Chapter Nineteen: Barbecue
Lin Wanqing said, “The Peak Master asked me to take on a mission, but I think it’s a bit difficult. I’d like to ask for your help.”
Lu Xingchen replied, “Tell me the details. If it’s within my ability, I’ll help. But if it’s too dangerous, you shouldn’t go.”
Lin Wanqing spoke softly and clearly.
The mission was actually quite simple: escort a bridge architect from the Lingxiao Sect back to the Yunyin Kingdom. The reward was only a hundred points, and aside from taking time, there was little danger.
Lu Xingchen exclaimed, “Huh? You call that a bit difficult?”
Lin Wanqing blushed slightly and said gently, “It takes at least three days to travel from Lingxiao Sect to Yunyin Kingdom, and various unforeseen events could happen along the way. I do think it’s quite challenging.”
Well, to be honest, Lin Wanqing didn’t think it was that hard.
It was just that she hadn’t seen Lu Xingchen for over ten days and missed him terribly.
She had heard that the Peak Master and the chief disciple of Xiaozhu Peak were both beauties. If Lu Xingchen got lured away by them, what would she do?
She had to keep in close contact with him, nurture their relationship a bit.
Lu Xingchen was speechless.
He had miscalculated.
He said he wouldn’t go if it was too dangerous, but he never said he wouldn’t go if it was too easy.
Since he’d already agreed, he couldn’t break his promise.
“Alright then, I’ll go with you.”
Lin Wanqing’s face lit up with a smile.
“Yay, Dazhuang is the best!”
Lu Xingchen changed the subject. “By the way, since you’re following Yi Hong, have you met Hu Junfeng?”
Lin Wanqing was a bit surprised and didn’t understand why he brought up Hu Junfeng.
But she had no reason to avoid the topic.
“I have. Senior Brother Hu trains with me and sometimes gives me guidance. He’s very enthusiastic.”
“And what cultivation level does Hu Junfeng have?”
“I can’t tell, but he said he’s a nine-star Warrior.”
Hearing this, Lu Xingchen drew in a sharp breath.
A nine-star Warrior!
That was insane!
Hu Junfeng was only a few years older than him, yet his cultivation surpassed even Lu Xingchen, who had a system.
No wonder he was the Lingxiao Sect’s only Holy Son!
A gap of five minor realms—how was he supposed to fight that?
Could he really complete Fu Xin’s commission?
No matter, he’d focus on finishing the current task first.
The two arrived at the mission hall, where three other junior disciples were already waiting.
Their cultivation levels were only Warriors.
This was normal, as the mission only required a disciple at Warrior level to lead.
The moment they saw Lu Xingchen, the three exchanged questioning glances.
“Senior Sister Wanqing, is this the helper you mentioned? Doesn’t seem impressive.”
“New face, probably not from Lingjian Peak. Can we trust him?”
“Senior Sister Wanqing, you even refused Senior Brother Li Gang for him. Was it worth it?”
Lu Xingchen came solely because of Lin Wanqing’s favor, paying no mind to these clowns. He simply unleashed his battle aura.
“Four stars, a four-star Warrior!”
The three were stunned.
This newcomer’s cultivation was actually higher than Lin Wanqing, who was the top of the new disciples!
They quickly swallowed their disdain and started flattering him.
Lu Xingchen ignored them and said sternly, “I’m the team leader. No objections?”
“No objections!” they answered in unison.
Lin Wanqing naturally had no objections either.
The five entered a private room.
There, the mission’s client, Li Yan, was waiting anxiously.
Li Yan was a burly middle-aged man, muscular and fierce-looking, clearly not someone to mess with.
But when Lu Xingchen glanced at his head, he was only a three-star Warrior—like a baby in Lu Xingchen’s eyes.
Lu Xingchen smiled, “Uncle Li Yan, right? I’m Lu Xingchen, the leader for this mission, a four-star Warrior. If there’s no problem, shall we depart?”
Li Yan smiled, “Alright, let’s set off now! My country is waiting for me.”
The six mounted their horses and left Lingxiao Sect, heading toward Yunyin Kingdom.
After a long time, they finally left the Sunset Forest.
Mostly because Li Yan was weak and slowed their pace; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been so slow.
The sun was blazing. Though Lu Xingchen didn’t mind the heat, there was no need to suffer needlessly, so he led the others to rest in the shade.
Lu Xingchen said to one of the three Warriors, “Hey you, go hunt a beast. We’ll have roast meat for lunch.”
The man was baffled.
“Captain, I don’t know how to roast meat.”
Lu Xingchen said calmly, “If you can’t, I can.”
At this, Lin Wanqing’s eyes sparkled.
Lu Xingchen wasn’t just powerful in battle, he could cook too. Truly a good man for home life!
Her heart brimmed with anticipation.
Fifteen minutes later, the man returned with a wild boar.
With his nine-star Warrior strength, hunting a first-rank beast was easy.
Lu Xingchen made a fire, prepared the meat, and set up a roasting rack with fluid grace.
Half an hour later, the rich aroma of meat filled the entire forest.
Lin Wanqing sniffed sharply, excitedly asking, “Dazhuang, is it ready to eat?”
The other four were puzzled.
Wasn’t the captain called Lu Xingchen?
Why did Lin Wanqing call him Dazhuang?
Lu Xingchen chuckled lightly, “Be patient, I haven’t added the seasonings yet.”
He waved his sleeve, and a dozen jars and bottles appeared on the ground.
One by one, he opened them and sprinkled the seasonings over the pork.
The fragrance was intoxicating, and Lin Wanqing couldn’t help but drool.
The three Warriors were surprised.
They had assumed that Lu Xingchen, who reached Warrior level so quickly, was a battle fanatic.
They never expected his life to be so refined.
Fifteen minutes later, Lu Xingchen finished and handed a piece of roast meat to Lin Wanqing.
She took a bite, then shouted excitedly, “It’s delicious! Dazhuang, you’re amazing!”
The other three and Li Yan watched Lu Xingchen with longing eyes.
Lu Xingchen smiled faintly.
“What are you looking at? Eat your meat!”
They eagerly began to feast.
Li Yan swallowed a large bite and asked, “Captain Lu, do you have wine?”
“Of course. But don’t drink too much; we still have to keep moving.”
The three Warriors looked somewhat dazed.
On previous missions, they had been tense and on guard; when had they ever been this relaxed?
Were they here to work or to take a vacation?
Eating roast meat and drinking wine, everyone relaxed and grew closer, even chatting about everyday life.
Half an hour later, full and content, they lay resting under the shade.
Suddenly, a sharp whoosh came from nearby.
Lu Xingchen focused, and a feathered arrow flew straight toward Li Yan.
Lu Xingchen immediately drew his shadow sword and lunged to shield Li Yan, blocking the deadly strike.
“Enemy attack! Prepare to fight!”
The other four snapped to attention, rising and drawing their weapons.