Chapter 25: The Exchange of Favors

Chapter 25: The Exchange of Favors

“Madman Flower, not even this feast can shut your mouth?”

Chu Liuxiang, a connoisseur of fine cuisine himself, now believed Li Chaofeng’s title of Little Gourmet God was truly deserved—and that Lord Jin Sizhe alone had the discerning eye to recognize it.

Baixiaosheng had stripped Li Chaofeng of that very title. Truly blind to talent, unworthy of being called a man.

As for the recipe of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Li Chaofeng kept it secret, and Chu Liuxiang naturally refrained from prying.

With such a feast before them, there was no time for idle chatter. Even Hu Tiehua, usually unflappable, nearly burst his stomach devouring the dish.

“No wonder you named it Buddha Jumps Over the Wall—it seems even the Buddha would leap over walls for it.”

Though the dish originated in the Qing Dynasty, this version was Li Chaofeng’s unique creation. He kept the name unchanged.

Once the plates were scraped clean, Li Chaofeng served tea, and the trio relaxed into conversation.

As Chu Liuxiang savored the meal, he noted Li Chaofeng’s brusque demeanor. Though the man had always acted boldly, his sour expression since arriving seemed deliberately aimed at Hu Tiehua. When speaking to Chu Liuxiang, at least, Li Chaofeng made an effort to smile.

Hu Tiehua, unfazed, wore his usual indifference. Chu Liuxiang, ever the mediator, broached the tension.

“Flower Madman’s antics are indeed reckless. Brother Li, is your disdain because he’s wronged you?”

Li Chaofeng turned to Chu Liuxiang, exhaled sharply, then composed himself before explaining.

“If you had a nose like mine—one that detects every scent—you’d despise this guy so much you’d want to strangle him.”

Hu Tiehua chuckled, unbothered. After two months together, he’d long understood Li Chaofeng’s contempt. It hadn’t soured their bond.

Chu Liuxiang paused, then flicked open his folding fan, waving it with a laugh.

“Who knew my mediocre nose would ever be envied?”

His sense of smell might be dull, but even he joined in the teasing.

“Hu Tiehua, when’s your next bath?”

Hu Tiehua glared. “Why?”

As the words left his mouth, he seemed to grasp something, his eyes glinting mischievously.

“Making me bathe is easy. You come with me to one place, and I’ll scrub myself clean at the bathhouse—promise.”

Chu Liuxiang blinked, startled.

It wasn’t Hu Tiehua’s sudden cooperation that surprised him, but the realization that Hu Tiehua was repaying a favor on his behalf. Yet this task was perilous. Chu Liuxiang could owe Hu Tiehua or Ji Bingyan any debt, but he refused to let Hu Tiehua incur a massive one with Li Chaofeng.

Some debts were simple to repay. Like when Hu Tiehua taught Li Chaofeng a Lightness Skill to escape danger—a life-saving act. Grateful, Li Chaofeng had no choice but to endure Hu Tiehua’s stench and invite him to dine, even cook personally.

Such debts were easy. No matter how many meals Li Chaofeng served, they were mere coin.

The true burden lay in debts of blood—when someone risks their life for you, you owe them the same.

Chu Liuxiang barely knew Li Chaofeng, save by Yao Long’s reputation. He refused to let Hu Tiehua owe another man his life.

Li Chaofeng blinked, then nodded with a grin.

“As long as it’s not the Dragon’s Den or Tiger’s Lair, I’m in.”

Hu Tiehua smirked. “It is the Dragon’s Den and Tiger’s Lair.”

Li Chaofeng glanced at Chu Liuxiang, weighing the risks, then nodded again.

“As long as we return alive, it’s not the Dragon’s Den.”

Even the gravest danger, if not sought deliberately, leaves room for survival.

Hu Tiehua’s grin widened.

As for dying in the Dragon’s Den? That, of course, would end all debts.

Hu Tiehua had recruited Li Chaofeng as backup for Chu Liuxiang, but Chu Liuxiang refused.

“Flower Madman, this is perilous. Why risk another life?”

Hu Tiehua smirked. “Because you don’t know his true worth.”

He hadn’t brought Li Chaofeng to fight.

In Hu Tiehua’s eyes, Li Chaofeng’s martial prowess was modest. Instead, he posed a riddle.

“When I leapt into the courtyard, I invited you in immediately. By then, tables were set, cold dishes ready, servants carrying wine.”

“Old Stinkbug, guess why.”

Chu Liuxiang paused, eyeing Li Chaofeng’s silent smirk, then fanned himself thoughtfully.

“Perhaps he knew we were coming.”

Hu Tiehua shook his head. “If he knew beforehand, why wait until I arrived to set the feast?”

Seeing Chu Liuxiang puzzled, Hu Tiehua dropped the riddle, turning to Li Chaofeng smugly.

“When did you know I’d arrived?”

Li Chaofeng fixed Hu Tiehua with growing disdain but obliged Chu Liuxiang’s curiosity.

“This guy reeks so badly he hasn’t bathed in three years. The scent of a dish I cooked three years ago still clings to him.”

“When you two approached within a mile of the tavern, I could finally tell he was Hu Tiehua—the smelly one, not some stinking beggar.”

His face darkened, voice sharp.

“As for the feast, I only started preparing when I smelled him charging straight toward me.”

“Hey! Can’t you say something nicer?”

Hu Tiehua bristled. He’d come for wine, only to detect Li Chaofeng’s spice lingering nearby. To confirm, he’d stormed the back courtyard.

Yet Li Chaofeng waited until Hu Tiehua approached to cook for him. If Hu Tiehua hadn’t found him, Li Chaofeng wouldn’t have shown himself at all.

Same old fool!

Chu Liuxiang gripped his fan, eyes gleaming.

Seeing his delight, Hu Tiehua swelled with pride, ignoring Li Chaofeng’s disdain.

A dog’s nose—yet one that could speak. The perfect tracker.

Li Chaofeng agreed to join, eager to witness a clash of martial arts titans.

He’d mastered the Five Supreme Arts for three years but still doubted his strength. Without experience fighting true masters, he sought to measure himself against Chu Liuxiang—and perhaps observe the formidable Stone Guanyin, who could crush Chu Liuxiang effortlessly.

This journey offered invaluable insight.

And as a mere guide, the risk was minimal. With Chu Liuxiang, Hu Tiehua, and Ji Bingyan at his side, his safety was assured.

The benefits outweighed the danger.

Orphaned, wielding only the Five Insect Blade Art, Li Chaofeng could only rely on himself to grow stronger. He could’ve sought a sect or mentor, but he knew:

Learning another’s martial arts meant owing them a debt.

Debts must be repaid.

But some debts—those of life and blood—could never be repaid at all.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end