Chapter 199: A Generous Host, the Irresponsible Chen Changsheng
Chapter 199 – A Generous Host, the Irresponsible Chen Changsheng
“Sir, there are so many people here!”
Chen Shisan strode down the bustling avenue, his bright eyes darting in every direction, desperate to carve the vibrant mortal tapestry into his memory.
Witnessing Chen Shisan gawk like a sheltered village boy, Qian Baoer shot Chen Changsheng a look of unveiled disdain.
“Sir, the sheer height of your prestige goes without saying.”
“However, there is one matter that perplexes me. Before I crossed paths with Shisan, he had already followed you for quite some time.”
“Did you never take him out to properly broaden his horizons?”
A flicker of guilt instantly crossed Chen Changsheng’s stoic face.
Back when they departed Jinshan City, his mind had been consumed by profound calculations; where would he have found the leisure to parade Chen Shisan through mortal markets?
Upon entering the Northern Desert, he had deliberately marched them through the most desolate and perilous wastelands.
Thus, strictly speaking, this was Chen Shisan’s very first time setting foot in a thriving mortal metropolis.
Clearing his throat twice, Chen Changsheng spoke with feigned solemnity. “Those who cultivate the Dao must sever the temptations of the mundane world.”
“I refrained from exposing Shisan to these mortal distractions to protect his Dao heart.”
“Besides, have I not brought him here now?”
Qian Baoer rolled her eyes, utterly unconvinced by this righteous drivel.
Having traveled together for this long, Qian Baoer had gained a terrifyingly clear measure of this ‘Sir’.
In earth-shattering matters, this Sir was an unfathomable mastermind, his calculations colder than frost.
Yet, regarding mundane ‘trivialities’, this Sir was staggeringly incompetent.
Take Chen Shisan’s robes: from beginning to end, the boy possessed exactly two sets, both scrubbed until the fabric was paper-thin and colorless.
Had she not spent her own silver to procure fresh garments for him, she seriously suspected Chen Shisan would have worn those two rags until the world collapsed.
“Whatever Sir says must be the Dao.”
“Furthermore, does Sir have any other edicts for today?”
“If not, I shall take these two to purchase proper attire.”
“After surviving so many bloodbaths, they are virtually out of intact robes. If this continues, they will be reduced to draping themselves in raw beast hides.”
“No further edicts!”
Chen Changsheng replied briskly, adding with an uncharacteristic display of consideration,
“Go wander. Indulge yourselves freely. I have already secured the funds for their mortal excursions.”
“Conveniently, I also require rest. Sustaining this wisp of Divine Sense is quite taxing.”
“If a crisis arises, merely call my name.”
With a flick of his wrist, Chen Changsheng tossed a beast-skin pouch to Qian Baoer. His form then dissolved into a streak of profound light, vanishing directly into the True Martial Sword.
Witnessing his departure, Chen Shisan’s vibrant excitement instantly withered into nervous restraint.
Lowering his voice, he whispered, “Baoer, are the costs of living in such a grand city exceptionally high?”
“I swore I would treat you both to a meal, but my pockets are practically empty. Could we… perhaps be a little frugal?”
Staring at Chen Shisan’s painfully cautious expression, Qian Baoer barked an exasperated laugh.
“Perish the thought. With the pathetic handful of silver on your person, you wouldn’t even be permitted to cross a tavern’s threshold.”
“Sir has already accounted for your poverty. This pouch contains the spoils of the ferocious beasts you slaughtered over the past half-year.”
“Though you devoured the most potent flesh, the remaining fangs, bones, and sinews fetch a decent price.”
“In a mortal sense, you are now a man of modest wealth.”
Hearing this, Chen Shisan’s spine snapped ramrod straight.
“Then let us barter these materials quickly! I promised to host a feast, and a man does not break his word.”
Amused by Chen Shisan’s comical shift in bravado, Qian Baoer and Tian Xuan merely shook their heads with fond smiles.
