Chapter 60: Mountaintop Feast and an Old Friend's Reunion
The culinary operation officially commenced.
Xiangling took charge of the initial cleaning and the crucial marinating process. Top-grade ingredients required only the simplest preparation to coax out their natural, mouth-watering flavors.
Coarse sea salt, a delicate touch of Qingxin flower nectar unique to the towering peaks of Liyue, and a generous dusting of her closely guarded secret spices were massaged evenly across the surface of the massive slab of meat.
From there, the cooking split into two distinct paths.
The first path was entrusted to Guoba, who handled the most primal and unrestrained method of cooking—roasting the giant cut over an open flame.
The little bear grabbed a bright red Jueyun Chili, tossed it into his mouth, and took a massive breath. His round belly puffed out like a balloon before he suddenly exhaled, spewing forth a torrent of golden-red flames that were far more intense and concentrated than his usual fire.
The sheer heat radiating from the blast was staggering, warping the air into wavy mirages. It was abundantly clear that Guoba was pouring every ounce of his effort into roasting this colossal beast.
Under the ferocious temperature, the surface of the meat rapidly began to brown and crisp, emitting a rich, sizzling crackle. The heavy, intoxicating aroma of roasting fat mixed with toasted spices drifted across the mountaintop like a physical weight, causing Azhdaha to frequently snap his gaze toward the makeshift kitchen.
The second path involved Xiangling personally overseeing the more delicate and complex dishes.
She wielded a heavy, thick-backed bone-cutting cleaver, her arm moving in a rapid blur as she sectioned the remaining meat into perfectly sized chunks for the wok. Frying, stir-frying, stewing, deep-frying... the signature culinary techniques of the Wanmin Restaurant were put on full display.
Thinly sliced meat sizzled violently in hot oil. A rich, milky-white bone broth simmered gently over a low, steady flame. Golden, crispy-fried pork chops rested on a wire rack, while the most tender cuts of sirloin were tossed into a blazing wok alongside crisp seasonal vegetables.
Spatulas flew through the air. Flames licked the edges of the iron woks. Xiangling darted between the different stations of her makeshift mountaintop kitchen, completely oblivious to the beads of sweat gathering at her temples. Her face glowed with the radiant heat of the fire and the pure, unadulterated thrill of her craft.
Mr. Zhongli had promised her a top-grade hindquarter from this extraordinary beast!
She could barely even fathom the sheer, exquisite quality of the ham it would produce once properly cured. That single promise filled her with an explosive, boundless motivation. She silently vowed to extract every last drop of potential from this unmatched ingredient.
A short distance away, away from the grease and roaring fires, Zhongli had located a smooth stone platform offering a commanding view of the landscape. With his usual unhurried grace, he arranged an antique tea set across the rock.
Mountain spring water bubbled and gurgled merrily inside a small red clay stove.
He produced a plain, unadorned white porcelain jar. Inside rested the Keemun Black Tea he had acquired from the system lottery.
While it was not the renowned Qiaoying Village tea native to Teyvat, the leaves were tightly rolled, dark, and lustrous, covered in a fine golden fuzz. The moment the seal was broken, a subtle, sweet fragrance reminiscent of blooming flowers and rich honey drifted into the air, proving it to be a product of extraordinary quality.
Zhongli poured the boiling water into the gaiwan. The dark leaves immediately unfurled, dancing and tumbling through the clear liquid. Within seconds, the water transformed into a brilliant, translucent crimson, catching the light like liquid amber.
A warm, mellow, and distinctly fruity-sweet aroma rose with the steam, drifting over to mingle with the heavy, savory scent of roasted meat. Against all odds, the two contrasting smells created a strangely harmonious blend.
With practiced elegance, Zhongli poured the brew, sliding a small cup of the bright red tea across the stone table toward Azhdaha.
He then lifted his own cup, bringing it close to his face. He closed his eyes, gently inhaling the steam, taking a quiet moment to savor the unique, complex fragrance of the Keemun leaves.
Azhdaha sat down heavily, his massive frame settling onto the rock. He snatched up the delicate teacup with thick fingers. Mimicking Zhongli, he gave it a quick sniff, but completely ignored the scalding temperature. He simply tilted his head back and downed the entire cup in a single, loud gulp, drinking the refined tea with the exact same rough bravado one might use to throw back a bowl of cheap, burning liquor.
The boiling liquid hit the back of his throat. For a split second, it burned, but that sharp heat rapidly dissolved into a soothing, spreading warmth. The flavor was incredibly mellow and fresh. That distinct, honey-sweet fragrance coated his tongue and lingered in his mouth, leaving a long, satisfying aftertaste that provided a completely different kind of enjoyment compared to his usual drinks.
The two ancient beings sat in comfortable silence, sipping black tea from another world while their gazes drifted out toward the distant horizon.
Far below them stretched Liyue Harbor. It was a city that had weathered thousands of years of wind, frost, and divine conflict, yet it stood more prosperous than ever. A thousand ships gathered in the harbor, their sails catching the coastal wind. The chaotic, bustling noise of the mortal markets drifted up to the peak, softened by the extreme distance into a gentle, vibrant hum of life.
From this vantage point, the city unfurled like a massive, living scroll depicting a golden age.
As Azhdaha stared down at the sprawling harbor, the dark, festering resentment that had clouded his mind for centuries—the bitter anger born from guarding an empty, forgotten cavern—began to quietly melt away.
A heavy, complex emotion swelled in his chest, a mixture of deep pride and deep relief.
