Just as Ye Chui connected with the chubby maid and accepted the task of escorting Windsor to meet Cass, in the lord’s mansion, outside Windsor’s bedroom, a handsome young man was smiling broadly, speaking to someone behind the door.
The young man, around seventeen or eighteen, wore splendid armour, exuding a majestic aura. He was none other than the fourth prince of the Star Empire.
The adventure to the Gods’ Ruins was about to begin, and he had promised to bring back the most precious item from the journey as a wedding gift for Windsor. Before departing, he wanted to bid her a final farewell, expressing his deep affection.
Several maids stood at a distance, giggling with infatuation, whispering about the prince’s striking looks and charm, remarking how fortunate Miss Windsor was.
In the courtyard outside, a few individuals who would join the fourth prince on the adventure gathered. Some were his personal guards, others were skilled recruits recently enlisted. Among them was a mysterious swordsman clad entirely in armour, pacing restlessly, his eyes occasionally darting towards the bedroom.
At such a moment, every adventurer had reasons for nervousness, but the armoured swordsman’s unease seemed to stem from something else entirely.
The fourth prince had spoken at length, but from the bedroom came only a few hurried “mm, mm, mm” sounds. His voice paused, then, with a hint of pleading, he asked, “Miss Windsor, may I see you before I leave for the adventure?”
“Mm, mm, mm, mm…”
“Is that a yes?” The prince’s face lit up. The incessant “mm” sounds from the room were somewhat odd, but he attributed them to Miss Windsor’s shyness. Overjoyed, he pushed open the bedroom door and stepped inside. Then… why were there clothes scattered on the floor?
They looked like the garments Windsor usually wore.
Scanning the room in surprise, the prince’s gaze soon fixed on the bed. A blanket was spread out, clearly covering a wriggling figure. His breath caught as he noticed half a leg protruding from beneath, unmistakably a woman’s leg, bare.
“Mm, mm, mm, mm…” The woman’s voice under the blanket continued, rapid and urgent.
The prince swallowed hard, thinking, surely not. In his mind, Windsor was gentle, refined, and poised. Could she be so bold, knowing he was about to embark on a perilous adventure, to send him off in such a manner?
As a royal prince, he was no stranger to feminine allure and wasn’t overly enthralled by it. Yet, in this moment, his heart raced wildly. He hurriedly closed the bedroom door, his usual dignity giving way to eagerness. Rushing to the bedside, with half an hour left before the adventure began, there was just enough time.
“Oh, Miss Windsor, my love, I will carry your gift and bring back the most precious treasure from the ruins for you… ah!”
With such flamboyant words, the prince flung back the blanket, expecting a delightful sight. Instead, he was met with a dark, wrinkled old face.
It was the nanny’s face, filled with terror, her mouth stuffed, her expression grotesquely contorted. Her clothes were nearly stripped, her body tightly bound with ropes, allowing only muffled “mm, mm, mm” sounds as she struggled.
The prince, horrified, let out a scream like a slaughtered pig, collapsing onto the floor, pointing at the bed, speechless. “You, you…”
He felt this moment would haunt him forever when facing beautiful women.
Guards and maids rushed in upon hearing the scream. The armoured swordsman was the first to charge in, pausing at the sight of the nanny, his hoarse voice asking, “Your Highness, what’s happened?”
A maid hurried to the bed, removing the gag from the nanny’s mouth. “Where is Miss Windsor?”
“Miss Windsor knocked me out, took my clothes, and used a magical item to disguise herself. She’s escaping in my guise. Hurry, catch her!” the nanny shouted frantically.
“She’s escaping!?”
The prince, realising what had happened, was furious.
He had heard rumours that Windsor’s heart belonged to another, that she didn’t want to marry him, and had even tried to escape before, only to be caught by Lord Kevin. He had dismissed these as mere gossip, but now, as he prepared to venture to the Gods’ Ruins for her, she had staged an escape.
“That wretched woman, bring her back!” the prince roared, ready to pursue her himself.
The mysterious armoured swordsman quickly restrained him. “Your Highness, the teleportation token is about to activate. We shouldn’t be distracted. I’ve heard this isn’t Miss Windsor’s first escapade. Rest assured, Lord Kevin will soon have her back.”
The prince hesitated, then suppressed his rage, pulling out the teleportation token. “When I return from the Gods’ Ruins, I’ll make that wretched woman pay!” he snapped at the guards and maids. “What are you standing there for? Go after her! I want her standing before me when I return! Do you hear me?”
Though the prince appeared approachable, he was volatile. The terrified guards and maids scattered.
The armoured swordsman seemed to quietly sigh in relief, glancing towards the mansion’s gate, his eyes behind the armour holding a faint hope: My love, you must escape…
In the kitchen, the chef competition had reached a fever pitch. Ye Chui’s Buddha Jumps Over the Wall was nearly complete, its rich aroma overpowering the dishes of the other three chefs, filling the kitchen with an enchanting scent. All eyes turned to Ye Chui, mouths watering.
The other chefs were highly skilled, but Ye Chui’s culinary prowess was unmatched.
He had stopped casting the Flame Serpent spell, and the Food God background music had ceased to conserve magic.
He, Debbie, Green, and Lesha whispered about their next moves, planning how to spirit Windsor out of the city and ensure her safe departure with Cass.
Escorting Windsor was a daunting task. They had only hoped to get close to her, but her own escape plan, coincidentally involving Ye Chui’s guild, had made things easier for them.
“We need chaos to slip away,” Ye Chui said softly, his eyes glinting.
“How do we create chaos?” Debbie asked, puzzled.
“I’ve got a plan.”
