Zhou Huan awoke, not entirely sure how he had stumbled, swaying, into the main hall of the stockade. He had been drawn in because he distinctly heard Shi Bingyuan’s voice as he passed by, but seeing so many people assembled, unsure what they were questioning Shi Bingyuan about, he rushed in to mediate the situation.

"I wonder how the Chief knew exactly which medicinal herbs my body required?" Zhou Huan deliberately posed the question to the Chief, primarily intending to gauge the current situation and temper of the men on the mountain.

This matter, however, could not escape Old Xue’s notice. Hearing the implication in Zhou Huan’s words, he instantly realized the newcomer was trying to get a sense of the mountain stronghold. He therefore began making introductions one by one.

"And what is this young hero’s name?"

"My surname is Zhou, given name Huan. May I ask how these distinguished gentlemen are addressed?" Zhou Huan replied politely.

Old Xue took over the introductions. "This one needs no further elaboration; he is the Great King of our stockade, and he is a physician. But his acupuncture skills are second to none in the world—capable of curing illness, or ending a life." Old Xue then led Zhou Huan toward the Second-in-Command. "This is our Second-in-Command; he manages all affairs, large and small, both up and down the mountain. This one here is the Third-in-Command; he oversees the training and discipline of the mountain ruffians. Do you have any other questions you wish to ask?"

"Oh, I was wondering if the issues within my own body can be resolved?" Zhou Huan inquired, testing the waters with this supposed master physician King.

The Great King responded with a hearty, unrestrained laugh. "Little brother, the chaotic Qi within you—no one can resolve that but yourself. The moment you can fully command the True Qi within your body, you might just become invincible under heaven!"

"What? Hahahaha, Great King, please don't tease me. Invincible under heaven—what good is that? I’d rather just live my own life. I think things are quite fine as they are!" Zhou Huan certainly could not reveal his true purpose for being there, but he truly hadn't expected this fellow to predict he might become invincible. That had to be pure fabrication, surely?

Old Xue smiled. "Whether you become invincible in the future remains for time to tell. However, the fact that you could reach us signifies a bond of fate between us. The Great King has already commanded that you all be properly entertained today. What is your decision?"

"Oh, that cannot be accepted. We’ve taken up your space to sleep and are now consuming your provisions—that simply won't do," Zhou Huan demurred with courtesy.

The Second-in-Command spoke up. "Brother Zhou Huan, you refuse such hospitality? Few in the Jianghu would dare disrespect our Big Brother’s invitation. And you, young man, actually dare to do so?"

Truthfully, this Second-in-Command did look quite like a brigand, though he seemed like a relatively normal one. The Great King, by contrast, appeared much gentler.

Zhou Huan looked at the Second-in-Command, then back at the Great King, and finally smiled. "Very well, it is better to accept than to refuse. I shall go fetch my apprentices shortly. We thank you for your trouble."

"Don’t be so formal. Let us enjoy some wine and conversation later."

This stockade was truly a den of drinkers. He had just sobered up, and now they were preparing another feast in their honor—it was bizarre. Where did they get such an insatiable thirst for wine all day long?

As dusk began to settle, Zhou Huan led his apprentices, guided by the stockade's lackeys, into the rear hall. Tonight’s feast was not for the entire mountain community. The previous day’s drinking spree was because the Great King was in high spirits, claiming it was to celebrate a birthday he hadn't known he had, hence the grand banquet. The rear hall was reserved mainly for receiving esteemed, albeit few, guests.

The three Chiefs of the stockade, plus Zhou Huan and his seven companions, made exactly ten people. Old Xue hovered nearby, attending to their needs.

Before long, a table laden with a magnificent banquet was brought out. Upon seeing it, Zhou Huan noticed everything was composed of mountain delicacies—creatures hunted high up on the peaks.

"Master Zhou, come, let us toast first, to our acquaintance."

Zhou Huan and his group raised their cups. The few men clinked glasses and then took their seats, beginning to eat.

"The moment I laid eyes on Master Zhou, I knew you were no ordinary person. Yet, I felt an immediate kinship with you—truly, a connection from a past life!" the Great King declared.

