PS: I'd like to hear more of your voices, and receive more of your suggestions. Search for "qdread" on WeChat and add me. Give Skyfire Avenue your support!
"You know my problem," the Gourmet said. "I don't eat anything that doesn't taste good.
I'd rather starve. "
Lan Jue's response was indifferent. "Of course I know!
But I also know that you love noodles.
It's a hobby we share.
Try some. "
The Gourmet smiled, and picked up the bowl. He picked up a pair of chopsticks and began to eat.
He knew what his own chilies tasted like. One bite, and he nodded in satisfaction. Then he began to eat heartily.
Don't underestimate the difficulty of frying chilies. In reality, one had to be extremely precise in controlling the heat.
In this regard, Lan Jue had clearly mastered the quintessence of the art.
Oil noodles, with a dash of vinegar.
Simple, direct, and unparalleled!
In a matter of minutes, two large bowls of noodles had been emptied.
Lan Jue let out a satisfied groan. She wiped her mouth and leaned back in her chair.
"Your chilies are more flavorful. What do you think? My cooking isn't bad, is it?"
The Gourmet's lips curled. "Barely passable.
You came to my house, and even cooked for me. One look and I knew you were up to no good.
Tell me, what do you want? "
Lan Jue smiled. "In a few days, the Pontiff's Castle and the Dark Citadel will be arriving. You know about that, right?
Five exchanges, four one-on-ones, one five-on-five.
Five-on-five is one person short. One-on-one is three.
Which one do you want? "
The Gourmet paused. "So the reward is a bowl of oil noodles?"
Lan Jue shrugged. "What else do you want?"
The Gourmet thought for a moment. "I remember a drunken Wine Master once said something about it.
He had one of the Three Gods of Wine from the Former Era.
It was a fine bottle of wine from Le Hua.
It's called Richebourg. "
Lan Jue's eyes widened. "Gourmet sir, are you trying to take my life?
That's the Wine Master's lifeblood. "
The Gourmet shrugged. "You don't want to drink?"
Lan Jue smiled bitterly, "Is it possible?
Why wouldn't I? "
The Gourmet nodded. "I'll prepare the side dishes.
Go all out!
For something like wine, how could possessing it compare to drinking it?
I'm sure the Wine Master himself hasn't tasted it.
So, I think we have a chance. "
Lan Jue's facial muscles twitched. "You're not going to let me rob you, are you?"
The Gourmet smiled. "Of course not.
We are civilized people.
You don't have to worry about anything else. Once I make a plan, you just have to follow me and execute it.
I promise the Wine Master won't beat you to death. "
Lan Jue instantly shook her head. "No way.
I'm going to find someone else. "
He wasn't stupid enough to snatch food from a Paragon's mouth. It was suicidal!
Suddenly, Lan Jue felt a chill run down her spine. The Gourmet's hut was suddenly plunged into darkness. An incomparably cold aura rushed in from all directions.
It was as if she'd been transported to another world.
Lan Jue spun around.
Everything around him had turned completely dark.
Only the Gourmet was still sitting there.
His aura had changed drastically. "When?" Lan Jue asked without thinking.
"After I came back from your place." The Gourmet's smile was as warm as ever.
"When?" Lan Jue took a deep breath and gave him a thumbs up.
"Alright, I agree." Everything returned to normal. The Gourmet was still sitting there. The empty bowl of noodles was still on the table. The aroma of chili oil still lingered.
Everything was back to normal. The Gourmet was still sitting there, the empty bowl of noodles on the table not far away. The aroma of chili oil still lingered in the room.
Everything returned to normal. The Gourmet was still sitting there. The empty bowl of noodles was still on the table. The aroma of chili oil still lingered in the room.
"I'm leaving." Lan Jue left the hut.
The Gourmet's voice was indifferent. "Five-five. Count me in.
One-on-one, go find someone else. "
Lan Jue nodded. "Do you have a recommendation?"
"There's a beggar and a pharmacist on the lower floor," the Gourmet replied.
"You can find the rest yourself."
"Got it." Lan Jue nodded and left the Gourmet's hut.
The moment he stepped out of the door, his eyes shone brightly.
A knowing smile spread across his face.
Two castles, come on!
Five-five had been settled. One-on-one was still missing two.
The beggar? Was it that guy?
He didn't seem to be a committee member.
Lan Jue took the elevator to Skyfire Underground. He followed his memory to the side of the building.
It wasn't long before he saw his target.
He couldn't tell the man's age because he was a little dirty. His face was filthy, his hair unkempt.
He wore an overcoat that hadn't been washed for who knew how long. It was patched and patched.
Leaning against the corner of the wall, he looked drowsy.
If the Gourmet hadn't told him, Lan Jue wouldn't have noticed him. Slowly, he walked up to the beggar.
Lan Jue stopped in his tracks.
The beggar's eyes were closed. With a flick of his wrist, something flew towards Lan Jue.
Lan Jue reflexively reached out and scooped it into his hand.
There was a dirty metal sign with four words on it: Begging is permitted.
Beneath it was the sign of the Skyfire Avenue Committee.
