After three years of dormancy, the Gourmet Tyrant was born.

"Don't rush to call me Master."

"I'm a traditional person..."

"There must be an apprenticeship ceremony!"

To possess a seat among the Ten Outstanding Individuals and wield the power of the Ten Outstanding Individuals.

That's a wonderful thing!

.......

29. The apprenticeship ceremony, props prepared for the young apprentice! [Seeking flowers and ratings!]

Inside the hot spring bath, there are private soaking pools.

A light mist hung in the air, and a hazy floral fragrance filled the air.

Lu Xuanyu was wearing a bathrobe with a wide-open neckline, and underneath he was wearing bath pants.

Sitting at the small table in the rest area, waiting for Hisako Shinoto to come out.

"Hehe, is it that hard to accept?"

"You've been changing clothes for fifteen minutes, why aren't you out yet?"

Lu Xuanyu didn't rush him, but ate the snacks on the table and waited for Hisako to come out of the changing room on her own.

This kind of thing will only be more meaningful if she does it herself, little by little.

A forced relationship won't be as sweet or as delicious.

In the changing room.

Hisako Shirato's mind was once again filled with Erina Nakiri's words:

A violent, eccentric, and extremely dangerous individual whose actions are completely out of control...

Could I have fallen for a trick and run into an extremely lecherous man?

The way things unfolded was so bizarre and inexplicable...

The secret base is a hot spring bath!

The explanation is: The hot spring bathhouse belongs to Lu Xuanyu and is currently undergoing renovations; no one is there after 6 PM.

It's reasonable; there aren't many faults to be found.

After Lu Xuanyu entered, all the rooms, entertainment venues, lounges, and public hot spring pools... were covered with seals indicating that they were under renovation!

The only areas not sealed off were the private hot tub at the very back and the kitchen.

The kitchen is fully equipped with all the necessary ingredients, but the space is quite small.

The place for taking a master and practicing cultivation cannot naturally be in the kitchen...

There's only one spacious private hot tub left!

But Lu Xuanyu said again:

"The hot spring bath is too steamy. If I wear the school uniform I came in, I will definitely be damp and cold when I go back."

"In the mountains near early autumn, the temperature is too cold, and it is easy to get sick."

"What if we return to the Nakiri residence and Erina finds you soaking wet? How will you explain that?"

Arata Hisako: "..."

Unable to refute, impossible to refute, a bizarrely reasonable argument.

It seems like everything is under Lu Xuanyu's control?

Are we in a proper master-disciple relationship?

Why...why...is there a hint of unease everywhere?

What made Hisako Shinto even more uneasy was that Lu Xuanyu had prepared a proper yukata for her to wear as an outer garment.

Prepared for myself...

"Wow!"

Hisako Shinto unfolded the clothes in her hands?

A brand new, clean white bath towel!

That's all.

The bath towel was large enough to cover both the top and bottom completely.

It made her feel so embarrassed!

The first time I formally became an apprentice, I was wrapped in a large bath towel and offered tea to my master in the hot spring pool. Am I seriously accepting an apprentice?

When Hisako Shinto felt a sense of retreat, Erina ignored her indifferent expression, while Nao Satsuka's sarcastic words replayed in her mind.

Self-guided strategy complete!

Hisako Shinto removed her school uniform...short skirt...and silk stockings, and neatly put them away.

After wrapping herself tightly in a bath towel, she picked up the tea tray beside her and boldly walked out.

"Wow!"

"Bang!"

The sliding door opened and then quickly closed.

Hisako Niito nervously carried the tea tray to Riku Genyu's side.

She didn't dare to look up the whole time, only vaguely confirming Lu Xuanyu's position.

After pouring the hot tea, she knelt on the ground and steadily held the hot tea above her head.

"Master Xuan Yu, I am here, your disciple Hisako Shinto."

"Today I humbly pay homage to my master and offer you this cup of tea!"

"I hope you can take me as your apprentice. I promise to do everything I can to learn the skills and knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine dietetics."

"Once a teacher, always a teacher. I will do my duty as a disciple and respect and honor my master."

After he finished speaking, there was no response from those in front of him.

Regret?

Don't want to take on apprentices anymore?

Or was it that his apprenticeship speech was not up to par?

While he was still suspicious, Lu Xuanyu spoke up: "Hishako... you're eight zhang away from me, do you think I'm a gibbon?"

"Eh?"

Hisako was startled, only then realizing that she was kneeling too far away.

She shifted her knees, inching closer to Lu Xuanyu.

Seeing the fair-skinned, gentle beauty kneeling on the ground, timidly approaching him, made Lu Xuanyu's blood boil.

In an instant, he finally understood why there were so many incompetent rulers in ancient times.

The feeling of wielding power and authority, and being above others, is truly irresistible.

Lu Xuanyu was in no hurry to reveal his ambitions. He wanted to train his little apprentice little by little until he could mold him into the shape he wanted.

He took the teacup, took a comfortable sip, and then handed it back to Hisako.

After Hisako put down her teacup, she bowed respectfully once more.

The final step of the apprenticeship ceremony has been completed.

"The ceremony is complete. Hisako, from this day forward you shall be my first disciple."

"I will earnestly teach you the true essence of traditional Chinese medicine diet."

"Before you get up, recite the three rules of our sect with me."

Lu Xuanyu lowered his voice, maintaining a composed and dignified demeanor.

Hisako Shinomiya felt a surge of inexplicable excitement, and a happy smile spread across her face: "Yes, Master Genyu!"

Lu Xuanyu: "Ahem, the first rule is to listen to your master and recite it."

Hisako Shirato: "You must listen to your master!"

Lu Xuanyu: "Secondly, you must listen to your master!"

Hisako Shirato: "Should we listen to our master?"

Lu Xuanyu: "The third rule is to listen to your master!"

Hisako Shirato: "You must listen to... Master's words..."

Isn't there only one?

Is it necessary to say it three times?