The boy could be maddeningly stubborn in his Dao, yet possess a startling innocence in mundane matters.
Regardless of his lethal potential, it was this simple, foolish earnestness that made him truly endearing.
……
“Young Miss, here are three thousand six hundred pounds of God Source. Please verify the amount.”
Stepping out of the pavilion, Qian Baoer divided the payment, tossing two heavy pouches to Chen Shisan and Tian Xuan.
“The total sum came to three thousand six hundred pounds of God Source.”
“Since I provided support during the hunts, I took my rightful cut. These two portions are yours.”
Tian Xuan casually caught his pouch, sweeping it briefly with his Divine Sense before stowing it away.
Even though the Xuan Bird clan had fallen into desperate ruin, as its rightful Young Master, Tian Xuan simply could not feign excitement over such meager change.
As for Qian Baoer…
She cared even less. As the pampered princess of the Wan Tong Chamber of Commerce, her access to resources was staggering.
Just in terms of loose currency, she casually carried thirty thousand pounds of God Source within her storage Dharma Treasure.
Days prior, when Chen Shisan teetered on the brink of death, she had shoved five premium Pills down his throat—each single Pill valued at three thousand pounds of God Source.
A trifling twelve hundred pounds of God Source wasn’t even worth a passing thought.
Ignorant of his companions’ sheer financial disparity, Chen Shisan beamed with radiant joy, practically puffing out his chest.
“Baoer, which culinary establishment in this city reigns supreme?”
Glancing at his puffed-up posture, a wicked glint flashed in Qian Baoer’s eyes.
“Since you insist on playing the grand host, we certainly won’t stand on ceremony.”
“The Babao Pavilion at the end of this street is renowned for its delicacies. We shall dine there.”
“Excellent! To the Babao Pavilion it is!”
Chen Shisan declared with soaring enthusiasm, turning and marching down the street with sweeping strides.
Staring at the boy’s retreating back, Tian Xuan murmured, “Did you inform him that the cheapest dish at the Babao Pavilion starts at one hundred pounds of God Source?”
“I did not.”
Hearing this, the corner of Tian Xuan’s mouth ticked upward into a rare smirk.
“When the bill arrives, Shisan’s Dao heart might genuinely shatter.”
“That is precisely the goal. We need to shatter this insufferable stinginess.”
“Every time we dine, he practically scrapes his bowl thin enough to see through.”
“If he doesn’t cure this pauper’s habit, I will genuinely lose my mind!”
With a huff, Qian Baoer hurried to catch up.
……
Babao Pavilion.
“We will take one portion of the Crimson-Beaked Jade Parrot.”
“Right away, esteemed guest! And what else shall grace your table?”
“Nothing else.”
The serving boy froze, his obsequious smile faltering into bewildered disbelief. “Esteemed guests… the three of you intend to share a single dish?”
“We brought our own travel rations. One dish will suffice as a side.”
Qian Baoer, Tian Xuan: “……”
Waiter: “……”
Walking into the prestigious Babao Pavilion to order a single dish while bringing your own dry rations—what absolute lunacy!
Every patron here is a dignified cultivator! Must you flaunt such wretched poverty?
Catching the sheer, unadulterated earnestness on Chen Shisan’s face, followed by the waiter’s poorly concealed contempt, Qian Baoer finally reached her limit.
Her face turning a frosty shade of blank, she planted a palm against Chen Shisan’s cheek, shoving him out of view.
“Treat his babbling as the passing wind. Listen to me.”
“Bring us one portion of every signature dish the Babao Pavilion offers. Furthermore, fetch us a jar of Bamboo Leaf Green wine, aged no less than one hundred and eighty years.”
“And take heed—if you dare try to pass off a younger vintage to cheat me, I will shatter your legs.”
The waiter’s disdain evaporated, replaced instantly by an ecstatic, glowing beam. “Right away, esteemed guest! Please wait just a moment!”