Chapter 60: The Constable and the Thief
“My Lu Family’s Shape-Imitating Fist is profound and vast, not something that a mere single spiritual root like you could fully comprehend.”
“As the saying goes, ‘the heavens have nine layers above, and the earth has nine layers below,’ the Lu Family’s Shape-Imitating Fist also has nine levels.”
“Now, I have barely reached the first level, but once I cultivate to a deeper level, I can obtain the power, spells, and even the cultivation level of whatever I transform into. In future years, if I practice to the ninth level, I could become a powerful being capable of transcending tribulation, and even suppressing the senior sister would be within my capabilities!”
Lu Yang spoke with pride, convincing Barbarian Bone to take his words for truth. Barbarian Bone quietly asked Meng Jingzhou, “Is what Brother Lu said true?”
Meng Jingzhou rolled his eyes, “True my ass, it’s clearly made up. If you’re willing to listen, I could come up with eight different versions for you.”
Barbarian Bone voiced his acknowledgment, impressed by the ease with which Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou spun lies.
Several days have passed since Lu Yang endowed the Shape-Imitating Fist with a new meaning, and the number of customers kept increasing daily, some even tipping with spirit stones.
“Why are there still so many people even after we raised our prices?” Lu Yang gritted his teeth in frustration, especially since yesterday, the largest restaurant in Yanjiang County had expressed interest in purchasing their recipe.
Only he was frustrated, while Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone were quite pleased.
Today, it was Barbarian Bone’s turn to supervise Qin Yuanhao, leaving Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou to serve as waiters downstairs.Meng Jingzhou, suppressing the urge to perform stand-up comedy, telepathically said, “I heard that a group of cultivators dined here a few days ago and couldn’t stop praising our food, saying it was even better than what they’ve had from spiritual chefs they know.”
“And so, word spread from one to ten, and from ten to a hundred, and now many cultivators know about our restaurant.”
Despite the prevalence of spiritual chefs in the Dao Seeking Sect, they are actually a very niche type of cultivator, with only a handful in Yanjiang County, mostly at the Qi Cultivation stage, and only one at the Foundation Building stage.
Spiritual chefs prioritize the harmonious interplay of the five elements, creating food that is both delicious and capable of enhancing cultivation, achieving a unity of both effects.
Barbarian Bone’s skewers might not enhance cultivation, but they win in taste. The cultivators in Yanjiang County figured if they couldn’t eat spiritual chef’s food to boost their cultivation, why not enjoy skewers that taste even better than those made by spiritual chefs?
Despite being ten times more expensive than regular skewers, they are considered great value for money in the eyes of cultivators.
“We have a bit of fame among the upper echelons in Yanjiang County, and many well-off ordinary people also follow the trend to dine here, seemingly as a form of bragging. Our business experience might soon spread across the continent, are you happy about that?”
“I’m happy my ass.” Lu Yang rolled his eyes, welcoming the new customers.
“Boss, the first floor is full, can’t we go to the second floor?” A customer, noticing the light on the second floor, thought it was a good spot.
“The second floor is currently under renovation and not open to the public, please understand.” Although he had no intention of expanding the barbecue restaurant, Lu Yang still diligently played the role of a waiter, without any slack in his work.
The customers, having no choice, obediently went to the back of the line.
“Ha, it’s finally our turn, boss, I’ve brought my brothers again!”
A few constables dressed in black uniforms arrived at the barbecue restaurant, their waist badges and long swords signifying their authority, imposing a sense of deterrence.
The people lined up behind them were unwilling to get too close, feeling a natural fear towards them.
“Constable Wei, you’ve come.”
Lu Yang smiled, seemingly very familiar with these individuals.
These people were the constables of Yanjiang County, led by a man surnamed Wei with a beard, who spoke with great authority. He was nicknamed “Iron-faced Constable,” and his cultivation level was not low, at the Foundation Building stage. Not only petty thugs but even members of the demonic sects preferred not to cross paths with them, fearing they would attract trouble.
The constables behind him were also no ordinary individuals, with the least among them at the sixth level of Qi Cultivation.
