AZI Volume 3 Chapter 30

Arriving at the address—sent over by Bai Wen, with Tian Cheng standing beside him, Long Hua pinches the bridge of his nose.

Adding in the free rolls—that he had accumulated, he performed a total of 20 pulls; raising his pity count to 30 out of a hundred.

In the end, the combat body was obtained, and physical appearance wise, it wasn't any different from Tian Cheng's original body—after she had transferred her data over.

The clothes—that are a part of this body, are able to shapeshift, and are as durable as armor, which should save money in the long run.

Other than the combat body, a second SR rarity item was gained—being a pair of gauntlets in the form of paw pads. Apparently, regardless of how much a wearer of these gauntlets hits someone, the person they're beating won't die.

The only other noticeable item is a calabash—that is able to store an ocean's worth of liquid. In terms of rarity, it is considered anything special.

"Ai, what's done is done, I guess…"

Raising his head, and looking forward, Long Hua sees that the restaurant specializes in—

"BBQ, is it?"

Opening the door, and walking into the restaurant, Long Hua's sense of smell is immediately overwhelmed by the scent of cooked meat.

"Welcome, a table for two?"

An employee at the counter is quick to greet him, and towards their question, Long Hua answers—

"There should be a reservation—under a surnamed Bai?"

"Yes, follow me then."

In total, the restaurant has 20 seating areas. All of them are divided into rooms, which are layered over by eight tatami mats. Each room is also fitted with sliding doors for more privacy.

"Here it is. Please take your footwear off before entering."

"Got it."

As the employee leaves, Long Hua and Tian Cheng take off their shoes, and push the sliding door over.

Positioned in the center of the room is a low table with cushions surrounding it. Already, three of the eight cushions have been occupied by Bai Wen, Nuo'er, and Yao Ying.

Different from a traditional table, the center of this one is hollowed out.

Within this hollow is a power outlet with two plugs, making it possible for a portable electric grill to be slotted into the emptied space.

"Finally here, Lao Long?"

Stepping into the room, Long Hua sits on the opposite side of Bai Wen—while Tian Cheng takes the cushion beside Long Hua.

"You picked quite a place."

Towards Long Hua's remark, Bai Wen chuckles, and replies—

"Well, it's not every day we get to eat with this many people."

Smiling faintly, Nuo'er says—

"I don't mind making this a permanent arrangement. Food with more people tastes better, as they say."

Maintaining shut eyes, Tian Cheng turns her head slightly in Long Hua's direction, and remarks—

"If this could be maintained, it might help to restore your tastebuds, master."

"Quit bringing that up…"

"…"

Having never had barbecued meat before, Yao Ying's expression is a bit tense.

Continuing to engage in some casual chatter, raw meat platters are brought over by the staff, along with a portable grill, and rice cooker.

Momentarily, everything is set into position, and with that done, the restaurant staff leaves the group to their own devices.

"…"

Even before the first piece of meat can be placed onto the grill, Bai Wen waves his hand—constructing a sound-containment barrier around them.

"So, I've heard—that there's been a group called the Ashen River Hall, roaming about as of late."

Free to talk about whatever it is that they want now, Bai Wen opens dinner with this topic. Meanwhile, Nuo'er begins to place slices of meat onto the grill, whereas Long Hua replies—

"They say, they came from another world. When you mentioned this world's current area…"

"This world's current area refers to here, the outer domain. Those guys from the hall, they came from the inner domain."

"And the spirit Qi there is more plentiful?"

"Indeed. However, it's impossible to head over there right now—since the entrances are so unstable."

Narrowing his eyes, Long Hua asks—

"About the ancient ruins near this city, how much do you know about it?"

"Aren't you planning to take a peek at it yourself later tonight?"

"They probably have a bunch of guards stationed near there. If I could get info on that place out of you, I wouldn't need to deal with the hassle."

With a smile of amusement, Bai Wen answers—

"All I can say is—expect a desert."

"A desert?"

"Correct, be sure to have plenty of water when you go in."

(Looks like that calabash will come in handy. But still, a desert, in that case…)

Realizing the meaning of this, Long Hua frowns, and remarks—

"It's a grade four or five, then…"

Shrugging a shoulder, Bai Wen replies—

"Plenty of people will die. Mostly people from the outer domain—due to their inexperience."

"Bai Wen, you're going to make the food unappetizing if you talk about people dying."

"Sorry."

Raising a light chuckle, Bai Wen apologizes to Nuo'er, while Long Hua asks—

"What can I expect to find in there then?"

"Lao Long, you ever been into a secret realm?"

"I have."

"Then expect something like that—for ruins, that are designated grades three and above. In grades four and five ruins, there's bits of history to be learned if you make it to the end. Should help you understand this world better—if you're interested."

Satisfied with these answers, Long Hua takes a small bottle of wine, and fills his cup.

Beginning their dinner in earnest, Bai Wen also places a few slices of meat onto the grill.

About five minutes later—

"Oh? I didn't think a doll would be capable of eating."

Seeing Tian Cheng eating nonchalantly, Bai Wen is rather surprised, to which, Long Hua replies—

"Her current body is somewhat special."

"Hmm, even in the Everlasting Spirit Realm, she'd fetch a good price. Where did you acquire something like this anyway?"

"Trade secret."

Unbothered by this reply, Bai Wen says—

"Well, knowing—that you'd at least have someone, to watch your back in those ruins, is reassuring."

"Because if I'm gone, you won't be able to acquire that Spirit Assimilation cultivation method?"

"…"

Instead of answering the question, Bai Wen merely smiles, as he fills his cup.

Watching the two's exchange, Nuo'er smiles as well before turning her attention to—

"Yao Ying, be sure to savor the taste."

Picking a few meat slices off the grill, Nuo'er places them into Yao Ying's bowl.

"Got it."

After going through what she did, Yao Ying feels like every bite of meat, and rice is worth more than a single piece of spirit stone.

Staring at the half-filled cup of wine, Long Hua smiles faintly, and remarks—

"…As expected, to drink wine—is to drink the mood."

Taking a sip, Bai Wen replies—

"I think the mood is quite good; what about you, Lao Long?"

"Enough to drink a hundred cups. Next time, maybe, we should call Zhen-laoban as well."

"Hahaha, Lao Zhen can't really hold his liquor well."

Raising an eye, Long Hua replies—

"No wonder he only ever serves tea."

"Still, if he ever serves wine—when meeting someone, it could mean that he trusts that person greatly, right?"

Shrugging a shoulder, Long Hua says—

"Maybe. Regardless, I'll drink as much as I want tonight. Who knows when I'll get to drink again after today?"

"You could always just bring wine into the ruins with you; you got a storage pouch, don't you?"

"Drinking on the job doesn't feel very professional."

"Professional? Who cares about that crap? People live for comfort, not the opposite. To hell with family obligations, and the likes, nothing more than a waste of time and effort."

Hearing this from Bai Wen, an odd expression appears on Nuo'er's face, while the former continues to say—

"Oh right. Shall we make a promise here?"

"What promise?"

"If you can walk out of the Leng Bing Realm alive, I'll treat you to the most expensive feast imaginable."

Refilling his cup, and raising it, Long Hua says—

"Once a gentleman's word is given-"

"It cannot be chased back—not even by a four-horse drawn cart."

Pressing their cups together, they seal their agreement.

Looking at the two, who are downing their cups, Yao Ying can't help but ask—

"What does that mean?"

Chuckling subtly, Nuo'er answers—

"It's an idiom that means—once a promise is made, it cannot be broken."