As they were about to depart, Zhang Wei found the several winners and said, "Um... I'm very fond of the Queenfish. If possible, could you sell me your catch?"
Mr. Luo had no problem with this. Hong Wan thanked Zhang Wei for his help and immediately replied, "Sell? Don't be silly, I'll give it to you!"
Hei Mao hesitated for a moment, looking rather embarrassed. "There aren't many high-class fish on Luo Jia Mountain, and I'd like to try some too."
Ao Xing remarked, "A mere fish, if it can be exchanged for a bit more of Dionysus's Gift, it's quite a bargain."
Jin Ya Bu Lai En, however, stated, "I'm a businessman. You'll have to present something that satisfies me first. I won't refuse an opportunity to make money."
First was Hei Mao. Zhang Wei declared on the spot that he merely wanted to hone his culinary skills by preparing the Queenfish. If the new dish surpassed his own, he would then entrust the fish to him.
He guaranteed to make the most delicious fish soup.
Ao Xing only asked for some alcoholic beverages. Besides Dionysus's Gift, Zhang Wei also provided a large quantity of high-quality wine, calculated in tons.
As for that brat Jin Ya Bu Lai En, he knew perfectly well how to play hard to get. Seeing Zhang Wei's high demand, he started to ask for the moon.
"I'm not short of money, but you'll owe me a favor."
Zhang Wei's face darkened.
Even brothers settle their accounts, and favors are the hardest debts to repay. He lived up to his reputation as the boss of the underground casino, indeed a shrewd businessman.
However...
The Queenfish was important, and Zhang Wei gritted his teeth and agreed.
The next competition was expected in about fifteen days. Everyone had been away from home for a long time and expressed a desire to return and visit.
Zhang Wei followed Jin Ya Bu Lai En to the Gourmet Casino in another corner of the world!
Even tens of kilometers away from the Gourmet Casino, one could already see the extravagant buildings, opulent beyond words, their dazzling lights like mountains of gold piled high!
Jin Ya Bu Lai En said, "How about it? Fancy a game while you're here?"
"Reject gambling, start with me."
Joking aside, they spent their days studying how to profit from gambling. Gambling was their livelihood. To pit his own ignorance against their professional skills?
What was the difference between that and a martial arts actor entering the octagon?
A firm refusal!
"Let's be honest, what exactly is your purpose in coming with me?"
Jin Ya Bu Lai En got straight to the point. "Your Gourmet Bank is legal and above board. My Gourmet Casino operates in the shadows, dealing in ingredients that can't see the light of day. We have no business conflicts, are you looking to collaborate? Or are you interested in anesthetic ingredients?"
Zhang Wei nodded.
"Exactly, anesthetic ingredients!"
"What do you need these for?"
"To enrich my collection."
"For business?"
"No, I can collect them and never use them. But I won't allow them to be outside my control."
Zhang Wei said, "Many ingredients are not inherently wrong. It's just the method of extraction, the way they are obtained, that is too bloody. I need you to help me acquire these things that can't see the light of day. Perhaps you could open your warehouse, and we could have an exchange of goods."
"Want to play a game? As long as luck is on your side, you can take it without paying anything."
"I refuse!"
Jin Ya Bu Lai En became agitated. "Coming to a casino and not playing a game, aren't you looking down on me! I tell you, my treasures can only be taken through gambling!"
Zhang Wei retorted, "Are you so insistent on making money without effort?"
"I gamble, I don't rob! As long as..."
Zhang Wei waved his hand, rejecting Jin Ya Bu Lai En's rambling, and said directly, "Then let's change the rules."
"You say."
"Add a guaranteed win clause. For example, if I want a certain ingredient and lose five or ten consecutive rounds, you can directly gift it to me. See, then it's not robbing."
Jin Ya Bu Lai En's eyes widened. He hadn't expected such an unreasonable request.
Damn it!
With such a clause, how could he trick you into gambling your life and fortune?
Zhang Wei added, "By the way, I'm not exactly a trustworthy person. I'll get the ingredients I want by any means necessary. Defaulting on gambling debts is also common. You absolutely shouldn't mistake me for a good person!"
"You... are you threatening me?"
Jin Ya Bu Lai En narrowed his eyes, looking at Zhang Wei with a chilling gaze.
The latter, however, was completely unfazed. He had sacrificed a vast amount of gourmet luck, and in return, he had gained immense power that the mortal realm could not resist!
"It's not a threat. For now, it's still a normal transaction. So, do you agree to the guaranteed win clause or not?"
Jin Ya Bu Lai En pondered for a moment...
After a long silence.
"Hmph, I truly dislike guests as boring as you. Let's make a normal transaction!"
Starting from a nearby small town, Zhang Wei began to acquire ingredients in large quantities.
Not a single merchant here was good; they all sold strange ingredients.
Beside the road, there were many emaciated refugees, looking like a scene from hell. Even so, carriages were constantly arriving, bringing millions of tourists from all over the world every day.
"Come here, strong gourmet, take a look..."
Arriving at a stall, the owner enthusiastically introduced his wares.
"Just one bite of this mushroom and you'll feel a rush of euphoria that sends you to heaven!"
He looked at the mushroom.
A prompt sound chimed.
[Discovered storable ingredient: Hallucinogenic Poison Mushroom]
[Capture Level: 2]
[Description: A mushroom that grows in poisonous rainforests, it is quite addictive and contains a mild toxin. After the hallucination fades, a strong sense of emptiness arises, making one crave another taste.]
[Description: In nature, animals that consume too much of this mushroom accumulate toxins, become dizzy, and die nearby. Their corpses can be parasitized by the spores of the Hallucinogenic Poison Mushroom, providing nourishment for the next batch of Hallucinogenic Poison Mushrooms.]
The owner smiled. "This is a wonderful thing called the Heavenly Mushroom. You absolutely must try it!"
"One hundred jin, bag it up."
"That will be three thousand five Belli."
Zhang Wei was surprised. It was only a level two ingredient, yet the unit price reached fifteen Belli.
These anesthetic ingredients were truly sky-high!
Don't miss out, don't miss out. Although Zhang Wei didn't want to miss any collectibles, he wasn't interested in these poisons. He merely requested that their effects be compressed to last only one day.
Perhaps...
He might need them someday.
[Discovered storable ingredient: Dentist's Air Sac]
[Capture Level: 3]
[Description: Stores a large amount of nitrous oxide internally, causing those who inhale it to laugh uncontrollably and reducing pain. It takes effect quickly with low side effects. Initially used by dentists for pain relief during tooth extraction, it was later exploited by criminals.]
[Discovered storable ingredient: Oil-Absorbing Leech]
[Capture Level: 5]
[Description: Feeds on animal fat. While feeding, it secretes an anticoagulant that has pain-relieving effects. Excessive anticoagulant can damage the body's platelets, causing mild sepsis.]
[Discovered storable ingredient: Slender Ginseng Grass]
[Capture Level: 10]
[Description: A type of ginseng that, upon maturity, grows into the shape of a slender woman. It contains a large amount of hormones that disrupt the cerebral cortex. Female consumers experience intense mating desire, and it is often used in livestock breeding. Later, its juice was extracted and used as a hallucinogen, and many human women have been harmed by it. Some special individuals also use it to seek pleasure.]