Food Fairy Lord

Chapter 794 The Illusionary Feast (Part Nine)
The curtain was drawn back, and the group sat down at the table, while a lady knelt beside them to prepare tea.

Pei Ye did not sit down.

Qu Xin alone was enough to make him feel like he was sitting on pins and needles. He didn't miss this friend much except when he was about to die. Cui Zhaoye's appearance was no longer fresh and lovely after he started that so-called hobby club. On the contrary, Piao Qing was more approachable at this time. After they parted at the door that night, they had never contacted each other again, but although the feelings were still there, the knot in their hearts was untied. The two of them were originally the first and closest partners.

Pei Ye subconsciously moved closer to the girl.

Li Piaoqing looked up at him, her eyes filled with a smile.

Pei Ye gave her a silent look, his lips pursed. If sitting with these people was just like sitting on pins and needles, he could simply lower his head, pretend to be dead, and endure it. But when Miss Ming entered the room, his heart was in his throat.

He would rather hit himself with the stick than let Miss Ming see it.

But Ming Qitian looked at him first and said, "You used your sword very well just now. I thought you would lose to He Yaoyao."

“I had discussed swordsmanship with He Zhenchuan several times before, so we have a deeper understanding of each other and that’s why I was able to hold on.” Pei Ye relaxed a little when talking about swordsmanship. “In terms of true swordsmanship, He Zhenchuan is still far superior to me.”

“Your actual combat skills far surpass your theoretical abilities, so there’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Ming Qitian said. “You played very seriously today and performed very well.”

“...Is that so?” Pei Ye smiled. “Because Miss Ming and I played swordsmanship before, and that included all of these situations.”

"It's also related to your state of mind. Are you feeling a bit resentful today?"

“…Hmm.” Pei Ye pursed her lips. “These days, people in the capital are talking about me every day. I can hear it even when I’m eating a steamed bun. It’s getting a little annoying…I’m sorry, Miss Ming, is this affecting your mood?”

Ming Qitian shook his head: "Humans have seven emotions and six desires. As we talked about on Zhongnan Mountain, as long as emotions do not shake your will, they will actually give you strength."

Pei Ye nodded.

Then he turned his head, and Li Xizhou squinted at them, resting his chin on his hand.

"..." Pei Ye pursed her lips and gave her a warning look.

Li Xizhou smiled: "Pei Ye's amazing skills today are largely thanks to the Sword Master's guidance over the past half month. Pei Ye has always told me that the person he admires most is the Sword Master Ming, and seeing him today, I can confirm that his reputation is well-deserved."

Ming Qitian stroked the black cat's back and nodded slightly: "I met Pei Ye in times of crisis and became friends with him through life and death. I consider him my closest friend."

Cui Zhaoye, standing to the side with sparkling eyes, said, “Yes, a few days ago, Young Hero Pei invited me to his residence to discuss swordsmanship. I never expected to meet Master Ming—Master Ming is the swordsman of the previous generation whom I admire the most, and Pei Ye is the swordsman of the current generation whom I like the most. In my opinion, Young Hero Pei should follow Master Ming and learn swordsmanship for the rest of his life!”

Ming Qitian turned her head in slight surprise. Pei Ye looked at her, Li Xizhou raised his eyes, and even Li Piaoqing looked at the dignified Cui family noblewoman with astonishment.

"..."

Li Xizhou smiled: "Pei Ye would definitely be willing, but unfortunately the Sword Master is busy and cannot bring him along."

Ming Qitian glanced at the boy beside her and said, "Actually, Pei Ye has his own ambitions. I would be willing to take him to Yunlang Mountain."

Cui Zhaoye laughed again: "Sect Leader Li is willing to take Young Hero Pei back to Shaolong, Physician Qu is willing to take Young Hero Pei back to Mount Tai, and even Sword Master Ming is willing to take Young Hero Pei back to Yunlang... then I am also willing to take Young Hero Pei back to the Cui family."

"..."

Li Xizhou turned his head and said calmly, "Is your opinion important?"

Cui Zhaoye gave a stiff smile: "I was just saying."

