Chapter 137: Actually, I'm a Chef

The sun was pleasant today, casting a warm glow upon everyone.

Sun Licheng was sitting in a wooden shed opposite Barit. Before him lay a plate of roasted meat made of some unidentifiable substance; it was charred black and looked quite repulsive.

Sun Licheng glanced at the dish, which was enough for him. He looked up and asked Barit, "Chieftain Barit, do you ogres only eat people?"

Hearing the question, Barit was taken aback. He blinked, thought for a moment, and then his face fell.

"We don't want to eat people either, but the problem is we have too little food and are always starving," Barit said helplessly.

Through Barit’s explanation, Sun Licheng learned that ogres didn't actually like eating people; they only did so because they were constantly plagued by famine.

These creatures were large and sturdy with astonishing strength, but their appetites were even more terrifying. This reminded Sun Licheng of the second disciple from *Journey to the West*, who, back at Gao Village, had behaved in just such a way, leaving his old father-in-law both delighted and alarmed.

"It is said that our tribe once had plenty of food, but as the population grew, there wasn't enough to go around. We had no choice but to raid and capture people for food," Barit continued.

Sun Licheng understood; population expansion was a problem that appeared everywhere.

"Actually, we don't particularly enjoy eating your kind. Capturing humans is far more dangerous than hunting, and our warriors are often killed or injured. But there is no choice; if we don't eat you, we will starve to death," Barit said. He then beckoned over a young ogre child, pinched his round little belly, and sighed to Sun Licheng, "Our poor children are so hungry they are nothing but skin and bones."

Sun Licheng watched the chubby little ogre run off, speechless.

Just then, Barit added, "A while ago, the kingdom went to war and demanded food from every tribe. What was most infuriating was that they only wanted wild beasts. Are humans not food?"

Watching the indignant ogres, Sun Licheng didn't know what to say. In the face of survival, all morality was nonsense.

"Well, I have said what I needed to say. This boar-man meat is not bad; eat it and make do so you can be on your way. Actually, you goblins taste terrible, but the King took most of our food, and the whole tribe is starving. There was no other way but to eat you."

After venting his emotions, the ogre chieftain spoke to Sun Licheng with the gentle, elder-like demeanor of a mentor.

As Barit finished speaking, four ogres, led by the female dinosaur-like Caroline, surrounded Sun Licheng.

"Should I fight my way out?" Sun Licheng asked himself, but looking at the burly ogres surrounding him, he dismissed the thought.

"This... Chieftain Barit, actually, I am a cook. How about this: if you spare me, I will take responsibility for finding food for the Red Flame Tribe. How does that sound?" Sun Licheng blinked his bright blue eyes and said to Barit with sincerity.

Looking at Sun Licheng, whose clothes were nothing but tattered rags, Barit was stunned and asked instinctively, "What is a cook?"

At noon, under the bright sun, at the gate of the Red Flame Tribe’s camp, Caroline waved goodbye to her clansmen. Beside her, Henry was glaring fiercely at the relaxed Sun Licheng, who was currently lecturing a rabbit-man.

The ogres' understanding of cuisine remained at the most primitive stage of roasting. Since they had never been full, even though Sun Licheng tried his best to explain, they interpreted "cook" as a magician who could manifest food.

Although this was far from the original meaning, the ogres erupted into enthusiastic cheers. After Sun Licheng swore an oath in the name of the God of Oaths, the chieftain allowed him temporary freedom to go find food.

Of course, to prevent Sun Licheng from running away, the tribe's strongest warrior, Caroline, went with him, accompanied by Henry. Based on the principle that meeting is fate, Sun Licheng also insisted on bringing the rabbit-man along; at least he needed a companion to talk to, right?

"Sun Licheng, don't even think about escaping. This whole area is filled with ogre tribes of all sizes. If we fall into the hands of others, we’ll die even faster. I want to ask again: can you really find food?" the rabbit-man whispered quietly.

Sun Licheng patted the rabbit-man on the shoulder and said, "Chipman, you must have faith in me. Who am I? I am the great hero, Sun Licheng!"

Well, he had already exchanged backgrounds with the rabbit-man.

This type of rabbit-man was a variety of beast-folk, characterized by a gentle nature and a sharp mind, usually engaged in commercial activities.

This rabbit-man, named Chipman, primarily traded in furs and magic crystals. A while back, when war broke out in the Goblin Kingdom, he had keenly spotted a business opportunity and hurried there. He had purchased a large batch of fine furs and crystals at a low price, but just as he was about to head home, he was attacked by the Red Flame Tribe.

His entire caravan had either been killed or captured. A few days ago, his companions had already been eaten; if it weren't for Sun Licheng, he would likely have been roasted whole by now.

Having traveled all over the continent, Chipman knew that the Goblin Kingdom had never been rich in resources. How could there be enough food to satisfy those big-bellied giants? He suspected Sun Licheng was lying just to escape. Although Sun Licheng had some skills, he himself did not, and he was certain he was just being used as a scapegoat.

"Hmph!" After finishing her goodbyes, Caroline turned and let out a cold snort at Sun Licheng.

"I know you are lying to my father. You can't conjure food at all," Caroline said.

"Then why didn't you expose me in front of everyone?" Sun Licheng asked, feeling curious.

"Ever since the kingdom took most of our food, the clansmen have been in a state of constant hunger. Even knowing you are lying, my father and I are willing to believe you, just to give the tribe a glimmer of hope," Caroline replied, a look of sorrow in her eyes.

Sun Licheng sighed. He habitually wanted to pat Caroline on the shoulder, but seeing her stature, he could only lower his hand in frustration.

"Don't underestimate me. I'll make sure you see what I'm capable of soon enough," Sun Licheng muttered to himself. He lifted his head, puffed out his chest, and walked down the main road.

Because they were in the south, the vegetation around the Red Flame Tribe was much better than in the Land Forsaken by God or the Moon Alliance, even in the desolate lands Chipman had described.

Since Sun Licheng could live quite comfortably in those places, there was no reason he couldn't find food here.

Sun Licheng already had a plan for what kind of food to provide the Red Flame Tribe. Relying on hunting and meat was definitely not sustainable. He had never heard of a race that survived solely on meat; agriculture and livestock were the future for the ogres.

As for what the ogres’ staple food would be?

"Heh heh."

Sun Licheng's eyes lit up. He signaled to Caroline and stepped into a forest.