C11 This Treasure Was Called Rivaling the Gods(1)

Zhong Wen crouched in the room, attentively watching over a clay jar perched above a crackling fire.

He nervously monitored the contents, occasionally adding a ladle of lake water to the jar.

As the water evaporated, a white residue began to crystallize at the bottom of the jar.

Zhong Wen pinched off a small piece of the white crystal and tasted it – it was salty with a peculiar flavor.

Success!

Though it wasn't as refined as the salt he was accustomed to in his past life, this salt's flavor was far superior to the coarse kind produced from boiling seawater. Zhong Wen surmised that it was due to the quality of the water from the Vale of Healing's salt lake.

At last, he could leave behind those saltless days!

Tears brimmed in Zhong Wen's eyes; in this moment, thoughts of Psicrystals, panaceas, cultivation methods, and arcane techniques were all cast aside.

"Zhong Wen, dinner's ready!"

The little girl entered, carrying a meal. She looked up to see Zhong Wen with his arms triumphantly raised to the heavens and asked curiously, "What are you doing?"

"I've just created a treasure," Zhong Wen replied with an air of mystery.

"A treasure?" The little girl's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"This," Zhong Wen said, cradling the salt jar, "is called 'Rivaling the Gods.' Just a pinch in food, and it becomes incredibly delicious."

"Really?" The little girl's mouth watered at the thought. "Can I try some?"

"Of course," Zhong Wen declared generously. "Is that chicken soup? Here, let me show you the magic of 'Rivaling the Gods'."

He dropped a piece of salt into the bowl of chicken soup and stirred gently with a spoon.

The rich aroma of the broth filled the air, and Zhong Wen's stomach rumbled in anticipation.

He ladled a spoonful of soup, cooled it with a gentle blow, and savored a small sip.

"Ahhhh..."

A profound sense of satisfaction surged from the depths of his soul, enveloping Zhong Wen in such bliss that he nearly swooned with happiness.

"Is it that delicious?" The little girl's curiosity was piqued by Zhong Wen's reaction. She eagerly scooped up a spoonful of the soup, gently blew on it, and tasted it.

Incredibly delicious!

It was a flavor the little girl had never encountered before, tantalizing her taste buds and leaving her feeling slightly lightheaded.

Regaining her composure, she gazed at the jar in Zhong Wen's hands with newfound eagerness.

"Zhong Wen, could you share some of your 'Rivaling the Gods' with me? I'd love for my master and senior sister to try it too," Xiaodie asked, her large eyes blinking expectantly.

"Xiaodie, you're such a thoughtful child, always considering others when you have something wonderful," Zhong Wen said affectionately as he stroked her head. "I've only made a small amount of 'Rivaling the Gods.' I'll give you some to share, but be careful not to add too much to the soup, or it might turn bitter."

With that, Zhong Wen scooped out a piece of salt and handed it to her in a bowl.

"Got it, thank you!" Xiaodie nodded vigorously and dashed out the door, cradling the bowl excitedly.

"Huuh... Hah..."

Basking in the sunlight streaming into the room and listening to the chorus of birds and cicadas in the yard, Zhong Wen leisurely enjoyed his large bowl of chicken soup, feeling life couldn't be more perfect.

Full and content, with the warmth of the sun on his skin and after a sleepless night, Zhong Wen yawned, feeling the tug of fatigue. He contemplated a nap when the door swung open once more.

In came Xiaodie, followed by Liu Qiqi and Zheng Yueting, their gaze immediately fixating on Zhong Wen.

"Mr. Zhong... Mr. Zhong, Xiaodie mentioned that you personally made 'Rivaling the Gods'?" Liu Qiqi asked directly.

"Just call me Zhong Wen," he replied with a smile. "That's right, over the past couple of days, I've been recalling some things. 'Rivaling the Gods' is a secret recipe I stumbled upon some time ago."

"Zhong Wen, is it possible to get some of this 'Rivaling the Gods'?" Liu Qiqi began, her voice trailing off as a look of uncertainty crossed her face.

"Mr. Zhong, could you possibly sell me some?" Zheng Yueting interjected.

Zhong Wen gazed at her radiant face for a long while, causing her cheeks to flush with a hint of red before he finally spoke. "Miss Zheng, as a good friend of Miss Liu, a bit of 'Rivaling the Gods' is really no big deal. There's no need to talk about selling it. The only issue is that it requires certain materials and time to prepare, and I currently have just this amount. If it's acceptable to you, please feel free to use it."

He produced a paper package from within his clothing, revealing the salt scooped out from a clay jar.

