That feeling of familiarity—yet being completely unable to recall why—was driving Sushang and Mingxi crazy.
Being the straightforward type, Sushang asked directly, "This voice… it sounds so familiar! Who did you get to record it?"
Pei Guang shook his head and refused imdiately. "No can do. This is classified information!"
His favorability toward Jing Yuan was extrely high—there was no way he'd sell him out for free. If they wanted him to spill, they'd have to pay up. Either that or max out their favorability with him to surpass Jing Yuan's.
But let's be real—sothing like that? Way too difficult. Not everyone could casually drop 300 pulls on their first eting like Jing Yuan did! Pei Guang figured that had to be because this map's boss level was so high that Jing Yuan started off with a naturally high affinity toward him. That's probably why he was so generous.
Hearing his firm refusal, Sushang let out a disappointed sigh. "That's a sha… But anyway, your fried chicken slls amazing!"
Pei Guang grinned. "So? Wanna try so? Do you want wings, drumsticks, or the whole thing?"
Sushang thought for a mont. "Wings!"
Pei Guang nodded. "Do you want the normal flavor or… the weird one?"
Sushang blinked. "What's the difference?"
Pei Guang explained with great enthusiasm, "Oh, there's a huge difference! The normal one is made with regular fire, but the weird one? That's cooked with my Savory Truefire. The thing about Savory Truefire is that the flavor changes unpredictably—sotis it blends perfectly, and sotis… well, sotis it's so awful you'll wish you never took a bite."
March 7th, who had witnessed the horror firsthand, imdiately warned her, "I strongly advise against trying the weird one. When it goes wrong, it really goes wrong. One bite and you'll feel like throwing up everything you've ever eaten in your entire life."
Stelle nodded in agreent. "Yeah, and Ah Guang? He sucks at cooking but refuses to admit it. He keeps telling himself, 'Next ti for sure!' but every single dish he makes turns out disgusting. The only exception is consumables—those are always top-tier, probably because he doesn't gamble when making them."
Hearing that, Sushang shivered slightly. "O-okay… I'll take a normal fried chicken wing, then?"
Pei Guang smirked. "Coming right up~"
He casually tossed a drumstick into the pot, and—just like before—after a bit of 'cooking', a perfectly fried chicken wing erged from it.
Watching this happen again, Sushang felt like her brain was lting. Was she growing a tumor? Was her mind breaking? She didn't know.
But she did take March 7th and Stelle's advice to heart.
No need to overthink it. If it tastes good? Just eat it.
Sushang grabbed the chicken wing and took a bite.
The mont she did, a look of pure bliss spread across her face.
The way she chewed—combined with that pure, joyful expression—was enough to make anyone watching instantly hungry.
And just like that, Pei Guang casually pulled out his pink cara and captured the mont.
"Mmm! It's so good! So good! This fried chicken is perfect! Ah Guang, you're a genius!"
However, after a few more bites, Sushang furrowed her brows. "But… even though it's amazing, I feel like sothing's… missing?"
Pei Guang shook his head. "I'm no genius. The person who ca up with this system? They're the genius. As for what's missing? The answer is simple—soul."
He tapped the side of his pan.
"My cooking? It'll never have the taste of a dad's ho-cooked al, a mom's warm dinner, or a grandparent's secret recipe."
Bailu, having already devoured an entire fried chicken, used her water-manipulation technique to clean off the grease before happily declaring, "Who cares what's missing? As long as it's delicious, I'll eat it! Ah Guang, I swear—if you start selling this in Aurum Alley, it's gonna blow up! Why not sell more than just fried chicken? Let's sell everything! We'd make a fortune!"
Her eyes practically turned into money signs.
Pei Guang chuckled. "Oh, it'll definitely blow up, but running everything takes ti. I'm just ssing around for fun. I don't plan on running a long-term business. Once this event's over, I'll probably only open shop occasionally when I feel like it. But no worries—if you ever want so, just let know. We can eat until we pass out."
That last part actually made Mingxi breathe a sigh of relief. If Pei Guang really planned to open a full-scale food business here, selling all kinds of snacks, Aurum Alley's street vendors would go out of business overnight.
But if he was only selling fried chicken, and only for a limited ti? That was much more manageable.
