In the end, Huai Shi didn't run away.

Of course, it's not that he has high moral standards or is unafraid of death, but because Amber sent him a text message.

[Old Guo is so infuriated by you that he's about to explode. Good luck. P.S.: If you dare to dump the mess on me and run off, I'll sell your cross-dressing photos to tomorrow's news.]

The moment Huai Shi saw this message, he gave up on running away.

Whether or not he was exposed was secondary; the important thing was not to cause trouble for Little Amber!

[You've grown, little sister.]

After Huai Shi 'comfortingly' sent back a text message, he immediately blocked that heartless woman and started thinking about choosing a way to die while sitting on his chair.

Should he die from reputation damage after his identity is exposed, or get tortured to death by Old Guo's Chef Demon cuisine?

Both would be equally painful, and the process would be equally long.

It was a difficult decision to make.

In the middle of the night, after pacing back and forth several times, Huai Shi finally hesitantly called the Tengu Mountain hotline: "Mr. Ryuzanbo, I have a friend..."

On the other end, Ryuzanbo coughed, "Huai Shi-kun, we know each other well enough; no need to be so formal."

"No, I mean, I really have a friend..."

Ryuzanbo was silent for a long time and bluntly asked, "Huai Shi-kun, is this friend you're talking about very close to you?"

"..." Huai Shi rolled his eyes and raised his voice, "Anyway, I have a friend—"

"Okay, okay, I get it," Ryuzanbo replied helplessly, in a tone suggesting he understood everything. "Then what?"

Huai Shi's tone suddenly became awkward, stammering for a long time before anxiously asking, "She accidentally agreed to a challenge from a Dongxia Chef Demon. Uh...an old man named Guo ShouQue. Does Tengu Mountain have any crash courses that can teach her some techniques to turn defeat into victory?"

Silence, a long silence.

Until Huai Shi thought there was a problem with the phone signal, he finally heard a robotic voice from the other end.

"Huai Shi-kun, about your friend..."

After thinking for a long time, Ryuzanbo finally asked simply, "Does she want something good to eat?"

"...She doesn't want it, thanks!"

Huai Shi was furious: "I'm not joking."

"I know, I know!"

Ryuzanbo's tone became heavy, "Huai Shi-kun, I understand your feelings, but this kind of thing is completely...it's just..."

After several confirmations that the Guo ShouQue Huai Shi mentioned was indeed the one he knew, Ryuzanbo became even more worried: "Huai Shi-kun, eighty years ago, when Mr. Guo was the most renowned Chef Demon in all of Dongxia, invited to Tengu Mountain for guidance, I hadn't even entered the door...

Although it is rumored that he retired due to injuries, if he were to compete in a Chef Demon duel again, I'm afraid that only the Great Tengu from the entire Tengu Mountain could have a match with him."

So, when Yingzhou People speak, they are really indirect.

Huai Shi translated his words and found that it was actually very simple—there was no hope, just wait for death, goodbye.

"So there's really no other way?"

So, brother, aren't your expectations of us a bit too high?

Ryuzanbo sighed: "It's unfortunate, although Tengu Mountain is slightly famous among chefs, it's not to the point of making decisive statements. After all, in this world, there are still sacred places like Shaoshi Mountain Xiangji Kitchen, India Sacred River, Northern European Golden Palace, Antony's House in Rome among others. Even among those with no reputation, there are hidden talents.

The Miss Huaizhi you're referring to should be the one from not too long ago, right? Actually, I've heard about her recent performances too—even the Great Tengu praised that her use of skills lies in the heart, but there is still a huge shortcoming that hasn't been addressed."

"Hmm?" Huai Shi was puzzled, "What do you mean?"

"Compared to creation, Miss Huaizhi is more inclined towards application, right?"

Ryuzanbo pointed out straight to the point: "She has no interest in pioneering new paths in the way of Chef Demons. To put it, she doesn't pursue culinary arts but uses it merely as a tool, much like a bartender.

Of course, this isn't a massive flaw, as Tengu Mountain also has people like that. After all, the path of culinary arts is vast and profound, even mastering the crystallization of predecessors' legacy is not easy."

He paused and said seriously, "But this approach won't work in front of Guo ShouQue." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"He is too old, Huai Shi-kun, and too experienced to the point that any dish his opponent presents won't shake him because he has long had countermeasures for everything."

"If your friend is to engage in a Chef Demon duel with Guo ShouQue, they can't hope to defeat him by pulling out some century-old secret manual.

Because his existence is even older than the manual itself—nothing more ancient than him can defeat him. His very existence is an amalgamation of over 5,000 years of Dongxia's Chef Demon skills."

Ryuzanbo said, "Miss Huaizhi must find another way."

"..."

After a long silence, Huai Shi let out a long sigh, "I understand, thank you, Ryuzanbo."

