Chapter 1136: Chapter 612: Endless Sea Eye
The young boy’s eyes lit up, and he said with a grin, "Uncle Liu is really a good person!" He grabbed a spoon and started to eat heartily.
The aroma from the contents of the bowl was indeed enticing. The boy’s gobbling manner made it seem even more delicious, drawing the attention of the two cultivators, who turned to look. Manager Liu quickly returned to the back and brought out two large bowls, placing them in front of them, smiling, "Gentlemen, these two bowls are on the house from this humble shop. Tomorrow is the Laba Festival, have some of this to warm yourselves up."
The drunks nearby didn’t show any envy, evidently having already enjoyed this treatment when they came in.
The two cultivators looked into the bowls, discovering a bowl of faintly red porridge. It seemed a lot of ingredients had been added to it. They casually scooped a spoonful to taste, finding it deliciously smooth, soft, fragrant, and sweet, warming both the chest and heart as it went down, easing their internal restlessness. Upon closer inspection, it turned out the little bowl of porridge contained red dates, longan, yam, lily, goji berries, and pearl barley, all simmered into a thick, rich porridge paste, which was quite a delicacy compared to tough meat and wine.
For the two cultivators, this little roadside shop, akin to the wilderness, surprisingly served such an exquisite sweet soup, leaving the two rather surprised. Manager Liu, having run the shop for many years, was adept at reading people’s expressions and smiled, "Gentlemen, this Laba porridge has a nice flavor, doesn’t it?"
Qiu nodded and said, "It’s okay." For cultivators, it wasn’t really anything extraordinary, just a craving for something sweet and warm.
Manager Liu chuckled, "This year the weather has been good, so we’ve had a bountiful harvest. Traditionally, on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, every household makes this Laba porridge as a prayer."
The younger Jin curiously asked, "We’ve lived around here for quite a while, how come we’ve never heard of this custom?"
Before Manager Liu could answer, the young boy eating porridge eagerly replied, "This is a new custom we learned after Yanyun State came under the jurisdiction of Hidden Stream two years ago. I heard the Master Monsters in the Bashe Forest even used to treat guests with this."
Manager Liu added, "Actually, this bowl of porridge is given to everyone by the Master Monsters of Hidden Stream."
The two cultivators paused with their spoons, their expressions becoming odd, as if they couldn’t decide whether to continue or stop eating. Qiu frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"
Not noticing his expression, Manager Liu still smiled and said, "You know, during the winter, we only have pickled vegetables, and don’t even think about fresh produce. The Masters of Hidden Stream send people to the town every twelfth lunar month to distribute some dried fruits and vegetables. Since my tavern has been operating for years, I receive quite a supply. Neighbors come and go, and whenever someone familiar comes by, I bring out a bowl like this for them."
Jin suddenly remarked, "So you’re using someone else’s generosity, no wonder you’re putting so many ingredients in the porridge like they’re free."
Taken aback by his remark, Manager Liu didn’t dare retort and awkwardly touched his nose.
Jin sneered, "From what you’re saying, whoever feeds you, you take them as your master, right? When the Yangming Immortal Sect governed this place, did they really leave you wanting? Hidden Stream only gave you a few bags of dried fruits, and you sing such sycophantic praises! Pah, even a good dog knows not to serve two masters!"
Before Manager Liu could respond, the young boy had already jumped up in anger, shouting, "What are you talking about! Compared to Hidden Stream, Yangming Immortal Sect isn’t even worthy to tie their shoes..."
"Oh no!" Manager Liu, knowing these two cultivators must be related to the Yangming Sect, tried to stop the impetuous youth.
But it was too late; Jin’s expression turned cold. With a subtle gesture from his right hand, the boy’s voice stopped abruptly, and he clutched his throat, making guttural noises, his face turning red as though he was being choked.
Horrified, Manager Liu pleaded, "Immortals, please spare him, he’s just a child!"
Jin ignored him, tightening his grip gradually, as if intending to slowly strangle the boy. Just then, Qiu raised his hand to grab Jin’s arm, shaking his head with an indescribable look in his eyes.
Seeing Qiu’s expression, Jin felt a deep sadness, loosened his grip, and the boy collapsed onto the counter, erupting into a fit of violent coughing.
Qiu sighed and said, "Forget it, let’s go." He tossed a silver ingot on the table, pulled Jin along, and started walking out.
