Watching Mu Chen sulk on the living room sofa, Lan Hai shook his head, his laughter echoing through the kitchen.
Leaning against the counter, he glanced at the immortal warrior, who was still trying to wipe the noodle soup from his suit.
Lan Hai: “What’s the matter, Mu Chen? I highly advise you not to push Senior again. You should know by now that his patience is very thin.”
Mu Chen: (Glaring from the sofa, lowering his voice so the old man wouldn’t hear.) “Just let me find a single weakness… a single opening… and I’ll personally make sure your precious Senior learns a brutal lesson he’ll never forget. He’s living in our house, eating your food, yet he acts like a king!”
Suddenly, Han Ji Shen nudged Lan Hai’s elbow.
A teasing smile appeared on his ancient face, his eyes gleaming as though he could see straight through the young man’s thoughts.
Han Ji Shen: “Tell me, young man… do you truly have no intention of attending your special friend’s engagement ceremony, Lan Hai?”
Lan Hai’s laughter vanished instantly.
The smile disappeared from his face as a heavy silence settled over him.
He lowered his gaze, trying to steady his emotions before finally looking up.
Lan Hai: “I will go, Senior… but the ceremony is tomorrow morning. Before then, I need to repair my formal clothes and finish my work at the food stall.”
Sensing the perfect opportunity to hide his own tension behind sarcasm, Mu Chen spoke up from the living room with an exaggerated sneer.
Mu Chen: “Oh, naturally! Of course I’ll go with you, brother. After all, how could such a grand engagement possibly be complete without the magnificent presence of our elite street-food master, Lan Hai? We have to show those snobby rich people how ordinary citizens dress.”
Lan Hai shot him a sharp warning glare, his tone turning cold.
Lan Hai: “You seem to have far too much energy today, Chen. Do me a favor—your breakfast is on the kitchen counter. Serve yourself. I’m leaving for the stall.”
Mu Chen’s confident expression crumbled into pure panic.
Mu Chen: “Hey! What did I even do? This is completely unfair! First, your crazy Senior seals my voice, and now you’re trying to starve me in my own friend’s house!”
Turning toward the elegant portrait of Lan Hai’s late mother, Lan Xiuan, hanging on the wall, Mu Chen immediately put on another dramatic performance.
Mu Chen: “Mother Lan Xiuan! Do you see this cruelty? Your elder son is trying to starve his devoted younger brother to death! Please look down from heaven and punish him!”
Following his gaze, Lan Hai looked up at the portrait.
A gentle smile softened his face as he played along.
Lan Hai: “Mother, please look at his ridiculous act. He deliberately provokes me first thing in the morning, then uses your name just to get free food.”
Watching the two young men bicker like children, a warm smile spread across Han Ji Shen’s face.
The scene reminded him of the peaceful days he had once enjoyed thousands of years ago.
Han Ji Shen: “Lan Hai, I have made a decision. Today, I will accompany you to the food stall and personally help you with your work.”
Lan Hai’s eyes widened in surprise.
Lan Hai: “Senior… are you serious? You, a supreme master, want to work at an ordinary street food stall?”
Han Ji Shen: “Yes. My spiritual power has recovered to nearly half of its former strength. A little physical labor is effortless for me now. Besides, I wish to see how you earn your living in this world.”
Lan Hai: “That’s wonderful, Senior! With your help, our work will become twice as easy!”
From the dining table, Mu Chen lazily raised a hand and waved it dismissively.
Mu Chen: “Perfect. You two go enjoy your hard labor under the burning sun. As for me, I’m going straight back to bed. Don’t even think about waking me before evening.”
Han Ji Shen slowly turned around, his sharp gaze locking onto Mu Chen like a drawn blade.
His voice became calm, yet carried unquestionable authority.
Han Ji Shen: “Listen carefully, boy. By the time we return tonight, I expect a grand, piping-hot dinner prepared entirely by your hands. Disappoint me, and I will seal your tongue for an entire week.”
Mu Chen’s face twisted with rage as he silently cursed in his heart. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
‘You insufferable old tyrant!
One day, I’m going to buy rat poison and slip it straight into your tea!
Let’s see how your immortal body handles that!’
Han Ji Shen slowly raised an eyebrow, his expression growing suspicious.
Han Ji Shen: “What were you just thinking, boy? I can practically feel your negative intentions from here.”
Mu Chen jolted in terror, frantically waving his hands.
Mu Chen: “Nothing! Absolutely nothing, Senior! I was just thinking about tonight’s menu! Whatever you command will be done perfectly. A grand feast will be waiting when you return!”
Lan Hai couldn’t help but chuckle.
Picking up his thick utility jacket, he gestured toward the door.
Lan Hai: “Senior, let’s leave before he changes his mind. Mu Chen, toss me the keys to your sports car so we can get to the market quickly.”
Han Ji Shen immediately raised a hand, dismissing the suggestion.
Han Ji Shen: “There is no need for such a mechanical contraption. Today, we shall ride the wind and travel through the skies. Why rely on wheels when the heavens are open before us?”