Not only that, but his presence would beco a major attraction for Aurum Alley. Even if he wasn't always around, once his fried chicken stand gained enough fa, there'd always be people visiting just hoping to catch him in action.
It wouldn't be many, sure, but even a few was enough to bring in sothing priceless—foot traffic.
Bailu, of course, was the most excited. "That's perfect! Ah Guang, here's the plan—I'll stockpile a bunch of ingredients, and when you co to my place, you'll cook for , okay?"
Pei Guang grinned. "No problem! Or better yet, why don't you just co with us? Hop on the Astral Express—you can eat as much as you want, whenever you want."
Hearing Pei Guang invite her again, Bailu hesitated for a mont before shaking her head. "Sorry, Ah Guang, I can't be a Trailblazer. My mission isn't done yet. I was the one who stirred up all this ss in the Vidyadhara—until our people find prosperity again, I can't leave…"
She might have been young, but as long as she was the High Elder, she had a duty to bear. Even back when the Preceptors ignored her, even when she wasn't satisfied with her own position, she had never abandoned her responsibilities.
Pei Guang nodded. "No problem. Once we're done exploring the next map and have so free ti, I'll co pick you up for a visit. You know what we're capable of."
Bailu's eyes lit up. "That's perfect! Hmph! Anyone who's feeling sick can co straight to —free treatnt!"
Pei Guang raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What about the dicine?"
Bailu coughed. "Cost price! Ahem, I treat people, I don't sell dicine. But once you guys leave, I'll grind favorability with the dicine rchants—maybe I'll get it for free!"
Pei Guang smirked. "Nice. When I first got here, all I got was a discount—now it's at cost price. Guess all that favor grinding wasn't for nothing!"
Bailu put her hands on her hips, puffing out her small chest proudly. "Obviously!!!"
Mingxi, having listened to all this, finally spoke up. "Since Mr. Pei Guang is planning to open a food stall, we should visit the rchant Guild president first. Technically, I haven't told him about hiring you as a consultant yet… and you'll need his approval before setting up shop."
Pei Guang clapped his hands together. "Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Stelle pumped her fists. "Yeah! Hurry up—I need to connect more lines!"
Pei Guang chuckled. "Looks like you found sothing fun?"
Stelle grinned smugly. "Of course! It's simple, but weirdly satisfying."
Pei Guang nodded knowingly. "Simplicity doesn't an boring. The best puzzle chanics are always simple—when people solve them, they get that 'Aha!' mont."
As a proper player, Pei Guang really did play everything. The only exceptions? Gas he forgot to buy… or worse, gas he bought and then forgot to play.
After all, a fully developed ga should be able to clear itself, right? Unlock all achievents on its own?
Led by Mingxi, the group arrived at Oldies Depot. In front of the shop stood a Vidyadhara woman nad Lianyan, flipping through so docunts.
The mont she saw her, Mingxi spoke up first. "Lianyan, please inform the President that I've found people who can save Aurum Alley's docks. Not just that—they can help bring Aurum Alley back to prosperity! Also, Mr. Pei Guang here needs a food stall. Could that be arranged…?"
Stelle stepped forward. "Nice to et you! I'm Stelle!"
Pei Guang followed. "Nice to et you! I'm 'Found-the-Saviors.'"
March 7th chid in. "Nice to et you! I'm 'Restoring-Prosperity.'"
Bailu hesitated. "Uh… you guys already said everything. What am I supposed to say?"
Lianyan couldn't help but smile at the four troublemakers. "You're all quite interesting, but… I believe in your abilities."
She briefly glanced at Bailu. As a mber of the Vidyadhara, she was well aware of the turmoil within their people. Not that it had anything to do with her.
Most Vidyadhara didn't bother themselves with such matters. Their daily worries? What to eat today, what to eat tomorrow, and what to eat the day after that.
Whatever happens, General Jing Yuan will handle it. No problem.
But from what Lianyan had gathered, these Trailblazers were the real deal.
She nodded. "Please wait a mont. I'll consult the President."
With that, she turned and whispered sothing through the door.
anwhile, Pei Guang—true to his player instincts—began looking around.
And that's when he saw it: Sitting on the windowsill was an Aurumaton head.
Yes, an Aurumaton head.
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