Ye Chui smirked, glancing at the steaming Buddha Jumps Over the Wall pot. Before he could elaborate, a group of guards stormed into the kitchen, roughly knocking over a servant carrying a bucket, water spilling everywhere.
Everyone in the kitchen turned in shock. Guards rarely entered the kitchen.
The head chef approached, alarmed. “What are you doing?”
“Miss Windsor is missing. We’re searching here!” a guard announced coldly. “Nobody move!”
“What!?” The head chef was stunned.
Ye Chui’s group exchanged quick glances. Windsor’s disappearance had been discovered sooner than expected. Acting swiftly, Ye Chui summoned his iPad grimoire, casting a wind spell. With a bang, the lid of the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall pot flew off, releasing an even more intoxicating aroma.
The scent, unlike anything in this world, drew every gaze. Even the guards, poised to search, turned, captivated.
The dish’s name, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, implied even a monk would leap a wall for its flavour. Ye Chui’s magically enhanced version, amplified by his wind spell, was irresistible. Many in the room wore entranced expressions.
The head chef, distracted from the guards, turned, forgetting his duties after twenty years of service. This was a primal temptation.
The guards, surprised, murmured, “What’s that smell? It’s incredible!”
“You’ve worked hard, gentlemen. This is a delicacy from a mysterious Eastern land. You’ve arrived just as it’s finished. Why not try it?” Ye Chui called out loudly.
“We have urgent business…” a guard began.
Another interrupted, pulling him back. “This chef’s renowned. His meatballs won Miss Windsor’s heart. Let’s humour him and taste it.” He swallowed hard.
“It won’t take long,” the others agreed, tempted.
Even the reluctant guard relented, curious about the Eastern dish.
The guards crowded around Ye Chui’s station, joined by other chefs and servants. Even the competing chefs abandoned their dishes. Lloyd craned his neck, eager to taste the beast-meat dish.
As people gathered, the scalding Buddha Jumps Over the Wall was ladled into bowls, its creamy broth and tender meat captivating all.
“By the Demon Emperor’s curse, I’ve never tasted anything this good!” a guard exclaimed.
“Serve me a bowl!”
“Can we try it too, sirs?”
The kitchen’s focus was entirely on the dish. In an era of black bread and stews, this Manchu-Han Imperial Feast-level delicacy was overwhelming.
Amid the chaos, Ye Chui, Debbie, Green, and Lesha slipped out. “This was my plan,” Ye Chui whispered. He had intended to use the dish to create a diversion. He beckoned to the chubby maid and Lesha, disguised as the nanny, and they hurried to the kitchen’s side door.
Through a side corridor, a small door to the street appeared.
But a guard stood there, assigned to watch the exit.
“Debbie, Green!” Ye Chui called urgently.
“Got it!” Debbie nodded, swiftly tossing a blue furball. “Meow!” Xiululu spread its limbs, latching onto the guard’s face. Debbie’s cat-throwing tactic was masterful.
As the guard struggled, a blue shimmer appeared behind him. Bang! A hand wielding a brick emerged, striking his head.
The guard collapsed limply.
“Well done,” Ye Chui nodded approvingly. Their strategy—Debbie distracting with Xiululu, Green attacking with the brick—had worked perfectly.
But…
“Mr. Ye Chui, that guard was bribed to let us pass,” the chubby maid panted.
“What?” Debbie, Ye Chui, and Green froze. Debbie, quick-witted, tucked Xiululu back into the portal, explaining, “We knew he was your man, so we knocked him out deliberately. Releasing the lord’s daughter is serious. If he’s injured, he avoids blame.”
Ye Chui and Green nodded vigorously. Exactly, that was the plan.
The chubby maid gasped, “So that’s why!”
Windsor, disguised as the nanny, looked at Debbie, Ye Chui, and Green with admiration. This magic guild was capable and experienced.
Lesha, however, was speechless. She knew her brother hadn’t planned that far ahead.
They reached the street, but danger lingered. A group suddenly charged from the side.
“You’re finally out!”
It was Abdul, leader of the Banyan Mercenary Guild, his face frantic. “Hand over the teleportation token you stole from Hakem. Time’s running out!”
The mercenaries couldn’t enter the lord’s mansion. Abdul had reported to the lord, seeking to negotiate with Ye Chui, but got no response. Spotting Ye Chui emerging from the side door, Hakem, by his side, recognised him instantly.
“Time’s running out?” Ye Chui’s heart sank. He pulled out the token, noticing its soft glow and gathering spatial magic.
Teleportation was imminent!
Ye Chui was stunned. “Wasn’t there a day left?”
“Give it to me!” Abdul roared, drawing his sword.
Clamour erupted from the side door. The guards, noticing Ye Chui’s group missing, were in pursuit.
Ye Chui glanced at the token, a grin forming. Caught between two sides, the token could whisk them to the ruins’ world. Only a fool would hand it over!
As chaos loomed on the street before the mansion’s side door, a familiar, duty-bound voice rang out. “What’s happening? I’m Godo, captain of the third guard! No trouble here!”
Hot-blooded chubby Godo charged in, having been patrolling nearby. Drawn by the aroma of Ye Chui’s dish, he stumbled upon Ye Chui’s group facing Abdul’s mercenaries. Duty-bound, he rushed to their side, shouting.
But seeing Ye Chui, his expression shifted. “It’s you…”
The teleportation token flared with intense white light, enveloping Ye Chui’s group.
One token could transport seven people.
Ye Chui, Debbie, Lesha, Green, Lesha, the chubby maid, and the chubby guard—exactly seven!
“Argh!”
Abdul roared in fury, swinging his sword in a powerful slash at the light. His attack missed, leaving a deep gash in the street. Ye Chui and his group had vanished.