The beggar waved his hand at Lan Jue, as if swatting away a fly.
Lan Jue smiled. "I'm not a member of the enforcement team.
There's no point showing me this. "He tossed the sign back to the beggar.
The beggar raised his hand to catch it and opened his eyes.
The man's eyes were as lazy as he was. His black eyes were dim. He looked Lan Jue up and down for a moment, then closed them again.
"The Gourmet told me to come find you.
There's something I need your help with. "Lan Jue said.
At the mention of the Gourmet, the beggar's eyes snapped open. His previously dim gaze brightened.
He gulped. "He wants to treat me to a meal?" The beggar's voice was pleasant to the ear. It was deep and pleasing to the ear, a perfect baritone.
Lan Jue replied. "I don't know if he wants to treat you to a meal or not, but he told me to come find you.
I'm sure he has his reasons. "
The beggar's mouth twitched. "What reasons?
He's just bothering me.
Not going, not going.
No good food, no good drink, I'm not going anywhere.
Three years as a beggar, I wouldn't trade for an emperor.
Haven't you heard?
This old man needs to sleep.
Hurry up and leave.
Don't disturb me. "
Lan Jue's heart skipped a beat. "I heard from the Gourmet that the Wine Master has a bottle of Le Hue's Richebourg."
"Eh?" The beggar's eyes lit up again. This time they were cold. "Really?
That stingy bastard has something like that?
How come I didn't know about it? "
"If you knew, he'd be in complete chaos.
There's no such thing as guarding against thieves for a thousand days. "The voice came from behind Lan Jue. She didn't even need to turn her head.
Lan Jue knew it was the Gourmet himself.
"Can you get me something to drink?
I don't know what a stingy bastard is hiding, but it's from the Three Gods of Wine. "The Pauper muttered.
The Gourmet's response was indifferent. "If I can keep him busy for a while, will you be able to find him?"
The beggar's eyes flickered. "At least an hour.
Can you do it? "
The Gourmet nodded. "I can."
The beggar chuckled. "What would you like to eat?"
The Gourmet's response was indifferent. "Top notch snowflake beef with white truffle, and fried Blue Lir lobster."
The beggar forcefully swallowed a mouthful of saliva and said without hesitation, "Deal.
When do we make our move? "
"Let's wait until you're done," the Gourmet replied.
He gestured to Lan Jue with his lips.
Lan Jue interjected. "The Pontiff's Castle and the Dark Citadel are coming here for a friendly tournament.
We're short on people.
You're in. "
The Pauper scowled. "Alright."
Lan Jue nodded with a smile. The Gourmet turned and left.
The Pauper watched the Gourmet's back with a pitiful expression. "Can I have some boiled lobster?
It's been a long time since I've had something tasty. "
"If you can clean yourself up, I'll think about it," the Gourmet interjected.
The Pauper nodded. "Alright. Wait for my news."
Lan Jue caught up with the Gourmet. "I've never heard of him before."
The Gourmet smirked. "He's a bit of a special character. He was a genius in his early years, but then he suffered a severe setback.
He's been a Pauper here for over twenty years now.
He was here when I arrived.
Other than food and drink, he's not interested in anything. "
Lan Jue looked at him. "I just tested him. I can't tell how strong he is."
The Gourmet chuckled. "If Archangel Metatron of the Pontiff's Castle is here, send him out. You can't go wrong."
"Alright."
Lan Jue was surprised. Metatron was known as the strongest Paragon. Could a Pauper really stand up to him?
The Gourmet chuckled. "Some things can't be judged by common sense."
Lan Jue nodded. "Alright, I'll go find the Pharmacist."
"I won't be accompanying that money-grubber," the Gourmet said.
"Just tell him how much he wants, and the committee will pay him."
"Alright."
The Gourmet left on his own. Lan Jue followed Skyfire Avenue until she came to a stop in front of an ancient building.
This was an ancient Chinese building of the Upper Yuan Era. It was simple, elegant, and very grand.
A plaque hung from the front of the building, emblazoned in golden letters: Hall of Supreme Harmony.
It was definitely one of the top five buildings on Skyfire Avenue. It was as large as the Skyfire Museum itself.
A steady stream of people flowed in and out of the building.
Even though Skyfire Avenue's traffic had dwindled, it didn't affect the Hall of Supreme Harmony's traffic.
As soon as Lan Jue stepped through the door, a man in a green hat approached her. "Jewelry Master, you've arrived?
Please, come in. "As he spoke, he gestured for Lan Jue to enter.
Lan Jue nodded, then stepped inside.
The interior of the Hall of Supreme Harmony was even more ancient. Mahogany, stone, and all sorts of classical decorations created a strange atmosphere.
As soon as one entered, one couldn't help but feel as if they were transported back to the Former Era of China.
-----
Asking for monthly and recommended votes.
Today is the third watch, seven and seventeen.
(My novel 'Skyfire Avenue' will be available on the official WeChat platform soon. There's also a prize draw of $100 for everyone!
Open WeChat now, click on the "+" sign at the top right, then search for "qdread" and follow me. Hurry!)
(To be continued, please search. My novel is better, and updates faster!