With the Blade

"What kind of thing can be called a miracle?"

After leaving this question, the three Wu Zhao began their isolation—or as they would call it, seclusion. It was clear that the three intended to ponder some special questions during this time.

Or maybe they just shirked their responsibilities by leaving everything behind.

Out of respect, Du Chengfeng didn’t disturb the Wu Zhao’s seclusion, but out of frustration, he spat at their door.

They haven’t done anything yet wanted to give up, where’s the fairness in that?

Fortunately, the Wu Zhao didn’t say they’d be in seclusion for long. Three days—it was the shortest period after Du Chengfeng pushed for it. The Wu Zhao could slack off for three days at most, or else Du Chengfeng would kick the door in. However, during these three days, Du Chengfeng didn’t know what he himself should do.

Do something? There’s no clue at all. Expecting these people to imagine a world that doesn’t exist and they haven’t heard of is too difficult.

So, better to start cooking.

From the previous experience with lamb soup, Du Chengfeng realized that bronze wasn’t suitable for cookware, pottery breaks too easily, but brass—solid and malleable—was better. So, with Du Chengfeng’s suggestion, everyone quickly made a large brass pot.

With the pot ready, Du Chengfeng could finally showcase his much-anticipated culinary skills.

The pursuit of food might be something ingrained in people’s hearts; no one can resist delicious food—this was no exception here. Although Du Chengfeng was indeed powerful, and these people were not strong, such perceived strengths or weaknesses didn’t affect their pursuit of tasty dishes.

It was the simplest, most straightforward form of delight.

If there’s a chance to eat something good, who would want to gnaw on dry biscuits?

"But where did you learn all this?"

After Du Chengfeng showed his culinary skills once more, a local finally couldn’t help but ask.

"These dishes—frying meat in oil is common, but coating the meat with flour before frying it, then pouring soup over it... I’ve never seen this before. Where did you learn it?"

"This is the method for making crispy meat. It’s a tradition from government dishes."

Du Chengfeng replied casually.

"Of course, you can eat it just fried too, but it lacks some flavor without the soup."

"Government? Are you referring to the nobles?"

Everyone was stunned to hear this. Although they hadn’t seen the meals of the nobles, they had at least heard about them.

But this style of dish was unheard of to them.

Especially the soup preparation; the aroma from this spice-laden broth was something they’d never smelled before.

"The government doesn’t know? Are you saying..."

The words were cut off as Du Chengfeng slapped his forehead.

Indeed, they didn’t know. At least the locals didn’t—because no matter if it’s government dishes or Huaiyang cuisine, essentially, they were cooking techniques from the southern Chen area, with many terms originating there too.

Southern Chen people might find it easy to understand, but that didn’t mean the locals here would.

This place wasn’t Southern Chen after all.

"Forget it, I’ll explain a bit."

Thinking for a while, and having nothing better to do, Du Chengfeng simply sat down and started speaking.

Of course, he didn’t mention the Evil Qi or the terrifying destructive forces, as these were unrelated to the current discussion. What he talked about were the various dishes from Southern Chen, the major cuisines, various branches, culinary techniques, and ingredient choices. Having absorbed several head chefs’ memories, Du Chengfeng had some authority on the subject, speaking clearly and comprehensively.

The satiated listeners were quite curious, intrigued by these unheard-of things.

It was said these techniques originated from distant lands, where people paid great attention to food, inventing countless novel cooking methods. The variety of ingredients was endless. While in this place people relied heavily on wheat and beans, only occasionally getting a chance to eat meat, people in those lands eagerly explored all kinds of ingredients—from the sky, land, and water—almost nothing seemed inedible.

"Is there really a place like that?"

A local couldn’t help but ask.

"In that place, you can eat everything?"

"Strictly speaking, it’s about having an eye for discovering ingredients."

Du Chengfeng nodded.

"But you’re not wrong in saying that, considering that just opening your mouth could let anything in. The problem is whether the stuff is poisonous, how it tastes, and if it causes any adverse effects after eating. That requires continuous trying... if something is found delicious, people plant more of it, and gradually, delicious things abound."

"Indeed, like with mushrooms, not all of them are edible."

The locals quickly grasped Du Chengfeng’s meaning in their way without any misunderstanding.

Because when it comes to handling ingredients, everyone’s methods were fairly similar. The difference would be in the number of attempts made—at this moment, the people of Yellow Sand City subtly understood what those "distant foreign land" folks in the giant’s mouth were truly thinking about.

They seemed a bit different, yet not so different at all.

At least in terms of taste, everyone agreed that meat was delicious, which was the most basic consensus.

"That’s really wonderful, such a place."

Recalling the delicacies they had just tasted at the so-called "flowing seat" banquets, and thinking about the exotic tales they heard, everyone felt that this trip was not in vain.

And from Du Chengfeng’s perspective, he felt the meal was worth making. Not only did he get a chance to showcase his culinary skills, but he also indulged in some glowing pride as people praised his cooking, his understanding of culinary arts, and his knowledge of various cuisines. The sense of accomplishment was immensely satisfying.

During this time when everyone was equally satisfied, the two men and a dog also watched everything unfold from a distance through a crack in the door.

"So that’s how it is... No, indeed, it is so."

Watching as the crowd gradually dispersed, the three Wu Zhao sighed in unison.

It was only then they realized that their understanding of steadfast will had been flawed all along.

Is steadfastness truly without doubt?

"No, or rather, not only."

In unison, the three Wu Zhao lifted their heads.

True steadfastness doesn’t require being without doubt at all.

True steadfastness is believing from the beginning that it is real.