Chapter Thirty-Four: The Forbidden Tome

The short-maned black wild boar was already half-dead from the ordeal. Su Li leapt onto its back, and with the slightest pressure from her claws, the twitching creature fell silent at once.

Shen Luo’s long lashes quivered, his heart filled with astonishment. He strode forward and hoisted the beast in his arms. Those round, dark-red feline eyes met his gaze. For a long moment, he sighed softly and drew her into his embrace. A pair of plump little paw pads pressed against his chest as Su Li lifted her chin in smug satisfaction. The youth was indeed shrewd—he had already seen through the situation.

Their commotion had drawn curious glances from the others. Shen Hao hurried over and asked, “Luo, what happened?” After today’s events, he dared no longer underestimate this white demon beast.

Shen Luo turned slightly and replied in a cool, even tone, “It’s nothing. I just noticed a bit of sleep in the corner of Furball’s eye.”

Shen Hao: …

The others: …

Just then, Gu Hongshang suddenly exclaimed, “Hey, look! This wild boar’s eyes are a light green.”

The others crowded around, first surprised, then frowning, but none could explain it. Countless conjectures flashed through Shen Fengling’s mind. As his thoughts turned, he glanced at the youth, only to find him meticulously sharpening a tree branch with his dagger, fully focused.

Puzzled, he asked, “Luo, what are you doing?”

Shen Luo replied, “The book says short-maned black wild boar is delicious, but unfortunately, it can only be roasted.” His tone betrayed an obvious note of regret.

Even for someone as worldly as Shen Fengling, his old face couldn’t help but twitch at this. While everyone else was pondering why the boar hadn’t gone berserk, the boy was contemplating how to cook it?

Nian Ciyun seized the moment to stir things up. “This is a matter of great importance. The most urgent task is to uncover the truth and save the people. How can you disregard the greater good for your own desires?” Her delicate voice rang clear and sonorous, her words striking everyone’s hearts and, with effortless ease, turning Shen Luo into the target of all.

Su Li couldn’t help but click her tongue in admiration—she had underestimated this little white lotus. Just listen to the cadence in her voice.

“Heh!” Shen Luo sneered. “This is the prey my demon beast caught. Why shouldn’t I roast it?”

Nian Ciyun opened her mouth to argue but unwittingly met the youth’s deep, chilling gaze. The boy smiled, but it was more terrifying than any glare. “If you care so deeply for the righteous cause, why not catch one yourself to study?” he said, his tone light, yet filled with a cold threat.

A shiver ran down Nian Ciyun’s spine, her scalp prickling. She was certain that if she dared retort, he would toss her straight into the forest to hunt demon beasts herself.

Shen Luo turned to the others, his gaze finally settling on Shen Fengling. His voice was calm but resolute. “Nineteenth Elder, this wild boar is Furball’s dinner. However, I’ve already sent Ah Hua to catch seven or eight more demon beasts for your research as you please.”

No sooner had he spoken than the underbrush rustled noisily. In the next instant, a series of massive shadows dropped from above with heavy thuds—eight fierce beasts of varying ranks lined up before the group, from rank one to six: rank-one big-headed red ant, rank-two six-legged venomous spider, rank-three tailless rat, rank-four short-maned black wild boar, rank-five flying centipede, rank-six double-tailed silver wolf… The sight left everyone dumbfounded.

Before they could react, the bushes shook even more violently.

More?

Everyone’s eyes were drawn to the commotion. Seizing the opportunity, Su Li leapt from Shen Luo’s arms, hastily set a few demon beasts right, then returned to the boy’s side.

At the same time, the noise from the bushes ceased. Everyone held their breath, weapons at the ready. Suddenly, a golden-edged red demon flower wriggled its stem and hopped out, bouncing merrily.

The crowd: …

Damn it, how they wanted to strangle that cheeky little flower!

