48: Meat of great tonic
“Why did it take so long for a bottle of wine to come up?”
A trace of displeasure appeared in Han Yi's eyes.
“Guest, you don’t know. In the past few days, many merchant caravans coming from Shan Xu City on the main road have been robbed by the Black Wind Stronghold bandits!
“The merchant caravans were robbed, which affected the good wine in our restaurant. But I can't fool you Lords with ordinary wine.
“This bottle of pear blossom wine, I just specifically went to Changle Ward and bought it from a wine shop there.
“Please understand, all you Lords, please understand.”
Han Yi only asked one question, and the Manager of this ‘Fu Lin Restaurant’ started complaining bitterly.
Shan Xu City, Han Yi had read about it in the "An Yan County Geographical Records" he bought from the old man's stall in the Black Market before.
Shan Xu City is several hundred miles east of An Yan City, and there is a place called Evergreen Forest nearby, so Shan Xu City is much smaller than An Yan City, but its various ingredients, herbs, and resources are extremely rich.
Moreover, in Shan Xu City, there is only one power called the Dan Ding Sect. Although the Disciples of the Dan Ding Sect are not good at fighting, they are extremely skilled at refining elixirs. The major powers in An Yan City often fight over the excellent elixirs refined by the Dan Ding Sect.
Of course, if they are good at refining elixirs, brewing wine is even less of a problem. Many precious wines in An Yan City come from Shan Xu City.
“Black Wind Stronghold bandits, they still dare to be so arrogant?” Pan Sheng asked in surprise.
After all, in Pan Sheng's understanding, the Black Wind Stronghold, which had just plundered the Crimson Flame Sect's Ore, should be keeping a low profile at this time. It was truly puzzling that they still dared to flaunt themselves so openly.
“Yes, Senior Brother Pan, who knows what evil the Black Wind Stronghold committed this year, they feel like they've gone crazy...
“How about this, all you Lords, I'll give you a discount on the food and wine this time, just forgive this little one.”
The Manager of ‘Fu Lin Restaurant’ repeatedly cupped his hands, bowed respectfully, and said ingratiatingly.
After all, the people in this private room were all Inner Sect Disciples of the Crimson Flame Sect, and Yuqing Ward was the territory of the Crimson Flame Sect, so it was no wonder he was so respectful.
“Alright, alright, let's leave it at that.” Han Yi waved his hands repeatedly.
“Wait,” Pan Sheng suddenly stopped the Manager who was about to leave, “Manager, do you still have the meat portion today?”
“Ah?”
The Manager turned around and said with a bitter smile, “Senior Brother Pan, today's portion was already bought by the Lords of the Crimson Flame Sect...”
“Manager, use tomorrow's portion to make three for us. It's not like we're not paying you,” Pan Sheng said with a mix of threat and enticement, “Otherwise, this matter won't be over today!”
The Manager's expression became even more bitter, putting on a mournful face. He stood at the door of the private room and pondered for a long time.
He gritted his teeth and slowly said, “Senior Brother Pan, it is indeed this old man's fault for making you distinguished guests wait for so long today. This old man will make an exception this time and let you distinguished guests have a taste, but please, all you distinguished guests, must keep it a secret!”
Looking at the Manager's expression, it seemed as if he wouldn't give up unless everyone agreed.
Han Yi and the others had no choice but to agree.
After the Manager left, Han Yi curiously asked Pan Sheng, but Pan Sheng was being mysterious and didn't reveal anything, only telling Han Yi that he would know soon.
Meanwhile, Zheng Yuncheng, who was beside him, had a normal expression and leisurely drank and ate, seemingly knowing everything about what Pan Sheng was talking about.
This made Han Yi feel like a cat scratching his heart, becoming even more curious. Even the pear blossom wine, which was originally fragrant and had a mellow taste, seemed a bit bland in his mouth.
Glasses clinked, and after three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere at the dinner table became lively.
A creaking sound was heard.
The Manager of ‘Fu Lin Restaurant’ appeared as if he was stealing, peeking around cautiously, and quickly walked in, carrying a small steamer basket wrapped in black cloth.
After entering the door, he immediately pulled the private room door shut, and then placed the steamer basket in the middle of the dining table.
“I have not failed in my mission. After you distinguished guests finish eating, be sure to keep it a secret!”
The Manager cupped his hands slightly and then left the room.
“What is this, so mysterious?”
Han Yi was even more curious now.
“Junior Brother Han, I haven't told you before, but if you truly become an Inner Sect Disciple in the future, the biggest monthly benefit is this.”
Pan Sheng smiled slightly and pulled off the black cloth.
Three large steamed buns were revealed in front of Han Yi.
The large steamed buns were steaming hot, with white and soft dough. Each one was plump and white, lying on a piece of steaming cloth. There was also an enticing aroma of freshly steamed buns that instantly wafted into his nose.
These steamed buns looked delicious at first glance, making one's mouth water.
“But, aren't these just steamed buns?” A strange look flashed across Han Yi's face as he asked in confusion.
“Hahahaha!”
“These are not ordinary steamed buns, try one while it's hot.” Pan Sheng said mysteriously.
“...........” Han Yi was a bit speechless, but he still carefully picked up a steamed bun.
“Hmm?”
Han Yi showed a puzzled expression. The steamed bun looked good on the outside, but it was all show and no substance. The taste inside was dry and lacked the juiciness of the steamed buns from street vendors, and the taste was not as delicious. Instead, there was a faint meaty smell.
However, the meat in the steamed bun was very springy when chewed, unlike the smooth texture of pork filling.
And as he swallowed this mouthful of steamed bun meat, Han Yi could feel that he, who had only eaten to about 50% fullness, instantly felt a slight sense of satiety.
Furthermore, a warm current surged from his stomach wall. Upon Han Yi's careful examination, he found that a trace of vital energy and blood had increased in his body. Although it was almost imperceptible and the amount was extremely small, his vital energy and blood had indeed grown stronger.
“How is it? Do you feel your vital energy and blood have become stronger?” Pan Sheng said proudly, “This is our Crimson Flame Sect's unique 'South Wasteland Crimson Blood Tiger' meat.”
He broke open a steamed bun, revealing the meat filling, and introduced, “This 'South Wasteland Crimson Blood Tiger' is a fierce beast-level demon beast, and it is a unique feature of our Crimson Flame Sect, and the crimson blood tiger meat is a great tonic.
“Don't look down on this one steamed bun. Ordinary people only need to eat one to stay energetic for a day and not feel hungry.
“Of course, for Martial Artists, one steamed bun can only guarantee not being hungry for one meal.
“But if a Martial Artist consumes this crimson blood tiger meat for a long time, it can not only increase the vital energy and blood in their body, but also make their body more compatible with the Crimson Flame Sect's 'Huoyuan Skill' cultivation method, thereby increasing the possibility of breaking through the Tongmai Stage by a tiny bit!”
“South Wasteland Crimson Blood Tiger, it actually has such effects...”
Han Yi picked out a slightly larger piece of meat from the remaining half of the steamed bun and examined it carefully, immediately discovering something strange.
This crimson blood tiger meat, even though it was thoroughly cooked, was extremely elastic. The meat was crimson red, with no white parts. Upon closer inspection, one could even see red threads within it, giving it a feeling of being a work of art.
“Senior Brother Pan, which shop can I usually buy this crimson blood tiger meat at?”
A thought arose in Han Yi's mind.