Chapter 10: Infiltrating the Tiger's Lair

Chapter 10: Infiltrating the Tiger’s Lair

“Hahaha.”

Jin Sizhe departed with laughter. Though Li Chaofeng had claimed not to know the Brawny Man, ten pig’s trotters weren’t worth Jin’s deeper scrutiny.

As the final dishes of trotters arrived, Li Chaofeng and the Brawny Man reignited their contest.

Biting meat, gulping wine—the Brawny Man devoured like a wolf, yet still chased each bite with alcohol. Li Chaofeng, however, abstained entirely. As a modern man, he disliked drinking; as a transmigrator, he loathed losing control of his body.

After five trotters, Li Chaofeng grinned, reaching for the last. The Brawny Man, still chewing, lunged too—determined not to let his rival claim it.

Watching him strain his neck to swallow, Li Chaofeng scoffed.

“Eating what’s in your mouth while eyeing the bowl? Come on, stinky beggar—have some dignity!”

“Gulp~”

The Brawny Man didn’t retort. He simply downed another cup of wine, exhaled sharply, and smirked.

“Dignity can’t be eaten or drunk. What’s the use of it?”

Li Chaofeng arched a brow. “Lose, and admit it.”

They’d bickered over delicacies since the feast began. Now, at its end, one extra trotter decided the victor.

The Brawny Man scowled. “You don’t even drink. How’s that winning?”

But seeing Li Chaofeng’s disdain, he added, “Those ten trotters were my request. Giving you five was generous.”

Li Chaofeng shook his head. “You ordered them for the Little Gourmet God. Are you him?”

The Brawny Man paused, then chuckled. “Of course not.”

“Then… let… go!”

With that, Li Chaofeng yanked hard. The Brawny Man, staring at his youthful, unshaven face, smiled faintly and released his grip.

His motive? He believed he deserved at least half the trotters—anything less felt like a loss. Yet Li’s logic held: the order was for the Little Gourmet God, meaning all were rightfully his.

Snatching the trotter, Li Chaofeng devoured it in moments. Wiping his hands on Jiang Biehe’s robe—again—he belched contentedly, ending the feast.

Jiang Biehe, oblivious to his soiled sleeve, chatted merrily with martial artists nearby.

At the eight-person table, Li and the Brawny Man existed in their own world. The others ignored their squabble—Lord Jin’s prestige ensured peace.

Even Jin Sizhe deemed them unworthy of true notice.

As guests departed full and cheerful, Jiang Biehe followed Li to bid Jin farewell with hollow pleasantries.

Though Jin failed to recruit Li, he bore no grudge. “Visit Jiangnan anytime,” he offered.

Once Jin’s gates closed, Jiang turned to Li.

“Brother Li, seeking your path in the martial world—any destination in mind?”

Li replied lightly, “Wander freely. Wherever fate leads. And you, Senior Jiang?”

Jiang sighed. “Haven’t returned home in ages. My son Yulang must miss his father. Unlike you, I’m not so free.”

Li’s eyes flickered with mockery. Jiang Feng—Jiang Yulang. He knew the truth clearly.

Jiang had a family. Li had no interest in visiting. With a bow, they parted.

“Farewell, Jianghu.”

“Farewell, Jianghu.”

They rode separate roads.

——

Hu Tiehua fled Gao Yanan’s pursuit for two years, sneaking into Jin’s birthday banquet unnoticed—thanks to the young gourmet god, who’d shielded him and fed him heartily.

He should’ve left immediately. Gao Yanan chased relentlessly. Yet at the city gate, he spotted a youth galloping out—none other than Jin Sizhe’s “Little Gourmet God.”

The boy intrigued him, but Hu was escaping. No time for introductions.

As Hu exited toward another path, his ears twitched. Glancing sideways, he saw a shadow soaring midair.

Narrowing his eyes, he recognized the figure—someone from their table. Surname Jiang.

Jiang pursued the young chef’s direction.

Recalling the boy’s every move at the feast, Hu sighed, muttering about his meddling nature. Yet he leapt, tailing them both.

One horse, two men, rode north.

Night fell. Hu watched the youth veer off the road, twist through paths, and vanish into a cave.

This… looks like a tiger’s den.

Bold brat. Daring to storm a tiger’s lair.

Hu hesitated to warn him, unwilling to reveal himself to Jiang. He waited.

The boy’s tall frame could likely escape a tiger. Moments later, fierce roars echoed. Hu nodded—this youth bore martial skill.

Eyeing Jiang nearby, Hu narrowed his gaze. The “Great Hero Jiang” might hunt beasts—but the boy knew nothing of the martial world’s true cruelty.

Men’s hearts are fiercer than tigers.

——

Approaching the tiger’s lair, Jiang Biehe plotted Li Chaofeng’s strength.

They rode from Annan together, but Jiang’s covert tests found no trace of True Qi in Li.

Impossible. With his cultivation, he’d sense even hidden energy.

Tonight, he’d see what Li truly was.

Man, ghost, demon, or monster—Jiang would kill him.

Li’s arrogance, his disdain for wealth and power, ignited Jiang’s jealousy.

Born lucky, never poor—how dare you scorn riches?

And that sneer—“stinky beggar.” Did he think Jiang didn’t notice?

As night deepened, Jiang donned a black mask, listened to the cave’s steady breaths, and crept forward, lightless.

The boy’s senses were sharp, but against absolute power, useless.

This tiger’s lair would be Li Chaofeng’s grave.

——

Hu Tiehua opened his eyes. Feeling Jiang move, he followed silently.

Some lessons must be learned firsthand.

Stopping Jiang’s ambush would save the boy—but Hu refused to babysit brats. He’d let the Little Gourmet God learn the martial world’s cruelty… then intervene.

Jiang tread carefully. Hu kept distance—until Jiang suddenly sped into the cave.

Hu rushed, no longer hiding.

He wanted the boy to understand danger—not die from it.

Before Hu reached the lair, clashes echoed.

Reassured, he slowed.

The boy wasn’t asleep.

Then a scream pierced the air.

Hu halted.

Jiang Biehe lay fallen. The youth… won cleanly, decisively.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end