Chapter 77: The Crown Prince and King Yu
Translator: OnGoingWhy Editor: Vermillion
Within the porcelain wine cup, a liquid as clear as water from alpine springs was lightly swaying back and forth. A rich aroma—with an intoxicating scent that lingered around one's nostrils—was emanating from within the wine cup.
King Yu swirled the wine within the cup. When he tasted the wine, the mellow and spicy taste that erupted within his mouth caused the pores all over his body to tremble. It was the first time he drank such a delicious wine. It was far better than the Bejewelled Nectar Wine from the imperial palace.
"As expected of the store that was able to let father come in person. Just this wine itself is enough for the customers to linger within the store," King Yu lamented. This was the first time he came to Bu Fang's store. Previously, he had only heard the rumors. This time, after personally experiencing it himself, he was finally able to experience the charm of the store's delicacies.
The wine was a fine wine. The dishes were fine dishes.
That tangerine-colored Sweet 'n' Sour Ribs and that dense steam accompanied by the fragrance of meat was like a beautiful and captivating picture.
At the entrance of the alleyway, the crown prince was walking with his hands behind his back and his head held high. Xushi was the only one following him. His expression was solemn while carrying a gigantic steel cage with one hand.
"Hmm?" Bu Fang, who had just left the kitchen, puzzledly looked toward the entrance. He saw the crown prince and Xushi immediately placing a steel cage onto the ground after entering the store.
"Owner Bu, I've come once more," The crown prince chuckled and said as he intensely stared at Bu Fang.
If Bu Fang was able to cook the Elixir Cuisine, the emperor's health condition should improve. And so, as the person who offered up the Elixir Cuisine, the emperor would definitely be more favorable to Ji Chengan. His position as the crown prince would be even firmer and he would obtain an even greater advantage over his brothers.
As he thought about all these, the crown prince became even more fervent toward Bu Fang, who could cook the Elixir Cuisine.
The crown prince raised his hand and grabbed the cloth covering the steel cage. With a sudden pull, the interior of the steel cage was exposed.
A Blood Phoenix Chicken with blood-red feathers was quietly standing within the steel cage. Its eyes were swiveling around its sockets.
"Blood Phoenix Chicken?" Bu Fang was slightly stunned. Then, he looked at the crown prince strangely. He did not expect the crown prince to actually go through the trouble of catching a Blood Phoenix Chicken.
"That's right, it's only natural that Owner Bu would recognize this Blood Phoenix Chicken. However, do you recall what you've said before?" the crown prince smiled and said.
Bu Fang was expressionless as he walked around the steel cage once. He carefully examined the Blood Phoenix Chicken and could not help but compare it with the one provided by the system. He discovered that this Blood Phoenix Chicken provided by the crown prince was in every way inferior to the one provided by the system.
"The ingredients provided by the system are all high quality products that went through careful selections. They're the cream of the crop among all the major varieties," the system's serious voice rang out within Bu Fang's mind.
Bu Fang nodded. He believed that the ingredients provided by the system were definitely the best.
He had indeed agreed that he would personally cook the Sage Herb Phoenix Chicken Soup for the crown prince if the ingredients were provided.
"What about the Sage Herb and the other medicinal ingredients?" Bu Fang asked.
The crown prince's eyes immediately lit up. With a wave of his hand, a leather bag filled with medicinal ingredients appeared in his hand and he handed it to Bu Fang.
The Heavenly Sage Herb was kept within a exquisite wooden box which he carefully handed over to Bu Fang as well.
The Heavenly Sage Herb was very expensive and its value was comparable to the Blood Phoenix Chicken. Moreover, it was very difficult to harvest as it only grows within the Wildlands. That was a terrifying place with innumerable high grade spirit beasts. Even a seventh grade Battle-Saint might perish when exploring the Wildlands.
However, as the Heavenly Sage Herb was only a fifth grade spirit herb, it was located at the outer perimeters of the Wildlands. So the crown prince was still able to collect it by spending a large amount of money.
Receiving the Sage Herb that did not look too good, Bu Fang nodded and simply said, "Cooking the Sage Herb Phoenix Chicken Soup takes a long time. Today's operating hour is almost over. Come here earlier tomorrow to collect the Elixir Cuisine. Since you provided the ingredients yourself, you're allowed to bring the dish back."
