Chapter 60

Watching Mudi mutter to himself, Aolang also didn't know what to say.

What even is a watered-down Three-Star?

Someone your age barely made Two-Star and is already called a genius; even if your Three-Star is "watered," you're still on a completely different level from a Two-Star Hunter.

Besides, with that refined sword technique that could directly suppress a Sand Dragon, and that insane strength that made the Sand Dragon roll its eyes from one shield swing—how on earth did you even associate yourself with "watered-down"?

Meanwhile, your peers are still stuck in the Training Camp or learning basics under their masters, and you're already anxious because you couldn't solo a Sand Dragon?

Have more confidence!

Aolang thought of many things, but since he wasn't good at complimenting others, he didn't say any of it aloud.

He took a steamed bun as big as his palm from the steamer Fat Jiala brought over and handed it to her.

"Stop thinking about it. Just eat."

"Thank you..."

Mudi softly replied, took the food, and her expression seemed to brighten slightly; she bit off a third of the bun, chewed twice with puffed cheeks, swallowed, then went straight for the second bite.

When Aolang reached for another bun to eat himself, she had already finished.

"?"

Aolang fell silent for a second, then handed her the bun in his hand again.

Fat Jiala stared at her in stunned silence—your mouth doesn't even look that big? At this rate, even two steamers wouldn't last you a few bites.

Aolang didn't mind Mudi eating so much; after all, she'd already told him before that she had a huge appetite.

He only worried the food wouldn't come fast enough—if both steamers were gone in minutes, the scene would get awkward.

Fortunately, that didn't happen; Meow Chef clearly knew Mudi and deliberately prioritized their table when cooking and serving.

Before the three of them and the cat could finish the buns, a giant platter of mixed fried rice was set down on their table.

"Just fill your stomachs first! More dishes are coming right away!"

Meow Chef darted swiftly between cutting board, stove, grill, and steamer, serving food at an astonishing pace.

Not just their table—other diners weren't neglected either; Aolang and the others, having gone all day hungry, no longer cared about anything else and buried their faces in the food.

"The main course is here!"

A whole roasted leg, still on its rack, thudded onto their table with a "Bang!" "You brought the most authentic Barubarei Spice, so I roasted the meat the most traditional way—these two are the perfect pair!"

Swinging his cleaver like a Dual Blade User performing Wild Dance, he sliced the large roasted leg into thick slabs, then generously sprinkled a handful of orange-red Barubarei Spice powder.

A rich, complex, strange aroma surged forward; even though his stomach was already 70–80% full, in that instant Aolang felt his mouth flooding with saliva.

Mudi, who had been downcast from her failed mission, no longer looked gloomy—she cheered and buried her face in the food.

Aolang also speared a large piece with his fork and shoved it into his mouth.

The spice's flavor blasted straight to his brain, nearly making him sneeze—but after savoring it, he could only think: this final dish, the Barubarei Roasted Meat, was absolutely worth all the twists and turns.

Of the massive spread on the table, nearly half ended up in Mudi's stomach; even so, Aolang was so full he kept burping, and Shaji was sprawled on his chair, belly swollen, utterly unable to move.

Fat Jiala had also lost his earlier energy, slumped back in his chair like a peach-furred beast king who'd eaten too much and just wanted to sleep.

After a brief rest, Aolang stood up, preparing to pay.

Mudi and Jiala hurried to rise, but Aolang pressed his palm down. "Enough. This meal's on me. Mudi, I promised to treat you to a feast as thanks."

And you too, Brother Jiala—you've been showing us around all day and got us to taste the best roasted meat; it'd be ridiculous to let you pay."

Mudi scratched the back of her head, embarrassed. "Then... then okay. Next time, I'll pay."

"Burp—!"

Jiala's loud burp drew their attention. "Today's definitely thanks to you two—Medicine Granny's handmade spice, Meow Chef going all out with a full meal—what incredible luck with food!

I'm officially claiming you two as friends. Next time I get rare ingredients, I'll treat you!"

