Chapter 1132: None of Them Really Want To

Chen Changsheng fell deep into thought.

He gazed down at the river's surface, as if recalling something.

Before long, the boat reached the shore.

Chen Changsheng took out his money pouch, counted out eight wen, and handed it to the fisherman.

The fisherman thanked him and offered a few words of congratulations, then quickly returned to his fishing.

Chen Changsheng made his way toward the wine restaurant.

Shopkeeper Zhou was no longer there.

His son had now taken over the establishment.

After the son took over, business hadn't been as good as in previous years. For one, the head chef had grown too old to work, and the replacements were mediocre at best. Even after cycling through a few cooks, the food never matched its former glory, and the patrons gradually stopped coming.

Nowadays, the restaurant only stayed afloat by scraping together business from new arrivals. Barely any old regulars showed their faces anymore.

Shopkeeper Zhou's son, Zhou Shengjiang, sat inside the restaurant with a long face, fretting over the lack of business.

Chen Changsheng had finished his Monkey Wine, so he intended to buy a fresh batch.

"Your restaurant doesn't seem to be doing as well as it used to," Chen Changsheng noted.

Zhou Shengjiang let out a heavy sigh. "Please don't mention it, Mister. I'm at my wit's end."

Chen Changsheng looked at him and asked, "Business was quite prosperous when your father was around. Did something happen?"

Zhou Shengjiang stared blankly. "You knew my father?"

Chen Changsheng nodded. "We shared some drinks together in the early years."

Zhou Shengjiang hurriedly pulled Chen Changsheng over to sit down. "Then you're a senior to me. Please, have a seat. Sit!"

"We only met a handful of times. I hardly count as your senior."

"Courtesy must be maintained, courtesy must be maintained."

Zhou Shengjiang urged him into a seat and personally brought over a pot of good wine.

He then asked Chen Changsheng when he had met his father.

Chen Changsheng recounted the old days, sharing the stories one by one.

Of course, he left out a great deal. The more mystical aspects were better left unsaid.

"So that's how it is."

Zhou Shengjiang murmured, a look of sudden realization washing over him. "That actually reminds me. I remember who you are now. My father used to talk about you! He said that whenever you visited, you'd always bring a Red-Tailed Warmouth, and the two of you would always end up dead drunk."

Chen Changsheng smiled and nodded. "Your father could certainly hold his liquor."

Zhou Shengjiang let out a soft sigh. "He really could. But in the end, it was the drinking that brought on his illness. Otherwise, he wouldn't have... Sigh..."

"Let me toast you, Uncle."

"You're too kind."

After finishing his cup, Chen Changsheng asked, "This restaurant will probably be hard to keep running. What do you plan to do?"

"To tell you the truth," Zhou Shengjiang said, "the business just isn't turning a profit. I'm planning to pivot to a different trade. Before he passed, my father told me to take good care of the restaurant and keep it open, but I can't keep going on like this. I'm bleeding money every month. If this continues, our family's entire savings will be wiped out. I have no choice but to sell the place..."

"That would be a pity. The location here is excellent."

"It really is, but my hands are tied..."

Chen Changsheng paused for a moment. "How about I give you an idea?"

Zhou Shengjiang blinked in surprise before cupping his hands. "Please enlighten me, Uncle."

"It's nothing profound. This Chen has simply heard of a few peculiar things over the years."

"Peculiar?"

"Indeed..."

Chen Changsheng then began to explain it to him.

"During my earlier travels, This Chen learned of a certain flavor from the riverside fishermen. It is called 'freshness.' Much like salt or sugar, adding it to a dish yields miraculous results. The fishermen catch tiny shrimp and gather seaweed, dry them in the sun, roast them, and grind them into a fine powder. Sprinkling it into a dish boosts this savory freshness and elevates the aroma, creating a truly extraordinary taste."

Zhou Shengjiang was stunned for a moment before a fiery excitement welled up in his chest. He wanted to try it right this instant.

