Transmigrated into an Ancient ABO Fantasy World: A Culinary Comeback - Chapter 14

Once the shop’s customer flow stabilized, there was no need for all four of them to stay and manage it. After Wang Xiaojin personally taught the others the ropes, she spent most of her time scouting locations for a new branch. At the same time, she continued accompanying Old Xie in searching for people, managing both tasks without conflict.

The neighboring county was Nanyang County. Wang Xiaojin and Old Xie first traveled there by carriage to search around the county town. After exploring extensively, Wang Xiaojin already had a few options in mind for the branch location, while Old Xie had yet to find any leads. This was to be expected, as people with their unique constitution couldn’t possibly be found everywhere, nor would they all be discovered by the two of them.

They stopped in a small alley to rest briefly in the carriage when suddenly, a chilling, sinister aura rapidly approached. Thanks to their training, Wang Xiaojin reacted swiftly. She and Old Xie leaped out of the carriage window simultaneously, kicking off the ground to retreat quickly. The next moment, with a loud “bang,” the carriage shattered into pieces. The horse reared up, let out a long, piercing whinny, and then collapsed motionless.

The entire alley fell into an eerie silence, empty and devoid of people. It was unclear where this sinister aura had come from. Wang Xiaojin, who often drove the carriage, had grown quite attached to the horse. Furious at the tragic sight and unable to locate the perpetrator, she summoned two large fireballs in her hands and hurled them left and right. Wherever the fireballs struck, the walls turned black, yet there was still no sign of movement.

Old Xie grabbed Wang Xiaojin’s arm. “Stop attacking. They’ve likely already fled.”

Wang Xiaojin suppressed her anger, furrowing her brow as she said in a low voice, “This person is no ordinary foe. They managed to evade your sensory detection they must be a Xie Practitioner, and their martial arts are sinister and bizarre. Could they have been sent by one of the two above?” Her first thought went to the princes.

Xie Xing shook her head. “The Third Prince may be ruthless, but he holds himself in high regard. He wouldn’t resort to such underhanded methods. The Sixth Prince is honest and simple-minded even less likely. Who could it be? Could it be experts from Jiang or Xin?” Old Xie murmured worriedly.

“Whoever it is, it’s clearly a warning to us,” Wang Xiaojin said.

Xie Xing sneered. “Do you think I fear their warning? I’ll keep searching today and see what they can do to me.”

The two then proceeded on foot to the market, where they spent twelve taels to buy another carriage and continued their search. Wang Xiaojin didn’t try to dissuade Old Xie. In truth, she thought it unlikely that the assailant was from Jiang or Xin. While both countries surely had their own experts, and conflicts were inevitable on the same continent, why would they hold a grudge against Xie Xing, a retired individual?

Moreover, Xie Xing’s movements were confined to rural areas, disguised as mere travels. Ordinary people wouldn’t know her true purpose.

The two bought the carriage and continued roaming the streets and alleys as if nothing had happened. This time, things went smoothly, and no further attacks occurred. It seemed the assailant lacked the strength to confront them directly and had only dared to issue a warning.

Their persistence paid off. While passing by a temple with red walls and gray tiles, they sensed an unusual aura. They entered the temple to offer incense and pay respects, discreetly observing everything. After meeting all the monks, they still couldn’t pinpoint the source of the aura until they finally found it emanating from a worker grinding flour in the back room.

Her name was Feng Xian, a female Qian Yuan. She wasn’t a monk but lived next to the temple. Poor and destitute, the monks allowed her to grind flour there to make a living. Xie Xing observed her sincere gaze and gentle yet resilient demeanor, feeling quite satisfied. Noting Wang Xiaojin’s subtle nod of approval, she laid out their proposal openly and, as before, offered a generous sum to hire her.

Unexpectedly, Feng Xian firmly refused, “My apologies to both of you. Though I am not ordained, this temple raised me. I wish to devote my life to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, never straying even half a step. As for your secret, I promise not to reveal it.”

