Chapter 00052: Can a Madman Roast Meat
# Can a Madman Roast Meat?
Chapter 52
Novel: After the Immortals Disappeared
Chapter 52: Can a Madman Roast Meat?
He Lingchuan frowned, "What do you mean?"
"When you eat roast chicken, do you start with the legs and wings or the breast?"
"Of course, the legs! If I don't eat them, someone else will snatch them."
Back in the men's dormitory, grabbing food was like a tale of hungry wolves.
But He Lingchuan quickly caught on, "Are you saying they were eaten by someone?"
Mao Tao picked up another bone from the ground, "There are burn marks here."
Not only were they eaten, but they were also roasted.
He Lingchuan felt his stomach churn.
Every time he thought he had adapted to this world, it pushed his limits again.
"Have they gone mad? Why would they eat their companions?"
"They're not mad," Nian Songyu flipped over a few broken bones, half of them charred, "Have you ever seen a madman who can set up a fire and roast meat?"
Mao Tao also sighed, "Young master, when people eat each other, it's usually because they're starving."
This world is rarely peaceful.
In times of famine, people sell their children today and their wives tomorrow, even resorting to exchanging children to eat.
In times of war, it's common for armies to take civilians as food reserves, calling them "two-legged sheep."
There are even generals who write books on which parts of the human body are tasty and how to cook them.
Cannibalism has existed since ancient times and still persists today.
"There's no water or food here; they were trapped until they died!" Nian Songyu looked at Sun Fuping, "Grand Tutor, what should we do?"
This Panlong City looks prosperous, but living people can't take anything from here.
Staying too long, one would either die of thirst or starvation.
If they can't find the Great Square Pot, they'll end up like the Balin Kingdom's team!
Sun Fuping remained calm, "No worries, let's keep looking. Don't forget we still have something to rely on."
He was indeed composed, maintaining his high-and-mighty demeanor.
The old man must have some trump card, which is probably why Nian Songyu dared to follow him on this risky adventure.
He Lingchuan kept a close eye on the two, noticing that Nian Songyu glanced at him after hearing Sun Fuping's words.
It was a subconscious glance, and Nian Songyu quickly looked away, acting as if nothing happened.
But He Lingchuan's alarm bells rang loudly, "Why look at me? Could this life-saving method have something to do with me?"
The thought made his heart skip a beat.
But then he reconsidered, it's not the final moment yet, Sun Fuping probably wouldn't reveal his cards immediately.
With just him and Mao Tao, there's no way they could stand against Sun and Nian.
He Lingchuan decided that if these two made a move, he would turn and run without a second thought.
The Panlong Wilderness is vast; they might not find him.
But for now, the hope of success still lies with Sun Fuping.
He Lingchuan could almost smell the impending crisis, and his mind was sharper than usual, "They resorted to cannibalism, so they must have been here for a long time. Didn't they figure something out? If we can find it, it could save us a lot of trouble."
He walked over to two large vats, where many miscellaneous items were thrown, unlike what you'd find in an ice cellar.
This made a lot of sense.
Sun Fuping and Nian Songyu exchanged glances and nodded.
The clothes and rags on the ground were almost done, and there were a few empty bottles and various other items.
The four could confirm these were relics of the Balin expedition, but after rummaging through, they found nothing useful.
Sun Fuping wasn't discouraged.
He stood up and said, "This cellar is just for discarding leftover bones. The people who ate them aren't here. Let's split up and search. You and Captain Nian will be a team," he pointed at Mao Tao.
"And I'll team up with Young Master He."
He Lingchuan's eyes flickered, "Why not split into four groups? More hands would make the search easier."
"There might be unknown dangers in the city; it's not safe to split up," Sun Fuping said.
After that, Nian Songyu took Mao Tao and left.
Are they afraid I'll find a place to hide alone? He Lingchuan became more certain that these two were plotting against him, but he still had to be respectful to Sun Fuping, "Grand Tutor, after you."
...
Walking on the empty streets, He Lingchuan couldn't help but ask Sun Fuping:
"Even if we find the Great Square Pot, can it really turn the tide and quell the rebellion at Woling Pass?"
"Theoretically, yes. Otherwise, why would we go through so much trouble?" Sun Fuping walked quickly, indicating there was no target on this path.
"If it's so useful, why didn't Zhong Shengguang use it to fight back to the Western Luo Kingdom?" This question had been on He Lingchuan's mind for a long time, "Instead, he and the citizens stayed in this enclave until they were surrounded and died."
"Such divine artifacts often have many usage restrictions, or perhaps the deity who bestowed the treasure had other plans back then."
"What if we can't overcome these restrictions either?"
"No need for you to worry," Sun Fuping said confidently, "As long as we find the Great Square Pot, I have a way to break through the restrictions."
He Lingchuan was skeptical.
The old man had never seen the Great Square Pot and didn't know what restrictions it had, yet he was so sure he could solve it? It's like a doctor prescribing medicine without even seeing the patient, just asking about symptoms without checking the pulse or understanding the background.
And he said "break through," which sounded like forcibly removing the restrictions.
Yet the old man didn't seem the least bit worried.
Sun Fuping glanced at him, and He Lingchuan said, "Once we retrieve the Great Square Pot, my father and I can return to the capital. We'll need the Grand Tutor's guidance then."
Sun Fuping smiled, "Of course. You've helped me retrieve the divine artifact; your contribution is immense."
"Captain Nian seems to have some... misunderstandings with me," He Lingchuan coughed lightly, "Did I offend him somehow?"
"Governor Xun led troops to suppress the rebellion, and Captain Nian might be a bit concerned," Sun Fuping casually comforted, "Young people are impatient. A few sleepless nights can make them irritable."
He Lingchuan felt a bit embarrassed, "Could the Grand Tutor mediate between us?"
Has this kid finally learned to be respectful? But his fear is justified.
First, He Chunhua and the Blackwater City army aren't here; his usual support is gone.
Second, the He family has always dreamed of returning to the capital in glory.
In such a place, a minor official wouldn't dare offend the Northern Expedition General.
It's time to bow and scrape, carefully building a good relationship with them.
Thinking this, Sun Fuping smiled even more warmly, "It's a small matter."
He Lingchuan expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Grand Tutor!"
By now, the two had walked dozens of feet away from the Chen residence, still finding nothing.
He Lingchuan jumped onto a rooftop, looking around while muttering, "If I were from Balin, starving and thirsty, where would I go to try my luck?"
He also needed some luck.
Otherwise, if they were trapped here too long, once Sun and Nian ran out of food and water, they might start eyeing him and Mao Tao as snacks.
If it came to that, the one to strike might be Grand Tutor Sun.
Despite his kind appearance.
No, they would act early.
After all, dry rations last longer, but flesh doesn't.
It's more logical to eat the flesh first and then the dry rations, especially since meat is tastier, tenderer, and more nutritious...
(End of Chapter)