Chapter 341: You're Finally Here

Chapter 341: Chapter 8: You’re Finally Here

Although he felt it wouldn’t hurt to keep the drone on surveillance, Duan Fei figured the other party wouldn’t reveal a weakness so easily. He recalled the drone.

Recalling the scene he had just witnessed, Duan Fei guessed that this was likely a trial with supernatural elements.

However, his presence was effectively Zero in the eyes of ghosts, and since the Little Daoist’s techniques involved commanding ghosts, he was completely unaffected by them.

While he was lost in thought, Cuihua had already finished the crystal pork.

The sliced pork knuckle looked like flower petals. A meticulously prepared dipping sauce sat beside it, whetting the appetite of anyone who laid eyes on it.

Seeing the food, Little Fatty couldn’t help but gulp and ask, “Can I just have one bite?”

“It’s… poisonous,” Cuihua said earnestly.

“Then, Duan Someone, if I get poisoned, can you give me first aid?”

“Sure. No guarantee you’ll live, though.”

Just as Little Fatty reached for a slice, the entire plate of crystal pork knuckle suddenly vanished.

A few seconds later, the empty plate reappeared with a note on it. It read: “Acceptable.”

“First they were trying to act all cute, and now they’re putting on airs like some grandmaster?” Duan Fei said coldly.

“Duan Someone, you seem to have a bit of a bias against the people here,” Little Fatty asked.

“Drop the ‘seem.’ I *am* biased. Anyone who could teach a character like the Little Daoist must be a phony, too.”

“My apologies. So my master is a phony. I’m so terribly sorry to have offended you.”

Turning his head, Duan Fei saw the Little Daoist leaning against the door, glaring at him with an annoyed expression.

“Good, as long as you know.” Duan Fei nodded in satisfaction. “You may have a terrible character, a rotten personality, and an ugly face, but at least you’re self-aware. That’s an excellent quality.”

The Little Daoist hadn’t expected Duan Fei to completely ignore his sarcasm and launch a direct, foul-mouthed assault.

Glaring at Duan Fei, he sneered again and pointed outside. “Was that you spying on us with a drone just now?”

“It was me. What are you gonna do about it?”

Staring at the thuggish Duan Fei, the Little Daoist’s face went pale again. He was rendered speechless once more.

Taking a deep breath, he silently activated the Calm Heart Technique, repeatedly telling himself that the man across from him was just a mortal, not worth getting upset over.

However, Duan Fei wasn’t about to let him off the hook. “I really don’t get what your deal is. We’re the ones who came here to help cook, but you’re acting so high and mighty. I, Duan Someone, have a world-renowned reputation! I’ve hobnobbed with gods and immortals, and I’ve never once gotten the cold shoulder. What’s with that platter you call a face? Are you saving it to serve tofu on, or what? And you dare to give me a sour look the moment you show up?”

“Well said, Duan Someone,” Little Fatty whispered. “I can’t stand this guy either.”

The Little Daoist was so furious he nearly coughed up blood. He pointed a trembling finger at Duan Fei. “You… you…”

“Spit it out already. Don’t waste your godfather’s and your uncles’ time. This uncle here really values his time.”

After repeatedly circulating the Calm Heart Technique, the Little Daoist finally managed to rein in his emotions. He said in a low voice, “Master found the previous dish to be barely satisfactory. It can only be considered a pass.”

Cuihua, who had been expecting praise, looked as if he’d been struck by lightning. He began to rack his brain, trying to figure out what he’d done wrong.

‘Maybe the heat control could have been better, and I could have blanched the pork knuckle for a second or two less.’

Just as he was about to humbly accept the criticism and resolve to do better, Duan Fei, who had already plopped down in a rattan chair and was picking his nose, spoke up. “Who do you think you’re trying to mind control? I saw exactly how seriously my teammate took his cooking. And you, a freeloader, have the gall to get cocky? If you’re not satisfied, tell your master to come here for a one-on-one. If he’s alive, I’ll beat him to death. If he’s already dead, I guarantee he’ll still have room for improvement.”

“Duan Someone…”

“What. Go back and tell your master if he’s not satisfied, he can cook it himself. Cut the crap.”

The Little Daoist gritted his teeth so hard it seemed like sparks would fly.

Suppressing the urge to strike, he shot Duan Someone a venomous glare before turning and leaving.

Before long, the list appeared on the wall again. This time, there was only one dish: “Egg-fried rice.”

Staring at the order, Cuihua fell silent.

Noticing Cuihua’s distress, Duan Fei walked over and asked, “What’s wrong, Cuihua?”

“It’s difficult.”

“Isn’t it just frying eggs and rice together until it’s done? Never mind Jinghong, even *I* can make that.”

“It’s genuinely difficult.”

After Cuihua’s impassioned, gesticulating explanation, Duan Fei finally understood the source of his anxiety.

Anyone can make egg-fried rice, and it’s easy to make it taste good. But to make it exceptionally delicious is very, very difficult.

The eggs require special consideration, as does the rice, and the control of the heat. Every element has to be perfect.

Moreover, Cuihua felt that no matter how delicious he made it, the other party would always find some fault and use it to put him down.

After understanding Cuihua’s dilemma, Duan Fei felt that the Little Daoist and the Elder Daoist were just looking for trouble.

As he organized his thoughts, Duan Fei grew more and more curious about how to break this trial.

He told Cuihua to relax and continue preparing, then asked, “Are we missing ingredients this time, too?”

“Yes. Eggs.”

Looking at the otherwise fully stocked kitchen, Duan Fei realized they were always missing one essential ingredient. This was probably something to pay attention to.

Telling Cuihua not to start cooking yet, Duan Fei turned to Little Fatty. “Come on, we’re going down the mountain. I have a feeling there’s important information in the town below.”

“Godfather! Please, spare me! I’ll be scared to death before we even get off the mountain!” Little Fatty cried out.

“Stop fooling around. You’re coming with me.”

“We’re just playing a game! You don’t have to ruin the pure, platonic male bond between us over a game! Godfather!”

“Let’s go!”

“Didn’t the Little Daoist say we can’t go down the mountain?”

“Are you going to listen to me or to him?”

“I’m listening to myself! And I really think we shouldn’t go!”

Dragging the wailing Little Fatty, Duan Fei headed swiftly down the mountain.

Realizing Duan Fei had made up his mind and wouldn’t be swayed, Little Fatty finally gave up struggling and just clung to Duan Fei’s sleeve as they descended.

It had recently rained on the mountain. The stone steps leading down were covered in leaves, making the already steep path even more slippery.

Fortunately, Duan Fei’s current Attributes were quite good. His superhuman Reaction and agility allowed him to navigate the mountain path with speed.

But then he remembered how the Little Daoist moved like the wind, and figured his Attributes couldn’t be bad either. ‘If we really have to fight,’ he thought, ‘I’ll need to use my ultimate and finish him in one shot.’

A quarter of an hour later, Duan Fei finally dragged Little Fatty to the foot of the mountain and got a look at the town below.

The small town was brightly lit, with red lanterns hanging high, casting fragmented patches of light on the ground.

And in the buildings along the road, figures lurked in the shadows. They watched Little Fatty approach, sinister smiles spreading across their faces.

‘After such a long wait, they’ve finally arrived.’

Then, laughter rang out, slowly spreading through the air.