Chapter 359: Temporary Chef

The carriage with the iron frame and wooden board, along with four carriages filled with scrolls, had not stopped for long when two dark spots rushed down from the sky. As the spots grew larger, some of the onlookers below finally saw what was on the board and started to exclaim in shock. Soon, the entire area below became chaotic as people rushed to take cover on either side.

The dark spots continued to expand, and soon two giant eagle-beast birds appeared before everyone’s eyes, exuding immense pressure.

“Look! There are people on them!”

Those with sharp eyes soon noticed that there were two people sitting on each of the two giant eagle-beast birds.

Below, Lin Dong glanced at them and immediately understood—they were all members of the guard team transferred from Tiandi Cave.

When the distance was less than ten meters, the eagle-beast birds suddenly flapped their wings. Their descending bodies halted abruptly, and they rose upward.

One guard member jumped off each of the eagle-beast birds’ backs. Amidst gasps of amazement, the two guard members rushed toward the carriages, grabbed bundles of scrolls, and with a shout, the eagle-beast birds above, controlled by the two guards remaining on their backs, dived down again.

The two men leaped gracefully and landed precisely on the backs of the six- to seven-meter-tall eagle-beast birds.

One eagle-beast bird flew away quickly, while on the other, the guard member handed the bundle of scrolls to his companion and then jumped off holding something else. With a quick step, he flew toward the wooden board on the iron frame like a wild goose.

At about three meters away, he pushed with both hands, causing the scrolls to unfurl and fly toward the board. With a soft thud, the scrolls hung perfectly on the board. Then, he waved his right arm.

The sound of nails hitting wood filled the air as over a dozen nails firmly pierced the board, supporting the scrolls.

After checking the evenly spaced nails, he leaped upward, bouncing rapidly. Above, the other guard member flapped the eagle-beast bird’s wings, guiding it to catch him below. Then they flew away, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

From the appearance of the dark spots to their disappearance, it all took just a moment, with most of that time the spots being mere small dots. The frightened crowd below hadn’t even recovered from their shock by the time the eagle-beast birds were far away.

Looking at the iron frame and wooden board standing five meters tall at the street corner, like a small iron tower, another poster identical to those on the carriage’s frame had appeared.

“Look! Hurry up and look!”

More screams arose. Lin Dong looked up and saw countless small flyers drifting down from above. Judging from the area they covered and the timing of their descent, they were undoubtedly being thrown from above the last Eagle Beast Bird to leave.

As the flyers fell like snowflakes, Lin Dong stretched out his right hand and caught one casually. Looking down, the main text on it was identical to the bold letters on the promotional posters, while below were details about the four major events held at Lin’s Gymnasium, as well as popularity rankings and betting options.

Flipping the flyer, Lin Dong was delighted—he had good luck and had even gotten a ticket. Attached to the back of the flyer was a small note listing the events, times, and address of Lin’s Gymnasium.

Giving away free tickets for Li Dafeng’s match against Wang Liang was one of the promotional tactics suggested by Liu An. As soon as Lin Dong heard Liu An’s idea, he couldn’t help but applaud in approval. By distributing one-third of all tickets for that day’s matches among the flyers for free, it ensured that the atmosphere wouldn’t be dull due to a low attendance. If there were many ticket buyers, the high demand would further boost Lin’s Gymnasium’s reputation. It also generated more discussion about the gym. Losing some money was definitely worth ten or even a hundred times more in benefits.

Lin Dong tossed the flyer with the ticket onto the ground, confident that someone would surely pick it up. At the very least, children with nothing to do would never miss such a chance to find treasure.

As for the possibility that some people might not show up after getting the tickets, thus leaving empty seats and affecting the overall atmosphere, Lin Dong wasn’t worried at all. With Lin’s Gymnasium’s large seating capacity, if locals didn’t want to go or if there were too many tickets, neighbors would surely ask for them.

Moreover, Lin Dong had a backup plan based on Liu An’s idea. Tickets for all events could be purchased three days in advance. Depending on the situation, if the expected number of ticket buyers was met, Lin Dong would start selling tickets at high prices two days before the event. If someone did sell tickets, he could simply buy them and resell them at a lower price to those who truly needed them.

