At the first light of dawn, when most sane people (in Li Fan's opinion) would still be asleep, he found himself climbing the stone steps to the Sect Master's residence. Each step was flanked by carved jade lotus lamps, and at the top stood an elegant pavilion with sweeping eaves. Li Fan tried not to yawn as he approached the guarded entrance.
Two stern female disciples outside eyed him warily. "State your business," one said. She was clearly a personal guard of the Sect Master, exuding a strong aura. Li Fan bowed politely. "Disciple Li Fan, summoned by Sect Master Yao."
They exchanged glances, then one disappeared inside briefly. Moments later, she returned and nodded. "Follow me. And watch your manners," she added sharply.
Li Fan was led through a beautiful courtyard with a small pond, early morning mist curling over it. He couldn't help but notice exotic fish swimming within and a cluster of lotuses giving off a gentle fragrance. They reached an open-air veranda where Sect Master Yao sat at a stone table, sipping tea. In daylight, she looked every bit the powerful leader: mid-40s, graceful yet imposing, streaks of silver in her hair that only made her look more distinguished.
"Li Fan, reporting as requested, Sect Master," he said, bowing deeply. He tried to recall everything Pang Wei had frantically told him about etiquette on the way over: don't speak unless asked, don't stare, definitely don't crack jokes.
Sect Master Yao gestured for him to stand. "At ease, child." Surprisingly, her voice was gentle with a trace of warmth, unlike the cold authority he expected. "Do you know why I've called you here?"
Li Fan straightened. "I assume it's about my behavior yesterday. I'm ready to accept any punishment, though I am grateful you intervened, Sect Master."
She chuckled softly. "If I intended to punish you, I'd have let Elder Hao barbecue you. No, I'm more interested in... other talents you displayed." Her gaze was penetrating yet kind. "That quick wittedness with spices, for one. And Elder Kang tells me you have a unique touch in the kitchen."
Li Fan felt a swell of pride (and hunger, recalling his fried rice). "I do enjoy cooking, Sect Master. It's kind of my passion... aside from pursuing the great Dao of immortality, of course," he added belatedly, remembering he should sound at least a bit interested in cultivation.
A ghost of a smile crossed Yao's lips. "Of course." She set down her teacup. "Tell me, Li Fan, have you heard of the Vermilion Bird?"
Li Fan blinked. "The sacred beast in sect legends? Yes, Sect Master. A great firebird guardian spirit of our sect's founders, right?" He vaguely remembered tales told in towns about how Azure Sky Sect had a mythical guardian bird.
Sect Master Yao inclined her head. "Very good. The Vermilion Bird is real, though few ever see it. It slumbers in the mountain forest nearby. It only appears in times of great need. However..." She paused, and for the first time Li Fan saw a hint of concern in her expression. "One of its offspring is in our care. A young Vermilion Bird, more of a Vermilion Chick perhaps. We call her Hongyan. She hatched a year ago and has been... difficult."
Li Fan listened, intrigued and a bit anxious where this was going. A baby Vermilion Bird? That sounded like either a great honor or a great way to get roasted to a crisp if something went wrong.
"Hongyan is proud and picky," the Sect Master continued. "She refuses most food we offer. The beast tamers tried everything. If she doesn't eat properly, her growth and power will wane. As sect master, I am responsible for her well-being, but she won't let any of us near her now."
At this, a loud squawk echoed from somewhere behind the residence, followed by some commotion. Li Fan saw a few disciples in the distance running and shouting "Careful! She's angry again!"
Sect Master Yao sighed. "Speak of the devil—er, bird." She stood. "I called you here, Li Fan, because I want to test a theory. Elder Kang reported how even a spirit ox was charmed by your cooking. And clearly, your dishes can have... profound effects on even us humans." She didn't elaborate, but Li Fan suspected Elder Kang had shared the midnight snack story with her.
"You want me to feed the Vermilion Chick?" Li Fan asked slowly, realization dawning.