"No need to thank me; it's rather shameful," Ryuzanbo smiled helplessly, "Aside from some rubbish talk, I couldn't provide any help."

"No, these words are already enough."

After saying goodbye, Huai Shi hung up the phone, casually took the coat from the hanger, and glanced at the night outside the window.

"I've been here for so many days, staying indoors without going out. I'll go and visit the neighbors." He turned back and said, "Take good care of the house, protect Zhenxi, and don't use the TV to play weird programs, okay?"

"Holy! Holy! Holy!"

Behind him, a flock of Steel Crows nodded vigorously, looking as if they understood and reassured him.

Who knows if they actually understood.

Huai Shi thought for a moment, and amidst the mournful cries of the Crow Flock, he directly cut the TV's power cord and took out the recharge card from the set-top box.

With that, Miss Huaizhi's figure disappeared into the night.

For a long time, in the silence, the Crows looked at each other. Once they were sure Huai Shi had truly left, they excitedly flapped their wings, filled with eagerness.

One selfless Raven picked up both ends of the power cord and reconnected the TV.

Then, the rest of them pulled out the gifts from the local Nara crows from under the sofa, beneath the bed, on top of the cabinet, in the wall cracks, and from the garden soil...

The DVD player started up.

Under the light emanating from the screen, they gathered together to study intently, watching carefully, immersed in the advanced knowledge of Yingzhou.

Only the whispered praises of 'Holy' could be faintly heard.

.

.

"I understand, I will thoughtfully consider the invitation from the Shimazu clan, so please don't worry. For the long-standing cooperation between both families, the alliance between AnFang and Satsuma will certainly continue."

"Guanshan Group's business strategy will not undergo any change within two years."

"…If the Asakura Family intends this, then the Satomi clan will reconsider the next phase of investment in Echizen Province. Regarding the site selection for the Mercedes production base, the Li Jian family will make no further concessions."

"Stimulating the economy and revitalizing development is a justified matter, please rest assured, Mr. Mayor, the Li Jian family will always be the guardian of AnFang, this will never change. Next, I will arrange someone to discuss the issues concerning the relief funds."

"Utter nonsense, go back and wag your tail to beg your master for mercy."

"Tai Qing Heavy Industries' full entry into the Yingzhou market is a foregone conclusion, but there's no need for the officials of the Ministry of Economy to be troubled, if viewed from another perspective, this might not be a bad thing."

"The selection of the Eight Canine Warriors has been scheduled, unfortunately, I've already arranged for Yi De's master. However, the candidate for loyalty has yet to be considered. Before that, I need to see more sincerity."

"..."

When the six-hour-long consecutive negotiations ended, and Amber came back to her senses, it was already dawn.

Expressing positions, listening, mediating, and adjudicating, stating her stance, hiding her bottom line, disguising her strategy, bribing her friends, intimidating her enemies…

Countless things intertwined in complexity, and this was only the beginning.

There were still representatives from three more families waiting, but compared to the previous matters, they were already trivial. After instructing her subordinates to schedule it for after tomorrow, Li Jian Amber took one last look at the Eight Rooms sitting in the quiet room and suddenly felt like going out for a walk.

Staying here was really stifling...

She opened the door.

The Li Jian Family in the morning twilight had returned to order.

Yingzhou people seemed not to fear the arrival of disasters, nor did they feel strange after they passed. It seemed they were accustomed to it a long time ago, and the attendants replenished from AnFang had already filled the vacancies and continued running the vast manor.

Everything was in perfect order.

Only the cracks on the walls that couldn't be repaired temporarily and the signs of collapse evidenced the chaos of yesterday.

Noticing Amber's presence, the attendants, who had been bustling around since dawn, silently retreated to the sides of the path, minimizing their presence and respectfully lowering their heads to avoid disturbing the future head's mood.

Amidst the tranquility, the broad courtyard crafted by a renowned family was filled with a sense of Zen.

Yet, for some reason, Amber found herself missing the loud-voiced cleaning auntie at the Jinling Social Security Bureau. Though she was already very familiar, every time she saw Amber, she'd shout a couple of times, and occasionally, when the canteen had leek and pork, she'd quietly tell Amber that the buns were bigger today and to leave work a little early, else she'd miss out.

But the buns were too greasy.

Every time she'd stuff in so much, yet couldn't eat it all…

Amber sighed, watching the flying birds pass overhead, suddenly remarking softly, "Being too quiet isn't good either."

Apathetically turning around, she walked towards her bedroom, planning to nap a bit before noon, but her steps paused.

She sensed a vague aura brewing not far away.

Like the surging magma of an underground fire, causing the earth to bulge upwards, emitting waves of igniting heat through the thick crust.

Upon turning the corner, reaching the lakeside, she saw that emaciated figure.

Looking as if they had aged ten years overnight.

Yet the malevolent intent harbored within that body grew increasingly startling.

Nearly ready to… burst forth!