Chapter: Morning After
In the early morning, warm sunlight streamed through the manor window. The air carried the fragrance of heather.
On the bed, Cheng Yu's arms wrapped around Mina's soft waist. After a night of passion, Mina had transformed from a girl into a woman.
"Master, you're so strong."
Mina woke from sleep and gently rubbed her head against Cheng Yu's chest.
Beastfolk girls liked strong men. Cheng Yu's physical strength attribute was as high as 397 points, which satisfied Mina completely.
"Be my bed-warming maid from now on. Warm my bed every day."
Cheng Yu stroked Mina's soft white hair.
"Mm."
Mina nodded slightly. Now her whole world revolved around Cheng Yu.
After getting up, the two went to the kitchen to steam buns.
At seven o'clock, the cavalry soldiers arrived on time to pick up the buns.
Money and goods exchanged hands. Cheng Yu earned another 4 gold coins.
Snow City, Harold family mansion.
The middle-aged butler reported to the head of the family, Dewitt. "Master, I've already investigated thoroughly. The young man is called Cheng Yu. He lives in a manor outside Bailu Town and works as a chef."
"Very good. Gather all the guards from our family and the guards from other locations. We'll go to Bailu Town in a few days and kill that brat," Dewitt said viciously.
Last time, he'd sent over a dozen people to snatch the elf from Cheng Yu, but all of them had been killed. This showed Cheng Yu was very powerful.
This time, Dewitt planned to bring more people. He didn't believe this guy named Cheng Yu could have three heads and six arms.
"Yes, Master."
The middle-aged butler went to gather people.
Unknowingly, four days passed.
Earning 4 gold coins a day meant earning 16 gold coins in four days.
Since the price of buns increased, some cavalrymen were reluctant to buy them, so they resold the remaining buns to other guards. As the number of people eating buns increased, Cheng Yu naturally gained more positive emotion points every day.
Previously, he'd gained 700-900 positive emotion points daily. Now he gained 1,600-1,900 daily—nearly doubled.
In addition to exchanging positive emotion points for vinegar, butter, soy sauce, and other seasonings, Cheng Yu used all remaining points to exchange for strength and defense attribute points.
To maintain balance between physical strength and defense, Cheng Yu usually exchanged at a 1:1 ratio.
One afternoon, four days later, Cheng Yu sat under the tree in front of the manor, drinking coffee and checking his attribute information.
Host: Cheng Yu
Cooking Level: Max
Strength: 419
Defense: 419
Skills: Silver Moon Shockwave
Equipment: Dragon-Pattern Golden Knife
His strength and defense attributes had exceeded 400 points.
However, Cheng Yu didn't know what tier of warrior strength and defense attributes over 400 were equivalent to.
Anyway, it was always good to pile them higher.
"Cheng Yu, I want to host some friends here at noon tomorrow. How about you help me prepare a banquet?"
Maxi ran over, his chubby face glistening with oil and sweat in the sun.
"My banquet fee is very expensive. How much are you planning to pay?"
Cheng Yu knew Maxi was wealthy, but he didn't know how wealthy, so he had Maxi bid first to avoid lowering the price.
"Twenty gold coins. What do you think?"
The monthly salary of an ordinary worker in the Black Sun Empire was 3,000-5,000 copper coins. Twenty gold coins was equivalent to several years' income for an ordinary worker.
"No problem. Leave it to me."
Cheng Yu had made 16 gold coins from buns over four days. Maxi was offering 20 gold coins for one meal. This was pure profit—no loss.
"How many people?"
"About a dozen."
Maxi had been ordered to inspect the frontlines. He'd arranged this banquet to entertain senior generals from the Northern Fortress and build relationships.
"Mina, let's go buy ingredients."
Cheng Yu and Mina headed out to buy groceries and prepare ingredients for tomorrow's banquet in advance.
"Okay."
After Cheng Yu's training all night, Mina followed him obediently like a young wife.
The two went to the Bailu Town market. Cheng Yu bought a live sheep, two live chickens, a few fish, some beef, and some pork ribs.
The total cost was 20 silver coins.
Maxi was giving him 20 gold coins. The banquet would net a profit of 19.8 gold coins.
Cheng Yu planned to make roasted whole lamb for Maxi and the others as the main dish tomorrow, with side dishes: three-delicacy soup, Kung Pao chicken, steamed fish, braised spare ribs, sweet-and-sour spare ribs, braised beef, and more.
The next day, over a dozen high-ranking generals from the Northern Fortress arrived at Cheng Yu's manor.
Among them were General Oggus Barney, the supreme commander of the Northern Fortress; the Knight Commander who commanded all cavalry; the fifth-tier great mage who commanded the magic army; and the fifth-tier warrior captain skilled in charging into battle...
Cheng Yu cooked in the kitchen while Mina brought the prepared dishes to the long table in the living room.
Maxi sat at the head of the table. Over a dozen high-ranking generals sat along both sides of the long table.
Looking at the golden roasted whole lamb in the center of the table, the dozen men practically drooled.
Though court chefs also made roasted whole lamb, adding only salt couldn't suppress the gamey mutton smell at all.
Cheng Yu's roasted whole lamb not only included salt but also cumin, pepper, Sichuan peppercorn powder, spices, and other seasonings. After slow-roasting over low heat, the lamb was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and fully flavored.
"I've been at the Northern Fortress for so long and haven't treated everyone to a meal. This meal is my treat. Everyone, eat as much as you want," Maxi said to the dozen generals.
"Thank you, Your Highness the Third Prince."
The dozen men couldn't wait to pick up their knives and forks to taste the roasted whole lamb.
"Is this really mutton? How is there no gamey smell at all?"
"Not only has the gamey smell been removed, but the freshness of the mutton has been retained. This chef is incredible."
"It's delicious. I've never eaten barbecue this good."
"This chef is even better than the court chefs."
After tasting the roasted whole lamb, the dozen men sampled the other dishes.
They were surprised to find that not only was the roasted whole lamb delicious, but the other dishes were equally amazing. Simply incredible.
"Your Highness the Third Prince, who is this chef?" someone couldn't help asking.
"His name is Cheng Yu. He's just an ordinary folk chef, but the dishes he makes far surpass those of court chefs."
"As expected, masters exist among the common people."
"Can we meet him?"
"Of course. He's still cooking. You'll see him shortly."
The dozen men wanted to meet Cheng Yu. This place wasn't far from the Northern Fortress—they could come here often to eat Cheng Yu's cooking in the future.
"Listen up, everyone in the manor! You've been surrounded! Hand over the elf girl!"
At that moment, an arrogant voice rang out from outside the manor.
The high-ranking officials of the Northern Fortress were stunned. Who was bold enough to surround them?
A moment later, the wealthy merchant named Dewitt walked into the living room with a swagger. As soon as he entered, he saw over a dozen people seated at the long table.
Thinking these people were in league with Cheng Yu, Dewitt sneered. "So there are helpers. But it's useless. Over three hundred guards under my command have surrounded the manor. All of you, kneel down, and I might spare your lives."