Secret Recipe | Chapter 132 | A Bowl of Noodle Broth | Novela.app

Qin Jiuye stood at the mouth of a crowded, noisy alley in the bustling eastern market, quietly watching the throngs of people passing by. In just a single day, the business at this noodle stall tucked deep within Dried Fish Alley had grown even more prosperous. Though it was already past noon, the shop was still filled with diners. Lu Zican looked like a burly, unrefined man, but he actually possessed a decent head for business. The items he sold were simple: aside from scallion oil noodles, there was only pickled radish and yellow wine. It didn't require much staff to manage. Most of the patrons were vendors doing business nearby, with the occasional traveler stopping to rest after entering the city. These people were usually in a hurry and weren't accustomed to anything too fancy; a bowl of steaming hot noodles to fill the belly and replenish some salt, followed by a jar of yellow wine to ward off the dampness before heading back out, was exactly what they needed. From the looks of it, he truly did come from a poor family of noodle sellers. Even though he now served under the most promising young Commander of the General of the South’s Manor, he hadn't abandoned the practical life lessons learned through hard labor. Qin Jiuye watched for a moment before stepping forward. She found a spot in a corner of the stall and sat down. Before she could even call out, Lu Zican was already scurrying over to attend to her. "Have you had lunch yet? I’m about to lift a fresh batch from the pot. Shall I bring you a bowl of scallion noodles?" Qin Jiuye looked at Lu Zican’s eager face. After a brief silence, she gave a faint smile and nodded. "Alright." A moment later, the bowl of plain scallion noodles was placed on the table. Lu Zican handed his tasks over to another worker and pulled up a stool to sit beside her. As he handed her a pair of chopsticks, he glanced at her expression and offered words of comfort. "Judging by your look, did things not go smoothly? Don't be anxious. The Commander sent you to gather information on the martial world, but he didn't force you to walk into a tiger's den..." Hearing this, Qin Jiuye quickly waved her hand. "It has nothing to do with the Commander. In the end, I went of my own volition." Lu Zican’s eyes darted around. After confirming that the youth who usually followed her was nowhere nearby, he seized the opportunity to "kick him while he was down." "Where is young Master Li? Doesn't he have some martial arts skill? It was one thing for him to be absent yesterday, but at a critical moment like this, how could he be so useless?" Qin Jiuye’s expression faltered. She took a mouthful of noodles before speaking slowly. "I can handle these matters on my own. Those people in the martial world see that I’m a defenseless physician, so they don't guard themselves too much against me. Because of that... I actually made some gains today." Qin Jiuye paused. She gave a brief account of how she had waited on the shore with the "Yellow Aunts," how she had ended up on the Fangwai Temple’s boat by chance, and her meeting with Yuan Qi. She omitted only her own feelings at the time. Lu Zican listened intently, his mind entirely focused on the new information. "In that case, did you discover anything from that Yuan Qi?" "Before leaving, I used the bottle I found on Su Lin to test him. He seemed to have no reaction; perhaps he hasn't personally come into contact with the secret formula yet. However..." Qin Jiuye’s voice trailed off as the image of that claustrophobic, lightless secret chamber in the hold of the Fangwai boat flashed before her eyes. She finally spoke. "...I can't help but feel that Yuan Qi is preparing for something. That boat is definitely strange." Hearing this, Lu Zican leaned in with a mysterious air. While diligently wiping the noodle broth and oil stains from the table, he whispered, "If that’s the case, there’s no need to rush. In my opinion, Miss Qin, you’ve solved his urgent problem this time. If his old ailment flares up again in the future, he might very well summon you again. When that time comes, you won't have to face the danger alone. You only need to make preparations early with my Commander, and then we can strike with precision, applying the right remedy to the case to get to the bottom of it." *The Commander? Should I really ask Qiu Ling for help regarding Fangwai Temple?