The dumplings had already been tasted. Now, Yi Tianxing was eager to try Lai He's wontons and see how they compared.Of course, while he was looking forward to it, he wasn't going to force anything.
In the world of chefs, pastry chefs (面点师) were a rather distinct category. Many chefs specialized in a specific cuisine — for example, pastry chefs focused solely on dough-based dishes. While they might dabble in other types, their expertise lay in their specialty.Lai He could make pastries — this was already proven with the dumplings. He wasn't a dedicated pastry chef, but he was clearly capable.
The only real difference would be in the taste.
"You've emerged from seclusion, husband."
Yi Tianxing had gone to visit Cai Yan. Upon seeing him, a smile of delight appeared on her face.
"Yes, I've gained some insight. But now that I'm the lord of a city, I can't remain in seclusion for too long," Yi Tianxing replied with a smile.
Like the cultivators in legends who secluded themselves for years or even decades — that kind of thing simply wasn't possible anymore. Not even a year; even if he vanished for just a few months, problems would erupt in the city.That was the price of being in charge of a power.
What he gained, naturally, was command over an entire force — he could leverage it to gather rare items and resources that ordinary cultivators could never obtain. But what he lost… was freedom.He could no longer travel as he pleased or wander the world's scenic lands on a whim.
"Husband, while you were in seclusion, someone truly extraordinary came to our Talent Recruitment Hall," Cai Yan said, blinking playfully as they walked.
"Oh? A great talent besides Du Kang? Someone of the highest caliber?"
Yi Tianxing was intrigued.
After all, top-tier talent was rare — even in this merged world of myriad realms. The Eternal Continent was vast beyond imagining, and they were still in just a tiny corner of it. He never dared expect that many talents to appear on their own — most would have to be cultivated from scratch.That's why he was focusing on building academies and schools — to create future talents.
So, if someone extraordinary had appeared now, it would be a rare and welcome surprise. He became even more curious about who this newcomer was.
"You'd never guess who it is — someone from my era, in fact. A drunkard, too," Cai Yan said with a light laugh.
"Your era? The late Eastern Han Dynasty, then? There were so many famous drunkards back then! Too many to count… That's not fair, how do you expect me to guess? I'm not some divine fortune-teller," Yi Tianxing said with a wry smile and a shake of his head.
The Three Kingdoms era was full of wine-loving warriors. Almost every general was known for their drinking — those with high tolerance were admired and respected. Living in constant battle and tension, drinking was a natural outlet.A chaotic era bred drinkers by the dozen.
Asking him to guess which wine-lover it was? That was a hopeless task.
"General Yang Ye has already brought him to the City Lord's residence three times," Cai Yan continued, smiling. "But since you were in seclusion, he always had to return empty-handed. I won't spoil it — you'll recognize him when you meet him."
"Zhaoji-jie! That black guy is amazing! Just this morning, he fought both Yang Yanping and Yang Yanding — and won again. Even Yang Yanding, who's a body refiner with raw strength in the tens of thousands of jins, got beaten!"Just then, a voice burst in. A figure in a tight-fitting outfit strode confidently into the room — it was Mu Guiying.
Her outfit showed off her curvaceous figure, her spirit was more commanding than ever, and her every gesture exuded strength — a woman no less fierce than any man.
"Oh! Brother Yi, you're out of seclusion!"She noticed Yi Tianxing walking with Cai Yan and looked a bit embarrassed for barging in so rudely — but then she smiled and greeted him cheerfully.She didn't care much about ladylike appearances anyway — this was her true personality.
"Guiying, you've gotten even more beautiful. Looks like bounty hunting has honed you well — your whole presence has changed. This is the real you," Yi Tianxing said, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her.
Her long limbs and slim waist were complemented by her tight green outfit. Her figure was captivating — her curves full and striking, evoking a strong sense of conquest.
"Being a bounty hunter is completely different from my old life," Mu Guiying said with a touch of emotion."Every day, I face all kinds of missions — hunting beasts, roaming the wilderness, watching my companions die. If I don't grow stronger, I'll be the one dying next."
She had learned firsthand how hard it was to stay alive.
Humanity survived in fortified villages and ancient cities. But outside the walls lay a world ruled by beasts and monsters. The wilds were full of danger — even ordinary plants had become lethal threats.
A simple vine could easily be a killer in disguise.
In such a world, not growing stronger was impossible.
"Only you can make yourself stronger — no one else can do it for you," Yi Tianxing nodded solemnly.Even if everyone was a cultivator, not everyone could become a true powerhouse. It all depended on the heart — whether one had the will to fight.
"Oh, right! That 'black guy' I mentioned earlier — he's amazing. In the army, no one can beat him. He's a real monster of a warrior," Mu Guiying said suddenly.
"Who is he?"Yi Tianxing grew more curious.He knew just how strong Yang Yanding was. As a body refiner, he had terrifying strength. Even among peers, few could rival him — and even cross-tier battles weren't impossible for him.
"Master, General Yang is here requesting an audience," said Cao Zhengchun, quickly approaching.
"Speak of the devil… Let them in. I want to see for myself who this mysterious black warrior really is."
Yi Tianxing smiled faintly, his interest piqued.
They moved into the pavilion to await breakfast.
Before long, Yang Ye entered in full military gear — and beside him stood a burly man with a blackened face and a full beard. Yi Tianxing's eyes immediately locked on the stranger.
"What a man."
That was Yi Tianxing's first thought. This kind of face had a natural advantage in the army — a fierce presence that commanded respect and fear.
"Greetings, my lord," Yang Ye bowed."My lord, congratulations! A few days ago, our Talent Hall recruited a mighty general — not only strong beyond compare, but a veteran of countless battles.Although I've welcomed him into the army, I admit I don't know how best to deploy him. So I've brought him to you for personal placement."
Normally, generals were appointed through the Military Council — which Yang Ye currently led. But for even him to admit defeat? This was clearly no ordinary man.
"What a fearsome warrior. May I ask your name, general?"
Yi Tianxing looked at the dark-skinned giant before him and asked calmly.
"I am Zhang Fei, called Zhang Yide!!"The man's voice boomed like a gong, shaking the air. His eyes scanned Yi Tianxing intently.
A monarch recruited talents — but talents also judged their lords.If their personalities didn't match, there'd be no point in serving.
"Zhang Fei… Zhang Yide… You're actually Zhang Fei?"
Even Yi Tianxing couldn't hide the shock in his eyes as he exclaimed.
Zhang Fei — the legendary sworn brother of Liu Bei and Guan Yu, one of the Three Heroes of the Peach Garden.In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he was one of the strongest warriors of his time. The tale of the Three Heroes fighting Lü Bu still echoed through history.While Liu Bei might not have matched their martial skill, both Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were peerless warriors. The world sang Guan Yu's praises as the God of War — but many believed that Zhang Fei's strength was equal to or even greater than Guan Yu's.
Moreover, Zhang Fei was no mere brute. He had a keen mind and an artistic side — known for painting and embroidery.He was a true polymath, though obsessed with alcohol to a near-mad degree — one of history's most famous drunkards.Once he started drinking, it was hard to stop.
But in terms of leading troops and personal combat, there was no doubt:Zhang Fei was a monster among men.