102: Chapter 101: Wilderness Pursuit 7 102: Chapter 101: Wilderness Pursuit 7 The deal was sealed, and Hou Niao, with a smirk that wasn’t quite a smile, said, “Daoist Huang, you’re not being very sincere, hiding half the good stuff you have on you and showing only the rest.
Who knows how many more you have hidden?
Could it be that every time I bring out a treasure, you’d come up with a Soul Bead?”
Daoist Huang gave an awkward smile, “No more, no more, really no more.
I swear, if I tell a lie, may the Five Thunders strike me down.”
Hou Niao uttered an “Oh,” “So that’s it.
I haven’t even taken out my real treasure yet!
But since you have no more, let’s just call it done, and may we meet again.”
Daoist Huang’s curiosity was successfully piqued, even though he constantly reminded himself to stop while he was ahead and not to fall into the abyss of greed; but the trap Hou Niao had set was skillfully hidden and not too deep, filled with his favorite bait prepared inside.
Indeed, inspired by the ongoing enticement of the short dagger and the embroidered robe, his expectations kept rising uncontrollably, and he naturally assumed that the next one must be even better.
“Let’s have a look, just a look ought to be okay, right?
If it really is a treasure I need, I can think of ways to procure some more Soul Beads for Daoist Hou, I promise.”
Hou Niao chuckled internally; this confirmed his suspicion that the Soul Beads were not accidental products but obtainable; however, where and how still needed to be diligently discussed.
How to bamboozle a wily stoat?
That was a subject in itself.
“It’s nothing, just a small tool for daily life, nothing remarkable, not worth looking at…”
Daoist Huang was itching with curiosity; the more casually the swordsman talked, the more he felt the treasure must be extraordinary.
In fact, he didn’t expect much; just something slightly more useful than the last two items would suffice.
“Daoist Hou, I know you fancy Soul Beads, you can’t fool me; these items could fetch several times their profit in the human market.
Although I, as a little immortal, am not very worldly, I have not eaten pork but have seen pigs run, and I know a thing or two about this stuff.”
Daoist Huang patted his chest, “But two Soul Beads are indeed limited, how much can they earn?
If you want a steady income, you need a stable source.
I can’t guarantee too much, but managing one Soul Bead a month is still within my means, just to have a look at your treasure, to have something to look forward to…”
Hou Niao, weary of the incessant nagging, reluctantly said, “You still don’t believe the truth, thinking that I’m just teasing you.
As a disciple of Quanzhen walking in Jianghu, my word is my bond, when have I ever deceived a friend?
Forget it, it’s my fault for babbling, just let me show you then.
By the way, do you have any freshly caught chickens in your bag?”
It was a well-known fact that stoats loved chickens, and with Daoist Huang’s current Realm, sneaking into nearby villages to steal a few chickens was no issue at all; sure enough, although puzzled why Hou Niao would ask, Daoist Huang still pulled out a few chickens from his bag, not quite dead but stunned through a special technique, a signature move of a chicken thief.
“Just one will do, pluck it, remove the insides, clean it up…”
Daoist Huang was even more baffled but still followed the instructions to the letter, subconsciously trusting the Quanzhen Swordsman to a certain extent.
Taking the chicken that still emitted heat and steam handed over by Daoist Huang, Hou Niao pulled out a bottle of sauce from his Treasure Gourd, which didn’t smell too pleasant, and evenly coated it inside and outside the chicken.
Then, he took out a square box, just the right size to fit the chicken, set everything up, placed a Spirit Stone in the slot of the box, and started it…
“What are you doing?” Daoist Huang was completely baffled, he couldn’t comprehend the operation,
Hou Niao smiled, “No rush, just count to two hundred breaths and you will see the result.”
Before reaching two hundred breaths, an enticing aroma had already wafted out from the box after only one hundred breaths, and Huang Xiaoxian suddenly realized he was really undignified, as he was already unconsciously swallowing his saliva.
He had realized something, but he could not yet be sure?
As soon as two hundred breaths had passed, Hou Niao removed the Spirit Stone, opened the box, and an enticing fragrance immediately captured Huang Xiaoxian’s soul, accompanied by a golden-brown crust that made one’s mouth water.
Hou Niao passed over the chicken, “Please, have this as a midnight snack, give it a try.”
Unable to resist, Huang Xiaoxian took it, while still being polite, “I’ll just try it, it’s our midnight snack after all, and Huang is also a man of manners.
How could I possibly be so…”
He couldn’t go on because the whole fragrant roasted chicken, bones and all, seemed to have ended up in his stomach in just a few bites…
crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, perfectly salted, melting in the mouth, with an aftertaste that lingered indefinitely.
How could there be such a delicious chicken in this world?
And it seemed not too difficult to make?
If he had that magical box, wouldn’t it mean he could eat this every day?
Short spikes were not needed every day, and brocade robes were just for others to see.
This was the only thing that he could enjoy himself, how foolish he had been to exchange his precious Soul Beads for two temporarily useless items but miss the real treasure!
Just the thought of needing at least a month, possibly even longer, to eat roasted chicken again made him deeply regret it as he had the Soul Beads but might not be able to find the Swordsman immediately…
At that thought, regret overwhelmed him, and his heart felt as if it were being carved with a knife!
Hou Niao slowly packed up the box, having to thank the three bandit brothers.
They each had their weaknesses; unexpectedly, it had paid off here.
The youngest liked clothes, the second liked weapons, and the eldest liked food; this makeshift oven was made by a bored cultivator specifically to satisfy hunger on journeys.
“This device is powered by Spirit Stones, one stone can be used about ten times, and the operation is very simple, as you have already seen.
There is also special sauce, but of course, you can also mix your own favorites.
It’s not limited to chicken – duck, goose, lamb, beef, and pork are all fine as long as they fit inside.
Be sure to clean it thoroughly after use, otherwise, it will affect the taste next time.”
Placing the box and several bottles of sauce in front of Huang Xiaoxian, “Now, they are all yours.”
Huang Xiaoxian stammered, “No, I don’t have the Soul Beads yet, but I promise I’ll get them to you as soon as possible; I can’t just take your things for nothing, that’s not right…”
Hou Niao looked at him and smiled, “You and I both know that our so-called deal is just about getting what we need, unrelated to value.
But what I think is most important is the trust that comes from the transaction, and the potential friendship because of the trust, which is more important than any object!”
Huang Xiaoxian puffed his cheeks, wanting to reveal the secret of the Soul Beads.
He knew this Swordsman was tricking him, but he couldn’t help but feel a fondness toward such cunning.
Yes, what could be more important than making a friend?
He had no friends among humans, and likewise, the Swordsman probably had no friends among the Demon Clan.
As the first, they were both very important to each other!
However, his natural caution still made him stop as the words reached his lips.
Maybe, he should wait a bit longer?