Chapter 27: This Shameless Old Codger Wants It All for Himself

Seeing the absurd comments from those in the sect, Qin Zhan felt a sense of superiority, as if he alone were sober while everyone else was drunk. As the Grand Elder who managed all affairs of the Bun Sect, he thought to himself, how could the Grand Elder possibly promote other foods within the sect?

There was only one truth! And that was... this pork knuckle was a creation of Boss Lu!

Qin Zhan couldn't wait to send a private message to the Grand Elder, subtly expressing his desire to have a taste. As for warning the others? That was out of the question. Why share the joy with many when one can enjoy it alone?

"My dear disciple, when did you decide to betray your master and rebel against our sect?"

A cold voice rang out behind him, and Qin Zhan stiffened. He turned his head to find his master glaring at him, looking as if he were ready to clear the sect of traitors after putting down his communication jade. Qin Zhan nearly shrieked.

"Master, please hear my… er, no, my explanation!"

"It’s like this…"

Under his master’s murderous gaze, Qin Zhan used his silver tongue to explain as best he could. "It’s really like this—I only joined to get more delicious food to honor you, Master." Qin Zhan was ready to swear an oath.

"Really?" Daoist Tianfeng looked at him with half-belief, his scrutinizing gaze making a chill run down Qin Zhan's spine.

"Really!" Even if it hadn't been true before, it had to be now and in the future. Qin Zhan knew that this so-called "Bun Sect" was actually just a gathering place for foodies, and it had a completely different nature from normal sects or even cults. He had just joined it for fun. Of course, it would be even better if it featured delicacies made by Boss Lu. And lo and behold, today, his wish had come true.

"Fine. So, where is the food?" Daoist Tianfeng stroked his beard, withdrawing his imposing aura, and looked at his disciple with anticipation.

"The food…"

*Thump.*

Something appeared out of thin air and landed on the table. Qin Zhan looked over and smiled. "Master, isn't the food right here?"

On the plate lay a pork knuckle—or rather, half of one. Looking at the knuckle, which clearly showed signs of having been carved up by human hands, a wave of doubt flashed through Qin Zhan's mind. Why did he feel like someone had been skimping on the portion?

At the same time, Lou Xiaotian also received half a pork knuckle. But he was in a worse situation than Qin Zhan, as he was being eyed by a pair of male and female tigers. Lou Xiaotian wiped away bitter tears and forced a smile that looked worse than crying.

"Dad, Mom, let's eat together." It was his own carelessness.

Back at the inn, Qin Zhan, being a filial disciple, let Daoist Tianfeng try it first. The knuckle was visibly steaming, looking as if it had just come out of the pot. Moments after it was placed on the table, the aroma of the meat aggressively drove away the scent of incense in the room.

Qin Zhan handed Daoist Tianfeng a pair of chopsticks and stood by, watching eagerly.

"Let's eat together. People might think I’m mistreating my disciple," Daoist Tianfeng said kindly. But to Qin Zhan, that kindness felt like a threat—his master’s face clearly said, "If you dare touch those chopsticks, I’ll chop off your head." Knowing his master, Qin Zhan could only pretend not to notice the way Daoist Tianfeng’s throat kept bobbing. The old guy was practically drooling.

"Ahem, a disciple should honor his master. You go ahead, Master."

After Qin Zhan’s polite gesture, Daoist Tianfeng picked up his chopsticks. He lifted a piece of skin, which wobbled on the tip of the chopsticks. The glistening surface was so tempting, it made one want to take a bite. In the past, Daoist Tianfeng would have refused such greasy food, but the knuckle before him was just too fragrant. He realized his cultivation level wasn't high enough to resist.

Daoist Tianfeng elegantly brought it to his mouth. He intended to savor it slowly, but once he tasted it, his instinct to swallow completely bypassed his rational mind. The glistening skin wasn't greasy as he had imagined; instead, it had the perfect texture. The gelatinous quality, which women would envy, added a rich depth to the experience. His tongue rolled, his throat swallowed, and a piece of skin was gone. It was tender, smooth, fragrant, and springy.

If Qin Zhan hadn't been standing right there, Daoist Tianfeng would have loved to pick up the whole knuckle and gnaw on it. After just one bite, he felt his "unmoved by joy or sorrow" Daoist heart beginning to crumble. He made a great effort to keep his fingers steady as he reached out again.

"I didn't quite catch the flavor. I’ll have another piece."

"Mhm, mhm!" Qin Zhan nodded,表示 he understood.

"Still didn't taste it properly. Let me try again." Daoist Tianfeng frowned after this bite, as if distressed by the flavor.

"Mhm, mhm." Qin Zhan continued to nod in understanding.

This time, Daoist Tianfeng ate the lean meat—the lean meat attached to the skin, which fell apart at the slightest touch of the chopsticks. Having soaked in the braising liquid for a while, it was perfectly seasoned. Delicious! It was just too delicious!

He, the Grand Elder of the Holy Sword Sect, what kind of hardship had he been eating all these years? This was what made life worth living!

While his mind was in a state of ecstasy, Daoist Tianfeng kept a calm expression on the outside. "Ahem, I still feel the flavor isn't quite right. Disciple, wait a moment."

As Daoist Tianfeng reached for the fourth time, even though his expression showed no flaws, suspicion inevitably sprouted in Qin Zhan's heart. *Something's wrong. Something is definitely wrong. This old guy is up to no good!*

In the blink of an eye, seeing the pork knuckle significantly diminished, Qin Zhan had an epiphany. *This old guy wants it all for himself!*

"Master, is there something wrong with the knuckle? Let me have a taste to see what the problem is." After speaking politely, Qin Zhan used the fastest speed of his life to scoop a large piece of meat from the bowl and stuffed it into his mouth.

As happiness pried open the heavy gates of his lips, Qin Zhan wanted to melt into this blessing. In that instant, he had another epiphany.

"You brat, you’re infuriating me!" Seeing his scheme failing, Daoist Tianfeng was furious.

Seeing Qin Zhan trying to snatch food from his grasp, he simply used his superior martial prowess to suppress him. A surge of powerful spiritual energy pinned Qin Zhan’s face to the table, unable to rise. He could only watch helplessly as his master slowly finished the last piece of meat on the plate, even smacking his lips in his direction as if showing off.

*Wuwuwu!* At this moment, Qin Zhan’s sadness flowed like a river.

He used his eyes to condemn the other's lack of morality. Having finished the delicacy and stabilized his Daoist heart, Daoist Tianfeng decided to forgive his insolent disciple. He wiped the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief and smoothed out his beard.

"Little Zhan, about that Bun Sect—why don't you bring me inside to take a look?" As a powerhouse of his status, surely he would be more than qualified to be an elder in this so-called Bun Sect. It would be the Bun Sect's honor!

"No!" To his surprise, Qin Zhan refused point-blank.

Under Daoist Tianfeng’s increasingly dangerous gaze, Qin Zhan explained weakly, "Master, it’s not that I don't want to, but the Bun Sect has very strict rules. If you join, you have to start as an outer-sect disciple."

He only held the status of a formal disciple because he had been the third person to join. Right now, the entire sect consisted of one elder, two formal disciples, and the rest were all outer-sect members. That was the rule.