Cultivation Starting from Choosing Augments-Chapter 105 - 102: Hezhou’s Chaos and the All-Fish Banquet’s Grand Prize
After coaxing the information out of Su Wanqing.
Xiao Chen waited for the feast to begin, his ears pricked up as he listened carefully to the discussions of the surrounding Cultivators.
The things worthy of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s attention were naturally quite important matters.
For example, the rumors of the Divine Fire Sect’s invasion of Hezhou had been under discussion for nearly half an hour and were still ongoing.
Elder Cheng even inquired of Xiao Chen, "Xiao, if the Divine Fire Sect really does invade Hezhou, will the Li Huo Sect consider going there to resist the Demon Dao together?"
’You’re asking me?’
Xiao Chen shook his head. "Such matters are naturally for the Daoists to decide."
Another Foundation Establishment Cultivator asked curiously, "Since you’re in charge of the Demon Extermination Hall, Xiao, what’s your stance on other Evil Cultivators, aside from Demon Cultivators?"
"I’ve heard that traces of Poison Dao, Blood Dao, Corpse Dao, and other Evil Cultivator activities have already been discovered over in Hezhou."
"They’re taking advantage of the current turmoil in Hezhou to cause trouble and commit all sorts of crimes."
’Has Hezhou really become so chaotic?’
The proliferation of evil paths likely meant that the local sects were already starting to lose control of their territories.
As for this question, Xiao Chen actually knew the answer.
When Mei Yong had come to persuade him to take the position, he had left behind a draft of the Demon Extermination Hall’s scope of authority.
"Rest assured, fellow Daoists. I can’t speak for other places, but within the Li Huo Sect’s territory, no Evil Cultivators will be tolerated."
The Five Great Clans all supported this point, so Xiao Chen could confirm it in advance.
Hearing the information he revealed, the others fell into thought.
This was one of the purposes of the All-Fish Feast.
One or two such pieces of news weren’t particularly important. But when many pieces of information were gathered and cross-referenced, they could be invaluable.
Just then, with a clear ringing of bells, a line of serving girls walked neatly onto the viewing platform.
They wore *dudou* emblazoned with a pattern of carp leaping among lotus flowers. Other than the *dudou*, they only wore silver bells tied to their wrists and ankles. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎
As a medley of various instruments played from a hidden chamber below the platform, they began to dance gracefully, barefoot on the carpet.
As they moved in tacit coordination, the pairs of carp seemed to come alive, leaping across the viewing platform and capturing everyone’s attention.
Red carp, green lotuses, and snow-white skin intertwined in a dazzling display that was almost too much for the eyes to take in.
Xiao Chen watched with great relish. ’They even have this kind of performance? The Su Family really knows what they’re doing.’
At the same time, one exquisite dish after another was served.
The dishes were arranged in a line from east to west, each made from a different part of a fish, from head to tail.
They included: Steamed Fish Head with Chopped Chili, Steamed Egg with Minced Fish, Fish Fillet Congee, Steamed Fish Fillets with Garlic, Sweet and Sour Fish Fillets, Salt and Pepper Fish Bones, Braised Fish Chunks, Fish Hide Jelly, and Fish Tail Tofu Soup.
There were also various other preparations, such as: Steamed Perch, South Lake Vinegar Fish, Yu-Shiang Shredded Pork, Steamed Shad, Honey-stewed Fried Fish, Croaker with Stuffing, and Lotus Pod Fish Parcels.
It was worth noting that...
The Yu-Shiang Shredded Pork here was actually made with finely shredded fish meat.
Furthermore, unlike the tables below, everyone on the viewing platform was served their own individual portions.
Xiao Chen looked at the familiar Steamed Perch and was immediately reminded of Changlai Square in Shattered Stone Valley.
He had finally gotten to eat this dish again, and right on his doorstep. He immediately picked up a piece with his chopsticks to taste it.
The last time he ate it, the flavors were salty, fresh, tender, and smooth, with the emphasis on "smooth," highlighting the chef’s technique.
This time was different. Perhaps because it was caught and cooked on the spot, the Steamed Perch was exceptionally fresh and savory.
