Chapter 43: Eat quickly!

The three of them walked forward, entering the West Market in the western part of Sheng’an City.

The West Market was the city’s sleepless heart; lanterns stretched out like glowing dragons, and the crowds were a surging tide. The aroma of freshly baked sesame pancakes mingled with the scorched fragrance of roasted mutton, drifting from the entrance of the market all the way to the end of the street.

Western Region merchants in various colorful costumes led camels, shouting loudly as they peddled spices and gemstones. Wealthy young masters in silk and satin waved folding fans, surrounded by guards as they vanished into brilliantly lit taverns.

Most numerous, however, were the commoners just finishing their work and young women out for a night walk. They laughed and played, weaving through stalls selling sugar figures, masks, and acrobatics, their faces lit with carefree smiles.

Looking at the colorful candied haws skewered on a target-like stand, Si Kongyue’s gaze was practically glued to them. Even her pace as she led the way slowed down significantly.

*Growl…*

The young woman rubbed her stomach. She suddenly remembered that just as she was about to have her third bowl at the congee stall, those damn attackers had ignited the black fire oil, causing her grain porridge to be completely knocked over and wasted.

She wasn’t full.

“What is it? Did you find a clue?”

Gu Wangchen walked up to her side, followed her gaze, and pointed. “Is there something wrong with that sugar figure vendor?”

“Wei Yang, come with me to check it out.” He gestured to Wei Yang, who had already changed into dark-brown heavy armor, a helmet on his head and a long-handled Mo Dao on his back.

“Yes, Master,” Wei Yang nodded and immediately followed behind Gu Wangchen, his movements as imposing as a tiger’s.

“Wait, no — ” Si Kongyue instinctively grabbed his sleeve. “That person is fine.”

“Fine? If he’s fine, why were you staring at him for so long?” Gu Wangchen asked, puzzled.

“I… I…” Si Kongyue forced herself to turn her head away, looking to the side. But when she saw the bright, glistening fritters rolling in a deep fryer, she was forced to look away again.

This time, it was fried stinky tofu.

*Gulp…*

The girl couldn’t help but swallow her saliva.

“I didn’t get enough to eat earlier!” she blurted out, throwing caution to the wind.

“Hungry?” Gu Wangchen raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on Si Kongyue’s reddening ears. He let out a snort of laughter.

“Hey, what are you laughing at? I’m a Level 4 cultivator. Isn’t it normal to have a big appetite? Besides, if it wasn’t for you, would I have been reduced to eating congee at a relief stall?!” Si Kongyue’s cheeks flushed red as she glared at Gu Wangchen.

“Fine, fine, it’s my fault.” Gu Wangchen didn’t feel like arguing with her. He suddenly remembered that he was supposed to have dinner at the Cining Palace tonight, but this sudden incident had left him with an empty stomach as well.

He turned and asked, “Si Kongyue, are you sure the traces of those guys end here?”

“Of course. Those guys are almost all Level 2 or even Level 3 martial artists. I can vaguely perceive their True Qi signatures.” Si Kongyue lifted her head proudly. “It’s a secret technique, not for outsiders!”

“I see. So, they definitely fled into the West Market?” Ignoring her bragging, Gu Wangchen continued his questioning.

“Yes. It’s just that there are too many people in the West Market, which has diluted their True Qi signatures. I have to distinguish them one stall and one shop at a time!”

“And grab something to eat while you’re at it?”

“Yes, grab something to… Wait, no! I’m being serious! It’s definitely not just for the food!” Si Kongyue almost let her true thoughts slip. Seeing Gu Wangchen’s teasing expression, she quickly corrected herself.

“Oh, then don’t eat. Wei Yang and I will go eat while you check them one by one.”

With that, he led Wei Yang toward the shop selling stinky tofu.

‘I wonder if that vixen Su Qianhua likes fried stinky tofu. I think I heard in my past life that fox demons all love stinky tofu.’

‘I should bring her some to try next time.’

“Hey, you jerk!” Si Kongyue wanted to retract her words, but she realized the two had already walked far away.

‘That hateful Gu Wangchen… The fact that I’m penniless right now is all his fault. Not only that, he’s pretending not to understand what I mean!’

If she couldn’t eat her fill, she wouldn’t have the heart to work!

“Hmph… fine. I won’t argue with him for now. The sooner I finish, the sooner I can go to another congee stall!”

