Hoo hoo hoo~
Ye Xingge put the ingredients into the earthenware jar, using his powerful and masculine internal energy to draw the fire and soak the ingredients in. And surprisingly, it worked quite well.
In less than half an hour, Ye Xingge sensed that the cooking time was just right. He opened the jar and gently fanned it with his hand. A rich and fresh aroma wafted out, even better than when he stewed it over a wood fire. He then took a small earthenware jar to store it and went to the courtyard.
The sun had already set.
Hongyu, holding a rag, leaned over the table, one hand supporting her, diligently wiping it. The curve of her lower back swayed gently with each stroke.
Ye Xingge brought the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup to him, put it down, and praised it:
"So diligent?"
Hongyu didn't pay any attention, only glancing at the fragrant earthenware jar:
"Is this Buddha Jumps Over the Wall?"
"Hmm~"
Ye Xingge placed the pottery jar in front of Great Beauty and took out chopsticks and a spoon:
"Try it."
"..."
Hongyu Yu was immediately captivated by the aroma. She adopted a dignified and composed demeanor, opened the lid, and revealed the abalone and sea cucumber, their colors vibrant and beautiful. She picked up a spoon, scooped up some broth, and brought it to her lips. The broth was smooth and creamy, with a subtle sweetness from rock sugar. The aroma unfolded layer by layer, rich yet not cloying, fresh yet not overpowering...
How funny!
Her Hongyu, peach-blossom eyes widened slightly, a clear light shining within them, and she even licked her red lips.
Seeing this little face, Ye Xingge felt a surge of satisfaction and leaned closer:
"Is it delicious?"
"Um..."
Hongyu blushed, trying to appear calm and composed, but the destructive power of the "Number One Soup Under Heaven" was truly formidable, and it was unique in the entire world.
Hongyu nodded almost imperceptibly, picked up a plump abalone with her chopsticks, and brought it to Ye Xingge's lips. "You should try some too."
Ye Xingge pushed her hand back. "This was made for you, you can't be so generous with other people's money. Where's your sincerity?"
Hongyu blinked, her eyes flickering:
"What would you like?"
Ye Xingge thought for a moment, "I didn't look at it carefully after I finished drawing it. Let me take another look."
After saying that, he slipped under the table to continue admiring his masterpiece.
"Huh?"
Hongyu's face turned red to the roots of her neck, but she held back for a moment and remained silent, simply tasting the food in small bites.
Halfway there, I realized this audacious son-in-law was very close; I could feel his hot breath brushing against the fabric, making me extremely uncomfortable. I spoke in a barely audible voice.
"Oh, what's so interesting about it?"
"Pop~"
"Ugh! You pervert..."
Night falls inside the imperial palace.
A family banquet was being held in the brightly lit hall, with the participants being the old guard of the Xiao Clan.
Emperor of Yan Xiao Cang of Yan's birthday is the day after tomorrow, but he looks even happier today than on his birthday, and is currently listening to his father-in-law Cao Xiong recount his story:
" Ye Xingge is indeed exceptionally talented. His progress over two years has been remarkable; it can only be said that he has thoroughly mastered the ' Great Nine Yang.' If he continues to receive support, there's a greater than 50% chance he'll enter the First Rank within the next six months..."
There were quite a few people seated inside the hall. The two people seated at the head of the table on the left and right were naturally General Cao Xiong and Duke Who Protects the State Wang Jinzhong.
Although Wang Jinzhong was not ranked in the First Rank, among the Eight Pillar States of Hezhong in those days, only the Wang and Cao families stood on the side of the Xiao Clan, and now his status is almost equal to that of Cao Xiong.
Following these two were Murong Xie and other direct descendants.
Marquis Han Feng, a loyal and righteous man, was once a retainer of the Cao family. He was ennobled for his meritorious service in battle and is now a high-ranking official in the Ministry of War. However, in essence, he is still a member of the Cao family.
The atmosphere inside the hall seemed harmonious, but Han Feng was clearly not happy.
After all, his unfilial son had plotted to kill for money some time ago, and he had kept it a secret from his family until Ruan Jinyu interfered and his retainers realized something was wrong, at which point they reported the matter to him.
