Chapter 1709: A Foodie’s Lifelong Pursuit
Chapter 1709: Chapter 1709: A Foodie’s Lifelong Pursuit
Under the admiring and somewhat reverent gaze of the young priests, Han Yan and the others left the Feng City Temple.
"By the way, where is the Huayu Temple?" Han Yan suddenly asked.
"Just northwest of Mu Family Village, if you take the pathway behind Sunrise Peak, it’s about over six hundred miles away," Ye Yi’an said.
"So close, then I’ll accompany you back to Mu Family Village first, and then go to Huayu Temple," Sikong Qinglan, who obviously didn’t know where Mu Family Village was, much less that it was so close, said with delight upon hearing this.
Han Yan looked at Ye Yi’an in confusion. Mu Family Village was more than a thousand miles away from Feng City Temple, yet only six hundred miles from Huayu Temple, yet he specifically chose Feng City Temple, wasn’t this avoiding the nearest and opting for the farthest?
Thinking back to when Sikong Qinglan actively invited them to participate in the assessment at Huayu Temple, Ye Yi’an’s hesitation, Han Yan secretly speculated, could there be some hidden crisis within Huayu Temple that might be disadvantageous to her, which is why he chose the farther option.
But the decision was made now, the words had been spoken, and since Ye Yi’an didn’t oppose anymore, she found it inappropriate to go back on her word.
"Just wait for a moment, my carriage is still at the back," Sikong Qinglan said, and then sprinted towards the back of the temple.
Han Yan initially intended to ask about Huayu Temple, but seeing so many eyes around, she dismissed the idea for now.
Shortly after, Sikong Qinglan arrived driving the carriage to join the group. Seeing Sikong Qinglan’s carriage, Han Yan was slightly taken aback.
What kind of carriage is this, it’s clearly a cart! The old ox pulling the cart had cloudy eyes, was so skinny that you could see its bones, probably much older than Sikong Qinglan. The carriage itself was solid and sturdy, but the shafts and frames were extremely worn out, bearing all the marks of age and weather.
At this moment, Sikong Qinglan no longer had the ethereal and transcendent look of a Prayer Priest. He wore a coarse cloth robe riddled with patches, resembling the sun-beaten farmers from Mu Family Village, and even less neatly dressed than Mu Tu.
"I was worried about damaging the priest robe on the road, so I changed into other clothes." Noticing Han Yan’s slightly surprised expression, Sikong Qinglan felt a bit embarrassed, his face turning red.
"Oh, let’s head out then." Han Yan wasn’t too concerned.
Frugality is a virtue, being a priest, it’s normal to be a bit simple.
Originally, Han Yan intended to spend the night in Tianfeng City before heading out, but inadvertently offended several of the most prominent priests at Feng City Temple, causing turmoil and even rejecting the Master Priest’s goodwill. Han Yan was afraid of any further trouble and decided not to linger in Tianfeng City.
"How about we eat first before leaving?" Ling Baobao looked at Han Yan with pleading eyes.
To travel thousands of miles and taste all kinds of delicacies, this is the lifelong pursuit of Eldest Young Master Ling, the foodie.
"Alright, alright, let’s eat before we go," Mu Tu also echoed with bright eyes.
"Alright then," Mu Han nodded and said.
Eldest Young Master Ling only has this hobby, and she didn’t want to disappoint him. Besides, after days of tough rations on the road, Han Yan was a bit hungry.
Sikong Qinglan seemed like he wanted to say something but ultimately remained silent.
Tianfeng City’s prosperity was no less than the county cities of the Holy Court Continent. On arrival, Han Yan saw many restaurants. She was unfamiliar with the area and wasn’t a foodie, so she didn’t have much preference. She simply chose a restaurant that seemed appealing.
"Wouldn’t this restaurant be expensive?" Mu Tu said somewhat nervously as he looked at the grand and majestic hall upon entering.
"What’s there to fear, I have plenty of money." Ling Baobao said pompously, tossing several ingots of silver in his hand. Judging by his bulging pack, he probably had a lot more with him.
"Where did you get the money?" Han Yan asked him in surprise.
This guy often won bets alongside her on the Holy Court Continent and picked up quite a bit of money, but just like her, mostly in silver notes, so she wasn’t sure where he got so much silver tael.
"All given by the villagers." Ling Baobao said justifiedly.
"You, you actually tricked us into giving you so much money." Mu Tu said through gritted teeth.
"This can’t be called trickery; it was willingly given to me," Ling Baobao said indifferently.
"Hmph!" Mu Tu glared at Ling Baobao and didn’t bother with him anymore.
Han Yan shook her head secretly, no wonder the Mu clan hated Ling Baobao so much. If it were her, she’d probably want to beat him to death.
They picked a table by the window, ordered some dishes, and soon the food was served.
Though the customs and culture of the Divine Continent and Holy Court Continent aren’t too different, the Laws differ, which results in different produce and thus, variations in the cuisine. But as the saying goes, food is as vital as heaven, and this spread of dishes was still richly colored, fragrant, and delicious.
Apart from the various dishes, Ling Baobao also ordered a few jugs of good wine. Despite Mu Tu’s lingering grudge against Ling Baobao, once the food was on the table, he couldn’t stay angry anymore and joined Ling Baobao, the big foodie, in devouring the feast, with oil dripping from their lips while praising the delicious wine.
"Little Brother Bao, eat, eat, only in Tianfeng City can you find such good food. Once we return to Mu Family Village, there won’t be such treats." Mu Tu said while gnawing on meat.
"Brother Mu, dig in. Today it’s on me, don’t hold back, eat to your heart’s content." Ling Baobao said while devouring the food and drink like a whirlwind and patting Mu Tu’s shoulder.
"Little Brother Bao, you’re so generous, let’s drink." Mu Tu also put his arm around Ling Baobao’s shoulder and downed his drink in one gulp.
Han Yan and Ye Yi’an exchanged a glance, both a bit incredulous. One moment they were full of resentment, and then suddenly they were like brothers. The world of foodies is beyond comprehension.
"Lord Sikong, don’t stand on ceremony, eat." Noticing Sikong Qinglan’s throat occasionally moving, yet only occasionally picking up his chopsticks and looking rather reserved, Han Yan urged.
"Mm-mm, I’m full." Sikong Qinglan said.
"Full?" Han Yan looked at Sikong Qinglan with confusion, remembering he hadn’t touched his chopsticks much.
"I have a small appetite." Sikong Qinglan shyly added again.
Hearing him say this, Han Yan didn’t urge him further. She turned her attention away, and was startled.
In just the time it took to exchange a few words with Sikong Qinglan, half the dishes had vanished from the table.
Lady Mu didn’t dare lose focus anymore, she quickly picked up her chopsticks and started eating. Though she wasn’t a foodie like Ling Baobao, she couldn’t return with an empty stomach.
Beside her, Ye Yi’an didn’t hold back either and had already dug in fervently.
Han Yan glanced at him sympathetically. Having been on the Divine Continent for a thousand years, the old man probably hadn’t eaten anything decent for a long time and was likely famished.
With everyone’s jostling, especially the whirlwind devouring by Ling Baobao and Mu Tu, it didn’t take long for the table to be cleared.