Chapter 76: The Path to Wealth

 

Si Zheng took a sip from his gourd and said, “When we arrived in Jinyang City last night, you didn’t explain why, but today you’re willing to talk.”

 

Yang He sighed, “Zhang Tiannan is stubborn. I’ve told him to keep a low profile on the way here, but when that moster appeared, he instinctively took action. I could feel that everyone is wary of the two of us, which is not good for the journey ahead, so I had to be open and honest.”

 

On the other side, Zhang Tiannan, while watering the horses, suddenly paused, then continued as if he hadn’t heard anything.

 

Si Zheng nodded and didn’t ask further questions.

 

Although Qin Feng and the others hadn’t completely let go of their guard, the distance between them and Yang He had indeed decreased.

 

“If you want to return the Dragon Protection Monument, why stop? Wouldn’t it be safer to rush to Qiyuan City non-stop?” Qin Feng raised this doubt by the campfire.

 

Yang He took out some dried meat from his pocket and bit down hard, then said, “If the enemies invading the city were annihilated, we would naturally rush back as fast as possible. But since those enemies were only repelled, once they find out that the Dragon Protection Monument they took is fake, they will definitely come back to search for the real one. That’s why I’ve been cautious all the way and trading on thin ice along the way.”

 

“I see.” Qin Feng nodded, then he thought of something and his expression turned grim.

 

If the enemies indeed discovered that the Dragon Protection Monument was fake, wouldn’t they be in great danger? After all, even the Spear Immortal, one of the Twelve Divine General, and several Thirty-Six Stars couldn’t kill the enemies, only repel them!

 

Qin Feng glared at Yang He resentfully. If it weren’t for him, he wouldn’t have gotten involved in this mess.

 

As the meat was too dry, Yang He needed to drink a large gulp of water every few bites. He sensed a strange gaze on him and looked over, only to see Qin Feng’s eyes burning. “Doctor Qin, do you want a bite?”

 

“No, thank you.” Qin Feng didn’t want to bother with him; even dogs wouldn’t eat this kind of food.

 

After a while, he asked, “If I cook something here in the formation, will the smell spread outside the formation?”

 

Yang He shook his head, “Not to mention the smell, even if a demonic beast passes within one yard of the formation, it won’t detect us unless its strength exceeds Fourth Calamity Cycle.”

 

This formation was truly a great tool for discreet activities, Qin Feng thought to himself. He took out an iron pot and added seasonings and water, placing it on the campfire. After a while, the red soup boiled, releasing a captivating aroma.

 

Qin Feng then added the monster organs he had collected from the Black Mist Forest into the pot. After a dozen breaths, he picked up a piece and put it in his mouth, savoring the juicy meat with satisfaction.

 

Seeing this, Yang He’s jerky suddenly lost its appeal, or rather, it had never been appealing.

 

Qin Feng called Si Zheng, Zhang Tiannan, and Cang Feilan to join him for the meal, but deliberately excluded Yang He.

 

Si Zheng, naturally, didn’t hold back and enjoyed the food while drinking. Zhang Tiannan hesitated for a moment, but after glancing at Yang He’s jerky, his hesitation vanished, and he became uncontrollably excited. When he finished chewing the first piece of meat, he couldn’t stop himself anymore.

 

Of course, these two were just accompanying guests. Qin Feng’s real intention was to invite Cang Feilan, as this was a perfect opportunity for her to take off her black veil.

 

Unfortunately, Cang Feilan shook her head and declined his ill-intentioned offer.

 

The three of them sat around the pot, their chopsticks never stopping, making Yang He, who was watching nearby, continuously swallow saliva. His jerky was long gone, and he didn’t know where it had disappeared.

 

Finally, unable to endure any longer, Yang He asked, “Doctor Qin, may I join you for some food?”

 

Qin Feng naturally didn’t want him to, he just wanted to disgust this guy who had led him into danger. However, he couldn’t refuse directly, so he said tactfully, “I’m sorry, I don’t have any spare chopsticks here.”

 

“No problem, I have some!” Yang He was thrilled and indeed took out a pair of chopsticks from his pocket!

