The prisoners could see clearly—though dressed in Han clothing and bearing the complexion of Yanhuang descendants, the captives numbered in the tens of thousands. Upon closer inspection, the figure might well exceed several tens of thousands. All the able-bodied men were being whipped and herded by soldiers to fell trees and construct the camp. Even the slightest delay would be met with a harsh lash, tearing skin and flesh.
Miserable cries echoed throughout the camp.
As for the women and children, they had been rounded up. Every so often, soldiers would forcibly drag women away into tents, from which screams and unhinged laughter, interspersed with heavy breathing, would emerge—sounds that struck fear deep into the heart.
Many women wore expressions pale with horror—true despair etched into their faces.
"Hmph! Useless two-legged sheep. Dead already? Drag the body out and cook it later. The food stores in the camp are running low. The monsters outside are too fierce. These two-legged sheep will do to fill our bellies."
Some collapsed from exhaustion during labor, dying after a whip lashed down on them. The soldiers showed no sympathy, only cold indifference. Even in death, the bodies were not spared—these so-called "two-legged sheep" could be used as rations.
"The Lord Zuo Xian King has issued an order: survey the surrounding area immediately. Find a valley—one with vast grasslands, rich green pastures, and mighty rivers. That place shall be our ideal grazing ground, the perfect foundation for building our glorious Xiongnu Empire. We must find that valley and the path to reach it!"
A herald emerged from the largest tent, shouting the command.
RUMBLE!!
Scouts on horseback instantly burst out of the camp in all directions. Hundreds of them rode out to explore the area. Many of them would never return, perishing along the way, yet not a single one hesitated.
Their eyes burned with fanaticism.
They were going to build the greatest Xiongnu Empire. This world would belong to them, the Xiongnu.
Among the mass of women and children in the camp, a plainly dressed girl crouched low, smearing mud from the ground carefully over her face and body, transforming herself into a filthy, pitiful wretch—like a mad girl crawling out of the dirt. Only her eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence. She hid carefully among the other women, her appearance so unremarkable that the Xiongnu soldiers gave her no second glance.
Yet when she looked at the scouts riding out of the camp, a strange light flickered in her eyes.
Meanwhile, in a large tent...
The interior was richly furnished—like a grand residence. It served as a dwelling, a war council chamber, and a place to receive guests.
Inside sat a man clad in beast-skin armor, a feathered helmet atop his head, a mirror plate over his chest. He was tall and burly, with the rugged features of a Xiongnu-Chinese hybrid—wild, ferocious, and domineering.
Beneath him, a woman was choking and sobbing, her head forced downward in humiliation.
Before him floated an ancient bronze mirror, exuding a mystical aura. Though bronze, its surface was polished to perfection, no less clear than any modern glass. It radiated an air of antiquity and the weight of time.
Ripples spread across the mirror like water.
An image began to take shape—a vast, lush prairie. Rich green grass covered the earth. Wild horses galloped across the plains. Wolves chased their prey. Falcons soared overhead. A mighty river, like a dragon, snaked through the land—nurturing all life. A holy land, a perfect cradle for reproduction and growth.
Even through the mirror, one could almost smell the fragrance of the grass.
"This valley must be nearby," the man said, eyes gleaming. "Once we find it, it will be the foundation of the great Xiongnu Dynasty. The place where our dragon shall rise. It can support livestock, feed all our clansmen. There are wide grasslands, life-giving rivers…"
His gaze grew fierce. "As long as I, Liu Bao, am given the chance, I will build the greatest Xiongnu Empire. The Han people, the bloodline of Yan and Huang, are nothing but cowardly, lowly slaves. I, Liu Bao, am the true king of the Xiongnu!"
He stared into the mirror, face twisted with savage ambition.
He was the king of destiny. With this divine ancient mirror, he was certain he could rise in the shortest time and establish an immortal Xiongnu empire—enslaving all Han people and elevating the Xiongnu as the supreme race.
The thought drove Liu Bao into a frenzy. He gripped the woman's head tightly and began to thrust wildly. Moments later, he hauled her onto a desk, tearing her clothes to shreds and pounding into her like a beast.
