Liu Yiyi

Zu Hao made his entrance, driving back the enemies with movements that were graceful and unrestrained. Combined with his perfect physique and handsome features, he looked like an immortal descended to earth, possessing an overwhelming allure for women.

The curtain of the carriage behind them lifted, and Liu Yiyi stepped down gracefully.

She stared at Zu Hao without blinking, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "Thank you for saving my life, sir. May I ask your name?"

"My name is Zu Hao."

Zu Hao looked at Liu Yiyi and pretended not to know. "May I ask this young lady's name?"

"This humble one is Liu Yiyi, the current head of Food God Residence."

Liu Yiyi gave a polite curtsy, but her gaze never left Zu Hao's face.

The Food God Residence she spoke of was quite famous in the martial world, renowned far and wide for its exquisite cuisine.

Whenever major sects or influential nobles held important events, they would usually spend lavishly to invite chefs from Food God Residence to cook for them.

But what concerned Zu Hao was that Liu Yiyi was close friends with the Divine Physician Sai Huatuo, and the Nine-Dragon Stone was in Sai Huatuo's possession.

Zu Hao feigned surprise. "So you are the renowned female Food God, Liu Yiyi. I have long admired your name."

Liu Yiyi stared fixedly at Zu Hao, her mind drifting as she felt she could never get enough of looking at him.

All sorts of fantasies involuntarily surfaced in her mind. She had nearly even thought up names for her future children with Zu Hao.

Just then, Yan Cangfeng arrived at the alley entrance with a group of schoolchildren.

Seeing that the bandits had already fled and left him no chance to show off his skills, he could only lead the children back to the school.

For some reason, however, Yan Cangfeng vaguely felt as though he had lost something important. An empty discomfort lingered in his heart.

Seeing Liu Yiyi unable to take her eyes off Zu Hao, Madam Shi knew the girl had fallen for him and inwardly cried, This is bad!

To be fair, Zu Hao truly was a peerless beauty of a man, like jade upon a country road, a gentleman without equal in this world.

In terms of looks alone, she had lived for over forty years and had never seen a man more handsome than Zu Hao.

Coupled with that miraculous Sword-Controlling Art, he seemed no different from an immortal.

If she had been twenty or thirty years younger, she might have abandoned Helian Ba and fallen in love with Zu Hao at first sight as well.

When did such a young prodigy appear in the martial world? Judging from his miraculous Sword-Controlling Art, his strength is no weaker than mine. If I can befriend him, perhaps he could become an ally against Helian Ba.

But I absolutely cannot let him develop feelings for Liu Yiyi.

With that thought, Madam Shi immediately stepped forward and blocked Liu Yiyi's view. "Mistress, it is about time. We should be leaving."

"Madam Shi, don't rush me."

Liu Yiyi shifted her feet and gazed at Zu Hao affectionately. "I haven't properly thanked Young Master Zu yet."

Madam Shi secretly shook her head.

You do not want to thank him. You are clearly lusting after his body!

Zu Hao smiled. "Miss Liu, it was a small matter. There is no need to take it to heart. It seems you have other important business, so I will not disturb you."

"You would not be disturbing us! Not at all!"

Liu Yiyi hurriedly waved her hands. "I, Liu Yiyi, always repay kindness. How about this? I will cook for you as repayment for saving me."

Liu Yiyi had taken a liking to Zu Hao at first sight and intended to pursue things further.

And if she wanted to capture a man's heart, she first had to capture his stomach.

As the female Food God, Liu Yiyi was extremely confident in her cooking. She believed that once Zu Hao tasted her dishes, he would never forget them.

Seeing Liu Yiyi mooning over him, Madam Shi grew anxious and could only remind her, "Mistress, the lord of Ten-Thousand Horses Fort is still waiting for you."

"Let him wait."

Liu Yiyi's mind was now filled with her future happy life with Zu Hao. How could she care about Ten-Thousand Horses Fort?

Madam Shi took a deep breath and said sternly, "Food God Residence has always been punctual. Have you forgotten?"

Only then did Liu Yiyi reluctantly withdraw her gaze. Suddenly, an idea came to her. "Young Master Zu, why not travel with us? After the banquet at Ten-Thousand Horses Fort, I will personally prepare a table of dishes for you."

Zu Hao had been looking for a way to approach Sai Huatuo through Liu Yiyi. Seeing her take such initiative, he hesitated slightly. "This... would that not be inconvenient?"

"It is convenient, of course it is!"

Liu Yiyi hurriedly said, "The lord of Ten-Thousand Horses Fort loves making friends with heroes of the martial world. He will surely be delighted to meet a young hero like Young Master Zu."

Madam Shi had wanted to object, but upon further thought, she decided this would be a good opportunity to test Zu Hao's background and character, so she remained silent.

Zu Hao pretended to ponder, then smiled faintly. "Since Miss Liu has extended such a warm invitation, I would be impolite to refuse."

Liu Yiyi was overjoyed and hurriedly invited Zu Hao into the carriage.

Just as Madam Shi was about to stop her, Zu Hao said, "I can walk. It would be improper to damage Miss Liu's reputation."

"All right."

Unable to ride in the same carriage as Zu Hao, Liu Yiyi was slightly disappointed, yet she secretly thought, Young Master Zu is thinking of my reputation. He is so considerate.

Zu Hao had no idea what strange thoughts Liu Yiyi was entertaining. He simply followed Food God Residence's convoy toward Ten-Thousand Horses Fort.

The carriages left the town and traveled several miles along the main road.

The rice fields by the roadside rippled like waves in the breeze, while distant mountains stood dark and graceful. The scenery was lovely.

"Where is Young Master Zu from? I do not seem to have heard your name in the martial world before."

Madam Shi asked probingingly from the lead carriage.

Zu Hao had already prepared an explanation. "I have cultivated in the deep mountains under my master since childhood. I only recently descended the mountain to travel and became a schoolteacher. It is only natural that those in the martial world do not know my name."

"I see."

Madam Shi nodded. "May I ask who your esteemed master is?"

Zu Hao cupped his hands. "My master is indifferent to fame and fortune and forbade me from mentioning his name to others. Please forgive me."

Liu Yiyi interjected, "To attain such martial arts through cultivation in the deep mountains, Young Master Zu's master must be a reclusive expert."

Zu Hao did not answer. Instead, he said, "Miss Liu has traveled far and wide and is well-informed. Have you ever heard of Sai Huatuo?"

Liu Yiyi spoke without thinking and immediately replied, "Of course I have. Not only do I know him, I know him well. Could it be that someone in Young Master Zu's family is ill and needs Sai Huatuo's treatment?"

Zu Hao shook his head. "That is not the case. I am merely interested in medicine, so I asked. Would Miss Liu be willing to introduce me to him?"

Without a second thought, Liu Yiyi patted her chest and promised, "Leave it to me. Sai Huatuo loves my cooking. I will introduce you to him another day."

"Then I must thank Miss Liu in advance."

Zu Hao was secretly delighted. His plan was progressing far more smoothly than expected.

Sure enough, having a handsome face made everything much easier.

If he looked like Song Xiaobao, then even if he had saved Liu Yiyi, he would probably have received only a word of thanks or some material reward.

Liu Yiyi would never have cared so much as she did now.

As for Liu Yiyi's promise, it was trustworthy enough.

In the original story, Sai Huatuo had superb medical skills, but he was easily manipulated through moral pressure. Liu Yiyi and Yan Cangfeng had tricked him into losing half his life. He was truly a complete sucker.

As long as he found Sai Huatuo and obtained the Nine-Dragon Stone, success would be all but certain.