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Chapter 310: Beggar's Chicken
🕑 Added 2024-10-08 07:43:13 +0000 UTCIt wasn’t until dusk that the last batch of Fu Masters left the stage, marking the end of the day's first round of competition.
The following day would be dedicated to evaluating the ten basic talismans created by the participating Fu Masters. This evaluation would be carried out by the seasoned Fu Masters of the Fu Master Conference.
There would be no competitions on that day.
However, within the Fu Masters' residence, an internal discussion and exchange meeting would be held.
After all, it was a rare occasion for so many Fu Masters from across the land to gather in one place. At these meetings, powerful and knowledgeable Fu Masters would share some of their insights.
Although they wouldn't reveal too much valuable information, even the most basic pointers from these experts could be incredibly beneficial to the average Fu Master.
Moreover, because the participants came from different regions, these exchange meetings were quite valuable. Everyone could learn more about the various situations in different areas and the different styles and techniques of talisman crafting.
Although there were currently fifty thousand participants, within a few days, not even half of them would remain.
But for now, the sheer number of people and the bits of information everyone was willing to share were enough to benefit all involved.
The Fu Master Conference began by eliminating half of the participants in the first few rounds. Only when the number was reduced to five hundred would they start ranking the contestants.
When Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu returned to the cave dwelling, it was already late at night.
Yuan Qing was already soaking his feet, waiting for them.
As soon as they entered, the two joined Yuan Qing on the couch, pulling out their foot tubs and starting their own foot soak. They then retrieved several still-warm dirt-covered objects from their storage bags.
Jiang Youfu handed one of these objects to Yuan Qing.
Puzzled, Yuan Qing accepted it and examined the large dirt clod, which was bigger than his head. He asked, "What is this?"
While placing his own dirt clod on the table, Jiang Youfu explained, "This is beggar's chicken! We just made it. Try it; it's delicious!"
Recently, they had discovered a type of small demonic beast among the others, resembling a chicken, called the 'Banque bird.' Its meat was known to be particularly tender.
After watching the day’s excitement, they decided on their way back to make something hot and tasty for a midnight snack. So, they found a secluded spot outdoors and made this beggar's 'chicken.'
That's why they returned so late.
Yuan Qing stared at the large dirt clod in his hands, unsure of how to start eating it.
Then he noticed Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu deftly tapping the dirt clod with their hands, cracking it open to reveal a steaming, moist bundle wrapped in lotus leaves.
They peeled back the layers of lotus leaves, releasing a rich aroma that immediately filled the air. Yuan Qing couldn't help but take a few deep breaths.
It smelled divine!
When he saw the golden-brown meat inside, glistening with oil from the meat juices, Yuan Qing gulped and followed their example, peeling open his own beggar's 'chicken.' He grabbed one of the legs and gave it a tug.
The meat, already falling off the bone, easily came away, leaving some pieces loosely clinging to the bone, while a few drops of juice dripped off.
Yuan Qing couldn’t resist taking a big bite.
As soon as the meat touched his tongue, he felt his taste buds being overwhelmed with delight!
He chewed quickly, wanting to savor the flavor, yet eager to swallow it down so he could take another bite.
Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu were no less enthusiastic in their eating.
For a while, the cave dwelling was filled with nothing but the sounds of the three enjoying their meal.
In the soul-nurturing pendant, Liao Pantao endured the torture of listening to them eat, desperately wanting to rush out, knock the three unconscious, and steal all the food for himself—along with his own portion.
Unfortunately, he knew he wasn’t strong enough to beat Lin Xiao.
Alas.
So, he could only wait until they finished eating and Lin Xiao, in a fit of generosity, remembered that he was still in the pendant, waiting patiently for his turn to eat.
Fortunately, Lin Xiao did remember Liao Pantao.
Halfway through his meal, he pretended to be full and wandered into the inner room. After setting up an isolation array, he took out the soul-nurturing pendant, let Liao Pantao out, and casually strolled back outside to finish the other half of his Banque bird.
In the inner room, Liao Pantao muttered to himself, "At least you have some conscience," as he quickly pulled out the portion of beggar’s ‘chicken’ that Jiang Youfu had given him earlier. He even neglected his foot tub, diving straight into the meal.
Once the three outside had eaten their fill, they sprawled lazily on the couch, soaking their feet and chatting about the day’s events.
After Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu had excitedly recounted their experiences at the Fu Master Conference, they noticed that Yuan Qing hadn’t said much about the event. They asked, "Didn’t you watch the conference today?"
Yuan Qing had indeed accompanied them to the event that morning, as he had volunteered to be their guide. Naturally, he couldn’t let them go alone when the Fu Master Conference officially began.
But after successfully getting them to a good spot near the front, Yuan Qing had left.
Yuan Qing shook his head and explained, "Today, I had a meeting with a close sect brother who happened to be on break. Since most people were at the Fu Master Conference, we had a chance to meet without being noticed."
Lin Xiao tilted his head and asked, "How is your situation progressing? Is there anything we can help with?"
Yuan Qing smiled and said, "It’s going alright. I’ve already troubled you both so much; I wouldn’t want to impose further. Don’t worry, it’s not too difficult to resolve. I just don’t know if I’ll be able to return to the Tianxuan Sect once it’s all over."
Jiang Youfu, confused, asked, "Why not? If you can clear your name and prove you were wronged, shouldn’t the sect welcome you back?"
Yuan Qing sighed, "If only it were that simple. The one who expelled me was my master. Even if I manage to expose my enemy and have him punished by the sect, my master won’t take me back.
He’s a man who values his reputation above all. The reason he punished me without hearing my side was because he thought I had embarrassed him. If he were to take me back, it would be like admitting he was wrong, and he’d never do that."
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