“The Chu Clan specifically requested… Bai Zihan?”
Bai Feng asked, dumbfounded.
It would be one thing if Bai Zihan was a genius or the certain heir to the Bai Clan leadership—but he was neither.
Not to mention his terrible personality and behavior, which had made him infamous throughout Desolate Heaven Empire.
“Clan Leader,” Bai Feng said, keeping his tone respectful but pressing forward, “are you certain about this? Could it be that the Chu Clan merely sought an alliance with our Bai Clan and not Bai Zihan personally?”
Some elders nodded in agreement.
“The words came directly from Chu Xing himself,” Bai Tianheng replied smoothly.
“Chu Ziyan wants Bai Zihan!”
Bai Tianheng confirmed, making it clear that it wasn’t just Chu Xing who conveyed this message—Chu Ziyan herself had personally expressed her desire for Bai Zihan.
“How could that be?”
“Why would a peerless beauty and genius like Chu Ziyan be interested in someone like Bai Zihan?”
“That’s impossible!”
…
They found it hard to believe that someone like Chu Ziyan would be interested in Bai Zihan.
The only things he had going for him were his bloodline and appearance, but with Chu Ziyan’s qualifications, she could easily have both of those and much more.
“Haha… my son indeed inherited my abilities. Don’t you think so too?”
Bai Tianheng said, blowing his own horn.
Though it wasn’t entirely false as he certainly charmed many girls when he was young.
The entire hall fell into silence, unsure how to respond to Bai Tianheng’s words.
“Ahem! Anyway, if you don’t believe me, you can ask the Chu Family Head yourself. In any case, this is great news for the Bai Clan, and I expect you all to prepare for it. In a few days, we will announce their engagement!”
Bai Tianheng declared after realizing the embarrassing comment he made.
“Understood!”
The elders replied immediately.
Although the meeting had taken an unexpected turn from its original purpose, looking at the bigger picture, this was indeed beneficial for the clan.
Even Bai Feng knew he shouldn’t push for what he originally came for and bowed in agreement.
The only one whose emotions showed clear defiance was Bai Jian, his hand clenched in anger.
“Bai Zihan… you’re always taking what should be mine!”
He muttered bitterly.
Meanwhile, Bai Tianheng, having dealt with the elders, now had one major concern.
(Now, how shall I break this news to Zihan’er?)
Knowing his son’s personality, there was little to no chance that he would agree.
(Hmph! I’m doing this for his own good. If he disagrees, then I’ll just have to knock some sense into him!)
***
Bai Zihan had finished his practice and was now waiting for his food.
“Luo Qing, is the food still not ready?”
Bai Zihan called out.
“Y-Young Master, the cook said he needs ten more minutes.”
Luo Qing replied in a somewhat nervous tone.
She knew just how impatient Bai Zihan could be—his temper was infamous.
She was also a little confused.
Cultivator usually didn’t eat normal food after reaching the Core Formation Stage and it was same for Bai Zihan.
Cultivators at that level primarily ate monster meat, which could aid in cultivation. But Bai Zihan had refused such meals.
The reason?
Unlike what he had read in novels, monster meat tasted almost completely bland—no matter what type of beast it came from.
However, most cultivators didn’t care about taste; they cared only about cultivation.
Monster meat was rare, especially high-quality ones, so they consumed it regardless of its lack of flavor.
But Bai Zihan?
He wanted food that actually tasted good.
Luo Qing immediately informed the kitchen about Bai Zihan’s request, which caused a commotion among the cooks.
The kitchen primarily served the Bai Clan’s servants or those below the Core Formation Stage, occasionally preparing tea for guests.
They had almost been freed from Bai Zihan’s torment when he advanced to Core Formation… but now, the devil had returned.
The Bai Clan’s Head Chef, Chen Guang, was sweating bullets as he rushed to prepare a proper meal.
He knew that making Bai Zihan wait could make him angry—but serving him bad food would be even worse.
After all, the previous Head Chef had been fired because Bai Zihan found the salt in his dish to be slightly off.
Working for the Bai Clan was challenging, but it also came with rewards—three times the salary of even the Imperial Family.
That’s why no servant wanted to risk angering Bai Zihan and getting fired.
Ten minutes later, the food was finally ready and served.
Although Bai Zihan was the only one eating, the amount of food could easily feed twenty people.
It was a feast fit for a king.
(Finally!)
It had been years since he had eaten anything other than pills and monster meat.
Bai Zihan looked at the extravagant meal before him.
Dozens of dishes, each meticulously prepared—roasted duck, fragrant jasmine rice, glazed honeyed vegetables, steamed river fish, and even rare delicacies that ordinary people could only dream of tasting.
It was practically a royal banquet.
Luo Qing and the other servants stood quietly, waiting for Bai Zihan’s reaction, their expressions tense.
The Head Chef, Chen Guang, stood off to the side, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
Although he had worked in the Bai Clan for years, nothing made him more nervous than serving Young Master Bai Zihan.
After all…
The previous Head Chef had been fired instantly just because Bai Zihan found the seasoning in his food unsatisfactory.
Chen Guang had taken over ever since and had never once been ordered to cook for Bai Zihan—until today.
Now, he could only pray that his meal was satisfactory.
Bai Zihan picked up his chopsticks, taking his time to examine the food before him.
The servants held their breath as he took the first bite.
The moment the food touched his tongue—
His expression stiffened slightly.
(…So plain.)
The food wasn’t bad.
It was cooked perfectly, seasoned well, and made with the highest-quality ingredients.
But…
It lacked something.
(Compared to Earth… this is way too plain.)
Back on Earth, he had tasted a variety of rich, complex flavors—spicy, sweet, savory, umami, tangy.
But here?
Food was prepared solely for nourishment, not enjoyment.
It wasn’t that the chefs were untalented—it was that this entire world lacked refined culinary traditions.
Cultivators didn’t care about taste.
(That’s so damn sad!)
Back on Earth, food was one of the greatest joys of his life.
To think that these lavish dishes, made from the finest ingredients, couldn’t even compare to simple street food was a huge disappointment.
Bai Zihan sighed internally but didn’t make a big deal out of it.
He continued eating at a normal pace, showing little expression.
However, to those around him—
His lack of visible enjoyment was a terrifying sign.
Chen Guang, who had been watching anxiously, felt his stomach drop.
Bai Zihan wasn’t smiling.
He wasn’t nodding in approval.
He wasn’t saying anything.
He was just… eating.
No!
For a chef, this was a nightmare!
If the food was bad, Bai Zihan would yell or throw a tantrum.
If it was great, he might at least make a satisfied remark.
But this?
This silent disappointment was worse than anything.
Chen Guang’s legs trembled as he imagined the worst possible outcome.
Was he about to be fired?
Beaten?
Banished from the Bai Clan and left to beg on the streets?!
He couldn’t let that happen!
Chen Guang immediately dropped to his knees, bowing deeply.
“YOUNG MASTER BAI! PLEASE HAVE MERCY!”