Chef God of the Wuxia and Fantasy World

"No rush," Ling Chi said with a smile. "We have plenty of time."

"..."

When Gu Ducheng went to inform Duan Zhengchun, Azi tugged at Ling Chi's clothes: "You've already met my father?"

“I have indeed met him.” Ling Chi nodded. “It happened two years ago. I never imagined that he was your and A Zhu’s biological father. What a coincidence.”

"Damn it! My sister and I have suffered so much over the years, while they're all happily boating on the lake, so lovey-dovey!" Azi gritted her teeth, really wanting to throw two poisonous centipedes at the two scoundrels.

"Azi," Qiao Feng comforted her, "Don't be sad, I'm here for you."

Azi looked at Qiao Feng, who was two heads taller than her, and gently punched him: "You big oaf, you actually said such sweet words. I underestimated you."

Qiao Feng scratched his head: "I speak from the heart, not with flowery words."

"I know." Seeing his embarrassed look, Azi's anger disappeared. She nestled in his arms and laughed, "I was just teasing you."

"Hehe...hehe..." Qiao Feng chuckled foolishly, and the two of them exuded a sour, sweet smell of love.

so good!

Azhu and Abi looked at them with envy, wishing they could have that kind of love too.

……

"What!?" Duan Zhengchun and Ruan Xingzhu's expressions changed drastically upon hearing Gu Ducheng's report. They turned to look at the red-clad and purple-clad girls on the shore, and indeed, their features bore a resemblance to Ruan Xingzhu.

"Quick! Get to shore!" Ruan Xingzhu almost burst into tears: "Daughter, daughter is back."

Duan Zhengchun immediately began to row quickly, propelling the small boat toward the shore.

Ruan Xingzhu jumped ashore impatiently. Xiao Pao went to A Zhu and A Zi and asked excitedly, "Are you... really my children?"

"Ah Xing, slow down." Duan Zhengchun ran over, but when he saw Ling Chi, his expression changed immediately: "You..."

"Your Highness, it's been a long time." Ling Chi chuckled, "I still remember how generous Your Highness was back then!"

Duan Zhengchun's face twitched violently a few times, and he chuckled dryly: "Hehe, I didn't expect to meet Young Master Ling today. I have to thank Young Master Ling for his cut cake, which saved Tianlong Temple in Dali from a predicament."

"Oh?" Ling Chi asked, "Is Tianlong Temple in danger?"

"Don't worry, Young Master Ling, it's all over now." Duan Zhengchun clasped his hands and said, "We'll talk about this later. These two girls, could they be..." Duan Zhengchun looked at A'Zhu and A'Zi.

"Azhu, Azi, take out your gold lockets!" Ling Chi said to the two women.

The two women nodded and took out their respective gold lockets from their bosoms.

Ruan Xingzhu excitedly took it, and when she saw the words on it, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably: "You...you really are my poor daughters, sob sob sob..."

"The mother and daughter reunited so quickly?" Ling Chi said, "I thought I'd have to show you the Duan character on your shoulder before I'd believe it!"

Ruan Xingzhu's tears flowed even faster, and Duan Zhengchun felt extremely guilty: "Alas! It's all my fault that my daughters have suffered for over a decade. You... are you called Azhu and Azi?"

The two girls nodded. Although they harbored a lot of resentment towards their parents, they cast aside all their resentment when they actually faced them.

"Good, good. Seeing you all grow up healthy, I'm relieved." Duan Zhengchun wiped away his tears and said, "I will make it up to you in the future."

“No need for compensation,” Azhu said. “Actually, my sister and I came to you just to find out who our parents are. Now that we’ve met you, we feel at ease. We have our own lives to live from now on, and we don’t want to be disturbed unless absolutely necessary.”

"What!?" Duan Zhengchun and Ruan Xingzhu were shocked. Ruan Xingzhu didn't even bother to wipe away her tears and hurriedly asked, "Why? Do you still hate Father and Mother?"

“I used to hate you, but I don’t hate you anymore after seeing you all.” A’Zhu smiled and said, “Because my sister and I are doing very well now, and we have each found our own happiness.”

