Chapter 5: The Midnight Knock

Chapter 5: The Midnight Knock

The culinary traditions of Guanzhong are rich and varied.

As the capital for generations, chefs from all over the country gathered in Chang'an, bringing with them the best of the land's delicacies. The variety of dishes is vast, and the preparation methods are meticulous.

Staples include noodle soup, flatbread, and Black Rice, which is soaked in juice from the "nan zhu" plant, steamed and dried nine times, resulting in small, jet-black grains that strengthen the body and improve the complexion with long-term consumption.

There's also Oily Broth Rice, which has over a dozen ingredients. Breeze-Cooled Rice is refreshing and cool, while Jade Well Porridge is served with steamed lotus root. Other dishes include Soy-Infused Wheat Noodles and Jade Cherry Dumplings (bì luó).

The preparation methods for various meats—pork, lamb, beef, and horse—are equally diverse. Although the capital has moved north, some traditions have continued.

Li Yan, in his past life, was a glutton with exceptional culinary skills.

With the weather turning warmer, some dishes are no longer suitable to prepare, and without an ice cellar, preserving a large piece of fatty pork is a challenge.

Guanzhuong Smoked Meat is best made in the cold winter months. If not done properly, the meat can easily spoil and attract maggots.

But Li Yan has his ways.

He renders lard, using part of it for cooking and the rest to seal large pieces of fatty pork, ensuring they last longer.

He also prepares Braised Pork Brisket, Five-Spice Braised Pork, and Crispy Fried Meatballs.

Of course, a good pot of Essence Meat Sauce is essential.

The aroma fills the courtyard, drawing the village dogs to the gate.

"Scram!"

Li Yan laughs and scolds, "When the Blind Third Elder Wolf came into the village, the dogs were too scared to bark. They're all cowards."

Despite his words, he is puzzled.

The village dogs are usually fearless, even in the face of wolves. Why were they so intimidated by the "Blind Third Elder Wolf"?

Unfortunately, the event has passed, and no one knows the reason.

For lunch, they have Meat Minced Sauce Noodles, and for dinner, rice congee with steamed buns and lard-stirred vegetables. The two of them eat their fill, sit on the doorstep, and enjoy the cool evening breeze, free from any worries.

Village life is peaceful but monotonous.

As night falls, the only sounds are those of a few men still entertaining their wives in bed. The rest of the villagers have already gone to sleep, as the farming season has begun, and they need to rise early the next day.

Soon, the village is completely silent.

...

In the main room of Wang Guangfu's house, the candlelight is dim.

An Ancestral Offering Table is set up, filled with offerings.

In front of it, a dozen Sacred Red Sticks are planted in the ground, encircled by a Red Rope, forming a circle in which a young girl lies.

The girl is only four years old. Unlike Wang Guangfu, who is disheveled, she is dressed in clean clothes, her skin pale and tender from lack of sunlight.

The girl is in the throes of a nightmare, curled up, her face flushed, eyes tightly shut, and eyelids trembling. Her forehead is drenched in sweat.

She is Wang Guangfu's daughter.

Wang Guangfu kneels on the ground, her face pale, her eyes filled with worry as she gazes at her daughter. She occasionally glances at the door.

She seems to sense something, holding three incense sticks above her head, bowing repeatedly, and muttering, "Third Aunt, please protect us, Third Aunt, please protect us..."

...

In the side room, Li Yan, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly opens his eyes.

He sits up abruptly, feeling a chill on his back, while the rest of his body feels hot, as if he has touched ice on a sweltering summer day.

What's happening?

Li Yan's expression is troubled.

He has practiced martial arts for years, and although he has not yet broken through to Hidden Strength due to his age and lack of combat experience, his body awareness and control are far superior to the average person.

He can immediately sense any issues.

This feeling is familiar. It appeared once after he killed the "Blind Third Elder Wolf", but quickly disappeared, leading him to believe it was just an illusion.

Why is it back, and so prominently?

Could the beast have been tainted, infecting him with a disease?

Li Yan does not panic but tries to use his Substitute God Statue.

This treasure can instantly replace any physical injury, whether from poisoning, bladed weapons, or illness, as long as the three life fires have not been extinguished, making him nearly invincible.

However, something strange happens.

The statue does not work!

His back remains cold, and the chill grows more intense.

This is odd. Could it be a psychological issue?

Bang!

Just then, a sound comes from outside.

It seems something is knocking on the wooden door.

