Chapter 3: Deliciousness

Fifteen minutes later.

From a distance, Cheng Buzheng spotted a luxurious restaurant. Three large, gold-leafed characters, "Liuxian Pavilion," were inscribed on a massive signboard. The building occupied an area of hundreds of feet, stood six stories tall, and was the most magnificent establishment in the town.

At this moment, the restaurant's main doors were wide open, with small groups of people occasionally entering and exiting.

According to local rumors, the restaurant was not originally called "Liuxian Pavilion." Later, an immortal was said to have descended there to dine. Upon hearing this, the owner was overjoyed and commissioned a new signboard overnight.

And so, the legend of Liuxian Pavilion began to spread through the town, embellished with vivid, lifelike details.

In the past, upon hearing this, Cheng Buzheng could not help but marvel at the owner's business genius. Since rumors of gods and demons were highly popular among the common folk, the owner had intuitively learned how to capitalize on the trend.

Thinking back now, those rumors were likely true; he didn't believe a restaurant owner would dare to mock an immortal.

The wrath of an immortal was not something a mere restaurant owner could endure.

Cheng Buzheng glanced at the three gold-leafed characters and strode directly toward the restaurant.

As soon as he stepped into the main hall, a waiter hurried toward him, bowing his head with a smile.

"Guest, would you like to order any of our signature dishes?"

The waiter knew that a youth dressed in coarse cloth was unlikely to order signature dishes, yet the words escaped him instinctively. After all, introducing a signature dish to a guest earned him a small commission. Consequently, the phrase had become almost a verbal tic.

Cheng Buzheng looked at the waiter and saw a reflection of his past self—a man who had broken his own back just to make a living. The two were strikingly similar.

"Young Master, which private room?"

The waiter looked up in surprise. He hadn't expected this gentle-looking youth to be related to the Young Master. He muttered to himself in surprise, feeling a hint of envy, though he showed nothing on his face.

The waiter quickly resumed his professional smile and gestured with his right hand. "Please follow me to the Fuguai Hall on the third floor, Young Master."

Under the waiter's guidance, they arrived outside the Fuguai Hall on the third floor. Looking at the closed purple wooden doors, which were carved with exquisite lines, the waiter finished his task, bid him farewell, and withdrew.

Cheng Buzheng pushed open the purple doors. Inside the room sat a massive round table in the center, surrounded by walls made of precious wood carved with various intricate patterns. The overall appearance was not only grand but also highly elegant.

Seated at a chair by the round table was a slender youth in a white robe with delicate features. However, his thin lips disrupted that gentleness, adding a touch of sharpness to his expression.

This person was none other than Cheng Buzheng's recent new friend, the young master Qian, Qian Zhe.

"Buzheng, look at this wonderful thing!" Qian Zhe said with a look of joy, pointing his right hand toward the table.

Cheng Buzheng's gaze fell upon the solid wood table, which was laden with various dishes, including the signature dishes the waiter had mentioned: "Dragon and Tiger Struggle," "Immortal's Aftertaste," and "Three Rolls of Dragon Meat."

Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat. In the center of all the dishes, resting on a massive platter, was a lobster nearly a meter long of an unknown species.

He had never seen such a massive lobster. It was either a monster or not far from becoming a spirit.

Seeing the bright red shell of the lobster, Cheng Buzheng's throat tightened. He forced his gaze away and looked at Qian Zhe with a smile.

"How did you get such a massive creature? This is truly beyond my expectations."

Qian Zhe seemed very satisfied with Cheng Buzheng's reaction. When he first saw such a giant creature, he had also been greatly shocked; usually, the largest lobsters he saw were no bigger than a palm. When had he ever seen one this huge?

"If you hadn't told me, how would I have known such delicacies existed in this world? You know how much I love to eat. I've definitely decided to be your friend, Qian Zhe!"

Cheng Buzheng smiled slightly and said, "Young Master Qian, a creature this large needs a dipping sauce to be truly a delicacy of the mortal realm. Otherwise, it would be a waste. I'll go prepare some!"

"No need, I've already prepared it!"

With that, Qian Zhe waved his hand and opened two white porcelain bowls stacked together. Inside the bowls was the seasoning he had mentioned.

Cheng Buzheng hurried over, divided the seasoning into the two bowls, then picked up a pair of scissors and walked toward the giant shrimp. He used great force to snip the front claw off at the joint.

"Young Master Qian, try some. I guarantee it's delicious!"

Cheng Buzheng cut a slit into the shell, revealing the white, tender, translucent meat with clear textures inside. A fresh, savory aroma wafted from the translucent meat. Cheng Buzheng then placed the giant claw onto the plate in front of Qian Zhe.

"I bet you wouldn't dare lie to me, kid!" Qian Zhe dipped the meat into the sauce, chewed slightly, and his eyes lit up. He laughed and scolded, "This truly is a delicacy! Kid, did you come up with this, or are you just a gourmet? Let's eat together; I can't finish such a giant shrimp by myself!"

Cheng Buzheng smiled. "Then I shall not refuse. This is my first time eating such a massive creature. Usually, they are only palm-sized and don't have much meat. It seems Young Master Qian truly has great connections!"

Afterward, he wrote down the entire process and various details of making stir-fried crayfish and handed it to Qian Zhe.

Immediately, laughter and conversation filled the Fuguai Hall. Under Cheng Buzheng's intentional flattery, Young Master Qian ate with great gusto.

After the meal was finished.

Young Master Qian reclined lazily in a grand armchair and looked at Cheng Buzheng, speaking slowly: "You know that Liuxian Pavilion is run by my old man. By offering me this secret method for such a delicacy, it's equivalent to giving me a money tree. Buzheng, whatever you need, just ask."

Although Qian Zhe spoke grandly, Cheng Buzheng knew it was merely polite talk. He knew exactly what kind of temperament this person had. He was not an impetuous youth who understood nothing.

Cheng Buzheng had already made his calculations and said unhurriedly, "Young Master Qian, we are friends. Talking like this makes it seem like you don't treat me as a friend!"

As he spoke, he put on a look of displeasure.

This was merely a psychological tactic of "retreating to advance." Combined with his previous flattery and his current status, Qian Zhe would certainly not turn hostile. After all, Qian Zhe was only a youth of fifteen or sixteen and had not yet reached the level of being cold-hearted and ruthless.

Sure enough.

"Brother was wrong. If you run into any trouble in the future, tell me. I still have a bit of influence in this town!"

Qian Zhe said with a face full of sincerity, but in his heart, he didn't care much. A small favor was easy, but troublesome matters were beyond his help.

At the same time, he held this youth in high regard. He knew the boy before him was the most talented medicinal apprentice of the town's great physician. Calling him an apprentice was a misnomer; he was actually a disciple. According to the information he had, this person's medical skills were already at seventy or eighty percent of the level of Physician Bai Rentang.

In the future, his medical skills would surely surpass his master. Otherwise, a mere medicinal apprentice wouldn't be able to seek his friendship. He was not that cheap.

Qian Zhe's mind was racing with calculations.

And Cheng Buzheng was fully aware of Qian Zhe's schemes; otherwise, how could his own plans have succeeded?