Chapter 57: The Conquered Hong Yaozu

  Transtor: Krukist

  "Take action? Who wouldn’t want to? But Chen Shuitian holds absolute power in Heavenly Cloud Academy—what do we have to stop his schemes?" Someone scoffed on the spot, thinking the Zhou Family's representative was being far too naive.

  If Chen Shuitian were that easy to deal with, the Seven Great Families wouldn’t have been forced into their current predicament within the academy.

  It was embarrassing to admit, but decades ago, the Seven Great Families nearly controlled Heavenly Cloud Academy. However, they remained divided, each vying for their own interests. Then, Chen Shuitian suddenly emerged, uprooting their influence one by one. Only then did they realize the need to unite—but by then, it was already too te.

  The Zhou Family’s representative wasn’t offended by the retort. Instead, he simply smiled and turned his gaze toward He Wu.

  Under his piercing stare, He Wu felt a chill down his spine. It was as if the Zhou Family’s representative was a starving beast stalking its prey on a treacherous mountain path, ready to pounce at the slightest misstep. A bitter smile formed on He Wu’s lips.

  Before Chen Shuitian, he had strutted around confidently, even daring to challenge Lin Yu of his own accord, completely disregarding the Seven Great Families’ interests.

  Yet now, he was nothing more than a pawn in someone else’s game. Taking a deep breath, He Wu spoke solemnly:

  "We can’t stop Han Ya. However, I have been informed that her faction will only assist Lin Yu for seven days. After that, everything will be handed over to Chen Shuitian."

  "So we should act after seven days?" The Chen Family’s representative scoffed. "If we move, we must be prepared to face Chen Shuitian head-on. His capabilities speak for themselves—you all understand that."

  "No, I have a pn…" The Zhou Family representative smirked. "Lin Yu has a younger sister, Lin Ling’er. I’ve heard that the Wu Family’s second young master has quite the interest in her. Why not use this opportunity to… push things along?"

  The Wu Family’s representative frowned. "You mean Wu Chong? If his actions can help our pn succeed, then even if it costs him his life… it’s a price worth paying. However…"

  The others exchanged knowing gnces and nodded.

  "We understand. If anything goes wrong, the other six families will compensate you accordingly."

  At those words, the Wu Family representative finally smiled.

  Wu Chong? That fool? Even the Wu Family’s patriarch considered him a disgrace to their name. If he could contribute something useful—even at the cost of his own life—wouldn’t that be worth it?

  ---

  Heavenly Cloud Academy – Student Dormitory

  In the dead of night, Wu Chong tossed and turned in bed, his mind consumed by a single scene: Lin Yu gently patting Lin Ling’er’s head.

  The moonlight seeped into his room as he sat up, his emotions churning. Pushing open the door, he began practicing his martial arts, his movements swift and powerful.

  A voice echoed in his mind:

  "Why? Why am I not good enough? Lin Ling’er… why must you be with someone else?"

  His fists struck the wooden training post with increasing ferocity. With a final, furious blow, the post snapped in half.

  Just as he was about to vent his frustration further, a strange chirping sound caught his attention.

  A tiny wooden bird, no rger than half a fist, nded in his palm. Though lifeless, it chirped as if alive.

  A letter fluttered down. Wu Chong picked it up and read its contents.

  The more he read, the darker his expression became. Moments ter, he let out a furious roar:

  "Lin Yu? The Vice Pavilion Master of the Dining Pavilion? In seven days, I will take your life!"

  The letter was filled with suggestive nguage, insinuating that Lin Yu and Lin Ling’er shared a retionship beyond that of mere siblings. Phrases like "a bond deeper than kinship" and "a brother and sister seemingly like lovers" ignited Wu Chong’s rage.

  "Lin Yu, you traitorous bastard! How dare you have such thoughts about your own sister?!"

  ---

  Culinary Pavilion – A Feast Unlike Any Other

  "Dishes are ready!"

  Lin Yu set several ptes on the table.

  Before Chen Shuitian could even move his chopsticks, Hong Yaozu couldn’t resist grabbing a piece of fried chicken. He took a bite—only to reveal a trace of disappointment.

  "This… isn’t spirit cuisine."

  Lin Yu chuckled. "Only one of these dishes is a spirit dish, Sir Hong. I suggest you start with the regur food first and save my braised pork for st."

  Fried chicken, tempura, stewed chicken with mushrooms—Lin Yu surveyed his own creations with satisfaction and dug in. Even Chen Shuitian, who had tasted the finest delicacies, couldn’t help but eat with delight.

  Despite his status, Chen Shuitian had sampled countless gourmet dishes. Yet Lin Yu’s cooking exceeded all expectations.

  Meanwhile, Hong Yaozu was perplexed. If it were just Lin Yu enjoying his own cooking, he could understand. But even someone as high-ranking as Chen Shuitian seemed utterly captivated by these ordinary dishes.

  Hong Yaozu had come here for one reason: to try Lin Yu’s braised pork, a dish made with pork—an ingredient long considered beneath true spirit chefs.

  Chen Shuitian suddenly ughed. "So, you found my private stash of strong liquor? I brewed that myself—better than anything even the marquis has gifted me!"

  He was, of course, referring to the braised pork, which had been cooked with his homemade liquor.

  Lin Yu picked up a glistening piece of braised pork, his throat trembling in anticipation. Originally, he had gone beyond the recipe and added strong liquor, which he worried might ruin the dish. But the result had far exceeded expectations.

  Taking a bite, Lin Yu couldn’t help but excim:

  "This is incredible!"

  Chen Shuitian smirked. "I’ve seen plenty of people who praise their own cooking, but I’ve never seen someone do it as naturally as you."

  Meanwhile, Hong Yaozu sat in stunned silence, chewing on his fried chicken.

  Unlike before, Lin Yu had deboned the chicken before frying it, allowing for a seamless eating experience.

  His eyes widened. His entire body trembled.

  Even Nan Ziyan—who had a severe eating disorder—was now devouring the food like a starved beast.

  "Delicious… utterly delicious!" Hong Yaozu finally put down his chopsticks, then bowed slightly toward Lin Yu.

  "Vice Pavilion Master, thank you… You’ve shown me what true cuisine is. This… this is a true masterpiece!"

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