26 Sisterly Advice and Late Night Barbecues.

After a refreshing cleanup, Huo Zhenwei sported a fresh pair of robes, though the same couldn't be said for his glasses – the cracked lenses wouldn't be gone anytime soon.

Currently, he sat in a small shop, indulging in a bowl of lamian adorned with rich garnishes.

The shop had a connection to the courtyard where Huo Zhenwei and his sisters resided. However, their sector on Spirit Harmony Peak was a bit distant from Yang Wei's courtyard

Since the constant back-and-forth felt too exhausting for Huo Zhenwei, he decided it was best to stay at the gate of Yang Wei. Not only would it save him time and energy, but it'd also depict him as persistent.

Savoring a slow, gentle slurp of noodles, he paused and sighed, poking at the noodles with deliberate intent.

It seemed like he was toying with his food, but his sour mood was evident.

Huo Yue, his older sister, asked, "Still thinking about that junior?"

Huo Zhenwei sighed again, dropping his chopsticks into the bowl and lowering his head in defeat. "Of course, that's the only thing on his mind right now."

Looking at him with a warm smile, Huo Yue offered support by gently patting him on the back.

She was a slender, well-endowed woman with short, light blue hair and brown eyes, framing her face with fringes.

Huo Yue chimed in, sharing her perspective, "From what you've told me so far, the simplest way for you to lift this burden off your back is to leave that Young Master alone." She elegantly walked away from the counter, grabbing a teapot to pour herbal tea into a teacup. Turning back to Huo Zhenwei, teacup in hand, she added, "Honestly, I never liked that Young Master."

Huo Zhenwei retorted, "You know I can't abandon Jin Tianyu."

Huo Yue sighed, handing him the cup of herbal tea. "I know you made a promise to his father, but still..."

Smiling, Huo Zhenwei took a sip of the herbal tea. "No 'buts' when it comes to a promise. Remember who told me that?" he teased.

Huo Yue sighed and admitted, "Yes, it was me."

Huo Zhenwei nodded, "And I haven't forgotten those words till this day. So, any tips on how to talk to this junior?"

Huo Yue, index finger pressed to her chin, gazed at the ceiling. Returning her gaze to Huo Zhenwei, she advised, "Well, the key to a sensible discussion with any man is always food."

Huo Zhenwei repeated, "Food?" with a confused expression.

"Yes, food," Huo Yue chuckled. "It worked for mother when she proposed to father. So the same thing should work here, although hopefully not in a romantic sense."

Huo Zhenwei, mid-sip, choked on his tea. "Of course not! I'm into women," he clarified.

Giggling, Huo Yue teased, "I hope so. Never seen you around one before."

Huo Zhenwei responded, "That's because I'm dedicated to Jin Tianyu."

Huo Yue advised, "While that's a good thing, remember you have your own life too."

"I know," Huo Zhenwei replied with a mild smile.

"Good."

"Mhm! Now, I have to get moving..."

Huo Zhenwei scrambled to his feet, ready to make a quick exit, but Huo Yue firmly grabbed his wrist. "No way, you're not going anywhere until you finish your meal," she ordered him. "I haven't seen you in days, so the least you could do is eat a little more before you disappear again."

Sighing, Huo Zhenwei conceded, "Fine, if that's what you want."

Huo Yue giggled, "That's all I want."

He resignedly sat back down to finish his meal.

...

Later that evening, Huo Zhenwei returned to the gate of Yang Wei's courtyard, hauling a massive sack with unknown contents. Occasionally, the clanking sounds of what seemed like light steel sounded from the sack as he dragged it across the ground.

Around the same time, Mu Lin was also heading back to Yang Wei's courtyard.

Finally, I can see that filthy, lowly, common dog of mine now without any problems... It's almost night, so I doubt there's any disciples present. Besides, even if they were, they wouldn't be able to recognize me.

Proudly, Mu Lin chuckled. "Nothing can save that dog now."

However, when she spotted Huo Zhenwei, she gasped and swiftly hid behind a tree.

Her legs rustled the shrubbery as she concealed herself.

Perking up at the sound, Huo Zhenwei muttered, "What? Who's still around here at this hour?"

Most of the disciples would be cultivating by this time, hence, his reason for saying such.

Shaking it off, he decided, "Either way, it doesn't matter."

Huo Zhenwei focused on opening the sack he had brought.

