Chapter 81 - Getting Wind of It (1/2)

Of course he wanted to learn this. It was such a fantastic camouflage skill. Ling Zhang nearly blurted “Yes”, but eventually he forbore to do so after some rational thinking. There were too many unresolved issues waiting for him to address at the moment, and he had no time to learn this skill.

“I don’t have much time.”

Yuwen Tong was not surprised by Ling Zhang’s refusal at all. He said, “It’s okay. You may learn it in the future. After you take enough medicated baths, I’ll teach you something else. Currently, it is indeed not the wisest choice for you to be distracted by the learning of this kind of skill which is of less significance.”

“Something else?” Ling Zhang was confused. Were there by any chance any other methods apart from taking medicated baths and unblocking his meridians with Yuwen Tong’s internal energy?

“There are some special breathing exercises. They will not only prove beneficial to your meridians but also facilitate your cultivation of internal energy as long as you keep practicing them.”

Cultivation of internal energy? Ling Zhang thought that he must have just misheard. “Are you saying that I can cultivate internal energy like you?”

“Yes,” Yuwen Tong said. He could totally understand why Ling Zhang was shocked.

Ling Zhang was in not only shock but also delight. Originally he had started practicing horse stance and boxing from w.a.n.g Dashan merely to build himself up, but now Yuwen Tong told him that he could cultivate internal energy, which was such a temptation for Ling Zhang!

“I want to learn them!” Ling Zhang nodded unhesitatingly for fear that Yuwen Tong might change his mind.

Watching Yuwen Tong with an expectant look in his eyes, Ling Zhang had no idea at all that his eager face bore a close resemblance to that of Ada.

Yuwen Tong’s fingers briefly twitched. He wanted to draw Ling Zhang over and hug him but eventually restrained himself from doing so.

“You need to take seven medicated baths in total. And then I’ll teach you how to perform those special breathing exercises.”

“Okay!”

He took a medicated bath every other day, which meant that he would be able to start learning those breathing exercises in less than half a month! As Ling Zhang thought of what he would start doing after half a month, a fever of excitement involuntarily surged inside him.

On account of this, he drastically changed his att.i.tude towards Yuwen Tong, waiting on him hand and foot, by which even Yuwen Tong’s bodyguards were amazed.

“Exactly how did Marshal manage to do this? It’s been such a short time, but Childe Ling’s att.i.tude makes him seem like another person.”

“If Marshal invites Childe Ling to the capital with him this time, surely Childe Ling is going to agree, I suppose?”

“I imagine he’s going to say yes.”

“Marshal’s reputation is well-earned. People like us will never be a patch on him.”

As his subordinates gazed at him in admiration, Yuwen Tong began to enjoy Ling Zhang’s solicitous care Ling Zhang accorded him. It happened to be lunch time and the dining table was full of delicious food that had been prepared under Ling Zhang’s supervision. He told Yuwen Tong that these courses were the most famous specials of Tanyang, and also gave Yuwen Tong a guarantee that they would lead him to endless aftertastes.

Beneath Ling Zhang’s ardent gaze, Yuwen Tong blandly picked up a piece of fresh and tender tofu with his chopsticks and sent it into his mouth.

“What do you think? Is it delicious? The tofu was stewed in the freshest and thickest chicken soup, and all spices used to season it are specific to Tanyang, which made it tender, smooth and tasty!”

Yuwen Tong nodded and said, “Not bad.”

“Have a taste of this. It’s venison. Unlike recipes adopted in those restaurants on the streets, the culinary method for this dish used by my family chef, whose family has been in catering industry for generations in Tanyang, is peculiar to his family. No outsiders are able to cook venison of this kind of taste.”

Ling Zhang pointed at another course to show Yuwen Tong. They could literally see the tenderness of the venison with naked eyes. The tempting smell of it wafted up into their nostrils, making their mouths water.

Even Yuwen Tong couldn’t help but flick an extra glance at it. After having a taste of it, he made a favorable comment. “It’s truly of great look, delicious smell and terrific taste.”

Ling Zhang gave a smile. “This is pretty good, too. Have a try… ”

Every time Ling Zhang recommended a course, Yuwen Tong tasted it, gave a nod and paid it a compliment in a very cooperative manner.

The delicious smells of the tableful of food wafted far away outside. Guards on duty in the Green Bamboo Mansion could hear their bellies grumbling. Though they didn’t see how those dishes looked like, the smells alone made their mouths water. And they found Ling Zhang’s distinct, vivid descriptions simply unbearable.

Facing such tempting delicacies, the Marshal could still calmly make comments on them. His self-control was truly amazing.

“All right. Just sit down and enjoy the meal with me.” After sampling each and every one of those courses, Yuwen Tong drew Ling Zhang onto a chair beside him.

Ling Zhang was indeed hungry. He sat down without any pretence at politeness, took up a pair of chopsticks and had lunch with Yuwen Tong.

While the two people were leisurely having lunch, the atmosphere in the whole Tanyang was still tense. All residents were worried that the burglar who killed Lu Kui the night before might suddenly show up again, so n.o.body was in the mood for having lunch delightedly like Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong.

In the afternoon, Jia Zhong and Jia Yin arrived at Lu family to express their condolences.

At the sight of tight security, Jia Yin softly snorted.

“I never expected that such an accident would happen. What a pity that Lord Lu’s rare talents were wasted. I think I’ll never be able to meet another man as learned as he was,” said Jia Zhong in a regretful tone, a dejected look on his face.

“Did they catch the thug?”

“Lord Tao and Commander Zhang’s men are performing a citywide hunt. The murderer is still at large, but I never doubted that Lord Tao and Commander Zhang would catch him for Lu family.”

“If there’s anything Jia family can do for you, please let me know, Lord Tao. We’ll do whatever it takes to see justice done!”

“Thank you for your kindness, Lord Jia. I appreciate it. Since Lord Tao and Commander Zhang are on it, I don’t dare to put Lord Jia to trouble.”