Chapter 98: "My diner can predict the future
Chapter 98: Chapter 98: "My diner can predict the future
"What do you think these skewers taste like?"
As Qin Zhan was lost in his troubles, a voice came from behind him.
"I haven’t tried them, but they must be delicious. Boss Lu has never made anything disappointing."
From buns to pork knuckles to ice powder, Qin Zhan, who had followed her journey, was arguably Lu Wu’s most loyal customer.
Just thinking about the taste of that food made Qin Zhan’s resolve waver. He wished he could fly over there right now.
Only after saying this did Qin Zhan realize something was off. He blinked, turned his head, and saw his master standing to the side with his hands behind his back, smiling at him.
"Ma...ster."
Qin Zhan gave a dry laugh.
He had promised to offer his master fine food, but he’d gotten too carried away while eating. By the time he remembered, there was only a single serving of ice powder left in his Storage Space.
In the end, he fought back the sinful little thought of murdering his master and dutifully presented the ice powder.
However, a single bowl of ice powder was nowhere near enough to satisfy the Heavenly Wind Taoist’s now-pampered appetite. Part of the reason Qin Zhan was left behind this time was a bit of petty revenge from the Heavenly Wind Taoist.
What master doesn’t mess with their disciple?
He had originally planned to lock the kid up for ten days to half a month. But the Heavenly Wind Taoist had learned how to use One World Communication to follow Lu Wu’s updates, and watching those skewer videos made him itch with anticipation.
"Disciple, Master believes in your strength. The mere Prodigy Tournament will be no problem for you."
"If you promise me you’ll take first place, I’ll let you go down the mountain right now."
’Go do what? Go buy skewers, of course.’
As he thought this, the Heavenly Wind Taoist glanced at his One World Communication.
He was also just an ordinary Outer Disciple of the Bun Sect. When the Great Elder held a random lottery during the day, he got lucky and won a skewer.
It was a vegetable skewer.
The cabbage, after being cooked in a rich broth, was crisp and tender. Its flavor was pure and simple, and its faint sweetness and aroma left the Heavenly Wind Taoist wanting more.
He ate one, and he wanted more.
If he weren’t busy and unable to leave right now, he never would have thought of using his disciple as a gofer.
’First place?’
Qin Zhan looked at his master’s nonchalant attitude and really wanted to roll his eyes.
This Prodigy Tournament was a grand event for the entire Southern State. All the participants were the chosen prodigies of their generation from the major Sects.
He was confident he could get a good ranking, but first place? ’My master thinks way too highly of me.’
But then he thought about the skewers, and Qin Zhan couldn’t help but recall the taste of the meat skewer he’d had during the day.
Elder Li had been generous and pulled some strings for him, letting him have a taste.
The meat was so tender you could practically squeeze water from it.
The chili pepper was so spicy his Spiritual Power skyrocketed on the spot, and he broke through to a new minor realm.
’I’ve had one, and I want more.’
’So, it’s not like I can’t try...’
His master was the only one who could let him sneak out. If that weren’t the case, he wouldn’t have deliberately lured this Old Deng out.
Finally, Qin Zhan said reluctantly, "Master, you have to promise me you won’t randomly restrict my freedom anymore."
’This black-hearted Old Deng. Just because he can’t have any, he wants to lock me up too.’
’Heh, Old Deng, you have no idea, do you? I’ve got Uncle Li giving me special treatment.’
"Good disciple, Master promises you."
The Heavenly Wind Taoist stroked his beard, his expression growing ever more... "kindly."
’You little brat. If I can’t go down the mountain, you’re staying here with me.’
’Luckily, this old man got lucky and won the lottery.’
"Remember what you promised your master."
’Little brat, if your tribute is half-assed again, I’ll make sure you can never leave the mountain again.’
"Your disciple wouldn’t dare forget."
Qin Zhan agreed with a smile. ’Old Deng, once I’m down the mountain, who cares if you get to eat or not?’
The master and disciple exchanged a look, their smiles the very picture of "a loving father and a filial son." Little did they know, cunning lay hidden beneath those smiles.
