Dragon's Breath Skewers

"Judging by your capable attire, you're a powerful Adventurer.

You can't come to Rose Town without a map.

I have the latest edition of the Rose Town Everything Guide, only 20 Copper Nails!

It details all the cheap inns, affordable taverns, and delicious local specialties in town...

The locations of weapon shops and potion stores are also clearly marked!"

He stepped closer, lowered his voice, and winked at He Xi, flashing a knowing, ambiguous smile:

"Most importantly... it even marks which places have the most enchanting 'nightingale' songs for the fairest prices!

Guaranteed to provide the most thorough relaxation after your arduous adventures!"

He Xi was a bit curious and reached out to take it and flip through it.

But the vendor quickly retracted his wrist, pulling the booklet back.

The meaning was clear: if you don't buy it, don't touch it.

20 Copper Nails?

He Xi weighed the Gold Shield and bag of Silver Scales he'd just acquired in his pocket. It didn't seem too expensive, and he was about to pay.

Just then, Bruce gently tugged at his pant leg.

"Woof..."

His pant leg was pulled lightly. He Xi looked down to see Bruce looking at him with his brown dog eyes, disapproval evident, and shaking his head slightly.

He instantly came to his senses.

He almost got swindled!

He'd just earned a "fortune," and his mindset had gotten a bit ahead of itself.

Back when he was in Plint, 20 Copper Nails was enough for him and Bruce to live frugally for several days!

How could he let himself be fooled by this obviously shoddy map meant to rip off newcomers?

He Xi withdrew his hand, gave an apologetic smile, and then led Bruce away, walking west without looking back.

The vendor watched his retreating back and muttered under his breath, "Another short-lived fool chasing dreams of adventure."

The street, known locally as "Rose Avenue," was rather misnamed in terms of width.

It was barely wide enough for two carriages to pass each other with great difficulty, even with the drivers' careful maneuvering.

Years of trampling and carriage wheels had polished the paving stones smooth as river pebbles, giving them a warm luster under the autumn sun.

The sides of the road were packed with all sorts of local vendors, their cries and the sounds of haggling rising and falling, full of life.

This was the most bustling scene Bruce had ever witnessed in his life.

His fluffy head bobbed like a rattle, constantly turning left and right as he curiously observed the passersby.

Several demi-human races with pointed ears or furry tails successfully caught his attention.

He pondered whether he shared any blood relation with them.

If so, why were they people and he just a dog?

Fortunately, a wave of fragrance interrupted his philosophical musings.

The scent, a mixture of char and exotic spices, powerfully cut through the complex array of smells, precisely hitting Bruce's powerful olfactory nerves.

Saliva flooded his mouth, and as if controlled by some evil magic, he moved towards the source of the aroma.

Of course, this domineering fragrance also stirred the hunger in He Xi's stomach.

It was a roadside roast meat stall.

Not only were the man and dog ravenous at that moment, but the vendor was also shouting, "Come, come! Yaxixi's Dragon's Breath Roast! Delicious Dragon's Breath Roast, get a skewer!"

"Dragon meat?"

He Xi's first reaction was disbelief; dragons were mythical creatures.

"Roasted with Dragon's Breath?"

This idea seemed even more outlandish.

With curiosity and a rumbling stomach, he followed Bruce towards the smoky stall.

On a simple charcoal grill, more than a dozen large chunks of meat were roasting.

The meat sizzled as it cooked, its surface a tempting golden-brown. A dense scattering of deep red powder was sprinkled on top. When touched by the flames, it occasionally let out a small "poof" with a few tiny sparks, indeed giving the impression of "Dragon's Breath" being exhaled.

The grill cook was a sturdy fellow in a greasy apron. Seeing He Xi approach, he quickly greeted him enthusiastically, "Hey there, friend! New here? Adventurer, eh? Come try my roast! Yaxixi's Dragon's Breath Roast, it's delicious! 20 Copper Nails a skewer, and you'll want more!"

He Xi pointed at the sizzling skewers and asked, "Where's the Dragon's Breath?"

The grill cook chuckled, expertly flipping the skewers, and explained, "Ah, my friend, you wouldn't know!

What we're roasting here is fresh Rock Sheep Kid meat! And the seasoning is 'Red Dragon's Wrath' chili powder!"

This spicy noodle dish, when heated, sparks and is incredibly satisfying to eat with its fiery heat!

After you finish, if you exhale, hot air will billow out of your nostrils like a red dragon breathing fire! Want to give it a try?"

He Xi: ...

This is Dragon's Breath, right?

It's the same logic as wife cakes having no wife, or shredded pork with garlic sauce having no fish~

And this accent, I feel like I've heard it somewhere before.

"Woo..."

His pant leg was gently tugged again.

He Xi looked down and saw Bruce's drool dripping onto the stone slab. His tail wagged furiously as he looked at He Xi with an incredibly longing gaze.

Alright, this financial advisor who advised him to save money has officially defected.

He Xi looked at the portion size and haggled, "Boss, can you make it cheaper? The price is a bit high?"

The barbecue guy gave him a look that said, "You don't know what you're talking about." "Hey! Friend, don't underestimate it! My lamb is slaughtered fresh daily, it's incredibly fresh! This 'Red Dragon's Wrath' chili is more expensive than the lamb! I heard it can only be harvested at the foot of the mountain where the fire dragons live!"

Near the fire dragons?

He Xi knew this was just the merchant's false advertising.

However, he did want to try it.

Since the chili was more expensive, he decided to skip it.

Besides, as a dog, Bruce couldn't eat anything this spicy anyway.

"Thirty Copper Nails for two skewers," he held up three fingers, "one skewer without the chili."

The barbecue guy hesitated for a moment, even though he knew the dog was practically drooling with desire.

But ultimately, the customer was the one paying, so he slapped his thigh. "Deal! For a new friend, I'll give you a discount! Come back next time!"

Soon, two skewers of grilled meat were handed over.

He Xi placed the skewer without chili on the ground for Bruce, while he himself held the one generously sprinkled with Red Dragon's Wrath chili.

Man and dog stood by the roadside, feasting and satisfying their empty stomachs.

The rock lamb was grilled to perfection, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a satisfying chew.

He Xi took a bite. The spicy, scorching flavor instantly assaulted his taste buds. Just as the barbecue guy had said, a wave of heat shot straight up his nostrils, making him involuntarily suck in a few breaths of cold air. He felt like he could actually breathe smoke in the next second!

"So satisfying!"

Not far away, at the entrance of a small alley.

A woman dressed scantily, with a seductive figure, noticed He Xi.

First, she saw that the young man was plainly dressed but handsome.

He was eating barbecue himself, but he also fed an entire skewer to the dog at his feet.

"Tsk, he's so generous even to a dog, he must be rich..."

"These despicable outsiders really have a taste for this, wrapping themselves up like they're fleeing from something, so no one can tell they're carrying Gold Shields in their pockets."

"Let's see if I can't bewitch you, you country bumpkin."

As He Xi finished his barbecue and was preparing to move on with Bruce, passing by the alley entrance.

She seized the opportunity, suddenly stumbled, and with a soft cry of "Ouch!" from the shadows of the alley, bumped into He Xi.