Chapter 4: The Demonic Cultivator Doesn’t Play by the Rules!

In Lin Shu’s previous life, he had faced countless questions that simply had no perfect answer.

For example, if there were two plates in front of you, one was chocolate-flavored shit, and the other was shit-flavored chocolate, which would you choose?

Lin Yingxue was very considerate.

She knew exactly what an appetizing dish should be like, so she prepared two identical plates of shit…

Lin Shu swallowed nervously, staring at the two bowls of food before him, their color nearly identical.

He hoped to spot some clue, so he could pick and eat the one that tasted normal.

“Hurry up and choose!”

Lin Yingxue patted Lin Shu’s shoulder and ordered.

“Don’t rush, Little Martial Aunt. The most important thing about eating is the sense of ceremony!”

Lin Shu was waiting.

He was waiting for an opportunity—a chance to save himself!

Ding——Please choose!

Here it comes!

Lin Shu turned to the panel only he could see:

【Eat both bowls and give a good review. Spirit +10】

【Refuse both bowls repeatedly, stating you don’t eat shit. Root Bone +5. Poison Resistance +10】

【Let Little Martial Sister choose for you, then let her eat the bowl she didn’t pick. Random Attribute +1】

Weighing the rewards, Lin Shu quickly analyzed the costs he’d have to bear.

For the first choice, odds were he wouldn’t get the reward.

He could finish both bowls easily enough, but whether he’d last long enough after eating both to give a good review, Lin Shu really couldn’t say.

As for the second choice, the double attribute boost was very tempting, but he’d probably end up angering his Little Martial Aunt, who’d break his limbs and feed him personally…

Lin Shu shuddered just imagining that scenario.

The last choice was always the most reliable and involved almost no risk.

But this time, it was quite abstract.

Letting Little Martial Sister make the choice for him?

Well, if the system offered such an option, that must mean Little Martial Sister could handle it!

Half an incense stick’s time later, Lin Shu picked the third choice…

He turned to the respectfully standing Lu Zhiyun and smiled, “Little Martial Sister, in your opinion, which bowl should I pick first?”

Lu Zhiyun trembled, pursed her lips, and answered awkwardly, “Senior Brother, I… I don’t know!”

“It’s alright, just pick one for me.”

Lin Shu pulled Lu Zhiyun to his side, signaling for her to sit down.

Lin Yingxue glanced at the intimate distance between them.

She wanted to say something, but stopped herself, only turning her head aside.

“Make your choice! It won’t taste good once it’s cold!”

Lin Yingxue urged them after holding back for a while.

“I… I…”

Lu Zhiyun hesitated.

She didn’t understand why Lin Shu was pushing her to the front.

Was this part of the test too?

Yes!

That’s right!

There must be something wrong with one of the bowls, and he was deliberately making her choose to test her loyalty.

Lu Zhiyun suspected that one of the bowls was laced with poison or contained something to control the mind.

Before joining the sect, she’d worked as a constable—her eyes and nose sharper than most.

If she focused, she should be able to spot the difference.

But what would she do after spotting it?

Would the demonic cultivator really let her go if she deliberately chose the poisoned bowl for him, only to have Lin Shu ask her to eat the one she didn’t choose?

After a moment’s thought, Lu Zhiyun decided to find the safe bowl for Lin Shu!

That way, if he asked her to eat first, there’d be no problem!

She could win his appreciation and earn his trust—all in one move!

Lu Zhiyun’s lips curved in a faint smile as she leaned down to examine the bowls closely.

Hmm—same ingredients, both smelled the same…

Hmm—the left bowl looked oilier, the right seemed to have more water, making the rice a bit stickier…

Hmm—the left bowl had a chip, the right one didn’t…

Wait, no! Lu Zhiyun suddenly panicked.

She couldn’t tell any difference at all!

Both bowls felt as if they’d come from the same person—completely indistinguishable!

Cold sweat soaked her back, and for the first time, she doubted herself.

“What’s wrong? Little Martial Sister, just pick any bowl!”

Lin Shu grew confused as he watched her get increasingly nervous.

The system didn’t say she’d take this long to decide.

Did he make himself too obvious?

Had she already noticed his intentions?

“I… I…”

Lu Zhiyun stammered, and Lin Shu’s words sounded like a death sentence in her ears.

