Chapter 75: Stewed Meat?!
“Have you had lunch?” Yuehai suddenly asked, which further confused the three of them. Zhang Ling took the lead in answering.
“No, because of what just happened, we didn’t even take a bite.”
“Then let me treat you. Where do you want to go? By the way, how did you end up in the Fifteenth District?”
“Um, actually, we heard that the famous liquor of the Vermilion Bird Empire is produced here, so the three of us came upon hearing the news. Who would have thought that as soon as we entered the hotel, we ran into Salma, this tough nut to crack,” Zhang Ling’s words made Yuehai slightly startled. These three guys seem to be heavy drinkers. I remember they went drinking somewhere when they just left last time. Could they have been in bars all these days since then?
“Alright, take me there. Since we met today, it can be considered fate. I’ll treat you.”
“It’s not good to let Miss Yuehai spend money,” Zhang Ling quickly said, and Zamasia, who received a signal from him, also spoke up.
“That’s right, the guidance of the Seven Stars tells me that Miss Yuehai shouldn’t spend so extravagantly for us.”
As Zamasia said this, behind him, the towering figure of Karaoke nodded repeatedly. The demeanor of these three individuals did indeed make Yuehai feel somewhat uncomfortable.
“Oh my, judging by your reactions, do you think I suddenly became so enthusiastic because I need something from you?”
“How, how could that be? We just don’t want to trouble Miss Yuehai.”
“That’s right, that’s right,” followed by Zhang Ling and Zamasia’s vehement denial, Karaoke also hurriedly began shaking his head, a sight that couldn’t help but bring a smile to one’s face.
Upon hearing this, Yuehai realized that these guys probably wouldn’t give a straight answer unless she confronted them directly. With a slight determination in her heart, she spoke up.
“I just have something to discuss with you, what’s wrong?”
So, there really was something going on, the three of them couldn’t help but inwardly sigh. It’s a good thing they didn’t casually tag along with Yuehai for drinks and meals, otherwise, they’d be at her mercy. When Yuehai said something, none of them would have the right to refuse.
Yuehai thought to herself that since these three had made up their minds to open up to her, it would be better to be straightforward and honest.
“The matter is simple. You know that my face attracts attention when there are few people around, but it’s not a pleasant experience when there’s a crowd. It can lead to trouble. So, I want to ask Zhang Ling about, well, that technique you mentioned for changing appearance. It would be great if you could teach me.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the three of them breathed a sigh of relief.
“So that’s it. We thought Miss Yuehai was going to ask us to do something life-threatening.”
Hearing Zhang Ling’s sigh, Yuehai couldn’t help but think to herself, “What terrifying image do you have of me in your minds?”
After Zhang Ling finished speaking, he pondered for a moment before replying.
“This is an ancient Eastern technique that has long been lost. It’s rare for anyone to use the art of disguise nowadays, so teaching it to Miss Yuehai wouldn’t hurt. After all, Miss Yuehai is a friend, classmate, and roommate of Damiyala, so at the very least, I won’t hesitate to pass on my knowledge.”
“So, what are you suggesting?”
“Of course, it means I’ll spare no effort in teaching Miss Yuehai. However, there’s a condition you must agree to in return.”
“A condition?”
“It’s that you don’t tell Miss Damiyala. After all, I refused her when she asked about it last time, and it’s also the master’s wish. So, if Damiyala finds out that I’m teaching you this technique, it might not end well for me.”
Yuehai nodded in realization. Of course, she wouldn’t go foolishly boasting to Damiyala and others. It should be said that this art of disguise was only for her own use as a Tyr.
As a result, Yuehai still treated Zhang Ling and the others to a meal and enjoyed the specialty wine brewed in the Vermilion Bird Empire. It was indeed quite different from the taste of the Sigril Empire. Rather than comparing which one tasted better, the sensation upon tasting it was beyond comparison. Throughout the afternoon, Yuehai remained by Zhang Ling’s side, learning the art of disguise. By evening, although she couldn’t yet claim mastery, she had developed a rudimentary understanding. With diligent practice, she would eventually master the art completely. Then, as a Tyr, she wouldn’t need to wear a mask all day out of fear, nor would she need to hide from Claude when removing her mask.
The sky turned orange-red as the setting sun dyed the entire campus into a beautiful scene. While in other places, it might be time to light lamps and rest, in this academy, the real nightlife was just beginning. Students who were already bustling around during the day became even more numerous at night, and strange groups began to appear gradually.
Yuehai followed Zhang Ling and the others’ advice and returned to the dormitory area early.
“Yuehai, back so soon?” At the entrance of the dormitory building, Yuehai met Sister Shu Yue Ti, the dormitory administrator. Despite giving off a mature vibe in both tone and demeanor, she appeared remarkably young, possibly due to being a high-level martial artist. Compared to Yuehai and her peers, she was only a year or two older.
Upon seeing the administrator’s greeting, Yuehai quickly replied.
“Yes, Sister Yue Ti, aren’t you resting yet?”
“We dormitory administrators don’t get time off. It’s up to me to take care of all your daily needs. By the way, on the last day of this week, I’ll be conducting room-by-room cleanliness inspections. If I find any rooms that don’t meet the standards, then next week’s corridor cleaning will be considered a punishment.”
Corridor cleaning?! Yuehai was surprised. So, there were always people cleaning the corridors. Yuehai had always assumed it was like that.
Following this logic, wouldn’t there be people cleaning the stairs too? There are a total of thirty-one floors! Cleaning each floor would be quite a task. While it might be manageable for martial artists, it would be a strain for magic users with their delicate bodies.
“How about you, Yuehai, have you had dinner?”
“Not yet.”
“Well, that’s perfect then. I made a pot of stewed meat, and it seems like too much for just one person. If you don’t mind the Vermilion Bird cuisine, why don’t you join me for a bit?”
Stewed meat? Yuehai’s lips twitched involuntarily upon hearing Sister Yue Ti’s words. Because the name itself seemed like a very meat-heavy dish, while Yuehai didn’t dislike meat dishes, the thought of an entire plate filled with just meat was a bit nauseating.
But since it was an invitation from the administrator, she couldn’t refuse. In the end, Yuehai was pulled into the guard room by Sister Yue Ti.
As soon as she entered, the faint but tantalizing aroma hit her nose. Yuehai’s slightly hungry stomach immediately began to demand attention, and if she had been any hungrier, her stomach might have even made some embarrassing noises.
“It smells so good.” She didn’t hide her inner thoughts, which made Sister Yue Ti quite happy. She quickly walked to a tall half-meter cylindrical pot, lifted the lid, and a burst of white heat instantly rose. The room, already filled with a rich fragrance, now reached a near-saturated level, causing Yuehai, who had previously been somewhat hesitant about indulging in rich foods, to immediately overturn her reserve. She took small steps to Sister Yue Ti’s side, eager to see what treasures were inside.