Yao gave a slight nod. "It may be a fool's hope, but I'm at my wits' end. Hongyan has scorched every chef and refused every delicacy. Something tells me if anyone can tempt her appetite, it might be you." Her eyes sparkled with a mix of seriousness and humor. "After all, your stomach-led antics seem to be your own path. Perhaps that path can cross with Hongyan's."
Li Fan felt both honored and terrified. A sacred baby bird that even sect experts couldn't please, and now the task fell to him, an outer disciple whose claim to fame was turning a duel into a cooking show. But he couldn't exactly refuse the sect master. And a part of him was excited at the challenge—imagine feeding a mythical bird!
"I will do my best, Sect Master. I promise not to become extra-crispy fried Li Fan in the process," he said lightly. Immediately he worried he'd overstepped with humor, but Sect Master Yao actually laughed softly.
"Follow me, and do be careful with her. Hongyan can be moody." Yao led him around the veranda toward a rear garden that bordered the forest slope.
In a clearing stood a tall aviary-like enclosure, though the door hung open and partly charred. Perched atop the roof of the structure was Hongyan. She was about the size of a large swan, with downy scarlet feathers that shimmered like embers. Despite being young, she had a long graceful tail and a small crest of golden plumes. At the moment, she was screeching indignantly while a hapless beast-tamer disciple cowered behind a bush with singed robes.
"Easy, girl," cooed Sect Master Yao softly. Hongyan turned her head, sharp eyes glaring. Clearly, even she only partially respected the sect master. The bird clicked her beak and let out a grumbling squawk.
Li Fan noticed various dishes scattered on the ground near the enclosure: fruits, raw meat, strange glowing spiritual herbs, and even pastries. All untouched, except one bowl that had been tipped over, its contents charred black.
Yao gestured for others to stand back and motioned Li Fan forward. "Remember, try not to show fear. Be calm, let her catch your scent, then try offering something." The sect master herself stayed a couple of steps behind Li Fan, ready to intervene if necessary.
"Hello, uh, Miss Hongyan," Li Fan began softly, hands visible and nonthreatening. The fiery fledgling tilted her head, eyeing this new human curiously. Li Fan could feel the heat radiating from her feathers even at a distance. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple.
He crouched slowly to pick up a fruit—a spirit peach of some sort—and offered it on his palm. Hongyan gave it a disdainful glance and huffed, a little jet of flame puffing from her beak that incinerated the peach to ash. Li Fan gulped. "Not a peach fan, got it."
"Perhaps she finds it too raw. She likes things cooked, we think," Yao whispered.
Li Fan's mind whirled. A fire bird that likes cooked food... well, she could cook things herself given she breathes fire. Maybe she was just picky on taste. Time to improvise a recipe! He looked around: what ingredients were at hand? He saw the raw meat—some kind of spiritual deer meat, a basket of vegetables and grains, eggs of some large fowl, and a packet of spices maybe.
"Sect Master, may I use what's here to prepare something? She might be more receptive if the food is properly prepared."
Yao nodded. "Do as you need. If you require any particular ingredient, tell me; we likely have it in storage."
Li Fan rolled up his sleeves, heart pounding but focusing on the task. Cooking for a fiery mythical chicken, no pressure. He moved deliberately, as one might in presence of a skittish animal. He gathered a flat pan that lay among the dishes (likely an attempt at making something like an omelet earlier). He took the deer meat and sliced it thinly with a small knife, mixing it with some herbs in a bowl.
Hongyan watched him intently, neck craning. When he sliced the meat, she let out a cluck, flames flickering in her throat. Li Fan hoped that was curiosity, not anger.
Next, he cracked a couple of those large eggs into a separate bowl, whisking them. Perhaps a hearty omelet or frittata with meat? He found a bit of oil, and placed the pan on a flat stone. "Fire would help about now..." he muttered. Then louder, looking at the bird: "Hongyan, mind giving me a little flame here? Cook, cook?" He pantomimed flipping a pan.