As she spoke, A'Zhu nestled against Ling Chi's shoulder, and A'Zi snuggled back into Qiao Feng's arms.

"You!?" Duan Zhengchun and Ruan Xingzhu looked at their two daughters, Ling Chi, and Qiao Feng in shock.

"Ahem!" Qiao Feng clasped his hands and said, "I am Qiao Feng of the Beggar Clan. I greet my father-in-law and mother-in-law."

Ling Chi glanced at A Zhu and saw a hint of longing in her eyes. He couldn't help but smile slightly, clasped his hands, and said, "I am different from Brother Qiao. I am just an unknown nobody, but I will take care of A Zhu for the rest of my life. Father-in-law and mother-in-law, please rest assured."

Duan Zhengchun: "..."

Ruan Xingzhu: "..."

Chapter Seventy-Two or Three Things

Inside the pavilion by Xiaojing Lake, Duan Zhengchun, Ruan Xingzhu, Ling Chi, Qiao Feng, A Zhu, and A Zi sat around a table, toasting each other and sharing their innermost feelings.

Abi didn't want to be a third wheel; instead, she took the initiative to row her small boat and go fishing. She had grown up in Yanziwu on Taihu Lake, and this small mirror-like lake wasn't far from Yanziwu, also within Suzhou's territory, easily accessible by boat. Returning to familiar surroundings made Abi very happy, and she also longed to go back to Yanziwu for a visit.

Although Murong Fu had already given her to Ling Chi, she still wanted to see how Murong Fu was doing now, and how the people in the manor were all.

Now that A'Zhu has found her biological parents, and her father is even the Prince of Zhennan in Dali, she finally has someone to rely on. In contrast, she is all alone and helpless. When people are lonely, they always miss home. Being in Taihu Lake, she really wants to go back and see the people of Canhezhuang.

Abi's loneliness went unnoticed for the time being. The meal prepared by Ling Chi himself whetted everyone's appetite. These were just ordinary white dishes and did not win over anyone's stomach, but their deliciousness had already drawn praise from everyone. Moreover, the more they ate, the more energetic they became, and the more they drank, the more enthusiastic they became.

"You lad, although you're not famous, your cooking skills are truly unparalleled in the world," Duan Zhengchun exclaimed. "Moreover, it leaves people feeling energized and even restores their internal energy. If you were here, Dali could rival the world."

"Let's forget about it!" Ling Chi said. "Buddhism is prevalent in Dali, the people have no will to fight, and they have already submitted to the Song Dynasty. Let's just be a peaceful local emperor in a corner of the country! Let's not cause bloodshed."

Duan Zhengchun smiled slightly: "That's true. Being an emperor is nothing compared to being a peaceful and wealthy man. Sigh! If only I weren't a prince, I could take Ah Xing and live a carefree and happy life together."

"What are you saying in front of the children?" Ruan Xingzhu was a little shy, but she couldn't hide the smile lines at the corners of her eyes.

Seeing how well Duan Zhengchun and Ruan Xingzhu got along, A'Zhu and A'Zi were happy for them. Although Ruan Xingzhu could never become a princess, being a prince's concubine was a hundred or a thousand times better than being an ordinary woman. Ruan Xingzhu herself was happy with it, so what else could they say?

Ling Chi chuckled and said, "Father-in-law, I must remind you that you have too many romantic entanglements. Be careful that your home may be in turmoil later."

These words left Duan Zhengchun quite embarrassed, and he feigned anger: "You brat, you're meddling in my business now!"

"I don't want to interfere in your affairs; I'm only thinking of my mother-in-law," Ling Chi said. "Because I don't want A Zhu to suffer any injustice."

A Zhu looked at him with incredibly tender eyes, and Ruan Xingzhu's goodwill towards him also increased dramatically. She smiled and said, "Don't worry! He will treat me very well."

Duan Zhengchun held her hand and said with deep affection, "Ah Xing understands me best."

Ruan Xingzhu: "..."

"..."

Ling Chi coughed lightly and asked, "Father-in-law, how is your son doing?"

