NABC Chapter 5 - 5 Midnight Knocking
Chapter 5 - 5 Midnight Knocking
Chapter 5: Chapter 5 Midnight Knocking
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The delicacies of Guanzhong had a long history.
As the capital city for several generations, cooks from all directions gathered in Chang'an, bringing together the mountain and sea treasures of Jiuzhou, not only of great variety but also with intricate culinary details.
The staple foods, apart from noodle soup and flatbread, also included Qingjing Rice from the south. This rice was soaked in juice made from the "southern bamboo" and then steamed and sun-dried nine times. The resulting grains were tight and small, black like onyx beads, strengthening the body and enhancing the complexion, making one white after prolonged use.
There were also rice cakes with more than a dozen ingredients, Qingfeng Rice which cooled the body in the heat, and Jade Well Rice steamed with lotus roots, not to mention locust leaf noodles and cold cherry dumplings.
The preparation of various livestock such as pigs, sheep, cattle, and horses was even more dazzling. Although the capital had moved northward, some of these traditions continued.
In his previous life, Li Yan had been a gourmet, so his culinary skills were naturally good.
Now that the weather had turned hot, some foods weren't suitable for preparation without an ice cellar, and handling half a fatty pig focused on preservation.
Guanzhong smoked meat was best made in the winter and twelfth lunar month, but making it now could easily lead to maggots and spoilage.
However, Li Yan clearly had his methods.
He rendered pork fat, using part for cooking and the rest to seal off large chunks of Five Flowers pork, which preserved them for a long time.
The leftovers were made into braised meat and marinated meat, and there were also dry fried meatballs.
Of course, a basin of fine meat sauce was indispensable.
The fragrant aroma filled the courtyard, enticing the village dogs to pace back and forth outside the gate.
"Scram!"
Li Yan laughed and cursed, "Blind Third comes to the village, and you all get so scared you don't dare to bark, useless things."
Even though he said this, he was still puzzled.
The village dogs were brave enough to confront wolf packs; why then did they let "Blind Third" get into the village?
Unfortunately, the matter had passed, and no one knew the reason.
At noon, they had meat sauce noodles, and in the evening, rice porridge with bread and pork fat-cooked dishes. The grandfather and grandson ate till they were full and sat on the doorstep enjoying the cool breeze, all their worries gone.
Village life was peaceful but also monotonous.
When night fell, except for a few men still on the bed with their wives, the rest of the villagers had turned off their lights and gone to sleep early.
The busy farming season had arrived, and they had to wake up early to work in the fields the next day.
Before long, the entire village was silent.
・ ・ ・
In Widow Wang's house, the main room was dimly lit by candlelight.
In the room, an altar was filled with sacrificial offerings.
On the open ground in front of it were inserted more than a dozen redwood sticks bound with red ropes, forming a circle within which lay a young girl.
The girl, only four years old, was different from the disheveled Widow Wang, as she wore clean clothes and, having rarely seen sunlight, appeared pale and tender.
The girl seemed trapped in a nightmare, her body curled up, face flushed red, eyes tightly shut, and her eyelids trembled ceaselessly, forehead covered in sweat.
She was Widow Wang's daughter.
Widow Wang knelt on the ground, her face pale as she looked worriedly at her daughter, occasionally glancing toward the door.
It seemed she sensed something as she bowed repeatedly with three incense sticks held above her head, muttering,
"Third Aunt bless, Third Aunt bless..."
・ ・ ・
In the side room, Li Yan, who was asleep, suddenly opened his eyes.
He jumped up, somewhat puzzled, and touched his back.
His hand felt icy, yet the surrounding air was burning hot, as if he had touched ice in the scorching heat of summer.
What was going on?
Li Yan's eyes were unpredictable.
He had practiced martial arts for many years, though he had always been unable to break through Hidden Energy due to his age and lack of combat experience. His body perception and control, however, far exceeded that of ordinary people.
If there were any issues, he'd be the first to notice them.
Li Yan felt chills in his heart, goosebumps rising.
Uncertain, he probed again. Though nothing visibly apparent, the pungent scent thickened steeply, full of malignance.
A spirit?
The situation before him was beyond his comprehension.
Although he felt "Blind Third" was peculiar at the time, it ultimately was made of flesh; white blade into the flesh, red blade out, killed it he did.
But now, what to do?
Why would even a creature's menacing spirit seek revenge?
Thud!
The sound occurred once more.
Li Yan paused, raising his head to observe.
This time, he heard more distinctly, emanating from above the courtyard gate, deducing it to be his grandfather's "Hundred Battle Valor" plaque.
At the same time, he caught another scent.
It was the scent of metal and wood, with a hint of incense.
This was a peculiar sensation as metal and wood have no smell, but upon smelling it, Li Yan's first impression was this.
"Blind Third's" stench carried a chill.
Yet the scent of the Hundred Battle Plate, oddly, bore warmth.
Thud!
The collision of the two scents produced the sound again.
Li Yan had an epiphany.
Unexpectedly, the plaque at his home was also a treasure, usually discreet, only activated when malevolent entities approached.
And his bizarre olfactory sense, able to detect unusual scents.
It was certain now it was unrelated to the Substitute Divine Statue, but rather from his predecessor.
What on earth was going on?
Li Yan had sweaty palms, facing this incomprehensible and eerie entity, feeling helpless for the first time, as if his life was beyond his control.
Seemingly sensing his breath, "Blind Third's" stench outside intensified markedly, colliding with the plaque more frequently.
Thud, thud, thud!
The sound was faint, not conspicuous in the night.
But to Li Yan's ears, it pounded like a death knell.
He remained motionless, thinking of his grandfather sleeping inside, not daring to retreat nor risk opening the door, and the sharp Guan Mountain Blade in his hand provided no comfort. He could only hope the "Hundred Battle Valor" plaque could withstand it.
Thud, thud, thud, the sound continuously echoed.
Li Yan felt his back grow colder as if placed against a block of ice, pervading coldness while "Blind Third's" dying malicious gaze persisted in his mind.
A curse?
Li Yan surmised yet couldn't be sure.
Fortunately, he could feel as the two forces clashed, the scents weakened respectively.
Unknowingly, an entire hour passed.
Thud!
Finally, after the final collision, "Blind Third's" stench outside faded gradually, vanishing entirely.
Woof woof woof!
In the darkness, the barking of dogs pierced the silence.
The eerie stillness was thus broken.
Li Yan breathed a sigh of relief, though his expression remained grave.
The chill on his back still lingered...
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