Chapter 56: Traces of the Dogs

Cooking for about 15 minutes, Zhen has added multiple seasonings into this lion beast meat to make it tender and juicy.

He has used his utmost effort into making a delicacy dish for Cecilia, mainly because he doesn't want to have his body taste her essence flame.

Although it may seem like a joke to you, Zhen knows very well that she will really roast his body if he cooked some garbage and ruined her appetite.

"You're nervous for a person who claimed to be a gourmet cooker."

"I won't be this nervous if a certain someone did not threaten to roast my body."

"Pretty cheeky now aren't you little boy. Maybe I should teach you some lessons so that you learn how to speak politely to this queen." Cecilia said while her mouth curled into a big smile.

'Damn it, can't I win against an argument once from you?' 

Zhen could only sigh and surrender himself because he had nothing that could work against her.

After another 30 minutes, the lion beast meat is done and you can smell the aroma already. The meat is huge and can be cut into at least 10-15 steak slices so Zhen took one piece before handing another one to Cecilia.

Zhen didn't dare to watch her eat the meat because a woman does not like to be watched when eating their food. They prefer to eat it silently and he was right about his thinking because Cecilia made a glare at him before she ate the steak.

'Tch, you don't need to glare at me this coldly when I wasn't even interested, to begin with. I'm starving from fighting so long and can't wait to eat my portion.'

Zhen said in his mind as he started chomping on the steak. Being hungry is reasonable enough to forget about any table manners.

*Nom*

Zhen rather eats all the meat to fulfill my hunger than be a gentleman in front of Cecilia since she knows my acting skill already.

Taking around 1-2 hours to finally finish this delicacy, his body has survived from being roasted by Cecilia's essence flame.

Although she didn't compliment him, her facial expression of joy has betrayed her. Zhen didn't point it out as he was too fatigued to start another teasing comment.

"Goodnight Cecilia," Zhen said to Cecilia when he finished cleaning the dishes.

Zhen went straight to sleep since Cecilia controls this space, a bed has appeared magically and he fell asleep slowly.

This was the first time he has ever overworked himself to the limit and he knew his days are going to be like this.

Being a cultivator sure has its pros and cons. Being strong is good but the hard work needed is too much and one mistake can mean the end of your life.

Sleeping for some time, Cecilia suddenly wakes him up. 

"What's wrong Cecilia?" 

Zhen asked her in confusion on why she wakes him up when he is tired.

'Are we going to continue training at this time?' Zhen sighed at the amount of work but hearing Cecilia's next word, his expression turned cold.

Traces of those dogs were spotted nearby and Cecilia is extremely sensitive to those auras. 

Zhen got up and went out of the mysterious space to look at the night forest.

"Approximately how far are those dogs located at?"

"They're 20km to the north of your current position. Proceed with caution, they're extremely careful and hard to detect. I'm too familiar with those dog's aura which is why I was able to get a glimpse of them."

Zhen nodded at Cecilia's words and slowly went to their location using Flash Point. This technique is truly amazing despite being in the initial phase.

Only 2 minutes or so, Zhen successfully closed the distance but he made sure to be careful of his surroundings.

He was not here to attack them but to enquire for more information. These dogs are most likely the small fry and have no value if he kills them.

Zhen would rather spy and eavesdrop on their conversation to hear their scheme or their motive. 

'I refuse to believe these people are willing to spend 10,000 years on Cecilia. There must be something more tempting for them to work so hard.'

The initial year of chasing will be understandable but Cecilia has suffered a tremendous setback and injury caused by them.

They will most likely predict that she has died somewhere and not enforce these many people to tiny worlds.

While Zhen was spying on them, he was surprised to see a very familiar person. 

This person is so familiar that Zhen has even thrashed him with one fireball before.

'Situ Sheng, this brainless fool is actually collaborating with these so-called black mages in his knowledge.' 

Zhen sneered in his mind when he found out how dumb this Situ Sheng could be despite having decent power. 

Alas, his brain has completely malfunctioned and Zhen kinda feels bad for Arlo Sheng to have this idiotic son.

'Working with the enemy without even knowing their true identity.'

If that's not a brainless fool then everyone in this world is smart. Mentioning this Situ Sheng, Zhen has forgotten about him thinking about revenge when he left the mana tracking or qi tracking to be precise.

He was such a nobody that Zhen didn't care anymore about that fight but to think he's exactly like those retards. Detrimental to the point of going to the enemy side.

"Kid, did you have the detailed map of the Town and location of the secret tunnel?"

"Yes, I have it right here but don't forget our deal. I want that Zhen brat to die and I know he didn't leave the Town and is currently in this Forest."

"Don't worry, as long as your intel is proven some worth, we can easily finish that kid."

Meanwhile, Zhen was quietly listening to their conversation and thought the topic was all about him in the end. 

'Ah Situ Sheng, how cute can you be to this much of a fool.'

From the dog's tone of speech, they're basically bullshitting him as they have no intention of targeting Zhen at all. 

If they really want to assist this dumb Situ Sheng then Zhen would have been targeted ever since the time he steps foot in this forest.

However, they didn't and Zhen was fatigued most of the time, which will give them the perfect opportunity to assassinate him.

Zhen could only shake his head as he thought of the dog's word, secret tunnel. 

'If I recall correctly then John brought us to a secret tunnel before in the City Council.'

Zhen has concluded the situation himself and informed Cecilia of his inference and she agreed with his conjecture too. 

The Town could now be considered a ghost town and not many are left to guard the town.

If these dog's target is something in the secret tunnel of the City Council then they will easily succeed given their manpower at this moment.

The magical beast riot was simply a smokescreen to distract and create panic. They can easily take something there and manipulate the beast to destroy everything in the town.

With everything in ruin, it's the perfect way to hide their true intention and cover their tracks. 

'Unfortunately for them, this time, they'll have to face me and Cecilia.' Zhen couldn't wait to spoil their plan and steal the treasure they have all been hunting for.