Chapter 38: One Must Eat

After killing the man in black, Jie Peiling left without exchanging any unnecessary compliments with others, naturally.

He was somewhat hungry. Since waking up, he hadn’t eaten a single meal. Watching the drama earlier was relaxing enough, but the battle with the beast had drained much of his spirit and nearly depleted his spiritual energy. He had also sustained serious injuries.

None of this would heal quickly; the immediate priority was to fill his stomach.

He looked up at the sky; the sun hung high, nearly at its zenith. The streets were bustling, especially near taverns and eateries, where the noise grew louder.

At this moment, Jie Peiling felt a bit annoyed. Voices buzzed incessantly around him, countless conversations invading his ears.

He tried to block them out, but no matter how hard he tried, it was useless. Yet, when he relaxed, everything fell silent, as if no one was there at all. People spoke, but he couldn’t catch a single word.

Suddenly, he realized his mistake: he had been too fixated, his mind not entirely at ease. The comprehension of the Way of Nature can come swiftly or slowly.

Long ago, there was a Daoist master—now revered as an ancestor—who advanced through several realms in a single night, earning the title ‘True Man’ and entering the realm of the Ten Great Caverns. Today, he has traveled far within that realm and might one day break through again.

Conversely, some, cultivating other methods, might become renowned practitioners in their province, while those who follow the Way of Nature remain forever at the Qi Refinement stage.

So, what truly is the Way of Nature?

Jie Peiling only had a rough understanding, far from grasping its true essence. Not even Xuanyuan Chong, nor the head of the Heavenly Dao Temple, could fully articulate it. Even inviting a True Man from the Ten Great Caverns to lecture for ten days and nights wouldn’t unveil more than a fraction.

At this moment, Jie Peiling was aware of his hunger and needed to eat. Naturally, he sensed the solution: food.

“Passersby, don’t miss out... Exclusive roasted chicken at Miluo Inn—tender and juicy. Even the county magistrate’s son praises it... And besides that, there’s our secret recipe rice, so delicious that even immortals crave a taste...”

Miluo Inn was small, only two stories, but its advertising was loud. The county magistrate’s son had been raised in luxury and only ate the best. The inn dared not boast, but in this capital city, near the ‘Emperor’s Footsteps,’ what better endorsement could there be?

Most importantly, the phrase “even immortals want to try” was unfamiliar to them. Perhaps they had seen immortals, but didn’t recognize them.

Some sought immortality, longing to see an immortal master, yet even if one stood before them, they wouldn’t recognize it.

Jie Peiling stepped inside, curious whether the inn lived up to its reputation.

Upon entering, the waiter—clearly startled by Jie Peiling—immediately donned a bamboo hat after greeting him. He assumed Jie Peiling, like the auctioneer, was merely curious about appearances.

The waiter extended his hand but then withdrew it, opened his mouth, but swallowed the words, refraining from asking him to leave.

Inside, the aroma of the food intensified, appealing strongly to Jie Peiling’s hunger. Despite having eaten well recently, he couldn’t seem to satisfy his appetite.

Unlike the book’s advice that “cultivators should avoid worldly desires,” which often felt restrictive, Jie Peiling believed that all his actions aligned with himself and nature. Suppressing desires was unnatural.

Because once suppressed, it was no longer natural.

Jie Peiling’s sharp eyes scanned every table. Most were occupied, and the few empty ones lacked the waiter’s desserts.

He noticed a table where diners had just left. Waiting a moment, he sat down and began eating the leftover sweets.

The dessert was sticky and sweet, resembling rice cakes. He couldn’t help but have another piece.

The innkeeper was a lean middle-aged man, very alert. He stroked his chin, noticing Jie Peiling’s ragged clothes stained with fresh blood—clearly from a recent wound.

Other diners were repulsed but dared not show it openly, fearing Jie Peiling might lash out.

Some, upon seeing him at the door, felt a chill and turned away without a word.

Even the innkeeper himself was uneasy but cautious, wary of provoking someone so dangerous.

He called over an empty-handed waiter who had just finished setting tables, observing Jie Peiling at the door. Seeing no sign of relaxation from him, he whispered instructions.

“See the man sitting to the left after entering, wearing that odd bamboo hat? Ask him to move to a corner. That spot’s too conspicuous. Tell him politely that if he agrees, we’ll give him a plate of fresh jujubes. If not, there’s nothing we can do, but don’t pressure him.”

The waiter wiped sweat from his forehead, feeling overwhelmed but dared not refuse. He agreed.

Approaching Jie Peiling with trembling steps, he whispered in his ear.

Jie Peiling glanced at his appearance and sighed. He had forgotten to change clothes—an oversight. Sneaking a glance at the innkeeper watching him, he felt a twinge of guilt.

“Fine, fine. Tell me where to go, and I’ll go. Don’t waste the trip,” he murmured.

His voice was low, audible only to the waiter. If others heard, it might stir trouble—complaints of favoritism or jealousy.

But who could say?

Still, it was better to be safe. Having already troubled the innkeeper, Jie Peiling didn’t want to cause more problems.

As he thought this, he stood up, swallowing the last piece of cake and taking two more.

Seeing the meek, trembling waiter before him, Jie Peiling felt helpless.

Clothes make the man, and horses need saddles. His appearance indeed invited misunderstanding, but he had truly just killed someone.