Chapter Book 3: 209. I Want to Eat Sis Mei's Cooking

Chapter Book 3: 209. I Want to Eat Sis Mei's Cooking

Five familiar mountains rose up before Hui. Towering to the heavens, they stood in a loose circle, Jade Garden Peak and Butterfly Pavilion Peak, Starbound Peak, Cauldron Peak, and his Masters peak, Unrivaled Under Heavens Peak. A familiar aura exuded from the mountains, warm and familiar. Hui drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, circulating the qi through his passages. It feels good to be home!

Ahead of him and Weiheng Wu, the other disciples descended toward the peaks in streaks of light. Lan Taijian split off from the others and hurtled toward Sect Master Lans residence at the top of Starbound Peak, while the others settled around Starbound Peak.

Weiheng Wu headed toward his peak, but halfway there, he stopped abruptly and turned toward Starbound Peak. Expressionlessly, he circled toward the ground.

Master? Hui asked, cocking his head.

Ive been summoned by the Sect Master. Do as you wish.

Hui hesitated. Should I come along?

No, Weiheng Wu said unhesitatingly.

Master is wise! After all, hes probably been called to explain what happened at the Mysterious Heavenly Forest Sect. Id only muddy the waters if I went along! Best to leave the complicated stuff to Master. Hui hopped off the sword and gave Weiheng Wu a quick salute. Weiheng Wu flew into the clouds, robes fluttering.

Rising from his salute, Hui looked around him. Subconsciously, he started to circulate his snakeskin technique. Starbound Peak I wonder if I should change my appearance? They arent particularly fond of me here.

Ah! But before that!

Humming a little tune to himself, Hui paused, swapping out of his blue robes into his generic white Starbound Sect robes. This way, no one should recognize me at a glance. He leaped into the forest and ran down a familiar wooded path. He only used his bodily strength to do so, restraining himself to the point that his feet still landed here and there among the gnarled roots twisting over the path, as they always had since he was young. At last, the back of a wooden building appeared. Hui scurried up the short flight of stairs to the back door and knocked quietly.

Almost as soon as his knuckles made contact with the door, it slammed open. Sis Mei appeared in the gap, backlit by the cooking fires, her eyes wide. Xiao Hui, is that you?

Sis Mei! Its me, Hui replied, smiling at her.

She gathered him up in a bear hug and held on tight. I missed you! Where on earth did you go? People were starting to say youd died do you know how worried your sis was?

I dont need to eat anymore, Hui explained, shaking his head.

Dont need to eat? Does that mean you cant eat? Sis Mei asked, putting her hands on her hips.

No, of course not!

Was someone stopping you from coming? she asked indignantly.

Hui hesitated. Er kind of? Not keeping me from Sis Mei in particular, but

Vengeance flashed in Sis Meis eyes at his hesitation. Who? Say the name, and they wont dare to step foot in the dining hall ever again.

Hui shook his head. I dont need to get Sis Mei involved in that mess. No man, and no mountain, could keep me from coming to eat your food!

Sis Mei nodded. Then stop by!

Hui smiled and nodded. Of course, of course!

He took a bite of the food, and warmth flooded his body alongside a surge of qi and spiritual energy, as if hed swallowed a medicinal pill instead of food. A few hidden injuries he hadnt noticed deep inside himself began to heal, and his somewhat low qi stores began to restore themselves. Huis eyes widened. He took another bite, and the feeling only grew stronger. He looked up at Sis Mei, startled. I remember her food having qi in it, but not this much!

She nodded down at him, smiling. Youre fourth stage now, right? A growing boy needs good food.

Thank you, Sis Mei, Hui said earnestly, from the bottom of his heart.

Finish off that plate! Sis Mei replied with a grin. From inside the kitchen, someone called her, and she turned and sighed, then nodded back at him. Eat it all up now, understand? If you need anything else, knock on the back door, and Ill be out in a moment.

Hui nodded obediently. Sitting on the back step, he ate slowly, savoring the flavor. Although he didnt have many chances to eat anymore, and little reason to, there was nothing keeping him from enjoying the food. He swallowed, closing his eyes in bliss. Ive really missed Sis Meis cooking. No matter how many barriers stand between me and Sis Meis cooking, Ill break them down, without fail!