19. Punishment

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"Greetings grandmaster!" Both Yu Zeng and Wei Shun said.

Zhou Zhihao slightly nodded at them.

"We were just practicing." Yu Zeng felt his heartbeat racing in his chest.

"I know." Zhou Zhihao walked towards them. His eyes were cold and every step he made had no sound.

Yu Zeng held Wei Shun's hand. The sky was getting darker and the branches of the withered trees were slowly swaying as the cold wind blew around them making the place looked eerie yet beautiful.

Zhou Zhihao stopped a step away in front of them and he looked at the child standing next to Yu Zeng and said, "You may leave."

How about me? Yu Zeng was crying inside. He took a step back and wanted to run.

Wei Shun looked at Yu Zeng. Although his heart and mind were in chaos, Yu Zeng tried to show a calm expression on his face. "You go ahead." He slightly smiled at the child.

Wei Shun walked towards the door but before he went out, he looked back and saw his big brother looking at him. Why is big brother's hand so cold. I hope he is okay. I should ask for help but to who? Just then, he remembered Heng Guiying, his big brother's friend.

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"Where did Yu Zeng go? We have been waiting for them." Ai Jin said while they were sitting on the grass, she was still holding the arms of Heng Guiying and Dong Fang.

"Maybe they won't come back. I think we should start practicing without them." Mei Shu coldly said. Bo Chang was sitting next to Heng Guiying and was silent the whole time while looking at how happy Ai Jin was sitting between the two most handsome men he knew.

"I will look for them." Heng Guiying intentionally stood so that, Ai Jin would let go of his arm.

You look good together. You should end up together. Heng Guiying looked at Dong Fang and Ai Jin sitting close to each other. "See you later." He said and walked away.

Heng Guiying was a few steps away from them when he saw Wei Shun running towards them. The child was gasping for breath when he arrived.

"Big brother Heng Guiying, big brother Yu Zeng is in trouble." Wei Shun worriedly said.

"Why? What happened? Where is he right now?" Heng Guiying tried to be calm as much as he could.

Wei Shun told Heng Guiying the location of Yu Zeng and with no hesitation, Heng Guiying rode on a rock leaving Wei Shun behind.

I don't have time to ask Wei Shun questions. Yu Zeng just what did you do? He wanted to bring Wei Shun but it could be dangerous.

"Big brother Guiying, please wait for us." Heng Guiying heard Wei Shun's voice and when he looked back he saw the villain carrying Wei Shun and they were riding on a ball of flame. The other disciples in the place looked at them strangely.

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"How did you know of this place?" Zhou Zhihao asked Yu Zeng indifferently.

Yu Zeng could almost hear his own heartbeat. "I just noticed a door slightly ajar and saw this place, grandmaster."

There was a long silence. Zhou Zhihao took a step closer towards him. Yu Zeng wanted to step back but it seemed like he was frozen in place due to fear.

"Very well. This should be the last time I see you here. This is a forbidden place but since it's your first time here. I'll let you off." The grandmaster looked at him with a stoic expression on his face.

Yu Zeng couldn't believe his luck. He slightly looked up to examine the face of Zhou Zhihao. This grandmaster is not only handsome but so kind ah. He doesn't look like 94 years old. He looks like in his 30's. Probably he doesn't want other disciples to be here in fear for that man with a mask would attack again. He is just worried about the safety of others. Yu Zeng couldn't help but smile while looking at his face which confused the grandmaster.

Why does this disciple look happy, he should be nervous. Never mind. "You may leave." Zhou Zhihao motioned towards the door.

Yu Zeng was about to walk away when his foot slipped on a pebble on the ground. He accidentally held the grandmaster's robe and drag him down with him.

The door suddenly opened. Heng Guiying and Dong Fang saw Yu Zeng on top of the grandmaster, Zhou Zhihao. Yu Zeng was clutching his robe tightly and they were both floating in midair. Heng Guiying and Yu Zeng rushed towards them. Wei Shun remained shocked by what he saw and stayed outside the door.

Zhou Zhihao immediately stood as nothing happened.

"I apologize grandmaster." Yu Zeng was still clutching his robe. He withdrew his hand and bowed. I am so dead.

"It's alright but as a punishment for being here in the forbidden part of the main sect, the three of you will prepare the meals for the other representatives during your remaining days here, starting today. This should be the last time I see you here in this place." Zhou Zhihao turned his back against them.

"You may all leave." The grandmaster said.

They slightly bowed and left.

"I deeply apologize." Yu Zeng said when they were outside. He looked at the protagonist and the villain with remorse. I even draw them to this mess.

"Big brother, are you alright?" Wei Shun asked.

"Yes, don't worry but your big brothers are given the task to prepare for the meals. So from now on, I can't accompany you with your practice." Yu Zeng touched the child's shoulder.

"I can help you big brother in preparing the meals." Wei Shun worriedly looked at Yu Zeng.

"It's alright, Wei Shun. You should focus on cultivating." He gently smiled at the child. I don't know how to cook well but I should not take Wei Shun's time to practice. Yu Zeng thought.

"Don't worry, Wei Shun. I will take care of him against an insect." Heng Guiying said while looking at Dong Fang who looked like not paying attention to what he said.

Insect? What does big brother Heng Guiying mean and why is he looking at big brother Dong Fang? Wei Shun wondered.