Although faint, it is very noticeable in the quiet night.

Li Yan's brows furrow, and he quickly gets out of bed, pulling on his pants. He grabs the Guan Mountain Blade from the wall and cautiously opens the door a crack to look outside.

His movements are silent.

While rural life in Guanzhong is generally peaceful, it is not without dangers. Wolf attacks are one threat, but bandits are even more terrifying.

Even though the village head, Li Village Chief, may not have much to offer, there could be desperate men.

There are also those who drift through the underworld, known as the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams Formation. Some are honest traders, but many more are scammers.

For example, the Eight Trigrams Formation includes both the open and hidden formations. The open formation includes fortune-tellers, herbalists, and entertainers, while the hidden formation includes fraudsters, pickpockets, and con artists.

Some of these con artists pretend to be monks or Taoist priests, targeting wealthy families, while others deceive villagers.

They might smear eel blood on your door to make bats crash into it, creating the illusion of a ghost knocking. They might also mix water, nitrate, and sulfur with paper to replace your lamp wick, causing the flame to flicker and creating the illusion of a ghost blowing out the light.

Their methods are varied and bizarre.

But if they try to deceive him, they are truly courting death.

Li Yan smirks inwardly and looks outside.

However, the moonlight is dim, and the courtyard is empty.

Bang!

Just as he is puzzled, the sound comes again.

This time, it is clear—it is coming from the front gate.

The sound is faint. Could it be a rat or a cat?

Even so, Li Yan does not take any chances. His eyes narrow, and his Dragon Eye glows coldly. He draws his blade and quietly approaches the gate.

His blade is incredibly sharp.

If it is a thief or a bandit, he can stab them through the wooden door!

But as he nears the gate, Li Yan's face changes.

He can sense that there is nothing outside, but he can smell a pungent, icy odor.

The smell is familiar—it is the "Blind Third Elder Wolf"!

But didn't that beast die?

Li Yan feels a chill run down his spine, and goosebumps rise on his skin.

He is uncertain and tries to sense more. The area is empty, but the pungent, icy smell grows stronger, filled with malice.

A ghost?

The situation is beyond his understanding.

Although he had felt the "Blind Third Elder Wolf" was strange at the time, it was still a living creature. He killed it with a clean cut.

But now, what should he do?

Why would a beast's spirit seek revenge?

Bang!

The sound comes again.

Li Yan freezes, looking up.

This time, the sound is clearer, coming from above the gate. Judging by the position, it is from the "Hundred Battles Indomitable" plaque above the gate.

At the same time, he senses another odor.

It is the smell of metal and wood, tinged with a hint of Incense-Hallowed Energy.

It is a strange sensation. Metal and wood have no smell, but that is the first impression Li Yan gets.

The "Blind Third Elder Wolf" carries a cold, pungent smell.

The plaque, on the other hand, has a warm, fiery scent.

Bang!

The two odors clash, and the sound comes again.

Li Yan suddenly understands.

He never realized that the plaque in his home was a treasure. It remains hidden most of the time but is activated by the presence of evil spirits.

His unusual sense of smell, which detects these strange odors, must be a legacy from his past life.

This is all very puzzling.

Li Yan's palms sweat. Faced with this unknown and bizarre phenomenon, he feels helpless and out of control for the first time.

It seems to sense his presence, and the pungent smell from the "Blind Third Elder Wolf" grows stronger, with the frequency of the clashes increasing.

Bang, bang, bang!

The sounds are faint, barely noticeable in the darkness.

But to Li Yan's ears, they are like the drums of death.

He stands still, thinking of his grandfather sleeping inside. He dares not retreat or open the door. The sharp Guan Mountain Blade in his hand offers no comfort. He can only hope that the "Hundred Battles Indomitable" plaque will protect them.

The bangs continue.

Li Yan can feel the cold growing stronger, like a block of ice on his back, radiating cold. The vengeful gaze of the "Blind Third Elder Wolf" at the moment of its death keeps flashing in his mind.

A curse?

Li Yan has a hunch but cannot be sure.

Fortunately, he senses that as the two forces clash, their odors weaken.

Unconsciously, an hour passes.

Bang!

Finally, with the last clash, the smell of the "Blind Third Elder Wolf" slowly dissipates, vanishing without a trace.

Woof, woof, woof!

In the darkness, the barking of dogs breaks the oppressive silence.

Li Yan sighs in relief, but his face remains grim.

The cold on his back has not gone away...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end