I'm a native of Barubare—anything you want to ask or need help with, just come find me.

I know all the stall owners; ask them for 'Fat Jiala,' and they'll tell you where to find me.

You two look like you've got things to discuss, so I won't hang around—I'm off!"

Saying that, Jiala patted his belly, propped himself up with the Insect Staff leaning beside him, struggled to stand, waved his meaty hand in farewell, and walked off alone.

Watching the fat man's graceful departure, Aolang smiled. Earlier, Ms. Sophia had told him to make more friends—he'd just done it.

Finding Meow Chef with a moment's free time, Aolang took out his money pouch to pay, but Meow Chef said, on account of the spice and Mudi, they were getting a free meal.

Aolang explained at length that this meal was repayment for Mudi's aid in battle; only then did Meow Chef reluctantly agree to take some payment—but it was still absurdly cheap, barely covering ingredient costs.

When Aolang tried to give more, Meow Chef waved him off with a giant spoon, calling it an obstruction, and shoved two bowls of sweet cakes into his hands before he left.

Rubbing his face, Aolang returned to the table and placed both bowls of sweet cakes in front of Mudi.

He and Shaji simply couldn't eat another bite...

"Are you close to Meow Chef?" Aolang sat down, poured himself tea, and asked curiously.

It wasn't just the free meal—Meow Chef's reaction when he saw Mudi injured earlier showed they weren't just ordinary regulars.

But wasn't this guy from Dondorma?

"Mmm—" Mudi scooped a large bite of sweet cake into her mouth, chewing with the spoon still between her lips. "The one who knows Meow Chef is my mother—they traveled together before."

"I see." Aolang nodded. "By the way, are you still planning to hunt that Sand Dragon?"

The sudden topic nearly choked Mudi; she swallowed the sticky cake with effort and whispered, "Of course I am. If you give up after one failure, you'll never break through yourself."

Aolang grunted in agreement. "Actually, you could've just said it outright—that the Sand Dragon was your target."

It was already weak. The two of us chasing after it together would've had at least a 90% chance of finishing it off."

But Mudi firmly shook her head. "That wouldn't be right. You took on the caravan escort mission—protecting your companions is your duty."

I can't ask you to abandon your responsibility to help me complete mine."

Aolang paused, surprised. This girl's thinking was oddly rigid. "... Wait, with your sword skill, even alone you shouldn't have trouble finishing off a severely wounded Sand Dragon."

You're not seriously waiting for it to fully heal before fighting it again, are you?"

"Mm..." Mudi replied softly.

"Are you stupid?!" Aolang's voice rose several degrees.

Sha Ji, slumped in his chair, couldn't help straightening his neck to see what kind of idiot would deliberately let a Monster recover its injuries and stamina before hunting it—only to be crushed by the Monster.

Mudi hugged her head, looking pitifully like she was begging him to stop scolding her. "I just wanted to train myself. If the opponent is too weakened, it won't serve as training at all."

"..."

For a moment, Aolang couldn't tell whether this person was foolish or full of ambition.

"Then how about this: when you're ready to challenge the Tusha Dragon again, take me along. The two of us together should be able to suppress that thing easily."

"When you want to train, I'll be there to watch over you and prevent accidents."

Mudi looked up at him, puzzled. "Why go to such lengths to help me?"

Aolang grinned. "It's not exactly helping you—I want to practice on the Tusha Dragon too. But in Barubare, it's hard to find another Three-Star Hunter willing to take me along."

"Also, if you don't mind, teach me the Long Sword? In return, I'll teach you the One-Handed Sword."

"Hmm, if you're not interested in that, Dual Blades work too—I know Great Sword and Great Hammer as well."

"I don't want to learn Great Sword from you," Mudi muttered under her breath. "Your way of using it isn't even Great Sword..."

"What did you say?" Aolang didn't catch what she was mumbling.

"Nothing!"

ps. For new readers: simply put, Mudi's mother is the protagonist of MH4, so she's very familiar with the caravan's NPCs.