Demon hunter's Cooking Manual

"Master Mu, do you know the nine great masters of the world?"

Cui Longnu did not answer directly, but instead countered with a question.

"Is it 'The Emperor, the Dual Absolutes, the Three Immortals, the Four Buddhas, the Five Demons, the Six Monsters, the Seven Kings, the Eight Monarchs'?"

Jason answered.

"Yes."

Cui Longnu looked at Jason in surprise.

Originally, she thought that a rural dojo master, who had only ever been as far as a small place like 'Mountain City', couldn't possibly know about the truly significant martial arts masters, even if he was quite capable.

In fact, this had nothing to do with the strength Jason displayed.

It only had to do with vision!

Or rather, the environment.

'Could Mu Bai have other sources of information?'

Cui Longnu thought instinctively.

Then, she suddenly found it reasonable.

She recalled how Xu Dashan described Mu Bai: This Master Mu not only had fortuitous encounters but also possessed influence, though the specifics were unknown, it appeared to be elite mainly composed of martial artists.

'Is he another ambitious person like my father?'

Cui Longnu pondered, sighing softly in her heart.

But she merely sighed, saying no more.

Everyone has their own choices.

Everyone also has their own freedom.

No one can interfere with others.

Moreover, she couldn't even persuade her own father, let alone intervene in the relationship that was merely 'a meeting by chance' with this Master Mu.

Speaking deeply with shallow acquaintance, what could be the consequence?

Cui Longnu was very clear about it.

Moreover, she 'needed help from others.'

"Master Mu, since you know of these nine masters, have you ever heard of the 'Son of Heaven's Dragon Fist', 'Heaven-Shifting Earth-Hitting Technique', 'Withered Lotus Sword Technique'?"

Cui Longnu continued to ask.

"I have not."

Jason shook his head honestly.

"The 'Son of Heaven's Dragon Fist' is the martial technique of the Emperor of the Empire; one punch changes the colors of heaven and earth, dragon shadows rise, as if it were doomsday."

"The 'Heaven-Shifting Earth-Hitting Technique' is the unparalleled skill of those two Dual Absolutes, who together can change the heavens and earth, with oceans turning into mulberry fields in an instant."

"The 'Withered Lotus Sword Technique' is the ultimate skill of the 'Sword Immortal', one sword strike like late autumn arriving, enveloping winter shadows, dimming the world."

"These three ultimate skills can all achieve the apocalyptic scene Master Mu spoke of, and in fact, the latter two can create a twilight-like phenomenon."

Spoke Cui Longnu.

"The 'Heaven-Shifting Earth-Hitting Technique' and the 'Withered Lotus Sword Technique', huh?"

Jason mused.

According to Cui Longnu, these two ultimate skills could both achieve a 'twilight' effect.

They met his requirements.

But to acquire such ultimate skills, the difficulty is likely to be extremely high.

It could only be pursued gradually.

After a moment of thought, Jason silently noted these two ultimate skills, then he asked: "What about the ultimate skills of the remaining masters?"

"The Four Buddhas refer to the 'Joyous Buddha', who cultivates the miraculous 'Joyous Zen' skill."

"The Five Demons are the 'Blood Demon', whose cultivation technique's origin is unknown, but he claims it to be the 'Blood Sea Demon Technique'."

"The Six Monsters call themselves 'Heavenly Monster', most peculiarly, their cultivation is known as the 'Immortal Wandering Scripture'."

"The Seven Kings, 'Carefree King', whose martial arts lineage is shared with the Emperor, is also the 'Son of Heaven's Dragon Fist', but its power is far inferior to his brother's."

"The Eight Monarchs are the 'Knife Monarch', who created the blade technique 'Tyrant Blade', under which ordinary people would leave no bones, very terrifying."

Cui Longnu recited each, a range of emotions like admiration and fear surfacing with each mention.

After Jason recited these masters' ultimate skills in his mind, he continued to ask.

"Do they have any animosity among them?"

"Of course they do!"

"The martial world itself is a place where animosity gathers. Among the nine masters, this is made evident to the fullest extent!"

"Though 'The Emperor' now stands above and apart from mundane affairs, focusing on cultivation, he had once killed the mentor of the 'Joyous Buddha'. And the 'Blood Demon' and 'Heavenly Monster' continuously contend against each other, while the 'Knife Monarch' has an agreement with the 'Carefree King' to duel once every three years. The 'Sword Immortal' seems carefree, but being from the 'Northern Li Family', naturally he can't remain uninvolved. Whenever the 'Northern Li Family' encounters issues, this 'Sword Immortal' will step forward."

"As for the 'Dual Absolutes'?"

"Their actions are unpredictable, entirely based on personal whims. It is rumored that they are a couple who once roamed the martial world fearlessly, then disappeared mysteriously for sixteen years, supposedly because 'The Emperor' injured them severely, forcing them to recuperate for all that time. Recently, they've become active in the martial world again, evidently ready to seek revenge."

Cui Longnu lives up to being the daughter of 'Great Dragon Head' Cui Longwang, her knowledge of certain secrets of the martial world is crystal clear.

Jason listened with deep contemplation.

Dou Bao was listening with great interest.

Seeing Jason was deep in thought and without intention to speak, Dou Bao couldn't resist asking.

"Who decided on these nine great masters?"

"It's the people of the world!"

"No one ranked them, nor could anyone define them. These nine masters have fought their way to being recognized as the nine great masters through repeated battles."

"No Bai Xiaosheng?"

"How could there be?!"

"When a martial artist is angered, blood spills within five steps. No martial artist would allow others to rank them, unless that person is stronger, and in the Empire, the only one qualified to be Bai Xiaosheng would be 'The Emperor'!"

"As for others?"

"Attempting such a thing is seeking death."

"But 'The Emperor' removed himself from worldly affairs long ago, why would he partake in such a dull endeavor?"

"I see."

Dou Bao was visibly disappointed.

Previously, she'd often heard storytellers mention 'Bai Xiaosheng' in inns and taverns.

She thought the real martial world would have a 'Bai Xiaosheng' too.