"Steward Cao, I request an audience with the Lord."
Huang Chengyan arrived at the City Lord's Mansion immediately, bringing Mao Sui with him. They encountered Cao Zhengchun at the gate.
"Elder Huang, please come inside. I will report to the Lord right away."
Cao Zhengchun nodded in acknowledgment.
Though Huang Chengyan was a trusted senior official, protocol still had to be followed. They were allowed in but not taken directly to Yi Tianxing—he had to be informed first.
Once led into the mansion, the two were asked to wait briefly in a pavilion while Cao went to make his report. Soon after, he returned.
"Elder Huang, the Lord is taking breakfast in the rear courtyard. This way, please."
They followed him into the rear courtyard.
In the garden stood a pavilion, and upon the stone table was a modest breakfast spread: a large bowl of Three-Delicacy Blood Congee, some braised beef, stir-fried greens, cold cucumber salad, and a few baskets of Three-Delicacy Crystal Dumplings.
Not excessive in quantity, but the aroma alone was mouthwatering.
Nothing was more satisfying than dumplings, and these were no ordinary dumplings—they had been prepared personally by Lai He, using a secret recipe. The filling was a blend of Chinese chives, wild boar meat harvested from the wilderness, and freshwater shrimp from the Changqing River. Even the dough was made from the eggs of a multicolored brocade chicken raised by Liu Qu's family, giving the dumplings a special sheen.
The chives were grown in spirit-infused fields, brimming with aura, nearly evolving into spiritual vegetables. The wild boar meat came from a fierce beast-level boar.
Combined, the result was an unparalleled delicacy. Lai He had begun selecting ingredients and preparing the dish an hour in advance, precisely controlling the heat—switching between high and low flames as needed. Timing was crucial and required expert intuition.
Yi Tianxing and Cai Yan were eagerly anticipating this meal. Their taste buds had long been spoiled by Lai He's cooking. Ordinary meals could fill the stomach but not satisfy the soul—especially not when their gourmet cells demanded ever-new culinary stimulation. Both of them were nearing a breakthrough in body cultivation, and delicacies like this helped push them forward.
"Greetings, my Lord."
Huang Chengyan entered the pavilion and saluted Yi Tianxing and Cai Yan, who were already seated and enjoying their breakfast. A smile lit his face.
"No need for formalities, Elder Huang. Please, sit. Lai He has prepared a feast this morning. There's plenty. Join us. And this must be the brilliant talent you've recently discovered?"
Yi Tianxing smiled as he looked over the two. Most of his attention was clearly on Mao Sui. Though his appearance was ordinary, the aura he radiated made a deep impression. For Huang Chengyan to personally escort him here, he was certainly no ordinary man.
"Haha, my Lord, I'll enjoy this meal with a clear conscience. This young man is exactly the kind of talent you need most right now. Do you know who he is?"
Huang Chengyan laughed, taking a seat.
"Oh? And who might he be?" Yi Tianxing asked with interest.
"I am Mao Sui, greetings to the City Lord. I have come to recommend myself," Mao Sui said, stepping forward and bowing.
"Mao Sui? Self-recommendation? You're a descendant of the School of Diplomacy?"
Yi Tianxing's eyes flashed with recognition. He immediately recalled Mao Sui's historical reputation—an exceptional figure of the School of Diplomacy, famous for his bold strategies and silver tongue during the Warring States period. His skill in manipulation and persuasion was legendary, enough to influence the fates of entire nations. Most famous was his "indestructible three-inch tongue."
"I am indeed Mao Sui," the young man nodded calmly.
"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!! Truly, fortune favors me. Mister Mao, please have a seat."
Yi Tianxing's smile widened. A talent of the School of Diplomacy was no less than any top-tier strategist. In fact, such a figure could sometimes have an impact equal to that of a million-strong army. The arrival of someone like Mao Sui, offering himself voluntarily, was a stroke of luck.
Without standing on ceremony, Mao Sui took a seat. Since they hadn't yet formally established a lord-retainer relationship, there was deference, but no strict hierarchy in place.
"Come now, let's set talk aside and enjoy these Three-Delicacy Crystal Dumplings while they're still hot. Lai He prepared them with utmost care. You have to eat them fresh."
Yi Tianxing smiled, prioritizing food above all.
Whoosh!
As the lid of the steamer was lifted, a dazzling radiance burst forth. Within the light, it felt as if countless beautiful visions danced—the embodiment of perfection. One could almost see a crystalline river flowing within the steam.
"Incredible... dreamlike. Master Lai's skills have truly reached their peak. Indeed, any craft taken to the extreme can touch the essence of the Dao," Huang Chengyan praised.
"Glowing food... I've seen it once before, cooked by a child," Mao Sui suddenly remarked.
"You've met someone who can cook glowing food? A child, no less?" Yi Tianxing asked, surprised. Only dishes of exquisite flavor could trigger such a phenomenon. Very few chefs could achieve this.
"That child was quite special. Despite his age, his culinary skills were extraordinary. During a time of crisis, he used mere bamboo shoots to cook a broth that saved many refugees. Sadly, we were separated during the chaos."
Mao Sui sighed in recollection.
"To meet such a young prodigy... If I get the chance, I must taste his cooking myself," Yi Tianxing replied with keen interest. The simpler the ingredients, the more they tested a chef's mastery.
As the radiant steam dispersed, crystal-clear dumplings came into view. Each one looked like a perfect gem, flawlessly shaped and translucent.
An exotic aroma drifted from the dumplings, teasing the senses.
Yi Tianxing wasted no time. With practiced chopsticks, he picked up a dumpling and bit in, sucking in the broth within.
Fresh. Sweet. Exquisite.
The wild boar meat was tender with no trace of gaminess, blending perfectly with the succulent shrimp. The experience was sublime.
After drinking the soup, he slowly ate the rest. Thin-skinned, generously filled—every bite caused his gourmet cells to pulse with joy.
Vital energy surged into his flesh and bones with every mouthful, increasing his physical strength at a rate of hundreds of catties per second.
His Food Cauldron activated, devouring the essence of the dish, refining it into pure energy. Its own core also grew stronger, evolving steadily.
In the face of such perfection, no one spoke. All words would have been a desecration.
By the time they finished, every dish on the table had been devoured.
"Master Lai's cooking is unforgettable, every single time," Huang Chengyan sighed with satisfaction.
"I possess a tongue sharper than any sword. I can help the City Lord remove hidden threats and win time for future development," Mao Sui declared as he stood, offering a formal bow. This was a clear pledge of loyalty.
"Very well. Do you require anything from me?" Yi Tianxing nodded, accepting without hesitation. Mao Sui's tongue was a weapon deadlier than any blade.
"I require only one thing—full authority to act independently when dealing with the alien races. I need the power to make promises on behalf of the City Lord, to act first and report later. In negotiations, every second matters. I must have the right to make immediate decisions."
Mao Sui made his demand without hesitation.
This was no small request. He was asking for the power to represent Xuanhuang City in all external affairs—negotiating, promising, even signing agreements. If abused, he could practically sell out the entire city.
Even Huang Chengyan's expression shifted. This kind of authority, though theoretically revocable, would damage the city's credibility if rescinded. Such rights were not granted lightly.
Yi Tianxing fell silent for a moment, eyes flashing with thought. Then, he nodded.
"Very well. I grant you this on-the-spot authority. Do not let me down. If you can stir internal strife among the alien races and distract them from us, then when you return, I will welcome you in triumph and honor your contributions."