Gasps and groans filled the tent.
All of this, Yi Tianxing knew nothing about.
Back at Yang Family Village, everything was in ruins. The defenses had not been repaired. Only a few recovered soldiers patrolled the perimeter. Fires burned in various places, casting the village in warm light even as night had fallen.
People huddled around the flames, roasting wolf meat and sipping broth. They chatted happily about the move to Xuanhuang Village, sharing their hopes and dreams. Many fantasized about cultivating, becoming true cultivators, and how their lives would change.
Smiles spread across countless faces.
This was the hope for the future. A longing for what was to come.
Meanwhile, Lai He had begun cooking.
The first dish: Wolf Rib Soup.
These wolf bones were extremely hard. Even for Lai He, it took considerable effort to deal with them. Since they couldn't be chopped cleanly, he used a carving knife to drill tiny holes in each bone—delicate pores that would slowly release the marrow's essence during the boiling process.
Marrow was the most delicious part of the bone.
The holes didn't allow the marrow to fully escape, but instead absorbed the flavors of the spices and broth, enhancing the taste, making it even more tender and savory. When the time came, just hold the bone and slurp—
Szzztt!The marrow would shoot right into the mouth—a burst of rich flavor.
The meat of the Howling Moon Silver Wolf was unlike ordinary wolves. It shimmered with a crystal-like glow, as if imbued with treasure light. Every fiber was saturated with vital energy and blood essence from the powerful beast.
Lai He diced the meat into uniform rectangular pieces—about a finger long and thumb wide. Using masterful knife skills, he scored the surface of each piece with delicate slits, allowing the broth and seasoning to penetrate deeply.
Cooking, for Lai He, was an artform.
His culinary techniques were sublime, his knife work flawless. These refined skills elevated every dish to its peak flavor—an almost divine experience.
The scent alone made countless villagers salivate in secret.
The silver wolf's essence was so strong, it even gave off a faint glow as it simmered in the pot. Yet instead of dispersing, the unique cooking method locked it into each piece of meat—dreamlike and ethereal.
No one knew how much time had passed.
At last, dish after dish was brought out and placed on simple stone tables—crafted earlier by Yi Tianxing himself. After all, how could one enjoy fine food without proper tables and chairs?
"Thanks to Village Chief Yi, even I, Yang, get to taste these top-tier delicacies. Glowing food—I've never seen anything like it," Yang Ye said as he and his sons sat at the table, looking at the food covered by iron domes with eager eyes.
He'd secretly swallowed his saliva several times before.
"Master Lai's skills are no ordinary matter," Yang Yanping chuckled. "I've been dying to try the delicacies made from Howling Moon Silver Wolf."
"Big Brother Yi, let's start already. My stomach's been growling for ages," said Yang Yanding, his belly audibly grumbling as he gulped down saliva.
"Alright. Let's begin."
Yi Tianxing was even more eager than they were. His Gourmet Cells were already going wild, surging with intense hunger.
With a beaming smile, Lai He lifted the iron cover.
In that instant, a gentle glow burst forth.
Within the radiance, it was as if a silver moon was rising and falling.
"Incredible. The food really does glow—and it even manifests such a stunning phenomenon. It's unbelievable," Yang Yanping said, as though he were basking beneath moonlight—serene, gentle, and spiritually refreshed.
"Please, Mister Yi, General Yang, and Young Generals—try this Silver Wolf Marrow Soup."
Lai He ladled out bowls from the clay pot.
Yi Tianxing's eyes gleamed at the sight of the soup.
It was crystal-clear, jade-like, without a single impurity. A tiny silver moon rippled within the bowl, floating beside a pristine bone and several chunks of wolf meat—visually stunning, like a work of art.
One could hardly bear to disturb it.
The aroma drifted into his nose, filling his senses with a strange cleansing sensation. His entire mind and body relaxed, all distractions and thoughts fading away—leaving only the bowl of soup before him.
Lifting the spoon, he took a sip.
Immediately, a marvelous sensation bloomed across his taste buds and spread through his entire being.