Chapter 420 Mount Tai
The journey was tiring and even with Ke Ling by his side, Xu Qing did not slow down at all because of her. Instead, he deliberately wanted to make her suffer so that she would give up the idea as soon as possible and go home quickly.

Therefore, we have to sleep outdoors more often and have fewer chances to get a good night's sleep.

Even though Xu Qing had long been accustomed to the traveling back and forth, he still felt a little overwhelmed, let alone Ke Ling who had never traveled far since she was a child?
But along the way, Ke Ling never complained about the hardship or tiredness, but just followed Xu Qing closely, crossing mountains and rivers.

At the beginning, Xu Qing often advised her to go home quickly and stop suffering with him.

Later, he stopped saying these words because facing such a strong Ke Ling and such a firm determination, his words were as thin as paper and could not be shaken at all.

Although the journey was hard, Xu Qing did his best to take care of her in terms of food. Even the grass roots picked from the mountains and forests could be transformed into the ultimate delicacy by his skillful hands. As a result, Ke Ling's appetite was spoiled by him along the way, and she had no interest in eating ordinary dishes.

At the same time, Xu Qing often adds Chinese herbs she has collected to help regulate her body when cooking. People who have never been out of the house suddenly have to travel through mountains and rivers, which can easily overwhelm their bodies. Changes in the surrounding environment can also lead to a decrease in the body's resistance, allowing bacteria and viruses to invade the body, making it easy to get sick.

Thanks to Xu Qing's attentiveness, Ke Ling not only did not get sick, but her complexion also improved a lot. Delicious food, adequate nutrition, meticulous conditioning, and exercise made the journey a bit hard, but for Ke Ling, the benefits far outweighed the disadvantages.

Xu Qing had a little trouble. He had to take care of her food and daily life. This really annoyed him at first, but gradually, this trouble turned into companionship.

Having someone to chat with, to eat together in front of the fire, and to see her surprised and happy smile when she ate delicious food, all of this made Xu Qing feel very different.

Even the hardship of the journey becomes more interesting and less lonely because of the presence of another person.

Even this long journey has come to an end without us noticing.

Seeing the towering Mount Tai ahead, Xu Qing said, "We're here at Mount Tai."

"Ah."

Ke Ling nodded.

According to the agreement, it was time for Ke Ling to go back.

However, neither of them brought up this topic, and Ke Ling was determined to delay it for as long as possible, so she didn't mention it at all.

When they arrived at Tai'an County at the foot of Mount Tai, the two found a hotel to settle down.

Just as Xu Qing was about to talk to Ke Ling, Ke Ling quickly said, "I'm so tired that I can't even open my eyes. I'm going to rest first. We can talk tomorrow if there's anything."

After saying that, she turned around and left in a hurry, fearing that Xu Qing would say another word.

The tactic of procrastination is useless and is just deceiving oneself. But even if it is self-deception, she still hopes to prolong this moment a little longer, and even if separation is destined to come, she hopes it can be delayed by just one second.

Ke Ling said she was tired just as an excuse, but as soon as she returned to the room, she fell asleep as soon as her head rested on the pillow.

Even if she didn't feel it mentally, her body was already exhausted.

Xu Qingze left a letter for her and climbed Mount Tai alone.

It was enough to have Ke Ling's company along the way; he had to walk the rest of the way alone.

The journey from Sichuan to Mount Tai is long, and they mostly travel by land, which takes more time than by water. If the dark cuisine world really wanted to get the Greedy Wolf Pot, perhaps the Greedy Wolf Pot would already be in their pockets by now, and by the time Xu Qing arrived at Mount Tai, it would be too late.

However, Xu Qing had an inexplicable premonition in his heart that he was not late because someone was waiting for him.

Sure enough, when Xu Qing climbed to the Bixia Cave on the top of the mountain, he saw a man sitting on a rock outside the cave, holding a huge wine pot and pouring wine into his mouth. The mellow aroma of wine filled his nose. The man's drinking posture was very generous, but unfortunately he didn't drink much of the wine, and most of it was spilled on his body and the ground.

Xu Qing said, "Good wine, but it's a pity that it's all gone to this mountain land."

The man smiled heartily and said, "In ancient times, emperors often offered wine to heaven and earth during their Fengshan ceremonies. I am just imitating what the ancient emperors did."

The man threw the jug casually, letting the remaining wine spill all over the floor.

He walked up to Xu Qing, bent down, and grinned at him, "Are you the helper invited by the Tai Chi cooking world?"

Xu Qing shook his head. "Helpers? Not really. I am just a poor person who was driven here by their strategy of driving the tiger to devour the wolf."

"Drive the tiger to devour the wolf. Ha, what a witty saying. May I ask the name of this tiger?"

"Xu Qing."

The man was stunned for a moment, and looked at Xu Qing carefully, "So it's you."

"Have you heard my name?"

The man scratched his ears and said, "Of course I have heard of it. I have heard it so much that my ears are almost callused. The elders keep talking about your name every day. Even when they are drunk and talking in their sleep, they are still talking about you, Xu Qing, Xu Qing... If I didn't know that you are the biggest enemy of the dark cuisine world, I would have thought you were the elders' dream lover."

Xu Qing was stunned. Was this man so bold and unrestrained even when he spoke? His train of thought was like a wild horse that had broken free from its reins.

The man said, "My name is Yan Xian. Unlike you, a famous person, I am just a nobody."

"As one of the Five Tigers of the dark cuisine world, if you say you are a nobody, few people can say they are a big shot in front of you."

Yan Xian smiled and said, "It seems that you know me very well."

Xu Qing said: "Unfortunately, my understanding of you is limited to your name."

Yan blinked and said, "Oh? Then I should give you a chance so that you can get to know me better."

"Isn't the opportunity right in front of us?"

Xu Qing looked towards Bixia Cave. "Seven seals means seven chances to understand you. Even if you want to hide yourself from me, I'm afraid you won't be able to do it."

Yan Xian laughed and said, "Good, very good! You are very sharp and imposing. You challenged me as soon as we met, which really made my blood boil! It's worth it that I have waited for you for so long, my legs and feet are sore. Let me see how extraordinary you are, who are regarded as the biggest enemy by the elders of the dark cuisine world."

Xu Qing said: "Before that, I have a question."

"You can ask, but I won't necessarily answer you."

"You have already arrived at Bixia Cave, why don't you go in and take out the Tanlang Pot?"

"Good question. But I don't want to answer you. If you can beat me, I will tell you the answer."

　Not finished yet, I'll make up a chapter tomorrow

　　
　
(End of this chapter)