Chapter 176: Chapter 176: The Powerful but Reclusive Great Demon

The roast chicken vanished the moment she set it down. If not for the sound of tearing from behind her, Lu Wu would have thought the figure had left.

She didn’t dare turn around.

Facing away from him, she could only say, "Be careful, Senior. It’s hot."

’See how considerate I am? In light of such dutiful respect, maybe you’ll let me off the hook, esteemed senior.’

Completely unsure of the other party’s intentions, Lu Wu could only act with caution.

Behind her, the shadowy figure tore off a large chicken thigh and brought it close to smell it.

The surface of the chicken, kissed by the flames, retained a charred fragrance. The savory aroma of the blended spices was also distinct, and it even carried a hint of a woody scent.

That was the fresh, grassy scent left by the locally gathered firewood.

When the crispy skin of the roast chicken was torn open, the meat inside was rich with juices.

The succulent chicken meat trembled tantalizingly in the wind, capturing the figure’s gaze. A steaming cloud of air, wrapped in the rich aroma of spices, wafted toward him. His nose couldn’t help but sniff at it as the white steam dissipated, revealing the tender, pale-pink flesh within.

He took a bite of the chicken leg.

CRUNCH.

It sounded like a sugar shell cracking. This was the sound of the chicken’s skin shattering between his teeth. The fat in the skin had been completely rendered out, so it wasn’t greasy. Instead, it was crisp and fragrant, melting in the mouth.

The crispy skin was stunning.

But what surprised the figure even more was the meat inside.

The chicken Lu Wu had chosen had a rather high fat content. Even after being cooked at high temperatures, the meat wasn’t so tough you couldn’t chew it. On the contrary, the abundant juices made the flesh even more tender and springy.

The rich flavor of the marinade blended perfectly with the chicken’s natural meaty taste. Within the savory flavor, the chili that Lu Wu had mentioned stimulated his taste buds, making it impossible to stop.

The glistening sheen, the shattering skin, and the burst of juice in his mouth.

Every single part of this roast chicken was perfect in the figure’s eyes.

The visceral experience from that first taste made him completely forget about the cook’s existence. He tore voraciously at the chicken leg, taking a sip of milk tea from time to time.

The figure, completely shrouded in black smoke, was impossible to see clearly. Only his pair of crimson eyes narrowed, conveying his pleasure.

CRUNCH, SLURP. The sound of bones being snapped occasionally joined the chorus. It was so delicious he didn’t even spare the bones.

Listening to this trio of sounds, Lu Wu gradually straightened her back.

The sense of crisis was dissipating.

’As expected, food is a cook’s best weapon. Fighting and killing just isn’t our style.’

The sounds of eating behind her continued for quite some time.

The washbasin-sized roast chicken was devoured completely by the figure. He licked the remaining grease from his hands, then drained the last of the milk tea from the cup.

"BURP!"

He let out a satisfied burp.

His empty stomach was thoroughly comforted. The strength from the food flowed through his body, making him stretch lazily.

After stretching, the figure looked at Lu Wu, who was waiting obediently, and chuckled softly.

"You’re a perceptive one."

As he spoke, he glanced at a spot in the sky above. A fierce light flashed in his eyes, but it vanished just as quickly.

"That... what was it you said? Luosifen. Is it good?"

He asked, his tone as gentle as an elder’s.

But Lu Wu had no intention of claiming a new ancestor. She nodded. "Luosifen has a pretty strong flavor, so whether it’s good or not depends on the person. But a lot of people love it. Besides Luosifen, there are many other delicious and more accessible things to eat and drink."

"Oh, right, Senior, I’ve been selling milk tea from a stall at the entrance of the Heavenly Buddha Temple recently. What you were just drinking is called Yangzhi Ganlu."

"If you have time, you could come by and take a look tomorrow. I’ll have a new kind of milk tea then, too."

She did her best to promote her wares.

When she spoke of good food, her voice brimmed with confidence and pride.

Her vibrant demeanor brought a hint of a smile to the figure’s eyes. "Alright. I’ll come patronize your stall tomorrow."

"I’m just afraid..."

’...that someone doesn’t want me to go.’

The last part of his sentence was so faint that it scattered in the wind before Lu Wu could hear it clearly.

