What made Niu Youdao even more unbearable was yet to come.
"Daoye, I'm going to buy some groceries!"
Along the way, he took a look at the map and learned that there was a town not far away. A certain someone bade farewell and rode off first.
Not long after, a certain someone carried a few kilograms of pork and rode back at top speed. The scene was too beautiful, especially when the others were still commenting on the pork's fat and thinness, speaking logically.
Niu Youdao looked up at the sky speechlessly. Although flesh and blood were not immune, his impression of cultivators was not like this.
When Niu Youdao stood on the cliff and held his sword as he looked up at the stars, the scene was beautiful. However, the bottom of the cliff was filled with smoke and oil, and the spatula was stirring non-stop in the pot.
Along the way, when they came across a town, they either went to buy some meat or some vegetables.
Black Peony and the other three were quite interested in this secret and wanted to practice their skills. However, there was only one pot, so the four of them could only take turns cooking. Therefore, every time it was their turn to cook, the next person to shout that they wanted to go buy vegetables would definitely be that person.
Niu Youdao felt that the speed of their journey seemed to be a little slow. It would be strange if they weren't slow when they had to set up the pot to cook.
Gradually, Niu Youdao got used to these four fellows. There was nothing he could do about it. He was the one who led them astray. Occasionally, when the conditions were right, he would even teach them a new dish.
Along the way, the clanking sounds attracted the attention of passersby and turned their heads. Niu Youdao also slowly got used to it.
As for eating in the towns and relay stations along the way, Black Peony and the other three were not interested at all. If they could eat good food, why would they want to eat bad food? They looked down on the food and would rather cook themselves.
The long and arduous journey was indeed boring, so Niu Youdao just let it be.
Just like that, they left the borders of Zhao and entered the borders of Korea.
Among the green waters and green mountains, a group of thirty people galloped forward with the sound of hooves. The young man in the lead was dressed in white and had a black cape. He had a handsome face and a jade hairpin in his hair. Among the thirty followers behind him, half were martial artists and the other half were cultivators.
After charging up a slope, the young man raised his hand and reined in his horse. He turned a few rounds on the spot.
The group of people also came to an emergency stop, the accompanying mages asked, "Eldest Master, what's wrong?"
The young man moved his nostrils in the direction of the upwind in the mountain and sniffed. He asked around, "What's that fragrance?"
The rest of them also sniffed. Without saying a word, two cultivators jumped off their horses and leaped into the air, flying towards the forest upwind.
Between the two mountains, there was a gurgling stream. Niu Youdao and company were temporarily resting here.
Black Peony was cooking braised pork. The aroma was tempting. Niu Youdao, who was sitting at the side, felt helpless. After eating braised pork for so many days, weren't these guys sick of it?
Two silhouettes swept across the sky. They suddenly turned around and saw two middle-aged men landing on the ground, staring at them coldly.
Niu Youdao and the rest slowly stood up, their eyes filled with vigilance. Judging from the distance that the two of them had glided over, their cultivation bases might have reached the Golden Core stage.
The two might be Golden Core cultivators, but they didn't know if they were friends or foes. They were a little suspicious that they were sent by Yan.
The two middle-aged men then stared at the covered pot on the fire. One of them cupped his hands. "I wonder if we can take a look at what's in the pot?"
Niu Youdao extended his hand. "Go ahead!"
The man immediately walked to the pot and reached out to open the lid. The braised pork in the pot was bubbling and bubbling. The tempting aroma wafted into their noses and they couldn't help but take a deep breath. The other man walked over and sniffed, praising, "Good stuff. What is this? How was it made? "
Niu Youdao was calm and collected. He walked to the side of the two men and smiled. "We don't seem to know each other."
The two men looked at each other and didn't say anything. They closed the lid and leaped into the sky together, leaving just like that.
This time, they clearly saw that they were indeed Golden Core cultivators!
Black Peony and the others breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that they left. If they were really looking for trouble, then it would be troublesome.
Who would have thought that after a while, the sound of messy horse hooves could be heard. The birds in the mountain forest were startled and flew away. A group of indistinct figures appeared. A handsome man dressed in white with a black cape emerged from the forest under the protection of a group of people. He walked along the stream bank at a moderate pace.
Niu Youdao and the others felt their heartstrings tighten. They saw the Golden Core cultivator who had left earlier. It turned out that it wasn't just two people, but a group of people.
And looking at the attire of some of them, it was obvious that they were soldiers.
Black Peony and the others were a little regretful. It seemed that they had been attracted by the smell of food. If they had known earlier, they wouldn't have done this.
As the group approached, the handsome man waved his hand and lifted his cape, jumping off his horse. Under the protection of his left and right guards, he stepped forward and cupped his hands. "I heard that there's something good, so I took the liberty to come and disturb you. I wish to see it for myself. I hope you won't take offense."
He directly greeted Niu Youdao. From how Black Peony and the others were surrounding him, he could tell that Niu Youdao was the leader of this group.
Niu Youdao cupped his hands in return. "It can't be said to be anything good. May I know who this esteemed sir is?"
The handsome man said, "Shao Pingbo of the Northern Province."
Niu Youdao paused. The Northern Province was surnamed Shao. Looking at this group of people, he couldn't help but ask, "May I know who this esteemed sir is, the Provincial Governor of the Northern Province?"
Shao Pingbo smiled. "It is my father! I see that this esteemed sir is extraordinary. May I know who this esteemed sir is? "
These words couldn't be considered overpraising him. Putting aside their appearance and temperament, Black Peony and the others were clearly older than Niu Youdao. Yet, Niu Youdao was their leader. Just this point alone was enough to make it unusual.