Unbeknownst to him, Mu Lin, peeking from behind the tree, angrily chewed on the tip of her folding fan in frustration.

Why's this annoying junior back again? Is he seriously fixated on my common dog or something? I planned to show up late, and yet, here he is! I mean, it's practically night now. What disciple hangs around outside their place at this hour? These useless men, seriously.

Mu Lin had already prepared herself to confront Huo Zhenwei at Yang Wei's gate, suddenly hesitated.

Why did she hesitate? After all, she had done it before, infact just earlier today.

The reason was crystal clear – approaching him would trigger suspicions. If she questioned Huo Zhenwei, he might suspect her involvement with Yang Wei as more than official or, more likely, conclude she was stalking Huo Zhenwei, translating to an assumed romantic interest.

"Hmm, I don't need anymore problems," Mu Lin muttered to herself.

She turned away, deciding to leave for the second time that day.

Meanwhile, Huo Zhenwei had completed assembling everything needed to lure Yang Wei out. As he inspected his setup, various meat choices—pork, lamb, and poultry—lay before him. Two of them were spiritual foods meant to enhance cultivation. He had a specially made marinade, a blend of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and various herbs for flavoring the meat.

"Oh, I hope I brought those..."

Searching himself, he found the bamboo skewers required for the upcoming culinary endeavor.

"OK, safe."

Not entirely sure if his plan would work, Huo Zhenwei mused, "Worth a try."

Kneeling down, he arranged the wood and set up an open flame—just your average cooking setup for the soon-to-be-skewered delicacies.

...

At this point, Yang Wei had already hit the sixth stage of Vital Qi—Three Harmonies Breath. Still falling short of its requirements, he opted to refine his mastery by revisiting the stances.

This time, I'll really need to head to the market today and sell these herbs so I can actually buy enough to eat... Mu Zhong spoils me with all those resources and doesn't give me the one thing I need urgently, spirit stones, tch. Then again, I should've asked...

He was about to blend into his meditation once more.

But then, a sharp, powerful scent of meat invaded his senses.

Sniffing it, he shook his head, muttering, "Focus."

The tantalizing aroma, however, proved too tempting, prompting him to stand up.

Looking to the side, Yang Wei wondered, "Who would dare interrupt my nightly cultivation with such a tempting scent?"

Adjusting his robes, he stepped out of his house into the courtyard.

There, he already traced the aroma of grilled meat and rushed out to find Huo Zhenwei cooking up a feast right in front of Yang Wei's gate.

Spotting Yang Wei, Huo Zhenwei merely adjusted his glasses and grinned, remarking, "What a wonderful night we're having. Perhaps you'd be interested in joining me for this little feast?"

Yang Wei shook his head, stating, "No, nevermind. I only came out here to see who was interrupting my cultivation, nothing more."

Holding skewers of meat, Huo Zhenwei adjusted them on the open flame with a smirk. "Oh, if that's all, you should probably return to your cultivation then," he suggested.

Yang Wei gulped, eyeing the abundant spread of meat, rice, and bread ready for the barbecue.

Eager to taste, he sensed that not all were average—some carried particles of spiritual Qi, hinting at their spiritual nature.

As Yang Wei turned to leave, Huo Zhenwei sneakily eyed him and muttered, "Time for the secret weapon."

It was the trump card Huo Yue had suggested—if it failed, she warned him not to bother anymore.

Adjusting his spectacles, catching the fire's light and momentarily turning the lenses white, Huo Zhenwei grinned. "Oh, haven't even added the mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers yet. It'll definitely add flavor to the meat..."

Yang Wei's stomach grumbled at the mention, making him pause.

Huo Zhenwei thought, It's working.

He continued, "Ah, yes, should also add some soy-based for dipping..."

Yang Wei, growing hungrier, kept moving away.

Finally, Huo Zhenwei called out the crucial part he hoped would grab Yang Wei's attention.

"Ah, yes, how could I forget the hoisin sauce and Sichuan peppercorns and even the five... Spice... Powder..."

Dramatically spoken for Yang Wei to hear every word.

Looking back, Huo Zhenwei didn't see Yang Wei and thought he had failed. "I failed," he sighed.

But as he looked forward again, Yang Wei stood in front of him. "Get in," he instructed.

Huo Zhenwei was momentarily startled.