Chapter 2529: I'll Launch a Returning Spear

As Zhao Lao had expected, that bowl of food was nowhere near enough for everyone.

After just a few mouthfuls, everyone began wondering how to get another bowl.

Naturally, their attention turned to Zhao Lao—after all, just now Ye Zhangqing had received only one bowl, while the rest had gone to Zhao Lao.

For now, we can only try to get something from him.

But as soon as everyone's eyes fell on Zhao Lao's spot, they all froze.

Zhao Lao was there, toothpick in hand, wearing a satisfied grin; facing the crowd's stares, he snapped.

What are you all staring at me for?

Huh???

Seeing Zhao Lao's satisfied look and the empty basin, a heavenly official voiced his suspicion.

No, Palace Master, you've eaten it all?

What else? There's only this much ingredients—hardly enough to stuff between your teeth.

An entire Demon God's worth of ingredients—each of them got just a bowl, the rest went to Zhao Lao, and this old coot polished it off in an instant?

Even if you gulped it down straight, you couldn't be that quick.

Everyone was dumbfounded; in the same span they'd eaten one bowl, Zhao Lao had polished off an entire basin—utterly outrageous.

But there's no ingredients left now—if you want to eat tonight, you're out of luck.

Though they were still wanting more, they had no choice but to leave, planning to discuss it again tomorrow night.

Besides, the five heavenly officials and Zhao Lao still have ingredients stashed away; they'll come find Ye Zhangqing again late at night when it's quiet.

So, before they left, Ye Zhangqing received several Spiritual Voice Transmissions.

Young Ye, I'll come again tomorrow night—let's find a spot; this pack of damned things follows us all day, it's a pain.

Young Master Ye, I have an Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon ingredient; I'd like to ask you to help process it tomorrow night—I won't let you work for nothing, thank you.

Young Master Ye, I have an Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon ingredient; keep it quiet—I'll come find you tomorrow night, hoping you'll cook it, and I'll reward you handsomely.

Young Master Ye………………………

The messages were all much the same, with little difference.

Ye Zhangqing, too, couldn't answer in front of everyone; he could only watch helplessly as they drifted away.

Everyone had their own agenda, and, as luck would have it, they'd all arranged to meet tomorrow.

Nobody wanted to wait another day—after all, the ingredients were on their persons; who'd want to wait?

Yet Ye Zhangqing still underestimated their cunning; the crowd that had meant to leave after finishing the Demon God fare.

Not even a quarter-hour later, Ye Zhangqing was still in the Fire Room when Zhao Lao flashed back inside.

Seeing Zhao Lao return after just leaving, Ye Zhangqing eyed him suspiciously.

Senior, what's this?

You just left—why are you back? Did you drop something?

But faced with Ye Zhangqing's skepticism, Zhao Lao broke into a grin, his eyes gleaming with wisdom, and said.

Hehe, I know exactly what those damned lot are up to—each of them has stashed ingredients on themselves, and they're surely planning to sneak in tomorrow; I'll come today, and tomorrow I'll feast on theirs.

Huh???

Seeing Zhao Lao's smug look, Ye Zhangqing was momentarily at a loss for words.

That idea truly has no equal.

One could even think of that.

Zhao Lao is obviously pleased with this—well, the Fire Room now holds only him and Ye Zhangqing; the others have likely gone back.

Having failed to monopolize the Demon God ingredients earlier, Zhao Lao was fuming; this time he'll make sure to eat his fill.

Pair it with immortal brew, and have a few good drinks with Young Ye.

Zhao Lao felt pleased, then waved his hand, producing an Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon ingredient with a flourish, and laughed.

Young Ye, we two will eat this ingredient; later we'll have a few good drinks—those guys have no taste whatsoever.

Young Master Ye.

Zhao Lao was still gloating, but before his words had even faded, Ye Zhangqing hadn't gotten a chance to reply when a voice sounded from outside the door.

Hearing that voice, Zhao Lao's face darkened instantly—he already knew who was coming.

Sure enough, as the door was pushed open, one of the heavenly officials who had left earlier slipped in furtively.

Just like Zhao Lao, they had gone and come back.

Hehe, Young Master Ye, I know those guys definitely have ingredients stashed on them, all planning to come tomorrow—I today just…… Palace Master? What are you doing here?

Having just entered and not yet taken in the scene, this heavenly official spoke proudly.

But he had only gotten halfway through when he saw Zhao Lao, looking grim, standing there.

He hadn't expected Zhao Lao to be there; the heavenly official staggered, then blurted out a question.

Hearing that, Zhao Lao snorted disdainfully and replied.

Go on—what's up with you today?

I… I… I know the Palace Master is here—I came specially to see if I could help; the Palace Master is magnanimous, and there's another Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon ingredient.

He stammered on for a while, only when he saw the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon ingredient Zhao Lao had just produced did his eyes light up.

Good grief, the Palace Master indeed has plenty stashed—here comes another one?

If that's the case, there's no need to produce the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon ingredient on his person—let's eat the Palace Master's first.

His own Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon ingredient will have to wait for a chance to slowly enjoy with Ye Zhangqing.

After all, eating someone else's is just eating; keeping your own and pocketing it—that's truly yours.

Just hearing those words, seeing the heavenly official's eyes light up and saliva at his lips, Zhao Lao couldn't help but twitch his mouth and curse.

Scram, what do my ingredients have to do with you?

Palace Master, you're going too far—these ingredients weren't you holding back? I didn't say anything before, but now that I see them, won't you share some with me?

You…………………

The Demon God's ingredients have already been divided among you; now you still want to split this one?

I thought I was smart, having figured out what these bastards were thinking—everyone planned to come tomorrow, so he came tonight, launching a surprise counterattack, leaving others no time to react.

But I didn't expect that this bastard right in front of him would actually go along with his plan.

He also realized that others likely thought they'd come only tomorrow, so he pretended to leave earlier, then looked for a chance to launch a surprise counterattack.

And he ended up colliding with him head‑on; now there's no way to dodge.

What angers Zhao Lao the most is, damn it, if you're coming, why not hurry? Why must you lag half a step behind this old man?

Do you have to wait until I bring out the ingredients before you show up?

If that guy had entered the Fire Room first just now, then the ingredients sitting there right now would be the one on his body.

But it was only off by more than ten breaths, allowing Zhao Lao to take out the ingredients first.

Now it's impossible to retrieve them; Zhao Lao's anger flared, and he couldn't help but grit his teeth and shout.

"Where did you just go? Why didn't you come earlier?"