Chapter 83: Stir-fried Celery, a Fine 'Famous Dish

What, you say the Tian Dou Empire sent a brigadier general to inspect the border troops?

The senior leadership of the border troops—Major General McHugh Wil, who is also a marquis of the Tian Dou Empire.

As a major noble who was transferred to the border troops ten years ago,

At first, McHugh Wil thought this was a thankless task,

but as the Spirit Hall grew stronger, the two great empires entered a period of peace,

Over these ten years, McHugh Wil could say he lived more prosperously than when he originally resided in Tian Dou City.

As a major noble of the Tian Dou Empire, he differs from those high-ranking officers who rose from the common folk; he does not treat the soldiers below as human,

He considers it generous if he takes less than ninety percent of the monthly military pay.

So, upon hearing that the Tian Dou Empire had dispatched a brigadier general, and one who is close to the civilian faction,

McHugh Wil panicked, and he also heard that recently, a princess consort died on the Star Luo side, and she died at the border of the Tian Dou Empire.

The Tian Dou Empire sending such a senior officer at this time likely means they intend to reorganize the border troops.

As the biggest parasite in the current army—and McHugh Wil does have some self-awareness of that—in order not to be made a target for the Tian Dou brigadier general to assert his authority,

McHugh Wil decided to entertain him with a famous dish, asking, 'Have you ever heard of the world-renowned dish "Stir‑fried Celery"?'

Well, of course, such a tactic need not be employed unless the situation reaches its most dire,

McHugh Wil first thought of, and considered the most feasible, the 'beauty trap'.

……

Meanwhile,

As Bai Ran made an initial inspection of the camp's internal situation,

this youngest general of the Tian Dou Empire had become utterly disappointed with the empire's army.

How to put it? It feels like recruiting some able‑bodied youths from the villages, giving them gear and weapons, requires hardly any training,

just need to give them some military pay in advance, and their combat strength would likely be far greater than that of these soldiers.

There is no daily training, officers' instruction is hardly ever seen, let alone physical training; if they had to march a few kilometers, they would start shouting they're tired and sit down right away.

The talk on their lips is either about drinking or which city club's girls are prettier.

Bai Ran: 'Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous—do they really think they can bump into a Title Douluo with this? I feel that even a million‑strong bear troop might not be able to defeat a single Soul Douluo.'

'Take me to the commander's tent; I want to ask how he governs this army.'

After Bai Ran sighed repeatedly for a while, he said to the guide leading the way, Karen,

'Yes, sir.'

Karen led Bai Ran to the residence of Major General McHugh Wil.

……

Ten or so minutes later

Looking at this manor situated in the small town, which occupies nearly half the city,

Bai Ran clenched his fist.

Bai Ran: 'Nobles like this, who only know how to suck blood, should all be hanged from the streetlights.'

In the manor, facing the brigadier general sent by the Tian Dou military, even though his own rank was higher, McHugh Wil still came out personally to give an enthusiastic welcome.

After all, one who comes from the Tian Dou military with a powerful background, whereas McHugh Wil's rank of major general is simply due to his soul power being over seventy levels and his noble title of marquis.

Furthermore, at that time many major nobles felt the border conditions were poor and were unwilling to come,

McHugh Wil was the one who picked up the leftover.

'You must be Brigadier General Bai Ran sent by the Tian Dou Empire, pleased to meet you.'

As the saying goes, 'don't strike a smiling face,' Bai Ran temporarily suppressed the impulse to clash directly with him.

Bai Ran: 'I'm not entirely sure which faction this person belongs to; if he's an old comrade of Uncle Feng, fighting would be awkward. Low probability doesn't mean zero, and it's not a formula that guarantees an instant win.'

……

After entering the manor, McHugh Wil, as an old‑line noble of Tian Dou City, naturally had the hobby of drinking tea.

There was still a while before the formal start of the banquet.

'Young friend, I recently obtained a batch of imperial tribute tea; I don't know if it's genuine. You came from Tian Dou City, so you must have drunk plenty—why not help me taste it?'

To draw closer, he switched his address to 'young friend.'

But it was obvious Bai Ran wasn't buying it.

'Major General McHugh Wil, I don't like drinking tea.'

As mentioned before, Bai Ran doesn't like tea, thinking it's inferior to piglet milk tea.

One can only say that tea, this thing, might be because the upper‑class nobles live too comfortably, idle and bored, so they invented it to show off status and taste.

'No problem; besides tea, I also have a local specialty fruit drink, young friend—you should definitely give it a try.'

McHugh Wil said this, clapped his hands, and signaled the maid to bring the items up.

……

A girl dressed as a student came up holding the tea set,

but as she passed in front of Bai Ran, for some reason the student girl suddenly fell.

The tea set fell entirely to the ground, and the splashed tea slightly wet Bai Ran's pant leg.

'You good‑for‑nothing, this is my lord's favorite tea set, and you actually broke it—unacceptable! Come, someone, give me…'

Seeing the girl knock over the tea set, McHugh Wil first flew into a rage, then reached out to give the maid a roundhouse slap.

Just as he was about to strike, McHugh Wil involuntarily glanced at Bai Ran.

But he discovered that this youth sat in his seat, showing no sign of wanting to intervene.

McHugh Wil: 'Eh, why isn't this going according to the script I had in mind? Isn't it that such impulsive youngsters love the hero‑saves‑the‑beauty trope? How come he isn't making a move at all?'

Regarding this, Bai Ran said: I've already been backstabbed once; having witnessed the ability of the collective beauty lover, I have already understood a principle—abandon the helper plot, respect others' destinies.

Master, I was wrong, don't drive Hua Hua away.

Hua Hua's family still has a sick mother and a brother who is currently studying; Hua Hua cannot do without this job.

Whether to speak or not, this maid is also a skilled actress; seeing a problem with the script, she quickly added lines for herself, trying to create a tragic heroine image, thereby making the young officer feel sympathy for her.

Go, apologize to my little friend Bai Ran.

Look at your clumsy hands and feet; you even managed to wet this little friend's pants, the pant leg.

Go wipe it for him—oh no, lick it clean.

To be honest, just that bit of tea splashed on Bai Ran's pant leg—feeling that after a moment, I estimate it'll dry.

No need.

Seeing this maid actually lie on the ground like a dog, about to stick out a girl's tongue to lick the tea stain off Bai Ran's pant leg clean.

Bai Ran involuntarily felt a wave of nausea.

Then Hua Hua also has to wipe the guest clean.

Perhaps sensing the guest's 'shyness', unable to accept such aristocratic masters' perverse pleasure.

The maid Hua Hua took out a clean handkerchief scented with a girl's fragrance, placed it on Bai Ran's pants, and began to wipe slowly.

(End of chapter)