Chapter Twenty-One: Big Brother, Come Visit When You Have Time!

“Where’s my gift?” Tang Fei stretched out his hand toward Phoenix.

“You’re cheating!” Phoenix retorted angrily.

Both had an abundant harvest today, each bagging a mountain chicken and a red-eyed rabbit, matching each other’s prowess. Just as Phoenix thought the contest would end in a draw, Tang Fei deftly stabbed a field mouse poking its head out from a cave.

Tang Fei won!

Phoenix grew anxious, searching everywhere for game—mountain chickens, wild rabbits, field mice, forest frogs... It seemed as if the mountain’s creatures bore her a grudge, or perhaps their noisy antics earlier had scared them all off. Not a single animal appeared, and she returned empty-handed.

“How am I cheating?” Tang Fei asked.

“Is a field mouse even considered game? You can’t eat that thing.”

“Who says you can’t eat field mice?” Tang Fei smiled, looking at Phoenix. “There are plenty of ways to cook them. You can stew, roast, or even make field mouse sashimi... Skin it, slice the meat thinly, lay it out on a plate, wrap it in perilla leaves and eat it...”

Phoenix glanced at the field mouse with a hole in its head and imagined it sliced into pieces, placed into someone’s mouth. Her stomach churned with discomfort.

This fellow, why does he always aim for the head?

“The best way is to roast it. I’ll roast one for you when we get back—just try it. If you find it delicious, you’ll admit defeat in this contest. How about it?” Tang Fei offered.

Phoenix finally relented, saying, “Deal.”

She thought: Even if it tastes good, I’ll say it doesn’t.

Want to beat me? Not a chance.

Wait, why am I... acting so coy?

Only with her closest friends did she speak and interact so casually. Could Tang Fei already be her friend? Impossible, it’s only been a few days. She wasn’t someone who easily made friends.

Phoenix stared at Tang Fei in disbelief. Tang Fei, bemused by her gaze, asked, “Have you fallen for my charm again? I warn you, just because we’re out in the wild doesn’t mean you can have your way with me... Even if my body can’t resist, my heart will never yield to you.”

“Tang Fei, how is your skin so thick?”

“It’s not thick skin—it’s just that I rarely wash my face.” Tang Fei explained seriously, “What you see is not skin, but face dirt.”

Phoenix saw the sly smile and knew she’d been tricked again. That’s not dirt at all—it’s just thick skin.

They carried their game home. The old man, seeing their haul, grinned from ear to ear, trotting over to greet them. “How did you catch so much today?”

“I competed with Phoenix to see who could hunt more. So we both ended up hunting more,” Tang Fei explained.

The old man finally looked at Phoenix with satisfaction, as if she had ceased being a useless eater, and praised, “Good, good. Didn’t I say? Competition brings progress... I always send you and Fatty out hunting together so you can both improve. But you two never progress and always come back empty-handed.”

“How is that my fault?” Tang Fei replied angrily. “You know Fatty’s size—he runs like a little mountain... Before we arrive, the animals have all fled.”

Fatty, pounding stones nearby, smiled sheepishly. He knew Tang Fei spoke the truth. When he went hunting with his elder brother, they usually returned empty-handed.

So later, the old man sent only Tang Fei out hunting, leaving Fatty home to pound stones.

Phoenix, not wanting Fatty to feel bad, comforted him, “Fatty, it’s fine. From now on, I’ll go hunting with Tang Fei, and you stay home to pound stones. Everyone has their specialty—you’re really good at pounding stones...”

As she spoke, she realized the words sounded odd. Praising someone for stone-pounding was like complimenting Fatty on being fat.

“Thank you,” Fatty replied without concern, smiling shyly at Phoenix.

Phoenix felt healed again—such a kind child.

After preparing the game, Tang Fei told Phoenix, “I’ll roast the field mouse for you... Once you taste it, you’ll want it again. After the second time, you’ll crave a third...”

“I don’t believe it,” Phoenix scoffed.

On Nova, what rare delicacies and exotic beasts hadn’t she tasted? Would she really enjoy the roasted field mouse with its shifty eyes?

Tang Fei fetched a large stove, tossed in some flammable charcoal, lit it, and waited for it to burn. He skinned the field mouse, removed its organs, skewered it with two willow sticks, and set it over the fire to roast.