"The hour is getting late. You should go. Follow this direction, and you’ll find the path down the mountain."

The figure pointed Lu Wu in a direction.

Glancing at the bright midday sun directly overhead, Lu Wu nodded decisively. "You’re right, it is getting late. I still have to go back and bring in my laundry. See you tomorrow, Senior."

With that, she patted her stall, had the large wings follow her, and left without a single look back.

From beginning to end, Lu Wu never saw what the shadowy figure looked like.

She didn’t probe, didn’t ask, and simply treated him as a traveler who happened to stop by for a free meal.

A very clever approach.

"She’s gone. Aren’t you going to show yourselves?"

After Lu Wu had left, the figure spoke faintly to the empty air, his tone mocking.

In an instant, two people appeared where the air had been empty.

It was Uncle Li and the Sweeping Monk.

"I just came out for a stroll after having my fill. Don’t mind me."

Uncle Li was the first to state his position. After glancing in the direction Lu Wu had gone, he beamed, not the least bit angry.

’My good little granddaughter is really something else. She can even handle the Great Demon.’

"Ahem, I was also just out for a walk," the Sweeping Monk said with a dry laugh.

The two of them came to stand before the figure.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that he has less than one percent of his power right now; if he really decided to do something, the Heavenly Buddha Temple would likely suffer a devastating blow.

The real reason the Sealing Demon Formation was activated was simply to suppress his power to its lowest point and then give him half a month to roam the vicinity.

This was an agreement reached between the eminent monk who had suppressed this Great Demon back then and the Demon himself.

The Heavenly Buddha Temple had continued to honor it.

And to ensure nothing went wrong during this period, as the ones maintaining the Sealing Demon Formation, they had certainly left a backdoor, allowing them to still use their Spiritual Power within the Array.

As it stood now, it was a two-on-one fight. A sure win.

Although Uncle Li had a foul temper, his strength was formidable.

However, Uncle Li had no intention of making a move. He had only appeared because he sensed Lu Wu was in danger. He had been hidden nearby the whole time, ready to whisk Lu Wu away the instant the figure attacked.

Now that the crisis was averted, Uncle Li just wanted to hurry home and ask Lu if there was any of that roast chicken left.

’Watching that Demon eat the roast chicken made my mouth water, too.’

’That little brat. She has something so good and doesn’t even think to share it out of respect for her elder. Hmph, I’m getting angry.’

"Relax. I’m not going to do anything," the Demon said with a cryptic smile.

"However, that girl did invite me for milk tea tomorrow. You’re not going to stop me, are you?"

During his half-month of freedom each year, the Demon mostly wandered the mountain forests, occasionally staying cooped up in his sealed cave without leaving.

This was the first time he had wanted to go near the Heavenly Buddha Temple.

"Since Lu was the one to ask, of course I agree. I’ve been drinking that milk tea myself."

The Sweeping Monk stroked his beard, his tone tinged with a hint of resentment.

The little girl’s milk tea had filled the disciples of the Heavenly Buddha Temple with passion these past few days. He’d had to wear himself out competing with a crowd of youngsters just to get a cup.

"Well then... see you tomorrow."

The figure gave a strange laugh and vanished before their eyes.

Uncle Li sniffed the lingering aroma of roast chicken in the air and hurried to catch up with Lu Wu.

’Stroll’s over. That was a bit too much exercise. I’m hungry. Time to go home and eat some roast chicken.’

...

「Elsewhere in Yaoxian Town」

The three brothers reported the day’s events to their employer—exaggerating wildly, of course.

Something about the disciples of the Heavenly Buddha Temple pouring out in force, and outside Cultivators getting involved, making the place too crowded for them to find a chance to strike.

People had indeed gathered at the Heavenly Buddha Temple, but it was for milk tea, not to look for them.

There was no way they were going to tell the truth.

"Then I’ll give you one more chance. If you fail again... heh heh."

The employer forcefully suppressed his anxiety. He warned himself not to be hasty. As long as he could release that Demon, he could crush the insignificant Hehuan Sect with a single finger.

’Just you wait for my revenge.’

Seeing that they had successfully fooled their employer, the three brothers nodded hastily.

"Yes, Boss. We’ll definitely complete the mission tomorrow."

’To hell with milk tea, to hell with Boss Lu! It’s time for us men to fight!’

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