Chef God of the Wuxia and Fantasy World

"It's very simple." Ling Chi smiled slightly: "Eat, cultivate."

"..."

……

On that day, Ling Chi sent a messenger to Wang Yun with one million coins, indicating that he had already taken Diao Chan into his harem and that the one million coins were to be used entirely as a betrothal gift.

Wang Yun's face darkened; he never imagined Diao Chan would disappear without a trace. However, the die was cast, and he could only bitterly accept the million coins. After all, a million coins was no small sum. Even buying a high-quality courtesan would yield at least a thousand or eight hundred. To exchange Diao Chan for a million coins was not only not a loss, but a profit. It was just that a beauty like Diao Chan was hard to come by, and cultivating her required time, something a million coins could never buy.

If it weren't for Ling Chi's mysterious origins, and the fact that the Xiliang army was massacred yesterday, giving Wang Yun the opportunity to eliminate Dong Zhuo, he would have led several hundred of his retainers to confront Ling Chi.

At this point, it is not advisable to make a fuss about the situation.

And so, Diao Chan became Ling Chi's contracted spirit beast. Every day, she ate and drank in the space, constantly cultivating. One by one, her tails grew out. A month later, when Dong Zhuo was eliminated by the gentry of Luoyang and Lü Bu led the Bingzhou army out of Luoyang, Diao Chan had already grown three tails. Her cultivation level was roughly at the high-level red, equivalent to an ordinary earth immortal.

Diao Chan, with her cultivation level as an Earth Immortal, possessed a captivating blend of sanctity and allure, which charmed many males in the space. If it weren't for Feng Qingyang and others keeping order, these lustful men would have truly gone too far.

Later, when Ling Chi realized this wasn't a solution, he left Diao Chan with Yi Lin, hoping that Yi Lin's Buddhist nature could suppress Diao Chan's seductive charm and prevent her from corrupting all the males in the space.

Now that Yilin has reached the cultivation level of a Great Luo Golden Immortal, almost on par with Guanyin Bodhisattva, it is very easy for her to suppress Diaochan, who is only an Earth Immortal. Moreover, Diaochan herself does not like her seductive aura. With Yilin helping her suppress it, she actually felt relieved.

Chapter Nine: The Mighty Han and the Glorious Tang Dynasties

With Dong Zhuo killed, Lü Bu breaking through the siege, and the eighteen warlords remaining silent, Luoyang finally stabilized without damage. However, before his death, Dong Zhuo went mad and killed Emperor Shao of Han, Liu Bian, and even Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie, was not spared. As a result, the Han Dynasty fell into a period of powerlessness.

Fortunately, there were many imperial relatives with the surname Liu in the world, and with the gentry controlling the government, it was easy to elect a new emperor. After some discussion, everyone unanimously recommended a ten-year-old boy with the surname Liu who had never appeared in history to succeed to the throne.

It's not that this child has any extraordinary talent; on the contrary, his talent is quite mediocre. He spends his free time reading books, but they are all miscellaneous books. He doesn't read any serious books at all. He also likes to make handicrafts. It is said that his dream in this life is to become a 'learned and versatile' polymath.

Such an 'emperor' was simply too good, and the aristocratic class loved it. Thus, this little boy named Liu Xin became the emperor of the Han Dynasty.

With the overall situation settled, the warlords who had originally planned to oppose Dong Zhuo had all disbanded. It was thought that the world would be at peace again, but the world was already in chaos. Because the governorship system had been changed during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, allowing local officials to recruit their own armies and manage their own territories, the imperial power had weakened. Few local officials were willing to obey the edicts from Luoyang. Although the world was still under the rule of the Han Dynasty, it had fallen into a state of warlordism similar to that of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.

In the years that followed, warlords fought each other for territory, and the Han emperor became essentially a figurehead. This suited the young emperor's wishes, as he had no interest in politics and would rather spend his time reading miscellaneous books and learning handicrafts so that he could earn a living with his skills even if he were no longer emperor.