Soon, the basketball-sized field mouse sizzled, filling the air with a rich aroma of meat.

Phoenix watched as the skin turned golden brown, wondering if it might actually taste good.

The skin grew yellower, and with the abundant fat, it became a layer of golden crispness. Phoenix felt more certain—she started secretly swallowing her saliva.

Tang Fei heard her stomach rumbling and knew she hadn’t eaten dinner. The aroma of roasting meat had triggered a natural response.

The field mouse, already salted during marination, was sprinkled with pepper and Tang Fei’s secret spices once cooked. He tore off a large piece of the mouse’s leg and handed it to Phoenix, saying, “Try it... Field mice run fast—their leg muscles are the most developed. This meat is the most tender and delicious...”

Phoenix took the leg without hesitation and bit in.

Spicy, savory, crispy outside and tender inside.

“Delicious!” Phoenix blurted, unable to help herself.

“You lost!” Tang Fei beamed at her.

Phoenix remembered the wager—she had planned to never admit it tasted good, but it slipped out.

Of course, she would never reveal her little scheme. With pride, she glared at Tang Fei. “Lost is lost—it’s just a small gift. I keep my word. I’ll fulfill my promise.”

“Good, that’s settled,” Tang Fei replied.

Fatty, lured by the smell, dropped his hammer and rushed over. “Big brother, can I have a leg too?”

“One leg won’t fill you.” Tang Fei placed the mouse on a tray and split it in half with his meat knife.

He handed half to Fatty. “Eat up.”

“Thanks, big brother.” Fatty’s eyes shone as he squatted down and gnawed at half the mouse.

“You two brats, not even thinking to leave some for me—no respect for elders,” the old man grumbled.

Tang Fei cut the remaining half into three pieces, giving one to the old man, keeping one for himself, and handing the last to Phoenix, who had already finished the mouse leg and was looking longingly for more.

“This bit won’t even fill a tooth gap,” the old man grumbled as he took his portion.

Phoenix, still holding onto Nova’s custom of respecting elders, offered her share to the old man. “Uncle, you can have mine.”

Earlier, she had called him “sir,” but having eaten his food and lived in his house, their relationship had grown closer, so she called him “uncle” as Tang Fei and Fatty’s friend.

“Don’t give it to him,” Tang Fei intercepted. “There’s still porridge cooking in the kitchen. If he’s still hungry, he can have some. Old folks shouldn’t eat too much meat—it’ll upset their digestion at night.”

“Oh!” Phoenix nodded, taking her meat back.

They had a similar saying on Nova. Many elders maintained their health this way, including her father, who avoided meat at night fearing poor digestion and restless sleep.

“You brat, got yourself a wife and forgot your old man. Heartless thing,” the old man cursed.

“Let’s eat over there, ignore him,” Tang Fei said to Phoenix, not bothering to argue.

Nor did he want to argue.

“Got yourself a wife and forgot your old man”...

What did that mean? It meant you had a wife.

For some reason, hearing the old man curse, Tang Fei felt a strange satisfaction in his heart.

Like those young students embarrassed by rumors, but secretly pleased when the rumors spread.

Just then, there was a knock at the courtyard gate.

“Who is it?” Tang Fei called.

“Flame Shrine. Open up,” came a voice.

Tang Fei’s eyes narrowed. The old man’s gaze turned murderous. Fatty rushed to grab his hammer...

But he couldn’t bring himself to drop the mouse meat in his hand.

So tense, he took a big bite and chewed hard.

Phoenix looked at Tang Fei in panic. She hadn’t expected the Flame Shrine to come so quickly.

She could fight her way out, but feared implicating Tang Fei and Fatty.

But even if she escaped, where would she go? What about the escape pod? Without its trajectory, how could her family find her?

Her mind was a tangled mess.

Tang Fei patted her shoulder, signaling her not to panic.

He gestured toward the inner room, telling her to hide for a while.

Once Phoenix was gone, Tang Fei signaled the old man and Fatty to ease their guard. Their murderous display would only draw suspicion.

Stay calm!

Always stay calm, poised, and elegant.

Tang Fei bit off a chunk of mouse meat, chewed leisurely, and strolled to the door, asking, “What’s the matter?”

