Xiao Bai led the old man upstairs to get him settled in and to explain how to use the various facilities.
Xiao Yu couldn’t help but feel grateful—thank goodness for Xiao Bai! Otherwise, he’d be exhausted doing all that himself.
He silently vowed to create an instruction manual. Once more guests started coming, Xiao Bai couldn’t possibly keep explaining everything one by one.
Not long after, the old man came back downstairs, now dressed in a white robe with neatly combed hair tied up in a topknot.
He looked quite refined—like a classic scholar from ancient times.
But that’s not what Xiao Yu was paying attention to.
What caught his attention was: This old man was no ordinary person.
And more importantly, he was rich! A potential high-level client. Definitely a VIP.
Because when Xiao Bai had helped him get a room card earlier, Xiao Yu had overheard the room price.
Even though the old man showed a trace of surprise, he didn’t question it at all and casually pulled out ten spirit stones.
Plus, he hadn’t been carrying any visible belongings, but now he was wearing clean robes and shoes.
From years of reading web novels, Xiao Yu could guess the reason: Storage items!
Based on what he knew, storage items on this continent were rare and only owned by people of high status.
There wasn’t even a Spirit Gathering Array here.
Storage tools had to be forged using a material called Starlight Stone, which was both rare and extremely expensive.
And then you had to pay a high-level blacksmith to forge it, so the total cost was astronomical.
No average person could afford it.
Xiao Yu narrowed his eyes, watching the old man with a slight smirk on his lips.
“Boss, why are you smiling?”
“Haha, you look much more refreshed in your new clothes, old sir!”
The old man stroked his beard and smiled, exuding the air of a true master.
“Boss, you flatter me. Your inn is truly unique. I’ve never seen such amazing things in my life.”
“You’re too kind. Stay as long as you like!”
“Haha… Certainly! I am Weng Wuya!”
“Then may I call you Elder Weng?”
“Of course!”
At that moment, a loud rumbling came from the stairs.
“Boss, when can we eat?! I’m starving!”
Chen Mo and his sister Chen Xiaoxiao came rushing down into the lounge.
“Boss, we’ve got a guest?”
Xiao Yu rolled his eyes. These two were always so chaotic—like invaders raiding a village!
“Hello, sir! I’m Chen Xiaoxiao, and this is my brother Chen Mo.”
“Nice to meet you, elder!”
Weng Wuya smiled kindly.
“Good kids, just call me Elder Weng.”
“Boss, I’m really hungry, when can we order food?”
Xiao Yu waved his sleeve and stood up.
“Right now!”
The Chen siblings lit up and followed him like hungry puppies, not forgetting to call for Weng Wuya.
“Elder Weng, the boss’s food is heavenly! Come with us to order!”
Weng Wuya walked over calmly.
Standing at the kitchen entrance, Xiao Yu asked,
“What are you ordering? Hurry up!”
Weng Wuya looked at the menu and was stunned. Then he turned to Xiao Yu.
“Boss… Are you a Spirit Chef?”
Xiao Yu didn’t know how to respond. This wasn’t the first time someone had asked.
What was he supposed to say? “I’m just cheating with a system?”
So he replied casually,
“Maybe.”
Weng Wuya’s eyes went wide with excitement. He quickly stepped in front of Xiao Yu.
“Boss, are you really a Spirit Chef?!”
“Yes, yes, yes—now pick something already!”
Xiao Yu looked at the overly excited old man. It’s just a chef, why do you look like you want to eat me?
Chen Mo scratched his head, clearly confused.
“Boss, Elder Weng… What’s a Spirit Chef?”
Elder Weng took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions. A nostalgic look crossed his face as he said,
“A Spirit Chef is a noble profession. A hundred years ago, during the war between the Divine Martial Empire and the Skywind Empire, Skywind tried to invade and conquer us.
At the time, our nation was weaker and kept being pushed back.”
“And then what?”
The group, even Xiao Yu, was drawn in by the tale. The old man had the flair of a storyteller.
“But our people united and resisted fiercely. One day, Prince Qi invited a Spirit Chef to join the war effort.
Thanks to this Spirit Chef, the empire trained elite forces with incredible combat strength in just two years.
In the end, they defended the border and forced Skywind out of our land.”
Xiao Yu finally understood—Spirit Chefs were a big deal for the military.
In fact, they were invaluable to anyone.
“Spirit Chef… Why have I never heard of that?”
Chen Xiaoxiao blinked in confusion.
“It’s not surprising. Many of your generation have never heard of them—it’s ancient history now,” Weng Wuya said softly.
“What happened to that Spirit Chef? Are they still in the Divine Martial Empire?”
“No, he disappeared… along with Prince Qi.”
“Ah…”
Weng Wuya steadied himself and looked again at Xiao Yu.
“Boss, you are the first Spirit Chef our empire has seen in a hundred years. It is an honor to meet you in my lifetime!”
Xiao Yu was speechless.
He now knew how rare and powerful Spirit Chefs were—but the truth was, he was just a fake!
Without the system, these dishes wouldn’t have any special effects at all.
At best, they’d just taste good!
“Boss, I have a dear friend who has been injured for years. Countless doctors have failed to heal him.
I know that Spirit Chefs can cook spirit meals that heal even the rarest illnesses. I was wondering if…”
Weng Wuya’s hand trembled as he spoke, and his face flushed with hope.
Xiao Yu cut him off.
“Old man, maybe I am a Spirit Chef, but right now I can only make low-level dishes.
Don’t get your hopes up too high.”
It was the truth. These were just 1-star spirit meals. They’d never cure some serious, long-standing condition.
Better to let the guy down early.
As soon as Xiao Yu finished, Weng Wuya’s hopeful eyes dimmed.
He gave a bitter smile.
“Yes… Of course. It’s not so easy after all. Perhaps this is just fate.”
Xiao Yu felt a twinge of guilt.
“Boss, you’re amazing! Please help Elder Weng!”
Chen Xiaoxiao couldn’t stand seeing the old man so downcast. She tugged Xiao Yu’s sleeve, her big watery eyes pleading.
“Yeah, Boss!” Chen Mo chimed in too.
Xiao Yu glared at them both. Why are you all acting cute and getting involved? Mind your own business!
But… the old man really did seem pitiful. And he was loyal to his friend.
And more importantly… He was rich.
Xiao Yu sighed.
“System, can we help him?”
“Dear host, are you serious right now? How can we help someone we haven’t even seen yet?”
Xiao Yu froze.
That was… actually a good point.
How was he supposed to help someone he hadn’t even met?
He could almost imagine the system rolling its eyes at him, calling him brain-dead.
System: “I didn’t say that! Stop slandering me!”
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