Xiao Man watched Ze Fang eat with anticipation, her eyes immediately crinkling into a smile. "Is it good?"
"It's delicious. I never knew Qi Yun Grass could taste this good," Ze Fang said, like a curious child. "Xiao Qin, how did you do it?"
"The Qi Yun Grass is poisonous in its flowers. As long as you remove the flowers, it's edible. The root core of Qi Yun Grass is also extremely bitter. Before eating, remove the flowers and core, then rinse it with water before adding seasoning. It becomes a delicious dish."
"Xiao Qin, you're amazing! This is so good." Ze Fang finished the plate of Qi Yun Grass and looked expectantly at the pot stewing bear paw.
Xiao Man smiled, her eyes curving. Seeing that the heat was just right, she washed some wild mushrooms and added them. The already fragrant bear paw soup immediately exuded a refreshing aroma that invigorated the senses with just a sniff.
"The boss is cooking something delicious again. It seems we've returned at the perfect time!"
A group of people walked in and saw a young boy sitting next to Xiao Man, looking as if it were an everyday occurrence.
Du Niang Zi immediately leaned in. "Boss, where did you abduct such a handsome young man from?"
"They are my companions." Xiao Man introduced everyone to Ze Fang. "Shi Lan, also known as Du Niang Zi. The one holding the sword is Xiang Jian. Those two are Xi Wen and Zhou Yan. The one as strong as an ox is Qi Hong, and next to Qi Hong is Shan Yun. Yu Da is at the back. This is Ze Fang."
"Little brother Ze Fang, how did our boss trick you into coming?" Du Niang Zi helped herself to a bowl of soup and took an eager sip, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Still, the boss's cooking is the best."
"I followed Xiao Qin back willingly."
Seeing Ze Fang's bowl was empty, Du Niang Zi snatched it from his hand and solicitously refilled it for him. "Here, here, eat more. You look so thin, the wind could blow you over."
"Little brother Ze Fang, did you also come from Wuji City?" Yu Da asked curiously.
Ze Fang smiled shyly, his gaze falling on Xiao Man. "Yes, I also came from Wuji City."
Hearing that Ze Fang was also from Wuji City, Yu Da felt a sense of closeness. After all, in the Roland Mountain Range, when they encountered people from the Seven Great Sects, those sect disciples always acted aloof, as if they were inferior. It was rare to meet someone who didn't look down on them.
"Did you come alone?"
"I came with my fellow disciples, but they abandoned me."
"Those people from the Seven Great Sects are truly detestable!" Yu Da said hatefully. "We often encounter them, and they always steal our credit. And the boss doesn't allow us to conflict with them. Otherwise, I really want to beat them soundly!"
Ze Fang just smiled. Fighting the Seven Great Sects at the fifth stage of Qi Gathering? Weren't you afraid of dying at their hands! However, in his opinion, Xiao Man wasn't someone who shied away from trouble. If she were timid, would she dare to spectate a fight between Golden Core stage powerhouses?
"If you wish to cultivate in the Seven Great Sects, it's best not to get into conflicts with their disciples. Otherwise, during the Seven Great Sects' recruitment大会, if their disciples act subtly, you might not be able to cultivate in the Seven Great Sects."
Yu Da scratched his head. "We'll settle the score with them after we join the Seven Great Sects."
Ze Fang smiled shyly, like a gentle and harmless neighbor's younger brother.
Xiang Jian's gaze occasionally swept over Ze Fang, a hint of wariness in his eyes, though his face remained impassive. Usually the one most eager to be near Xiao Man, he unusually sat aside, quietly eating meat and drinking soup.
"Vice-captain, why aren't you speaking?" Xi Wen approached Xiang Jian and asked in a low voice.
Xiang Jian glanced at Xi Wen, shook his head, and buried his head in his food.
"Is there something wrong with this person?" Xi Wen was quite perceptive. He had been just a step behind Xiang Jian when Xiang Jian saw Ze Fang. Xiang Jian's body had noticeably stiffened, and then he had sat down silently. It was truly suspicious.
Xiang Jian didn't answer, his occasional glances at Ze Fang betraying him.
"Boss, I have something I want to tell you." Xiang Jian stood up, looked at Xiao Man, and gestured for her to step outside to talk.
Xiao Man nodded in agreement and stood up to walk out. Ze Fang immediately grabbed her sleeve, his eyes looking at her anxiously. "It's okay, I'll be back soon."
Ze Fang lowered his head and nodded gently, reluctantly releasing his hand. Xiao Man then followed Xiang Jian outside.
Xiang Jian walked a considerable distance, ensuring they were far from the camp, before speaking. "Boss, where did you meet this person?"
"I found him in front of a cave ten li to the south. Two groups were fighting, and the other group wanted his life. I took him away amidst the chaos."
"You brought him back like this on your first meeting. Aren't you afraid he's a bad person?"
"I met him once before in the Roland Ruins. It wasn't our first meeting," Xiao Man corrected him. She had met Ze Fang twice. Moreover, during their first meeting, Ze Fang had given her a life-saving charm. How could she stand by and do nothing when Ze Fang was in danger?
"Then do you know who he is and where he comes from?"
"Does that matter?" Xiao Man asked calmly. "I recognize Ze Fang as a person. Because he is who he is, I recognize him as a friend, not because of his identity."
"If he were an utterly wicked person, would you still recognize him as a friend?"
"How is he an utterly wicked person?" Xiao Man asked with amusement. "He's a pitiable little guy at the seventh stage of Qi Gathering, kept like a pet. He puts himself in danger to find treasures, and as soon as they find treasure, those people abandon him. He doesn't even have the ability to protect himself." Su Dan Novel Network.
Xiang Jian was rendered speechless by Xiao Man's words. He wanted to tell Xiao Man that Ze Fang was by no means as simple as she saw him, nor was he a pitiable little guy. He was far more dangerous than Xiao Man imagined!
"Alright, why have you become so sensitive?" Xiao Man patted Xiang Jian's shoulder. "Ze Fang and I hit it off immediately. I don't know why you dislike him, but he is my friend. I hope you can get along amicably."
"Boss, it's not that I'm sensitive, it's just..." Xiang Jian stopped here, unsure how to explain. "Boss, can you let me look after him?"
Xiao Man looked at Xiang Jian doubtfully. He had just called him utterly wicked, and now he volunteered to look after him? What was his motive?
"Please rest assured, I will never harm him. I just don't worry about him and want to keep an eye on him. After all, you've always been rather careless!"
Xiao Man was amused by Xiang Jian's words. She was careless? Xiang Jian should be the one who lacked caution. The reason she brought Ze Fang back was first because she and Ze Fang hit it off immediately, and second, she felt that Ze Fang's cultivation was low. If she left Ze Fang alone in the Roland Mountain Range, he might be eaten by the beasts within. She couldn't bear it.