 

“You’re amazing,” Qin Feng said, his mouth agape.

 

Yang He approached the pot and nudged Zhang Tiannan, who was engrossed in eating meat, with his foot.

 

After all, they had the important task of escorting the Dragon Protection Monument. It was impossible for both of them to let down their guard simultaneously. Even with the protective spirit formation guarding from all directions, they still had to ensure that one person remained vigilant.

 

To his surprise, Zhang Tiannan merely glanced at Yang He before lowering his head again and quickly scooping up the beast meat from the red soup, his mouth never stopping.

 

“Zhang Tiannan, you’re going too far,” Yang River gritted his teeth and said.

 

Zhang Tiannan swallowed the demon beast meat in his mouth, lifted his head again, and saw Yang He’s frustrated expression. Reluctantly, he stood up and leaped onto a treetop, observing the surroundings carefully.

 

Meanwhile, Yang He finally stood next to the iron pot, savoring the delicacy within the red soup.

 

“Mmm, this meat!” Yang He widened his eyes.

 

The flavor was pungent but exceptionally delicious, filled with soup.

 

“Delicious, truly delicious! What is this?” Yang He exclaimed, continuing to eat quickly. He was afraid that if he ate too slowly, he wouldn’t be able to compete with the other two.

 

“This dish is called hot pot,” Si Zheng took a sip of wine and replied leisurely.

 

“Hot pot?” Yang He was momentarily surprised, but he didn’t stop eating. Chewing on the meat, he mumbled, “The person who invented this is a genius!”

 

You’ve got a good eye, Qin Feng raised an eyebrow, his face impassive as he added, “Not just a genius, but an extraordinary talent. Without a vision and intellect far surpassing others, how could someone invent such a delicacy?”

 

Cang Feilan glanced at Qin Feng strangely upon hearing his words.

 

Unable to bear it anymore, Si Zheng spat, “Kid, have some dignity, will you?”

 

Yang He was momentarily stunned but quickly realized. “Dr. Qin, did you invent this hot pot?”

 

“Well, sort of,” Qin Feng cleared his throat. “At least in this world, I did.”

 

“Amazing, truly amazing! I’ve never tasted anything like this in Qiyuan City,” Yang He praised sincerely.

 

A flash of inspiration struck Qin Feng. In his mind, a business opportunity emerged.

 

Moonlit Pavilion was the undisputed leader in the food industry in Jinyang City. However, Jinyang City was just a small town. Even if the business boomed, the profits had a limit. But Qiyuan City was different. It was a Heavenly city, densely populated and vast. If Moonlit Pavilion could open a branch in Qiyuan City, the profits would be limitless.

 

Just thinking about it made Qin Feng tremble with excitement.

 

He glanced at Yang He and tentatively asked, “If this thing enters Qiyuan City, how do you think the business will be?”

 

“Needless to say, it will be packed every day, with a constant flow of customers!” Yang He replied without hesitation.

 

Qin Feng nodded slightly. The other party was a Jade Demon Slayer, so he must have broad knowledge. Since he said so, it was probably true.

 

But entering a Heavenly city wasn’t that easy. The waters there were deep. If they accidentally touched someone’s interests, it was easy to offend the powerful and face obstacles.

 

This matter needed careful consideration. After this trip was over, he would think about it carefully.

 

Seeing Qin Feng’s thoughts, Si Zheng smirked but didn’t say much. He just continued drinking his wine.

 

Zhang Tiannan, who was on the treetop, couldn’t help himself. He jumped down, eager to join Yang He.

 

In the following moments, Yang He and Zhang Tiannan’s exchange became faster and faster until the meat in the hot pot was almost gone. Only then did they stop.

 

After eating and drinking their fill, Yang He cleared all traces. The five of them mounted their horses again. Escorting the Dragon Protection Monument was an absolutely meticulous task. They had to take advantage of the night to continue their journey.

 

The reins of the horse were pulled, the horse’s head was raised, the dust flew, and the silhouette of the five people disappeared into the night.

 

However, none of them noticed a small thumb-sized centipede crawling slowly on the dark tree bark. Its black carapace displayed mysterious red patterns that flashed and disappeared.