"See you later." Yu Zeng said to the child.

"Okay, big brother." Wei Shun hesitated to leave but he didn't want that his big brother Yu Zeng would dislike him for being disobedient.

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The grandmaster informed the disciples who were in charge of preparing the meals that Heng Guiying, Yu Zeng, and Dong Fang would now cook for the other representatives for the remaining days of their stay in the main sect.

This news immediately spread to the other disciples and many were excited. Ever since their match Heng Guiying and Dong Fang became famous, especially among the female disciples. They wanted to try the dishes they cooked but knew they couldn't as their dishes are only for the representatives.

The two disciples who were supposedly in charge of the meals led Yu Zeng, Heng Guiying, and Dong Fang towards the kitchen. Before they left, they taught them where to find the ingredients and the cooking utensils.

"So, what should we prepare for dinner?" Yu Zeng asked while looking at some of the ingredients. The place is so clean, I can't find any insects. What did Heng Guiying mean when he said, he would protect me against an insect?

"What do you like to eat?" Heng Guiying asked instead of answering.

"Anything." I only know how to cook fried food. Before transmigrating, I usually ate ready-made meals. It was always my dream to have a family of my own, a cute wife who can cook and we will cook together. Spending our days with laughter and joy.

Yu Zeng was so immersed in his daydream that he didn't notice the protagonist who was strangely looking at him. Yu Zeng was drawn back to reality when he heard the sound of chopping. They saw Dong Fang chopping some vegetables. "Let's make stir-fried vegetables." Dong Fang said.

Yu Zeng looked at how smooth the movements of Dong Fang were in cutting the carrots. Wow! His fingers are long and his nails are well-trimmed. He can also cut those veggies well.

Heng Guiying noticed how Yu Zeng focussed his attention on Dong Fang and decided to drag him to the other side of the room.

"Let's make some steamed buns." Heng Guiying said.

"I don't know how..." Yu Zeng looked at the bamboo steamers.

"It's alright, I'll teach you." He smiled at Yu Zeng showing his pearly white teeth and placed his hand on his shoulder.

Yu Zeng smiled at Heng Guiying. They didn't notice the sharp look the villain threw at them.

Heng Guiying and Yu Zeng started making the dough. While kneading the dough, Yu Zeng unconsciously compared the hands of Heng Guiying to the hands of Dong Fang. His hands look delicate and soft like there's a need to protect the owner of those hands while Dong Fang's hands look stronger yet soft; it was like wanting to be protected by those hands.

"This is perfect." Heng Guiying happily said distracting Yu Zeng from his thoughts. "Now let's prepare for the filling. Are you alright? Why are you always spacing out?" Heng Guiying asked with a worried expression on his face.

"I'm fine." Yu Zeng said.

"Can you chop the onions?" Heng Guiying asked.

Yu Zeng nodded and started chopping the onions when he felt his eyes become teary.

"Are you alright?" Heng Guiying who was holding some onions asked Yu Zeng.

"Let me see." Dong Fang approached them. He placed the large container he was holding on the table which was filled with finely chopped carrots and mushrooms.

"I'm alright." Yu Zeng took a step back while trying to keep the tears from falling. His face was so near to mine. Yu Zeng felt uncomfortable. His attention shifted to the large container filled with finely chopped vegetables Dong Fang placed on the table.

"Let's make vegetables steamed buns. I already chopped some of the ingredients. I will also help you choose the onions." Dong Fang looked at him.

"You said that you would make stir-fried vegetables. Why are you changing your mind now?" Heng Guiying tightened his grip on the knife he was holding. He couldn't help but feel annoyed towards the villain.

Yu Zeng felt the atmosphere in the room became heavier. If they start to fight, it would be bad.

"That sounds delicious. Okay, let's make vegetables steamed buns." Yu Zeng awkwardly smiled.

Does he like him more than me? Heng Guiying felt a sudden pang in his chest.

They started filling the flattened pieces of dough and pleated each of them.

"Wow! You are good Dong Fang!" Yu Zeng said when he saw the flower-shaped buns Dong Fang made.

Heng Guiying looked at the buns Dong Fang made with contempt and started to make buns with intricate designs that Yu Zeng noticed.

"Wow! You are also good, Guiying!" Yu Zeng couldn't help but envy their skills. They are so good. Their future partners will be so lucky. They are not only handsome and strong; they are also good at cooking.

After making the buns, they steamed them using the bamboo steamers. When the buns were already cooked, they carried it to the dining room where the representatives from the other sects were already sitting.

"Wow! These steamed buns look delicious!" Ai Jin who was sitting said loudly for both the villain and protagonist to hear.

"These are a lot of steamed buns." Zhou Zhihao arrived and said upon seeing the steamed buns on the table. "The leftovers will be eaten by the people who cooked them."

Yu Zeng broke out in a cold sweat.

(...to be continued.)

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... reviews are welcome! :)

Author's Notes:

"Don't worry, Wei Shun. I will take care of him against an insect." Heng Guiying said while looking at Dong Fang who looked like not paying attention to what he said.

Dong Fang: "..." Are you referring to yourself?

Spoiler for the next chapter:

Dong Fang placed the last remaining piece of the flower-shaped steamed bun on Yu Zeng's plate.

"For you."

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