Where's the Shopkeeper? Get Out Here!

"I'm so exhausted, I don't want to do a thing." The three of them yawned in unison, their eyelids drooping heavily. What a rotten idea of the Branch Master's, dragging everyone out here to eat. They were on their way back to the barbecue restaurant. After a long day of matching wits and courage, they had finally infiltrated the enemy's inner ranks. All they wanted now was to feast and get a good night's sleep. The Immortal Cult had concentrated everyone's thoughts into the Mountains and Rivers Cauldron, a process that induced profound mental fatigue. "Fortunately, before we left, I had the chang ghosts thread the skewers. We can open for business right when we get back," Man Gu said with a bit of relief. Arriving outside the barbecue restaurant, Lu Yang spotted a familiar figure. "Constable Wei? What are you doing here? Something the matter?" Constable Wei had been knocking on the door for a while without any answer, leading him to think no one was inside. Indeed, no living people were inside—only two chang ghosts laboriously threading skewers. Hearing Constable Wei knocking had scared the wits out of them; they wouldn't dare open the door. Just as Constable Wei was about to give up, Lu Yang arrived. Constable Wei's face lit up. "Shopkeeper Lu, you're finally back!" Lu Yang nodded, lies rolling effortlessly off his tongue: "I saw the weather was nice this morning, so the three of us talked it over, figured it was a great day for an outing, and went for a stroll. We just got back." "So, are you opening for business today?" Lu Yang thought about it. The Branch Master and his crew were coming—a full twenty people. That certainly counted as opening. "Yes, we are." Constable Wei softened his tone as much as possible. "Shopkeeper Lu, you see, it's like this. Your barbecue restaurant has quite a reputation around here, and I've been bringing a few of my brothers over to eat pretty often. "I know you three just enjoy running the place, have no desire to expand, and dislike people advertising for you." Lu Yang nodded. Constable Wei continued with feigned regret, "Those brothers of mine have loose lips. After eating here, they went back and couldn't stop praising how delicious your food is. Well, now everyone else is craving it too. They said we should all come here together for a meal after our shift ends today, and the brothers working the night shift at the yamen even asked us to bring some back for them." Looking at Constable Wei's expression, Lu Yang thought to himself: *I doubt it was just your brothers talking. Didn't you promote us yourself, Constable Wei?* "And so?" "We have quite a lot of constables in Yanjiang Commandery—enough to fill almost every table. Even the Chief Constable is coming. So I was wondering if we could book the whole place tonight and have you cater only to us." Realization dawned on Lu Yang, followed immediately by a troubled look. "But I have a few close friends coming tonight as well, so I'm afraid..." Constable Wei quickly said, "No problem at all! A few extra people won't make a difference. We can all eat together; the more, the merrier!" Before coming, Constable Wei had patted his chest and guaranteed his colleagues they would definitely get a meal. If they couldn't eat here tonight, he would lose face. Lu Yang agreed, "All right then. Give us some time to prepare, and we'll open in an hour." Having received a firm confirmation, Constable Wei left, thoroughly satisfied. *** Around the time agreed upon with the Branch Master, people converged from all directions outside the barbecue restaurant: the Branch Master, eleven deacons, and seven new recruits. Chi Xulong and Shen Jinyi were particularly attentive, carrying several jars of wine. "I was worried the wine in a little shop like this wouldn't have enough kick, so I made sure to bring several jars of thirty-year-old Nü'erhong spiritual wine," Chi Xulong and Shen Jinyi said. This spiritual wine packed immense potency; even a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage could not easily dispel its effects. The other five new recruits had also considered bringing wine to show their respect, but being only in the Qi Refinement stage, they couldn't procure anything worthwhile. To facilitate eating, the Branch Master had switched masks, wearing one that left his lower face exposed. Lu Yang and his two companions stepped out of the restaurant and invited the crowd inside: "Please, come on in! Everything is ready. Originally, someone had reserved the entire place tonight, but after much pleading on our part, they finally agreed to spare a table for us." The Branch Master nodded. He had originally worried the trio might be stubborn troublemakers who needed to be put in