Chapter 12: Let the Rumors Fly for a While

Purple gold coins?

The crowd was in an uproar. In the Heavenly Dragon Empire, the currency exchange rate below gold coins was always one hundred to one, but once it reached gold coins, the ratio became ten thousand to one! One hundred copper coins equaled one silver coin, one hundred silver coins equaled one gold coin, and ten thousand gold coins equaled one purple gold coin! It was said that above purple gold coins existed even more valuable currency, but such things were beyond the reach of common folk.

Within the Heavenly Dragon Empire, gold coins were the highest form of currency circulated among the populace. Purple gold coins, however, were reserved for transactions among cultivators.

"Impossible! One dish for a million gold coins? Are we eating vegetables or money?" a guest exclaimed.

"Hmph, why not? A dish crafted by a master chef is a marvel that steals the mysteries of heaven and earth, gathering the essence of the world into a divine meal. For people like us, even smelling it is enough to extend our lives by several days. How could such a dish be measured by mere money?" The old man's words stunned the patrons. They knew that dishes made by master chefs were extraordinary, but had never understood how extraordinary. Who would have guessed that merely inhaling the aroma could add days to one's life—what if someone actually ate it? Would they instantly become revered cultivators?

"I can't help it anymore. I must taste it for myself." The guest who had ordered quickly took a bite of Chen Yun's garlic-fried eggplant, and instantly an unparalleled flavor swept through his soul.

Four words: absolutely delicious!

"To taste a dish like this in my life, I could die right now without regret," the guest said, tears streaming down his face. "Five copper coins for a dish like this? What a bargain!"

"Delicious—truly delicious! This is definitely a dish prepared by a master chef. I haven't slept well lately, always feeling muddled, but now my mind is clear and my energy is renewed. A divine dish, indeed!"

Seeing the expressions of those who tasted the food, the surrounding guests could no longer sit still. Throwing all decorum aside, they grabbed chopsticks and dug in. In less than a minute, the three plates were polished clean, and everyone was intoxicated by the earthly delight. For them, such dishes merely replenished their vitality; as for enhancing spiritual power, that privilege belonged to Chen Yun and cultivators alone.

"If I don't eat today, I'll never have another chance. Boss, bring me every dish you have—I don't care what happens tonight!" A customer threw his purse onto the table. "Not just vegetables, bring out the meat as well!"

"That's right! If the vegetables taste this good, what about the meat dishes? Boss, I'm not holding back tonight!"

"Me too. I'll go home and bring my wife and kids."

"Damn, I don't have enough money. I'll go get some."

"Better pig out before the prices jump. I'm going to get more money as well."

Seeing the hall empty out by half in an instant, the restaurant owner wasn't distressed; instead, his face bloomed with joy. He knew these departing patrons would return with more people and more money.

"Good deeds bring good rewards!" The restaurant owner sighed, busying himself while calculating his prospects.

Inside, the restaurant bustled with activity, and outside, a whirlwind of excitement swept through.

"You said what? A master chef came to our county? Cooking in a small restaurant? Are you out of your mind?"

"Believe it or not, my uncle just told me. You can't even squeeze inside that little eatery now. I'm not wasting time talking—word is, eating a master chef's dish could add years to your life. I'm going to try it for myself; if it's fake, no loss, but if it's real, I hit the jackpot."

---

"Seriously? Eating a dish could add years to your life? No way, I have to see for myself. Wait for me, let's go together."

"Hey, did you hear? The 'Delicious Vegetables' restaurant has a master chef now. They say a single dish could add decades to your lifespan."

"Decades? I'm in—let's go, my treat."

"What? Master chef? One dish adds fifty years? Ali, get the car ready, we're heading to 'Delicious Vegetables' restaurant!"

"Heavens, one dish for a hundred extra years? If I eat dozens, wouldn't I become immortal? Tonight, as long as we don't die, let's eat till we drop!"

...

Thus, the tiny Fire Rooster County and the modest 'Delicious Vegetables' restaurant became extraordinarily lively and popular, all because of the sudden appearance of a 'master chef' and increasingly exaggerated rumors. As for how popular...

"Everyone, line up and don't push. Wait until the guests inside finish and come out before you go in. There really isn't any space left in the shop." Hu Dan Niu stood at the entrance, sweat pouring down his face, legs trembling as he stared at the line stretching dozens of meters. He never expected that one customer's tale would cause such a stir. Just look at that queue—at least two or three hundred people!

Inside the restaurant hall, it was packed. All tables and chairs had been removed to make more space, and over a hundred people squeezed inside, their eyes fixed on the corridor leading to the kitchen. If the boss weren't standing guard with a cleaver, the kitchen might have been torn apart by now.

After receiving a call from the boss, the owner’s wife arrived, along with his parents. The three were busy outside, not serving tea or water, but—

"What are you ordering? Stir-fried shredded potatoes? We're out of potatoes—choose something else."

"Can I go buy some?"

"Only if you can squeeze back in after buying them."

"Uh..."

...

"Braised pork? Pick something else; there aren't enough pots."

"Not enough pots? Can't you add another?"

"For you alone? No."

"Can't I pay extra? I'll pay ten times the price, including the pot!"

"No."

"Why not? Who refuses money?"

"Because there aren't enough stoves."

---

"Damn..."

...

"Steamed carp? No, we'd have to clean the pot first. Can't waste everyone else's time—pick another dish."

"Pork knuckle?"

"Out."

"Stir-fried pork slices?"

"There's no meat left. How can I stir-fry pork slices?"

"Stir-fried radish!"

"Out."

"Come on, just tell me what's left!"

"Honestly, I don’t know either."

"Damn..."

---

Back in the kitchen.

"Player Chen Yun's mana is zero—please replenish your mana." With all ingredients exhausted in the kitchen, Chen Yun’s mana was also depleted. He looked at the trash can overflowing with tomato and carrot peels, gave a bitter laugh, and slumped onto a stool, panting as he told Xi Lanlan, who had come to fetch a dish, "Lanlan, go tell everyone—we’re out of everything."

"What? No more dishes? There are still hundreds waiting outside! Should I ask Dad to go buy more?" Xi Lanlan asked, stunned.

"Spare me," Chen Yun groaned. "If I keep cooking, I’ll die of exhaustion."

Xi Lanlan uttered an 'oh' and went outside.

"Lanlan, where are the dishes? Aren’t they ready yet?" The boss, acting as bodyguard, saw his daughter come out empty-handed and asked in surprise.

"We’re out of everything," Lanlan replied. "Go tell everyone outside."

"Out of everything?" Xi Jiu was taken aback, then quickly realized, "You mean there’s nothing left in the kitchen?"