Chapter 691 - 680: Victory Banquet
Chapter 691: Chapter 680: Victory Banquet
In the central plaza of Fungus Castle, beneath the large statue of Puki standing on dragon horns, tables are laden with delicious food and wine, forming a continuous array.
The oil from the roasted whole insect drips onto the charcoal grill, sizzling noisily, the aroma mingling with the scent of mushroom wine permeating the entire plaza.
The dwarves, bare-chested, compete in drinking with the soldiers of Fungus Castle, the wooden cups clattering loudly, and they didn’t bother wiping the beer foam splashed on their beards.
Someone began playing the accordion, and a few dwarves who drank too much started dancing to the tune, even pulling the Puki responsible for serving food into the dance.
Baroque even saw a drunken dwarf, muddled, leave the plaza together with Half-Demon Mushroom People showing clear signs of Enchanting Demon descent.
He sincerely hoped that fellow could still stand upright tomorrow, as they were supposed to return after tonight.
"Baroque! Baroque! Look over here!"
A loud shout came from behind.
Baroque turned around and saw the dwarf who had fought alongside him to the death against Eugene earlier; this fellow was nearly drained by Eugene’s blood draw, a wound that would normally require half a month of bed rest.
But the medical skills in Fungus Castle were indeed formidable; it’s only the third day, and he’s able to sing and dance again.
At this moment, the dwarf’s arm was growing symbiotic mycelium, accompanied by two Pukis.
He stepped forward, the Puki jumped forward; he raised his hand, the Puki raised its tentacle; he twisted his body, the Puki spun around with him, perfectly in sync.
"Hehehe! So that’s what controlling a Puki feels like, it’s so interesting!" The dwarf, radiant with excitement, fell backward, instantly caught steadily by the two Pukis, who then stuffed beer mugs and meat skewers into his mouth.
Baroque shook his head helplessly, too lazy to pay attention to the fool.
He took a swig of mushroom wine, pointed to the enormous statue of the cloaked Puki in the center of the plaza, and asked Xing Huo, who was sipping wine beside him, "May I ask, is this statue a member of the Mushroom Race?"
"That’s our boss." Xing Huo replied.
"Boss?"
Baroque turned his head in some confusion, his gaze fell on the elevated area in front of the clock tower, where a Puki draped in a bright red cloak stood.
That bright red cloak was longer than the Puki itself, trailing behind, lightly fluttering in the wind.
In its hand was a short wooden stick, being swung rhythmically.
Under its command, the hidden doors on the clock tower swung open one by one.
Each time one opened, a scream from the Blood Race soared out from within.
Some were sharp, some hoarse, and some dragged out a long tail.
Those screams were strung together by the rhythm of the wooden stick, rising high and falling low, surprisingly forming a tune.
Although it wasn’t very melodic.
But it was indeed very suitable for the celebration feast.
Baroque stared at the Puki waving the wooden stick for a long time, then turned back to look at the towering statue.
"If I’m not mistaken, this Puki..."
"That’s our boss," Xing Huo nodded.
Baroque smacked his lips, swallowing back the words and wine.
He imagined the scene of the Dwarf King performing talents at the feast.
Hmm, can’t quite picture it.
...
The atmosphere at the celebration feast was lively, but not everyone was so happy.
As a second-generation member of the Mushroom Race, Baroque was originally jubilant, chatting with Tolin and Gleam about how he finally managed to defeat the giant bat capable of Infrasound Attack in the third round using a cheat sheet.
Suddenly, he sensed a hint of low emotion in the bustling and joyful Fungal Network.
Since ascending to mushroom status, his perception ability within the Fungal Network had become more acute.
Using an excuse to leave, Baroque followed the sensation and found the source of the low emotion.
It was the new second-generation members of the Mushroom Race from this war.
After simple yet efficient communication, Baroque understood the situation.
These converts were naturally both surprised and delighted when they first reincarnated as Pukis.
But at today’s celebration feast, upon discovering they could no longer taste the flavors of delicious food and wine, some confusion inevitably arose.
Being a veteran mushroom, Baroque was well aware of this.
He smiled at the other converts, saying, "This is your mistake; why wallow in distress in a corner instead of coming to ask a senior like me for advice?"
"Baroque, do you have a way to taste flavors again?"
Baroque shook his mushroom cap: "No."
"Then what’s the point..." The convert’s mushroom cap sagged even more.
"Though we cannot taste delicious flavors, the Mushroom Race has its own leisure activities!" Baroque used his tentacle to straighten his mushroom cap, standing upright, "So, want to know?"
The converts immediately gathered around: "Senior!"
Thus, the herd of Pukis flowed mightily into the "Hot Spring Center" of Fungus Castle, under the curious gaze of the banquet attendees.
Headed straight for the exclusive Puki massage zone.
Second-generation members, converts, being a newly emerged group in Fungus Castle, did not have many common needs, but they had plenty of contribution points to spare.
Therefore, without Lin Jun’s deliberate arrangement, tailored services specifically for these converts naturally emerged.
Each convert soaked in warm water, allowing the attendants to knead them.
The Fungal Network rang out with a chorus of comfortable sighs.
The only regrettable thing was that professional masseurs appeared insufficient for the sudden increase in converts.
Other converts waiting outside could only impatiently urge those who entered first to hurry up, as they looked at the comfortable appearance of their fellows.
"Are you done yet? Are you done yet?"
"It’s only been five minutes!"
"Five minutes isn’t enough? It feels like an entire Puki year has passed!"
However, no one was upset anymore about not being able to taste food.
Seeing this, Baroque nodded his mushroom cap with satisfaction, feeling at ease, focusing on enjoying the kneading.
Then he was pinched hard.
The one presently responsible for kneading him was Aisha, possessing Enchanting Demon bloodline, who was now his wife.
"You dead mushroom," Aisha’s fingers pinched his mushroom cap with just the right pressure to hurt yet dared not escape, "Why don’t you go home if you want kneading? Why must you come to the Hot Spring Center?"
She leaned in closer, her voice low: "Do you think you can receive another death compensation?"
Baroque’s tentacle waved frantically: "Ah, this is... there’s a reason... listen to my explanation..."
...
Little Pig sat in the command room in the center of Fungus Castle, looking distantly through the window at the lively scene below.
She did not participate, partly because she was uninterested.
Secondly, the boss intentionally scheduled the victory celebration during the day to perform the Vampire chorus; she wouldn’t want to be sun-drenched and scream like those poor devils locked in the clock tower in plain sight.
However, she did have her entertainment form.
Little Pig stood up, slowly walked to the corner, where the half-petrified statue recently sent by the boss was placed.
She stretched out her hand, her fingertips gently caressing the petrified cheek, looking tenderly at the statue’s eyes brimming with flickering tears: "My dear sister, you indeed look much more beautiful now..."