30 Let's cook it for dinner

"Zhang Wang!" Chu Changying's voice was like a command.

A command that Zhang Wang knew precisely how to follow. "Got it!" He immediately raised his hand and began forming a spell. Water was pulled from the surroundings as the arrows descended.

"Make sure to duck," he told Yu Yanlin as Chu Changying unleashed her Celestial Ribbon like a whip. It clashed with the arrows, slapping them out of the way. When ribbon and arrows collided, bright light and fire exploded above them. But the thin layer of water barrier protected them from harm.

Yu Yanlin was silent in concentration, legs folded slightly in a crouching position. He waited precisely when the chaos settled. With a terrifying burst of speed, the demon king scaled the length of the cliff side in a sprint.

The two cultivators barely even had the time to register what had happened.

"W-what is he doing!?" Chu Changying squeaked.

Zhang Wang didn't know either and was keenly worried about all the spiritual energy Yu Yanlin was carelessly using. What if his identity gets revealed!?

But too late now, the damned demon king is running the whole length up the side of the cliff and when he had done so, a flailing creature was plucked from behind the jut of the pointed rock. Once it was secure in his grasp, he ran back down along the steep rock wall, hopping down the last few bit as if it was no effort at all.

Chu Changying was truly flabbergasted. The glare in her eyes was judgemental. For a person who had an aura so pathetic was somehow able to pull such a feat off was truly strange. There was also the matter of the screeching creature that Yu Yanlin now had in his hold.

"..."

"..."

Yu Yanlin lifted it up, long legs with pointed talons flailed. Two large wings flapped uselessly. Was it a chicken? No it was a bit too big to be a chicken. Zhang Wang wiped the drool off his lips.

"What in the world is this?"

"Isn't that a chicken?" Chu Changying crossed her arms and declared proudly.

Oh, if she thought it was a chicken then maybe they could eat it after all.

Yu Yanlin hummed but did not correct them, "I believe this is someone's pet."

The poor eagle that flailed in the demon's hold was on the verge of tears. Though it couldn't speak human words it was a high leveled spiritual beast. Was it really being called chicken? A pet? Princess Ariyunbayar never treated it as a measly pet! …Right?

Chu Changying was suddenly struck with realization, "Oh! That's the Princess of the Steppes' pet chicken! How did you catch that evil thing with your bare hands?"

Yu Yanlin shrugged, "I merely felt its presence and thought I would give it a try. It appears I was underestimated by this beast."

After all the running, they were feeling a bit hungry…Or maybe that was just Zhang Wang, Zhang Wang was very hungry. They even went to bed last night without the chance of eating dinner.

"Stop your drooling!" Having known him since they were teenagers, Chu Changying knew exactly what was going through the Immortal of a Thousand Blossom's mind. She smacked him on the upper arm to snap him out of his hunger-induced stupor, "Who knows when the Princess of the Steppes might pop up around the corner."

"Yes, Lady Chu is correct. In fact, I believe this Princess of the Steppes is indeed, right around the corner." Yu Yanlin spoke casually and pointed behind them. A little eep- sound was heard around the bend of the tall edge of stone.

There was no mistaking the bright reds and greens of a skirt. There was even the hint of a braid from a head no taller than Zhang Wang's shoulder.

Quite literally, there was a person hiding around the corner.

"Come out!" Chu Changying roared.

The poor figure had no place to hide in the narrow path. Zhang Wang honestly thought this person was a little pitiful, Princess of the Steppes or not.

"We can see you, you know?"

There was rabbit fur that peaked out of her thick leather boots. Face scrunched up in a deep pouch she poked her head out from around the corner and screamed, "Let go of Sansan! Let go of her right now!"

Zhang Wang turned to stare at the fat bird called 'Sansan' that cried at the sound of her name. "What? No way," he said mercilessly, "I'm starving for some good old chicken meat."

There were tears in her big round eyes, "Sansan isn't a chicken! Sansan isn't food! Why are you bullying her?"

Yu Yanlin did not care for the tantrums of a child, especially not when he knew that despite her appearance she was a full grown lady of nineteen years of age. It was not the first time he's had the pleasure of facing her power.

"Bullying? You're the one trying to get us killed!" Chu Changying hissed in accusation. She showed off her Celestial Ribbon, promising a battle should the Princess really dare challenge them.

A long bow was held in the Princess's hands, it was about as tall as her short body. She did not quiver at Chu Changying's voice but instantly froze when Yu Yanlin's strong hand tightened around the bird's head.

There was a calm smile on his lips, "If you do not cooperate, I won't hesitate to cook your friend here for dinner. We are all very hungry people."

"N-no," Princess Ariunbayar sniffled. She was a brave girl who was not afraid of danger. Injuries, scraped skin and broken bones did not daunt her. However the death of her closest and most beloved friend was something she could not tolerate.

The poor girl couldn't help but think she had seriously messed the entire side quest up.

As a last-ditch effort, she decided to employ the [ Sad Helpless Girl ] tactic and began crying, startling everyone except Yu Yanlin.

A little whimper escaped her tiny face, fat tears fell out her eyes, staining golden skin.

"D-Don't cry," Zhang Wang tried to reason with her, "Since we're all reasonable people here why don't we talk it out? I know that you don't want us to have your emergency rations but you're the one who attacked us first, you know? Trying to kill us was not very kind."

Another sniffle, her shoulders heaved as she pointed her gaze to the ground, "Who said I was the one who attacked first!"

"What?" Zhang Wang pretended to be surprised as he watched his Shijie flinch in the corner of his eye, "What do you mean? Can you explain it to me?"

"That stupid woman," the young lady raised an accusing finger, "she's a thief! If she returns what she stole from me then I'll leave you guys alone."

Chu Changying was instantly flustered, "W-What? Don't just spew lies about me, you little brat! Who's the one stealing from who!?

"Who indeed," Zhang Wang hummed as he evaluated both their reactions.

"It was her!" The Princess stomped her foot down resolutely.

Chu Changying whirled around and glared, "You're supposed to take my side!"

But Zhang Wang shrugged and was suddenly struck with an idea. He looked at Yu Yanlin and smirked, "What do you think, darling?"