Chapter 411: Chapter 215: This Dish Is Extremely Precious
The cook’s gaze finally landed on San’er: "San’er, you were the one who didn’t watch the chicken properly. I think you should be the one to deliver this dish."
"Oh, this is bad!" San’er carried the meal box, his face full of distress as he walked out. But before he could exit the room, he felt a chill at the back of his neck, his vision went dark, and he collapsed like a stiff noodle into a pot.
Xu Qing, quick as lightning, supported the falling cook with one hand and took the meal box with the other, dragging him into the pile of charcoal supplies.
At this moment, Little Willow Immortal had already been locked into a birdcage by Xu Qing, with one chicken and one snake nestled together, not daring to take a single deep breath.
Xu Qing took out a human skin mask, bent down, kneaded it for a while, and when he stood up, he had already transformed into San’er’s appearance.
He then took out a scorpion tail hairpin in front of the two small immortals, probing inside.
Although this item couldn’t kill a person with poison, it could cause severe abdominal pain like being twisted by a knife, and even a grandmaster caught unaware would suffer for quite a while.
As for why Xu Qing didn’t use any other fatal poison, it was out of consideration for Master Feng and the others.
These eunuchs couldn’t be understood with common logic. If the opposite side had a twisted mindset and decided to conduct a cleansing of kin, wouldn’t they end up harming allies by mistake?
Walking out of the storeroom, Xu Qing carried the meal box, heading towards the main cabin.
"Master, the snake liver phoenix marrow is ready..."
Butler Zheng asked softly.
The latter waved his hand, and before long, a small cook carried the meal box with light steps and gently walked into the hall.
"Is this the snake liver phoenix marrow?"
"Replying to the lord, this is indeed the snake liver phoenix marrow."
"Was it made from the ingredients we just sent?"
"Yes, it was made with the white chicken and the small white snake."
After introducing the dish, Xu Qing continued, "This snake liver phoenix marrow is extremely precious. Please enjoy it while it’s hot, sirs. I will take my leave now."
"Stop!"
Butler Zheng, who had always wanted to be promoted as Liao Jinzhong’s foster son, suddenly called out to Xu Qing.
"What are your orders, Eunuch?" Xu Qing spoke while the Unstable Black Water within him was already poised to act.
Seeing Butler Zheng hand a pair of chopsticks to him, Xu Qing finally realized.
Ah, so they want him to test for poison!
"Eunuch, I’m just a runner and errand boy, I don’t have the privilege to taste this dish."
"Cut the nonsense, eat when you’re told to. It’s not like you put poison in it..."
"Don’t trouble him." Liao Jinzhong toyed with Master Feng’s walnuts, not even glancing at Xu Qing: "I’m a reasonable person. You run around and it’s not easy. Consider this first bite a reward from me."
"But remember, what’s given by me, you should accept, and what’s not given by me, you shouldn’t reach out for..."
Before Liao Jinzhong could finish, Butler Zheng lowered his head and said, "I will heed the Master’s teachings!"
Xu Qing didn’t have the time to listen to Liao Jinzhong’s lectures. He held the chopsticks, picked up a mouthful of food, and ate with great relish.
Back when he clashed with Qing Luo from the Celestial Heart Sect, Xu Qing had proven a point: most poisons were ineffective against zombies.
As for poison resistance, the combined people present couldn’t match him.
Here, when Butler Zheng ordered Xu Qing to leave, he gave him a fierce look.
For no other reason than Xu Qing took such a mouthful, enough for two.
Were it not for the master’s presence, simply taking advantage like this would have gotten him punished severely.
Outside the reception hall, Xu Qing waited by the door, his keen hearing senses maximized, listening for instructions while also eavesdropping on the activity inside.
"Mr. Feng, this is given to you by me, eat it while it’s hot!"
"And Mr. Ji, the snake meat is fresh and tender. It’s a pity not to try it."
"..."
Outside the cabin, Xu Qing’s gaze was deep.
He had thought that the old eunuch could be callous, but he hadn’t expected him to really do such a thing.
To have a Galloping Immortal Disciple eat the familiars they’ve lived with day and night, and even treat as their own children, how could such a depraved act be done by a human?
Xu Qing thought there was a high chance the two wouldn’t choose to eat their own familiars. If that were the case, when the old eunuch got angry and ordered the two to be brought out for punishment, it would be the perfect time for him to step in, separating the two groups and stirring up trouble.
However, unexpected events aren’t as predictable as plans. Faced with the old eunuch’s intimidation, Ji Ruinian’s expression was sorrowful, refusing to open his mouth.
"This imperial cook is granted to us by the emperor. The dishes made are also palace cuisine. Mr. Ji, if you refuse to eat, not only do you disrespect me but also look down on the current emperor."
Ji Ruinian spat to the side and cursed: "You castrated dog, just a spineless dog raised by the emperor! Forgetting the heavens and your ancestors because you were favored by the emperor, you dare to act tyrannically!"
"Silence!"
Upon hearing this, Liao Jinzhong was so furious that his voice almost broke.
Outside the cabin, Xu Qing, hearing the commotion, was already prepared to rush in and save people.
Inside the cabin, Liao Jinzhong’s expression changed several times, finally bursting into laughter: "Seems Mr. Ji truly cherishes this little snake. Eunuch Xu, take Mr. Ji down, switch to other dishes, and make sure he enjoys at least one last meal."
Eunuch Xu sneered at these words, dragging Ji Ruinian out of the cabin, seemingly planning to use torture for further interrogation.
When only Master Feng was left at the table, Liao Jinzhong asked with a smile: "Mr. Feng, don’t you plan to eat?"
Liao Jinzhong knew Master Feng’s cowardly nature well. With Ji Ruinian already used as an example, it was only a matter of time before Master Feng gave in.
It’s hard to change human nature; faced with Liao Jinzhong’s life-threatening pressure, Master Feng’s hands trembled as if he had epilepsy, but he still picked up the chicken meat in front of him.