Chapter 351: Supreme Delicacy, Sword Token

Chapter 351: Supreme Delicacy, Sword Token

September 24, 2024

"Lu Xiaolangjun actually made so much braised pork?" Wei Xinghe's wife exclaimed in delight as she gazed at the glistening, reddish chunks of meat.

"Madam, is this braised pork?" Wei Xinghe asked, "It looks quite different from the one made at our residence."

"Lu Xiaolangjun's cooking is always unique compared to others. Our chefs at home can never achieve this glossy, reddish meat color." Wei Xinghe's wife expressed her disappointment.

A few years ago, after being rescued by Lu Qing from the mountains and arriving in Nine Li Village, the first meal she had included braised pork. The taste of it had left an unforgettable impression on her.

Later, she had even asked Lu Qing for the recipe, but for some reason, the chefs at the Wei residence couldn't replicate the appealing meat color of Lu Qing's dish, and even the flavor fell short.

"It's probably due to the seasonings," the Great Doctor chuckled, "Lu Qing often experiments with unique seasonings, so the taste is bound to be different."

"I think it's because the chefs at our residence couldn't figure out the soy sauce mentioned in Lu Xiaolangjun's recipe."

"I remember Lu Qing made quite a bit of it before. Madam can ask him for some when the time comes."

As they chatted, more dishes were continuously brought to the table.

Steamed fish, boiled chicken, stir-fried beef, and mutton soup...

Each dish was presented on the table, offering a variety of flavors.

Not only were they neatly arranged, but the portions were also generous.

After all the dishes were served, two villagers carried a large bamboo steamer over.

Steam rose from the steamer, carrying with it a delightful fragrance.

Those who caught a whiff of it felt their minds clear, and their spirits lifted.

"This aroma..."

Both Wei Xinghe and Wei Shanhai looked at the steamer in surprise.

As Primordial Realm powerhouses, they were astonished to find that the scent alone made their bodies feel lighter, and even their True Qi circulated faster.

Before Wei Shanhai could ask, the villager who carried the steamer revealed its contents.

He lifted the lid, revealing a basket of crystal-clear, perfectly cooked rice, each grain distinct and separate.

Even more astonishing, the rice had a subtle golden glow amidst its snowy whiteness, making it incredibly appealing.

"This is the Spirit Rice that Lu Qing planted a while ago. After harvesting the Spirit Valley yesterday, he wanted everyone to try this Spirit Rice," the Great Doctor explained with a hearty laugh.

Having witnessed the Spirit Rice during Lu Qing's harvest the day before, he wasn't surprised now.

"Is this the Spirit Rice that Lu Xiaolangjun has been busy planting these past months?" Wei Xinghe asked, his eyes widening as he stared at the rice in the steamer.

Having stayed at the guest residence for several months, he was naturally aware of Lu Qing's cultivation of the Spirit Valley.

However, he never imagined that the rice inside the Spirit Valley would look like this after being harvested.

"Doctor Chen, have you tried this Spirit Rice?" Wei Shanhai inquired.

"Not yet. It's better to share joy than to enjoy it alone. I think it would be more enjoyable to taste this Spirit Rice together with everyone," Doctor Chen replied.

"In that case, I must savor this Spirit Rice and find out its true flavor."

Upon hearing this, Wei Shanhai and the others became even more eager to experience the taste of the Spirit Rice.

In the yard, after all the dishes were served, Lu Qing raised a cup of wine and proclaimed loudly, "Dear fellow villagers, since the passing of my parents, Xiao Yan and I have relied on your support and care to get through the most difficult times.

Lu Qing and Xiao Yan have always wanted to host a banquet for everyone but couldn't find the right opportunity.

Yesterday, the Spirit Valley I've been cultivating for months bore fruit.

So, I took this chance to invite everyone for a simple meal.

Please don't be polite. Eat to your heart's content!

There's plenty of wine and food for everyone!"

The crowd observed Lu Qing standing tall and dignified, holding a cup of wine.

Everyone was deeply moved, especially the elders like Grandpa Zhang, whose eyes grew warm.

They remembered the frail and sickly youth who struggled to survive, and now he had finally made a name for himself.

"Alright, no need for formalities. Let's begin!"

Lu Qing drained the wine in his cup.

Seeing this, the others followed suit and prepared to eat.