Everyone in the capital knows Ruan Jinyu's character; he would never have investigated princes and nobles for offending anyone unless someone was pressuring him.
There are only two people in the Heaven-Observing Pavilion who can put pressure on Ruan Jinyu to investigate the Cao Clan family's influence: the top leader Zhang Zhiqing and the hothead Ye Xingge.
As for Mei Wuchang, even as the successor, he couldn't control Ruan Jinyu before becoming the top leader, let alone the affairs of the powerful and influential people in the capital.
But Ye Xingge is different. This Living Taisui, if he gets a handle on her, he will really make Ruan Jinyu suffer.
So Ruan Jinyu chickened out.
However, if this Living Taisui figure were to seize any leverage over Han Clan Han Clan, he would still dare to destroy them.
As for the Cao Clan's influence?
It's not like Cao Clan's retainers haven't been killed before, yet Cao Xiong still speaks highly of them.
So Han Feng chickened out too.
That's why Han Feng hurriedly hid his son, lest this Living Taisui kill him without a word, and then went to the palace to find an opportunity to offer his respects to Murong Xie, hoping to completely suppress the matter.
Cao Xiong was still speaking at this moment, Han Feng certainly couldn't interrupt him.
After Cao Xiong finished speaking, Duke Wang Jinzhong of Duke Who Protects the State added:
" Ye Xingge's abilities are impeccable, but outsiders only have hearsay and don't believe that our Great Yan has produced such a talented person."
Murong Xie nodded:
" Ye Xingge's past achievements were witnessed by tens of thousands of people, so they cannot be faked. However, various forces and envoys from beyond the Great Wall do harbor doubts. There are even rumors circulating among the people that our Great Yan is deliberately paving the way for this young man and building up his momentum..."
Emperor of Yan pondered for a moment, then looked at Wang Jinzhong:
"What does the prince mean?"
Wang Jinzhong has a kind and gentle face, without any sharp edges, and at this moment he is stroking his beard:
"On the day of the birthday banquet, envoys from beyond the Great Wall and talented individuals from various prominent families will be present. If Ye Xingge could be persuaded to take the stage and compete before the Emperor..."
The majority of those in the hall were military officers, and they were all immediately impressed, thinking it was a great idea.
But Murong Xie, who was in charge of Emperor of Yan's personal security, thought for a moment and said:
"Taking the stage for a martial arts contest would naturally showcase the nation's prestige and gain everyone's respect. However, the Emperor's birthday is only two days away, and Yang Tuyan the other day have already demonstrated that the Eight Pillars Hall harbors ambitions to assassinate him..."
To put it simply, hastily adjusting the event schedule may lead to serious oversights.
But Eunuch Fan was very good at currying favor with the Emperor of Yan, and he certainly couldn't refuse such a great idea to demonstrate the power of the state. He interjected:
"At that time, the Heaven-Observing Decree be in effect, and both Generals Cao and Wang will be present. Even if there are traitors, how could they possibly reach the Emperor's presence? In my opinion, this matter can be accomplished."
Murong Xie knew that with the two old demons of the First Rank present, even if Cloud and Rain Tower came to assassinate him, it would be very difficult for them to succeed.
But as soon as the thieves cross the cordon, the first to take the blame will be the Cao Clan, who are in charge of the palace.
Therefore, Murong Xie looked at Cao Xiong.
Cao Xiong naturally understood that external forces wanted to assassinate the emperor and frame his Cao Clan, but letting Ye Xingge fight in a arena was indeed in line with his wishes.
Next month, a grand meeting will be held at the Three Northern Mountains. According to intelligence from the General's Mansion, the Monk Ming'an, who is ranked third in the world, may use Willow Purity Pavilion at Temple of Vast Compassion to test the younger generation.
Willow Purity Pavilion is rumored to be the treasure vault of Temple of Vast Compassion, but it is actually Willow Mansion, one of the twenty-eight treasures in the Mountains and Rivers Pouch.
After being nurtured and nourished by the Mountains and Rivers Pouch, they eventually formed their own natural world, which can be considered as the twenty-eight blessed lands bestowed by Heaven.