Which pot does not open which pot.

Ruan Xingzhu's eyes were filled with resentment, and Duan Zhengchun cursed inwardly, feeling extremely embarrassed: "Ahem, since returning from her trip two years ago, I don't know what kind of stimulation she received, but she has started to practice martial arts diligently, and she has made great progress in the past two years."

"That's good." Ling Chi smiled and pressed on, "Didn't my father-in-law say that my cut cake helped Tianlong Temple get out of trouble? What exactly happened?"

"I really have to thank you for this, young man." Duan Zhengchun's face was full of relief: "After you left Dali that year, a Tibetan monk named Kumārajīva came to Tianlong Temple. He said he wanted to see the Six Meridians Divine Sword of Dali, but he actually wanted to steal the sword manual. But this Tibetan monk was very powerful. His Flaming Blade was no less powerful than the Six Meridians Divine Sword. Even Master Kurong and the four great monks couldn't defeat him."

"Ah!?" Qiao Feng exclaimed in surprise, "I have long admired Master Kurong and the four great monks of Tianlong Temple. The five of them joined forces but could not defeat Kumārajīva?"

“It’s not that we can’t, but that we dare not!” Duan Zhengchun sighed. “Kumārajīva is the national protector monk of the Tubo Kingdom, and his status is very noble. If he suffers a serious injury at Tianlong Temple, it may cause a war between Dali and Tubo. That’s why we dare not exert our full strength.”

"I see." Qiao Feng nodded and said, "However, to be able to fight to a draw under the siege of the five great monks of Tianlong Temple, this Kumārajīva is quite extraordinary."

“That’s right!” Ling Chi said, “Otherwise, would they dare to travel all the way to Tianlong Temple to provoke us? Monks, nuns, and Taoist priests who dare to travel alone in the martial world are not to be trifled with.”

"Brother Ling is right." Qiao Feng nodded: "Buddhism and Taoism have countless divine skills and many masters. Our Beggar Clan is ashamed to admit that we are inferior."

“The Beggars’ Sect’s Dragon Subduing Palm and Dog Beating Stick are also top-notch martial arts. Brother Qiao, there’s no need to belittle yourself.” Ling Chi laughed. “In my opinion, there are fewer than five people in this world who can defeat you.”

"Brother Ling, you flatter me. There are so many masters in the world, Qiao Feng is unworthy of such praise." Qiao Feng was not so confident in his martial arts ranking. After all, the Xingzilin incident had disrupted his experience, and he had not witnessed the battles at Juxianzhuang and Shaoshi Mountain. Without comparison, he naturally did not know how strong he was.

"Don't underestimate yourself," Ling Chi said. "In my opinion, the only one in this world who can definitely beat you is the one from Shaolin Temple, and there are only three or five who can fight you to a draw. You can completely look down on the martial arts world."

"Haha, Brother Ling, you really think too highly of me." Although he didn't know who the one from Shaolin Temple was, Qiao Feng automatically imagined it to be Abbot Xuanci of Shaolin Temple.

He grew up in Shaolin Temple from a young age and naturally knew Xuanci's abilities. To him as a child, Xuanci was an absolute god, and he felt an invincible sense of power. Even though his martial arts skills now far surpassed Xuanci's, he was completely unaware of this.

Qiao Feng laughed and said, "I dare not underestimate the heroes of the world. The world is vast and full of talented people. If one is arrogant, one will pay the price sooner or later. I dare not be arrogant."

Ling Chi shook his head: "You're good in every way, but you're too modest. That's not like the peerless martial arts master, Chief Qiao."

"Unparalleled martial arts skills?" Qiao Feng thought to himself: "I didn't expect Brother Ling to think so highly of me. I'm ashamed."

"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Brother Ling. I am unworthy of such praise."

"Whatever you say!" Qiao Feng said modestly; he couldn't let him become arrogant, could he? Ling Chi waved his hand, turned to Duan Zhengchun, and asked, "And then? Did you wear down Kumārajīva by eating cut cakes?"