The smile on the crown prince's face froze as he thought, "You're not cooking today? Just because the business hours is over?"
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"Owner Bu, I really need this Sage Herb Phoenix Chicken Soup. Could you cook it right now?" the crown prince asked with a frown. These ingredients used up a large amount of his savings. He wanted to personally watch as Bu Fang cooked the dish, otherwise he would not be at ease.
Bu Fang glanced at the crown prince and said, "The Elixir Cuisine is not as simple as you think. A lot of techniques are needed and I need to concentrate. If you don't believe me, you can go back and ask your imperial chefs.
"Honestly, the quality of the ingredients that you provided can only be considered so-so. I am really not interested in them. However, I really hate it when others doubt me. This is the first time, so I'll forgive you. However, if there's a next time, you can take your ingredients back," Bu Fang expressionlessly said as he indifferently looked at the crown prince.
Ji Chengan was furious! Who would dare to speak to him in such a manner within the empire! And even dare to threaten him!
"You..." The crown prince took a deep breath. When he thought about the store's background and Bu Fang's culinary skills as well as the miraculous Elixir Cuisine, the corner of his mouth widened into a smile as he suppressed his anger.
"I am not doubting Owner Bu. Fine, then I shall send someone to collect it tomorrow. I hope Owner Bu won't disappoint me," the crown prince said.
"Hahaha!"
Just as the crown prince finished speaking, a burst of laughter filled with ridicule came from nearby.
The crown prince slightly frowned as he looked toward the source of the laughter and immediately spotted King Yu.
King Yu lifted up a wine cup and emptied it. Then he stood up and walked toward the crown prince with a warm smile plastered on his face like a refined scholar.
"My beloved elder brother, I didn't think I would meet you here. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Are you here to let Owner Bu cook the Elixir Cuisine? This is for extending father's... life, right?" King Yu simply said with a trace of a smile on his face.
The pupils of both the crown prince and Xushi constricted. Previously, their attention was focused on Bu Fang, so they did not realize King Yu was within the store as well.
"How could he be here?!" The crown prince was both agitated and furious!
The crown prince suddenly glanced toward Xushi with a meaningful look in his eyes. Xushi's body shuddered as he fearfully took a step back and bowed toward the crown prince.
"Hahaha! What a coincidence, second brother. It looks like you were attracted by Owner Bu's food as well." A smile was on the crown prince's face as he nodded toward King Yu.
King Yu, Ji Chengyu, was a peak-level fifth grade Battle-King. He was only a step away from becoming a Battle-Emperor. Among the three princes, his cultivation level was the highest.
Even though the crown prince, Ji Chengan, and the third prince, Ji Chengxue, were both fifth grade Battle-Kings as well, they were only at the initial stage. Compared to King Yu, they were a lot worse.
"Indeed, Owner Bu's dishes are truly delicious and the wine is the best in the world. Elder brother, you should give it a try when you have the chance." King Yu chuckled as he placed some crystals onto the table and slowly walked out of the store.
The smile on the crown prince's face gradually disappeared as he gloomily watched King Yu's figure fade away within the alleyway.
With a high cultivation level and half of the imperial court supporting him, his young brother, Ji Chengyu, was the crown prince's greatest competitor and the source of his restlessness.
"Owner Bu… You really can't cook it today?" the crown prince turned toward Bu Fang and asked.
"I can't," Bu Fang simply replied as he expressionlessly turned around and sat down on a chair. "In addition, the service charge for cooking this dish is fifty crystals. Don't forget to pay."
"Fifty crystals?" The crown prince narrowed his eyes. With a wave of his hand, crystals were placed onto the table. Then, he turned around and stormed off in anger. As the crown prince, he did not lack money.
Xushi sighed as he followed after the crown prince with a frown on his face.
Soon, their figures disappeared within the alleyway as well.
"All right, Xiaoyi, today's business hours is over." Bu Fang stood up and patted Ouyang Xiaoyi's head. After seeing her off, he picked up the steel cage and entered the kitchen.