Chapter 52: A Thousand Miles Pursuit

Chapter 52: A Thousand Miles Pursuit

Hu Tiehua froze. Li Chaofeng’s threat had been absurdly elaborate—why concoct an entire feast when a simple curse would’ve sufficed?

Ji Bingyan chuckled. He understood why Li Chaofeng had gone to such lengths. Deep down, Li Chaofeng still wanted to be Hu Tiehua’s friend.

The happiest way to die? Gluttony.

This threat, though, was far gentler than suffocating in your sleep or a dagger to the back. At least this way, Hu Tiehua could feel the warmth behind Li Chaofeng’s words.

After all, Li Chaofeng might actually cook that "Nine Heavenly Realms" feast. And Hu Tiehua, knowing full well it could kill him, would still devour every bite.

Like now.

Wiping drool from his mouth, Hu Tiehua fixed Li Chaofeng with a serious stare.

“Snake Xiaogui, you said that ‘Nine Heavenly Realms’ feast earlier… was it real?”

“Fake!”

Li Chaofeng snorted, rising abruptly. He was irritated Hu Tiehua had fixated on the feast’s authenticity.

Was this about food?

He was trying to say he could kill Hu Tiehua with something everyone would dismiss as harmless!

Hu Tiehua’s eyes gleamed at the thought of the mythical dish. “How could it be fake? It’s totally real! You can’t pull this kind of trick, kid!”

Li Chaofeng inhaled sharply, his smile turning venomous. “It’s just a story. Use your brain—how could the First Under Heaven Divine Physician die from overeating? A true Divine Physician wouldn’t even fear indigestion!”

Ji Bingyan shot up, siding with Hu Tiehua. “But you said the Eight Heavenly Layers was the World’s First Feast!”

Li Chaofeng frowned. “So?”

Ji Bingyan leaned forward. “So the Divine Physician assumed he was eating the World’s First Feast. Many had eaten it before—none died or fell ill. Naturally, he’d think overeating wouldn’t kill him either.”

“But he didn’t know the Nine Heavenly Realms added just one more breath… turning it into a killer banquet.”

Li Chaofeng blinked, surprised. “You figured out how it kills?”

Ji Bingyan smirked. “Of course. They ate themselves to death.”

Hu Tiehua rolled his eyes. “Wait—if you eat too much, how would anyone die from that?”

Ji Bingyan countered, “What if they ate nine full courses?”

Hu Tiehua’s fingers paused mid-count. “So each ‘heaven’ was a full meal?”

His eyes lit up. “Then I’ll just eat half per course! Hehehe!”

Li Chaofeng groaned. “I made it up to scare you! No martial expert would eat themselves to death!”

“I would!” Hu Tiehua shot back.

Li Chaofeng clamped his lips shut, swallowing curses. With a weary sigh, he turned to Ji Bingyan. “Do we stay or leave? With Stone Guanyin guarding the King of Kucha, we’re useless here.”

Ji Bingyan, still imagining the feast’s splendor, exchanged a glance with Hu Tiehua before sighing. “I dislike Chu Liuxiang’s stubbornness, but Stone Guanyin captured him. She demands obedience to the King. Until we confirm Chu’s safety, we’re stuck.”

He glared at Hu Tiehua. “You’re the one chasing Paradise Star alone. You sure you’re fine?”

Hu Tiehua grinned. “Easy. Stone Guanyin can only be in one place. If she watches you two, I’m safe. If she chases me fifty miles away, you won’t just sit there, right?”

Ji Bingyan chuckled. With Li Chaofeng’s senses, they’d always know Stone Guanyin’s location.

If she weren’t Queen of Kucha, and if these were mere Kucha soldiers…

Ji Bingyan and Hu Tiehua had half a mind to test if Stone Guanyin’s strength was truly unmatched.

His brow furrowed. “I wanted to trap ‘Mad Hu’ and rescue ‘Stinky Bug’ Chu from her lair… Alas, we’ll improvise.”

Li Chaofeng watched Ji Bingyan’s sidelong glances, equal parts annoyed and amused. Clenching his fist, he pulled a porcelain vial from his pack.

Tipping two pills into his palm, he tossed them to Hu Tiehua with a scowl. “Take these. Ji’s plan proceeds.”

Ji Bingyan eyed the pills. “What are they?”

Li Chaofeng’s jaw tightened. “Tracking Pills. Crush them, mix with sweat, smear on clothes. The trail lasts half a month.”

Hu Tiehua grinned. “Says the guy who—”

Li Chaofeng’s fist clenched. “Use them. Outside the camp.”

Hu Tiehua shut up, inspecting the scentless pills.

“More?” Hu Tiehua reached out.

"Get lost!"

Ji Bingyan laughed. “One for himself, one for the target. Your nose is non-negotiable.”

Li Chaofeng rolled his eyes. “Smear part of a crushed pill inside the treasure chest. They won’t replace the box.”

Suddenly, he raised a finger to his lips. “Someone approaches. Light steps. Ten zhang away.”

His senses were dulled here—every camp inhabitant was a potential foe.

Ji Bingyan and Hu Tiehua nodded.

Li Chaofeng’s expression hardened. The intruder wasn’t Situ Meteor.

He recognized all key camp presences. This one…

Only one possibility: Yao Long Li Chaofeng!

But hadn’t he gone to assassinate the King of Kucha?

The King had hired Hu Tiehua’s trio with gold and jade. Now that Li Chaofeng exposed the Queen as Stone Guanyin, they had no reason to protect the King—someone who’d never die.

Yao Long Li Chaofeng might be walking into his grave.

Ji Bingyan whispered plans, but Li Chaofeng shook his head. He’d never impersonate Chu Liuxiang—never play that dangerous a game.

As soft breathing reached Hu Tiehua’s ears, he called out.

“Friend, you’re welcome to join us.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end