Zhou Huan smiled. "Indeed, we share a bond of fate!" After a moment’s thought, Zhou Huan asked, "May I ask why the Great King has chosen to reside permanently on this mountain? And what exactly is your relationship with those bandits down in the valley? We initially assumed you were all affiliated."

"Hmph, we are indeed related by blood. The one leading the group below with the saber is our Fourth Brother. But all he does day in and day out is drink and berate his subordinates, nothing else. So, naturally, I scolded him one day."

As the Great King spoke, the Second-in-Command picked up the thread. "But this fellow actually tried to incite rebellion within our ranks and insulted all three of us! In a fit of rage, we banished him down the mountain. Yet, this wretch severed all ties with us and even murdered our Fifth Brother on the mountain. This was something I absolutely could not tolerate, so I descended the mountain several times to deal with him. But he must have learned some trickery for feigning death from somewhere; we never found a definitive way to resolve the issue. That is why, when we saw you slaying those men, we were immensely pleased, and did not treat you as outsiders."

"You flatter Zhou Huan too much. We were merely passing through. However, those people we fought were not slain by us; we only struggled with them briefly," Zhou Huan continued to explain.

The Great King simply laughed heartily at that moment. "Very well, if you say you didn't kill them, then you didn't. Let us not speak of it further. Drink and eat! Come, please!"

This table of people ate and drank heartily. The two young women sat on either side of Zhou Huan. The rabbit was in Xiao Yun’s hands, ceaselessly gobbling the food she offered it.

"Master Zhou, may I ask where your party of seven is headed?"

"Oh? To tell you the truth, we are heading toward the Capital; we simply passed through here on our way."

"Oh? Why not take the official road, but insist on winding through these great mountains?"

"The official road is much longer, and we lack good mounts. We feared delaying our schedule, so we entered the great mountains. Calculating it roughly, this route saves us at least seven or eight days of travel," Zhou Huan said, calculating in his head—the time and distance estimates felt correct.

Upon hearing this, the Great King laughed again. "But you all are quite formidable to have managed to reach here. Once you cross our mountain and descend, it’s flat terrain. You can reach the Capital in just two days. May I ask the purpose of your journey this time?"

The Great King pressed repeatedly. Zhou Huan actually preferred not to divulge the reason, but after considering it thoroughly, he decided to speak, as they had shown him trust. "For no particular reason, I am going to participate in the Fa Conference."

"Oh? You possess some form of magic? Indeed, I was not wrong; you truly have a master accompanying you."

"You flatter us. What master do we have? Going to the Fa Conference was a matter of necessity; it’s all to help someone fulfill their dying wish," Zhou Huan said, glancing toward Tian Lang.

Tian Lang gave a slight nod of gratitude and returned to his meal.

Old Xue brought another bowl of meat from the kitchen. This bowl of meat was incredibly fragrant, possessing an aroma that made one feel an irresistible urge to taste it immediately.

"Come, Master Zhou, try our specialty here: Twice-Cooked Fatty Meat Fragrance," the Great King said, seeming immensely proud. This appeared to be their signature dish, otherwise, he wouldn't introduce it with such vanity.

Zhou Huan looked at the slices of meat in the bowl. The lean parts were thinly coated with rendered fat, and the fatty sections had been cooked until they were not greasy at all. Taking a gentle sniff, he detected a clear meat fragrance mixed with the faint scent of medicinal herbs.

"It smells truly divine. Is this yours, Great King?"

"Yes, this is my secret formula. Ordinary people have no way of knowing how it's made; the ingredients alone require over thirty kinds to achieve the desired effect and flavor!" The Great King then personally used serving chopsticks to pick up a piece of meat for Zhou Huan, briefly dipped it in the broth, and presented it to him.

The moment Zhou Huan put the meat into his mouth, he felt as if he might float away. That indescribable, ethereal sensation was utterly captivating. Zhou Huan closed his eyes slightly, savoring it, feeling as though nothing else in the world could surpass the flavor of this dish.

For more novels, visit storyread.net.