I run a casino in the immortal realm.

Heat oil in a wok, then sauté chopped scallions, ginger, and garlic until fragrant.

The marinated meat was put into the pot, and with a "sizzle", a rich aroma of meat instantly filled the kitchen.

With a flick of his wrist, Zheng Yifei quickly stir-fried the meat in the wok with an iron spatula, added soy sauce and spirit vegetables, and finally thickened it with a little cornstarch slurry. A plate of "Stir-fried Spirit Vegetables and Beast Meat" with perfect color, aroma and taste was ready to be served.

Next up is steamed mandarin fish. The fish is placed in a steamer, where the steam locks in the tenderness of the fish meat. After it's cooked, it's sprinkled with chopped green onions and drizzled with boiling hot oil to bring out the aroma of the green onions and the freshness of the fish.

Finally, he simmered a pot of rich bone broth with animal bones and stir-fried two light vegetarian dishes.

Four dishes and a soup were served on the Eight Immortals Table in the main room of the inner courtyard.

Just as Zheng Yifei finished setting out the bowls and chopsticks, Su Wanqing came out from the inner room.

She washed away the dust from her body and changed into the light blue dress that Zheng Yifei had bought for her.

Her hair was not tied up high with a hairpin as usual, but was casually draped over her shoulders, with a trace of moisture still clinging to the ends.

Without that sharp sword intent, she now possessed less of her aloofness and more of a gentle and graceful demeanor.

She looked at the steaming food on the table, smelling the enticing aroma, her eyes flickering slightly.

"Have a seat and try my cooking."

Zheng Yifei pulled out a chair.

Su Wanqing sat down, and Zheng Yifei served her a bowl of spirit rice and handed her a pair of bamboo chopsticks.

"This meat is from a second-tier Humming Beast. The quality is quite good. Eat more to replenish your strength. Thank you for cleaning such a large yard today."

Zheng Yifei picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and placed it in her bowl.

The sliced ​​meat is tender and juicy, with a rich, savory sauce. The fresh sweetness of the vegetables balances the greasiness of the meat, making it taste excellent.

"Is it tasty?"

Zheng Yifei sat opposite her and asked with a smile.

"Mmm, it's delicious."

Su Wanqing nodded, then shoveled another mouthful of rice into her mouth. She ate quietly, but quickly, clearly because she was really hungry.

Zheng Yifei took out a pot of ordinary spirit wine he had bought on the street from his storage ring, poured himself a cup, and poured one for Su Wanqing as well.

"This wine isn't strong; a little will help you relax."

The two clinked their glasses, the crisp sound of the porcelain echoing in the quiet room.

Outside the window, the moonlight, like water, filtered through the gaps in the leaves and spilled into the courtyard. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the locust tree.

The oil lamp on the table emitted a dim, warm light.

They didn't talk about the cruel class system in the Eastern Continent, the government's scheming, or how to break the deadlock tomorrow.

On this night, in this enclosed courtyard, they temporarily let down all their guard and pretense.

While drinking, Zheng Yifei casually recounted what he had seen on the street that day, talking about how stingy the old man at Baicaotang was and how rough the butcher at the market was at cutting meat.

Su Wanqing listened quietly, occasionally nodding or letting out a soft "hmm".

Her gaze was mostly fixed on Zheng Yifei's face, watching his vivid expressions under the light.

Back in the Southern Wilderness, she had grown accustomed to standing behind him, becoming the sharpest sword in his hand.

She watched him rise step by step from a lowly rogue cultivator to scheme against the Xuan Tian Sect, control the Tian Mo Sect, and finally bring them here.

She knew he harbored countless schemes and plans, and that he was a man who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

But at this moment, looking at the man sitting opposite her, dressed in an ordinary long gown, smelling of cooking oil, and rambling on about trivial matters of the city, Su Wanqing felt that this was the most authentic version of him.

The meal took a full hour.

The dishes on the table were eaten clean, and the pot of spirit wine was also emptied.

Su Wanqing's cheeks flushed slightly from the alcohol, and her eyes became somewhat unfocused.

"I'll clean it up."

After finishing his meal, Zheng Yifei stood up to clear the table.

"I'll do it."

Su Wanqing pressed his hand down.

Her hands were cold, but her fingers were long and strong, and the calluses from years of holding a sword gently rubbed against the back of Zheng Yifei's hands.

Zheng Yifei took her hand in return.

Su Wanqing did not struggle, but lowered her head slightly, her long eyelashes casting a shadow on her eyelids.

The room suddenly fell silent; only the sound of each other's breathing could be heard.

"Wanqing".

Zheng Yifei called her name softly.

"Um."

"The waters of the Eastern Divine Continent run deep, and there are many rules. The road ahead may be more difficult and dangerous than in the Southern Wilderness. It will be tough following me."

Su Wanqing raised her head and looked directly into Zheng Yifei's eyes. In those clear, cold eyes, there was no trace of confusion or hesitation, only a steadfast determination like a rock.

"I said that."

Su Wanqing grasped Zheng Yifei's hand in return, their fingers intertwined, and said in a soft but exceptionally clear voice, "Wherever you are, I am."

No need for vows of eternal love or extravagant declarations. These simple eight words are the most weighty promise a sword cultivator can make.

Zheng Yifei smiled, and gently pulled Su Wanqing into his arms.

Su Wanqing's body stiffened slightly, but she quickly relaxed, resting her head on his shoulder and listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat.

In this perilous and hierarchically structured new world, this small courtyard house and this simple dinner became their first real home on this unfamiliar continent.

Late at night.

Zheng Yifei blew out the oil lamp on the table.

The faint moonlight shone through the window and onto the floor. The two of them remained silent, simply enjoying this rare moment of peace and quiet.

Tomorrow, after the sun rises, they will put on their masks again and face the ruthless and powerful figures in Liuhua County.

But at least for this moment, they belonged only to each other.

The sun was high in the sky when the two of them got up.

Zheng Yifei sent a message to Ouyang Tian using a communication talisman, saying that the two of them had completed their identity registration and could freely enter and leave Liuhua County. Once things stabilized here, they would start raising money to help everyone move into the city. During this time, Su Wanqing would purchase some spiritual herbs and materials and send them back to the mountain stronghold for Zhao Ling to refine into pills.

Through his conversation with the registrar and his visits yesterday, Zheng Yifei discovered that the cultivators here value elixirs more than spirit stones, and top-grade elixirs are rare, at least in this county.

This gives Zhao Ling, a genius alchemist, a lot of room for development.

Liuhua County is located at a trade hub, where all kinds of spiritual materials and medicines can be bought as long as you have money. Zheng Yifei plans to open a treasure pavilion here to collect spiritual materials and medicines and sell pills, talismans, formations, magic weapons and treasures.

Because their team includes Zhao Ling, an alchemist; Ouyang Tian, ​​a fifth-order array master; Wang Changsheng and Xu Zhenghai, fourth-order array masters; Murong Hao, a fifth-order weapon refiner; and Xu Tianyang, although a sword cultivator, has certain attainments in talismans and is a third-order talisman master.

They are all top talents from the Southern Wilderness Region.

However, to open this treasure pavilion, the prerequisite is official backing; otherwise, it will be completely devoured by local forces.