother Xuanyuanzi give it a try! He's got plenty of skills!" He had an inexplicable confidence in Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan smiled and said nothing more. First, he asked them to cut the meat into suitably sized pieces instead of roasting it whole. Then, using the Insight Technique, he quickly searched the area around the tribe and found several plants with spicy or sweet scents, similar to wild onions and wild ginger, as well as a salty mineral crystal. He crushed these "natural seasonings" into a paste or powder.
Next, he scored the meat with a stone knife, making fine cuts, then carefully rubbed the seasoning paste into it to let the flavors sink in. He also found some broad, clean leaves and wrapped some of the seasoned meat in them, then coated the outside with a layer of mud.
Once the bonfire was lit, Lin Xuan didn't place the meat directly over the flames as the Wu did. Instead, he waited until the fire had burned down to glowing coals. He skewered some of the meat on sharpened sticks, held them a suitable distance above the coals, and slowly turned them as they roasted. He buried the mud-wrapped parcels directly beneath the scorching ash.
A strange fragrance began to spread.
Unlike the one-note smell of meat and char that usually came from the Wu's barbecue, this was a complex aroma of sizzling fat, pungent spices, and the fresh sweetness of plants. Like living sprites, it crept into the nostrils of everyone there.
"Whoa! What's that smell? It's incredible!"
"Is that the meat the kid Xuanyuanzi is cooking?"
"Gulp..." Some of the children were already sneaking in swallows.
The Wu warriors, who had been chatting and wrestling, were drawn over by the aroma and gathered around. They watched eagerly as the skewers in Lin Xuan's hands sizzled with dripping fat, their color turning golden and crisp.
When Lin Xuan judged the meat ready, he sprinkled it with a little crushed salty mineral crystal and handed the first few skewers to Kuafu and several elders and aunties, who had been waiting impatiently. "Here, give it a taste."
Kuafu could barely hold himself back. He took a skewer and, without even worrying about the heat, opened his mouth and took a huge bite!
"Mmm!!!"
Kuafu's eyes instantly widened. The outside was crisp and fragrant, while the meat inside was tender and juicy. More importantly, an entirely unfamiliar blend of flavors burst across his palate, bringing out the meat's natural savoriness without a trace of gaminess. For the Wu, who were used to food's natural taste, the impact was nothing short of revolutionary!
"It's good! So good!" Kuafu shouted with his mouth full. In just a few bites, he devoured the whole skewer, then licked the stick, still unsatisfied.
The other Wu who tasted the meat also let out cries of surprise and praise.
Then Lin Xuan dug the mud parcels out of the ground, cracked open their now-hardened shells, and peeled back the dried leaves inside. A richer cloud of steam, blending the fresh scent of leaves with the aroma of meat, rushed toward them! Wrapped and roasted in this way, the meat had retained nearly all its juices. It was so tender it practically melted in the mouth, and its flavor was entirely different from that of meat roasted over an open flame.
"This is good too!"
"Brother Xuanyuanzi, you're a miracle worker!"
"Quick, teach us how to make it!"
The bonfire gathering reached its peak in an instant. Lin Xuan became the most popular person there. Smiling, he shared everything he knew: how to find the seasonings, how to marinate the meat, and how to control the heat. The Wu listened with rapt attention, and soon more "Lin Xuan-style" barbecue appeared over the bonfire, accompanied by endless laughter and chatter.
Houyi was also eating a perfectly roasted skewer, his eyes gleaming with appreciation. He came over to Lin Xuan and gave him a hearty pat on the shoulder—this time with considerably less force. "Good lad! I never knew you had this talent! This meat's better than the way our ancestors taught us to cook it. From now on, you'll have to come help us with the tribe's meals more often!"
At that moment, Lin Xuan could clearly feel that the Wu's view of him had changed completely. Their initial curiosity and sympathy had turned into genuine acceptance, warmth, and admiration. That one meal had brought him closer to the entire Houtu Tribe.
Good food truly was a universal language—and a powerful way to build connections. This successful "barbecue diplomacy" had laid an incredibly solid foundation for Lin Xuan's place among the Wu.
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