* But if they investigated Fangwai Temple, they wouldn't be able to avoid Yuan Shuqing and the Qingping Path. If the past was brought up and the matters of the Qingping Path and Baoshen Pavilion were unearthed, then wouldn't Li Qiao also... Qin Jiuye shuddered, her fist instinctively tightening. She looked at Lu Zican’s expectant face. Her lips trembled for a long time before she finally said vaguely, "The Commander surely has other matters to attend to. Besides, that Yuan Qi is very guarded even against a physician like me; I could barely get a few words out of him during the consultation. It won't be easy to get close enough to investigate." Lu Zican was somewhat puzzled. He sensed her ambiguous attitude but couldn't quite pin down where it was coming from. Perhaps Yuan Qi was indeed difficult to deal with, and Miss Qin was merely reporting the good news while hiding the bad—perhaps she had suffered greatly and never wanted to step foot on that boat again. But looking at how much she had just shared, it didn't seem like she wanted to drop the investigation. Could it be that she simply didn't want to travel with his Commander? But why? Did she think the Commander’s official uniform would get in the way? Or had that cheap younger brother of hers said something to her again... Lu Zican’s thoughts were a jumble. His expression shifted and his brow furrowed. Noticing his look and fearing further questioning, Qin Jiuye quickly continued. "Actually, Yuan Qi is indeed very ill. It doesn't look like something that started recently. When Yuan Shuqing decided to send his belongings to the Akishiyama Sect, perhaps he didn't tell Yuan Qi much." Lu Zican finally pulled himself out of his thoughts. Hearing this, he couldn't help but look troubled. "In that case, has the lead in the martial world gone cold?" "Not necessarily. I saw Wang Xiao late yesterday. From the way he spoke, it seems everyone is gathering for this Sword Appreciation Assembly in hopes that the secret formula will appear." Lu Zican was startled. He looked left and right before lowering his voice. "If that’s true, then I suspect the day it appears will be tomorrow." Qin Jiuye’s mind raced, and she instantly understood what he meant. "You mean the Sharpening Ceremony on Qionghu Island? But if that’s the case, then the person behind the secret formula..." Lu Zican indignantly threw down his rag and tapped a finger on the table, speaking with certainty. "I bet half a month’s wine money with Gao Quan that this definitely has something to do with the Number One Villa under Heaven. I just don't know what kind of conspiracy that damn Di Mo is cooking up. If it weren't for the lack of evidence and a formal reason to act, I’d love to take Old Gao and the others to raid his nest directly and see how long he can keep up this charade..." *The Number One Villa under Heaven. That place again.* Whenever Qin Jiuye heard those five words, her heart uncontrollably skipped a beat. Lu Zican was still rambling on about his heart for punishing evil and promoting good. Qin Jiuye steadied her mind and asked as calmly as possible, "There is something I would like to ask General Lu. I wonder how much you know about the affairs of the Number One Villa?" Lu Zican came from a military background and usually dealt with people from the army. However, he was meticulous by nature and didn't actually enjoy mingling with simple-minded brutes. He had offended many people in the past because of this, which was ultimately how he ended up working with the case-investigating Commander. Usually, those who asked him for favors were interested in his twin sabers or his brute strength. Now that someone was asking him a question of knowledge, he was instantly elated, completely forgetting that this woman had an old friend who ran a teahouse specifically to sell martial world information—why would she come to ask him? Of course, Qin Jiuye couldn't ask Tang Shenyan. She and Tang Shenyan were too close; she feared that before she could even say a few words, he would perceive her true thoughts. But her heart was so stifled that if she didn't ask an acquaintance a few questions, she would never find peace. Lu Zican cleared his throat and puffed out his beard, immediately adopting a reliable persona. "In my early years, I spent time with local bandit-suppression units. I know a thing or two about the affairs of the martial world. Naturally, I know of the Number One Villa under Heaven." Qin Jiuye licked her lips and continued cautiously, "Then, have you ever heard of a poison called Qingfeng Powder?" Lu Zican’s expression turned solemn. He answered with a question of his own. "How does Miss Qin know of this substance? Have you had contact