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"Evil conquering!" cried a short figure wearing a mask, swiftly approaching.
"Run!" shouted Big Hilichurl, but alas, it was already too late.
A gust of wind swept by as the masked figure leaped through the air, their spear thrusting relentlessly...
In no time, chaos reigned on the ground; the entire Hilichurl army lay defeated.
Xiao glanced at the group and declared with icy aloofness, "When facing peril amidst the desolate wilderness or encountering bandits... call upon my name. I am Xiao, the mighty and illuminated three-eyed adepti!"
Lin Feng hurried forward, exclaiming, "Elder Immortal Xiao, thank you for your aid! I'll treat you to Almond Tofu!"
Just as Xiao was about to leave, hearing 'Almond Tofu' made him pause abruptly, turning to look at Lin Feng.
Lin Feng's heart swelled with delight - indeed, Almond Tofu still held immense allure for Xiao.
As Lin Feng moved closer, Xiao covered his face and warned, "Stay away... Don't hinder me!"
The caravan, coincidentally heading towards Wangshu Inn, maintained a safe distance behind Xiao. The journey remained remarkably peaceful, with not a single magic beast daring to approach.
However, this Xiao occasionally emitted eerie cries, causing unease among the caravan members who were unaware of the reason behind it; several times, they nearly panicked and wanted to flee.
Lin Feng, on the other hand, was well-prepared and remained unperturbed amidst their anxiety.
Soon, they arrived at the Wangshu Inn. The atmosphere here was bustling with activity, filled with diverse travelers, adventurers, and all sorts of people, yet there was a sense of harmony without any conflicts.
The caravan settled down below for refreshments and rest, but knowing that Xiao dislikes crowds, Lin Feng specifically invited him to dine upstairs.
"Boss, two plates of Almond Tofu and one Adeptus' Temptation!" Lin Feng ordered, smiling as he glanced at the menu.
Upon hearing "Adeptus' Temptation," the innkeeper's eyes immediately lit up, and he hurriedly relayed the order to the kitchen.
Xiao, upon hearing the mention of Adeptus' Temptation, no longer maintained his distance. This dish, made from rare ingredients, is highly nourishing even for ordinary individuals, helping them resist the karmic afflictions associated with Xiao's presence.
Shortly after, the Almond Tofu was served, and Lin Feng promptly urged Xiao to enjoy it.
Without hesitation, Xiao removed his mask, revealing his strikingly handsome features. Thankfully, Lin Feng wasn't Xingqiu - wait... Xingqiu's loyalty only extends towards Chongyun.
Swiftly, Xiao elegantly finished both plates of Almond Tofu. Zhongli didn't pay him much, so he couldn't afford to indulge in it often.
Additionally, Smiley Yanxiao frequently muttered about how difficult it was to serve someone as short as Xiao. Hmph, such disrespect towards an Adeptus! If not for his exceptional Almond Tofu, this immortal wouldn't have lingered here at all!
"Cough, cough! Boss, two more plates of Almond Tofu, please!" Lin Feng cleared his throat and called out to the owner, determined to maintain some dignity by ensuring Xiao had enough to eat!
Just as Xiao stood up, upon hearing Lin Feng's request, he promptly sat back down - not that it was due to any lingering thoughts on the Almond Tofu!
Lin Feng looked at him quizzically, but Xiao simply replied, "No worries, I was just stretching my legs!"
Soon, another two plates of Almond Tofu arrived, along with Lin Feng's Adeptus' Temptation. Naturally, rice accompanied the dishes.
"Elder Immortal Xiao, don't hesitate; if you need more, just let me know!" Lin Feng smiled, encouraging Xiao to enjoy the Adeptus' Temptation, aware that making friends while traveling is always beneficial.
Xiao nodded, barely glancing at the Adeptus' Temptation before reaching for the Almond Tofu with his chopsticks.
Noticing Xiao's lack of interest in Adeptus' Temptation, Lin Feng decided not to press further. Instead, he delicately picked up a piece, savoring this dish worth 100,000 Mora!
The enticing aroma filled his senses, urging him to inhale deeply. As Lin Feng took a bite, the flavors seemed to melt instantly on his tongue.
The blend of succulent shrimp and crab, paired with the subtle fragrance of matsutake mushrooms, harmonized perfectly by aged ham - it was a gastronomic delight beyond words.
The broth itself encapsulated the essence of these ingredients. With just one sip, its velvety smoothness enveloped his palate. Each lingering taste note left a lasting impression, evoking a dreamlike fascination.
Xiao observed Lin Feng's enraptured expression, feeling utterly unimpressed. To him, no worldly delicacy could surpass Almond Tofu. It reminded him of those fleeting moments between dreams...
Soon, their lunch concluded. Paying the bill still caused Lin Feng considerable heartache.
Downstairs, the caravan had also finished eating. Lin Feng joined them for the journey ahead, waving one last time at the figure atop the building.
Watching from afar, Xiao followed behind the departing group. He hadn't visited Mr. Zhongli recently, wondering what the scholar might have been up to lately.
***
Lin Feng accompanied the caravan to Liyue, where their connections with the Ministry of Civil Affairs swiftly helped him obtain necessary documents.
Subsequently, Lin Feng was lodged at the Feiyun Commerce Guild's inn, which also provided free meals three times a day. Indeed, having a wealthy friend brought unimaginable perks.
***
Xiao stood atop a rooftop, observing Zhongli below with his birdcage, a puzzled expression on his face.
After a series of deductions and imaginative leaps, Xiao concluded, "Lord Zhongli's actions must hold profound meaning..."
Zhongli, holding the birdcage, glanced up towards Xiao and nodded in acknowledgment.
Seeing this gesture, Xiao flushed immediately, unsure why he felt so flustered!
Zhongli quietly sat at a tea stall, sipping from his cup while listening intently to Tian Tiezui's eloquent storytelling.
"In those days, Liyue faced demonic invasions, with vicious dragons lurking in the mountains. Rex Lapis gathered all celestial beings to restore peace and order to the world. Legend has it, before embarking on his campaign, the Emperor declared..."
Zhongli was captivated, reminiscing about his lost youth...
***
Back at the inn, Lin Feng pondered repeatedly on how to promote his cell phones. However, images of being robbed by the Treasure Hoarders kept resurfacing in his mind.
Such humiliation was unbearable for him. After much deliberation, he decided that seeking revenge should be his top priority.
"Treasure Hoarders: scavenger, alchemist, brawler, grave digger... Grave digger!" Lin Feng muttered under his breath, his eyes suddenly lighting up with realization.
He recalled reading a Genshin Impact fanfic where the introduction of funeral money led to the decline of the Treasure Hoarders, who relied on grave-robbing and treasure hunting for their livelihood.
A faint smile played on Lin Feng's lips. Hmph, daring to cross me won't end well for you!
Being a man of action, once his plan was set, he promptly headed towards the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. After all, this establishment had a long-standing reputation in Liyue, already spanning seventy-seven generations by Hu Tao's time!
***
Hu Tao returned from Madame Ping's residence, visibly disheartened. "Oh, come on! Why is she so stubborn? I was genuinely trying to care for her..."
As she approached, she spotted Lin Feng at the entrance of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, peering inside with suspicious eyes.
"Is he attempting to steal coffins from my funeral parlor? Well, meeting me now will surely give him a scare!" Hu Tao thought, stealthily tiptoeing behind Lin Feng.