Chapter Eighteen: The Collapse of Gu Zhanggui

  Chaoyang Town, old house, the creaking sound of the dilapidated wooden door can scare a ghost to death again.

  Two men from the Ning family pushed open the door and entered.

  "Dad, are you sure..."

  Ning Feng looked at the ingredients in his hand and felt a bit uncertain.

  All of these were personally selected and bought back by Ning Cai Chen. Since Ning Feng was seven years old, this task had always been done by him.

  "Sit down, son, and watch your father's craftsmanship."

  Ning Caichen's chest was pounding loudly as he grabbed those things and rushed towards the kitchen.

  The wind blew at the corner of his mouth, and he silently smoothed it out again.

  Ning Caichen suddenly started buying a lot of vegetables, then said he wanted to cook a delicious meal to reward himself. This habit has been going on ever since and won't go away anytime soon.

  It wasn't the first time Ning Feng had tried to stop him, but Ning Cai Chen had been doing quite well outside the Temple of God these past few days. According to himself, he had learned a few tricks from a senior brother who used to be a great chef before joining the temple, and this time he was determined to make his son's tongue go down with the food.

  Watching his old father's back disappear into the kitchen, followed by the sound of "ding ding dang" similar to smashing pots and selling iron, Ning Feng's mouth twitched even more violently, and he walked out of the yard in silence, returning after a short while.

  The wind came and went, and it seemed that his heart had calmed down a lot. He sat down at the stone table.

  After a while, Ning Caichen was disheveled and dirty, with various stains all over his body, making it impossible to tell which one was soy sauce and which one was oil. This set of clothes was basically ruined.

  He held a tray in his hand, on which were several black dishes, making Ning Feng's eyes widen.

  "Father."

  "This... this..."

  Ning Feng looked at several plates of black things and couldn't tell what they were respectively. Chopsticks were a bit hard to pick up.

  "Don't worry, son, eat."

  Ning Cai Chen said with a pleased smile: "The head chef taught me how to make it when I was an apprentice, and my father tasted every dish, the flavor is very good."

  "Huh?"

  Ning Feng listened and asked incredulously, "Father, is this your first time doing this? Wait, just now in the kitchen, you hadn't even tasted it?"

  Ning Cai Chen nodded naturally and said, "Don't worry, son, it's just a few casual moves, very simple."

  "Go ahead and eat."

  He stared over with eager eyes, his gaze piercing.

  Ning Feng swallowed his saliva, hesitated for a moment, and then pinched the black thing into his mouth with his eyes closed.

  Chew and swallow.

  Ning Caichen rubbed his eyes, and said with a tinge of sadness: "Son, since you were seven or eight years old, I haven't cooked for you, it's always been you taking care of me."

  "This is great, from now on your father can often cook for you."

  "How's this for Father's intention?"

  Ning Caichen quickly put away his sadness and nostalgia, a red glow covering his face, as if the four words "Come and praise me" were written all over it.

  "Sweet~~"

  Ning Feng's eyes were red-rimmed, his voice husky; after all, they were father and son. His expression was almost indistinguishable from Ning Caichen's when he was feeling sentimental.

  "That is, paternal love is like a mountain, and it's ultimately different from others."

  "My son has finally understood this principle, and as a father, I feel that all my efforts have not been in vain."

  Ning Caichen burst out laughing and, after a hard half-day's work, was also hungry. He took a big mouthful of food with his chopsticks.

  Opposite him, Ning Feng opened his mouth, wanting to stop him, but it was too late.

  In the blink of an eye, Ning Caichen's facial expression solidified and then transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors that cannot be described in words.

  "Hmph!"

  Ning Cai Chen spat it out directly, and if Ning Feng hadn't been prepared to dodge quickly, the brand new sun robe he had just put on that day would have been ruined.

  "...sweet...bitter..."

  Ning Caichen rinsed his mouth several times with the water brought by Ning Feng, before he could catch his breath and speak in a daze: "How can it be so sweet, sweet to the point of bitterness, how can you swallow it?"

  After he finished speaking, he finally reacted and realized that his own son had just said something sweet, but looking at his face, he almost cried out, and it was him who had been misunderstanding it as paternal love.

  "Cough cough cough~~"

  Ning Caichen coughed a few times, scratched his head and said: "If not, let's just have some fermented bean paste to eat with rice? It seems like there are still some beans left at home that haven't been eaten yet."

  He said that he was about to get up and go, but after walking a couple of steps, he suddenly stopped, as if remembering something, turned around with a sorrowful face and said: "I... I... forgot to cook the rice."

  Ning Feng slapped his forehead and finally realized what was wrong. Except for a few black plates on the table, there wasn't even a single grain of rice.

  The dishes were indeed too scary in color and even more bizarre in taste, leaving him stunned for a while.

  "What should I do?"

  Ning Cai Chen looked over pitifully, as for fatherly love and care, forget it.

