Dinner at Puqi Shrine

There was a knock at Puqi Shrine, followed by an excited shout, "Highness! Crimson Rain Sought Flower, I assume you are there too."

Xie Lian and Hua Cheng shared a sidelong glance and Xie Lian let out a soft chuckle, placing the lid on a pending new culinary invention.

He opened the door to a sly smile on Shi Qingxuan's face. Beyond him were many beggars chatting amongst each other.

"I've heard tales far and wide of the food of this God."

"I heard it grants you youthful looks!"

"Ya gotta have em to begin with, old fool!" there was the sound of a smack from somewhere in the crowd.

Xie Lian's brows raised high "Who would spread such a bold statement?" He snuck a glance back at Hua Cheng, catching his smirk. Xie Lian narrowed his eyes and Hua Cheng glanced away with an innocent smile, twirling chopsticks between his fingers. So that was it, Hua Cheng had likely mentioned it and the words carried through the ghost city and out to the living world. It likely got more and more exaggerated along the way, though Xie Lian couldn't be sure.

Shi Qingxuan grinned and scratched his head, "Sorry for the timing. We're starved and they're convinced your cooking will bring them blessings. Now I know different but they are convinced I'm just covering up! But since it's been a while, maybe your cooking has improved?" Even Shi Qingxuan looked doubtful as he said it.

Xie Lian contemplated for a moment. The dish he was currently cooking could be the best he's made. After all, it was new. A light ignited in his eyes and he beamed at the crowd, "You're all welcome to some food! I'll prepare some more. Please, come in and take a seat." He stepped aside and gestured the crowd through before hurrying back to Hua Cheng.

He lifted the pot lid and wrinkled his nose at the fumes that hit him, a sad grey stew bubbled and warped like trapped souls of the dead. "Eh..."

Hua Cheng moved to look over Xie Lian's shoulder at the raging grey misery. "Looks like your best work yet, Gege."

"Ah..." he put the pot lid down and silently prayed the next time he lifted it; it would smell edible. He turned to Hua Cheng with a distressed frown, "San Lang, we can't feed them this. They're only mortal."

Hua Cheng chuckled, "I can always send word out. You can take it easy. We'll let only the daring try your food."

Xie Lian sighed with unease. He feared the rumours that had spread had enticed the crowd enough that plenty would be daring.

Before he could think too deeply, another knock sounded on the door. Xie Lian went to answer it with Hua Cheng.

At the entrance was Ban Yue and Pei Xiu. Ban Yue smiled, "General Hua. We brought you a few offerings for your shrine. Some of it came from the Puqi villagers. They seemed to suspect we were heading here."

Xie Lian's eyes sparkled at the sight of edible food, "Thank you Ban Yue. It's good to see you both."

He invited them in and brought the basket to the crowd, placing it at the table, where it disappeared in a ferocious sea of hands.

"Thank you good Lord!" Cheers came from all around and Xie Lian backed out of the crowd, returning to Hua Cheng's side.

Shi Qingxuan appeared out of the crowd too and grinned at Pei, "Pei Xiu! Look at us, fallen god brothers. You seem to be doing well."

"En. What is happening here?"

"His Highness is cooking us up a meal!"

Pei Xiu's face immediately turned pale. He looked at Xie Lian with wide eyes.