Chapter 77: Where is the Shop Owner, Come Out

"So tired, completely devoid of any desire to work," the three of them yawned, speaking in unison, their upper and lower eyelids waging a fierce battle to stay open.

What a preposterous idea of the branch master's, dragging everyone all the way out here just to have a meal.

They were currently on their way back to the barbecue shop. After a long day of matching wits and courage, they had finally managed to infiltrate the enemy's inner circle; now, all they wanted was to gorge themselves and enjoy a beautiful, long sleep.

The Immortal Sect had concentrated everyone's thoughts into the Mountain and River Cauldron, a process that induced an overwhelming sense of sheer exhaustion.

"Fortunately, before we left, I made sure the ghost servants skewered the meat properly. We can open for business the moment we get back," Man Gu remarked with a hint of relief.

Upon arriving at the storefront of the barbecue shop, Lu Yang spotted a familiar figure.

"Constable Wei? What brings you here, is there something the matter?"

Constable Wei had been knocking on the door of the barbecue shop for quite some time without receiving a single answer, leading him to believe no one was inside.

In truth, there really was no one inside the main shop—only two ghost servants who had been diligently skewering meat. Hearing Constable Wei knocking at the door had scared the living daylights out of them; how could they possibly dare to open it?

Just as Constable Wei was about to give up, Lu Yang arrived.

Constable Wei's face lit up with joy. "Young Manager Lu, you three are finally back."

Lu Yang nodded, the lie slipping effortlessly from his tongue. "This morning, I saw the weather looked quite pleasant. The three of us put our heads together and thought it was a perfect day for an outing, so we went out for a stroll and just returned."

"Then are you still opening for business today?"

Lu Yang pondered for a moment. The branch master and the others were scheduled to arrive, numbering a grand total of twenty people, which certainly counted as doing business. "Yes, we are."

Constable Wei spoke in as gentle a tone as he could muster, "Young Manager Lu, look, it's like this. Your barbecue shop has gathered quite a bit of fame in the neighborhood, and I frequently bring a few of my brothers here to eat, don't I?"

"I know you all simply enjoy running a barbecue shop and have no intention of expanding, nor do you like people advertising for you."

Lu Yang nodded in agreement.

Constable Wei expressed his regret, saying, "Those brothers of mine couldn't keep their mouths shut. After eating, they went right back and praised to high heaven how incredibly delicious this place is. Lo and behold, everyone else's mouths began to water upon hearing it. They all said they would come over together for a meal after their shift today, and the brothers working the night shift at the yamen even asked for some to be brought back for them."

Observing the expression on Constable Wei's face, Lu Yang secretly thought to himself: *I bet it wasn't just your brothers who talked; you definitely did some advertising yourself, didn't you, Constable Wei?*

"So?"

"There are quite a few constables in our Yanjiang County, enough to occupy almost every single table. The chief constable is coming along as well, so I was wondering if we could book the entire place tonight, to host only us."

Lu Yang suddenly understood, though he immediately adopted a troubled countenance. "But I also have a few good friends coming over tonight, I'm afraid..."

Constable Wei hastily reassured him, "No matter, no matter, a few extra people won't hurt. Everyone can eat together; a larger crowd makes it livelier anyway."

Before coming here, Constable Wei had patted his chest in front of his colleagues, swearing they would definitely get to eat. If they couldn't now, it would be an embarrassing slap to his face.

Lu Yang agreed to the request. "Alright then, we will prepare everything. We open for business in half an hour."

Having received a definitive answer, Constable Wei left thoroughly satisfied.

As the time agreed upon by the branch master drew near, various factions gathered from all directions at the entrance of the barbecue shop. There was the branch master, eleven deacons, and seven newly recruited members.

Chi Xulong and Shen Jinyi, acting very sharp and attentive, carried several jugs of wine in their arms.

"I was worried a small shop like this wouldn't carry strong enough liquor, so I specifically brought along a few jugs of thirty-year-old spiritual Nu'er Hong wine," Chi Xulong and Shen Jinyi announced.

This type of spiritual wine possessed an incredibly potent kick, one that even those in the Foundation Establishment stage could not easily dissolve.

The other five new members also harbored intentions of offering wine to show their filial respect, but they were all merely in the Qi Condensation stage and could not produce high-quality goods.

For the sake of eating, the branch master had also changed his mask, switching to one that left the lower half of his face exposed.

Lu Yang and his two companions emerged from the barbecue shop and invited everyone inside. "Please come in quickly, everything is ready. The entire place was actually booked by someone else today, but after much persuasion on our part, the patrons who booked it were willing to leave one table for us."

