CH 37.2

Chapter 37.2 – Matsutake Meat Roll (b)

Translated by Gumihou

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At the words ‘Spring of Life’, the crowd broke into loud chatter.

“That’s the legendary water that could recover a man’s youth, how could we not know about it? Are you saying that the Old Man Shen now has this treasure?” The eyes of the people around him suddenly burned with fire.

“That’s not likely, right?” There were more who believed that this news was probably fake. “Only high-level geniuses from the Higher Heaven would have access to the Spring of Life, right? How could it just appear like this? And to present it so generously Old Man Shen. It has to be lies!”

“Moreover, it’s very difficult for Upper Heaven Heaven people to travel down to the Mundane World. Miracle medicine that could regain one’s youth could be sold for loads of money to the nobility, what idiot would just gift such a treasure to some stranger?”

The group of people continued to chatter, each eager to put in their two copper coins. However, the majority of the people soon concluded that what Old Man Shen possessed was probably not the true Spring of Life water. Otherwise, his luck was just too good, right?!

Finally, the more argumentative people slammed their hands crossly on the table and announced that they’re all going to check things out at that particular alley.

Shiyu was quietly elated. Rich, she’s rich! However, she was still troubled. Self-protection was her number one priority, how could she sell this miracle water without being exposed?

While she was debating this bittersweet matter with herself, someone came through the wooden doors of the inn. When the waiter spotted the newcomer, he called out enthusiastically, “Esteemed customer, are you here for a meal or to stay the night?”

The stranger answered the inquiry with a question of his own, “Did a girl with a good appetite came here to stay about half a month ago?”

Intimidated by this customer’s imposing manner, the waiter did not dare tarry and quickly answered after some thought, “I do believe there is. Is esteemed customer looking for this person?”

At this answer, a small smile graced the man’s face. He handed a silver ingot over and said, “That’s right, bring me to her.”

After searching for over half a month, he finally found a lead.

The waiter also smiled happily, and was about to lead the man to his target when someone came over, “No need to come looking, I’m here.”

The man turned, and saw Shiyu beaming up at him, “Feng Luo, it’s been a while.”

After exchanging the usual greetings, these two acquaintances sat down at a corner table with a few plates of snacks.

After not seeing him for half a month, Feng Luo looked much thinner.

“I’ve sent a lot of people out to look for you but had little result. I just happen to overhear some classmates said they saw you near our school entrance.” Feng Luo laughed and shook his head, “I really hadn’t expected the person I’ve been searching for to be so near.”

Shiyu frowned, “Have you and Meng Li reconciled?”

Feng Luo’s eyes dimmed, “No.”

Shiyu felt that she really shouldn’t touch on the matters of the heart too closely and changed the subject, “Then, do you still want that lotus thing?”

“Of course!” Feng Luo suddenly looked excited, “have you met with your friend?”

“En, the item is with me. Oh, right, do you know what the Spring of Life water is?” Shiyu asked.

Feng Luo misunderstood her line of inquiry, “Does your friend want the Spring of Life water in exchange? That thing is pretty rare, I’m afraid we won’t be able to hand it over.”

Shiyu laughed awkwardly. If this Spring of Life Water is more valuable than the Jade Lotus thing, let’s not talk about it anymore. Since Shiyu could not think of any kind of reward to ask for, it was decided that Feng Luo would compensate her later.

Now that the most important matter had been concluded, the two friends began to chat idly together.

After some small talk, Feng Luo suddenly asked, “Have you come to the city to enter the Cooking God Society?”

At this unexpected information, Shiyu blurted out, “Is there such a thing?”

“You don’t know about it?” Feng Luo was even more surprised, “I thought, since your cooking skill is so good, you’re here especially to join this society.”

“This is the first time I heard about this society. Quick, tell me more about it.” Shiyu said.

Cooking God Society, even the name itself is inspiring, ah!

“To be honest, I only know some rumours about it.” Feng Luo felt a bit embarrassed. “The society was a secretive lot. Only great chefs at the peak of their field could join. It was said that chefs summoned to participate in the Imperial Banquet would have a smooth entry into the Society if they managed to stand out among the invitees.

As for what happens after you joined the society, I have no idea. However, I remember that about 10 years ago, a chef from the Society posted an announcement asking for a Thousand Year Fire Ginseng. He declared that he’ll be the chef of whoever gave him the ginseng for a month. My father was curious about this society and sent the fire ginseng over. In the end, once the month was up, he never had a fulfilling meal for the rest of his life.”

“… …” Shiyu was stunned by this story, this Cooking God Society seemed a little different from what she had imagined. “Well, could you introduce me to someone from the Society?”

Feng Luo said, “A lot of the Society’s big shots are rather low-key individuals, even if I wanted to, they might not be willing to meet with you. There’s only one sure way for you to meet them.”

“En?”

“At The Imperial Capital Feast!”

Shiyu suddenly understood the reason behind the Imperial Capital Feast. The best of the best chefs were all invited to this Imperial Feast, therefore members of the Society of Godly Chefs would definitely come. Even great cooks like Chef Liu could only join the feast as a competitor for the right to cook. Just what kind of background do chefs from the Society have?

“If you want to go, I could take you there.” Feng Luo invited. “Actually, you probably won’t need my presence to enter at all. As long as you can bring out treasures of similar value to the Immortal Jade Petal Lotus, you’d be treated as an honoured guest. Only, this way might be too dangerous for you.”

Shiyu nodded in agreement, after all, the envy of others could translate into trouble for her.

“I understand, I’ll have to trouble you.”

Once they had finished their meal, Feng Luo invited Shiyu to stay at the Feng House, to which Shiyu declined, but agreed to exchange the goods there.

Well, it was called a ‘house’, but the expansive grounds of the house perfectly illustrate the power and status of the Feng Clan. Shiyu was glad to be taken to one of the quieter corners in the Feng House. The place to exchange the goods was at free-standing a little bamboo house surrounded by a small bamboo forest. The house itself was quite comfortable and elegant, almost like a little Japanese tea house.

After settling down, Shiyu handed over the Immortal Jade Petal Lotus.

“I’ll be going to back to Feng City right away.” Feng Luo appeared quite agitated, it looked like he could only calm down once he delivered the treasure to his grandfather.

Shiyu had no problem with this. The only thing she did was to once again press that he must never reveal that he had gotten those items from her.

[Gumihou: Stay good, Feng Luo.]