Chapter 25: I Climbed the Wall for Something to Eat

The pig skin was undoubtedly fatty, yet after being pressurized during the cooking process, it had become soft and tender. The thick, savory braising liquid, a special concoction of various spices and soy sauce, was perfectly locked within the skin. As it entered the mouth, the slightest touch of one’s teeth was enough to melt the entire piece of skin into a rich, flavorful gravy that slid down the throat and into the stomach before one could even truly register the richness of the pork hock.

Only after the skin was pulled away did the lean meat reveal its full glory. It had been steeped perfectly in the braising sauce. The entire hock had been stewed until tender, leaving the lean meat loose and stringy, soaking in the broth in a way that made one’s mouth water instantly. Old Man Li could not wait; he picked up a piece of the lean meat with his fingers. While pure lean meat is often not greasy, it can easily become dry if not handled correctly, but this was a problem one never had to worry about with Lu Wu’s cooking.

After just a few chews, the pressure of the mouth caused the absorbed juices and fats to flow out, revealing the fragrance hidden deep within. The entire hock lacked even a trace of the typical gamey odor of pork; instead, it carried the faint, ethereal aroma characteristic of spirit-pork. This scent blended into the whole, becoming the perfect catalyst for flavor. With every bite, one’s very soul seemed to ascend.

Unlike Old Man Li, who ate the meat in layers, Lu Wu was more experienced. She picked up the hock and took a deep, deliberate bite. Tearing off a large chunk—that was the best way to enjoy a braised hock, ensuring a perfect balance of fat and lean. Old Man Li mimicked her method, and his expression lit up instantly.

The lingering fragrance drifted, unnoticed, from the kitchen out into the courtyard and beyond. In the small alleyway, a group of children who had woken up early were playing and chasing each other. In their scramble, they happened to arrive at the gate of Lu Wu’s courtyard. Even though the gate was firmly shut, the rich, intoxicating scent made them stop in their tracks.

"Meat! There’s the smell of meat."

A chubby little boy with a keen nose felt his mouth watering uncontrollably. Being an only child, he was always given the best food first at home, and since he loved meat above all else, he had developed a sturdy, impressive physique. One sniff was all it took for him to know someone was eating meat inside. What puzzled him was that this meat smelled far better than anything his own mother could make. Just smelling it made his stomach rumble loudly.

The other children were no different. They gathered at the gate in twos and threes, forgetting their games and unwilling to leave.

"Big Brother Fatty, I'm hungry."

A cute little girl walked up to the chubby boy and tugged on his clothes, her expression pitiful. The two were childhood sweethearts, and the boy often shared his snacks with her. This had led the girl to the firm belief that whenever she wanted something delicious, she should go to her "Big Brother Fatty."

"I'm hungry too," the boy said, rubbing his stomach. He remembered his mother saying they were having red-braised pork today, but now, seduced by this scent, he didn't want to wait at all. His mind was entirely consumed by the thought of eating that meat right now.

"Come on, I'll take you to get some meat."

The boy walked to the gate and knocked. *Thump, thump.* No one answered. In truth, the greedy Old Man Li had forgotten to disable the formation on the door. With his cultivation level, he could have easily sensed the situation outside, but he was currently so focused on the massive pork hock in his bowl that he had no energy left to pay attention to his surroundings.

After knocking a few times with no response, the boy’s cheeks puffed out in anger. "Wicked adults, trying to eat it all by themselves!" Having grown up used to doing whatever he wanted at home, he felt a surge of indignation. The smell was coming from inside, which meant people were there, and since they wouldn't open the door, it must mean they didn't want to share. And good things were meant to be shared.

The young boy, already well-versed in the art of moral coercion, saw the look of disappointment on the little girl's face and puffed out his chest. "Follow me." He observed the area for a moment before crouching down in a corner of the wall. "Yaya, step on us. We'll make a human ladder and climb over." A true man must keep his word. He acted as the base, standing firm.

"Is this really okay?" one of the children hesitated. His mother had told him to be a good child and never do anything bad.

"Don't you want to eat?" The chubby boy put on a fierce face. As he spoke, drool leaked from the corner of his mouth, which he quickly wiped away with his sleeve. Faced with the question, the child touched the damp spot on his mouth and could not argue.

The children built their human ladder and sent the little girl to the top of the wall. The wall was not high. In this world of cultivation, such walls could only deter gentlemen, not scoundrels—and the ones who had arrived today were true "scoundrels."

Lu Wu had just dipped a piece of lean meat into the sauce and was about to take a bite when she looked up and saw a little girl perched on her wall. When their eyes met, the girl’s gaze darted around, her face flushed red, and her large eyes filled with tears. Anyone who didn't know better would think she had been bullied.

"You..." Lu Wu was stunned. Were the children of the Qingyuan Realm really this bold? Learning to climb walls at such a young age?

She was about to say something when the girl, startled, swayed and tumbled off the wall with a scream.

"Careful!"

Lu Wu stood up, but before she could move, Old Man Li was faster. With a flick of his sleeve, an invisible gust of wind caught the girl, setting her down safely on the ground.

"Yaya! Are you hurt?" the chubby boy shouted anxiously from outside the wall. He had heard her scream and was terrified. When he waited a moment and heard no response from her, his face turned pale.

"What if Yaya has been captured?" one of the other children whispered. "Maybe there are bad people inside. My mom said some bad people like to lure children with food, and once they trick them inside, they skin them, steam them, and eat them with dipping sauce!"

This horror story terrified the already guilty children. "I don't want to be eaten!" one of them turned and bolted. With him leading the way, the others followed suit. Compared to meat, their lives were much more important.

In a few breaths, only the chubby boy was left outside the wall. Watching his friends abandon him and thinking of Yaya being dragged away by "bad people," big tears fell from his eyes. "Waaah! Mama, I'm scared!" His voice trembled, but he remembered his vow to protect Yaya.

He scrambled on his chubby legs and started slamming into the door, his expression one of tragic heroism. Unfortunately, after a few hits, the door didn't budge, but his own body ached. He wiped away his tears and snot, and with great perseverance, continued his efforts.

"Yaya, wait for me! I’ll definitely save you!"

With that, the boy summoned all his courage and, using every ounce of his strength, slammed into the wooden door. "I am the best!" he cheered himself on. At the very moment his body made contact with the wood, the door opened from the inside.

The boy had never expected this turn of events. Unable to stop his momentum, he lost his balance and fell flat on his face.

*Thud!*

Lu Wu held her bowl high to avoid the dust kicking up from the floor. Facing the boy who had fallen in such a comical heap, she tried hard to keep a straight face, but in the end, she couldn't help it—she burst into laughter.