The Gluttonous Disciple and the Holy Maiden’s Secret

“Three roujiamo for me, please!”

“Here you go, little girl, hold tight.”

The roujiamo auntie skillfully wrapped three flatbreads, each generously filled with meat, and handed them to the eager Feiluo.

“Thank you, Auntie.”

“Awoo~”

Feiluo took a roujiamo and immediately bit into it. The savory aroma of meat wafted out, while the crisp cucumber shreds and delicious lettuce added a distinct freshness to the sandwich.

“If you eat too much now, you won’t be able to have lunch,” Moxi said with a hint of helplessness as she handed the money to the roujiamo auntie.

At this moment, they had arrived at the mortal market nestled at the foot of Blazing Spirit Mountain.

This market bustled with a multitude of people; a glance revealed a constant stream of faces and an endless flow of activity. Some were mortals residing in nearby cities, living under the Blazing Spirit Sect’s protection; others were merchants drawn by the dense population, seeking to conduct business here; and still others were families who had relocated, hoping their children might one day join the sect.

Though their objectives varied, a common thread bound them all: their connection to the Blazing Spirit Sect. Without prior arrangement, they had collectively established this market at the foot of the mountain.

Naturally, to prevent violent incidents, the Blazing Spirit Sect regularly dispatched outer sect disciples to stand guard here. Consequently, the area remained remarkably peaceful, free from impudent hooligans loitering and stirring up trouble or arrogant young masters seeking to cause a scene.

“Don’t worry, Master! Snacks and treats like these all go into a separate stomach!” Feiluo patted her little belly, declaring with a proud expression.

“Is that why you’ve already devoured two shaobing, four grilled sausages, three portions of grilled cold noodles, one serving of takoyaki, and ten osmanthus cakes, all before we’ve even reached the cake shop?” Moxi tapped Feiluo’s forehead. “Now you’ve added three more roujiamo; even if you truly had two stomachs, they’d be full by now.”

“Ehehe~” Feiluo scratched her cheek, offering an embarrassed chuckle. Then, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she dashed towards a barbecue stall.

“……” Moxi pressed a hand to her forehead.

“Oh, Sect Master, what brings you here?”

Just as she prepared to follow Feiluo, a soft, alluring voice drifted into her ears. Moxi turned towards the sound, her gaze falling upon a graceful, exquisitely slender mature beauty approaching her.

“My disciple’s birthday is tomorrow, so I’ve brought her to custom-order a birthday cake,” Moxi explained, gesturing towards Feiluo, who was waiting for her barbecue to be cooked.

The mature beauty glanced at the barbecue stall, then smiled and said, “Sect Master, you are truly devoted to your disciple, to personally come and order a custom birthday cake.”

“After all, she is my dearest disciple.” Moxi paused, then asked the mature beauty, “And what brings Elder Qiuzhuling here?”

“I heard a new casino just opened here, and I’m planning to try my luck.” A flush of excitement colored Qiuzhuling’s beautiful face, and her hands involuntarily began to rub together. “This time, I’m going to wipe them out completely!”

“Uh…” Moxi watched the excited Qiuzhuling, speechless, unsure of what to say. After a long moment, she finally uttered, “I wish you success.”

“Thank you for your auspicious words,” Qiuzhuling nodded. Then, as if recalling something, she said, “Oh right, Sect Master, the reward for this Holy Maiden selection has been prepared, however…”

Seeing her hesitant expression, Moxi asked, “What is it?”

“Are you truly planning to use that as the winner’s reward?” As if finally making up her mind, Qiuzhuling continued, “After all, that item is exclusively for the Sect Master’s use. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate to offer it as a competition prize…?”

Before she could finish, Moxi interrupted her. “There’s nothing inappropriate about it. That item was always meant to be passed down to the next Sect Master. The winner of the Holy Maiden selection will become the Holy Maiden, and the Holy Maiden is inherently destined to become the next Sect Master. Offering it as a reward is merely handing it over to the next Sect Master ahead of schedule.”

“But wouldn’t it be too soon…” Qiuzhuling attempted to interject again, but Moxi cut her off once more.

“No, I believe that Holy Maiden will certainly be able to wield that item,” Moxi stated with unwavering conviction.

“You’re so confident, Sect Master. Could it be that you already know who the Holy Maiden will be?” Qiuzhuling asked, surprised and suspicious. “But the selection hasn’t even begun.”

Moxi glanced at Feiluo, who was heartily enjoying her barbecue.

Qiuzhuling followed her gaze, and her expression suddenly shifted to one of dawning realization. “Sect Master, are you planning to cheat for your disciple?!”

“…?” Moxi gave her a sidelong glare, retorting testily, “How could I? With the entire sect watching, how could I possibly let my own disciple cheat? I simply have faith in my disciple.”

Qiuzhuling looked at Moxi, then at Feiluo, pondering thoughtfully. “This is the first time the Holy Maiden selection has been held since our Blazing Spirit Sect was established. Could it be that you initiated it specifically for that child? You are so remarkably confident in her, truly believing she can defeat so many disciples whose cultivation is far more profound than hers?”

Moxi merely smiled, offering no words.

“Master, Master, hurry!” Feiluo’s call echoed.

“My disciple is calling me, so I must excuse myself.” Moxi walked towards Feiluo.

Watching Moxi’s retreating figure, Qiuzhuling murmured to herself, “The Sect Master values that disciple so highly… could it be that… that child is actually the Sect Master’s illegitimate daughter?!”

“…?” Moxi overheard Qiuzhuling’s murmur, stumbled, and nearly fell. She shot a glare at Qiuzhuling, then directly roared into her mind using divine sense.

“She is NOT an illegitimate daughter!!!”

“Phew~ I’m exhausted.” Feiluo wiped away non-existent sweat from her forehead, her expression tired.

“Here, have some water.” Moxi brought over a cup of cool water.

Feiluo took it and drank it all in one gulp, immediately letting out a sound of satisfaction.

By now, it was already noon, and the master and disciple had returned to their cave dwelling.

“The queue at the cake shop was truly massive,” Feiluo sighed.

“Whose fault is it that you kept stopping to eat all those snacks?” Moxi pinched Feiluo’s cheek. “If we had arrived earlier, there wouldn’t have been so many people.”

“Ehehe~” Feiluo offered a cute pose, attempting to charm her way out of trouble.

Feiluo: ᕙ(☆>ڡO)

“Oh, you~” Moxi tapped Feiluo’s forehead. “After eating so much, do you still want to have lunch? If not, I won’t bother cooking.”

“Yes, yes, I want to eat,” Feiluo quickly nodded.

“Then I’ll make some lighter dishes,” Moxi said, walking to the kitchen and tying on an apron. “You’ve eaten so many greasy things this morning; some light food will help cleanse your palate.”

“Any~thing~will~do~” Feiluo drawled, prolonging the last syllable.