Chef God of the Wuxia and Fantasy World

"It was just a joke, why did you take it so seriously?" Ling Chi laughed. "Sister Meixian, please don't praise me. Actually, I admire Sister Meixian more than myself."

"Oh?" Shan Meixian smiled and said, "What is there to admire about me?"

"You, a woman, took your child Xiao Wanjing across the ocean and founded the Dongming Sect in Ryukyu, which is now powerful enough to influence the world. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed that a woman could do such a thing. So I especially admire Sister Meixian's strength and ability. If I had been born ten years earlier, I would definitely have pursued you."

Shan Meixian felt a little embarrassed by what Shan Wanjing said, but Shan Wanjing giggled and said, "It's not too late to pursue her now! I'm only in my thirties, and although you look young, you're definitely not young anymore. You two are a match made in heaven!"

"Don't talk nonsense." Shan Wanjing hurriedly scolded, "You know your brother Ling is already married, so don't talk nonsense."

“What does it matter if a real man has three wives and four concubines?” Shan Wanjing said. “Brother Ling isn’t a man from the Dongming Sect.”

The Dongming Sect reveres women, and men are subordinate to them. In the Dongming Sect, men's marriage is called "嫁" (jià), while women's marriage is called "娶" (qǔ), completely opposite to other places. Therefore, men in the Dongming Sect can only have one woman, and if they have an affair, they will be beaten to death. As for women in the Dongming Sect... well, that's another story.

Shan Wanjing's ability to speak of a real man having three wives and four concubines shows how much she cares about Shan Meixian's lifelong happiness.

“Xiao Chi is indeed not a man of the Dongming Sect.” Shan Meixian gently shook her head: “But Mother is unwilling to compete with other women for a man.”

"Does Mother want to choose a man from within the sect?" Shan Wanjing asked.

Shan Meixian shook her head: "I will never get married in this life. But how are you and Shang Ming getting along?"

Upon hearing the name 'Shang Ming', a hint of disgust flashed in Shan Wanjing's eyes: "Mother, can you please not mention Shang Ming? This guy is not good-looking, has a bad personality, is extremely narrow-minded, and doesn't have much ability. If it weren't for his father being an elder in the sect, this guy would be completely useless."

"..." Shan Meixian was speechless for a long time.

"There are such useless men in the world?" Ling Chi laughed. "This is the first time I've ever heard of such a thing."

"He's such a loser," Shan Wanjing complained. "If he had even a tenth of Ling-gege's skills, I wouldn't look down on him. But he's incompetent yet arrogant; he's disgusting. Marrying such a good-for-nothing? Dream on!"

Chapter Eleven: A Discussion of the World

Ling Chi turned to look at Shan Meixian: "Sister Meixian, since Xiao Wanjing is unwilling, why force her?"

A hint of helplessness flashed in Shan Meixian's eyes as she said, "The Dongming Sect is too big; it's no longer the time for me to make the decisions alone."

"I see." Ling Chi nodded.

This is similar to the difference between family businesses and state-owned enterprises. In family businesses, the family members have the final say, but in state-owned enterprises, the power structure is complex and it is difficult for one person to have absolute authority.

When Shan Meixian first founded the Dongming Sect, she was the one who made all the decisions. However, as the Dongming Sect grew larger, its members became more complex, and its interests became more substantial, the Dongming Sect is no longer something that Shan Meixian can control alone.

Shang Ming's father must have controlled a lot of connections and resources within the Dongming Sect, which is why he dared to propose marriage to Shan Meixian for his good-for-nothing son.

A toad that wants to eat swan meat must have some basis for its desire.

Seeing Shan Wanjing's frustrated and Shan Meixian's helpless expression, Ling Chi smiled slightly and said, "I do have a way to let Sister Meixian firmly grasp the power of the Dongming Sect and not be threatened by people within the sect."

"Really!?" Shan Meixian was stunned, while Shan Wanjing was overjoyed: "Brother Ling, do you really have a way?"

"It's a small matter," Ling Chi said with a smile, "but there's one condition."

"Tell me," Shan Wanjing said. "I'll do anything as long as you don't marry Shang Ming."

“You said it, so don’t go back on your word,” Ling Chi said.

"..." Shan Wanjing suddenly hesitated. As the little princess of the Dongming Sect, she was not a brainless vase. She had spoken recklessly in her excitement just now, but now, facing Ling Chi's questioning, she seemed to sense the danger of a small animal and immediately calmed down.

Although it is said that "what is said is like water spilled," Shan Wanjing is very good at making use of her advantages—young age and being a girl. As Confucius said, "Women and petty men are the most difficult to deal with!" She has all the advantages.

"I won't go back on my word. As long as I can do it, I will definitely do it." Shan Wanjing said in a slightly coquettish tone, "But don't go too far, okay? I won't agree to requests that are too outrageous."

"You little rascal," Ling Chi said with a laugh, "Would I force you to do something you don't want to do?"

"How could that be? Brother Ling is not that kind of person. In my heart, Brother Ling is the greatest hero in the world." Shan Wanjing giggled, praising Ling Chi highly.

