Chapter 515 - 294: Obtaining Another Demon Technique, Mass Conscription
Chapter 515: Chapter 294: Obtaining Another Demon Technique, Mass Conscription
"Mr. Zeng, it’s been a while."
Lin Changheng welcomed him in with a smile.
Chef Zeng’s entire demeanor was completely different now. He had an air of high spirits, yet a hint of frustration flickered in his eyes, which struck Lin Changheng as odd.
"Brother Lin! I’ve come to trouble you again!"
As a Son-in-Law, Chef Zeng was clearly exceptionally gifted, both in terms of his Spirit Root and his Skills. However, he was, after all, of a different surname, and a barrier still existed between him and the Huang Family’s core of power.
But during the Huang Family’s recent crisis of annihilation, Chef Zeng had single-handedly taken risks to rally support. Everyone in the Huang Family saw his efforts. Even a member of their own clan couldn’t have done better. His sense of belonging and his meritorious service were plain for all to see!
Furthermore, Alchemist Lin, whom he had introduced and recruited as a Tributor, had also played a huge role in the clan’s battles, and his status and standing continued to rise.
As a result, the connection between the Huang Family and Alchemist Lin rested on Chef Zeng’s shoulders, making him a crucial linchpin! The Huang Family had previously tried to change this situation by sending their own core members to contact Alchemist Lin, but they failed to achieve the desired results and had to give up.
Because of all this, Chef Zeng had now firmly established his footing within the clan and entered the true inner circle.
This explained his high spirits, but where did the frustration come from?
"Please, sit."
Lin Changheng didn’t feel it was his place to pry, as it might concern Chef Zeng’s private affairs. With a wave of his hand, a Silver-White Puppet brought over cups of tea.
"I’ve finally finished collecting the Essence Blood. It could have been done faster, but an Elder from the Purple Extreme Sect used the greater good as a pretext to forcibly buy some of it. At first, we were wondering how he knew we had the Red-eyed Fire Demon, but then we figured the previous owner must have leaked the information."
"Still, I’m glad it didn’t delay your business, Brother Lin."
Chef Zeng took out the carefully packaged and sealed Essence Blood, pushing it toward Lin Changheng with his Magical Power, while not forgetting to offer an explanation.
"Good things come to those who wait."
Lin Changheng inspected the Red-eyed Fire Demon Essence Blood on the spot. After confirming the quantity was correct, he gave a magnanimous smile, unconcerned.
The two continued to chat for a while until Yan Mingyi emerged from the back hall. With a lovely smile, she announced that the banquet was ready and invited them to be seated.
"How could I impose? To trouble Fairy Yan to cook personally, I... I..."
Chef Zeng scratched his head, waving his hands in refusal.
Lin Changheng just smiled without saying a word, and Yan Mingyi picked up the conversation, "Mr. Zeng was our neighbor years ago. We were quite close. Later, you even acted as a go-between, allowing my husband to become the Huang Family’s Honored Guest Elder, which brought us even closer. We’ve been in frequent contact ever since!"
She paused, her smile gentle and tinged with a perfectly measured bit of self-deprecation. "Don’t be fooled by the progress in my Cultivation; making Spiritual Food is a passion of mine. Besides, what I’ve prepared today is just a simple home-cooked meal with ingredients from our own island. If you refuse again, Mr. Zeng, you’ll be treating us like strangers. Or could it be that you find my Skills as a Spirit Chef to be subpar?"
Upon hearing this, Chef Zeng shook his head repeatedly. "Fairy Yan, you exaggerate, you exaggerate! It is I, old Zeng, who was being pedantic! In that case, I’ll be shameless and impose on your hospitality!"
Lin Changheng watched from the side, a look of approval in his eyes. ’Yan Mingyi’s way of handling people and situations is becoming more and more thoughtful and proper. With her taking care of these trivial matters, I can focus more on my Cultivation.’
"Alright, Mr. Zeng, it’s a heartfelt gesture from Mingyi, so let’s not stand on ceremony. Please, come to the table. Let’s taste her cooking and see how it compares to the old days," Lin Changheng said with a smile, rising to personally lead Chef Zeng to the dining hall.
In the hall, a Jade Table was already set with several exquisite Spiritual Dishes. Though not extravagant, they were fragrant and brimming with lively Spiritual Energy, clearly prepared with great care.
The atmosphere was harmonious, and both guest and hosts were delighted.
After a few cups of Spirit Wine, Lin Changheng finally learned the root of the frustration on Chef Zeng’s face.
The Huang Family had recently received a conscription order from the Purple Extreme Sect, demanding they dispatch two Foundation Establishment Cultivators and twenty Qi Cultivation Middle and Late Stage Cultivators to the Jin Country to join the war!
The Huang Family dared not refuse directly. They simply sent gifts to the Messenger and inquired about the real situation.
The other party accepted the gifts, and as expected, their attitude softened. They then hinted at the truth:
The Purple Extreme Sect had invested heavily in the Song-Jin Battlefield. Even "High Tier Cultivators" from within the sect were personally heading to the front lines, leading the charge. None of the Foundation Establishment Clans under their command could even think of staying out of it.
And although this term, "High Tier Cultivator," was vague, the Huang Family could clearly tell that it likely referred to Core Formation Cultivators.
In this situation, the Huang Family truly didn’t dare to refuse. If they angered the Purple Extreme Sect, they would be branded with the crime of "disregarding the greater good of the nation." No one could withstand such an accusation, especially since the Purple Extreme Sect held absolute military power.
"So you just have to obey?"
Lin Changheng asked, cupping his chin.
"When you’re under someone else’s roof, you have to bow your head. Heh, all for the greater good."
Chef Zeng spread his hands and gave a wry smile.
"The greater good, the greater good..."
Lin Changheng poured himself a cup of wine and took a sip.
...
After seeing Chef Zeng off, Lin Changheng went straight to his Secluded Meditation Chamber.
He took out all the Essence Blood and began Spirit Stealing.
’As long as I have an endless supply of Essence Blood, there’s no limit to my growth!’
’If, one day, the hat of "the greater good" is forced upon my head, I have to have the strength to deal with it!’
’As long as the top powers care about face, they might maintain a superficial sense of order and harmony. But once they tear off all pretenses, or if the stakes are high enough, everything will revert to the primitive law of the jungle: the weak are meat for the strong.’
’At that point, all the Cultivators in the world would be nothing but fish on a chopping block!’