Chapter 93: Su Yao’s Request

The two of them chatted casually as they hoisted the remaining pig demons onto the roasting rack, taking their time with the process.

Every so often they’d toss in some extra firewood; the wood crackled and popped, and the flames surged higher.

Before long, they sprinkled on a special mix of seasonings, finishing off a roast pig that looked deceptively simple but tasted sublime.

The golden skin was perfectly crisp, the inside juicy and tender, the aroma so rich it floated away on the breeze, drifting farther and farther.

Xie Jinxuan rubbed his hands together, breathed out for warmth.

“Here you go, Brother Xiaoyao. Be careful, it’s hot.” Xie Jinxuan, clearly excited, tore off both front legs and handed one to Gu Xiaoyao.

Gu Xiaoyao reached out and took the pork leg, about to take a bite.

“Jinxuan, you should go first.” He paused and looked at Xie Jinxuan.

“No need to stand on ceremony, you eat first,” Xie Jinxuan said with a small smile.

“No, you went to all this trouble for our roast tonight. You should have the first bite.” Gu Xiaoyao shook his head, refusing.

The simple gesture warmed Xie Jinxuan’s heart. He knew Gu Xiaoyao’s kindness was genuine.

“It’s delicious. Xiaoyao, you have to try.” Xie Jinxuan stopped arguing and tore into his pork leg, singing its praises.

Only then did Gu Xiaoyao bite into his own, savoring the flavors and realizing it was unlike any roast pork he’d tasted before.

They chatted as they ate, the atmosphere relaxed and easy.

Suddenly, a strong wind whipped through, sending leaves tumbling from the trees.

Before them, four striking figures appeared on the clearing.

Their hands froze mid-bite, both staring dumbly at Su Yao and the others, unable to move.

For a moment, time seemed to stop; the air grew thick with tension.

All four groups stared at one another. No one dared speak to break the awkward silence.

At last, Su Yao took the lead and spoke up, breaking the deadlock.

“Fancy running into you two here. My sisters and I have been searching for you so long and you were just on the mountain right in front of us.” Su Yao smiled at them, her eyes twinkling.

Her gaze drifted to the roast pork at their feet and she teased, “Oh my, so you two are eating well! Looks delicious.”

Snapping out of it, Gu Xiaoyao held out his pork leg to Su Yao, a little flustered. “Um… Miss, would you like to try? It’s fresh off the fire. Still hot.”

Su Yao smiled softly, took the leg, and took a light bite. She chewed with care, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

“It really is tasty. Sisters, you have to try this too.” Su Yao handed the pork leg to her sisters behind her.

A sudden thought made Gu Xiaoyao scratch his head, embarrassed. “I almost forgot, Miss, you’re originally from the Monster Race. Maybe you don’t eat pig demons?”

Su Yao chuckled, settling beside Gu Xiaoyao. “You’re overthinking. Us Heavenly Foxes aren’t picky at all when it comes to food.”

“Ah, I see. I was worried for nothing.” Gu Xiaoyao laughed and went back to adding firewood under the roast.

……

Su Yao had never imagined she’d someday open a restaurant so far from home.

Here, she tasted flavors she’d never experienced and even found herself doubting her own cooking skills.

The little bit of pride she once had was nothing out here.

There’s always someone more talented out there, always another mountain taller. Today, she finally realized just how much she’d been missing.

Curious and eager, Su Yao asked Gu Xiaoyao about the seasonings he used for roasting. Gu Xiaoyao, looking relaxed, explained it was more than just cumin and pepper. He also used litsea cubeba, bay leaves and evodia.

“I know the first three,” Su Yao blinked wide-eyed at Gu Xiaoyao. “But what’s litsea cubeba and evodia? I’ve never even heard of those.”

“They’re spices I found on my travels. Both are really unique and add a ton of flavor to food.” Gu Xiaoyao smiled at her. “Litsea cubeba comes from the south and has a special scent that removes any gamey taste and boosts freshness. Evodia’s a kind of medicinal herb—it can warm the body and adds a spicy kick.”

Su Yao listened, entranced, her eyes shining with admiration and envy.

“You’re really quite knowledgeable, finding such amazing ingredients.” Su Yao looked at Gu Xiaoyao, her curiosity piqued. “How did you ever discover them?”

“I’ve loved food since I was a kid,” Gu Xiaoyao said fondly, eyes growing distant. “I’d always search for new ingredients and spices. One time, I found a grove of litsea cubeba trees on a mountain, all loaded with fruit. I picked one, tried it, and was hooked by the taste.”

“After that, I brought some home and began experimenting. After many tries, I found it’s best used for roast pork!” Gu Xiaoyao paused his fire-tending.

