Gourmet of Another World

“Owner Bu, many thanks for your help,” Ji Chengxue said with a smile as he performed a fist and palm salute. As he looked at Bu Fang’s serene appearance, he could not help but be somewhat amazed.

A fourth grade Battle-Spirit was actually able to injure a seventh grade Battle-Saint to the point where he was vomiting blood and force him to run away. Even though he might have exploited the magic array to accomplish this, this was already considered an incredible achievement.

It was a fact that the difference between a Battle-Spirit and a Battle-Saint was like a chasm and was basically insurmountable.

“Owner Bu is mysterious indeed… His identity is definitely not simple!” Ji Chengxue thought.

Bu Fang gave Ji Chengxue a glance and went into a daze for a moment. Only then did he gestured toward the Three Stripes Path-Understanding Fruit in his hand and said, “This fruit… Can you give it to me?”

Bu Fang looked at Ji Chengxue very seriously. He believed the latter would not refuse him.

Even though the Path-Understanding Fruit was valuable, Bu Fang used the Phoenix Blood Herb to save Ji Chengxue before. The value of the Phoenix Blood Herb was not any lower than the Path-Understanding Fruit. Besides… In order to return the favor of saving his life, Ji Chengxue would probably not refuse.

Emperor Changfeng had already passed away and King Yu was punished by him. The crown prince fell from grace while Ji Chengxue was the successor named in the posthumous edict. Now, he was the person who was definitely going to ascend the throne. In other words, Ji Chengxue was already confirmed to be the next emperor of the Light Wind Empire.

“Give the fruit to Owner Bu… I don’t see a reason not to!” Ji Chengxue solemnly replied.

Subsequently, Bu Fang delightedly nodded and patted Ji Chengxue on his shoulder. He thought, “I knew I didn’t save you for nothing…”

The lid of the coffin was put back in place and the eight topless Battle-Kings lifted up the coffin once more. They followed the path and walked all the way out of the majestic Gate of Heavenly Mystery.

As they stepped into the imperial city’s Long Street, the citizens were all standing on the sides of the street and quietly looking at the bronze coffin. The silence was filled with grief and reverence.

Emperor Changfeng, an outstanding ruler, was indeed worthy of their reverence.

The snow swirling in the sky seemed to have turned into withered petals as they drifted down in large volumes, as if accompanying the elegy being played by the court musicians.

As the funeral procession proceeded on, the sides of the street were filled with citizens. Some of them had puffy eyes, while others were kowtowing despite the chilly weather…

People could not help but sigh as they watched these scene unfold.

Ji Chengxue’s gaze was filled with determination. The various actions of the citizens were all affecting him emotionally. He was astonished to realize that the stern and imposing father in his eyes was actually loved and respected by so many people. This was a true monarch, the actual sovereign of an empire.

He… wanted to become an emperor like this as well!

…

Bu Fang returned to the store and collapsed on a chair. He was so tired that he did not want to move at all. After activating the Double Calamity Dragon Head Array, the true energy within his dantian was completely depleted. It was as unbearable as going without food for three days.

However, even though he suffered so much, Bu Fang was still quite pleased with the result. There was no other reason but the fact that he obtained the Three Stripes Path-Understanding Fruit!

It was a seventh grade spirit fruit, a treasure with a price but no market. It was the main ingredient for the wine he was going to brew next.

Bu Fang took out the Path-Understanding Fruit and its fragrance immediately permeated the store. The three cloud-like patterns on its surface were like drifting white clouds, causing Bu Fang’s eyes to follow them. Each of the cloud-like patterns seemed to be emanating a strange fragrance. As Bu Fang breathed in the fragrance, he felt the rotational speed of the true energy vortex inside his body suddenly increased.

According to rumors, there was a high probability of a sixth grade Battle-Emperor gaining the opportunity to become a seventh grade Battle-Saint after consuming the Path-Understanding Fruit. That was the reason for the fruit’s high value.

Dragging his tired body, Bu Fang entered the kitchen and opened a cupboard. He placed the remaining half of the Phoenix Blood Herb from the system’s storage space inside and the Three Stripes Path-Understanding Fruit next to it.

