Page 449 of Doted By The Regent King

On this journey, Wufu, accompanied by both her master and servants, made up a party of four, whereas Ah Jiu’s side had openly ten people, not counting those hidden in the shadows.

After settling in, everyone sat around the fire at the village’s Earth God Temple. Su Luo took three guards out to see if they could hunt some game in the mountains. Although they had dried provisions, in such cold weather, it was always better to have something fresh.

Normally, Wufu would have gone with them, but now that others were doing the heavy lifting, she was happy to take advantage and enjoy the benefits.

Xiao Li, along with Liu Jin, prepared the dried food and tea. Ah Jiu glanced at the two young ones and said, "With only these two youngsters by your side, things won’t get done properly."

A young lady venturing out should prepare for more than just a single cloak; this was considered a lack of thorough planning.

Wufu replied, "Ninth Master, it’s only now that I have two youngsters to serve me. In the past, I had to take care of everything myself. People should be content with what they have."

"The ones by your side must be useful, otherwise, it’s better not to have them at all, as they just hold you back," Ah Jiu said with a slightly heightened voice.

Hongyu and Liu Jin overheard from not too far away. The two were visibly shaken, their eyes filled with fear, and they became even more cautious and careful not to speak too much.

Xiao Li then said, "The master is right, you two did not think things through."

Wufu was very protective of her own and, seeing that her attendants could not retort, snorted and said, "One should eat bite by bite, walk step by step. I don’t expect my people to reach the heavens in one jump; as long as there’s progress from yesterday, that’s good enough.

So, Xiao Li, you mean to say by following your master, you’ve learned to ascend to the heavens or hide in the ground? "

Ah Jiu and his servants were taken aback.

Xiao Li looked at his master and said with a grin, "Of course not. Xiao Li also started with the basics, practicing skills every day in order to stay longer by the master’s side."

Wufu looked at Ah Jiu, as if to say, see, everyone goes through the same process.

Ah Jiu couldn’t help but laugh and said, "They are too young; they always need an older one ahead, to think things through for you."

"Such a person must be loyal, capable, and listen to me. Such traits are not easily found," Wufu said. "Ninth Master, no matter how capable one is, if they don’t listen to you, you can’t win them over."

"Then can’t you make them obey you with your own capabilities?" Ah Jiu raised an eyebrow.

"Again, such things depend on fate and destiny," Wufu said with feigned profundity.

Ah Jiu rolled her eyes at her.

During their conversation, Su Luo and the guards returned, bringing in good luck—a wild goat and two pheasants.

Wufu’s mouth watered at the sight, and she gave Su Luo a thumbs-up. In such icy and snowy conditions, to be able to hunt was indeed a skill.

Su Luo smiled and instructed the guards to process the game. Without water, they used snow to clean it.

Once Wufu found out they had brought all the necessary ingredients, she rolled up her sleeves and roasted a whole sheep herself, as well as prepared two beggar’s chickens.

When the meat turned golden brown, Xiao Li, as if by magic, produced some wine. Everyone ate meat and drank wine to their heart’s content, feeling greasy-lipped and warm all over.

Shasha shasha.

The sound of footsteps on snow was heard. Su Luo and two guards leapt up and quickly went to the door, while Xiao Li and Yuan Ye spontaneously flanked Ah Jiu on both sides.

Seeing the commotion, Wufu raised an eyebrow and leisurely gnawed on a chicken leg, but her eyes were fixed on the temple’s doorway.

Four snow-covered figures approached the door, hesitated briefly upon detecting Su Luo and her company behind it, but the burly leading man, upon seeing Wufu, hesitated only a moment before stepping inside.