Qu Xinping said in a flat voice, "I had no intention of taking the little male duck away."

Li Piaoqing also said seriously, "I don't have that thought either."

Li Xizhou smiled: "We met Physician Qu in the palace. He has always been a doctor with high medical ethics. I also miss the long chat we had that day, Sect Leader Li. If you two have any thoughts, it's alright. Just send a letter to Pei Ye."

Qu Xin said, "Your Highness, Qu Xin would like to have a word with Pei Ye in a little while."

"It's impossible."

Li Piaoqing smiled and said, "I don't have any letters to deliver."

Ming Qitian looked at the women with some curiosity, seemingly confused and surprised. Then she glanced at Pei Ye, who was frowning and silent at the table, and couldn't help but smile.

She didn't speak, but lowered her head and stroked the kitten's head.

The tea was now ready. Li Xizhou gestured for the tea to be poured, raised his cup and said, "Let's drink tea instead of wine to celebrate Young Hero Pei's victory."

Pei Ye breathed a sigh of relief, and everyone raised their glasses to clink and drank.

Li Xizhou said, "I have a private talk with Master Mingjian. Please, everyone."

He then looked at Li Piaoqing and said with a smile, "Sect Leader Li, come and chat more often when you have time. I'll be waiting for you anytime."

Li Piaoqing nodded.

Pei Ye sat there, stunned.

Li Xizhou looked at him: "Do you want to keep it?"

Pei Ye was struggling internally.

The black cat calmly meowed.

Pei Ye reached out, and it leaped into the boy's arms. Then the cat and the boy stood up.

Just as he was about to take a step, Li Xizhou suddenly grabbed his sleeve, looked up and smiled slightly: "Don't leave after the banquet, drink with me tonight."

"……Row."

After the boy left, Li Xizhou also stood up: "Sword Master Ming, let's talk behind the building."

……

Pei Ye, carrying the cat, followed the three girls out.

The banquet hall was already bustling with people, and the clanging of swords echoed continuously on the sword platform.

The three girls stopped, and Li Piaoqing's surprise finally surfaced: "Miss Cui, what happened to you just now?"

Cui Zhaoye remained silent.

Qu Xin opened the booklet he carried with him and began to read.

Pei Ye increasingly felt that she and He Yaoyao had some kind of similarity.

Li Piaoqing laughed: "You dare to stroke the dragon's whiskers, you are truly a heroine."

Cui Zhaoye raised her head, her clear and bright eyes fixed firmly on the approaching young man.

“…Miss Cui, I’m not really willing to go back to the Cui family with you,” Pei Ye said earnestly.

Cui Zhaoye said somewhat aggrievedly, "No, I was protecting you, Young Hero Pei."

Pei Ye looked bewildered: "What are you protecting me for?"

Cui Zhaoye said seriously, "Have you forgotten our conversation when we first came to Huanlou, in Xunfang Garden?"

"..."

“I told you that in my eyes, Young Master Pei, you are like a bird trapped in a cage.” Cui Zhaoye sighed softly, looking at him with unwavering conviction in her affectionate eyes. “Back then, I said that I would protect you.”

Pei Ye remained silent, then asked, puzzled, "What are you protecting me for?"

Cui Zhaoye took a deep breath and pulled him closer, so the three of them huddled together—Qu Xin, looking down at the booklet, also squeezed forward, making it four heads.

"Can't you see it?" Cui Zhaoye said in a low voice, looking at him seriously, "Li Xizhou definitely has ulterior motives towards you! In the past, I was a nobody, and it was only with the help of Master Mingjian, Li Piaoqing, and Qu Xin that we were able to work together to put pressure on you and free you from your cage, Young Hero Pei."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Cui Zhaoye looked at him with heartache, as if the white moon in her heart was about to be tainted by an evil person.

Li Piaoqing was silent for a moment: "No wonder I couldn't stop you."

Qu Xin looked up from the booklet and stared at Cui Zhaoye.

Pei Ye remained silent.

Cui Zhaoye looked at the three of them: "Why aren't you saying anything?"

Li Piaoqing thought for a moment: "So all your effort was saying two sentences?"