"No, there's no need for so much. Half would be more than enough," Zheng Yueting said, her hands gesturing modestly. "I would never have the audacity to ask for such a treasure under normal circumstances. But my mother has been unwell lately, with little to no appetite. She's been subsisting on thin porridge and hasn't had a proper meal in days. I'm hoping that 'Rivaling the Gods' might help her regain her desire to eat."

"With such devotion, I'm certain your mother will make a swift recovery," Zhong Wen offered in consolation.

Liu Qiqi opened her mouth as if to speak, but then hesitated.

Without warning, Zhong Wen stepped forward, took her right hand, and pressed the half packet of salt that Zheng Yueting had declined into her palm.

Startled, Liu Qiqi was about to protest when Zhong Wen softly assured her, "This isn't hard to make. I'll have another batch ready in a couple of days. I had already planned to give you some to enhance your meals."

"Thank you," Liu Qiqi murmured after a pause.

A careful observer would have noticed a delicate blush blooming on her porcelain cheeks.

Sadly, Zhong Wen missed it, his thoughts preoccupied elsewhere.

Despite her daily training, her hands were free of calluses, so tender and smooth!

Zhong Wen resolved then and there not to wash his hands that day.

"Zhong Wen, are you done eating?" the little girl asked as she bounded up to him, her large eyes fixed on him unwaveringly.

"Yes, I'm all finished," he replied.

"Can we continue with 'Journey to the West' for a bit longer?" the little girl pleaded with hopeful eyes.

"Okay, fine." Zhong Wen couldn't resist the little girl's adorable charm and reluctantly decided to skip his afternoon nap.

"Yay!" Delighted by Zhong Wen's agreement, the little girl scampered to the table, climbed onto a stool, rested her chin in her hands, and looked on with eager anticipation.

"We should get going," Zheng Yueting suggested to Liu Qiqi, noticing Zhong Wen was about to start storytelling.

"Just a moment more," Liu Qiqi responded, surprisingly taking a seat herself, mimicking the little girl's attentive pose.

Zheng Yueting was incredulous. She's still into stories at her age? Yet, feeling awkward about leaving by herself, she too pulled up a stool to join them.

"Last time, I left off with the Monkey King ascending to the Upper Realm with Taibai, experiencing the wonders of heaven for the first time. Golden light cascaded over red rainbows, while auspicious purple haze billowed. The Southern Heaven Gate shimmered with deep blue glaze and radiant jade... The sky boasted thirty-three palaces, including the Cloud Palace, the Pisa Palace, and the Five Bright Palace..." Zhong Wen, invigorated, adopted the flair of a seasoned raconteur. "...To think they would belittle me so! Back on Flowerfruit Mountain, I was a king, a patriarch. How dare they trick me into tending horses? That's a job for the lowly, the young, not for me! I refuse! I refuse! I shall leave..."

The vivid depiction of the Heavenly Court captivated everyone. The little girl's eyes sparkled with wonder, and even Zheng Yueting was spellbound, forgetting all about her intention to leave.

As Zhong Wen narrated the epic clash between Nezha and the Monkey King, each brandishing three heads and six arms, the three girls were utterly engrossed in the tale. Liu Qiqi's fist was clenched in excitement, as if she longed to leap into the fray of that monumental battle herself.

Before they knew it, an hour had already slipped by.

"...The Jade Emperor commands that the Great Strength Demon King and the Heavenly Generals escort the culprit to the Demon Execution Platform and chop his body into pieces!" Zhong Wen's voice was hoarse from speaking, "Alright, that's all for today. If you're curious about what happens next, you'll have to wait until tomorrow."

"How can it end like this!" The little girl was at the edge of her seat, the Monkey King on the brink of execution. She couldn't stand the suspense. Tugging at Zhong Wen's sleeve, she pleaded, "Just a little longer, please, just a bit more."

The two young women sitting behind him didn't speak up, but their eyes clearly showed they were on the little girl's side.

"There, there, I didn't get enough sleep last night and I'm quite exhausted today. This story is a long one; let me rest and I'll continue tomorrow," Zhong Wen said, gently patting the little girl's head to console her.

"Okay!" The little girl, with her kind heart, didn't want to see Zhong Wen push himself too hard, so she stopped pressing him. Yet, she was filled with anticipation, her head buzzing with images of the Monkey King's valiant stance, completely distracted from her evening studies and practice.

Liu Qiqi and Zheng Yueting, being older, felt too shy to wheedle Zhong Wen. Realizing he was firm in his decision, they reluctantly left the room.

Their voices trailed off outside the door:

"Do you think the Monkey King will die?"

"He shouldn't, right? The monkey is the protagonist, after all."

"Erlang Shen is so formidable, though. He managed to defeat the Great Sage Equalling Heaven."