626 snarled, looking endearingly clumsy.
"Do you want to eat or not? If you do, come and sit down properly."
"Sigh, forget it. Since that's the case, I won't save any for you."
Chopstick-thick chopsticks appeared out of nowhere, instantly scooping up over twenty catties of meat.
Illusion Technique, activate!
Zhang Wei's mouth stretched open more than thirty-five centimeters! He stuffed all the meat from the chopsticks into his mouth in one go!
He closed his mouth and chewed, golden oil dripping down the corners of his mouth. 626's saliva uncontrollably flowed...
Another mouthful, and a tenth of the meat on the table was gone.
A drumming roar emanated from 626's stomach. Digestive fluids were constantly secreted, but no food was ingested. His stomach felt undeniably uncomfortable.
"If you're any later, I'll eat it all."
626 leaped up, about to pounce on the mountain of meat.
Zhang Wei's hand shot out like lightning, grabbing 626 by the scruff of his neck again and placing him back on the chair.
"I'll teach you a lesson. Pouncing on food is disrespect to the deliciousness!"
"One must approach tasting delicacies with a respectful heart!"
"Table manners aren't for show; they are a reflection of one's cultivation!"
As he spoke, Zhang Wei picked up a slice of meat and placed it on the plate in front of 626.
It weighed about an ounce...
"Eat."
626 was stunned. This was not quite what he had imagined.
He swallowed the slice of meat in one gulp, closed his eyes to savor it, and with a wave of his hand, shattered the plate.
He then leaped back onto the mountain of meat.
"The little fellow is quite mischievous."
"Your punishment is to watch me eat!"
He grabbed 626 and with a casual swipe of his giant chopsticks on the meat mountain, scooped up another twenty-odd catties of meat...
Mouthful after mouthful...
626 felt his heart shattering.
While he was happily eating, he felt a tickle on his wrist.
He looked back and saw that 626 had retracted the feathers on his back, his sharp claws, and the extra arms under his armpits.
He widened his big, watery eyes and began to act cute.
With his already cartoonish appearance and that docile expression, he would have dominated the pet world in his previous life.
Countless girls would have been captivated by his adorable exterior.
"You're smart, aren't you? You know I'm a softie and can't resist a good plea?"
"Alright, I'll forgive you one more time."
Placing 626 in front of the plate, Zhang Wei began to portion out the food...
This time, 626 had learned his lesson. He sat obediently at the table. When Zhang Wei offered him a piece, he would pick up the plate and pour it into his mouth. Then, he would carefully place the plate back and continue to act cute.
"Very good, you learn quickly."
"Here, a piece of meat for you... a chopstickful for me... a piece of meat for you... a chopstickful for me..."
Under 626's heartbroken gaze, Zhang Wei ate at least ninety-nine percent of the food.
"Oh dear, try to be more optimistic. You still got over twenty slices of meat, at least two catties."
"That's not a small amount."
"What, not full yet?"
"Want to eat more?"
626 blinked his big eyes, grinned, and put on a warm smile.
He also picked up the plate and waved it repeatedly at Zhang Wei.
Zhang Wei waved his hand and said, "As you can see, it's all gone."
626 slammed his plate down and turned to leave.
"However... I am a chef, you know. By the way, do you know what a chef is?"
"It's someone who can constantly make delicious things. Besides roasted meat, I have many, many other delicious dishes..."
"Would you like to try some of the other things?"
626 immediately stopped in his tracks, picked up the plate, and sat back down obediently, quietly waiting for Zhang Wei.
"Gu ba~"
"Alright, fine. I'm afraid of you."
Feeding was actually quite enjoyable.
Zhang Wei summoned another bowl of tripe soup with a flip of his hand and offered it to 626.
"This is the last bowl. The rest will have to wait an hour."
"I'm not deliberately making you wait to follow me... This stew needs time to cook, you have to understand!"
"Gu ba~~~~"
Experienced beast tamers know that the amount of food fed to a pet is crucial; it should be the source of its energy for every bite.
Satiated means lazy.
Animals have no long-term plans. Without immediate benefits, they won't pay attention to their tamer. Maintaining a long-term relationship requires building trust on the foundation of mutual benefit.
The same principle applies to humans.
Not feeding 626 to satiety was also based on this consideration.