with people from the Number One Villa before?" Qin Jiuye paused for a moment, giving an abbreviated explanation. "I saw that Yuan Qi’s pulse was strange, as if he were poisoned, so I consulted a colleague. Although she couldn't be certain, she warned me that it was very likely the pulse of someone afflicted by Qingfeng Powder." "I see." A look of understanding appeared on Lu Zican’s face, and his speech quickened. "Nowadays, any decent person in the martial world speaks of this substance with utter loathing. They don't even use the word 'poisoned'; they say 'infected.' It is a truly malicious thing. Although it can stimulate a person's latent potential, it also makes the user gradually addicted until they cannot live without it. It erodes the body and crushes the will; it can be called the number one poison in the world. Unless one is at the end of their rope and utterly desperate, even the lowest dregs of the martial world wouldn't touch it." *At the end of their rope and utterly desperate?* Yuan Qi didn't come from the Number One Villa, yet he was infected with Qingfeng Powder. Perhaps he had encountered some trouble or suffered some catastrophe... Qin Jiuye carefully weighed her words, stealing a glance at Lu Zican’s expression as she continued to probe. "Is it possible that someone could be infected with Qingfeng Powder by accident and then endure it for years through sheer willpower..." "It’s not impossible. But the Villa’s control over Qingfeng Powder is extremely strict. I’ve heard that even the bottles used for the medicine must be returned; the possibility of accidental loss is almost zero. Furthermore, the onset of the poison is said to be terrifying, reducing a martial artist's power with every occurrence. According to what you said, even if this person survived, they should be a ruined man by now..." *A ruined man? A ruined man couldn't walk out of the Qingping Path, nor could he scale such high city walls.* Qin Jiuye gave a bitter smile, feeling the last shred of hope in her heart being strangled to death. What exactly was she hoping for? The truth was laid bare before her like the bottom of an empty rice jar at the Guoran Pavilion, yet she still wanted to desperately scrape a few grains of rice from the bottom. "Miss Qin?" After speaking for a while, Lu Zican saw Qin Jiuye’s silent, somber face and changed the subject. "Is the person you’re talking about that Yuan Qi? It wouldn't be strange if he had Qingfeng Powder, considering he has already sought refuge with the Number One Villa." Qin Jiuye snapped back to her senses, pursing her dry lips as she replied, "That is true. Yuan Shuqing likely didn't secretly keep the formula back then. Yuan Qi was probably tormented by illness, and at the critical moment of his sect’s survival, he needed to rally his spirits and wished he had three heads and six arms. That’s why he chose the path of no return with Qingfeng Powder." Lu Zican nodded, then stole another glance at her expression and added tentatively, "However, if you are truly interested in the affairs of the Number One Villa, Miss Qin, you should ask Miss Jiang, who is by the Second Young Master’s side." Qin Jiuye froze, asking instinctively, "Jiang Xin'er? Why ask her?" Lu Zican looked at her with some surprise. "I see that Miss Qin is quite close to the Second Young Master. Did you really not know that Miss Jiang comes from the Number One Villa under Heaven?" Qin Jiuye was speechless, unable to find words for a moment. She suddenly remembered the scene of Jiang Xin'er and Li Qiao’s first meeting, and then thought of the inexplicable, strange atmosphere between the two of them, as well as Jiang Xin'er’s pointed words from the previous night. It was laughable that she had assumed people in the martial world were generally arrogant and prone to professional jealousy, which was why the two of them disliked each other. Who could have imagined that... Seeing her expression, Lu Zican assumed his previous guess was correct. This Miss Qin must have grown closer to Xu Qiuchi; though she had some suspicions, she didn't know the deeper details. Since she had come to him for answers today, he naturally had to "dismantle" the trust between Miss Qin and the Second Young Master to win more opportunities for his own Commander. With this thought, he immediately offered some gruff comfort. "It was many years ago. It’s normal that the Second Young Master didn't mention it." However, Qin Jiuye didn't speak; her expression remained heavy. *Could the affairs of the Qiu family’s Second Young Master or Miss Jiang really make her this melancholy and troubled?