Even at the tables with younger villagers, they waited for the elders to start before picking up their chopsticks.

The first thing everyone reached for was the braised pork.

There was no resisting the allure of the glistening, reddish, and juicy-looking meat.

Very few could withstand the temptation of such a delicacy.

A villager picked up a piece of pork with a perfect balance of fat and lean meat and put it in his mouth. The next moment, his eyes widened in surprise.

The meat in his mouth was a perfect balance of lean and fatty portions, the fat melting instantly, leaving a tender and sweet sensation. The rich flavor exploded in his mouth, an indescribable delight.

He had never tasted such delicious meat in his entire life.

"How did Lu Qing prepare this meat? How can pork taste so good? It's even better than beef or mutton!"

The villagers who sampled the braised pork were equally amazed, their eyes widening in astonishment.

"This braised pork is truly unlike anything we've had at our mansion."

Inside the house, Wei Xinghe echoed the sentiment.

"Lu Xiaolangjun's culinary skills have improved even further."

Wei Shanhai took a bite and couldn't help but exclaim.

He often visited Half-Mountain Cottage and would stay for meals, so he had tasted this braised pork a few times before. But this time, Lu Qing's cooking seemed even more delectable than usual.

As for Hu Laosan and his daughter, Hu Zezhi, it was their first time experiencing such a unique dish.

"On our recent trip to Zhongzhou, Lu Qing seemed to have collected some special seasonings, which might explain this," the Great Doctor explained.

Although their journey to Zhongzhou was rushed, Lu Qing still managed to explore the areas near their accommodations, occasionally finding unique ingredients.

After savoring the braised pork, Wei Shanhai and the others sampled the other dishes on the table, each with its own distinct flavor and deserving of the title 'culinary masterpiece'.

Once they had tasted all the dishes, their attention turned to the steaming basket of Spirit Rice.

They knew that while the dishes were delectable, the Spirit Rice was the true highlight of the banquet.

"Doctor Chen, is there any special way to eat this Spirit Rice?" Wei Shanhai asked.

"Probably not," the Great Doctor shook his head. "Lu Qing didn't mention any specific way to eat it. It should be fine to consume it like regular rice."

"Grandpa Wei, let me serve you all some rice," Xiao Yan said, stepping forward to help.

Soon, she had served everyone a bowl of translucent Spirit Rice.

The steam rising from the rice carried a delicate fragrance that tantalized their noses, even more enticing than the array of dishes on the table.

"Doctor Chen, we won't hold back then," Wei Shanhai said, taking the first bite.

Seeing this, the others followed suit.

The moment the Spirit Rice touched their tongues, they knew it was extraordinary.

The rice grains were soft and chewy, with a sweet and delightful taste.

Each chew released a pure and natural essence that danced on their palates.

The exquisite flavor was a sheer delight.

Everyone found themselves unable to stop, taking bite after bite until their bowls were empty.

"The taste of this Spirit Rice is truly beyond words. It's the best rice I've ever had in my life," Wei Shanhai said, a look of disbelief in his eyes after finishing his bowl.

More importantly, he felt a gentle surge of life energy within the rice, no less potent than that of precious medicinal herbs.

"And I feel like my body has become lighter after eating this Spirit Rice," Lady Wei added, equally astonished.

"Lu Qing mentioned that this Spirit Rice contains Spirit Aura, which can nourish the body and enhance vitality. Your feelings are not an illusion, Lady Wei," the Great Doctor explained.

"To use such a precious item for a banquet is truly generous of Lu Xiaolangjun."

Hu Laosan was deeply moved.

As a Bone Marrow Realm cultivator, his blood and energy were already quite strong.

But after just one bowl of Spirit Rice, he felt his stagnant blood and energy noticeably improve.

If a single bowl could have such an effect, what if he could eat it regularly? Wouldn't he break through his limits and have a chance to enter the Inner Organ Realm in no time?

In an instant, Hu Laosan realized just how precious the Spirit Rice Lu Qing had offered his guests truly was.

Even an older cultivator like him, whose cultivation progress had long plateaued, experienced an enhancement in blood and energy.

If young geniuses with exceptional talent could obtain this Spirit Rice as a supplement, their cultivation progress would skyrocket with long-term consumption!

"Elder Wei, Lord Wei, everyone, please forgive Lu Qing for his late arrival."