Niu Youdao was speechless. He had actually run into Shao Dengyun's son. He waved his hand and said, "I am no esteemed sir. I am merely an errand boy for someone else. I am Zhang San. I have just returned from a diplomatic mission to the State of Zhao with Lord Zhuge. I have been ordered to return to the capital to handle some matters."
This was nonsense, but Black Peony and the others didn't find it strange at all. It was hard to tell if the other party was good or bad. It was always good to leave a line of defense.
"Oh! So you are Lord Zhuge's man. " Shao Pingbo nodded. He took a whiff of the fragrance, his gaze falling upon the covered pot. "I heard that Brother Zhang has cooked a pot of delicious food. I wonder if I can bask in some of your glory?"
Niu Youdao smiled and said, "Of course. Since Lord Shao has spoken, how could I dare not comply? It is just that the heat is still lacking. I will have to trouble you to wait a moment."
"Of course." Shao Pingbo nodded. The people behind him immediately dismounted from their horses. He then asked Niu Youdao, "May I know what task Lord Zhuge has instructed Brother Zhang to do?"
Niu Youdao could tell that Shao Pingbo was trying to verify his identity. He replied, "It is nothing much. A few days ago, Lord Zhuge received some news and sent it back to the capital. The nation has rectified the relay stations everywhere. Now, the capital wants to confirm some details. It was not clear in the letter, so he asked me to go back and report on the task."
Shao Pingbo was startled. "Regarding the relay stations, Lord Zhuge obtained the news from the State of Zhao?"
Niu Youdao asked in reply, "Is there a problem? Could it be that Lord Shao has other news? "
Shao Pingbo waved his hand and didn't ask further. He saw that Niu Youdao was calm and collected when facing him. He was also clear about some official matters and believed his identity. However, he asked again, "Brother Zhang is also a cultivator, right? May I know which sect you are from? "
Niu Youdao originally wanted to say that he was from a large sect in Korea. However, he didn't dare to say anything as he couldn't figure out the Shao family's background. He smiled and said, "I'm just a rogue cultivator without any sect."
Shao Pingbo replied with an "oh". He didn't know whether to believe him or not.
The meat in the pot was done. The black peony was placed on a large rock after being removed from the pot. Niu Youdao extended his hand in invitation.
However, someone immediately stepped forward and poured some white powder to test for poison. After confirming that there was no problem, he nodded at Shao Pingbo.
Among the accompanying warriors, one of them handed a pair of golden chopsticks to Shao Pingbo.
Niu Youdao glanced at Shao Pingbo. Based on Shao Pingbo's attire, he realized that he was a person of high standards.
Shao Pingbo didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up a piece of meat from the pot and examined it carefully. He slowly put it into his mouth and chewed. He gradually closed his eyes. After swallowing, he shook his head and exclaimed, "It's fat but not greasy. It's delicious."
He returned the chopsticks to the servant and only tasted one piece. However, he waved his hand to signal the others, "Everyone, come and have a taste. The taste is indeed special. It's delicious!"
He didn't even ask for the owner's permission and made it seem like it belonged to him.
His subordinates immediately came over one after another. Some tasted one or two pieces, while others tasted one or two. With more than thirty people tossing and turning, they quickly finished the pot of meat.
Shao Pingbo, who was at the side, glanced at Niu Youdao and the others. Seeing that they didn't dare to have any objections, he had an idea of what was going on.
The group of people who had tasted the meat all praised it as delicious. Shao Pingbo looked at Black Peony and said, "This big sister really has good cooking skills."
Black Peony hurriedly said modestly, "Lord Shao, you flatter me. The one with good cooking skills is Lord Zhang. I just learned from him and haven't mastered it yet."
"Oh!" Shao Pingbo slowly looked at Niu Youdao. "Brother Zhang, why don't you come with me to the Northern Region?"
Niu Youdao looked at him in confusion.
Shao Pingbo explained, "I want to invite a guest to a banquet. I want to borrow Brother Zhang's cooking skills."
What was going on? You want me to specially go to the Northern Region to be your cook? Niu Youdao said expressionlessly, "I'm on official business. I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Lord Shao."
Shao Pingbo said, "Don't worry, it won't take up too much of your time. There's no need to go deep into the Northern Region. It'll take at most a day. It's a long journey to the capital, so a day doesn't matter. If the imperial court or Lord Zhuge wants to pursue this matter, just push it to me. I'll take responsibility."
"Lord Shao, if you really need it, her cooking skills are not bad. Why don't you let her accompany you?" Niu Youdao pointed at Black Peony. It wasn't that he hated being a cook, but he didn't want to go to the Northern Region, let alone with Shao Pingbo.
If it weren't for the other party's powerful influence, he wouldn't even be willing to give Black Peony to him based on his arrogant attitude.
Shao Pingbo said, "I'm inviting a distinguished guest. If I'm going to use her, I'll naturally use the best. Brother Zhang, don't refuse. It's settled!" After saying that, he turned around and left. He didn't allow for bargaining and didn't give her a chance to discuss. He mounted his horse and led a group of people out of the forest.
Black Peony groaned inwardly. She knew that her modest words had instead caused trouble for Daoye.
Several cultivators surrounded Niu Youdao and the others, extending their hands and saying, "Please!"
Encountering such unreasonable people, Niu Youdao and the others had no choice but to be taken away just like that.
The pots, bowls, ladles, and the like were left in the wilderness. Black Peony and the others no longer had any interest in carrying them. They had already caused trouble because of these things, so how could they not learn a lesson?
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