Dinner had been a feast. Everyone ate until their stomachs were round, leaning back on the grass with satisfied smiles. The four girls, in particular, voiced their heartfelt praise for Li Chang'an's cooking. His noodles especially had them singing his praises nonstop.
It couldn't be helped—most women were food lovers, with few exceptions. Li Chang'an's skill in the kitchen was more than enough to conquer their appetites.
As for the old rule about not lighting fires in a spirit beast forest, perhaps it was worth remembering in the Star Dou Forest. But here in Sunset Forest, it hardly mattered.
After some light discussion about cultivation, everyone cleaned up their dishes and prepared to rest.
Before entering the tent, Xiao Wu tugged Zhu Zhuqing over to Li Chang'an, offering a few words of comfort to the one standing night watch. In the end, she planted a kiss on him before dragging the blushing Zhu Zhuqing back inside.
Inside the tent, however, they found Ning Rongrong still awake, fully dressed, as though waiting for something.
"Xiao Wu, you're back. I… I'm going to the restroom," Ning Rongrong said with a sigh of relief.
"Alright. Be careful, Rongrong," Xiao Wu replied with a smile.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Ning Rongrong left the tent, leaving only Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing behind.
"Strange… why would Rongrong wait for us to come back before going to the restroom?" Xiao Wu asked curiously as she slipped off her shoes, revealing her delicate, pink toes.
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head, frowning slightly, as though she had caught on to something—yet not quite.
Meanwhile, Li Chang'an turned to Liu Erlong.
"Dean Erlong, I'll just step away for a moment. I'll be right back."
She nodded, waving him off. "Go quickly."
Li Chang'an strolled unhurriedly into the woods a short distance away, setting up a barrier as he went.
"Teacher Li, I missed you so much." Ning Rongrong immediately leaned against him, her voice choked with longing. Seeing Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing openly displaying their affection with Li Chang'an had left her feeling sour.
"Be good, Rongrong. Once we return, I'll visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and speak to your father about us. I promise—within a month, I'll tell Xiao Wu and the others everything." His hands roamed restlessly as he spoke.
"Mm… I believes you… ah~" she whimpered softly.
"By the way, how were the noodles tonight? I made them especially for you," he teased, his hand growing bolder.
"…Really? I guessed as much. They were delicious—I loved them." Her thighs pressed together instinctively in a futile attempt to block his wandering hand. But she was no match for Li Chang'an. Within a minute, she was helpless against his teasing.
Still, he knew his limits. After a brief round of play, he stopped, choosing instead to hold her close and soothe her jealous little heart.
Ten minutes later, Li Chang'an emerged from the woods first. A short while later, Ning Rongrong returned to the tent, her face glowing with satisfaction.
Back by the fire, Liu Erlong sat staring at the starry sky, her expression distant.
"What's on your mind, Dean Erlong?" Li Chang'an asked as he sat down across from her.
"Nothing much… Teacher Li, do you think people really change that much?" she asked suddenly.
He knew exactly what she meant. Smiling faintly, he replied, "Whether people change depends on whether they can hold true to their original heart. If someone can't even stay faithful to their first resolve, then they're not worth your sorrow."
"Original… heart?" Liu Erlong repeated softly, rolling his words over in her mind.
"But sometimes," Li Chang'an continued, "a person's behavior in youth already shows what kind of changes they'll undergo later."
He didn't slander Yu Xiaogang outright, but his words were true enough.
Liu Erlong thought back to Yu Xiaogang's youth—his early promises, his later cowardice. A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
'Enough. I've loved, I've hated. But from now on, he is nothing more than a stranger on the road.'
"Dean Erlong, let's not dwell on that. Tell me—how were the noodles today?" Li Chang'an suddenly asked, shifting the topic.
After all, he had only made four bowls, all given to the girls. The boys ate a simpler version. Each of those four bowls had been seasoned differently, carefully tailored to suit each woman's taste.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing had noticed how perfectly the noodles suited them, believing it was out of consideration—hence their kiss earlier.
Ning Rongrong's portion had been gentle and fragrant. Liu Erlong's—bold and spicy. Every detail had been deliberate.
"They were delicious. Just the way I like it—spicy and satisfying!" Liu Erlong said, nodding with approval.
"That's good. I made that bowl especially for you," Li Chang'an replied with a straight face.
"Really?" Her eyes lit up, then softened. Of course it was for her—how else could it have matched her tastes so perfectly? "Thank you, Changsheng. Could you… teach me how to cook like that?"
Unknowingly, she had shifted closer, sitting back-to-back with him as he began explaining recipes and techniques.
Half an hour later, the two were talking warmly, as though they had known each other forever. At some point, Liu Erlong had leaned against his shoulder, the two quietly chatting by the fire.
But suddenly, the ground trembled beneath them.
Something was coming.
From the shadows crawled a colossal scorpion, its entire body snow-white. A murderous aura rolled off it in waves. Its pale body slithered swiftly along the ground, its nine-segmented tail raised high, ending in a blazing red stinger.
Li Chang'an immediately recognized it—a King of the Earth, a powerful fire-attribute spirit beast!
Brutal and bloodthirsty, it was one of the fiercest of its kind. Few spirit beasts of equal level dared provoke it. This one was about 4,500 years old, as each segment of its tail represented 500 years of cultivation.
The Earth King came in three colors. Red signified under 1,000 years, with each tail segment equating to 50 years. Upon reaching 1,000 years, its massive body would shrink, its color turning white. Only after surpassing 10,000 years would it transform again, its body turning deep blue.
Li Chang'an cursed himself for being careless—distracted by his conversation, he had let his guard down.
But before he could act, Liu Erlong had already moved.
Letting out a piercing cry, she charged at the Earth King, her fury exploding. Her speed and presence shocked even Li Chang'an.
History repeated itself—only this time, it was him who was caught off guard.
_____
T/N:
For readers who would like early access, my Patreon is available for just $4 per month. You'll unlock 90+ advance chapters and help support ongoing works.
🔗 patreon.com/user?u=79514336
You may also search Translator-Sama directly on Patreon.
Your support is sincerely appreciated