With that thought, Si Kongyue suppressed her growling stomach and took a deep breath of the food-scented air. She unhooked the water skin from her waist and gulped down several large mouthfuls, treating it as a liquid meal.

Turning her gaze back toward the sugar figure stall, she stepped forward. “I’ll start with this one!”

—

“Oh, Master, you are…” Seeing Gu Wangchen, dressed in his brocade robes and accompanied by Wei Yang, approach the stall, the stinky tofu vendor quickly bowed and asked.

“Pack two pounds of fried stinky tofu. Keep the sauce separate.”

“Right away, Master! Please wait a moment!” Confirming that the young master in brocade was just there to buy goods, the vendor breathed a sigh of relief. He skillfully dropped the tofu into the fryer and generously packed an extra-large portion of seasoning for him.

“Master, here is your stinky tofu.”

Gu Wangchen weighed the package the vendor handed him and smiled. “This is more than two pounds, isn’t it?”

“Heh, Master, it’s so late and you’re still on duty. We common folk rely entirely on you and the soldier behind you!” the vendor flattered.

“Ha, that’s true.” Gu Wangchen accepted his kindness and inquired, “There’s something I want to ask you about.”

“Please speak, Master.”

“About twenty or thirty minutes ago, did a group of people dressed in hemp clothes and looking flustered enter the West Market?”

“Oh, Master, I really didn’t notice that. As you know, the West Market is so big and there are so many people. It’s hard for me to see from here…” the vendor said, looking troubled.

“No matter. I was just asking.”

“However, Master, you might want to check out Fanyu Tavern. That tavern has three stories. From up high, you can see far. Perhaps someone in there saw the people you’re looking for.”

“Very well. Thank you.”

Leaving the stinky tofu stall, Gu Wangchen went to several other stalls that had views of different streets to ask questions. Along the way, he bought a bunch of snacks like braised pork, fried fritters, and beggar’s chicken.

‘Sigh, those guys actually have a decent sense of counter-reconnaissance. After asking so many people, there are still no leads.’

Gu Wangchen let out a soft sigh and looked around for Si Kongyue.

After searching for a while, he finally found her at the fried fritter stall he had just visited.

*Smack — *

“Who?!”

Si Kongyue, who was focusing her power to distinguish True Qi signatures, was suddenly startled. She spun around and jumped back, falling into a combat stance.

When she saw it was Gu Wangchen, she finally relaxed. “Why are you acting so sneaky? You scared me to death!”

“It’s because you were staring at those fritters so intensely that you didn’t notice me at all, right?” Gu Wangchen exposed her immediately.

“Nonsense! I was not! I was clearly using my technique to check True Qi signatures one by one!”

“And? Any results?”

Si Kongyue’s face turned red. “Not yet…”

“But I’ve already ruled out many streets and alleys. Even if I have to use the process of elimination, I’ll find them soon!”

She pointed toward a brilliantly lit three-story tavern. “There. I estimate there’s a very high probability most of them went there. After all, I’ve already checked the other directions!”

“Hmm, that matches the information I got.” Gu Wangchen looked at Fanyu Tavern where Si Kongyue was pointing and smiled. “You’ve done well. This is your reward.”

“Eh?”

Subconsciously catching the food Gu Wangchen tossed her, Si Kongyue’s brain was instantly overwhelmed by the oncoming aroma.

Looking at the fried stinky tofu, fritters, braised pork, and beggar’s chicken in the bag, Si Kongyue quickly wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth and asked in confusion, “For me?”

“Of course it’s for you. I don’t want you rolling around on the ground and going on strike because of hunger while we’re trying to catch them later. That would affect our efficiency.”

“I… I would never lose sight of what’s important!”

“So you’re not hungry? You’re not going to eat?”

Si Kongyue tightly clutched the food in her arms and took a step back. “You already gave it to me. There’s no reason to take it back. Food given away is like water poured out, don’t you know that?”

“Then stop talking and eat quickly. Once you’re finished, we’ll continue our investigation in Fanyu Tavern.”

“I’m eating, I’m eating! I’ll be done in fifteen minutes, I promise!” With that, Si Kongyue immediately took out a fritter and stuffed the whole thing into her mouth.

“Slow down. Don’t choke to death.”

“I’m being careful. I won’t choke!”