"..." Ling Chi shook his head and said, "Kneel down and become my disciple!"

"Ah!?" Shan Wanjing was stunned, and Shan Meixian was also taken aback: "Xiao Chi, what's going on..."

“I have a family-inherited martial art that can make people wish they were dead. Once you learn it, you can control all the disloyal people in the Dongming Sect.” Ling Chi smiled slightly: “How can you learn my kung fu without becoming my disciple?”

With a thud, Shan Wanjing knelt down and kowtowed three times: "Master, please accept my bow."

Shan Meixian: "..."

……

The Life and Death Talisman cannot be mastered overnight. Ling Chi suggested that Shan Wanjing stay on Peach Blossom Island for two years. After two years, she can return to the sect and deal with the disloyal people of the Dongming Sect.

Shan Meixian agreed, and Shan Wanjing was even more excited because her master had said, "Food will be provided."

The thought of being able to eat Peach Blossom Island's delicious food every day for free filled Shan Wanjing with excitement: "Waaah, this is paradise!"

On the fifth day after Ling Chi accepted Shan Wanjing as his disciple, Shan Meixian brought a large number of gifts from Ryukyu to announce to the world that the little princess of the Dongming Sect had formally become the disciple of Ling Chi, the island master of Peach Blossom Island.

This news has been made public, and it will likely attract the attention and take action from various factions in the martial arts world.

For the past decade, Peach Blossom Island has become the most profitable force in the world. Almost every ambitious person in the world wants to pounce on it and take a bite. But Peach Blossom Island is like a hedgehog that has curled up, impossible to bite. Any attempt to bite it will only result in injury. Even the Demonic Sect is not confident that it can be swallowed whole, let alone other forces.

The Dongming Sect is an independent arms factory, uncontrolled by any other faction. Each year, it produces enough military equipment to create two or three regional overlords, making it the object of covetousness for countless ambitious individuals. However, Shan Meixian has intricate connections with the Yin Gui Sect and the Li Clan of Guanzhong, and enjoys the Li Clan's favor. Furthermore, the Dongming Sect itself is quite powerful, making it a regional overlord in the entire East China Sea. This is why no one dares to touch it.

Now that Princess Shan Wanjing of the Eastern Sea has actually become the disciple of the Master of Peach Blossom Island, is this a sign that the two families are about to unite?

……

Upon hearing this news in Luoyang, Zhu Yuyan was quite surprised: Meixian, what are you thinking?

In the southern suburbs of Luoyang, at Jingnian Temple, Liaokong, upon learning the news, chanted the Buddhist mantra: "Amitabha."

In Chang'an, at the Tang State Duke's Mansion, Li Shimin pondered for a long time after receiving the news before heading towards the courtyard where Empress Zhangsun lived alone.

At Emperor's Peak, in Cihang Jingzhai, Fan Qinghui learned of this news, walked to the window and gazed into the distance, murmuring, "Will you contend for the world? If you do, what choice should I make?"

……

Ling Chi was unaware of the changes in the world and didn't care. He simply cooked every day and taught Shan Wanjing the Life and Death Talisman and the Six Yang Palms of Tianshan. Shan Wanjing herself had a relatively outstanding 'family-inherited' internal energy cultivation method, and her lightness skill seemed to be very good as well, so Ling Chi only taught her these two skills.

Although there are only two skills, both are very difficult to learn. Shan Wanjing's martial arts talent is only above average. It would be quite good if she could master both skills in two years.

Just as Ling Chi's life was proceeding smoothly, a handsome young man in white, who had been living on Peach Blossom Island for several months, ordered a table of delicious dishes that afternoon and invited Ling Chi to join him.

Ling Chi was quite surprised at the time, because this young man in white had been staying in the most ordinary guest rooms and eating the cheapest white food for the past few months, but today he had gone all out and ordered a table of high-class dishes worth ten thousand taels of silver.

If that were all, he really wouldn't be able to guess what this pretty boy wanted to do, but after being invited, he understood: "Another pretty boy with ulterior motives towards me."

Although he felt a little disgusted, he couldn't refuse the other party since they had already spent money. So, after the dishes were served, Ling Chi sat down opposite the pretty boy and said cheerfully, "I didn't expect that you would have to treat me to a meal, young master. I'm really sorry. Do you have too much money to burn? I won't give you a discount."

"..." Three black lines appeared on the pretty boy's forehead, but he still maintained enough composure, cupped his fists and said, "Brother Ling is joking. Since I am the host, I will not ask for a discount from you."

"That's good, that's good." Ling Chi breathed a sigh of relief and chuckled, "This table costs more than ten thousand taels of silver! A 10% discount would mean a loss of more than a thousand taels of silver. We on Peach Blossom Island operate on a small scale, relying on high volume and low margins. We really can't afford such a large discount."

"..." Even with his excellent composure, the pretty boy felt an urge to hit someone. He took three deep breaths to suppress his anger and forced a smile, saying, "Brother Ling is truly witty. Qin Chuan toasts Brother Ling."

