Mountain and Sea Demon Martial Arts, Starting with Vertical Pupils

Chapter 31 Food and Sex

Chen Luo's refusal of Li Jiangwei was not a polite excuse, but rather because he genuinely had an appointment that day.

He invited Zhou Xiaoliang to dinner at Hongfutang today.

Qingshan County is a lower-level county, and there are very few large-scale restaurants. Most of them are small taverns. Hongfutang is the largest restaurant in Qingshan County.

Moreover, the kind-hearted owner of Hongfutang would occasionally set up a stage outside the door to put on a show, and the original owner would always run to watch the excitement when he was a child.

However, the prices of the food and drinks inside are quite exorbitant; it is said that a single meal can cost the equivalent of half a year's worth of food, clothing, and daily necessities for an average family.

Chen Luo used to wonder who would spend so much on food and drinks, but now he understands that it's naturally catering to martial arts masters and the like.

When Chen Luo first started learning martial arts, he had a small goal: to be able to have a decent meal at Hongfutang. Now that he has mastered the Nine Yang Strength, it's time to fulfill that wish.

Arriving at the tavern entrance.

The first thing you see is a two-story wooden building, which doesn't look particularly special compared to the shops on the left and right. A faded wooden plaque hangs above the door, with the three characters "Hong Fu Tang" written in large characters.

Across from Hongfutang, Chen Luo spotted Zhou Xiaoliang looking around.

He's actually wearing a silk robe today; he looks quite respectable.

He didn't originally have such clothes; it seems he specially acquired a decent set of clothes after joining the Mountain Guard.

"Where's Lu Qun?" Chen Luo said with a smile as he walked over. "Didn't I tell you to call him along?"

"He refused to come, saying he wanted to practice martial arts," Zhou Xiaoliang shrugged.

"That guy," Chen Luo said helplessly.

Since when did Lu Qun start practicing martial arts with increasing intensity and ruthlessness, almost like an ascetic monk? Chen Luo felt that he was already quite diligent, but he was still inferior to Lu Qun.

Sometimes Chen Luo worried that he would ruin his body by exercising like this.

The two walked into the restaurant together.

The lobby was a bit dimmer than outside, and you could smell a faint scent of wood and a subtle aroma of wine.

It was quiet inside. The square tables were partially hidden by simple screens. The waiter wiping the tables noticed the two people coming in, but he didn't seem too enthusiastic. He just stood up straight and waited.

After the two went up to the second floor and found a seat by the railing, the waiter followed them over.

Before he could speak, Chen Luo ordered, "Bring two plates of beef and mutton, stir-fried or stewed, two plates of vegetables and soup, and a pot of tea."

The waiter was taken aback, and couldn't help but glance at Chen Luo again. His tone unconsciously became more ingratiating. "One vegetarian dish, braised radish, and another, mushroom and bamboo shoot soup, along with Longjing tea. How does that sound, sir?"

"Okay." Chen Luo nodded.

After the waiter left, Zhou Xiaoliang couldn't help but ask, "A-Luo, have you been here before?"

No.

"Then how come you're so skilled?" Zhou Xiaoliang asked in surprise.

This was his first time here. As an ordinary farmer, he had no idea what dishes were served in the tavern. Even if he did know, he wouldn't dare to order anything, since who knew what the prices would be?

But judging from Chen Luo's nonchalant and casual manner, it seemed as if he had been to the tavern many times.

"I've been to some small taverns," Chen Luo explained, rubbing his nose, thinking to himself that ordering food was something every transmigrator was familiar with.

Perhaps because there weren't many customers today, the dishes were served quickly, and they all looked, smelled, and tasted great. More importantly, unlike in the past, ancient taverns didn't offer any gruesome dishes. The beef and mutton soup and tea were made with authentic, original ingredients, making everyone's mouths water.

The two ate heartily without any restraint, and Zhou Xiaoliang couldn't help but sigh, "Life has really changed. If it were before, I would never have dared to think of eating here."

