Chapter 22 - The Immortal Chef-Chapter22

🌪️ Chapter 22: The Truth Behind Lu Zhen's Eyes

(The crowd thickens around the young boy, their voices a mix of anger and suspicion. The guards from the Jie family grip him tightly, their armor gleaming under the fading mountain sun. The boy's clothes are tattered, dust-covered, and his eyes flicker with fear—but there's something else, something strange, that catches Xiao Feng's attention.)

🔊 Jie Family Guard (sneering):

— "Thief! Trying to sneak into the royal food storage. He deserves death!"

(The boy gasps, struggling to speak.)

🧒 Young Boy (breathless, desperate):

— "I… I was just hungry… I only wanted a bite…"

(A stone suddenly flies from the crowd, thrown with harsh intent, but a commanding voice cuts through the chaos.)

🔊 Xiao Feng (shouting):

— "Stop! That boy… he's my apprentice!"

(The crowd's murmurs turn to stunned silence. Even the guards hesitate, turning their heads toward Xiao Feng.)

🐶 Guo Lang (half-shouting):

— "What? Your apprentice? When did you even see him?"

🔊 Xilià (narrowing her eyes):

— "Look into his eyes… there's something there. Something familiar."

🔊 Jie Guard Captain (growling):

— "Do you have proof? What's his name?"

(Xiao Feng kneels beside the boy, locking eyes with him.)

🔊 Xiao Feng (calm but firm):

— "His name is Lu Zhen. Believe it or not, he's my apprentice. And my proof is right here—he's alive because of what he can do with a cooking knife."

(Guo Lang rummages through his bag and pulls out a dry piece of bread, thrusting it into Lu Zhen's trembling hands.)

🐶 Guo Lang:

— "Eat! Do something, fast!"

(Lu Zhen's hands shake, but he takes a small bite. The faint aroma of freshly baked bread and spices slowly fills the air, softening the tense atmosphere.)

👵 Old Woman from the Crowd (softly):

— "That scent… it's the taste of life itself…"

🔊 Jie Guard Captain (hesitant):

— "Fine. Let him go—for now. But he's under our watch."

(The guards reluctantly step back, dispersing the crowd little by little.)

🔊 Xiao Feng (quietly, to Lu Zhen):

— "Now that you're safe, tell me the truth. Who are you really?"

🧒 Lu Zhen (voice hoarse and low):

— "I'm searching for a truth far greater than food. Something the Jie family doesn't want anyone to know…"

(The thickening mist of the mountain town snakes through the cobblestone streets. Shadowy figures begin to emerge from dark alleys. A chilling wind whispers secrets of betrayal and danger.)

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🔥 End of Chapter 22