“It’s not about wearing him down, it’s about outlasting him,” Duan Zhengchun said. “Although that Flaming Blade is powerful, it consumes a lot of internal energy, just like the Six Meridians Divine Sword. After only a dozen or so moves, Kumārajīva ran out of internal energy and admitted defeat.”

"I see." Ling Chi asked, "And then? Where did Kumārajīva go?"

“He must have returned to Tibet!” Duan Zhengchun said. “Since then, there has been no news of Kumārajīva in the martial arts world. I can’t think of any other possibility besides that he returned to Tibet.”

“Indeed, as my father-in-law said, the name of Kumārajīva has not spread in the martial arts world in the past two years. He must have returned to Tibet,” Qiao Feng confirmed.

"That's a pity." Ling Chi clapped his hands and said, "I really want to exchange a few blows with this Kumārajīva. Especially his Flaming Blade, I really want to see it for myself."

"You really have audacity." Duan Zhengchun laughed and scolded, "Kumārajīva is the guardian monk of the Tubo Kingdom. If you hurt him, you will be making an enemy of the entire Tubo Kingdom. You'll be in for a world of trouble."

"What do I have to fear from the mere Tubo Kingdom?" Ling Chi said dismissively. "I'm best at gang fights; no matter how many come, they'll all die."

Qiao Feng recalled Ling Chi's great achievements at Shaolin Temple and naturally had no doubts. Duan Zhengchun, however, took it as youthful arrogance and laughed, "You brat, you're really fearless. Although you killed Ding Chunqiu and your martial arts are superb, Kumārajīva's martial arts are very high, and you may not be his match."

"I'm no match for him?" Ling Chi scoffed. "I'm not bragging, but I could kill him with a single finger."

"..." Duan Zhengchun was speechless and sighed, "You young man, don't always fight and kill. After all, Kumārajīva is the national protector of Tibet. If you really encounter him, you must be careful."

"Don't worry, I promise I won't kill him." Ling Chi smiled and said, "At most, I'll put a life-or-death talisman on him, making him wish he were dead. He'll obediently listen to me and bring me all the treasures from the Tibetan treasury, and then I'll be rich."

What is the Life and Death Talisman? Duan Zhengchun was puzzled, but when he saw Ling Chi's eyes flashing with anger, not only him, but everyone else was speechless.

"You little rascal, you're such a money-grubber." Duan Zhengchun knew this all too well. He paused, then suddenly remembered, "Oh right, didn't you get married? Where did your beautiful little wife go the other day?"

"Ah!?" Everyone stared at Ling Chi in shock, especially A Zhu, whose beautiful eyes widened, completely unaware that Ling Chi had gotten married.

Facing the gazes of the crowd, Ling Chi waved his hand and said, "She is not my wife; it was just that my father-in-law seduced her back then..."

"Drink! Drink!" Duan Zhengchun hurriedly picked up his wine glass: "Come on! I'll drink mine, you can drink as you like!"

Everyone: "..."

Ruan Xingzhu looked at him resentfully, pinched his thigh lightly, not with much force, but enough to make Duan Zhengchun grin.

"I knew it!" Azi said, "I've lived with Brother Ling for over half a year, and I've never seen him with a wife, though he does have a younger sister." At this, Azi exclaimed in surprise, "Father, you wouldn't have made a move on Sister Shuang'er, would you?"

Thinking that Shuang'er was only thirteen years old, and only eleven two years ago, A'Zhu's expression changed. She cursed her father in her heart as a beast who would not even spare an eleven-year-old girl.

"???" Duan Zhengchun was puzzled when his two daughters suddenly looked down on him. He had pursued a sixteen-year-old girl back then, and from any perspective, it did not violate the Basic Law. Why would his daughters look down on him?

Just as he was about to ask, Ling Chi picked up his wine glass and said, "It's all in the past, so let's not ask about it. Come on, everyone, let's drink."

Ling Chi's intervention changed the subject. A Zhu and A Zi felt grateful that Ling Chi was trying to avoid embarrassing their father. Duan Zhengchun, on the other hand, was spared Ruan Xingzhu's complaints and his daughter's disapproval, which improved his impression of his future son-in-law.