This was the very land he, Morax, the adepti, the yakshas, and countless mortal heroes had bled for. This was the sanctuary they had fought brutal, world-shattering battles to protect, guarding it tirelessly across the millennia.
Overlooking the harbor from the clouds, its sheer magnificence and unyielding vitality struck him harder than any physical blow.
This flourishing, breathing world, built upon the backs of countless generations, was far more intoxicating than the finest wine.
Azhdaha eventually pulled his gaze away from the glittering city, his eyes casually drifting back toward the chaotic kitchen area.
Xiangling was entirely absorbed in tossing a massive wok, her movements sharp, precise, and bursting with youthful energy.
Beside her, the round, endearingly clumsy yellow bear was puffing out his belly, making soft, rhythmic noises as he blasted a steady stream of intense fire over a thick slab of meat.
At first, Azhdaha had merely thought of the little creature as an amusing helper with surprisingly potent flames.
But as he continued to watch, his thick brows slowly drew together. A faint, nagging sense of familiarity began to scratch at the back of his mind.
Those flames... they were not ordinary fire. He felt a strange certainty that he had seen that exact shade of gold and red before. And the way the little bear occasionally adjusted the temperature with absolute, effortless precision seemed completely at odds with his dopey, innocent appearance.
"Hey, Morax..." Azhdaha muttered, leaning over to nudge the calmly sipping Zhongli with his elbow. He jerked his chin toward the cooking fire.
"That fire-breathing little bear... he is quite interesting. Why do I feel a trace of an old friend's aura on him? Is it just my imagination playing tricks on me?"
His gruff voice carried a rare note of confusion and uncertainty. The small, fuzzy creature currently roasting pork looked absolutely nothing like the towering figure he remembered from the ancient past.
Zhongli's hand paused halfway to his mouth. He lowered the teacup, his golden eyes shifting toward Guoba, who was still working diligently beside the wok. A fleeting, imperceptible look of nostalgia softened the former Archon's gaze.
He did not answer Azhdaha directly. Instead, he replied with a quiet question of his own.
"Azhdaha, do you still remember the end of the Archon War? Do you remember the God of the Stove, who, to ensure the people of Liyue would always be fed and clothed, exhausted his own divine power? He scattered his wisdom and strength into the very soil and rivers of this land, and as a result of that immense sacrifice, his form and mind were greatly diminished..."
"Marchosius?!" Azhdaha's eyes snapped wide open, bulging like massive brass bells.
He whipped his head around, staring in absolute, unvarnished disbelief at the fuzzy little bear who was currently huffing and puffing out small bursts of flame, occasionally pausing to hand Xiangling a jar of salt.
The floodgates of his ancient memory shattered.
Buried images rushed to the surface—the once towering, majestic God of the Stove, Marchosius, who commanded the hearth fires of humanity and fought shoulder-to-shoulder with him and Morax on the blood-soaked battlefields of old.
That imposing figure, radiating a warm, overwhelming power, clashed violently with the image of this endearing, clumsy little bear struggling to keep a cooking fire steady. The sheer, staggering disparity left the ancient dragon completely speechless.
"He... he is Marchosius?!" Azhdaha's voice came out dry, trembling with shock. "How... how could he become like this?!"
The immense revelation caused him to completely forget his volume. His booming voice echoed across the peak, causing both Xiangling and Guoba to stop their cooking and look over in confusion.
Azhdaha quickly slapped a hand over his mouth, coughing awkwardly before waving his other hand at the pair, signaling that everything was fine.
Zhongli gave a slow, gentle nod. His gaze remained softly fixed on Guoba, watching the little bear bounce happily as Xiangling patted his head in praise.
"Indeed, it is our old friend Marchosius. After the Archon War drew to a close, the people of Liyue were ravaged by disaster. To help them rebuild their homes and their lives, he willingly surrendered his power and his intellect to the land, nourishing the earth and ensuring the hearth fires of humanity would burn eternal."
"His divine power was drained, his physical form regressed, and his memories faded away. Now, he goes by the name 'Guoba.' He is the loyal companion of that child, Xiangling, and an irreplaceable part of the Wanmin Restaurant."
Zhongli's tone was perfectly calm and unruffled, speaking as if this were simply the natural order of the world. Yet, beneath that steady voice lay a deep, quiet respect for his old friend's ultimate sacrifice.
"Look at him..." Zhongli murmured, the corners of his lips curving into a faint, but entirely genuine smile.
"Although he no longer possesses his world-shaking power or his ancient memories, his inherent desire to protect humanity, to bring them joy through warm food, remains completely untouched. He accompanies Xiangling, wandering through the bustling streets and lively alleys, tasting all the flavors the mortal world has to offer, entirely carefree."
"Is this not its own form of fulfillment? To lay down the heavy burdens of godhood, to return to the simple and ordinary, and to finally find freedom. That smile he wears now... it is his truest form."
[Inorin's Note:
Enjoying the story? Dropping a quick review, comment, or Power Stone means the world to me and keeps these daily updates flowing!
Want to read 50 chapters ahead or just want to help keep a shameless translator alive? (My livelihood actually depends on this, haha 😭). You can support me directly here:
(P.S. Just remove the brackets and replace the [.] with a regular dot . to use the links!)
✨ Patreon (50 Advanced Chapters): patreon[.]com/InorinTL
☕ Ko-fi (Support / Sponsor): ko-fi[.]com/InorinTL
Thank you so much for reading and keeping this project alive!]