Sacrificing some money ensured that the stadium would be packed to capacity on the day of the event, creating a popular atmosphere that could also be featured in future promotional posters.

Once all the flyers in the sky had landed, five horse-drawn carriages set off, and Lin Dong followed behind.

At the corner of the second street, the convoy continued moving forward. On the five-meter-high iron frame, the scroll was already hung up, and flyers were scattered everywhere as well. The convoy’s task of serving as a warehouse was essentially complete; it only needed to keep moving as a mobile advertisement toward the next billboard.

The convoy kept moving, but Lin Dong stopped—because he saw someone familiar. Among the crowd in front of the billboard stood a young man holding a small spirit stone fan and wearing a pink robe. Around the young man seemed to be an invisible barrier, creating a space about three meters in diameter around him. Anyone glancing over could easily spot him.

“Hua Wu Yue!” Lin Dong called out. The moment he saw the young man, he felt that being there early wasn’t as good as arriving at just the right time.

Hua Wu Yue was startled. He turned toward the source of the voice and couldn’t help but lick his lips. “Shopkeeper Lin, what are you doing here too?”

Hua Wu Yue closed his spirit stone fan and stepped out of the crowd with a joyful expression to greet Lin Dong. “I came along with the carriage. I never expected that the young master of the Hua family would also like to join such a small gathering,” Lin Dong said with a smile.

“Not at all…” Hua Wu Yue smiled awkwardly and explained, “After hearing you talk about the promotion for Lin’s Gymnasium at Peach Blossom Tower last time, I’ve been wanting to see the results. Today is the first day of the promotion, so I came early to take a look.”

“You’re just in time. I was planning to ask for your help. I thought I’d go see you tomorrow after finishing today’s tasks,” Lin Dong said leisurely. “It’s great to run into you here—it saves me a lot of time.”

“Shopkeeper Lin wants my help?” Hua Wu Yue’s heartbeat quickened slightly. The benefits he had received from helping before kept coming to mind.

“Yes. First, regarding the outcomes of Tianlai Gambling House and Hongfu Gambling House, if nothing goes wrong, both should be spared,” Lin Dong nodded and continued, “Second, I’d like to ask you to fill in as the head chef for a few days.”

“Head chef?” Hua Wu Yue was stunned. He couldn’t help but recall Lin Dong’s half-serious mention earlier about wanting him to work as a chef at Lin’s Inn.

Could it really be true?

Hua Wu Yue’s expression darkened. If that were the case, the trouble would be enormous. For Hua Wu Yue, becoming a chef was indeed his greatest passion, but since childhood, he had been taught that family interests came first. Doing some rebellious things was one thing, but being forced to abandon his family to become a chef—no matter what, he would never do such a thing.

Moreover, even if he were willing, his family would never agree, no matter what, even if the other party were a near-strongman. For a family, their carefully cultivated heir is their lifeline, and they won’t give up easily as long as there’s a glimmer of hope. A single mistake could easily trigger a huge conflict. Seeing Hua Wu Yue’s expression, Lin Dong felt somewhat helpless. Truly, a great chef doesn’t fall from the sky for free. “I’m just asking you to help out temporarily; it won’t take long.” “Really?” Though still skeptical, Hua Wu Yue’s mood improved significantly. At least this near-strongman hadn’t planned to use force, leaving some room for negotiation. “It’s not really true. How could it be fake? With your status as the eldest son of the Hua family, if you really had to work as a chef, wouldn’t three to five million silver coins a month be insufficient? I can’t afford that. At most, I can use a few Wan Hong fruits and our friendship to ask you to help out occasionally,” Lin Dong said helplessly. “As you know, if Lin’s Inn becomes popular, the three matches in the morning, afternoon, and evening will bring a lot of customers.” Hua Wu Yue nodded and hesitated, “What does Manager Lin mean…” “With a sudden increase in customers, we obviously need to find ways to keep them. If we can do that, it will be a great benefit for both Lin’s Inn and Lin’s Gymnasium,” Lin Dong explained. “To keep customers, we need good and fair food and drinks. With Lin’s Inn’s capabilities, keeping most customers isn’t a problem, but keeping over 70-80% of them is more difficult.” Hua Wu Yue had no argument—this was true. But the problem was that no matter how large a restaurant is, it can’t cater to everyone’s taste and preferred environment. Even at Fenglin Restaurant and Hongfu Restaurant, out of ten new passing customers, maybe only six or seven would remember the restaurant if they passed by again. “With Lin’s Inn’s business model, its customers are naturally wealthy people,” Lin Dong said with a smile. “Regardless of your reputation or your ability to prepare dishes, if you can stay at Lin’s Inn for a few days from time to time, I’m sure you can bring in 20-30% more customers.” “From time to time?” Hua Wu Yue hesitated. “Don’t worry, Young Master Hua. It won’t affect your cultivation,” Lin Dong said calmly. “I guarantee your cultivation speed will only increase, not decrease. Well… how about three times normal? Consider it compensation for helping me.”

