Chapter 98: The Royal Envoy Has Arrived

“What? You don’t have a phone? You actually don’t have a phone?” Zhang Lang was stunned. In this day and age, even kindergarten children have phones, yet here was someone his age without one—truly bizarre.

“Xiao Wang, drop what you’re doing and get a phone for Director Chen immediately. It must be the top-of-the-line model with the best number. You have one hour,” Zhang Lang ordered through his walkie-talkie.

“Um, Brother Zhang, no need to trouble Secretary Wang. I’m not used to those big-screen smartphones,” Chen Yun replied.

“Then we’ll get you a color screen keypad phone.”

“I’m not used to that either.”

“...How about a black-and-white phone?”

“Still not used to it.”

“Chen, can I just call you brother? You’ve got to have some way for me to contact you!” Zhang Lang was exasperated. How could this guy have so many strange habits? At first, he refused to drive a sports car and insisted on riding a bicycle. Then he stopped riding the bike altogether and just carried it. Now, just when Zhang thought he was normalizing by learning to drive, he throws a fit about not getting used to a phone. Was he kidding?

“Um... could you get me a brick phone?” Chen Yun asked timidly. At his current level, that was the only phone he could use.

“...” Zhang Lang slapped his forehead, then raised his walkie-talkie: “Xiao Wang, go to the TV station and the radio station. Broadcast a citywide reward: 100 gold coins for a usable brick phone, delivered directly to the hotel!”

“Chen, I’m not saying this to nag, but you really need to change these habits. They cause so much trouble. Do you know why the hotel is opening early today? The royal family is coming, and General Jiang Tian is coming too!” Zhang Lang said. “Do you know why they’re coming? It’s all for you! The notice came yesterday. I sent people looking for you all day yesterday, but couldn’t find you. If you don’t show up today, what am I supposed to do? If I can’t deliver the person the royal family wants, do you know what’ll happen to me? Little brother, I have elders above me and children below—I simply can’t afford to mess around.”

“Sorry, Brother Zhang. I understand,” Chen Yun said apologetically.

“All right, it’s 9 o’clock now. They’ll arrive at 10. Go change and get ready.”

“They’re definitely coming for that master-level dish of yours. Try to say as little as possible. If anything happens, the general will shield you. Just hold firm and don’t give in—the royal family won’t be able to do a thing.”

“This time, the royal family sealed off all information. No one knows except the hotel, and all staff have signed confidentiality agreements. They definitely want to snatch your dish at a low price,” Zhang Lang added. “I didn’t expect them to be this ruthless, using royal orders to pressure us. Despicable!”

“Brother Zhang, it’s just a dish. It’s no big deal. No need to get angry. Their actions only make me dislike them more,” Chen Yun said. “I’ll get ready now.”

---

Back in his room, Chen Yun changed into the clothes specially prepared for him by the hotel.

It wasn’t a suit but a chef’s uniform worn by master-level chefs of the Tianlong Empire for formal occasions.

Although called a chef’s uniform, Chen Yun stared at it for a long time, unable to see how it related to cooking—wasn’t it just a beautifully modified Tang suit?

Still, the clothing came with useful attributes, perfect for wearing while cooking.

“Exquisite Chef’s Uniform: Blue equipment exclusive to the chef profession. Increases cooking speed by 10%, raises the chance of rare dishes by 2%, reduces cooking mana consumption by 20%.”

At 10 a.m., a convoy of ultra-luxury bulletproof cars pulled up to the hotel entrance. Chen Yun knew the royal family had arrived.

The first to step out was Jiang Shan. After he got out, he opened the rear door, and out came an elderly man dressed in a general’s uniform. Chen Yun trembled all over.

“NPC Jiang Tian. Profession? Level? Attack power? ... Danger level: Could kill you with a breath!”

My goodness, Chen Yun had never seen the system describe anyone like that before. He felt immense awe toward Jiang Tian. This was a world-class expert who could kill with a mere breath!

Next, from the second car stepped a young man no older than thirty, with golden hair and a sly grin. Chen Yun could see his attributes.

“NPC Long Fei, Fifth Prince of the Tianlong Empire. Level 19, HP 1740, MP 1650, Strength 125, Constitution 130, Intelligence 166, Spirit 148, Agility 119, Physical Attack 360-384, Magic Attack 520-660, Skills: Tianlong Fist Lv. 2, Tianlong Sword Lv. 2, Tianlong Scriptures Lv. 6...”

Heavens! Chen Yun was stunned. This was the first time he saw NPC cultivator attributes. So high! Compared to him, this prince was a giant.

Then, from the same car emerged a young beauty.

Golden hair tied with a purple butterfly bow framed a porcelain doll face, and the most captivating feature was her sparkling, big eyes. Chen Yun was enchanted at first glance.

Such an adorable, charming little girl!

“NPC Long Lan, Seventh Princess of the Tianlong Empire. Level 15, HP 1340, MP 1150, Strength 80, Constitution 90, Intelligence 115, Spirit 108, Agility 67, Physical Attack 160-284, Magic Attack 220-360, Skills: Tianlong Fist Lv. 1, Tianlong Sword Lv. 1, Tianlong Scriptures Lv. 2...”

Uh... looking at the loli’s stats and then his own, Chen Yun was frightened. How could their stats differ so much at the same level?

“Grandfather, here is the hotel where Chen Yun is,” Jiang Shan said to Jiang Tian.

“Mm, I’ve long wanted to meet this young master-level chef,” Jiang Tian said with a warm smile.

Zhang Lang gave Chen Yun a look. Chen Yun understood, and the two of them stepped forward.

“Zhang Lang, General Manager of Night Flower Hotel in Lanyun City, pays respects to the prince, princess, and general.”

“Chen Yun pays respects to the prince, princess, and general,” Chen Yun said with proper decorum.

“Hmph,” Long Fei nodded coldly.

“Wow, you’re the master-level chef? So young! Younger than those in the palace. Are you 18 this year?” Long Lan blinked her big eyes.

“Yes, that’s me,” Chen Yun replied.

“There are many people outside. We came in secret this time. Let’s go inside,” Jiang Tian said.

“Yes, General,” the prince and princess said in unison, their voices respectful to the general who stood on equal footing with the emperor.

They entered the hotel and went straight to the largest, most luxurious private room. The servers trembled as they served tea and hurriedly stepped aside, hearts pounding.

These were the Tianlong Empire’s guardians—the prince, princess, and general. To have the honor of serving them tea was a tremendous privilege!

“Master Chen, I suppose you have already guessed the purpose of our visit,” Long Fei said after sipping tea. “I am here under the emperor’s orders to acquire that master-level dish you prepared. I hope Master Chen will be willing to part with it.”