At this moment, after entertaining the villagers outside, Lu Qing walked into the house.

"Lu Xiaolangjun, what are you talking about? Being able to taste such delicious dishes and Spirit Rice is a blessing for us," Wei Shanhai smiled. "By the way, Lu Xiaolangjun, did you have a good harvest of Spirit Rice this time?"

Lu Qing was taken aback for a moment, then he laughed. "Old Master Wei, could it be that you are interested? This Spirit Rice is just something I cultivated casually. If Old Master Wei wants some, I can spare a few hundred pounds for you."

Due to Lu Qing's meticulous care, the Spirit Rice he planted this time grew very well. The rice panicles were particularly full. Therefore, his harvest was quite abundant. From two acres of Spirit Field, he harvested over three thousand pounds of Spirit Rice. Even after removing the husks, there were still at least two thousand pounds of Spirit Rice left. Giving a few hundred pounds to Wei Shanhai wouldn't affect him much. After all, he, his master, and Xiao Yan couldn't consume that much. Moreover, he would have another harvest in a few months.

"However, Old Master Wei, while Spirit Rice is good, it can only add a bit of cultivation for Primordial Realm Powerhouses. To break through realms, one still needs to cultivate and refine oneself."

Lu Qing advised.

"Lu Xiaolangjun, did you think I was asking for the Spirit Rice for myself? No, that's not the case," Wei Shanhai smiled. "I'm asking for it for Zi'an and Zihao, especially Zihao. He doesn't have the same opportunities as Zi'an and has fallen behind in his cultivation. With this Spirit Rice, he might be able to catch up."

"Have you found Zihao?" Lu Qing was surprised upon hearing this.

He had naturally heard about the annihilation of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect in Jizhou over two months ago. He also knew that Wei Zihao, as a disciple of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect, had gone missing during that disaster. Lu Qing had assumed that Wei Zihao was likely dead, given that so many experts of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect had perished. How could a mere Post-Heaven Realm cultivator survive such a catastrophe? But now, hearing Wei Shanhai's words, it seemed Wei Zihao might still be alive.

"Lu Xiaolangjun, I was just about to tell you about this," Wei Xinghe said at this moment. "Two days ago, our family's scouts discovered Zihao's whereabouts in the State Capital. He seemed to be hiding with a few other disciples of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect."

"Zihao is in the State Capital, why hasn't he contacted you? I remember your family has business there, right?" Lu Qing was intrigued.

"That's our concern too. The scouts reported that when they saw Zihao, he looked hurried and seemed to be avoiding something. So I suspect that he deliberately didn't contact the family, possibly for a reason."

"Avoiding something..." Lu Qing pondered for a moment. "Family Head Wei, do you mean that Zihao is facing some danger and is deliberately not contacting you to avoid involving your family?"

"Based on the information from the scouts, Hai and I speculate that this is very likely the case."

"Zihao would rather put himself in danger than seek help from home. Clearly, the person threatening him must be extremely terrifying, far beyond what your family can handle. Could it be the mysterious force that annihilated the Azure Cloud Sword Sect?"

Lu Qing analyzed.

Wei Shanhai sighed. "We also think so. But the thought of Zihao possibly being in danger makes my wife and I anxious and restless."

Lady Wei couldn't help but show a sorrowful expression.

"So, Family Head Wei, you want to..."

Lu Qing understood. As a parent, how could anyone stand idly by while their child was in danger?

"I want to go to the State Capital and see if I can bring Zihao back," Wei Xinghe expressed his thoughts.

"That might not be a good idea. Since Zihao hasn't contacted you, there must be a reason. If you suddenly appear and meet him, it might catch him off guard and disrupt his plans."

"I understand that, but if I don't go to the State Capital and something happens to Zihao, I won't be able to live with myself. Of course, I know this trip is fraught with danger. I know you, Lu Xiaolangjun, are skilled in divination techniques. Could you give me some advice? What are my chances of survival on this trip?"

Lu Qing was taken aback. "I don't really know anything about divination techniques. That's just an excuse for my abilities."

However, seeing the determination on Wei Xinghe's face, he knew persuasion was futile. Any decent father wouldn't watch their child in danger without acting.

So he thought for a moment and pulled out a jade amulet in the shape of a sword from his chest.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end