  "Ah~"

  Ning Feng let out a soft sigh, clapped his hands and shouted towards the door: "Come in!"

  The gate was opened from the outside and several young servants rushed in, arriving at the front to lift off the rattan woven lid, revealing dishes with color, fragrance, and flavor all present.

  Eight dishes and two soups, melons, fruits, fine wines, everything is complete.

  Ning Caichen's eyes lit up and he asked strangely: "What is this?"

  Ning Feng smiled slightly and helped his old father sit down, serving him a bowl of rice with dishes. "Father, while you were cooking, I went out to make some small preparations just in case."

  "It seems like it's coming in handy now."

  Ning Caichen was overjoyed and couldn't stop praising: "Fortunately, my son is clever, otherwise we would be in trouble today. That big chef's loose hands are useless, I will definitely not let him off the hook."

  Ning Feng found it somewhat difficult to make out what was being said, after all with a mouthful of food speaking was inevitably muffled.

  As soon as he heard clearly, Ning Feng's face turned colorful. Looking at his own father with no shame, he righteously and eloquently accused the head chef of hiding a trick from him, leaving him speechless for a moment.

  He shook his head, picked up his chopsticks, and was just about to take a bite when a sharp, shrill voice came from outside the door.

  "Mr. Ning and his son are available, Mr. Gu has come to visit."

  The voice sounds uncomfortable to listen to, and the words are somewhat polite. If you don't count the words that have just entered your ears, it's like someone has pushed open the door and walked into their own home.

  Ning Feng furrowed his brow and glanced over.

  One in front and one behind, two people swaggered in.

  The one in front had a plump figure and a round belly, wearing a brocade robe with large red and green patterns, which was unpleasant to look at.

  The one behind is an acquaintance, a majestic and proud man with a curly beard and a pale face like a ghost.

  "Ah~"

  Ning Cai Chen was shocked to see the two men, especially the big man behind him. He let out a cry and was choked by something, and Ning Feng had to pat his back for a while before he caught his breath.

  He finally understood what his own son meant by "wait for someone" when he went out the next day.

  It turns out that they were the two of them.

  Isn't that big fellow the one who was knocked down by Ning Feng with a single strike and then thrown out?

  "Is this person in front of us the mastermind behind the street collection?"

  Ning Caichen looked over curiously after passing by and thought that this person was so wealthy, no wonder he had the capital to collect a whole street.

  He just took a look, didn't say anything, and it's been like that for years since the big things at home started, and the son has always been in charge.

  "Are you then the Manager Gu of Mount Tai Building?"

  Ning Feng didn't get up to greet him, instead casually picking up a dish and eating slowly.

  "Huh, I didn't expect Young Master Ning to know Mr. Gu too, what an honor."

  Gu's shopkeeper put his hands on his big belly, narrowed his eyes and looked over, but Ning Feng didn't show any sign of admiration, sitting there stiffly, a hint of annoyance flashing in his eyes.

  Ning Feng of course knew.

  That day he went out for a stroll, since he knew that all the troubles were related to the demolition of the building, how could he not know that such a big hand was behind the scenes of Dai Shan Lou?

  He also knew that behind the Taishan Building stood a family of immortals who had served the Temple of the Sun God for generations - the Qilu Taishan Family.

  Ning Feng waved his hand and said with a hint of indifference, "No need to be overly polite, Mr. Gu. What brings you here today?"

  Mr. Gu suppressed his anger and forced out a flattering smile, first clasping his hands together to say: "I, Gu, would like to be the first to congratulate Young Master Ning on entering the Sun God Temple, with a boundless future ahead."

  "Also..."

  He stretched out his hand to pat the big man's shoulder, but his belly was too big and he couldn't turn around easily, plus his head was a bit off, so this action became somewhat difficult.

  The big fellow behind looked haggard and worn out, but he was a man with some strength left in him. He immediately half-knelt down, allowing Manager Gu to strike him at will.

  "Gu heard that his subordinate had caused trouble for Ning Gongzi a few days ago, and now he came to apologize in person?"

  The shopkeeper said, making a gesture as if he wanted to kick him, the big man hastily said: "Young Master Ning, I was blind and offended you."

  "Is that it?"

  Ning Feng smiled and waved his hand lazily, saying, "Then I won't see you off."

  "You..."

  The shopkeeper's face changed instantly, flushing bright red with a look of extreme embarrassment.

  "Young Master Ning, don't forget that you've just entered the gates of the Sun God Temple, and yet you're already being so unyielding?"

  "Do you know what happened after Gu's death..."

  The shopkeeper hadn't finished speaking when Ning Feng impatiently interrupted: "I know, it's the Qi Lu Dai family."

  "Is that all?"

  "The door is over there."

  The shopkeeper's face was no longer just liver-colored, but had thoroughly turned iron-green.