It must be said that this young emperor is truly simple and honest. Even after becoming emperor, he still has the idea of ​​earning a living with his skills in the future. This sense of crisis is quite commendable. Although some preparations may never be needed in one's lifetime, what if? If a huge accident really happens in the future, the backup plan prepared by oneself will come in handy.

During this time, Ling Chi closed the Chef God Restaurant in Luoyang and traveled with Yang Chan throughout the country. When they encountered corrupt officials, bandits, or other evildoers, they would step in to right wrongs, thus earning themselves some merit. If they encountered honest and capable officials or good deeds, they would appropriately reward them, spreading positive energy in the world.

Because of their activities throughout the country, they left behind many folk legends. Since they were young and good-looking, most of the versions circulating are that they were a golden boy and jade girl from heaven who were sent down to earth by the Jade Emperor to fight injustice and spread love and justice.

Ling Chi and Yang Chan overheard rumors about the two of them by chance, and couldn't help but chuckle each time. In the process, Ling Chi also dragged some people into the farm, allowing them to enjoy longevity and, incidentally, do some work for him.

These people included both men and women; some had made their mark on history, while others remained unknown. However, they were all very talented individuals, otherwise Ling Chi would not have recruited them.

After fifty years, the Han Dynasty finally perished, but in the end, it was not Cao Wei, nor the Sima family, that gained control of the country, but the Yuan family.

This is normal. Before the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the Yuan family had already held high office for four generations, with their disciples and former officials spread throughout the country. Later, they produced a very talented Yuan Shao. With the support of the Yuan family and their disciples and former officials, and by using the emperor in Luoyang to command the disobedient, the Yuan family's power grew stronger and stronger. Although there were many twists and turns, they eventually eliminated all the local separatist forces and unified the country.

However, the empire was unified by the Yuan family, not by that useless emperor who ordered people to read miscellaneous books and do manual labor. Moreover, the civil and military officials who followed the Yuan family in conquering the empire were unwilling to let the empire they had won fall into the hands of others. Therefore, after the civil and military officials repeatedly urged the emperor to abdicate, Yuan Shao's son, Yuan Shang, could only 'reluctantly' request the emperor to abdicate in his favor.

It has to be said that the emperor chosen by the aristocratic group back then was really good. Because he was carefree, he lived a long life and is now sixty years old. He is still in good health. When he saw that Yuan Shang wanted to be emperor, he breathed a sigh of relief and readily agreed. He only asked Yuan Shang to leave him a larger courtyard so that he could set up a handicraft workshop or something to support his family.

Yuan Shang: "..."

Because Yuan Shao rose to power in Ji Province and established his capital in Ye City, he was enfeoffed as the King of Zhao at the age of fifty-six, and the new dynasty was named Zhao. Thus, the Han Dynasty fell, and the world officially entered the Zhao Dynasty.

However, fifty years of war and chaos led to a significant decline in the population and national strength of the Zhao Dynasty, resulting in a lack of control over the northern nomadic peoples. Although the Yuan family gained control of the country, the next two hundred years were filled with warfare, and the Zhao Dynasty eventually perished, ushering in the darkest period of 'ethnic integration' for the world.

Two hundred years later, the country was finally unified by Yang Jian, who established the Sui Dynasty. However, the Sui Dynasty was not stable for more than a few years before the impatient Emperor Yang of Sui squandered his fortune, and the country was replaced by Li Yuan, the Duke of Tang.

Fortunately, the Tang Dynasty did not follow in the footsteps of the Sui Dynasty. Although it experienced the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Shimin, as an emperor who could be compared with Qin Shi Huang, stabilized the country with his powerful methods and strength, and made the Tang Dynasty's fame spread throughout the world.

Because the country had experienced too many years of war, although it was temporarily at peace, Li Shimin still hoped to find a way to make the Tang Dynasty last forever.