A group of gray-robed men stood outside. Seeing a youth open the door, they asked, “How many people live here? Any strangers come by?”

“Three of us. My father, my brother...” Tang Fei pointed to the old man and Fatty. “No strangers here, just family. These days, who dares let strangers in?”

“Just answer, no need for chatter!” one gray robe snapped.

“Yes, yes, the God’s envoy is right,” Tang Fei switched to a flattering smile.

“Seen any strangers?”

“Strangers?” Tang Fei pondered. “This is a gathering zone—strangers pass through every day...”

“Any particularly memorable ones?”

“Yes, yes. There was a man with one blind eye and an eyepatch on the other—looked terrifying... Another came with a monkey on his shoulder...”

“Search the place,” the gray-robed leader ordered.

He smelled meat roasting. His men were hungry, and these fools were eating barbecue. Outrageous!

The Flame God would never allow his followers to starve.

“Yes!” The gray robes were eager to barge in—they wanted barbecue too.

Tang Fei caught their intent instantly.

He rushed over, snatched the mouse meat from Fatty and the old man, and handed it, along with his own, to the gray-robed leader. “God’s envoy, you must be exhausted—have some food to restore your strength.”

Fatty looked mournful, eyes glued to the barbecue.

The leader was pleased, took a big bite, oil dripping from his mouth, and said, “This kid is sensible... I can’t eat alone—I have my brothers, too...”

“Of course, of course.” Tang Fei opened the door wide, smiling. “Gentlemen, please come in. Let me make you barbecue. I won’t boast, but my barbecue is famed here, especially with my special spicy mix... Guaranteed satisfaction.”

“Great, let’s see your skills.” The leader smiled, leading his men into the courtyard.

Tang Fei signaled Fatty, “Fatty, bring out all the meat. God’s envoys are our guests, a blessing earned over generations... We must treat them well.”

Fatty got the hint and brought out the big jar of stored meat. “Brother, I brought it all.”

Tang Fei looked inside—half a rabbit, a mountain chicken...

He relaxed. Fatty was only fat, not stupid.

“Gentlemen, all the meat is here.” Tang Fei pointed to the jar. “I’ll roast it for you—guaranteed satisfaction.”

“Enough talk, hurry up. If it’s good, we’ll reward you.”

“Yeah, after searching all day and night, we’re starving.”

“Damn, where do we find a Qi Master? What do they even look like? Should at least give us a picture, or a sketch... Nothing at all—how do we search?”

“Monkey, you want to die? Do you know what you’re saying?”

“Just kidding, just kidding, I was only joking... Brothers, keep it secret—I still have a bottle of old bamboo-leaf wine... I’ll treat everyone later.”

“Monkey, hiding good wine, eh? Don’t fool us again, or else...”

“No, never, I promise...”

Tang Fei busied himself cutting meat, slicing rabbit and chicken for quicker roasting.

If he roasted them whole, it would take forever.

He wanted these troublemakers gone as soon as possible—not wanting them to linger another second.

After all, the inner room hid a visitor from beyond the stars. If discovered, it would spell disaster.

Tang Fei grumbled inwardly. Ever since this woman arrived, every day had been nerve-wracking—far too thrilling.

He wasn’t about to endure this risk for nothing.

He should get paid extra!

Tang Fei worked while eavesdropping on the gray robes’ conversation.

From the mention of the Flame Shrine, he knew they’d come because of the death of the black robe.

He expected the Shrine would stir up trouble, but hadn’t thought they’d pick the most foolish approach.

The gathering zone was vast, with countless people... This mass search was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

What irked Tang Fei most was that they’d stumbled upon his house.

Why were they roasting field mouse? Why? Would roasting sweet potatoes have been better?

If they’d made papaya porridge as usual, perhaps the gray robes wouldn’t have stayed for a meal.

“Boss, should we look around?” one gray robe suddenly asked the leader.

Tang Fei’s heart skipped. Fatty reached for his hammer, but the old man quietly pulled him back, stopping the dangerous move.

“Good idea,” Tang Fei said cheerily. “Just two shabby rooms—search them as you wish. If you find nothing, it’ll prove our innocence. Right?”

“Then you go check.” The leader, chewing on mouse leg, wasn’t interested, but since his subordinate suggested it, he went through the motions. That way, if trouble arose later, it wouldn’t be blamed on him.

