For the four people of the Liu Sect Master's group, this meal was nothing short of torment.
Not only were they crowded together, but they also trembled at every glance or word from Uncle Jiu. Their behavior resembled that of a few lambs who had mistakenly wandered into a wolf's den.
"Taiping, young friend, thank you for the hospitality today. My friends and I were very satisfied with this meal," Uncle Jiu said, picking his teeth while patting Xu Taiping on the shoulder.
"Are you… really satisfied?" Xu Taiping asked, glancing at the still-crowded Liu Sect Master and his companions, unable to hold back his curiosity.
"Satisfied!"
"We're very satisfied!"
"Taiping, your cooking is truly remarkable!"
"Indeed, this roasted lamb is perfect in every aspect — color, aroma, taste, it's a rare delicacy!"
The four of them showered Xu Taiping with praise for his cooking, their words heartfelt and sincere.
"Satisfied... satisfied, then." Xu Taiping gave an awkward smile and nodded.
At the gate of the courtyard.
"Taiping, we've troubled you enough today, we should be on our way," Bai Hong smiled and said his goodbyes to Xu Taiping.
"No trouble at all, Uncle Bai. If you're free, feel free to visit often," Xu Taiping replied with a smile.
"And what about me?"
Suddenly, Uncle Jiu, still picking his teeth, leaned over.
"If you're coming, Uncle Jiu, it's best to come every two or three months. After all, this is my cultivation place, not a restaurant. Also, Uncle Jiu, your appetite is four or five times that of an ordinary person, so the meal charges will have to be adjusted…"
"Enough, enough, I don't care about your meal!" Uncle Jiu interrupted Xu Taiping, waving him off.
He then shot a cold glare at Liu Sect Master and the others, who were still there.
"What are you staring at? Get out! I never want to see you again!"
"Yes… yes!"
The four quickly fled.
"Bai Hong, let's go. We have things to do," Uncle Jiu said, seeing Xu Taiping and Bai Hong so friendly, and his face shifted to one of mild jealousy.
"Alright, Uncle Jiu." Bai Hong nodded to Uncle Jiu, then turned to Xu Taiping and said,
"Taiping, we're leaving. Stay here and focus on your cultivation. No one will disturb you. If I have free time in a few months, I'll come to see you again."
"Thank you, Uncle Bai, for bringing Uncle Jiu here to my small courtyard," Xu Taiping sincerely thanked Bai Hong with a bow.
To him, if it wasn't for Bai Hong, there was no way someone like Uncle Jiu would come to his small courtyard to have a meal. So, in his eyes, Uncle Jiu was just a guest, and Uncle Bai was the one truly deserving of thanks.
"Taiping, you might…"
"Bai Hong!"
Before Bai Hong could explain, Uncle Jiu interrupted him from behind.
"Stop delaying. We should leave."
Uncle Jiu gave Bai Hong a glare and, stepping onto his flying sword, soared into the air, creating a gust of wind that split the clouds apart.
"Uncle Jiu, wait for me."
Bai Hong flapped his wings and chased after him.
Meanwhile, a few dozen miles away in a mountain forest near Qingzhu Residence.
Slap!
Bang!
Xu Youzhi, the Lord of the Fierce Wind Hall, used both hands and feet to slap Left Ju and kick Zhou Gu.
"You two fools!"
He pointed at the two kneeling on the ground, scolding them loudly.
"If it weren't for Little Uncle's magnanimity, he wouldn't have bothered with you two. If this had happened before, you two would have long been dead!"
Liu Sect Master also glared viciously at the two.
"Liu Sect Master, Xu Hall Master, we'll never do it again! We're sorry!"
Both Left Ju and Zhou Gu knelt and begged for mercy.
"Liu Sect Master, do you think Little Uncle really won't pursue this matter?"
Xu Youzhi asked Liu Sect Master with some worry.
The implication was that if Little Uncle would still pursue the matter, these two couldn't be left alive.
"I observed carefully earlier. It seems that Xu Taiping isn't familiar with Little Uncle. He seems quite close to Bai Hong. I suspect that Bai Hong is using Little Uncle's reputation to intimidate us," Liu Sect Master pondered, frowning.
"So it was that bastard causing trouble!"
Xu Youzhi stomped his foot angrily, crushing a rock into dust.
"These two can be spared for now. Little Uncle wouldn't care about the life or death of an ordinary outer disciple. It was just a whim," Liu Sect Master finally decided.
"What about Bai Hong? Are we just going to let him go?"
Xu Youzhi asked.
"I've heard that Bai Hong is going to the Northern Territory's Wolf-Devouring Kingdom soon. He won't be back for at least three years, if not longer, and may even die there," Liu Sect Master muttered.
"Bai Hong has always been against us in the western mountain region, commanding the spiritual birds. If he dies in the Wolf-Devouring Kingdom, it would be a rare good thing for us," Xu Youzhi said greedily, his eyes glinting.
"Once Bai Hong leaves, his wife, Ye Que, will likely take over the leadership of the spiritual birds in the western mountains. But her cultivation is nowhere near his. Perhaps we can think of a way to bring her down, and when the time comes, the entire western mountain will fall under our control. Even if Bai Hong comes back alive, it will be too late for him to do anything," Liu Sect Master said, his eyes narrowing slyly as he looked at Xu Youzhi.
"Liu Sect Master, your idea is brilliant!"
Xu Youzhi grinned, pleased with the plan.