Chapter 541: The Holy Maiden's Appointment
The saint made a slight bow and said, “If there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave.”
"Take this."
The Master raised his hand, and a small, unassuming object fell into the Saint's hands.
"Inside this object sleeps a heartworm. You have the child worm, and I have the mother worm. If there's danger, crush it immediately. I will sense it."
The Master gazed at the Saintess, his voice grave: "Now there are only you and I left in this world, sister. No matter how much you hate me, I am still your brother. I don't want anything to happen to you."
The saintess did not refuse the heartworm. She simply turned away in silence and drifted off.
"Li Chen, I hope you don't do anything excessive to my sister. Otherwise, whether you are a prince or an emperor, I will grind you into dust!" The leader said to himself as he watched the holy maiden disappear among the hills.
The next day, Li Chen finished a lot of things during the day. As night fell, Li Chen ordered the kitchen staff to set up a table of...hot pot outside Xizheng Hall.
When the holy maiden arrived and saw Li Chen enthusiastically grilling fresh lamb by a steaming hot pot, even she, whose disposition was as cold as ice, found the scene somewhat peculiar.
"This is called hot pot."
Through the billowing heat, Li Chen glanced at the Saintess and explained.
"I know, I've seen it once in Sichuan, but only commoners would eat it," the Saintess said coldly.
Li Chen smiled and said, "That's right, this thing started in Sichuan and Shu. It's only been a few decades at most, and it hasn't become popular yet. Just tonight's hot pot dish was just a coincidence that there happened to be a chef from Sichuan and Shu who cooked Sichuan dishes in the palace kitchen, so it was made."

“A copper basin is placed above a stove, food and vegetables are unrestricted, meat slices are thinly cut, scalded in boiling water and eaten. It first appeared among the poor people of the common folk. In Sichuan-Shu region, the environment is humid and hot. This method of eating can help dispel dampness and is also convenient and inexpensive, so when it appeared, it was welcomed by the people in Sichuan-Shu region.”
"Haven't you eaten yet? Come, let's have something together."
In the face of Li Chen's fervent invitation, the saintess remained unmoved.
The Saintess stood motionless and silent. Li Chen cooked another slice of mutton for himself. He wanted some goose intestines and tripe, but these delicacies were incredibly expensive in the future. Now, they were just considered lowly offal, not even fit for the tables of wealthy families. No one would process them, so naturally, he couldn't have any.
Stirring the mutton hotpot, Li Chen said: "According to our agreement, you are to stay by my side for ten years. You can't just remain cold and distant for the entire decade. Besides, even with your exceptional martial arts skills, you are still human. Humans need to eat. Is it that you have reached the level of Daoist fasting?"
The saintess said faintly, "Taoist fasting is the realm of immortals, but it only exists in legends. Naturally, ordinary mortals cannot achieve it."
“Well, since fasting isn't an option, we might as well eat. Ten years is a long time, it’s better to loosen up a bit sooner rather than later. This palace isn’t some scary monster that frightens people away from their meals, am I?”
Li Chen said something interesting, the Saintess's gaze fell on him, and she actually walked to sit opposite Li Chen.
The three treasures respectfully serving behind Li Chen frowned and chided, "Before His Highness, one must not lose etiquette. Even if His Highness grants a seat, one should first express gratitude."

(Editor in charge：novels twilight)