They had a saying: first black, then yellow, then calico, then white. The most delicious, without question, was the black dog meat. Those who have never tasted dog meat will never comprehend how fragrant and smooth it is—the flavor, the texture—truly embodying the sayings, "When black dog meat bubbles thrice, even Immortals can't stand still," and "Catch the scent of dog meat, and Immortals will jump the wall." Especially black dog meat, which is the absolute pinnacle among all dog meats; compared to other varieties, black dog meat is richer in aroma, silkier, more tender, and crisper.

This recently caught black dog was stout and healthy. He first marinated it with salt to leach out any earthy taint, then cut it into pieces and thoroughly rinsed them with clean water. In the pot, he stir-fried it briefly with a little cooking oil and vinegar until the moisture evaporated. After that, a splash of vinegar was mixed in, brought to a boil, and the surface foam was skimmed off. Then, seasonings were added: soy sauce, fine salt, yellow wine, white sugar, and a spice mix made from equal parts clove, ginger, cinnamon bark, fennel, star anise, dried tangerine peel, and Sichuan peppercorns.

Speaking of cooking, he was an absolute master. What choice did he have? If he didn't learn to cook for himself in the mountains, where would any good food come from? Over the years, Lu Yuan could proudly declare himself a true culinary master now.

The pot was about ready to be opened. A pot of black dog meat. The thought alone made Lu Yuan’s mouth water.

Paired with the Immortal Brew he’d recently acquired from Ling Yuzhu, this was destined to be an immense indulgence. Even an Immortal would trade places for a life like this. The aroma was already suffusing the air, and just then, a tall, lean figure sprinted over. “Tsk, tsk, Sixth Senior Brother, you’ve barely returned and haven't had a moment's rest, yet you’ve already got your dog meat cooking. Truly excellent, truly excellent.”

Lu Yuan glanced over. It was Ye Fang.

Tragedy! How could Ye Fang show up right when he was about to savor his feast? Hadn't he gone down the mountain for trials with his master, Fang Ru, just the other day? Over the past year, these core disciples had begun to follow their masters out for their own cultivation journeys. Lu Yuan, however, had not gone along. Of course, the reasons were twofold: first, Li Yuanbai’s health had deteriorated to the point where he could no longer endure such long-distance travel; and second, Lu Yuan genuinely didn't need that kind of simple trial anymore. Though, truth be told, the most significant reason was Lu Yuan's laziness.

Lu Yuan observed him and noticed that Ye Fang’s demeanor had shifted slightly after the mountain trials. He appeared much more capable now, suggesting the year of wandering had indeed been beneficial. However, one habit remained completely unchanged: his ravenous appetite for good food.

When it came to enjoying delicacies, it was better to share than to keep them all to oneself. One person enjoying fine food was never as comfortable or satisfying as sharing it with several others.

Lu Yuan certainly wouldn't be stingy. He had already started eating the black dog meat; it was fragrant and smooth upon entering his mouth. “Right, weren't you supposed to be down the mountain training with Martial Uncle Fang? How did you return?”

“Sixth Senior Brother, you don’t even know? Soon it will be the five-hundredth birthday celebration for our North Peak Lord, Martial Grand-Uncle Yuanyuan, so all of us rushed back.” Ye Fang pleasantly scooped a piece of black dog meat into his mouth. “Sigh, training with Master was miserable. We couldn't eat anything good; we had to stick strictly to the conventional path.” His master was the ‘Gentleman Sword,’ adhering to gentlemanly conduct at all times; following such a man meant no indulgence.

Lu Yuan blinked in surprise. “Huh? Martial Grand-Uncle Yuanyuan’s five-hundredth birthday is soon?” Lu Yuan felt a pang of regret, realizing he had been too reclusive within North Peak. He didn't even know something everyone else was aware of. No wonder Ling Yuzhu had recently returned to the mountain, and now Ye Fang was back too.

“I heard Eldest Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother will also be returning soon. For this occasion of Martial Grand-Uncle Yuanyuan’s five-hundredth birthday, everyone will be gathered,” Ye Fang said. “We can expect quite a few guests arriving on the mountain in a while.”