He certainly wouldn’t take the fall.

The gray robe looked around the rooms and quickly returned. “Boss, nobody here.”

“Of course—just this family, old and young, plus a silly Fatty. Who here looks like a Qi Master?” The leader laughed, his eyes shining with cunning. “Besides, if a Qi Master were really hiding here, would we still be alive? He’d have chopped off our heads already.”

“Boss is wise.”

“Dragon’s eyes are sharp—no wonder you’re captain.”

“Captain is nothing—soon you’ll be deputy. I hear Deputy Chen Hu is being promoted to black robe... The vacant deputy position is yours.”

“Congratulations in advance, boss!”

“Still early, still early!” The leader waved modestly. “Several captains are competing, but you know, Chen Hu and I are sworn brothers... If he’s promoted, how could he not promote his own?”

“Of course.”

“But we still need results. If we can find the one who killed our border god’s envoy... then it’s settled.” The leader said earnestly.

“Don’t worry, boss—we’ll help you catch the killer.”

“Right, after eating, let’s get back to work.”

“Yeah, we’ll dig three feet into the ground to find him...”

“Dig what? You think a Qi Master is a field mouse, hiding in caves?”

As the gray robes chatted, Tang Fei finished roasting the rabbit and chicken.

He brought a large skewer to the leader. “Freshly roasted, best flavor. Sir, please try. If it’s not spicy enough, I’ll add more chili powder.”

“You’re a clever lad.” The leader grew more satisfied with Tang Fei, even raised his oily right hand to pat Tang Fei’s shoulder. “How old are you?”

“Fourteen,” Tang Fei replied.

He thickened his skin and shaved off a year and a half. The younger, the less likely to be a Qi Master, right?

“I see you’re smart—interested in joining our Flame Shrine?” The leader unexpectedly extended an olive branch.

Tang Fei looked amazed, asking excitedly, “Sir, is that true? You’re not tricking me?”

“Watch your tongue, kid. The Flame Shrine is no joke, and our boss is no liar.”

“Right, don’t take your luck for granted... When we wanted to join, we had to beg and find connections...”

“Our Dragon is captain, soon to be deputy—he’ll look after you. You’ll eat well in the Shrine... Kid, just wait for your good fortune...”

With all the introductions, Tang Fei realized the opportunity was “rare” and was moved to tears. “Thank you, sir, thank you... Our whole family thanks you... Eat, sir, eat more meat...”

The old man also came over to thank the leader for valuing Tang Fei.

The leader was flattered and ate with even greater relish.

Tang Fei looked at the leader and said humbly, “Sir, I heard you’re searching for someone... What kind of person? I know this area well, maybe I can help.”

“You’re just a kid, what help can you offer?” The leader didn’t believe Tang Fei could help, but was satisfied with his enthusiasm. “That kind of master could kill you with a finger. Just stay alive—when you join the Shrine, you’ll roast meat for me.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll listen to you, sir.” Tang Fei smiled sincerely.

Once the leader finished his chicken skewer, he called out, “Alright, brothers, eat up, then let’s get back to work. Still many houses to check.”

“Yes, sir.” The gray robes began to devour the food.

The leader glanced back at Tang Fei. “What’s your name?”

“Tang Fei,” Tang Fei replied.

“Tang Fei, good name.” The leader nodded, looked at the old man, and said, “Your father looks like a fool, but he managed to give you such a nice name.”

“The village teacher named me. He’s literate,” Tang Fei said.

“No wonder.” The leader nodded, told his men, “Put a Flame Talisman on their door—they’re one of us now, no need for other teams to check them.”

“Yes, boss.”

A subordinate took out a talisman with a flame pattern and slapped it onto the gate.

Now, other Flame Shrine teams or predator groups would see the talisman and skip this house.

Why search your own people?

Tang Fei was even more grateful, seeing the gray robes off far down the road, as if he wished to join them in battle on the spot.

“Boss, come visit anytime!” Tang Fei called, his voice choked with emotion.

(ps: Too lazy to split it—two chapters at once.

Also, everyone, drop a few votes if you like. Old Liu is as easy to please as Tang Fei.

Bosses, come visit anytime! (choked with emotion)