Chapter 94: The Adventurer Squad is on the Way
Chapter 94: Chapter 94: The Adventurer Squad is on the Way
"Um, I don’t think we’ll be getting into the casino anytime soon. How about... we get in line...?"
Zeng Si scratched his head, smiling sheepishly.
’See? How could I ever lie to my wife? I genuinely, truly want to buy some skewers right now.’
’Oh man, it smells so good.’
’Boss Lu is supporting my wife’s butcher stall, so I should buy some skewers too. It’s just good business practice.’
’My wife said doing things like this helps build relationships.’
’Listening to my wife is always the right call.’
Wang Xie glanced at the street, which was packed solid, and abandoned his plan to sneak in.
"Alright."
He nodded, agreeing with Zeng Si’s suggestion.
’Bringing skewers along will make things safer. It’s definitely not because I want to try them.’
’Benefactor, just wait for me. The rescue squad has reached the end of the street. In another hour—no, two hours—I’ll be at the casino door.’
...
The skewers tumbled in the boiling broth, and Lu Wu gave them an occasional turn.
Once cooked through, she would lift them out and drizzle them with her secret dipping sauce. The sauce flowed freely over the skewers like a silk veil slipping from a beauty’s body—now you see it, now you don’t, effortlessly alluring.
After she finished this process, the waiting customers would hold out their hands with practiced ease.
The skewers were piping hot and fragrant with oil. With one bite, the aroma would burst forth, seeping into every corner of one’s mouth.
While proper young ladies had breath as fragrant as orchids, these old patrons had breath that smelled of savory skewers.
Both were fragrances, but they much preferred the latter.
Like a pack of Taoties, the moment they got their skewers, they rushed them to their mouths, afraid someone would snatch the food right from their hands if they were a second too late.
’It’s so hard being one of Boss Lu’s customers.’
’First, you have to worry if you can even buy any. Then, if you actually do, you have to worry about your black-hearted peers trying to steal them.’
’There’s always some scoundrel out to get me!’
The customers’ mouths were busy eating while their eyes stood guard. Each part had its own task, and the combination on a single face, no matter how handsome, twisted their features until they looked like they had split personalities.
Lu Wu looked away, at a loss for words.
’They’re my customers. What can I do?’
’Just have to spoil them, I guess.’
"OM NOM, OM NOM, so good."
The customers had a tacit understanding: those waiting in line stood in front of the stall, while those who were eating stood behind it.
One group standing, one group squatting—the two crowds surrounded Lu Wu so tightly she was completely boxed in.
Lu Wu, feeling this overwhelming sense of security, was on the verge of tears.
Three pots and so many skewers kept Lu Wu frenziedly busy.
She was breaking a sweat on this cold day, and her arms were so sore they barely felt like her own.
Mobilizing the last bit of Spiritual Power in her body and circulating it once, Lu Wu rallied again.
’As long as there are ingredients, the struggle never ends.’
"Alright, next!"
Lu Wu’s vigorous voice infected the customers, making them even more enthusiastic.
As the crowd surged, the unique aroma of the skewers soared into the air.
Night Fragrance Skewers—eating them felt awesome. They truly lived up to the name.
After waiting and waiting, there were finally only a few people ahead of Zeng Si and the others. Victory was in sight.
"I’m getting both meat and veggies later. What about you guys?"
The adventure party, which had arrived with a mission and ready for a big fight, was now covering their mouths to keep from drooling, taking the opportunity to plan their orders.
"I’ve got my eye on that fried tofu. The juice is just—SPLASH! I have to get some."
"Ah, I’m on a diet. I’ll just have the veggie ones."
"Pfft, you guys clearly don’t know how to eat. What could possibly beat the spicy beef? The marinade on that beef is just incredible. Give it a quick dip in the broth, and it’s unbelievably tender."
Zeng Si patted his chest, guaranteeing it.
"Trust me, everyone get a beef one. The pork is great too. I guarantee the flavor will be an eye-opening experience."
’This is the same meat my wife sells, after all. I have to talk it up a bit.’
Besides, seeing how the surrounding customers were lavishing it with praise, Zeng Si was very confident.
"Why don’t we get some of everything?"
Wang Xie, who had been a bit anxious at first, joined the discussion as they got closer to the stall.
’Benefactor, these are merely stumbling blocks on the path to rescuing you.’
’When faced with a setback, one must not think only of escape. One must bravely scale the peak, overcome it, and conquer it.’
’Once I’ve eaten these skewers and transformed them into my source of strength, Benefactor, that is when we shall meet.’
Wang Xie pumped himself up, but he couldn’t help feeling that the image of his benefactor in his mind had faded a little.
’It must be my imagination.’
’How could I possibly give up on rescuing my benefactor for a bite of food?’
’Impossible!’
"Delicious!"
But the moment the skewer actually touched his lips, Wang Xie realized just how faint the experience conveyed by smell alone had been.
A thousand words could not describe how delicious these skewers were.
His tongue was trembling.
The spicy flavor was perfect for the cold weather. After a few bites, his blood was boiling.
He ate quickly.
A ring of red oil was left around his mouth. He wiped it casually with his sleeve and picked up the next skewer.
’Benefactor, you’ve already waited this long. Just wait a little longer for me.’
’I’ll come right after I finish this one.’
Nearby, Zeng Si, who had long since tossed the plan a million miles away, silently went to the back of the line to queue up again after tasting the skewers.
’Can’t help it. I can’t resist.’
’There’s no way the ones in my hand will last until I get home to my wife and son.’
’But I love my wife, so I’m getting back in line to buy a few more portions.’
Many people had the same idea.
After finishing his last skewer, Wang Xie looked at his blissfully engrossed brothers, then at the casino entrance bustling with people. The struggle in his eyes dissipated.
’Benefactor, there are too many people tonight. It’s not a good time to act. Please wait a little longer.’
’I’ll definitely come later.’
Having convinced himself, Wang Xie joined the crowd queuing for a second time.
Doing the same was Steward Zhu, now in disguise.
This Boss Lu’s business was too good. Now even he had to wait in a long line to buy anything.
Every time he thought he had enough, he’d immediately regret not buying more the moment he finished eating.
When he thought back to the first day, when so many skewers were laid out before him for the picking, and how he not only failed to cherish the opportunity but even played the fool for his pride and only had a small taste, he wanted to slap himself a few times.
’What’s pride compared to a full stomach?!’
"Steward Zhu, are we making a move tonight?"
Tian Shou followed closely behind him.
’Delicious. Love it.’
He had come to queue up tonight after setting his "little darlings" loose.
Perhaps there were too many people, and it was interfering with his communication with his little darlings. He felt that the insects were a bit listless.
’They’re already thinking of slacking off before the mission is even complete.’
’As expected, I’m still too weak. I’ll just have to get another eighty or ninety skewers to replenish myself.’
Inside the casino, the insects, forced to face death, had gathered on some gamblers who had never been exposed to the skewers and were now engaged in a terrifying game of extreme survival.
Seeing the poison circle shrink again, the insects, constantly running for their lives, began to shed tears.
’Damn you, humans! Isn’t an insect’s life still a life?’
’We’re appealing!’
’We must appeal!’
Deep within the Fallen Immortal Association’s headquarters, a fat, white insect was sleeping soundly. It suddenly wriggled its body and rolled over.
’Sounds like a fly buzzing in my ear. So noisy.’
’I’m sleepy. Back to bed.’
’Good night, my children a thousand miles away. Even though you’ve forgotten to contact your mother, Mother still loves you.’
The insects that sensed this: ’We’re tired... Just let it all burn.’