Chapter 215: Lingxian Dining Seat
Under the sunlight, the emerald green grapes looked incredibly tempting.
Beneath the grape trellis stood a set of wooden tables and chairs that were clearly crafted by Old Man Lin. On the table was a dish so tantalizing that just a glance could make anyone's mouth water.
Beside the grape trellis hung a large wooden sign with the words: "Lingxian Dining Seat."
Below the large sign was a smaller wooden sign, indicating the price: one hundred taels of silver. Next to it was a small hand-woven bamboo basket, evidently meant for placing silver coins.
People gathered around the trellis, curiously examining it while discussing it with those nearby.
A bold individual, seeing that no one else was stepping forward, decided to approach and see what it was all about. However, as he tried to step into the trellis area, he found himself blocked by an invisible, solid wall. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't move forward.
Seeing this, the crowd was even more astonished.
One literate visitor pointed to the small bamboo basket and said, "Perhaps you need to deposit one hundred taels to enter."
Among the onlookers, several wealthy tourists eyed the dish on the table under the grape trellis, which looked incredibly delicious. After another glance at the "Lingxian Dining Seat" sign, they were tempted.
But before they could act, a short, stout middle-aged man, dressed in luxurious attire, stepped forward. He approached the bamboo basket and gestured to a servant behind him.
The servant brought forward a bundle of silver, handing it to the stout man.
Someone in the crowd recognized him as the well-known wealthy merchant, Lord Ma of Anqun County.
Lord Ma was famous not just for his wealth but also for being a gourmet. He spared no expense in his pursuit of fine cuisine, hiring the best chefs from all over the country.
At this moment, Lord Ma tentatively placed the bundle of silver into the small bamboo basket. Initially, he thought it might not fit, but to his surprise, it slid in effortlessly.
Satisfied, Lord Ma confidently stepped into the trellis area, unimpeded.
His servant, seeing this, tried to follow but was stopped by the same invisible barrier, leaving him with the rest of the onlookers to watch his master enjoy the meal.
What the crowd didn't know was that, hidden behind a nearby haystack, three young members of the Lingxian Sect were using concealment techniques to observe the scene by the grape trellis.
Liu Yunan whispered to Tie Tou and Jiang Youfu, "Elder Liao's idea really is brilliant."
The three of them had delayed their cultivation today to see how people would react to their "Lingxian Dining Seat."
Hearing this, Jiang Youfu and Tie Tou nodded in agreement.
They hadn't expected someone to actually bring a hundred taels of silver. They had been worried the food wouldn't sell today and were considering disguising themselves to act as decoys.
Lord Ma sat at the table under the grape trellis. Glancing back and seeing his servant left outside, he was quite pleased with this private space that no one else could enter. He thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of dining alone while everyone watched. He was in high spirits.
As he prepared to eat, he realized there were no chopsticks on the table. He paused for a moment, thinking that perhaps immortals didn't use chopsticks...
But being an experienced gourmet, he quickly adapted. The next moment, he pulled out a pair of gold-inlaid jade chopsticks from a pouch at his waist and began to savor the fragrant dish before him.
Meanwhile, the three hidden observers quietly whispered to each other:
"Oh no, we forgot to put out chopsticks!"
"I thought you put them out."
"Wasn't it your job to set the table? I assumed you did."
"We'll have to remember that for next time."
…
Back at the table, Lord Ma took a bite of the dish, closed his eyes, and gently chewed. Suddenly, his eyes flew open, sparkling with delight as he gazed at the dish.
Delicious!
Absolutely exquisite!
He felt as though all the so-called gourmet food he had eaten over the past decades was nothing compared to this dish. His tongue almost leaped out of his mouth!
Because Lord Ma had a particularly sensitive palate, his standards for food were much higher than most people's. This made him appreciate the subtle, incredible flavors in Jiang Youfu's cooking far more than others might.
He quickly took another bite, then another, shoveling the food into his mouth.
Before long, the plate was empty. Lord Ma felt a profound sense of loss as his tongue suddenly missed the flavors it had just experienced. A deep wave of disappointment washed over him as he lazily leaned back in his chair, not wanting to speak.
His eyes lingered on the plate, now empty except for a bit of sauce. After a moment of internal struggle, his desire for more overcame his pride. He lifted the plate and began licking the remaining sauce.
The onlookers were stunned.
Was this really the famous gourmet Lord Ma of Anqun County, who had tasted countless delicacies? Could this dish truly be so good that it made a man of his stature lick the plate?
Suddenly, everyone's curiosity about the "Lingxian Dining Seat" grew even stronger.
After licking the plate clean, Lord Ma reluctantly put it down, then left the grape trellis and hurried towards the foot of North Mountain, with his servant in tow.
Curious onlookers followed him, wanting to see what he would do next.
Liu Yunan and the other two quietly followed as well.
Most of the crowd remained at the grape trellis, with some stepping forward to test it themselves. However, finding that they still couldn't enter, they eventually dispersed.
That day, the hot topic in Shushui Village was all about the "Lingxian Dining Seat."
Meanwhile, at the foot of North Mountain, Lord Ma had run to the entrance of the Ask Heart Path. Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees, kowtowing in the direction of the mountain and loudly shouting:
"I, Ma Changlong, humbly beg the Immortal Sect to take me in!"
"I, Ma Changlong, humbly beg the Immortal Sect to take me in!"
"I, Ma Changlong, humbly beg the Immortal Sect to take me in!"