In the world of immortals and martial arts, one couldn’t serve as a constable without some level of cultivation.
This was Wei Constable’s fourth visit, and through these visits, Lu Yang had become familiar with him.
Initially, some people, relying on their higher cultivation or status, attempted to skip the queue. However, once they learned that Constable Wei often came here for late-night snacks, they dared not flaunt their status.
“Just finished my shift and changed shifts, so I brought my brothers here for some skewers. And you know, your skewers really have something special, unforgettable after just one taste,” Constable Wei said, smacking his lips at the thought of the skewers from this shop.
“Being a constable is not easy, eh? Working night shifts every two days,” Lu Yang remarked as he led them to a private room.
Once in the private room, Constable Wei and his men took off their coats.
“Sigh, it’s been troublesome lately. For some reason, many cultivators have flooded into Yanjiang County, and they don’t seem to be up to any good, putting a lot of pressure on public security.”
“The county governor has issued strict orders to ensure there’s no trouble. Had no choice but to increase patrols with my brothers. After patrolling, we come here to reward them.”
Seeing Lu Yang was busy, Constable Wei didn’t say much more and started ordering.
“The same set as last time?” Lu Yang asked, as Constable Wei had ordered the same skewers during his previous three visits.
“This time, let’s try something new. I’ve wanted to try it last time but was stopped by my brothers. Give us ten skewers of grilled eyes, ten of grilled silkworm pupae, and ten centipedes,” Constable Wei quickly made his order before his brothers could react.
His brothers groaned in dismay, those items didn’t sound edible at all.
“Look at you, pampered and spoiled. One of these days, I’ll take you out on a mission in the wilderness for half a month without allowing any fasting pills, and see what you’ll eat!”
Once the food and drinks were served, Constable Wei and his men enjoyed themselves immensely.
Getting into the spirit, the brothers started to vent their frustrations, cursing and complaining.
“Damn it, those thieves recently are too slick, not leaving any trace of their crimes.”
“It must be the work of cultivators, otherwise, even veterans couldn’t be this clean.”
“I’m guessing it’s those outsiders, those cultivators.”
“When we catch those bastards, I’ll whip them a hundred and eighty times before throwing them into the water prison!”
The thieves were running rampant, yet they couldn’t catch anyone, making Constable Wei lose face, “The governor even ordered me to solve this case within a month. If he’s so capable, why doesn’t he do it himself? Today, those thieves stole from the Li and Lu households, and Li is even the governor’s relative. Tomorrow, the governor will definitely pressure me again.”
In the neighboring private room.
A leader-like patron laid out today’s loot on the dining table, “Today’s haul was worth it, same old rule, I take forty percent, and the rest is split among the brothers.”
The brothers were all smiles, today was indeed a great harvest, “Before coming here, I heard how formidable Constable Wei was, even called ‘Iron-faced Constable,’ but it seems he’s nothing special, not even catching a whiff of us!”
“That’s too harsh, at least give the man some credit for being able to smell something.”
“Those Li and Lu families really are wealthy, especially this Mr. Ma, not high in cultivation but with plenty of valuable items.”
“Come on, let’s eat and drink to our heart’s content today, my treat. No one is allowed to sober up, we’re going to drink till we drop!”
The thieves drank merrily, and one of them, after a trip to the restroom, accidentally entered Constable Wei’s room.
“Uh—big brother, why have you all changed appearances, and gotten uglier?”
“Where did this drunkard come from, scram!” one of the constables said impatiently, frustrated about where to find the thieves and now having to deal with a drunkard causing trouble.
The man, furious, attempted to fight but was no match for a group of constables and was quickly thrown out.
The constables noticed the man had some cultivation but didn’t think much of it, continuing their drinking and complaints.
Feeling aggrieved, the man went back to complain to his boss.
The thieves, drunk and riled up, were outraged when they heard their brother was bullied. The boss, in a show of solidarity, slammed the table and arrogantly declared, “Well, well, daring to bully us? Tell the neighbors, if they have the guts, come here to face me, anyone who doesn’t is a coward!”