The cupboard was provided by the system and its preservation effect was very outstanding. Furthermore, it was even capable of preventing the dissipation of spirit energy. It was very suitable for storing these spirit herbs.

After giving his body a stretch, Bu Fang washed his hands. He ensured that any dirt or grime were washed away, then rolled up his sleeves and prepared to start cooking.

The true energy within his body was completely depleted and he felt as if he had been starving for a while. He had a feeling that he would not be able to get up the next day if he did not cook something and fill his stomach with food.

Even though Bu Fang was exhausted, he became meticulous once cooking was involved. His movements were smooth like drifting clouds and flowing water as he completed all of the preparation work.

The melodious and rhythmic sound of stir-frying resounded within the kitchen. After a while, a rich fragrance wafted out from the kitchen. An aroma that would make a person salivate and cause their stomach to rumble.

Soon, a steaming plate of Egg-Fried Rice that seemed to be dressed with a golden sauce was placed on the table.

Bu Fang wiped off the water droplets on his hands and sat down on a chair before letting out a long breath. As he looked at the Egg-Fried Rice that was so exquisite that it was like a piece of artwork, his face was filled with content and satisfaction. Food was meant to make people happy and being able to cook food that delighted others was even more exhilarating.

After Bu Fang finished admiring his handiwork, he eagerly started eating. He used a porcelain spoon to scoop up a spoonful of the Egg-Fried Rice. The flowing egg which was eighty percent cooked left a string-like trail as he lifted the spoon up. The rich fragrance of the egg bundled with the aroma of the rice burst forth like an explosion and instantly enveloped Bu Fang’s nose.

“No matter how many times I’ve eaten this Egg-Fried Rice, I don’t get tired of it,” Bu Fang exclaimed.

A single plate of Egg-Fried Rice was not much for Bu Fang since he was hungry. After he finished eating, he felt a warm feeling coursing through his body. There seemed to be true energy circulating within his stomach and the true energy vortex in his dantain was vigorously spinning after he digested the spirit energy in the Egg-Fried Rice.

“I’ve finally recovered,” Bu Fang thought as a smile broke on his face. Thereafter, he tidied up the tableware and went back to his room on the second floor. He took a shower before getting onto his bed and going to sleep.

At that moment, night had already fallen. The two crescent moons were calling each other in the sky and radiating a cold moonlight.

…

After Emperor Changfeng’s funeral, the new emperor, Ji Chengxue, guarded the imperial mausoleum for three days and finally returned to the imperial court. King Yu, Ji Chengyu, was stripped of his kingship and his cultivation was sealed. He was sentenced to guard the imperial mausoleum for three years and prohibited from leaving.

Ji Chengyu’s downfall happened in an instant. People could not help but pity his predicament.

After Ji Chengxue ascended to the throne, he conferred the title of Carefree King to the crown prince. He forbade the latter from controlling military forces and dabbling in politics. Perhaps, this might be the best end for Ji Chengan.

With the enthronement of a new emperor, the Light Wind Empire started flourishing once more. During the period after Emperor Changfeng passed away, the entire imperial court seemed to have descended into disorder and came to a standstill.

The chief of eunuchs, Lian Fu, did not return to the imperial city. Rather, he stayed at the imperial mausoleum and continued to guard Emperor Changfeng’s tomb. According to Lian Fu’s own wishes, he wished to guard the mausoleum for the rest of his life.

This resolve caused Ji Chengxue to be speechless with esteem. Therefore, he chose not to recall Lian Fu.

For Ji Chengxue, the biggest disadvantage of becoming the emperor was not being able to eat at Owner Bu’s store. He could no longer eat his favorite Red Braised Meat and drink his favorite Ice Heart Jade Urn Wine. With a thick stack of documents to handle, he could not find the time to leave the imperial palace.

Furthermore, Bu Fang’s store only allowed the Oyster Pancake for takeouts. If he ate Oyster Pancakes every single day… he would get sick. Therefore, Ji Chengxue was craving for the store’s dishes.

After some time passed, the Light Wind Empire finally recovered with the efforts of Ji Chengxue and many court officials. Some of the order was meticulously restored.

Everything was headed toward a thriving direction.

As the winter days passed by, the Light Wind Empire’s Spring Festival… was quietly approaching.