Martial King's Retired Life-Chapter 40Book 15:

I walked off after I said what I had to say even though the last thing I heard was the sound of metal sliding out of its sheath. There was something else that required my attention. It was the first time I gave something my full attention since recovering my internal energy, but this genuinely deserved my full attention. This was the only place that I had any uncertainty about.

There was an extremely long line outside the small sharp called “Four-Five“. I silently waited with everyone else eagerly waiting in line. The aroma wafting out from inside was mesmerising.

They marinated their beef in oil mixed with Sichuan peppercorns and other spices for an hour before adding more spices. They steamed the pastry before they fried it. When you bit into the yellow, crispy pastry, the juicy beef filling would burst in your mouth. As it cooled down, you’d be hit with a different taste. Every bite provided a different taste, but every bite was a heavenly treat. They were a new shop, but they had to limit their “Four-Five Fragrant Cake” had to one per customer a day. Unlike the people who cried about missing out, though, I had a plan to get around it. After I finished my first one, I licked my fingers clean and then lined up a second time.

Remember this: a thoughtless taste, a detailed taste, and a thorough taste were three different things that provided three different tastes. A thoughtless taste was wolfing it down. It was addicting, but you didn’t get to savour the nuances in the taste. A detailed taste was stopping after a taste, spending double the time needed to eat the meal; as long as you were satisfied, it was a joyous experience. A thorough taste was when you inherited the true culinary spirit, truly savouring and appreciating the intricacies of a dish. People liked to argue over which method was superior, and they had their logical arguments, but they only got to one taste. Only he who knew all three tastes was truly superior, though.

As I was enjoying my second cake, someone suddenly asked me, “May this one ask if you are Duke Ming?“

With grease around my lips, I dashingly responded, “You are?”

He suddenly looked doubtful of his judgement. “If you are not Duke Ming, it would be best for you not to pose as him.”

“Of course nobody could.” I took another bite, fulfilling all the debts I owed myself. “Only someone as great as I am deserving of being Duke. Who are you?”

“This one nobody worth mentioning. His master has invited you to join him.”

One glance and I could tell he was an errand boy. His appearance and martial arts skills were passable, but the fact that he bowed so lowed to me was proof that he was just a lowly errand boy.

“Who is your master?”

“He is a descendant of Luoyang’s Feng Clan.”

Thankfully, all the walking around today wasn’t for naught. No outsiders were aware that I hid Feng Qizhi at Liu Shan Men. Considering his identity, it was expected that someone would come searching for him. Blue Prince was probably glad to see the moron leave, so he wouldn’t dispatch someone, but Feng Clan wouldn’t abandon one of their most talented swordsmen so readily. It took an enormous amount of money to raise him, so losing him would’ve meant losing twenty-plus years of investment. The fact that they were wandering the streets in search of me was evidence that they couldn’t find him. It was the perfect scenario to me. Zizi got to practice, while I had someone to order around.

“Master is waiting for you.”

Before that…

“Line up for me first. Let’s get another two cakes.”

***

Although there were plenty of boats on Qinhuai River, it was my first time seeing and being on such an opulent one. It was so shiny that it hurt to look at. I had to cover my eyes with the cover the servant passed me to ease the discomfort.

“Is your master… always so flamboyant?”

“Yes.”

Even the wealthiest young masters wouldn’t embellish their ships interior, yet this guy inlaid gold into the exterior to the point that he might’ve just built it out of golden. It was impossible to look straight at when the sunlight reflected off it. Even the boatman in the neighbouring boat had to cover avert his gaze and hurriedly paddle away. Some people fell into the water as they were too distracted with admiring the ship. I probably would’ve fallen in, too, if someone wasn’t leading me. Most importantly, I couldn’t hold back my tears. I had to toil day and night for a month for a paltry salary, yet this guy invited me to tea on a boat inlaid with gold!

Bloody rich people!

Everywhere I set my gaze on inside, there were gems. I had never been anywhere so… dazzling. When we reached the guest room, I saw the owner sitting in the centre. Not only did I admire his composure, but I even admired his eyes! The guy mercilessly adorned a golden silk robe. All the damn shine in the interior was blinding. Only once I sat down at the table did I see he was wearing Western sunglasses. No wonder why he wasn’t bothered.

“Feng Shanshan?”

“How dare you mock my young master!” a servant thundered.

I couldn’t tell you where the servant was because of all the damn illumination. All I heard was laughter from the golden room.

“Hahahaha, don’t mind it. Don’t be so jumpy, will you? Think about your monthly one thousand taels salary. Will you feel better without it? Always prioritise money.”

Although the twenty-seven-year-old was embellished in jewellery and gold from head to toe, it was hard to hate him after seeing his smile.

“I am Feng Jiutian. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Brother Ming.”