At Dan Heng's insistence, the two of them had no choice but to try a different way of luring out their quarry.
Plop!
The Kefar Spark was mercilessly dropped into boiling water. Deep in the forest outside the Grove of Epiphany, smoke curled into the air.
A crude iron pot sat over the fire. Broth bubbled inside it, giving off a rich aroma.
The smell came from Yan Huan's secret beef-tallow soup base, which drove away the chill around them.
"Let's add some cabbage. I picked it just today—it's fresh." Phainon was in high spirits.
It was as though they were on a pleasant outing, not hunting the Fire-stealer.
With a practiced motion, he tossed a large handful of lush green cabbage into the boiling red broth. Splash!
The leaves were instantly swept up in the scalding liquid, their edges turning translucent and curling inward.
"Well, look at that." Yan Huan blinked. He really hadn't expected Phainon to bring ingredients.
"Why are you carrying cabbage around? Did you bring meat?"
"No, haha," Phainon said with a faint smile.
"This is all I brought. Someone in the city said raw cabbage was healthy, so I carry some as travel rations."
"Fair enough."
Yan Huan nodded and began pulling things out:
Vacuum-packed slices of marbled wagyu, cut thin as cicada wings; enticing pink lamb rolls; and several bamboo skewers of spicy beef, marinated to a glossy red.
He slapped the good stuff onto a flat stone serving as their table.
"We can't eat nothing but cabbage. With a soup base this good, we need meat. Cabbage is just something to line the stomach."
Phainon looked at the meat. He could tell from the marbling alone that it was expensive, and he couldn't help smiling.
"I suggested hot pot because I knew you'd