Chapter 265 - 152: Officially in Operation

Chapter 265: Chapter 152: Officially in Operation

He had rushed over immediately.

But—

Ten High-speed Rails had passed in a row, and every one of them was full.

There was simply no room to get on.

He could only get a spot if someone got off, but nobody did.

He simply couldn’t get on the train.

"Hey, are there any more trains coming?"

He asked, looking anxiously at the Mortal Realm Member standing nearby.

"No more."

The Mortal Realm Member stationed at Bai Ri City flipped over a nearby sign. "The next departure is from Mortal City to Ping’an City. It’ll be over an hour before there’s a train from Ping’an City back to Mortal City."

"Fine, I’ll wait!"

The middle-aged man gritted his teeth. As long as he could eventually get a train, it was fine. His only fear was that in an hour, the train from Ping’an City would be full again.

...

"That’s Medicine King Valley, Medicine King Valley!"

On the High-speed Rail.

A crowd of passengers gazed excitedly out the window at the Gold-devouring Toad resting beside Medicine King Valley. The Valley had always been famous in Jiangnan, and they knew it was home to a very gentle Exotic Beast called the Gold-devouring Toad.

But none of them had ever seen it in person.

Seeing it for themselves now, they were naturally thrilled.

"..."

The Valley Master of Medicine King Valley was returning home on the same train. When he saw how popular his Gold-devouring Toad was, his eyes suddenly lit up. While the train was stopped, he quickly squeezed his way off and shouted to the passengers still on board.

"Anyone want to pet the Gold-devouring Toad?"

"Memory Stones for sale!"

"You can take a picture with him!"

"You can feed him!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the passengers on the High-speed Rail exchanged glances, a shared hesitation in their eyes. They were all heading to Mortal City. The city had become famous recently, and they were eager to see what it was really like.

But...

Some couldn’t resist. The first few passengers scrambled off the High-speed Rail, running eagerly toward the Gold-devouring Toad.

’I’ll go to Mortal City next time.’

’First, I’ll get a picture.’

’Getting a picture with the Gold-devouring Toad, the Exotic Beast of Medicine King Valley... think of the bragging rights I’ll have over drinks!’

’While everyone else at the table is bragging about whatever big shot they’ve met... he could just pull out his Memory Stone showing a picture with the Gold-devouring Toad. Wouldn’t that just win the whole table?’

’Who could possibly top that?’

"Pet away, pet away!"

The Valley Master of Medicine King Valley was beaming as he stood to the side. The Gold-devouring Toad lay right where it was, eyelids half-closed, not moving a muscle. It seemed to be rather enjoying the attention.

"Valley Master..."

Just then—

The Grand Elder, who had been trailing him, finally couldn’t take it anymore. He leaned in and whispered, "As the Valley Master, you should maintain an air of mystery. You shouldn’t appear before the public so frequently."

"Besides, the Gold-devouring Toad is the Sect Guardian Beast of Medicine King Valley. Letting all these commoners paw at it... doesn’t that undermine its dignity?"

"..."

The Valley Master shot the Grand Elder an irritated look. "You need to think bigger. Learn a thing or two from Domain Lord Chen. He’s built a huge empire, and he’s not hiding away in the Mortal Realm, is he?"

"Popularity brings business."

"Besides, look how fast these Memory Stones are selling. That’s business, too."

He then turned his attention back to the crowd.

"Come on, right this way!"

"Just one Ghost Stone gets you a picture, plus feeding and petting!"

...

Soon, the first High-speed Rail arrived at Mortal City.

Over a thousand people poured into Mortal City.

The city instantly grew much livelier.

Some people barely spared a glance around upon arrival before rushing out the city gates toward the coast. Mortal City was only a kilometer from the sea. Many of the visitors had never seen the ocean in their entire lives, and their greatest dream in coming here was to finally witness it for themselves.

"Wow... it smells so good."

A man who had just run excitedly off the High-speed Rail was looking around, dazzled by the sights. Before he could take it all in, a tantalizing aroma hit him, and he instinctively turned toward the source.

Not far away, he saw an old man busy at his Braised Shop, steam rising as he cooked. He was also hawking his wares with gusto. "Step right up, take a look!"

"Guaranteed delicious!"

"No good? No pay!"

The man drifted over instinctively.

He glanced at the sign.

"Jiangbei Braised Master."

He swallowed. "How much is it?"

"Two Ghost Stones a serving."

"That expensive?!"

The man’s voice rose unintentionally. "This little bowl of food wouldn’t even cost one Ghost Stone back home!"

’Didn’t they say prices in Jiangbei were low?’

’How is it more expensive than back in Jiangnan?’

"How could you even compare?"

Zhao Shengping, bustling over his pots, scoffed. "After you taste my cooking, I guarantee you’ll never be able to stomach another bite of anyone else’s."

"Besides—"

"I am Zhao Shengping, the Artifact Pavilion Master of the Mortal Realm."

"Do you know who I am?"

"Where else are you going to spend two Ghost Stones to have a man of my station cook for you?"

"Artifact Pavilion Master?"

The man froze. Then, looking angry, he rushed over to a passing Mortal Realm Member. "Excuse me, sir! That old man selling food over there, he claims to be your Artifact Pavilion Master! He’s impersonating a Mortal Realm Pavilion Master!"

"..."

The Mortal Realm Member who had been stopped let out a helpless sigh.

"He’s the real deal."

"He really is the Artifact Pavilion Master of the Mortal Realm."

"How is that possible?"

The man was stunned. ’Is the Artifact Pavilion Master of the Mortal Realm that down on his luck? He has to come out here and cook for us?’

’Didn’t I hear that even Ordinary Mortal Realm Members get a monthly salary of 100 Ghost Stones?’

"What the hell do you know?" Zhao Shengping snorted. "Cooking is my hobby. The Artifact Pavilion is quiet right now, so what’s wrong with me coming out to cook for a bit?"

’Coming to the Mortal Realm was the best decision I’ve ever made.’

’It wasn’t just about putting food on the table for myself and my apprentice.’

’More importantly, my whole outlook on life has changed for the better.’

’Back in my old Sect, everyone laughed at me whenever I cooked. They even gave me the insulting nickname ’Guanxi Master of Braised Food.’’

’I was so ashamed I could barely hold my head high.’

’But here in the Mortal Realm...’

’The Domain Lord truly respects my passion.’

’As the saying goes, a man will lay down his life for someone who truly understands him. I’ve never felt such a sense of belonging to any power before. This is my home. I’ll spend the rest of my life here and die here.’

’I’m not going anywhere else.’

’And now, I can proudly call myself the ’Jiangbei Braised Master.’ It’s no longer an insult, but a recognition of my skill.’

"Give it a try!"

The man stopped arguing. Braised food made by the Artifact Pavilion Master of the Mortal Realm himself? He had to try that.