“Moreover, just a moment ago, another person came. I saw dark energy swirling around him and didn’t even speak to him. He tried to attack but was repelled by the temple’s golden light and fled in panic.”

“The temple has golden light?” Wang Xiaojin asked in surprise.

“Not usually, but when that person arrived, I saw it, brilliant and radiant. You should be able to see it too when the time comes,” Feng Xian replied as she ground flour, her strength evident as the millstone seemed like a toy in her hands.

“Could you see what he looked like?” Xie Xing inquired.

“No, he was masked and dressed entirely in black. His clothing was unusual, made of fine fabric that ordinary people couldn’t afford.”

Xie Xing nodded. Seeing Feng Xian focused on her task, she refrained from disturbing her further and regretfully withdrew.

The two returned to the main hall, where the abbot was seated in meditation, chanting scriptures. Noticing their intention to leave, he stopped them, “Patrons, please wait.”

Xie Xing and Wang Xiaojin looked at the abbot in confusion. With a dignified and compassionate demeanor, he asked, “Did Feng Xian agree to your request?”

They shook their heads. The abbot stroked his beard and sighed, “Demonic forces are deceiving people, and chaos looms over the world. If Buddhist disciples do not act now, when will they? Let me persuade her.”

His words were puzzling, leaving Wang Xiaojin bewildered. Seeing Old Xie lost in thought, she had no choice but to wait in front of the hall.

To their surprise, within a quarter of an hour, Feng Xian emerged with her luggage, following the abbot. She expressed her willingness to accompany Xie Xing, who was overjoyed and bowed in gratitude to the abbot before departing. Wang Xiaojin followed, pausing to hand some silver to the novice beside the abbot before leaving.

The novice looked puzzled and asked his master, “Master, this patron donated a lot of silver today.”

The abbot smiled, “This patron is no ordinary person. Though burdened by karma, she has an affinity with the Buddha. Establishing this virtuous connection with her today will benefit the Dharma and all sentient beings.”

“Use part of it for offerings to the Buddha and distribute the rest as alms,” the abbot said before resuming his chanting.

The three left the temple and returned to Dongyang County by carriage. Along the way, Wang Xiaojin and Feng Xian grew familiar. Unlike Xiang Dazhuang’s simplicity or Fan Xi’s cunning, Feng Xian was even more innocent than Wang Xiaojin. Their values aligned, and they got along well.

Upon returning home, Feng Xian settled in the Xie residence to study martial techniques. Xie Xing’s first priority was to strengthen the security and patrols of the Xie estate, ordering her subordinates to be vigilant for any suspicious individuals. She also wrote letters to her elder brother, Prince Xie Ding, who was far away in the capital, as well as to Xie Yu’an.

Though Xie Xing had been resolute that day, the incident left her deeply concerned for her family’s safety. If the threat came from Jiang or Xin, it would be one thing, but what if it originated from within the court? What were that person’s intentions? Was her brother aligned with him or opposed? What kind of technique did he practice, so sinister and unnatural?

No matter the circumstances, Xie Xing felt a profound sense of danger. In her letters, she repeatedly urged her family to stay safe.

What brought her the most comfort, however, were the three young masters under her command her trump card and safeguard, worth more than a thousand troops.

Xie Xing paid special attention to Feng Xian’s training, marveling at the wonder of fate. Feng Xian’s attributes did not overlap with Xiaojin or Dazhuang’s. She was of the Wood element, appearing harmless and gentle, but when she unleashed her skills, the other two might not be able to withstand her.

Wang Xiaojin served the braised pork knuckle, but Feng Xian immediately used his chopsticks to push it aside, which truly gave her a headache.

Meanwhile, Wang Xiaojin was juggling three tasks at once and had already started planning the Nanyang County branch with Fan Xi.

To ensure her safety, she dared not go out alone and had to be accompanied by Dazhuang, leaving only Deng Shu and Feng Xian to manage the shop.

Support Transmigrated into an Ancient ABO Fantasy World: A Culinary Comeback