For example, Ye Xingge's wolf-head bag represents the Legs Wood Wolf, which was anciently known as the Heaven's Armory.
After absorbing the spiritual essence of countless famous soldiers to form its own mountains and rivers, it can nurture various spiritual materials for forging weapons and armor. Among them, the White Saint Essence Metal can be used to forge the ' Armament-Supervising Decree '.
Legs Wood Wolf is in charge of storing armor and weapons, and the effect of the Armament-Supervising Decree is naturally the same: [ Stopping Weapons Is Martial ]. It can temporarily confiscate the weapons and armor of everyone within range and seal them in the Heaven's Armory.
If they want to fight, the only way is through ancient methods—free fighting!
If you kill your opponent, you won't have to return the items in the armory!
Because it was so specifically designed to counter the Lord of Divine Weapons, the Heaven's Armory was destroyed as soon as it appeared in history, which is why Zhang Zhiqing was able to obtain a brand new one.
As long as the Great Yan has the Armament-Supervising Decree, Wu Chenglie's problem can be solved. However, there is no stock in the world, and the old man Zhang is unwilling to exhaust his Lineage's resources to build a Heaven's Armory. He wants to build one, but he can't afford to.
Therefore, the only place where such spiritual materials can still be found is Willow Purity Pavilion.
Willow Mansion represents the mouth of the Vermilion Bird, which governs the absorption and release of spiritual energy and the creation of all things; it can nurture any rare and precious material.
However, to prevent the Willow Purity Pavilion has been enshrined for thousands of years, from being destroyed, Monk Ming'an would not allow the old demons from all sides to impersonate new recruits and join in the fun.
Furthermore, the activities of the Three Northern Mountains in supporting their younger generations do not allow external forces to participate.
As a family with a thousand-year history, the Seven Eminent Confucian Families have similar auspicious sites. In accordance with the principle of reciprocity, they can send a junior member there.
However, Cao Xiong and Chu Hannu, these First Rank, are newly rich and do not control the same resources, so they naturally do not have such great influence.
Therefore, the only people who could actually go to the Great Yan were from the Lineage of Li, Zhang, Cui, and Yan.
To increase his chances of success, Cao Xiong could only try to send more people to the scene within the rules, and then illegally form teams or something...
Ye Xingge had no sect or master, and was a free spirit in the martial arts world. He participated spontaneously and did not break the rules.
However, Ye Xingge came from a humble background and used to chat and laugh with the sect's prodigies, which would easily make him look foolish.
The situation at the rocking platform is similar to that at Temple of Vast Compassion. There is no way to borrow external force from each other, so it can only be a contest of pure, unadulterated martial arts skills!
Now that Cao Xiong is a referee, he can still deliberately put pressure on his team.
If this young man can gain an advantage solely through his martial arts skills, it shows he is highly capable. The court can offer Ye Xingge some assistance.
However, if Ye Xingge outside but becomes mediocre on the arena, then this kid definitely has someone behind him, and there's no need to investigate his background.
After pondering for a moment, Cao Xiong responded:
"The matter of the arena can be considered. I, Cao, will personally guard the palace, and there will be no trouble."
Emperor of Yan had also been thinking about the Temple of Vast Compassion matter, and seeing that his ministers all agreed, he gave the following instructions:
" Fan Nu'er, go and greet Heaven-Observing Pavilion now."
Eunuch Fan immediately nodded and quickly went down to convey the imperial decree.
Shortly after, a young eunuch entered the hall from the side, bowing slightly. He slowly approached Cao Xiong from behind and whispered:
" Duke Cao, something went wrong at Jinghe Hot Springs just now..."
Upon hearing this, Cao Xiong's smile froze slightly, and his gaze darkened as he turned to look at Han Feng behind him.
Han Feng had hidden his son in Jinghe Hot Springs under the Cao Clan's name. Upon seeing this scene, his heart skipped a beat, and his face turned pale.
What the two didn't notice was that the Duke Who Protects the State Wang Jinzhong, sitting opposite them, had a fleeting, almost imperceptible, cold smile in his sleepy eyes, but it quickly returned to normal...