* No matter how dull Lu Zican was, he could see something unusual now. He couldn't help but ask, "Miss Qin, today you seem particularly..." Qin Jiuye realized she had revealed too much. She immediately suppressed her emotions and said with a smile, "I ate too fast just now and got a bit choked up. Could I trouble Boss Lu to pour me a bowl of noodle broth?" Lu Zican stroked his beard, swallowing the words he was about to say. After a moment, he stood up, brought a bowl of noodle broth from the smoky inner room, and returned to his large pots. As he stirred the large strainer in his hand, Lu Zican stole glances at the woman at the table through the steam. The news about Yuan Qi alone wouldn't cause such deep worry and suspicion. This sharp-minded Miss Qin had clearly discovered something else, which was why she had suddenly visited his noodle stall. He suspected it all had something to do with the Number One Villa. But what was the connection? It couldn't be that the secret connection between the Academy and the Number One Villa had caused her to form some improper suspicions about the Commander, could it? At this thought, Lu Zican suddenly lost the heart to tend to his pots. He felt he should go forward and ask clearly, and perhaps explain the situation. But he also knew the relationships involved were complex; if he didn't handle it with the right tact, he might make things worse. What was he to do? The worried, bearded General stood by the back window of the noodle stall, staring blankly while holding his strainer. Outside the back window, several ferry boats were slowly passing under the bridge. The first few boats docked, and a group of small vendors carrying goods swarmed off. They looked exhausted from their journey, clearly having just entered the city. Upon landing, they began looking around for a place to stay and fill their bellies. Lu Zican instinctively looked up, then realized something. He cursed himself for getting too used to the noodle stall and forgetting his proper duties, even developing the mindset of a businessman. He quickly collected his thoughts. He gave a look to the stall worker, who understood and immediately began moving about to attend to the newly seated customers. The water in the pot hadn't boiled yet, so Lu Zican had a moment of free time. He observed his surroundings once more, then moved to a hidden spot, carefully opened a message tube he had received at noon, and scanned the contents. Not far away, Qin Jiuye finished the bowl of noodle broth in one gulp, then cautiously approached and asked, "Is it news from the Commander?" Lu Zican nodded as he read. "It’s a report sent yesterday; it just arrived. Speaking of which, the Commander might be able to return to the city later today. Miss Qin, would you like to..." As he spoke, his voice suddenly faltered. He stared at the report again, then walked quickly back to the back window, propped it open with a hook, and leaned out. After looking into the distance for a moment, he pulled his head back in. Qin Jiuye watched, bewildered. Before she could ask, he folded the report, tucked it into his waist, and dashed out of the noodle stall in a single stride. The water in the large pots on the stove began to boil again. Qin Jiuye watched the rapidly receding figure and couldn't help but shout, "Your noodles!" Lu Zican disappeared around the corner of the alley without looking back, leaving only a single sentence drifting in the air. "I have urgent business to attend to! Miss Qin, help me watch the pots!" Qin Jiuye opened her mouth, clearly wanting to say more, but he was already gone. she looked back at the boiling, somewhat murky noodle broth in the pot before her. It felt much like her current state of mind. She suddenly felt a wave of frustration. What exactly did she want to confirm? And why had she made this trip in the first place? *** **Glossary** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation ---|---|--- 面汤 | Noodle Broth | Literally "noodle soup/water," often the starchy water used to boil noodles. 琼壶岛 | Qionghu Island | The location of the upcoming ceremony. 开锋大典 | Sharpening Ceremony | Also "Blade-Unveiling Ceremony"; a major event for martial sects. 天下第一庄 | Number One Villa under Heaven | A powerful and mysterious martial arts organization. 晴风散 | Qingfeng Powder | A malicious, addictive poison associated with the Number One Villa. 姜辛儿 | Jiang Xin'er | A female associate of Xu Qiuchi (Qiu Er). 秋山派 | Akishiyama Sect | A martial arts sect mentioned in relation to Yuan Shuqing.