their place. Seeing how considerate they were—even knowing to secure a table in advance—he was quite pleased. "Don't just stand there, everyone inside," the Branch Master called out. The barbecue restaurant was empty. Naturally, the Branch Master took the center table—it was the largest and best situated, fitting his status. Lu Yang offered a cautious reminder from the side: "Branch Master, that table has been reserved by someone else." Before the Branch Master could speak, Chi Xulong cut in aggressively, "Tell them to sit off to the side! What kind of nobodies dare fight us for a table?" Seeing that the Branch Master did not object, Lu Yang said no more. Once everyone was seated, Man Gu brought out a menu. "What would you like to eat?" Shen Jinyi handed the menu to the Branch Master. "After you, Branch Master." The Branch Master waved a hand. "Order whatever you like." "You're treating us, so naturally you should order." "No need. Order whatever you want." The menu was passed around the table in polite refusal until it ended up back in Man Gu's hands. Man Gu curled his lip, thinking these people were troublesome to the extreme, dragging out something as simple as ordering skewers. Man Gu was not one for false modesty. After picking out the items himself, he took the menu to the back courtyard and had the two chang ghosts start grilling. Before long, Man Gu returned carrying plate after plate of sizzling skewers, rich in color, aroma, and presentation. One whiff was enough to tell everyone the food was exquisite. "Come, come, the skewers are here! Pour the wine!" the Branch Master said with a chuckle, signaling everyone to fill their cups. Meng Jingzhou smiled. "I'll pass on the wine. I'm used to drinking tea; I don't care much for alcohol." The Branch Master chuckled amiably. "Little Meng, wandering the martial world, how can you not know how to drink? There will be plenty of occasions for it in the future. Drink three cups first to get used to it." Meng Jingzhou still declined. Unable to save face, the Branch Master frowned slightly. Seizing the opportunity, Chi Xulong barked, "What's wrong with you? The Branch Master told you to drink and you refuse—are you trying to disrespect him?" Meng Jingzhou sneered, "It's just a drink. How did face get dragged into this? If the Branch Master is forcing me to drink, isn't that disrespecting me?" Chi Xulong was about to snap, *Who do you think you are to talk about face in front of the Branch Master?*, but the Branch Master stopped him before he could speak. The Branch Master knew Meng Jingzhou had boundless prospects and had no desire to clash with him. The Cult Master's assessment of Lu Yang and his companions was known to the Branch Master alone; not even Lu Yang's group knew of it. "A welcome meal doesn't need so much ceremony. Let me introduce myself first. My surname is Chu; you may call me Branch Master Chu." Once the Branch Master finished, the tall, slender man who had previously visited the brothel with Qin Yuanhao spoke next: "My name is Wang He. Those familiar with me like to call me Big Mouth Wang." "Bai Zifang." "Peng Shuo." The eleven deacons introduced themselves one by one. Calling it an introduction was generous; they merely stated their names, withholding their cultivation levels, hobbies, and specialties entirely, revealing nothing further. There was little trust among demonic cultists; they hid as much as they could. As if the earlier spat had never happened, the group ate and chatted harmoniously. "These skewers really are delicious." After eating a few, Chi Xulong was genuinely astonished. This was the best barbecue he had ever tasted. Greed stirred within him, and he whispered to the Branch Master, "Should we force the shopkeeper to hand over the recipe? Even if we sold skewers like these for spirit stones, there'd be a market. We could make a fortune!" The Branch Master was tempted as well. Murder, theft, extortion, and blackmail were things he had done countless times; once more wouldn't hurt. Standing nearby, Lu Yang asked, "And what if the shopkeeper refuses to give up the recipe?" A chilling glint flashed in Chi Xulong's eyes, and he grinned maliciously. "Then we'll see whether he values his life or his recipe!" He slammed the table, deliberately looking for trouble, and roared, "Where's the shopkeeper! Get out here! All the skewers have been served and you haven't even shown your face—don't you know any manners?!" Right on cue, Constable Wei's voice boomed from outside the doorway: "Haha! Where's the shopkeeper? I've brought all the brothers over!" A swarm of constables poured into the restaurant like a tidal wave, including the Chief Constable, a Golden Core cultivator, completely surrounding the Branch Master's table.