The two ate with great delight, their chopsticks flying back and forth.

——————

Because Venerable Yuanyuan’s five-hundredth birthday was fast approaching, North Peak had indeed become much livelier recently. Essentially all Ten Core Disciples had returned to the mountain.

Precisely because the Ten Core Disciples were mostly back, Lu Yuan found himself enjoying a rare period of tranquility—or so he thought.

Ling Yuzhu sought him out for sparring matches from time to time, which was manageable. The truly troublesome ones were Eldest Senior Brother Yun Yi and Second Senior Brother Yun Ping. These two often sought him out when they were bored, trying to win him over. They were fiercely competing to become the next North Peak Lord, vying with intense rivalry. When he used to be a slacker, no one bothered him. Now that he was showing some competence, why wouldn't they try to recruit him? Lu Yuan simply found it excruciatingly tiresome and headache-inducing.

It seemed impossible to find peace and quiet on the mountain anymore.

Forget it, he might as well go down the mountain for a stroll.

Lu Yuan wanted to descend, and Ye Fang happened to want the same. When Ye Fang was on the mountain, under the watchful eye of his master Fang Ru, he had to act the part of a proper, reserved young gentleman swordsman, with strict rules governing every word and gesture. There was no freedom like venturing down the mountain. Since both wanted to explore, Ye Yuan, the third member of their tight-knit trio, naturally joined them.

It was Jiangyin Prefecture’s Jiangyin County once again.

Jiangyin County was immensely prosperous, with bustling rice shops, taverns, merchant houses, cloth stores, flower markets, and fish markets lining the streets, packed with surging crowds.

Lu Yuan walked with the flow of people, holding an earthenware wine gourd filled with freshly brewed Quliang clear wine, taking sips as he went. He felt utterly comfortable; this was life! As he strolled, he noticed an immense throng ahead, shoulder to shoulder, wondering what was happening. He immediately moved closer and casually asked someone nearby.

“What is going on here?” Lu Yuan asked casually, mostly because he was bored and looking for some excitement.

“Oh, word is that the Sima Sword Hall, which has been closed for a year, is opening its grounds again. So everyone has rushed over. The Sima Sword Hall has set up ten challenges. If you can pass a few levels, you can win substantial prize money and even get a chance to join the Sima Sword Hall. Naturally, many cultivators are eager to join in on such a good opportunity.”

The Sima Sword Hall. Lu Yuan understood immediately what it was.

The Sima Sword Hall was one faction under Sima Changbai. This hall routinely set up ten challenges for people to attempt. Passing even a few levels meant winning considerable cash prizes and the opportunity to join the Sima Sword Hall, which naturally drew crowds like bees to honey.

For rogue cultivators, joining the patronage of a powerful figure like Sima Changbai was a massive advantage. Rogue cultivators usually suffered most from a lack of guidance or backing. Once affiliated with someone of Sima Changbai’s stature, they gained mentorship and protection.

Usually, the Sima Sword Hall had managed to recruit a great many rogue cultivators this way.

Of course, this overt force, the Sima Sword Hall, couldn't recruit figures too powerful—no one exceeding the Qi Condensation stage, as that violated North Peak’s regulations. Sima Changbai had other, covert forces gathering individuals who had surpassed the Qi Condensation stage and reached the Body Tempering stage. Sima Changbai was wildly ambitious and commanded numerous assets.

Indeed, that North Peak Storm a year ago had swept away many of Sima Changbai’s clandestine contacts, and at that time, the Sword Hall had been forcibly shuttered.

Now, unexpectedly, the Sima Sword Hall was opening again.

Good.

Lu Yuan’s lips curled upward in a smile.

He hadn't expected Sima Changbai to resume his activities just one year after the North Peak Storm. But since he had stumbled upon it, he intended to cause some disruption. Being able to shatter Sima Changbai’s influence and slap his face hard would truly be a source of physical and spiritual pleasure. Unconsciously, he felt his spirits soar.

(My train of thought stalled yesterday, and I couldn't write anything until past one in the morning, so there is only one update today. Apologies; I will erupt with double updates tomorrow.)