She really couldn’t tell the difference.

If she delayed any longer, this demonic cultivator might lose his temper!

“I pick this one!”

Lu Zhiyun closed her eyes and pointed at random.

Grand Preceptor, please bless me!

Please let me choose correctly!

As soon as Lu Zhiyun made her choice, Lin Shu let out a sigh of relief.

Lin Yingxue didn’t mind either way—she’d made both bowls.

All she wanted was to hear her Little Martial Nephew’s review.

“Since Little Martial Sister picked that bowl, then it’s mine!”

Lin Shu took the left bowl for himself and handed the right one to Lu Zhiyun.

“Senior Brother… this is…?”

Lu Zhiyun’s throat tightened, her voice sharp.

“It’s for you. One bowl each!”

Lin Shu said calmly.

Good Little Martial Sister!

Don’t blame me!

This is the only way for both of us to survive!

With the system’s options, choices one and two were usually easy to guess.

But with the third, Lin Shu never knew what price he’d pay to clear the task.

He quietly waited for Little Martial Sister to take the first bite.

Lin Yingxue squeezed in close, breathing fast.

That was excitement!

Before, she always asked Lin Shu to try her dishes.

This time, it was Lin Shu’s Little Martial Sister, a brand new diner.

Lin Yingxue was eager for her feedback.

Damn demonic cultivator!!!

Lu Zhiyun was desperate!

She hadn’t expected him to play so unpredictably!

This way, even if the gods blessed her and she chose the safe bowl, she wouldn’t get to eat it!

No, wait! Calm down, Lu Zhiyun!

This must be another kind of test!

He’d anticipated her move and deliberately let her try it!

In truth, everything was within Lin Shu’s control.

From the very beginning, this was just a test of her obedience!

What a cunning demonic cultivator!

He knew whether the bowls were poisoned, and by making her eat, he was certain she’d be fine!

If she refused, that would be suspicious, and her undercover plan would be exposed!

Lu Zhiyun took a deep breath to calm herself.

Then, under the eager eyes of the two, she shakily lifted her spoon and began to wolf down the food.

“Mmm—this flavor—amazing! I’ve never eaten such a delicious table before!”

“This bowl—the meat is tender, juicy, every bite bursting with oil!”

“And these chopsticks! So soft and chewy, but not sticky at all—such a good texture!”

“Oh, right! The best of all is this… this….”

Detailed! Logical! And all positive feedback!

Lin Yingxue had never heard such praise for her cooking.

She was truly satisfied!

But somehow, something about the comments seemed off?

“Little Martial Aunt! Don’t just stand there! Little Martial Sister’s passed out!”

Lin Shu reminded.

***

“Dad… Mom…”

Lu Zhiyun murmured.

She’d grown up without parents, raised on the charity of villagers.

All she remembered was that her parents had left for a faraway place, or so the elders had told her.

She never imagined she’d see her parents again.

She was truly happy!

She’d read scenes like this in storybooks—righteousness triumphing over evil, families finally reunited.

Maybe she’d completed her mission gloriously?

Wait!

Hadn’t she just started?

Lu Zhiyun’s heart skipped a beat.

When she opened her eyes again, it was already midnight.

Outside, the moon hung bright in a sparse sky, wind rustling the bamboo on Qingluan Peak, lanterns swaying, tea fragrant—everything was peaceful and serene.

“You’re awake?”

Lin Shu rose and approached Lu Zhiyun’s bed.

“Senior Brother! What happened to me?”

Lu Zhiyun’s mind was still foggy.

“Poisoned!”

Lin Shu replied briefly.

Seeing Lu Zhiyun tense up, he added, “Don’t worry. This poison will help you!”

Originally, with the antidote tea Lin Shu had brewed, Lu Zhiyun would have needed at least ten more days before she could start cultivating.

But he’d never expected that Little Martial Aunt’s cooking would wipe out the side effects of the Aoki Immortal Fruit in one fell swoop.

The price, however, was steep—Lu Zhiyun had been unconscious for almost a whole day.

Lin Shu placed his hand on Lu Zhiyun’s wrist, checking her pulse carefully.

After a moment, he stood up with hands behind his back and said, “Starting tomorrow, I’ll teach you cultivation!”