I've also taken him to stroll through one or two temple fairs on the road.

As a result, the little one never forgot it.

Knowing there's a temple fair, he started waiting two days ago, and looked pitifully at everyone early in the morning today.

Before, it was Sha Lifei who took him to play.

Now, only Li Yan could personally take action.

Leaving the Ruifu Residence, the streets were noticeably less crowded.

Li Yan had already left the city for the pier, but had a thought and turned to Wu Ba, saying: "Outside Lingquan Temple, there's also a fair, though it's smaller, we shouldn't miss it."

"How about we visit here in the morning and Wolong Mountain in the afternoon?"

"Great! Great!"

Wu Ba's face bloomed with happiness upon hearing this.

Li Yan chuckled silently, took Wu Ba, and headed east.

...

Compared to Guangde Temple, Lingquan Temple was closer.

The two passed by Wangjiang Building, traveled southeast on the official road, and reached the foot of Lingquan Mountain in less than an hour.

This was originally a large stretch of wilderness.

First came the incense-burners from all over Shu, who couldn't find lodging in Sui Ning County and decided to camp here.

Then the Chang Chun Association came and claimed territory.

When Li Yan and his group arrived, it was already bustling with people.

The stage made of soil platforms and wooden frames, and the tents set up by troupes performing folk arts like story rhymes, juggling, and magic tricks, produced a cacophony of sounds.

One had to get close to hear clearly.

As for those selling threads, baskets, New Year paintings, and firecrackers, they were innumerable.

In the cold weather, everyone shouted with their voices.

"Sugar paintings, sweet and pretty sugar paintings!"

"Glutinous rice sweet wine, warm oil tea!"

"New hoes and sickles, sturdy and cheap!"

"Old books and New Year paintings, cheap sale!"

People were packed like threads, even in winter, it was still bustling.

Li Yan had seen a lot of excitement in his past life, and naturally didn't care much for these things, but Wu Ba was dazzled.

The kid was like a child during a festival.

One moment, he ran to the roasted sweet potato stall, ate and took four or five in a few bites, blowing hot air without minding the heat…

Another moment, he ran to the braised meat stall, gnawing at a glossy braised pork knuckle with a baked cake...

Not only was his mouth busy, but his eyes also wandered everywhere.

Having just crunched down two sugary figures, he ran with a bunch of kids to the puppet theater, grinning widely.

Li Yan finally understood why Sha Lifei always complained.

Taking care of this kid was like babysitting.

The good thing was, he only needed to use Yang Jue, and he knew where Wu Ba was at all times, plus that noticeable height made it impossible to lose him.

Since he was already here, he leisurely walked around, occasionally visiting stalls selling old items to see if he could find anything good.

Gradually, he set aside all worries, and found some enjoyment.

"Greetings, Young Hero Li!"

A voice suddenly sounded beside him, it was an old man dressed in black with a white headband, respectfully saluting him.

Before Li Yan could inquire, the old man introduced himself: "Young Hero Li, my surname is Wu, first name Kang, I'm the leader of the Chang Chun Association here. If you need anything, just say the word."

Li Yan was already a prominent figure in Shu's pugilistic world recently, and after Wangjiang Building, his fame skyrocketed.

To a small organization like the Chang Chun Association, he was naturally a formidable figure; even the president would come to greet him if present.

"You're too kind..."

Li Yan was about to exchange pleasantries, when suddenly he had an idea and asked: "What fun things or good food are at today's meeting?"

"Yes, yes!"

Old Wu Kang suppressed his excitement and nodded, "Though our place is small, it is a Guanyin Daoist Field, so some truly skilled fellow practitioners have also come."

"There's a puppet show from Northern Sichuan, called 'Great-headed Puppet', which is quite different, and the puppets are as tall as people, truly rare..."

"As for food, I know of a place. The person is called Wang Mazi, his skills rival those of a culinary general..."

"You're joking, sir."

Li Yan chuckled, "A culinary general wouldn't be in a place like this."

In the culinary world, there are ranks, and the so-called "culinary general" refers to a chef renowned across a specific cuisine.

Usually awakened with divine skills, reaching the peak of color, aroma, and taste.

Li Yan had been fortunate to dine with two, and the taste lingered in his memory.

But if it's a "culinary general", even in Chengdu and Chongqing Prefecture, they are guests of local dignitaries, with wealthy patrons eager to open restaurants for them.