Just then, a Master Xuanzang named Jiang Liuer appeared.

……

Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, is a place that countless modern people dream of.

Ling Chi and Yang Chan strolled along the streets of Chang'an, looking at this 'international metropolis' where countless foreigners lived and did business, and a smile couldn't help but appear on their lips.

Although it's not quite the same world as The Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty, this is the Tang Dynasty, and that's enough.

"The clouds of calamity have dissipated." Yang Chan looked up at the sky and smiled, "The world is at peace."

"It's truly not easy," Ling Chi sighed. "Hundreds of years of war have caused immense suffering to the people!"

“It’s all in the past now,” Yang Chan comforted her. “I can feel that the Tang Dynasty’s golden age will influence future generations.”

Ling Chi nodded: "Yes."

As a modern person, he certainly knew the impact of the Tang Dynasty on China. Looking at the five thousand years of Chinese civilization, the era that the Chinese people mention most often and are most proud of is none other than the two words "Han and Tang". Although the Great Zhou Dynasty had a national fortune of eight hundred years, in terms of world influence, how could it compare to the powerful Han and the prosperous Tang Dynasty?

Even in modern times, the Chinese people are still predominantly Han Chinese, while overseas Chinese have come together to form Chinatowns.

Over the past five hundred years, Lingchi has witnessed the fall of the mighty Han Dynasty, and today, it also witnesses the rise of the glorious Tang Dynasty.

This feeling is indescribable.

As the two were strolling through the streets of Chang'an, an old monk carrying a staff walked towards them, followed by a young monk holding a kasaya.

Upon seeing the two monks, Ling Chi was taken aback. Under his golden gaze, he could see through their disguises clearly; they were undoubtedly Guanyin Bodhisattva and Huian Xingzhe. Few people might know Huian Xingzhe, but many should recognize his name—yes, he's Nezha's second brother, Muzha.

Seeing the two people walking on the streets of Chang'an, Ling Chi basically guessed what was going on. Remembering his good relationship with Guanyin Bodhisattva, Ling Chi pulled Yang Chan forward and said, "Bodhisattva, it's been a long time."

The old monk, who was actually Guanyin in disguise, was slightly taken aback when he saw Ling Chi and Yang Chan standing in front of him. He seemed not to have expected that his disguise would be seen through. However, since they were old friends of Mei Jian for hundreds of years, Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled slightly and said, "Amitabha, I did not expect to meet you here. May I ask what brings you here?"

"Now that the world is at peace, I naturally want to come and witness the prosperity of humankind." Ling Chi smiled and said, "And why would a master (great master) come here?"

“Amitabha Buddha, he came to save all sentient beings.”

Upon hearing Guanyin Bodhisattva's words, Ling Chi chuckled and said, "Master, you are truly compassionate and merciful. Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"Oh?" Guanyin Bodhisattva asked, "May I ask what position you currently hold?"

"How is the Grand Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty?" Ling Chi asked with a smile.

Guanyin Bodhisattva opened her eyes wide.

Indeed, while Ling Chi didn't directly contribute to the Tang Dynasty's conquest of the empire, he offered Li Shimin numerous strategic suggestions, especially during critical moments. For instance, when Li Shimin was besieging Wang Shichong in Luoyang, he was attacked from behind by Dou Jiande's 10-strong army. Li Shimin decisively left his main force to continue the siege of Luoyang, while he led 3500 Xuanjia soldiers to Hulao Pass to confront Dou Jiande's army, ultimately achieving victory.

This was not a 'decisive' decision by Li Shimin. Rather, before this battle, Ling Chi left Li Shimin a secret plan in a pouch, explaining that it should be opened at the most critical moment. And then, at this most critical moment, Li Shimin opened the pouch and obtained the 'secret plan' left by Ling Chi.

