Chapter 82: The Sect of a Hundred Flavors, Hongyun’s Instructions

A man and a demon drifted above the Far Northern Demon Plains on their flying vessel, continuing their journey toward their destination.

At this very moment, there were two new passengers aboard: a pair of human cousins, a young man and woman.

Along the way, Hongyun had caught wind of some commotion. He saw the two being pursued by a demon cultivator at the Treasure Body level. With a single sweep of his iron feather, he dispatched the demon and rescued them without a second thought.

A few questions revealed the general outline of their story: the pair were fellow disciples of the same sect, having eloped together.

As for the reason behind their flight… One was to be sent to serve in the General’s Mansion, the other to the Prince’s household. Unwilling to be separated, they ran away together, wandering into demon territory and enduring hardship.

Yet, despite both having cultivated to the Treasure Body realm, they were nearly killed by a single Treasure Body demon, almost enacting a tragic farewell. It left Hongyun speechless.

But once they named their sect, everything became perfectly clear.

Both hailed from a human sect known as the "Hundred Flavors Sect."

This sect was by no means obscure—even Hongyun’s original host had heard of it when he was still at the Condensing Fiend realm.

The reason was simple: the sect was renowned for its mastery in a singular art—culinary craft.

Unlike the great sects such as the Surging Moon Sect or the Setting Sun Sect, whose profound foundations allowed disciples to manifest dual phenomena at the Treasure Body stage and whose battle prowess was feared by all, the Hundred Flavors Sect specialized in cuisine.

“One dish, a hundred flavors; one dish, a hundred ways”—such was their legendary reputation.

As for combat prowess… they were laughable at best.

Their fame instead stemmed from their close ties to the Great Wu Dynasty. From the imperial chefs in the royal palace to the camp cooks of the armies, all were disciples of the Hundred Flavors Sect. Within the dynasty, any official above the fourth rank would have a Hundred Flavors disciple as their household chef. Major restaurants that wished to prosper would not dare operate without hiring a couple of their disciples.

As for why the two had been chased by a demon, their explanation left Hongyun at a loss for words.

“My younger cousin wanted to taste the flesh of a Frost Snow Rabbit cub—a most precious ingredient. As luck would have it, I found a nest and caught a cub to cook for her. Who would have thought the mother rabbit would become so enraged and even attack us? Even with our combined strength, we couldn't defeat that demon…”

After boarding the flying vessel, the two quickly composed themselves. They regarded both Hongyun and the demon as their saviors, and, cherishing the opportunity, hauled the corpse of the Frost Snow Rabbit aboard without being asked. They immediately set about skinning it and building a fire.

Soon, a mouthwatering aroma wafted throughout the vessel.

Hongyun, having just finished his cultivation, watched the pair with great interest now that he knew their background.

Their movements in the kitchen were as fluid as a swordsman’s dance or a scholar’s brushstroke—graceful and precise, pleasing to the eye.

The snow rabbit was large, and they divided the tasks efficiently. After placing a molten stone for heat and surrounding it with wood, they began to roast the meat slowly.

Once the roasting began, the young woman conjured a long table seemingly out of thin air. With a wave of her sleeve, the table was instantly covered with a dazzling array of spices and seasonings.

A layer of the finest royal honey was spread over the meat, followed by an even sprinkling of salt. Using their own fiendish energy, they gently patted the surface, infusing the aroma into the flesh.

In the depths of winter, the snow rabbit’s flesh was especially firm, and the fat it had stored to survive the season sizzled and crackled over the fire.

Hongyun could restrain himself, but elsewhere on the vessel, Yue Sansi was already beside himself, scratching his head and repeatedly asking, “Is it ready yet?”

As the saying goes: “He who eats another’s food speaks softly, and he who takes another’s hand is obliged.” With the two cooks now aboard, every day brought new dishes; Yue Sansi was well and truly satisfied.

At first, he mocked their lack of strength, but now he pounded his chest with bravado: “I hear that the strongest in your sect are only at the late Nirvana realm? How dare anyone try to separate you! Once we reach human lands, I’ll storm your sect myself, uproot it, and get justice for you!”

But after Hongyun mentioned, “The sect master is likely the imperial chef for the Supreme Emperor of the Great Wu Dynasty,” Yue Sansi laughed sheepishly and wisely kept his mouth shut.

He knew he wasn’t weak, but since he couldn’t even best Hongyun of the same realm, who was he to boast of being the pinnacle among humans?

Never mind. As long as he wasn’t embarrassed, he’d just pretend nothing had happened.

With that thought, Yue Sansi sped up the flying vessel even further.

The pair, once aboard, behaved themselves. If they weren’t cooking, they were whispering sweet nothings to each other—something that made Hongyun want to sigh at the tangled web of their relationship.

More than half a month passed. Sensing the distant moonlight energy resonating with his own, Hongyun knew he had come to the right place. He signaled for Yue Sansi to halt the vessel and explained his plan.

“What? You actually want me, a demon, to venture into human lands?” Yue Sansi forced a laugh and shook his head.

Hearing Hongyun’s words, the bravado he’d carried since leaving the half-demon kingdom faded away.

Seeing Hongyun remain silent but nod in response, his expression grew grave.

“It’s not that I mind going into human territory, but I still have a question for you,” he said, forcing another laugh. “You’re from the Surging Moon Sect in the Sun-Moon Gorge, right? Are all Nirvana cultivators in your sect as strong as you?”

“If all were as strong as me, the demon race would have a hard time holding the Sun-Moon Gorge.”

“In that case, I’ll go. If I can’t win, I’ll just run; and if there’s no escape, I’ll reveal my identity—few among humans would dare touch me.”

He gritted his teeth and agreed, but then raised his own condition, pointing into the distance: “I'll go, but those two—I’m taking them with me!”

Hongyun considered briefly, then nodded. Though he enjoyed fine food and wine, he knew that to gain, one must also let go.

Studying Yue Sansi’s face, he tailored his advice to suit the demon’s temperament: “Your name may be ‘Three Reflections,’ but your temper is far too rash. In human lands, things are not as they are among demons; you would do well to think thrice before you act.”

Turning his back, his tone became calm: “Let me give you three pieces of advice:

Does he have any reason to attack you?
Has he done you any harm?
Does he truly need to be killed?

Before you strike, ask yourself these three questions. That, at least, would be worthy of your name.”