Chapter 14: Foodie

The old man listened, gave a cold smile, and asked, "Do you really want to give it a try?"

"I'm just saying, do you really think I'm crazy? I want to turn myself into neither male nor female," Zhan Ze said.

"Just like chronic poison, at first, it feels great, then slowly you can't get rid of it, and finally, you can't get out of it, you know! This is called backlash. When you delve into the Demon Domain, you want its power, it will in return use you, until you can't escape, completely control you. By then, you can't get rid of it if you want."

"But why do people in our Celestial Demon realm still do so?"

"Sometimes they have no choice, really no way out, they do it for the greater good."

"So you're not against it."

He Weng said: "I am firmly opposed to it."

"There will still be people who use this method to cultivate their martial arts!"

"Yes, indeed, but I advise against taking this path, it all comes at a cost."

"Is there anything that doesn't require a price? Just like we're now learning martial arts, slowly learning, don't we still waste plenty of time on this?"

"Ha-ha, waste!"

"Don't you think you've wasted too much time?" Zhan Ze said.

"Who taught you all this?" He Weng asked.

"Do I need to be taught? Just think carefully, and you'll know," Zhan Ze said.

"To practice martial arts, you need perseverance. On the surface, what you're training is the external bones and flesh, but also the mind, which you can't see, but is very important. Only when the mind is well trained, can it be considered a real success. If the mind is not cultivated and firm, you will often have thoughts like you do now, always wanting to take shortcuts. There are no shortcuts, only hard work."

"There must be better and faster ways."

"What better methods, and faster methods, are all made up by diligence, not by taking unusual paths."

"But some people, they just learn faster than others!"

"Indeed, some people are smarter, have a bit more talent, they indeed learn faster than others." He Weng continued: "But talent is not omnipotent, ultimately it comes back to how much effort you put in. Have you ever heard anyone say that someone became the Sect Leader because of their talent?""

"Not necessarily talent, method is also very important." Zhan Ze said.

"Method, are you saying my current method is terrible?"

Ye Chen laughed next to him.

"I didn't say that, you said that yourself."

"It seems I really have neglected you lately."

"What are you talking about, we're just discussing, just a simple discussion."

"Yeah, you're even better than the master."

"I never said that."

"I think you really think so," He Weng roared: "Start practicing now!"

He walked into the house.

Zhan Ze said: "Did you see? The old man, more and more like a little girl, can't speak, and turns into this state."

Ye Chen chuckled.

"Really, stubborn." Young Master Ze said.

"Start practicing quickly, we have to go pick up Yu Qing later." Ye Chen said.

"Hmm, but I need to change this sweaty shirt."

"Where's that girl, Shi Zi?"

"Didn't you fool her into the woods last night?"

Listening to this, Ye Chen chuckled and said, "I was planning on it, but Bi Chun showed up halfway, causing me to miss a good opportunity."

Zhan Ze said: "I wonder if she's awake now."

Ye Chen said: "I was nearly scolded by Bi Chun last night."

"What did she scold you for?"

"She said I got that girl drunk."

"That foodie is always like this." Zhan Ze suddenly called out: "Old man, today we're leaving early."

The old man said: "What's the matter now."

"Uncle Hu Nanyue and the others are coming today, we're going to pick them up."

"They're coming and you're going to pick them up, crap."

"Hey, old man, you're a master, speak decently, picking up crap, let's see you pick up crap." Zhan Ze continued: "Of course we must warmly welcome them."

"I really should have a good chat with your daddy."

"Hey, old man, don't be so absolute, you have any issues, just talk to me."

"Talk to you, I'm old, I can't control you."

"Hey, okay, I'll pick them up and make up for the lessons I missed next time, you won't tattle, snitching doesn't sound good."

"I'll see when I can let your daddy find a better master to teach you."

"Don't, really don't, I'll definitely get beaten if that happens, you can't be so merciless." Zhan Ze continued: "Today I really do have a very important person to pick up, very important."

