Chapter 116: Seafood Medley Pancake

The journey from Ten Thousand People Beach to Listening Tide Pavilion spanned barely ten miles, yet to Lu Chenyuan, it felt as though he had entered an entirely different world.

Back at the beach, the fishing ban had left the populace in a state of panic, and the once-bustling fish market was now littered with rotting carcasses. However, the moment one crossed into the territory of Listening Tide Pavilion, that somber, oppressive atmosphere vanished instantly.

The main street was paved with bluestone slabs, polished to a mirror-like finish that reflected the light. Shops lined both sides, their architecture defined by sweeping eaves, intricate brackets, and ornate beams. Even the banners of humble taverns and teahouses were fashioned from fine silk, embroidered with gold thread, shimmering brilliantly under the sun.

The pedestrians were also a far cry from the common laborers and peddlers of the beach. Some were young cultivators from various sects, moving in small groups with swords at their waists, their expressions vibrant and their brows possessing a dashing heroic spirit rarely seen in ordinary folk. Others were scions of great clans from across the Nine Provinces, riding in opulent carriages pulled by exotic beasts, surrounded by entourages of servants—a display of the unbridled, flashy elegance of youth. Even the street vendors sold not common fare, but fruits nourished by spiritual energy or pastries crafted with secret techniques, their intoxicating aromas enough to make one drool.

As Lu Chenyuan and his party walked through the crowd, they appeared somewhat out of place—with the exception of Shangguan Chuci, whose graceful bearing harmonized perfectly with the surroundings. Lu Chenyuan, clad in simple homespun cloth, stood out the most. He marveled at everything he saw, yet every time a question bubbled to his lips, he swallowed it back, mindful of the "senior expert" persona he was supposed to maintain.

He noticed a merchant selling talismans—some for repelling demons or warding off evil, others serving as single-use spells. There were the Clarity Talismans and Palm Thunder he had learned from Shangguan Chuci, as well as more advanced Lightning Summoning techniques. He thought to himself, "If these things are truly effective, why have I never seen Young Master Chu use them?"

He then spotted a vendor selling sword-like artifacts that hovered in the air, supposedly allowing even those at the Hearing Dao stage to experience the thrill of flight if they channeled spiritual energy into them. He wondered, "What is the principle behind this?"

But these thoughts were suppressed as quickly as they arose. He feared that one wrong word would betray his ignorance and ruin the prestigious image the young master had painstakingly built for him. His constant hesitation and restrained manner eventually made his expression look quite peculiar.

Shangguan Chuci, ever sharp, noticed his demeanor. Though puzzled, she remained composed. When they reached the shelter of a quiet corridor, she took advantage of the lack of onlookers to gently bar his path with her folding fan. Pulling him aside, she asked with a soft smile, "Brother Lu, I have noticed that you have been troubled throughout this journey, stopping yourself from speaking several times. Is there something bothering you?"

Caught off guard, Lu Chenyuan felt his face heat up. He gave a wry smile and said, "It is not exactly a burden, just... a sense of unease."

He paused, then finally voiced his concerns: "Doesn't Young Master Chu wish for them to see me as a senior expert? But my knowledge is truly shallow. Along the way, I have seen many novel things that pique my curiosity, yet I know not what is appropriate to ask and what is not. I fear that if I open my mouth, I will only invite ridicule."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Chuci was stunned for a moment, then burst into a giggle. She had not expected this to be the reason, and for some inexplicable reason, she felt a flicker of sweetness in her heart.

"What is Young Master Chu laughing at?" Lu Chenyuan asked, feeling bewildered.

Shangguan Chuci tapped her white jade folding fan against her palm, her bright eyes dancing with amusement. "I am laughing at you, Brother Lu. You have yet to step through the gates of cultivation, yet you have already burdened yourself with an 'idol’s baggage.'"

"'Idol's baggage'?" Lu Chenyuan was even more intrigued by this strange term.

"Exactly," Shangguan Chuci said, seeing his expression. She explained, "Your current hesitation, your fear that a slip of the tongue or behavior will ruin the unfathomable image others hold of you—that concern is what I call 'idol's baggage.' As for the 'idol,' it refers to those who admire and revere you in their hearts."