At the same time, as a mouthful of Spirit Fish went down, he could clearly feel wisps of Spiritual Power dissolving in his stomach.
"Oh, there’s a copper coin here."
Elder Cheng of the Cheng Family suddenly picked up a copper coin with his chopsticks. "It seems this old man gets to take a Spirit Fish home today, hahaha."
Xiao Chen turned to Su Wanqing. "Why are there copper coins? What’s the story behind this?"
Su Wanqing gulped down the lotus pod in her mouth. "Junior Martial Master Xiao, how come I feel like you only remember I exist at times like these?"
"How could that be? Here, you can have my portion of the Lotus Pod Fish Parcels too."
Seeing her favorite dish, Su Wanqing happily accepted it and began to explain, "The copper coins are a sort of prize that my great-grandfather set up for the All-Fish Feast."
"At every feast, nine copper coins and one gold coin are placed in the dishes."
"Whoever finds a copper coin can choose any Tier Two Spirit Fish from the Spirit Fish Pool as a gift."
"If you find the gold coin, you’ve won today’s grand prize and will receive a mysterious grand gift prepared by my great-grandfather."
"What exactly it is depends on what my great-grandfather decides."
"But generally speaking, it’s usually quite valuable."
The key word—valuable.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen immediately used his Divine Sense to scan all the dishes in front of him.
But unfortunately, there wasn’t even a single copper coin.
"Ah, what’s this?"
Su Wanqing suddenly covered her mouth and spat out a gold coin.
"Huh? I won!"
She looked at the gold coin and immediately beamed with joy. "Look, Junior Martial Master Xiao, I won the grand prize!"
Hearing this, the surrounding Cultivators all offered a few words of congratulations to Su Wanqing.
The silly girl was grinning from ear to ear.
But then, Su Huaitao arrived with a strange expression, looking at Su Wanqing as if he wanted to say something but was holding back.
He had specifically placed that gold coin in Xiao Chen’s dish. How did it end up in Su Wanqing’s mouth?
’What’s going on with you two?’
Fortunately, after seeing her father, Su Wanqing’s cleverness quickly took over.
She actually figured it out herself. "Junior Martial Master Xiao, this gold coin was in the Lotus Pod Fish Parcels you gave me. It should be you who won the grand prize."
Xiao Chen waved his hand. "That’s not how it works. Since you’re the one who found it, you naturally won the grand prize."
Hearing this, Su Huaitao immediately added, "I see. In that case, it should still count for Xiao. Elder Su has prepared a gift in his study. Please, Xiao, come with me."
???
Xiao Chen was taken aback for a moment, then he also immediately understood. Su Wanqing had told him the other day that her great-grandfather wanted to see him.
*Hiss*... ’So even something like this can be rigged.’
But his mind quickly filled with doubt. ’It would have been simple enough to see me. Did they really have to do it this way?’
’Wouldn’t it have been the same if I just went over after the feast ended?’
’What’s the point of doing it like this?’
Besides, there was another problem. Elder Su’s study was in the Su Family’s rear courtyard, about four or five *li* away from the lakeside viewing platform.
Xiao Chen had barely taken a few bites of his food before Su Huaitao came and led him away.
By the time he got back, the food would probably be cold and unappetizing.
Passing through a winding corridor, they arrived at Elder Su’s study.
Su Ruihe, already one hundred and eighty-eight years old, was actually standing at the door waiting.
Xiao Chen cupped his fists in salute. "This junior, Xiao Chen, greets Elder Su."
Su Ruihe smiled and nodded. "Mm, an impressive bearing. Truly a dragon among men."
Su Huaitao stepped aside and gestured with his right hand. "Xiao, please enter."
However, he himself remained outside, not entering with them.
Xiao Chen grew even more curious as he followed Su Ruihe into the study.
At the other’s invitation, the two sat facing each other across a small square table in front of a bookshelf.
Su Ruihe then turned, took a gift list from the bookshelf.
Then, from the left drawer, he took out a contract.
And from the right drawer, he pulled out a marriage certificate.
He extended both hands and slowly pushed all three items across the table toward Xiao Chen.
"Steward Xiao, this old man would like to make a deal with you."