If that was the case, it would definitely work!

Tiny shrimp and seaweed naturally possessed a rich, savory aroma. If his kitchen's dishes could carry that same mouthwatering fragrance, who wouldn't love them?

Zhou Shengjiang knew without a doubt that this method would work!

"Thank you, Uncle! Thank you!"

Zhou Shengjiang bowed in gratitude over and over. "I'll go buy some to try later. No, I'll go right now! I'll have someone buy the ingredients this instant."

Chen Changsheng smiled. "Take your time to perfect it. It will certainly yield results."

Zhou Shengjiang stood up and called out, "Old Hu! Old Hu..."

He hurried off to find his worker.

But when he turned back around, he realized the Mister was already gone.

He froze in a daze for a moment.

"Where is he?"

"Where did he go?"

Zhou Shengjiang hurried out the door to check.

He looked frantically in every direction but couldn't spot the man anywhere. He opened his mouth to call out, completely bewildered.

"Boss! Boss!"

The restaurant waiter ran out after him. "Boss, that Mister said he had an urgent matter to attend to and had to leave first. He told you not to worry."

"Ah!"

Zhou Shengjiang stood dazed for a moment. "How could you just let him leave?"

He was incredibly frustrated with himself. He hadn't properly hosted his father's old friend, let alone thanked the man for teaching him such a priceless recipe.

How could his conscience ever rest easy now!

...

After leaving the restaurant, Chen Changsheng made a trip to the temple of the Goddess of the Celestial River.

Lately, the water levels of the Tongtian River had been wildly erratic. Naturally, there was a reason behind this.

The temple of the Goddess of the Celestial River received a continuous stream of incense.

Over the past few decades, the Goddess of the Celestial River had sheltered the common folk along the banks. She ensured favorable weather and prevented water demons from wreaking havoc. Her merit was immeasurable, and thus, countless locals came to offer incense.

The current abnormalities in the river were naturally connected to her.

Chen Changsheng looked up at the divine statue. Barely a moment passed before a voice rang out beside him.

"Since Uncle Chen has come to the Tongtian River, why not visit the Dragon Palace as a guest?"

Chen Changsheng turned to look at Ying En standing behind him. She had just arrived as well.

"If I go," Chen Changsheng replied, "your father will undoubtedly drag me into a drinking bout that lasts for at least three days and three nights."

Ying En gave a helpless smile. "True enough. Father has always been like that."

Chen Changsheng said, "I heard from the fishermen that the Tongtian River has been swelling quite often lately. That reminded me of what you told me several years ago—that you were nearing your Dragon Transformation."

Ying En nodded. "Uncle, I am indeed about to undergo my Dragon Transformation. I missed the optimal timing back then, and because the qi destiny was scattered, it was too risky to borrow the dynastic fortune for the breakthrough. Thus, I've waited until now. But lately, I've barely been able to suppress it anymore. That is what's causing the turbulent currents in the Tongtian River."

Chen Changsheng nodded in understanding. "When will it be?"

Ying En let out a long breath. "Once the Human Sovereign ascends the throne and the qi destiny is unified, that will be the time of my Dragon Transformation."

"That is quite good," Chen Changsheng remarked. "By aligning with such an auspicious omen, you can also gather more incense."

"Mhm."

"And what about Ying Yuan? His should be soon as well, shouldn't it?"

"Second Brother plans to delay it a while longer. Father wants to hand the affairs of the Dragon Palace over to him, but he has no desire to take up the job. He's been dragging his feet, hoping to wait for the Grand Crown Prince to return so he can dump it all on him."

Chen Changsheng blinked in surprise before chuckling. "The Grand Crown Prince might not be all that willing, either."

Ying En offered another helpless smile. "Exactly. Honestly, given how both Eldest Brother and Second Brother are, I have a terrible feeling that all these responsibilities are going to end up falling on me... Sigh..."

"The problem is, I don't really want to do it either."