Before long, three servings totaling nine Long-tailed Pheasants arrived at the table. Though already full, Spirit Monkey and Gray Bear found their appetites whetted again. They tore off great chunks of pheasant in various flavors and stuffed them into their mouths, unable to stop.
"Why was that fellow so kind, treating us so well?"
Gray Bear ate in bewilderment, but who cared? If there was food, he would not pass it up.
"Idiot, even food can't plug your mouth. He was being clever. Otherwise, he'd be the one baked in salt right now..."
Mu Bai smiled and tried a piece himself. "Mm, it really is good. Worthy of being Colorful Pheasant City's signature dish!"
Once the three had eaten and drunk their fill, Mu Bai called the proprietor over to settle the bill.
"My lord, our young master said all your expenses were to go on his account."
The restaurant's proprietor, Ma Lao'er, had bandaged his head wound and remained utterly respectful toward his guests. For a human running a restaurant in the Beast Territory, being cursed and beaten was presumably as commonplace as everyday meals.
"One should not accept rewards without merit. How could we trouble your young master?"
Mu Bai took out three third-tier Beast Cores and handed them to the proprietor, more than enough to cover their food and drink.
"To tell you the truth, my lord, our young master wishes to make your acquaintance. He's waiting downstairs for you now."
"Not bad, old man. Tell him his chickens are delicious. Very good indeed. Keep feeding us, and we'll be his friends."
Gray Bear still had not quite had enough, and was delighted to hear that Young Master Zhi had come knocking again.
"Er... my lord, might you rest a while in a private room?"
"Very well.