The branch master nodded in approval. Originally, he had worried that Lu Yang and his companions might be stubborn troublemakers who wouldn't listen to authority, and he had intended to give them a harsh warning to show them their place. Now, it appeared these three were quite sensible, knowing how to reserve a table in advance.

"Don't just stand around, let us head inside," the branch master called out to the crowd.

The barbecue shop was completely empty. The branch master naturally seated himself at the central table. This table was the largest and held the prime location, perfectly matching his status.

Standing to the side, Lu Yang offered a careful reminder, "Branch Master, this table has already been reserved by someone else."

Before the branch master could say anything, Chi Xulong beat him to the punch, snapping, "Tell them to go sit off to the side. What kind of trash thinks they can compete with us for a seat?"

Seeing that the branch master raised no objection, Lu Yang remained silent.

Once everyone was seated, Man Gu produced the menu. "What would you like to eat?"

Shen Jinyi handed the menu to the branch master. "After you, Branch Master."

The branch master waved his hand dismissively. "Order whatever you like."

"Since you are treating us, it is only natural that you order."

"No need, suit yourselves."

The offer was pushed back and forth around the table before finally landing back into Man Gu's hands. Man Gu curled his lip, thinking these people were incredibly troublesome, dilly-dallying over ordering a few skewers.

Man Gu had no habit of refusing. After placing his own orders, he carried the menu straight to the backyard, ordering the two ghost servants to begin grilling.

Before long, Man Gu returned, carrying platters of grilled skewers that were perfect in color, aroma, and taste. Catching one whiff of the fragrance, everyone knew the flavor would not disappoint.

"Come, come, come, the skewers are here. Pour the wine!" the branch master chuckled, gesturing for everyone to fill their cups.

Meng Jingzhou smiled and declined, "No need for wine for me. I am accustomed to drinking tea; I do not care for alcohol."

The branch master replied with a genial smile, "Young Meng, how can one travel the martial world without knowing how to drink? There will be plenty of occasions for drinking in the future. Have three cups first to get used to it."

Meng Jingzhou refused once more.

Unable to save face, the branch master's brow furrowed slightly. Chi Xulong seized the opportunity to bark an angry reprimand, "What is wrong with you? The branch master asks you to drink and you refuse—are you deliberately disrespecting him?"

Meng Jingzhou curled his lip in disdain. "It is just a drink, how does respect even factor into this? By that logic, isn't the branch master forcing me to drink a sign of disrespect toward me?"

Chi Xulong was just about to retort, *Who do you think you are to demand respect in front of the branch master?* but he was stopped by the branch master before the words could leave his mouth.

The branch master knew Meng Jingzhou possessed a boundless future and was unwilling to stir up conflict with him.

The sect master's high evaluation of Lu Yang and his two companions was known only to the branch master; even Lu Yang and the others were completely unaware of it.

"There are not so many formalities for a welcoming dinner. I shall introduce myself first. My surname is Chu; you may all address me as Branch Master Chu."

Following the branch master's introduction, it was the turn of the tall, thin man who had previously visited the brothel with Qin Yuanhao. "My name is Wang He. Those familiar with me like to call me Big-Mouthed Wang."

"Bai Zifang."

"Peng Shuo."

The eleven deacons introduced themselves one by one. Though it was called an introduction, they merely stated their names; their cultivation bases, hobbies, and specialties were entirely omitted, revealing no further information.

Trust was a rarity within the demonic sects; everyone hid themselves as much as humanly possible.

As if no dispute had ever occurred, the crowd ate in perfect harmony.

"These grilled skewers really taste excellent." After consuming a few skewers, Chi Xulong felt deeply astonished; this was the most delicious barbecue he had ever tasted in his life.

Greed stirred within his heart, prompting him to whisper quietly to the branch master, "Should we force the shop owner to hand over the recipe? Even if this kind of barbecue were sold using spirit stones as currency, there would still be a market for it. We could make a massive fortune!"

The branch master felt his heart stir as well. Murder, theft, extortion, and blackmail were deeds he had committed countless times; one more would make no difference.

Lu Yang, standing nearby, inquired, "And what if the shop owner refuses to hand over the recipe?"

A flash of cold malice crossed Chi Xulong's face as he gave a grim laugh. "Then we shall see whether he values his life or his recipe more!"

He slammed his hand against the table, deliberately seeking to cause trouble as he roared furiously, "Where is the shop owner! Get out here! All the skewers have been served, yet you haven't even shown your face. Do you not know the rules?!"

Immediately following that, Constable Wei's voice rang out from beyond the door: "Haha, where is the shop owner? I've brought all my brothers over."

A horde of constables poured into the room like leaping fish, among them the chief constable of the Golden Core stage, surrounding the Chief and his companions at their table.

(End of Chapter)