Heavenly Wind Taoist / Qin Zhan: ’Just a little brat / Old Deng. Got ’em!’
A spatial rift appeared. The Heavenly Wind Taoist lifted his foot, kicked Qin Zhan in the butt, and sent him flying into it.
This rift led directly to Hong’an City.
’Old Deng Express, mission guaranteed.’
...
On Free Street, Lu Wu felt that her customers were a little too worked up tonight.
She had just finished setting up her stall when the first customer started ordering.
"Boss Lu, I want the pickled chili broth for the skewers! Ten servings!"
He thoughtfully placed the Spirit Stones in front of Gou Aotian for him to count and even offered a chicken leg. Nowadays, Gou Aotian had become Lu Wu’s grand chamberlain, in charge of the money. He couldn’t be offended.
After confirming the amount was correct, Gou Aotian glanced at the greasy chicken leg, sneered, and swatted it away with a paw.
"WOOF!"
’Get lost. I’m not that kind of dog.’
’Not to mention this chicken leg looks disgusting. I, Gou Aotian, am above such things.’
’Trying to bribe me with such tricks? Dream on!’
’I, the future Dog Emperor, am destined to be the grand steward of my master’s business empire! I saw through my master’s ambition to set up stalls everywhere long ago.’
’As long as she opens enough stalls, my master’s name will one day be renowned throughout the entire Green Origin Realm.’
’At that time, I will firmly control my master’s financial security. No petty thief will even think of coveting it.’
’The Dog Steward doesn’t even care for such paltry profits.’
A blazing fire burned in Gou Aotian’s canine eyes.
’I will be my master’s best guard dog.’
Lu Wu: ’Business empire? Ambition? Since when?’
The customer wasn’t angry about this. He wasn’t the first to be rejected; many people had tried and failed to get Boss Lu’s attention by currying favor with this big yellow dog.
"How did you know there’s a pickled chili broth tonight?"
Lu Wu, however, squinted suspiciously at the customer before her.
’Who leaked the secret?’
She hadn’t even brought the broth out yet, but the customers already knew about it.
*My diner can predict the future*.
Many novel titles from a certain popular web-novel site floated through Lu Wu’s mind.
"Ahem... I heard that you bought a lot of pickled chilis, Boss Lu, so I just guessed."
The customer laughed nervously and quickly made an excuse.
The Great Elder had said that no disciple of the Bun Sect was to disturb Boss Lu’s life. He couldn’t let Boss Lu think that their group of disciples were creepy little bugs hiding in corners, staring like stalkers at her little patch of land all day.
"Oh, is that so."
Lu Wu nodded, relieved.
She didn’t disguise herself when she went out shopping, so it was normal for people to recognize her.
"You’re pretty smart, then."
’Seeing the essence through the phenomenon... that would be *My Diner Can See Through All Things*. Hmm, that sounds interesting.’
"Is that so? Hehe."
The customer, not expecting to be praised by his own Sect Hierarch, scratched his head and grinned foolishly.
’This must be the Sect Hierarch’s affirmation of our sect and its disciples.’
’I’ll have to work even harder in the future.’
And so, a beautiful misunderstanding was born.
There were a lot of customers. A quick glance told Lu Wu that many of them were unfamiliar faces, probably locals.
Lu Wu didn’t say any more. She just rolled up her sleeves and got to work.
The moment the three new broths were unveiled, they drew the covetous gazes of countless customers.
The customers standing closest, though they couldn’t eat yet, craned their necks and sniffed hard at the aroma.
Next door was a casino. Outside the casino, a crowd of customers were inhaling the scents, their eyes glazed over as if in a trance.
Anyone who didn’t know better would think they’d stumbled upon some kind of R-rated scene. It was pretty creepy.
"Your skewers are ready."
Not wanting to get swept up in that, Lu Wu quickly called out.
’Folks, I’m really just a legitimate food stall owner! I’m completely law-abiding and don’t deal in anything illegal.’