The rising sun cast long golden streaks across the open dirt lot behind the old roadside inn. Smoke drifted idly from the kitchen chimneys, blending with the scent of chopped firewood and the aroma of simmering dishes. Roosters crowed. A few chickens pecked at the ground near stacked logs, while goats bleated softly in the corner pen.
Chunhe stood shirtless in the field, the muscles in his arms tense as he exhaled a steady breath. His bare feet were planted firmly in the dirt. This wasn't a polished martial arts courtyard—just rough earth, scattered straw, and the occasional cluck or squeal from the livestock.
[Ding!]
System Task: Morning Practice❖ Objective: Complete full sequence before sunlight touches the pigpen fence.❖ Failure Punishment: Joint cramps (Duration: 123 hours)❖ Reward: Long, silky hair (Shine Level: +2)
Chunhe's eye twitched. "...Silky again?"
Still, he lowered into his stance.Slow inhale. Step forward. Twist. Strike.
The cold morning air stirred around him as he flowed through the first forms:Wild Ox Ploughs the FieldSleeping Horse AwakensLeaping Dragon Drinks from Stream
Each stance stirred dust into the air. Chickens scattered in alarm. A curious goat ambled forward, chewing hay as it watched him spin into a crescent kick.
And then—
CRASH! CLANG! BANG!
Shouts exploded from the front of the inn, followed by the unmistakable chaos of flying tables and clattering pots.
"WHERE IS HE?! WHERE'S HONG XIAN?!"
Chunhe didn't pause. The fourth form—Wandering Crane on Wind—flowed seamlessly. But beyond the clearing, the inn was clearly a war zone.
Old Zhang had arrived.
His voice thundered above the mayhem—raw, furious."You dare MOCK MY DAUGHTER'S COOKING?! HONG XIAN, YOU BASTARD!"
Chunhe dropped into the final stance—Crouching Tiger—just as the sunlight inched past the chicken coop and stopped right before the pigpen fence.
[Ding! Quest Complete.]
❖ Reward Applied: Hair Length +20%, Shine +2❖ Hidden Buff Unlocked: "Wind-Flows-Grace"
Behind him, a squirrel perched on a log, mesmerized by the shine of Chunhe's newly gifted hair—a water fall of silky black hair twinkling like a starry night sky.
Chunhe flicked the sweat from his brow and turned—
"Huff—HUFF—Chunhe!!"
Hong Xian stumbled into the clearing, nearly tripping over a piglet. His face was pale—panic in every twitch.
"He's looking for you! Old Zhang's lost it— he sent tables flying, throwing utensils —he even said he's gonna make a dish out of you!"
Chunhe raised a brow. "...Why me?"
"I—I might've said your braised fish was better than Lanyan's stir-fry…" Hong Xian mumbled, eyes avoiding contact.
Chunhe squinted at him.
"Okay! I definitely said it. Loudly. In public. After… three cups of wine."
Another bellow roared from the front:
"HONG XIAN!! COME OUT, YOU SEWER RAT!"
Chunhe blinked. "Doesn't it sound like... he's looking for you?"
[Ding! New Quest Unlocked]
Emergency Quest: Survive the Chef's Wrath❖ Objective: Avoid attacks or calm Old Zhang❖ Bonus Objective: Cook something better than Lanyan's dish to shut him up❖ Reward: Mystery Ingredient Crate (Rare Tier)❖ Failure Penalty: Hemorrhage (Duration: 3 days)
Chunhe wiped his hands on his pants. "...Shit."
He sighed.
"Why me."