Although Ling Chi was somewhat mysterious at the time, he was deeply trusted by Li Shimin. So Li Shimin gritted his teeth and followed Ling Chi's brilliant plan. He left the main force to continue besieging Luoyang, while he led 3500 Xuanjia soldiers to meet Dou Jiande's 100,000-strong army. The final result was exactly as Ling Chi had predicted: he won.

Later, a few days before the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Ling Chi left behind a brilliant plan. After reading it, Li Shimin couldn't sleep all night. Finally, he gritted his teeth and followed Ling Chi's plan to launch the Xuanwu Gate Incident. This made him go from being the Prince of Qin, who could lose his life at any moment, to the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

Because Ling Chi twice provided brilliant strategies during Li Shimin's most critical moments, Li Shimin appointed Ling Chi as the Grand Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty after his ascension to the throne. However, Ling Chi only stated that he accepted the title of Grand Preceptor but would not participate in affairs normally, and hoped that Li Shimin would not restrict his freedom. Although somewhat regretful, Li Shimin agreed. After all, the Tang Dynasty had unified the country; where else could Ling Chi go? As long as Ling Chi was within the Tang territory, he could seek his help in times of crisis.

Guanyin Bodhisattva was unaware of the reason behind this. Upon hearing that Ling Chi had become the Grand Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty, she was completely stunned. At the same time, she remembered a rule and said with a serious expression, "Amitabha, how can a benefactor interfere in human affairs?"

"Human affairs?" Ling Chi shook his head: "I did not interfere. I just happened to help the current emperor, which is why I became the Grand Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty. Moreover, I only held the title and did not interfere in human affairs. You can find out by calculating."

After hearing these words, Guanyin Bodhisattva performed a divination as instructed and found that Lingchi had indeed not interfered with anything in the human world. Perhaps it had interfered, but it was all in accordance with the natural order and had not affected the overall situation in the human world. Guanyin Bodhisattva breathed a sigh of relief: "Amitabha, this humble monk has misunderstood you, benefactor."

Ling Chi smiled and shook his head: "It's alright, Master is doing this for my own good, I will not be ungrateful."

Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled slightly and said, "That's good then." She paused, then asked, "May I ask if you, benefactor, would allow this humble monk to see the Tang Emperor?"

"Oh?" Ling Chi asked, "What brings you here, Master?"

"I only hope that the Tang Emperor can send a monk to the Great Thunder Temple in the Western Paradise to seek the Buddhist scriptures."

……

A few days later, Li Shimin held a grand Buddhist and Taoist ceremony and invited the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang to give a sermon. During the sermon, an old monk who was actually Guanyin Bodhisattva suddenly appeared and loudly proclaimed: "I am selling my cassock and staff. If you can recognize this treasure, I will not take a penny from you; if you cannot recognize this treasure, I will not sell it for ten thousand gold pieces!"

This announcement caught Li Shimin's attention, and he then called Guanyin Bodhisattva closer and asked her how much the cassock and nine-ringed staff cost.

Ling Chi was also present at the time. Watching the process, which differed in detail from the TV series but had a similar outcome, she began to make her own plans.

In the end, Guanyin Bodhisattva gave the brocade cassock and the nine-ringed staff to Tang Xuanzang, the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi. Then Guanyin Bodhisattva talked about the journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures, and Tang Xuanzang volunteered to go to the West to obtain the scriptures in order to ensure the eternal stability of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Shimin was overjoyed and on the spot said that he wanted to become sworn brothers with Tang Xuanzang. Of course, this was not something he wanted to say himself, but something that Lingchi had told him a few days earlier. He was told that if Tang Xuanzang was going to the Western Paradise to obtain Buddhist scriptures, he must become sworn brothers with Tang Xuanzang, so that Li Shimin would have a powerful backer even after his death.

Upon hearing the word "after death," Li Shimin was utterly shocked and began to speculate wildly about Ling Chi's origins. Ultimately, he listened to Ling Chi and uttered this "nonsense" on the spot.