Zhang Wei knew very well that if sufficient trust wasn't established between them, 626 would leave without looking back once he was full.
...
...
Three days had passed.
In a small shack at the foot of Lieyang Mountain, the aroma of meat wafted far and wide.
Inside, dozens of people, all rare gluttons, quickly devoured every dish that was brought to them.
"Many people are absent."
"Three days was too rushed. Many are still on their way."
"We can't delay any longer. Even the current strength is sufficient!"
Representing the Black List for this operation was a newly promoted administrator, and a familiar face—Chu Xiang.
During the previous surprise attack in the Cloud Country, Chu Xiang fought to the brink of death but was not captured by the Cloud Country. After recovering, he was promoted three levels consecutively.
Promotions within the Black List were straightforward; capability guaranteed advancement.
Facing his former superior, Mo Du felt a pang of emotion.
"Mr. Chu Xiang, it's been a long time."
"Esteemed Chairman, I am truly honored that you recognize me."
Mo Du couldn't help but say, "Mr. Chu Xiang, you were previously employed by the Heavenly Thieves Alliance, correct? In a general manager position, if I recall."
"You know even that?"
"I even know that you would embezzle insurance funds, and that fallen executors would be assassinated by you."
Executors were the master thieves of the Heavenly Dao Sect.
Bruce was one, and so was Mo Du.
And embezzling insurance funds was a despicable act, even within the underworld.
The more powerful the criminal organization, the more they valued loyalty, and the harsher the punishment for traitors.
Chu Xiang's actions could, at best, cause discord within the Heavenly Thieves Alliance, and at worst, incite rebellion, leading to the complete dissolution of the alliance.
Chu Xiang's face darkened, and he said with great alarm, "Mr. Chairman, you mustn't speak such words!"
"You should know better than I whether these words are true or not."
Mo Du said playfully, "Shall we find a witness, perhaps Haru from Progress City?"
Cold sweat streamed down his face.
Clearly, Mo Du had obtained evidence!
Chu Xiang gritted his teeth and said, "Esteemed Madam Chairman, this is a time of alliance between the Northern Territory and the Black List. Mutual benefit is our guiding principle. Please address these morale-damaging speculations after the war."
On the eaves, an old man appeared silently.
His sparse goatee was smudged with black ink, and he casually draped an open-fronted cardigan over his shoulders, a brush held between his lips as he scribbled away.
"The great war begins, the Northern Territory launches a counterattack, concentrating elite troops at the foot of Lieyang Mountain..."
The old man's ears twitched, and he wrote in his book: "Heroes of the Black List gather, Chu Xiang's past secrets are revealed... authenticity yet to be confirmed."
With a gentle puff, he dried the ink.
The old man closed the scroll, and the title of the book was clearly displayed.
"Chronicles of the Northern Territory Heroes!"
...
...
Mo Du opened the door and pointed into the distance, "Look, another acquaintance has arrived."
Chu Xiang stepped forward awkwardly, composing himself. He called out loudly to the newcomer, "Representative for the impending battle, Chu Xiang, welcomes Haru, the seventeenth on the Black List!"
"Chu Xiang? You've been promoted again, kid. Stop with the pleasantries and get me something to eat, I'm starving!"
After months apart, Haru had completely shed his chubby appearance. His two-meter-plus frame was now lean and agile, with muscles sculpted as if carved by a blade!
Chu Xiang said in a low voice, "Haru, you've become even stronger."
"Don't mention it. I've been cultivating non-stop these past few months. To compensate for the expenditure, I've spent all the money I've earned. If it weren't absolutely necessary, I wouldn't have responded to the Black List's summons."
The Black List's summons were issued to all ranked members.
Although not mandatory, it offered preferential task allocation, increased commission rates, and substantial rewards. For these individuals who lived by their wits, it was incredibly enticing.
Several large cauldrons were set up again within the camp.
More food was prepared...
Amidst the swirling smoke, the goatee-wearing old man reappeared on the eaves.
He flipped open the Chronicles of the Northern Territory Heroes and began to write: "Seventeenth, Haru has arrived!"
"The military strength of the Northern Territory has increased once more."
"A master of war will surely fall by the sword. After this battle, who knows how many will survive."
"Regarding the state of the war, as far as I can see, it is still unclear!"
As the smoke swirled,
The old man's figure gradually became transparent, and finally, he vanished from the eaves.