Hua Wuyue was moved. Undoubtedly, this meant that as long as he was willing to work as a chef at Lin’s Inn from time to time for a few days, he would receive spiritual materials and elixirs that could aid in his cultivation. As a warrior, such offers were irresistible temptations.

Yet reason told him that if he agreed now, it might not be easy to back out later.

“Since Young Master Hua remains silent, I’ll take it as consent,” Lin Dong said, not bothering to check the promotional effect from the carriage. Smiling, he patted Hua Wuyue’s shoulder and added, “Let’s go. There’s no need to wait—why not take you to Lin’s Inn now? If everything goes well, we can start working today. That way, we’ll be well-prepared once Lin’s Inn becomes popular.”

“Huh?” Still weighing the pros and cons, Hua Wuyue was stunned.

“Come on!” Lin Dong didn’t give Hua Wuyue time to explain. He turned around and strode toward the inn.

Hua Wuyue couldn’t utter a word. He watched helplessly as Lin Dong walked farther and farther, never looking back. All he could do was force a bitter smile.

This Manager Lin was quite domineering. Even the proud young master of the Hua family could be forced to work as a chef.

Helpless, knowing Lin Dong was doing this on purpose, Hua Wuyue didn’t dare offend him and reluctantly followed, gritting his teeth.

Back at the inn, Lin Dong led the grim-faced Hua Wuyue straight to the kitchen in the front yard.

“This is the kitchen of Lin’s Inn. I remember Young Master Hua visited the front yard once before; you should still have some memory of it,” Lin Dong said as he led him there.

“How could I forget? That time, Manager Lin scared me half to death,” Hua Wuyue replied with a bitter smile.

“That was because I didn’t understand Young Master Hua’s character back then. But now it’s different. Here at Lin’s Inn, you are our most honored guest,” Lin Dong said as he stepped into the kitchen.

Outside, Hua Wuyue hesitated for a moment before holding his breath and following in.

Inside the kitchen, the clanging of pots and pans filled the air, along with various noises. As the workers carried hot dishes in and out, a faint haze of smoke filled the air. Hua Wuyue wanted to leave but feared displeasing Lin Dong, so he endured the smoke creeping onto his skin and robes, his whole body covered in goosebumps, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

“This kitchen has six stoves in total. The chefs are all hired by me from Lingnan City. Their cooking skills aren’t outstanding, but they’re not bad either. For ordinary meat and vegetable dishes, Lingnan City is considered first-class,” Lin Dong explained as he led Hua Wuyue to a side door at the back.

Hua Wuyue nodded blankly, having actually heard not a word of Lin Dong’s words. His entire attention was focused on fighting against the dust.

Lin Dong was well aware of Hua Wuyue’s current state, but he continued to talk nonstop, introducing the layout of the kitchen and its staff.

Upon reaching the side door, Lin Dong pushed it open. Inside was a slightly larger kitchen, covering about 200 square meters.