"Young Master Qin, you're too kind." Upon hearing the young man's name, Ling Chi's heart stirred. He calmly raised his wine cup and said, "I'll drink this one. Young Master Qin, please feel free to drink as you please."

With a gulp, Ling Chi downed a whole 67° strong liquor.

"..." Qin Chuan saw Ling Chi turn his wine glass upside down, gritted his teeth, and downed the liquor in his glass in one gulp.

Oh~~ spicy spicy~ spicy spicy~ spicy spicy spicy...

Oh~~ spicy spicy~ spicy spicy~ spicy spicy spicy...

Qin Chuan could no longer feel his tongue for a moment; it was so spicy, and his chest and abdomen were burning. It was incredibly intense, and his mind went blank for a second.

But... it tastes really good.

"This is truly excellent wine." Qin Chuan's fair face turned pink as he exclaimed, "Although I am not an expert in wine tasting, this wine is incredibly fragrant and has a long-lasting aftertaste... cough cough, sorry."

Qin Chuan coughed twice, his eyes slightly hazy with drunkenness: "Young Master Ling, please make yourself at home. I am not a good drinker, but I can only drink this one cup with you."

"It's alright," Ling Chi said with a smile. "If you can't drink it, then don't. Shall we get Young Master Qin a pot of sobering tea?"

"In that case, I'll trouble you, Brother Ling." Qin Chuan really couldn't take it anymore. This wine was far too strong, completely different from the fruit wines he had drunk before. Just one cup had already made him so intoxicated.

Ling Chi immediately ordered a maid to bring over a pot of hangover tea. Qin Chuan drank two cups and indeed felt much clearer-headed. He breathed a sigh of relief: "This tea is truly extraordinary. This is the first time I've encountered a tea that can sober me up so quickly."

"Products from Peach Blossom Island are always of the highest quality," Ling Chi said with a smile. "Young Master Qin, you'll get used to it if you eat more of our Peach Blossom Island delicacies in the future."

"Brother Ling is right." Qin Chuan suddenly sighed, "But I will be leaving tomorrow."

"Oh?" Ling Chi clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I wish Young Master Qin a safe journey."

"..." Qin Chuan was stunned: Aren't you going to ask me why I'm leaving? Couldn't you at least try to persuade me to stay?

Qin Chuan blushed, but fortunately his face was already red, so he didn't show anything unusual.

"Brother Ling, you... um."

"What's wrong?" Ling Chi looked at Qin Chuan and said, "Young Master Ling, eat! There's so much food, it would be a waste not to eat it. Brother Qin should know: 'Farmers toil under the midday sun, their sweat drips onto the soil, who knows that every grain on the plate is the result of hard work! Wasting food is shameful.'"

Qin Chuan was stunned for a moment, then silently recited Ling Chi's suddenly uttered five-character quatrain. The more he recited, the brighter his eyes became: "I never expected Brother Ling to be so compassionate towards the suffering of farmers, and to be so talented. I admire you."

"Uh, hehe, so-so, third in the world."

"..." Qin Chuan felt a pang of pain in his liver: Can't we talk properly? Are you sure you're okay with killing the conversation time and time again? You'll get in trouble for doing this, you know that?

"Brother Ling is not only witty, but also always surprising," Qin Chuan said with a forced smile. "I admire him."

"Mm." Ling Chi nodded.

"..." Qin Chuan was completely dumbfounded: That's it? And then what?

"Young Master Qin, eat up!" Ling Chi picked up her chopsticks and served him some food: "These are all blue-quality dishes. Try them, I guarantee you'll never forget them."

"Uh, thank you, Brother Ling, I can do it myself." Qin Chuan quickly took the plate and said, "Brother Ling, please eat too!"

"I don't need it." Ling Chi shook his head: "I've been eating it for so many years, I'm a little tired of it."

"..." Qin Chuan silently put the food into his mouth, afraid that he might impulsively flip the table.

"Mmm...uh~~~~~~"

"Ding! You have conquered the stomach of Qin Chuan, a top-tier blue-level diner. The diner's level is too low, so this does not count towards the conquest count. You have obtained a top-tier blue-level recipe: Sword Intent."

"Sword Intent: Top-tier blue recipe. When using sword-type weapons, your own Sword Intent increases by 2. Valid for three uses."

……

Upon seeing this newly revealed recipe, Ling Chi's eyes lit up. It was actually a top-tier blue recipe, and one that could even enhance sword intent.

Sword intent is a rather mysterious concept, but its principle is similar to that of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms. The Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms is not just a set of powerful and unparalleled palm techniques, but when it is used, a huge golden dragon appears, exuding domineering aura that can intimidate enemies. Sword intent has a similar function, but different sword intents will appear due to different understandings of the sword by individuals.

For example, when a disciple of Cihang Jingzhai uses a sword, the sword intent should be something like a white lotus flower. If a disciple of the Demonic Sect uses a sword, the sword intent will probably be something like a beautiful flower. As for Ling Chi's sword intent... you'll only know after you've tasted it.

Ling Chi was also quite curious about what his sword intent would be.