Within the Luan Clan Secret Realm of Three Peril Mountain lay a peaceful, tranquil paradise removed from the world. Though not prosperous, all the Luan Clan people lived ordinary lives in peace and contentment, free from strife.
A small river ran from east to west through the secret realm. Scattered rows of wooden houses stood along its banks. Before one such row, a delicate-featured woman bustled about without pausing for a moment.
A bright moon hung high in the sky, and night had already fallen. The woman carried the prepared dishes into the wooden house, then went to her two daughters' room and called Dong Yu and Xia Zhi out.
"Xia Zhi, go call Mr. Ning out for dinner."
The woman glanced at her daughter beside her, who was staring greedily at the food, and spoke gently.
"Hm? All right."
Xia Zhi snapped back to herself, hurriedly nodded, and turned toward the innermost room.
Creak. Just then, the door opened, and Ning Chen, dressed in plain white robes, stepped out. Seeing Xia Zhi approaching, he smiled and said, "It smells wonderful."
"Of course. My mother's cooking is the best."
Xia Zhi proudly lifted her chin, as though she herself had received the praise.
"Mr. Ning, come eat. It's only simple fare—I hope it suits your tastes," the woman said with a smile, turning back to look at them.
"You are too kind, Madam."
Ning Chen stepped forward. Looking at the steaming dishes spread across the table, he inexplicably sighed in his heart. It had been so long since he had eaten a home-cooked meal like this.
These past years, he had been constantly rushing from place to place. He had nearly forgotten what simple fare even tasted like.
"Sit down and try it. My mother's cooking is incredibly delicious."
Beside