“They…” Hua Wuyue, whose attention had been drawn back by the creaking of the door, was stunned. Inside, aside from the staff coming and going, all eight chefs standing in front of the stoves were disabled.

“Boss!”

The chefs nodded in greeting.

“Keep working. I’ve brought a top chef to take a look around.”

After smiling and nodding, Lin Dong explained to Hua Wuyue, “They are chefs I brought from Qiufeng City. They handle spiritual beasts and materials of rank three and below. They used to be warriors—guards, shopkeepers, hunters… Later, they were taken in by Yu Mudan, the person in charge of this kitchen, and learned cooking from her. Eventually, they joined our Lin’s Inn. By the way, Yu Mudan is also one of the key figures in the inn’s kitchen. Today is her day off, so we probably won’t see her for a few days.”

Hua Wuyue nodded, his gaze sweeping over the chefs from Yuanhumen Inn who moved skillfully with their spoons. He couldn’t help but marvel inwardly—Lin’s Inn’s owner was quite unique; even among the chefs, there were many warriors.

“This kitchen is a bit larger than the first one. The staff bring dishes in and out through this door,” Lin Dong said, pointing to an open door next to a large window on the left, then turning to a closed door across from it. “That room is where our Lin’s Inn’s top chefs live.”

“Top chefs?” Hua Wuyue looked puzzled.

“They’re the chefs responsible for the signature dishes and spiritual beasts and materials of rank three and above,” Lin Dong replied with a smile. He stepped forward and, after Hua Wuyue followed, pushed open the door.

Inside the room, there were six stoves. The two farthest in were empty, while at the other four stoves stood four top chefs from Lin’s Inn, each accompanied by three apprentices who also served as helpers.

Seemingly sensing someone had entered, the four chefs stopped simultaneously and suddenly turned to look toward the door.

Hua Wuyue was shocked. If just one person had looked over, it could still be considered a coincidence. But all four of them looking over definitely meant they had some kind of perception ability. Even a slight sound of a door opening could be heard over the noise of cooking and chopping. Such hearing skills could only be achieved by those at the Mind Concentration stage or above. Hua Wuyue’s mouth opened slightly as he tried to say something, but he couldn’t utter a word. It was already surprising enough that a second kitchen could have a group of warriors as chefs. The fact that all the chefs in this third kitchen possessed warrior strength was simply unimaginable. With warrior strength, making money would be an easy task. In the eyes of a warrior, even the biggest restaurant owners in a region should look up to them, let alone work as chefs for a restaurant… Suddenly, Hua Wuyue felt a chill run down his spine, as if he had entered a wolf’s den. Without a doubt, these chefs with warrior strength had all been subdued by Manager Lin. Did that not mean that he, who also had warrior strength, had a high chance of being persuaded by Manager Lin? The only difference was their status. After all, he was the eldest son of the Hua family, while the other four might not even be of lower status than him. “Manager!” After those four synchronized calls, the apprentices shouted again. Then, things changed. Qiao Tianhao casually threw the iron spoons in his hands into the two cooking pots, smiled broadly, and strode quickly toward Lin Dong. Jiang Kui and Yu Linglong handed their iron spoons and rolling pins to the apprentices beside them, gave a few instructions, and then removed their aprons before walking over slowly. At another stove, after giving a call, Cheng Bao ignored everything else and focused on stirring a pile of Tianfeng peppers in the pot. When he reached Lin Dong, Qiao Tianhao glanced at Hua Wuyue and nodded with a smile. Hua Wuyue quickly bowed and smiled politely. “Manager, who’s this slippery, effeminate guy?” Seeing Hua Wuyue’s polite demeanor, Qiao Tianhao’s arrogance surged, and he pointed at Hua Wuyue, looking at Lin Dong in confusion. Lin Dong waved his hand and said, “A new chef. Bring him over for a look. It’s none of your business. Go back and cook.” “Eh!” Qiao Tianhao nodded quickly. Just as he turned around, an angry voice rang out behind him, “Stop!” “You called me?” Qiao Tianhao glared at Hua Wuyue, who was furious.