Spellbound, Su Yao asked, “What about evodia? How did you find that one?”

“You’ll find everything you’re looking for on the other side of this mountain. Both those plants grow everywhere. I’ll take you to see them in a bit.” Gu Xiaoyao pointed to the nearby mountain with a smile.

“Sounds good, I’ll be in your care then.” Su Yao nodded and sat down.

Gu Xiaoyao noticed Su Yao’s three sisters still standing awkwardly.

“Ladies, don’t just stand there. There’s plenty of space here,” he said, patting the ground beside him. “Come sit and enjoy some of this roast with us.”

The three sisters shuffled over, taking their seats beside Gu Xiaoyao.

As they sat, seeing Gu Xiaoyao’s bare chest, handsome face and strong muscles, their cheeks turned bright red.

“Don’t stare! This is so embarrassing,” they mumbled, covering their faces, unable to look his way.

Hearing their whispers, Gu Xiaoyao paused, rolling his eyes. “Funny. When you were ripping my shirt off earlier, you weren’t shy at all! Why so bashful now?”

“Brother Xiaoyao’s right. For proper young ladies,” Xie Jinxuan piped up, looking over for the first time from his food, “that’s a pretty bold thing to do. Not exactly demure of you.”

Gu Xiaoyao glanced at Xie Jinxuan, grinning. “Wow, didn’t expect the stone-faced scholar to say that. I always took you for a total bookworm!”

Xie Jinxuan just shot him a look, ignored the teasing, and went back to eating.

“Uh… gentlemen, if we said we had no choice, would you believe us?” Su Wan turned away shyly and scratched her cheek, embarrassed.

Su Qin agreed, “She’s right. We really had no other option—but in the end, we didn’t even succeed, did we?”

“It’s all water under the bridge.” Gu Xiaoyao shook his head at them. “If you don’t dig in, it won’t taste as good when it’s cold.”

“True. You should eat while it’s hot,” Su Yao agreed with a nod.

Gu Xiaoyao casually tore off a few more pieces of meat, gently placing them in the sisters’ hands.

The three sisters took the meat with care, tasting it gingerly at first.

But as soon as they did, their eyes lit up. The meat sent little tingles across their tongues, rich with flavor and wondrously chewy.

Enchanted by the taste, manners forgotten, they dove in ravenously.

……

The group sat around the campfire, grilling meat while Xie Jinxuan made sure every piece got perfectly golden and crisp. Everyone’s eyes stayed glued to the roasting meat, anticipation in the air.

Soon, Xie Jinxuan took the lead by grabbing a bite with his chopsticks. After a few chews, he savored the flavors. The others quickly followed, and before long, the whole platter was gone.

Su Yao watched the way they ate and couldn’t stop giggling.

Noticing Su Yao laughing, Xie Jinxuan grinned along with her.

“Take it easy, ladies. Leave some for me!” he laughed as he tried to shield his portion from the group.

But as Su Yao and her sisters kept joking around, every last piece vanished from the grill. Gu Xiaoyao and Xiao Changfeng stared, dumbfounded, not even sure what had happened.

“So, have you thought about what we discussed before?” Su Yao asked, noticing their lost expressions.

“Uh… Miss, what was that again?” Both Gu Xiaoyao and Xie Jinxuan scratched their heads, trying to cover their embarrassment.

……………

“Big Sis, something’s wrong! Sixth Sister’s getting weaker and weaker—what should I do?” Su Yao’s face went stiff as Su Xue’s anxious voice sounded in her head.

“No—something’s happened to Xiaoxiao!” In a flash, Su Yao’s face changed, and she shot upright.

The sisters, who had just been joking moments before, froze when they heard the news, panic in their voices. “Big Sis, what should we do now?”

“There’s no other way, it’s now or never—we’ll explain later.” Su Yao’s expression turned resolute.

She raised her hand, her wrist twisting to summon a whirlwind that enveloped them all. Gu Xiaoyao and Xie Jinxuan suddenly realized they were suspended in the air, caught completely off guard.

Their eyes went wide as they took in the bizarre scene, feeling as if they’d been whisked into another world.

Just as Gu Xiaoyao tried to speak, darkness swallowed his vision and he fainted.

In that final instant before he lost consciousness, he could’ve sworn he saw a fleeting hint of coldness in Su Yao’s eyes.

Xie Jinxuan also felt the dizzy spell take over. He reached out in vain, unable to grab hold of anyone, and was dragged down into blackness.

Dread and confusion welled up inside him, but there was no resisting the force at work.

As Su Yao watched them both fall, her heart was filled with helplessness.

She transformed into a gust of wind, carrying them away from that place.