  During this period, he was transferred from outside to Shendu, the foot of the Divine Palace, and listened to the fundamental place of the Dai family, which is absolutely a reappointment.

  Gu Zhāngguì initially received a great responsibility, and it was inevitable that he would be busy and anxious. Taking advantage of the Dai family's influence in Chaoyang Town, he acted recklessly, and many people dared not speak out against him, cultivating an arrogant attitude.

  Today was already somewhat condescending in tone, just going through the motions, that's why the attitude is so perfunctory, who knew a hard nail would come crashing over.

  "Okay, okay, okay."

  The shopkeeper scowled and stormed out, turning his head to leave.

  He wasn't unwilling to teach this newcomer a lesson, but the golden earring on Ning Feng's forehead was too dazzling, always reminding Gu Zhangang of the four words "Sun God Temple", and his courage would dissipate instantly.

  "Hmph, I can't move you, can't the Dai family move you either?"

  "Wait for me!"

  Gu Zhanchu was so angry that he gritted his teeth and secretly plotted, coming up with 180 poisonous plans to manipulate the Dai family.

  "Son, is the Dai family very powerful?"

  Ning Caichen watched as the two of them stormed off, and asked with some concern.

  Ning Feng replied honestly: "Not small, the Dai family has served the Temple of Gods for hundreds of years, and each generation has had disciples enter the temple, with deep roots."

  "What's going on here?"

  Ning Caichen jumped up, extremely worried, looking at that situation with the intention of chasing after Gu Zhanggui.

  "Father."

  Ning Feng smiled and helped his old father sit back down, just as he was about to say something, a voice came from outside.

  "Haha, haha, haha."

  What's going on here? Ning Feng turned his head back in surprise and saw that Gu Zhuang, who had just walked out, was walking back with an eight-character step.

  Look at that posture, crabs patrolling the beach are nothing more than this.

  "What brings you here again, Mr. Gu?"

  Ning Feng smiled and looked at him with a good air.

  "Ning Gongzi, Gu Mouren has come with good intentions on behalf of the Dai family to apologize for the slight offense the other day. You, however, do not know what's good for you and have spoken offensively about the Dai family. Since Gu Mouren has eaten the Dai family's millet, today he cannot swallow this breath."

  The shopkeeper raised his head and chest, taking advantage of the conversation to continue speaking, making it difficult for others to interrupt him, and after a long speech, he left no room for anyone else to add a word.

  In short, Ning Feng was arrogant and unreasonable, often speaking ill of the Di family.

  "Hmm"

  Ning Feng somewhat came to his senses, shook his head, and smiled wryly. He continued listening to Gu Zhuang's fabrications, but his ears automatically tuned out Gu's loud voice. His gaze drifted past him, looking towards the outside of the door.

  The shopkeeper was still counting the money, when a figure in a white robe with golden silk embroidery, exuding an aura of stability and calmness, entered Ning Feng's line of sight from outside the door.

  "I'm here."

  Ning Feng slowly got up, his feet unmoving.

  "I'm here."

  The shopkeeper's ears perked up, and he was overjoyed.

  It's hard for him to keep his mouth shut, and his ears are surprisingly sharp enough to distinguish the heavy footsteps approaching from behind, showing that their owner is filled with anger.

  "That's enough!"

  A loud shout of anger came from outside the door.

  The shopkeeper hastily stopped talking, for goodness' sake, if that voice didn't come again he really wouldn't be able to catch his breath.

  He stood with his mouth closed, turned sideways, bowed his body, and made a gesture of respect. The entire movement was smooth and natural, and his large body surprisingly did not appear cumbersome.

  Young Master!

  The shopkeeper's eyes turned red, and he shouted out in a tone of grievance, with a loyal heart that would rather die than betray his master.

  Wearing a sun robe, with a sun turban on his head, the newcomer looked to be over twenty years old. His facial features were firm and hard, and he was walking towards them with large strides, his face full of anger.

  It's him.

  "The young master is insulting our Di family..."

  Gu Zhonggui was humiliated and indignant, his singing and acting skills unmatched. In his heart, he coldly sneered: "Hmph, what can you do even if you enter the Temple of the Sun God? You're just a newly admitted disciple, while my young master has been in the temple for many years, and there are still seniors from our family within the temple. Can't they deal with you?"

  Just as the young master of their own family came over with a fierce momentum, Gu Zhuang was about to add more fire, when suddenly ——

  "Bang!"

  A big mouth, a crisp sound, it hurts just listening to it.

  Gu Zhāngguì spun around in circles on the spot for three rounds, his face puffed up like a blowfish, dazed and stunned, even forgetting to cry out in pain.

  "Why did you hit me?"

  Just as a doubt arose in his mind, he was kicked again and flew out horizontally, colliding with the equally stunned big man and rolling into a ball.

  "It shouldn't be like this, how could it be? What's wrong?"

  Gu Zhanchu forced open his swollen eyes and saw two people wearing sun robes walking towards him.