Cui Zhaoye remained silent: "What if she captures me and beheads me if I say anything more?"

Then she turned and glared at Qu Xin.

Qu Xin calmly said, "Even if my head is cut off, I can't reattach it."

Cui Zhaoye said seriously, "As a core member of our enthusiasts' association, I tolerated you selling portrait dolls. How come you just deserted at the last minute?"

Qu Xin thought for a moment and said, "Those who understand the times are the heroes."

Pei Ye sighed softly, "Don't concern yourself with this." Cui Zhaoye turned his head, "Young Master Pei, don't be discouraged... Although I only said two sentences this time, I will definitely argue my case next time! You are a bird that is forever free, and you must not be tainted by power!"

“No…” Pei Ye pursed his lips and looked at her, “What I mean is, Miss Cui, you shouldn’t meddle in this matter.”

"..."

Cui Zhaoye looked at Pei Ye blankly, while Pei Ye looked at her silently.

"You've already—" The girl exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief.

All three remained silent. She said numbly, "Shenjing is too filthy."

……

The lady did not follow, Li Xizhou remained silent, and Ming Qitian also remained quiet.

With only two footsteps on the stairs, Li Xizhou, carrying a small lantern in one hand, walked for a long time with the white-clad figure beside him, until they reached the top floor of the vermilion building.

A night breeze blew, and a white crane preened its feathers on the eaves nearby.

Because it is high and quiet, the people below appear as a tiny strip.

“Master Ming, I have indeed long admired you,” Li Xizhou said softly. “You truly possess the bearing of a divine being.”

"Your Highness is also very beautiful."

Li Xizhou couldn't help but smile curiously: "Does the Sword Master also know that he is very beautiful?"

"It is human nature to know the beauty or ugliness of others, and I naturally possess that ability as well."

"I thought the Sword Master didn't care about these mundane matters."

"Qi Tian doesn't look down on anything."

Li Xizhou looked at her, and after a while smiled: "Then who do you think is more beautiful, me or you?"

Ming Qitian was slightly taken aback and looked at her: "Your Highness is beautiful."

Li Xizhou seemed very happy and said with a smile, "The word 'beautiful' alone is not enough to describe the Sword Master."

“The poem ‘Gushe’ will make a person look more like a deity.”

Li Xizhou looked at her. This woman was indeed like a fairy who had temporarily descended to the mortal world, and Li Xizhou suspected that she would be the same even without "Gushe".

This was the first time she had seen her, and when they were alone together, she was indeed more captivated by her beauty.

She almost immediately understood Pei Ye's pathetic manner when he talked about women.

“Sword Master,” Li Xizhou turned his gaze to the downstairs, “twenty years from now, perhaps you will be the ruler of Yunlang, and I will be the ruler of the Tang Dynasty.”

"Maybe."

"What does the Sword Master want to do?" Li Xizhou suddenly asked.

"Ok?"

"Perhaps it's presumptuous, but when we first meet, I like to ask people about their ideals." Li Xizhou looked at the woman. "I'll guess one—pursuing the highest level of swordsmanship? That's what they write in storybooks."

Ming Qitian paused slightly, then nodded: "That is indeed my goal before I turn thirty."

"...And after thirty?" Li Xizhou asked. "Yunlang will already be the number one sword sect in the world."

Ming Qitian paused for a moment: "I'm not quite sure. All along, I've just been practicing swordsmanship. It wasn't until ten days ago on Zhongnan Mountain that Pei Ye gave me an ideal."

Li Xizhou turned his head in a daze: "Pei Ye... gave you an ideal?"

"Yes. I obtained my ideal of killing Taiyi Immortal Lord from him."

"..." Li Xizhou was silent for a while. "I really didn't expect that a person as clear-headed as the Sword Master would be over twenty years old and about to ascend to the Heavenly Tower, yet he doesn't know what to do."

"As the sage said, one should be established at thirty. Finding one's ambition at twenty may not be too late."

Li Xizhou nodded: "It's not too late."

"So," she said calmly, her face expressionless, "are you going to go with him to kill the Immortal Lord?"