Lan Hai froze, staring at him in disbelief.
Lan Hai: “Senior… what are you talking about? How could we possibly do that in broad daylight? People would see us flying!”
Without another word, Han Ji Shen stepped forward and firmly grabbed Lan Hai’s wrist.
Han Ji Shen: “Hold on tightly, young man. Today, I shall grant you the privilege of soaring through the heavens.”
The instant those words left his mouth, Han Ji Shen leaped straight off the balcony, dragging a screaming Lan Hai into the open air below.
Mu Chen: (Rushing toward the balcony in absolute horror.) “You lunatic! If you want to commit suicide, do it alone! Why are you dragging my brother down with you?!”
He threw himself against the railing, expecting to see two broken bodies lying on the pavement below.
Instead—
ZWHUUSSHH!
A tremendous blast of wind erupted beneath the building.
Lan Hai and Han Ji Shen shot upward from below, soaring into the clouds like a rocket piercing the heavens.
Mu Chen’s mouth fell wide open.
His entire body trembled as he clutched the balcony railing with both hands.
Mu Chen: (Muttering to himself.) “Good heavens… I’ve really encountered a terrifying monster. That old man isn’t a fraud… he’s a genuine Celestial Master. He can actually fly!”
Meanwhile, high above the sprawling city, Lan Hai flew effortlessly through the vast sea of clouds.
The fierce wind rushed past him at incredible speed, yet a warm, invisible barrier completely shielded him from the freezing air.
Far below, the towering skyscrapers looked no larger than tiny toys.
Lan Hai: “Senior! This is unbelievable! Are you truly a supreme Celestial Master from another world?”
Han Ji Shen kept his gaze fixed on the endless horizon.
Han Ji Shen: “The story of my life is long and complicated, young man. I have witnessed mighty empires rise… and eventually crumble into dust. For now, simply enjoy the beauty of this journey and set aside your worldly worries.”
A bright smile spread across Lan Hai’s face.
Lan Hai: “Understood, Senior!”
Without drawing the slightest attention from the people below—or even the city’s advanced surveillance systems—the two figures descended gracefully from the clouds, landing silently in front of Lan Hai’s food stall.
Lan Hai quickly unlocked the heavy iron shutter and pulled it open before immediately beginning his usual morning routine of sweeping the floor and cleaning the tables.
Observing him quietly, Han Ji Shen stepped forward and gently raised a hand.
Han Ji Shen: “Stop wasting your time on such menial labor. Allow me to handle it. A companion of mine should not concern himself with sweeping floors.”
Closing his eyes, Han Ji Shen softly recited an ancient incantation.
Within an instant, a gentle current of wind formed inside the stall.
The invisible breeze swept across every corner, gathering every speck of dust, every stain of oil, and every piece of trash before hurling them into a distant garbage bin down the street.
In the span of a single heartbeat, the entire food stall became spotless.
Lan Hai stood frozen, the broom still suspended in his hand as his jaw slowly dropped.
Lan Hai: “Senior… this is incredible! Please, you have to teach me this technique! It would save me at least two hours every single day!”
Han Ji Shen smiled faintly.
Han Ji Shen: “To perform such a technique, you must first learn how to gather and control Spiritual Energy within your body. It is far more than simply manipulating the wind.”
Lan Hai’s eyes lit up with excitement.
Lan Hai: “Then please teach me! I’m ready to learn anything!”
Han Ji Shen gently shook his head.
Han Ji Shen: “The path to true power cannot be mastered overnight, young man. You have not yet taken the first step. It demands patience, solitude, discipline, and countless years of dedication. For now, we have a business to run.”
Lan Hai nodded without disappointment.
Lan Hai: “That’s alright, Senior. Whenever you have time, you can teach me the basics. I’ll wait patiently.”
Before they could continue their conversation, the first wave of early-morning customers began gathering around the stall.
Lan Hai immediately straightened his posture, wiped his hands on his apron, and greeted them with a warm smile.
Lan Hai: “Welcome! Please tell me what you’d like. Everything is freshly prepared.”
Customer 1: “One plate of Chili Potatoes, extra spicy! Hurry up! I’m getting late for work!”
Customer 2: “And a large serving of Fried Chicken for me! I’ve been waiting forever!”
Within a few hours, the weekend rush transformed the small food stall into complete chaos.
A massive crowd of hungry customers surrounded the counter, with the line stretching all the way down the street.
People pushed forward impatiently, shouting out their orders from every direction.
Overwhelmed by the endless stream of customers, Lan Hai wiped the sweat from his forehead before turning toward the immortal standing calmly beside him.
Lan Hai: “Senior, the crowd is too large! Do you know how to chop vegetables quickly? I can’t keep up with all these orders!”
Han Ji Shen let out a soft, confident chuckle.
A sharp gleam flashed across his ancient eyes as he stepped toward the wooden cutting board.
Han Ji Shen: “Chopping vegetables? Young man, precision blade techniques were once my greatest passion during my early years. I used to cut down entire armies with a single swing of my sword.”