He Weng gave a cold laugh.

Ye Chen was sitting on the ground, reading a book. After these few two hours, he also felt somewhat tired.

"It's almost noon now, and I still need to go back and change clothes." Zhan Ze said.

"Alright, let's go." He Weng yelled.

"Old man, I truly love you." Zhan Ze called Ye Chen along.

They first head back to get changed. Then they will go to Shi Zi's courtyard.

Zhan Ze muttered to himself, "That damn girl should not still be sleeping, right?"

Ye Chen asked, "Did you inform Hao Tian?"

"Of course, rest assured, Hao Tian and the others know what to do, they are watching Haoyu."

The two of them moved to Shi Zi's courtyard.

They saw Bi Chun.

"Where is Shi Zi? She's not still sleeping, is she?"

"Have the nerve to say, how much drink you made her consume last night."

"What, not much at all."

"Hehe, you dare to take her drinking."

"Heh, she wanted to drink herself." Zhan Ze said.

"If anything happens, how will you take responsibility?" Bi Chun said.

Zhan Ze looked at Ye Chen and said, "Has anything happened?"

Ye Chen quickly said, "Hey, girl, don't talk nonsense. I personally took her back to you last night, nothing happened."

Bi Chun snorted and said, "If I didn't see it, who knows."

Zhan Ze stared at her.

"Nothing happened. I just helped her. This damned girl, too wicked. Truly too wicked." Ye Chen began to worry, if Lao San heard this, it would be the end.

Zhan Ze chuckled and went towards Shi Zi's room, yelling, "The sun is overhead, girl, you better wake up quickly. We have to pick up people." He wished he could kick open the door.

"I thought they were only arriving in the afternoon!"

"Heh, who can guarantee their punctuality? Hurry up, or I'll kick your door down."

"Hey, that's a girl's room." Bi Chun said.

"I know." Zhan Ze went to the pavilion.

Ye Chen also followed.

"Find someone you like, have fun. How about Bi Chun?"

"Please forget about me. I just want to learn martial arts with peace of mind, grow up as soon as possible, and repay my mother."

The door creaked open, hair as if it were a newly built bird's nest. The sunlight fell on Shi Zi's face, squinting, not willing to open her eyes, as if she didn't want to get up.

"Despite us telling you not to drink, you still prove your bravado. Truly too stubborn, making it seem like you've suffered a breakup." Zhan Ze said.

Ye Chen said, "You have to explain properly to your girl, tell her that I didn't do anything to her."

"I don't even know how I got back last night."

Zhan Ze laughed upon hearing this.

Ye Chen became silent, saying, "Fine!"

"Did you do anything to me?"

"Next time, don't blame me if I leave you behind."

Zhan Ze said, "Ye Chen, say you like her."

"Hey, Zhan Ze, that's not how you play this." Ye Chen shouted, if Yuan Jingxing knew, it would be over.

"He is not my type. I won't like a cowherd."

"Your words are too hurtful." Zhan Ze said.

Ye Chen was speechless.

"Hurry up and get changed, do you want us to carry you there in a palanquin?"

"How long will it take for them to arrive?"

"Girl, please hurry up, it's already late. You slept till this late, you wish to sleep again. Do you wish to become a night owl?"

"Okay, I just need to wash my face and I'll go. Is that okay?"

Ye Chen looked around, the courtyard was quite good. It was a lot larger than where he lived.

"You're sure they arrive today." Shi Zi walked out of the room saying.

"Hurry up, everyone's waiting for you." Zhan Ze said impatiently.

"Aren't you going to eat something?" Bi Chun brought in some food from outside.

Shi Zi took a Grilled Sesame Seed Cake and said, "I'll eat more at Zhan Ze's courtyard later."

"Understood."

"If you're late, there won't be any food for you. " Ye Chen was at the door.

Bi Chun's boot almost flew at him.