"Don't slack off on your martial arts training while you're at the Mountain Guard Command. As long as you can make progress in the future, it's perfectly fine to come to Hongfutang every day," Chen Luo said with a smile, taking a sip of soup.

These words were not only spoken to Zhou Xiaoliang, but also to himself.

He's been training hard and tedious lately, and he's thinking not only about having a good meal to relax, but also about reminding himself to practice martial arts diligently so that he can eat good food every day in the future.

Because food was one of his few hobbies. In the past, when life was hard, he could only eat steamed buns at home with tears in his eyes. He was so hungry that he even dared to stew monsters as wild game.

Now that we've finally accumulated some wealth, of course we should enjoy it to the fullest.

As the saying goes, food and sex are human nature, but he hasn't yet reached the point of being able to abstain from alcohol and sex through martial arts training, and he probably never will.

The two men ate quickly, finishing in no time, and then enjoyed a leisurely cup of tea together.

Just then, a beautiful figure walked past the side of the table.

Before Chen Luo could notice, Zhou Xiaoliang's expression changed.

He looked up and saw that it was Song Ruokui.

She was still wearing that long robe, her hair styled in a high bun, her eyes and brows aloof. When she noticed Chen Luo and the other person, she paused, somewhat surprised.

What are you doing here?

"Uh..." Zhou Xiaoliang didn't expect to see Song Ruokui. Seemingly intimidated by the aloof temperament of his childhood playmate, he sat up straight as if he had made a mistake, stammering as if he wanted to explain something.

Finally, Chen Luo spoke first with a smile: "Come and relax a bit. I didn't expect to see you here too."

He didn't notice Song Ruokui when he arrived because each table was separated by a screen.

Song Ruokui looked at Chen Luo, her brows furrowed as she was about to say something.

At this moment, several more people approached, each dressed in a robe similar to Song Ruokui's. The one in the lead said gently, "Ruokui, who are these two...?"

The leader, halfway through his sentence, caught sight of Chen Luo, paused slightly, and then smiled, "Brother Chen, I didn't expect to meet you again."

"Brother Lin." Chen Luo nodded to him. The person who came was none other than Lin Zhou, whom he had met in Donglan Lane that day.

Chen Luo remembered that Lin Zhou was also a disciple of the Jingyi Martial Arts Academy. These people, including Song Ruokui, were all wearing the same robe, so it seemed that the disciples of the Jingyi Martial Arts Academy had a meal together.

"You two know each other?" Song Ruokui raised an eyebrow.

"We met once before," Lin Zhou explained briefly, then looked at Song Ruokui with a gentle expression. "Ruokui, it seems you also know this Brother Chen?"

"An acquaintance I knew before," Song Ruokui said calmly.

"I see." Lin Zhou nodded and smiled calmly, "Since Ruo Kui knows him, then this meal is on me."

He turned to Chen Luo and said, "Brother Chen, just tell me my name when you settle the bill. I won't disturb your reminiscing any longer."

After Lin Zhou finished speaking, he took his leave. The other three glanced at Chen Luo and the other two a few times and then followed him away.

Zhou Xiaoliang looked at Chen Luo with some surprise, not expecting that Chen Luo would also know the disciples of the private school.

It's important to understand that private schools are not like charitable schools like Zhengyang Martial Arts School, where the students are either wealthy or noble, or exceptionally talented like Song Ruokui.

At this moment, he remembered something, looked at Song Ruokui, and then at Chen Luo.

In a flash, Zhou Xiaoliang tentatively asked, "Who is this Lin Zhou?"

"He's a senior in my class," Song Ruokui said calmly. "He's not a good person. You should stay away from him if you see him, and don't owe him any favors. This meal is on me."

"Actually, we have money..."

Chen Luo wanted to explain, but Song Ruokui didn't give him a chance to interrupt. She glanced at him indifferently and stopped him from speaking with her eyes.

"Don't tell me you have money. I gave you the money, not for you to spend like this." Song Ruokui glanced at the dishes on the table, a hint of annoyance flashing in her eyes. "I usually can't bear to order this many dishes."

Chen Luo: "..."