Ming Qitian turned her head and looked at her: "Your Highness, Pei Ye originally had this ideal."

"..."

"Perhaps Your Highness would like to hear about Pei Ye?"

"You speak."

“Pei Ye has no peace of mind. No matter how much fame and fortune he achieves in the capital, or how many friends he makes, it will all be the same,” Ming Qitian said. “He lives to kill Yong Bei and Taiyi Zhenlong Immortal Lord. Although he is friendly with Zhao Ye and the others, and close to His Highness, deep down, he still doesn’t feel that there is a place in the world that belongs to him.”

"..."

“So on Zhongnan Mountain, Pei Ye and I made a promise that after we killed Taiyi Zhenlong Immortal Lord, we would spend our days together, fishing and practicing swordsmanship.” Ming Qitian looked up at the sky. “In this way, we both felt at ease.”

Li Xizhou was silent for a moment: "The Sword Master is truly 'clear-sighted,' reflecting everything deep within his heart. Then, what about me, Sword Master?"

Li Xizhou raised his pale, beautiful eyes and looked at the woman with a cool and aloof expression.

Only then did Ming Qitian truly sense her hostility. He quietly looked into those eyes for a while and said, "Your Highness possesses both unwavering resolve and a heart full of fear. Your heart is filled with trepidation and unease, which is why you value Pei Ye so highly."

"..." Li Xizhou pursed his lips and said calmly, "Then I won't let him live with you for half a month."

Ming Qitian looked at her quietly: "Hmm. Your Highness is proud, confident, and ambitious. You don't care about these trivial matters. I think that even if Pei Yezhen has affairs with other women, Your Highness wouldn't care much."

"Love affairs are nothing to worry about," Li Xizhou said. "Li Piaoqing is Shaolong's former lover, and I'd rather joke and play around with her."

"Yes. Your Highness is not afraid that Piao Qing and Pei Ye will rekindle their old feelings, but you are afraid that you will really become enemies with Piao Qing."

“…” Li Xizhou pursed his lips.

"His Highness is also afraid of me and dares not refuse him to see me."

"..."

“Perhaps Your Highness would prefer Pei Ye to be a lecherous and dissolute man, so that Your Highness could find him many women,” Ming Qitian said. “But he is loyal and righteous, which makes Your Highness afraid.”

"..."

Ming Qitian said calmly, “Your Highness knows that even if he is philandering, he will never betray Your Highness. Your Highness is proud of the deep bond between you that you have entrusted with life and death, and is confident that it has long transcended romantic love... But hatred can lead to a break, and if there is a break, he will really leave.”

“Because Your Highness only has Pei Ye,” Ming Qitian said softly.

"do not talk."

Mingqi was quiet.

Li Xizhou moved his lips, tilted his head and whispered, "Don't tell anyone else about this. Not even Pei Ye."

"Ah."

The night air upstairs was quiet.

“You’re right. He’s conflicted and cares a lot about those things. I don’t care, I just like seeing him struggle.” Li Xizhou leaned on the railing, looking down and touching his nails, and said in a low voice, “That’s why I’m hostile to you… afraid of you. When you just said that you would kill the Immortal Lord together, a piece of my heart suddenly felt empty.”

"I didn't do it on purpose."

"I know."

After a moment of silence, Li Xizhou took a deep breath and looked at the night sky: "The Sword Master is right. My fear and trepidation are wounds from my childhood, and I have everything tied to them... What can the Sword Master teach me?"

"what?"

"heal."

“Some shapes are still wounds, and some wounds have become shapes,” Ming Qitian said. “Wounds can heal, but a person’s shape cannot be changed.”

Li Xizhou lowered his eyes: "Just as I thought."

“But Your Highness has an unwavering will, which is more important than Pei Ye,” Ming Qitian said softly. “Even though you are so attached to him, Your Highness does not live for Pei Ye. I admire that.”

Li Xizhou smiled, and she lowered her head.

After a while, he whispered, "Sword Master, could you please be a little abrupt?"

"Ok?"

Li Xizhou gently rested his head on the woman's shoulder.

"Ming Qitian, I like you."

(End of this chapter)