A trace of amusement flickered in Shen Luo’s eyes as he set about preparing the wild boar. He stared for some time, brows drawn together, unsure where to begin.

Su Li suddenly asked Tiger Soul, “Do you know how?”

Tiger Soul pondered, rummaged through its storage space, and finally produced a booklet, sending a mental message to Shen Luo: “Master, I have a book here that explains how to cook gourmet food.”

Something hard appeared in his arms. Shen Luo pulled it out and frowned even more deeply.

Curious, Su Li hopped onto his shoulder for a closer look, her eyes curving with amusement. The ornate cover was boldly titled: “Gourmet’s Proposal: Winning Over the Overbearing Beast Chieftain!” Scanning further down—oh! The synopsis was almost poetic.

A first taste of gourmet food, a lifetime ensnared,
A second meeting with a charming beast, a heart first stirred,
A third scent of red beans, longing anew,
A fourth vow, to grow old together across mountains.

She thought to herself: Who would have thought Tiger Soul was such a rogue, or that there’d be a beast with such literary flair in the demon world.

Shen Luo was silent for a moment before saying, “So this is the… book you mentioned?” It was nothing like the books he’d read in the Shen family library.

Tiger Soul thumped its chest. “Of course! It has detailed methods for preparing all sorts of delicacies. Roasted wild boar is on page 153.”

Su Li scoffed.

Tiger Soul shrank into a corner, feeling as though Furball had seen through its secret.

Meanwhile, Shen Luo had opened the booklet and was reading with great concentration, occasionally frowning in confusion, before finally snapping it shut with a “pop,” startling both beasts. The first half was indeed about butchering, cleaning, and roasting wild boar—but the latter half was utterly… astonishing!

A cool night breeze wafted by, but Shen Luo felt uncomfortably warm. Tiger Soul’s heart skipped a beat as it suddenly recalled that this book had once been banned; while its culinary descriptions were encyclopedic, its romantic details were equally vivid—earning it the nickname “The Palace of Gourmet Passion!”

Realizing the blunder, it wailed internally and decided to play dead.

Su Li was unconvinced. She reached out a paw, only to see the youth swiftly, warily tuck the book into his spirit ring. Frowning, she couldn’t help but wonder if there was something unspeakable hidden inside.

Perhaps realizing his reaction had been excessive, Shen Luo rubbed her head and declared solemnly, “I know how to do it now.”

He was a quick study—though awkward at first, he soon found his rhythm, butchering the wild boar with growing mastery and even a certain grace.

Su Li was quite impressed. “Worthy of a male lead,” she thought.

Soon, the wild boar was roasted, its aroma wafting tantalizingly. Having once tasted the spiritual fish, Shen Fengling and his two companions had never forgotten it; now, their eyes drifted involuntarily toward the roasting meat.

Shen Sinan was the first to approach, spearing a piece with a stick and squatting by the fire to roast it. Shen Hao hesitated, then joined in.

That left Shen Fengling, who chuckled and turned to the two female cultivators. “Care to join us?”

Nian Ciyun and Gu Hongshang exchanged bewildered glances, then followed as if in a daze.

And so, a strange scene unfolded: cultivators who had long passed the stage of needing sustenance gathered around the campfire, grilling meat on skewers, while the demonic cultivators lurking in the shadows were left utterly speechless.

Who could explain what on earth was happening here?

Weren’t righteous cultivators supposed to be aloof and otherworldly, always putting on airs?

How had they become so… down-to-earth?

The short-maned black wild boar’s meat was firm and exceptionally tasty; Su Li couldn’t help eating more than her share. Shen Luo noticed and considered sending Ah Hua out to hunt several more to store in his spirit ring.

As he pondered, the white demon beast stood up. Su Li shook herself, realizing her belly was now round as a ball. Gazing southwest, a sly smile flashed in her feline eyes. After a good meal, it was the perfect time to stretch and work off some food.

“Ah Hua, Lei Peng, let’s move.”