Dozens of kilometers away from Zhang Wei, a giant bird crashed to the ground, leaving deep furrows in its wake.
A dozen chefs, all bearing injuries, some minor and some severe, but thankfully no fatalities – that was the greatest fortune.
Wolfgang stood up and kicked the bird's corpse.
"Damn it, good thing this land is soft as marshmallow, otherwise I would have really been done for by you."
Another finalist said, "This place isn't safe for long. Everyone, leave quickly. I suspect the pursuers will be here any moment."
Wolfgang looked pale and slumped to the ground, "I really can't walk anymore. If I expend any more energy, my food cells will revolt!"
Another chef angrily retorted, "Then what? Stay here and wait to die?"
"Alas, this is unfamiliar territory, where can we find food?" Da Feng Novel Network
Suddenly, Wolfgang looked at the bird's carcass and said, "What do you think this thing's level is? It should be edible, right?"
"Holy crap, that's a person!"
Wolfgang pointed at the hollow bird's head, "More precisely, the human part is not even left as mince."
"What do you think, how many levels would this bird be?"
"Given its strength, at least level 40!"
"If it were weak, it wouldn't be worthy of us..."
Wolfgang licked his lips and shouted, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's all pitch in. Bird meat at level forty-something, the nutrition can't be bad. After we eat, we'll quickly relocate, and watch out for the second wave of pursuers!"
Only one chef looked worried, gazing at his wound and mumbling, "Even such a ferocious beast can die so easily. This Cloud Country is truly treacherous and unpredictable..."
"We must be extremely careful and cautious from now on."
...
After practicing all night, Zhang Wei felt refreshed and invigorated.
Not only had his skills significantly improved, but his accumulated stamina from many days had also been largely depleted.
Unlike other stingy gourmet hunters, an abundance of stamina was a great trouble for Zhang Wei.
Due to his physique, Zhang Wei's path to advancement was fraught with thorns, requiring him to consume massive amounts of nutrition and deliciousness... This excess energy stored in his body would severely affect his appetite.
It was like being in a constant state of fullness.
"Tam Kench, you're back."
"Who's there?"
Zhang Wei frowned as an octopus monster appeared at the shop entrance, accompanied by a large retinue.
The octopus grinned sinisterly, "Let me introduce you to Vice Minister Murata Emon of the Imperial Customs Office, who is on par with the City Lord of Crane City..."
"Oh, and then?"
The Vice Minister's appearance was quite ordinary, nothing particularly outstanding.
Murata Emon stepped forward, holding out a letter, "This is a search warrant. I suspect you are involved in a smuggling case. We have sufficient evidence, and I hope you won't resist futilely!"
"Uh... a search warrant?"
"Precisely!"
"Then with that tone, it sounds like an arrest warrant. Go ahead and search."
Zhang Wei was unaware that in the Cloud Country, chefs held a higher status, capable of opposing certain laws with their influence, making politicians quite difficult to deal with.
Murata Emon signaled to his subordinates, and dozens of customs officers flooded into the restaurant.
"Hey, wait a moment. Remember to compensate for anything you break."
A temporary residence is still a residence. Don't ransack it like it's a house inspection.
Zhang Wei asked Murata Emon, "By the way, what kind of evidence do you have? Why are you suddenly here to investigate me for smuggling?"
"We received a formal report from Mr. Zhang, the head chef of the Synthetic Chain Burger Shop. Given Mr. Zhang's social standing, this is enough for the customs team to act."
"So it was you, you old bastard."
The octopus monster said darkly, "Without smuggling, how could you, a mere four-star chef, have such a substantial net worth?"
Zhang Wei's generosity even surpassed that of a six-star octopus monster.
Just then, several customs officers came out and whispered in the octopus monster's ear.
The octopus monster's expression grew even darker.
"Tam!!"
"What's wrong with you again?"
"Where is the Thunderclap Bun!!"
"What does it have to do with you where the Thunderclap Bun is?"
Zhang Wei was puzzled, "Mr. Murata Emon, are you here to investigate smuggling, or to help this octopus ransack my place? If you find the Thunderclap Bun, won't you have to take it away too?"
Murata secretly cursed, how could such a thing be brought up openly?
Is it because you're a six-star chef that you're so proud? I'll be investigated for dereliction of duty if this gets out!
Murata Emon secretly regretted helping out.
Seeing his plan foiled, the octopus roared in anger, "Tam, from the City Lord to the merchants and guests in Crane City, who doesn't give me face? Why do you dare to oppose me? Why!"
"Hand over the Thunderclap Fruit, and I can compensate you fifteen million Berries."
*Pfft*
Zhang Wei scoffed, "So you're out of money. Is this what they call being poor and aggressive?"
The octopus monster blushed.
Clearly, his deception had been exposed by Zhang Wei.
The octopus monster roared, "I gave you a chance. If you can't seize it, don't blame me! Someone, take him down!"
"On what grounds?"
The octopus monster clapped his hands, and several customs officers carried out boxes of contraband from inside!
Zhang Wei was very sure that none of these belonged to Tam.
Clearly, this was a frame-up by the customs officers.
Zhang Wei narrowed his eyes and said to Murata Emon beside him, "Do you know the crime of framing a chef? I advise you to think carefully, it wasn't easy to reach your current position."
Murata Emon swallowed.
At this point, he had to take a side. To gain the meager friendship of a six-star chef, he had to bear the overflowing wrath of a four-star chef.
But if he defected now, the octopus would likely not let him off either.
Helplessly.
Murata Emon said coldly, "Caught red-handed with the evidence, Mr. Tam, please come with me to the customs office!"
The octopus beside him advised, "It's not too late to back down now. As long as you tell me where the Thunderclap Bun is hidden, this imprisonment can be avoided!"
Zhang Wei weighed the situation.
He could only sigh in resignation.
"What, have you changed your mind?"
Zhang Wei said, "I've been too high-profile recently, seriously deviating from my plan... But facing these precious ingredients, I really can't control myself!"
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"To be honest, I've already eaten the Thunderclap Bun."
"Nonsense, that's impossible! It seems you can't escape this imprisonment!"
Zhang Wei shrugged helplessly, "I know I can't escape. This Tam identity of mine is pretty much ruined."
Upon hearing this, Murata Emon instinctively felt a sense of foreboding!
"Someone, take him down, quickly, take him down!!"
Dozens of customs officers were formidable, some of their strength approaching that of a warrior.
With a command, dozens of people swiftly moved towards Zhang Wei!
"One-tenth strength, normal spiral punch!"