Who would come to this big market to show their face?

"That's what you don't know."

Wu Kang quickly explained, "That person is covered with pockmarks and has a very bad temper. I heard they offended some powerful people and peers. He doesn't like serving rich people, only loves cooking here in the market."

"His dishes are expensive, and he often argues with customers, so his business is average."

Li Yan became interested, "Really? Where is this person?"

"Please follow me."

Wu Kang immediately led the way eagerly.

He was eager to ingratiate himself, without much thought, as there was a significant difference between them, with no point of connection.

But there's one good thing, serving well today means he could brag in the future about having had connections with someone notable.

"Wu Ba, come, let's eat something good!"

Li Yan also called out, taking Wu Ba along with him.

If someone shows up in Shu, it must be the Sichuan Cuisine General.

Sure enough, as the three of them reached the edge of the market, even before getting close, Li Yan sniffed, and his mouth instantly watered.

"The master wasn't wrong!"

Li Yan said nothing more, and headed towards a pavilion with Wu Ba.

This pavilion looked simple, just a regular grass mat enclosure, with a few round wooden pillars supporting the grass mat roof, but it was very clean.

To one side was a mud stove, with a person standing nearby, a wok flying up and down in his hands, the sound of stir-frying sizzling.

As the head of the Chang Chun Association said, this cook looked truly unappealing, with a short stature, a big head, a thick neck, and a face full of pockmarks, like sesame seeds mixed with bugs running around, making it uncomfortable to watch.

But Li Yan's attention was all on his hands.

This person was making a classic Sichuan dish, twice-cooked pork.

The pork chosen was premium Five Flowers, flying up and down in the wok, the surface turning a golden brown, slightly bending, forming a bowl shape.

Sautéed with black fungus and peppers, its aroma could knock someone down.

"What great craftsmanship!"

Li Yan couldn't help praising.

Next to him, Wu Ba drooled even more, his hands sweaty, grabbing Li Yan's arm, his eyes as wide as copper bells.

"What are you shouting for?"

This Cuisine General glared fiercely.

The little helper beside him hurriedly carried a plate to the side.

Inside the pavilion, one side was the mud stove, and the other side had two tables, with only one occupied.

A blind old Daoist with a cane.

A disheveled, dusty-faced youth holding a sword.

The two of them were also full of anticipation, and when the twice-cooked pork was served, they quickly picked up their chopsticks, first nodding and smiling at Wang the Pockmarked, then vying with each other to eat.

Upon seeing this, Li Yan frowned.

He could vaguely sense something off with these two, likely magicians, but their aura seemed masked by some power.

Moreover, when they vied with chopsticks, they clearly used superior swordsmanship, coming and going, never crossing chopsticks, but the sword momentum constantly changing.

Li Yan only glanced once and had no intention of meddling, smiling slightly, as he prepared to sit at another table with Wu Ba.

"Hold on a second!"

Wang the Pockmarked glared, "Who said you could sit?"

Li Yan was somewhat surprised, "Don't you run a business?"

Wang the Pockmarked snorted, "Not your business!"

Li Yan squinted slightly, "Why?"

Wang the Pockmarked stared at him hard, speaking coldly, "Pretty boys aren't good people, you just look uncomfortable, and the dishes cooked would naturally not taste good."

Li Yan: "…"

Next to him, Wu Kang saw the situation, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and he hurriedly stepped forward to whisper, "Wang the Pockmarked, what nonsense are you talking, this is Young Hero Li, whose reputation is rising recently, appreciate you, put away your bad temper."

"Scram, scram, scram!"

Wang the Pockmarked was utterly unapologetic, glaring at Wu Kang, "Who the hell are you to talk to me like that."

Li Yan found this person so odd, he also felt a bit annoyed.

He was about to speak when suddenly a voice came from beside him, "Uncle Wang, this gentleman is a true hero, please do me a favor."

It was the sword-holding youth who suddenly spoke.

"Hmm, alright."

To Li Yan's surprise, Wang the Pockmarked agreed directly, nodding to the helper to wipe the table and pour tea.

Seeing this, Li Yan also suppressed his anger, smiling and cupping his hands to the youth, "Thank you very much."

"No need to thank me."

The youth laughed with glee, showing big white teeth:

"Just fight with me later!"

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