The bustling, chaotic atmosphere of Yunyang Town hummed with the endless chatter of mortals and low-level practitioners alike.
Tucked away in a quieter, upscale district of the town sat a reputable clothing and textile merchant shop.
As Chen Feng and Su Yun stepped out from the shop’s front entrance, their appearances had undergone a dramatic transformation.
Chen Feng stood tall, completely wrapped in flowing white silk robes that gave him the faint aura of a wandering scholar or an eccentric rogue cultivator.
To conceal his identity completely from the Beggar Sect and the local gangs, he wore a conical bamboo hat, with a thick white veil draped gracefully around the brim, completely shadowing his face from prying eyes.
Right beside him walked Su Yun, looking just like a young noble disciple traveling alongside her master.
She was dressed in a robe patterned with soft orange dots and earthy tones. To keep her identity hidden as well, she wore a delicate, sheer veil over her face—Though she was still painfully thin—her cheekbones prominent and her frame fragile.
Walking down the stone-paved street, Su Yun finally let out a weary groan, dragging her feet as she tugged gently at Chen Feng’s white sleeve.
"Master..." she whimpered softly, her voice weak with exhaustion.
"I can’t walk another step. Taking all those measurements in the shop completely wore me out. Can we please rest for a moment?"
Chen Feng paused and glanced down at her.
Underneath his veiled hat, his enhanced eyes carefully scanned her condition. Thanks to the new clothes and the fact that she wasn’t freezing or wearing filth anymore, she looked slightly better than before. However, her body was still severely malnourished. To truly build her foundation, she needed a massive amount of high-nutrient food and medicinal supplements.
Still, Chen Feng felt a quiet sense of relief. With their new attire and veiled faces, they looked entirely like a cultivator and his young disciple, completely shedding the wretched look of street beggars.
Even if members of the Beggar Sect came around asking questions, the shopkeeper had already been heavily bribed with extra silver to keep his mouth shut and pretend he had never seen them.
"Hold on a little longer, Yun’er," Chen Feng said in a deep, calm voice, adjusting the white veil over his face. "We just need to find a place where we can get some proper food for you, and then locate the local Merchant Guild branch. Once we gather information on the surrounding sects, our next move will become much clearer."
Su Yun blinked her large, innocent eyes behind her veil, nodding obediently. "Yes, Master. I’ll follow your lead."
"But Master... why are we hiding our faces like this?"
Chen Feng glanced sideways, his own white veil swaying in the gentle breeze. "I have quite a few dangerous enemies in this world. That’s why I had to play the part of a beggar before. Now that you are my disciple, you will also need to keep your face concealed—especially until you’ve put on some healthy weight and recovered your body."
Su Yun shivered slightly as those words sank in. A deep, chilling realization washed over her. Her master was a genuine martial arts expert, which meant his enemies must be terrifyingly powerful—powerful enough to force a master like him to live on the streets disguised as a beggar!
As she walked along, lost in her anxious thoughts, a rich, mouthwatering aroma suddenly drifted through the air.
Chen Feng’s eyes lit up as he spotted a bustling, high-end traditional restaurant nestled along the main avenue.
A large wooden signboard hanging outside proudly proclaimed its specialty: Imperial Nourishing Broths & Vitality Medicinal Feasts.
In ancient times, establishments like this served dishes loaded with precious ingredients designed to nourish the body and channel internal energy—dishes like ginseng-stewed black chicken, deer-antler bone broth, herbal-infused red date porridge, and iron-plate nourishing duck slices, steamed fish, pork ribs, chicken, eggs.
Chen Feng’s heart skipped a beat. Given Su Yun’s special physique, the more high-nutrient foods and powerful medicinal herbs she consumed, the stronger and faster her body would develop. This place was an absolute goldmine for her cultivation foundation.
"Yun’er," Chen Feng said, turning to her with a grin,
"my dear disciple, that is our destination."
Su Yun followed his gaze, and her tired eyes instantly lit up. "Yes, Master! Let’s hurry!"
The moment she saw the restaurant, it was as if someone had poured fuel into her dying body.
Her previously weak legs suddenly became full of strength.
She practically rushed toward the restaurant.
Chen Feng watched her go.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Food really is her greatest source of motivation.
He followed behind her.
The two entered the restaurant and It was packed with customers.
The entire place was filled with the sounds of conversation, clinking bowls, and chopsticks tapping against plates. The rich aromas of roasted meat, herbal soup, steamed fish, and freshly cooked dishes filled the air.
Stepping inside, the restaurant was a lively, bustling hub of activity. The interior was richly decorated with dark mahogany tables, polished brass lanterns, and screen dividers carved with intricate lotus patterns.
The air was thick with the savory, warming scents of simmering herbs, roasted meats, and bubbling broths, accompanied by the low hum of chatter from dozens of patrons.
A brisk waiter wearing a neat gray vest and carrying a white towel over his shoulder immediately trotted over, wearing a bright, welcoming smile. "Welcome, esteemed guests! Table for two? Right this way!"
The waiter was a young man with neatly tied hair, clean clothes, and a polite smile.
He led them to an empty table.
"Please have a seat."
Chen Feng and Su yun sat down.
A moment later, the waiter returned with a wooden menu board.
"What would you like to order?"
Chan Feng read it and said,"Bring us your most nutritious dishes."
The waiter blinked.
"Most nutritious?"
"Yes."
Based on what he saw, he guessed a few dishes and started naming them one after another.
Fortunately, the waiter understood exactly what he meant and quickly figured out what Chan Feng was trying to order.
Chan Feng began listing dishes.
"Stewed beef. Chicken soup. Bone broth. Steamed fish. Eggs. Pork ribs. Ginseng chicken soup...."
He continued ordering.
"And add some medicinal herb dishes as well."
The waiter slowly stopped writing.
Su Yun listened with wide eyes, her mouth instantly watering. She swallowed hard, frantically blinking to hide her overwhelming hunger, before giving her head a firm little shake.
"I must maintain my composure in front of Master," she scolded herself mentally.
"I cannot behave like a starving savage. Even if I was a beggar just a moment ago, I truly belong to a noble house. I must carry myself with dignity."
After a short wait, the waiter began hauling out a staggering array of steaming, aromatic dishes, setting them heavily across the table until it was completely crowded.
Su Yun stared at the magnificent spread, her stomach letting out a violent, echoing rumble. She cast a timid, longing glance up at Chen Feng, silently asking for permission.
Chen Feng chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "You don’t need my permission to eat. When food is right in front of you, just dives right in!"
The moment those words left his mouth, a crisp system notification chimed in his mind:
[Target: Su Yun Likability Increased to 45%!]
[Relationship Status Updated: Deeply Respected and Devoted Disciple]
Chan Feng looked at the increased Likeability and a thought suddenly crossed his mind.
"How exactly do you calculate this Likeability?" he asked the system.