When Guanyin Bodhisattva saw this scene, she glanced at Ling Chi and felt a little uneasy. However, this was just a minor incident and did not affect the overall situation, so Guanyin Bodhisattva did not pay any attention to it.

Afterwards, Guanyin revealed her true form before everyone and rode away on a cloud, causing an uproar. The officials and Li Shimin all knelt on the ground, but Ling Chi remained standing, looking in the direction where Guanyin disappeared, with a smile on his lips: What a great advertisement! The Buddhist sect is indeed good at creating momentum.

Li Shimin calmed his excited emotions, turned his head and saw Ling Chi standing there with a smile, and couldn't help but be shocked.

He could see Guanyin Bodhisattva without bowing, but the National Preceptor...

Chapter Ten: Journey to the West

"Is the Imperial Preceptor going to the West with the Venerable Xuanzang?"

In the evening, inside the palace, Li Shimin was very surprised to hear Ling Chi's words: "Why?"

“The journey to the West to obtain the scriptures is a matter of destiny. The journey will inevitably involve eighty-one tribulations. I'm afraid Tang Xuanzang alone cannot bring back the true scriptures.” Ling Chi said, “Since the world has been at peace, I’ve been bored out of my mind. I might as well accompany Tang Xuanzang on this journey and make some contribution to the country of our Great Tang.”

"The Imperial Preceptor has truly devoted himself wholeheartedly to our Great Tang Dynasty." Li Shimin was deeply moved: "Imperial Preceptor, if there is anything that can be done, then do it; if there is nothing that can be done, then please prioritize your own safety."

Ling Chi smiled slightly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will be fine." He paused, then added: "Before I leave, there is something I hope Your Majesty will consider in advance."

"Oh?" Li Shimin's expression turned serious: "Please enlighten me, Grand Preceptor."

Ling Chi looked into his eyes and said, "One crown prince is enough. Don't give other princes any hope. After all, Your Majesty's experience is a good example. For the sake of the Tang Dynasty, Your Majesty should make plans as soon as possible."

Li Shimin's expression immediately shifted between light and dark. He knew that Ling Chi was right. When the Tang Dynasty was established, Crown Prince Li Jiancheng was almost designated as the successor of the Tang Dynasty. However, Li Yuan did not take back his power, which gave him hope of taking over the throne. Coupled with the instigation of his subordinates and the suppression by Li Jiancheng, the Xuanwu Gate Incident ultimately occurred.

Now that his sons are growing up, there are some signs of them competing with each other. He was initially hesitant, thinking that he was young and could wait and see. But after Ling Chi's advice today, he hesitated for a long time and finally chose to trust Ling Chi's judgment.

"The Grand Preceptor's words are like a wake-up call, enlightening me completely." Li Shimin clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I know what to do now."

Ling Chi sighed softly, "The hearts of parents are all the same, but the prince bears the future of the Tang Dynasty on his shoulders, so we cannot be careless."

Li Shimin nodded: "I wonder what else the Imperial Preceptor can teach me?"

Ling Chi took out a thick book and said, "This is a summary of strategies for governing the country. Your Majesty can just use it as a reference."

Li Shimin looked at the book, which was as thick as a brick, took it with both hands, and said, "Such a thick book of strategies for governing the country, Grand Preceptor, you have worked hard."

Ling Chi smiled faintly: "It's my duty." With that, Ling Chi got up and left.

After seeing Ling Chi out of the palace, Li Shimin returned to his desk and opened the thick book on governing strategies. At first, he just flipped through it casually, but gradually, all of Li Shimin's attention was drawn into the contents of the book, and he had nothing else to do.

Before I knew it, dawn had broken.

Li Shimin, who hadn't slept all night, had bloodshot eyes, but was in high spirits. He carefully put away the book on governance strategies he had just finished reading, and then went to court.