Lu Chenyuan recalled Cheng Xiaoshan’s strange look of mixed reverence and fear, and Lin Jianyan’s timid demeanor. Though he felt "admiration" was a stretch, Shangguan Chuci’s explanation was quite fitting. He couldn't help but nod. "I see."

Seeing that he understood, she continued, "In truth, Brother Lu, you need not be so concerned. The more cautious you are, the more likely you are to reveal flaws. Which true senior expert does not act as they please, unburdened by trifles? Whatever they think or say becomes the rule and the principle; why should they care how others perceive them? Just think—to finally play the part of a majestic expert, only to be so tied down and restricted—wouldn't that be far too stifling?"

Lu Chenyuan found her words both amusing and profoundly sensible. The weight in his heart evaporated, and he felt a sudden sense of clarity. He laughed, "Young Master Chu’s perspective is truly insightful."

Shangguan Chuci lightly flicked her fan. "It is not that I am insightful; it is simply that you, Brother Lu, are lost in the thick of it."

After sharing a laugh, they returned to the group. Cheng Xiaoshan, catching sight of their intimacy from the corner of his eye and noticing a relaxed, genuine smile on the "Demon Lu’s" face that he had never seen before, felt his alarm bells ringing. He feared that Young Master Chu was being taken advantage of by this demon once again. He let out a silent, weary sigh, lamenting the decline of social morals and deciding it was best to look away.

As they walked, a scrawny, shifty-eyed man approached them from the crowd, holding a worn bamboo basket. He spoke in a mysterious tone, "Sirs, are you from out of town? Would you like to taste the unique Sea-Delicacy Cakes of Zhenhai River?"

No longer weighed down by his "idol's baggage," Lu Chenyuan felt no further hesitation and asked with curiosity, "What are Sea-Delicacy Cakes?"

Seeing a potential sale, the man’s face broke into a broad grin. He thrust the basket forward and chattered away, "You wouldn't know, sir, but these are crisp cakes I’ve carefully crafted using premium spiritual shellfish from the East Sea, supplemented by the essence of immortal herbs found only in the deep ocean. Not only is the flavor exquisite, but they are remarkably durable—even if kept for a month, they remain as crispy and fragrant as ever. Once you leave the Zhenhai River region, you won’t find this unique taste anywhere in the Nine Provinces!"

Jiang Yingxue, hearing this, felt a flicker of interest in her cold eyes. "How much are they?"

"Not expensive at all! Only twenty wen each."

Cheng Xiaoshan frowned immediately. "Twenty wen for one cake? Junior Sister, that’s too expensive. Let’s forget it."

Lu Chenyuan agreed. Back when Qian Dahai was alive, he only earned a few dozen wen for a full day’s labor at the inn; two cakes would cost him a day’s hard work.

However, Jiang Yingxue shook her head. "We have endured great hardships since leaving the mountain. Now that we have arrived in such a prosperous place, we should bring back some local specialties to ensure the trip was not in vain."

Her reasoning was sound, and though Cheng Xiaoshan was reluctant, he said nothing more.

The man was overjoyed, continuing to boast about how the cakes were preserved and how they were a one-of-a-kind treasure found nowhere else.

Jiang Yingxue said, "In that case, give me two dozen."

After paying and receiving the cakes, she was thoughtful enough to distribute them, wrapped in oil paper, to Lu Chenyuan, Shangguan Chuci, Lin Jianyan, and the monk Zhifei before finally handing one to her senior brother.

Cheng Xiaoshan took a bite, skeptical. It was indeed crispy, but as he tasted it carefully, his expression changed abruptly. He quickly spat it out and frowned, "Something’s wrong! Why does this thing taste like fish?"

Lin Jianyan, hearing this, felt a jolt. She shifted the lantern she was holding and took a small bite herself. After tasting it carefully, her brows knit together, followed by a look of realization. She sighed, "Alas, they must have pounded the unsold fish into a paste, mixed it into the flour, and used secret techniques to create these so-called 'Sea-Delicacy Cakes.' No wonder the vendor claimed they were unique to this shop. Since our Demon Suppression Division issued the fishing ban, they must have resorted to this method to offload their surplus stock."