Chapter 590: Chapter 589: The Strange Dark Chefs

“I’m sorry, we are not open yet…”

Tanaka Hikari and Morioka Makoto stood up.

Thud!

No sooner had she spoken than a small metal object, tracing a parabola, landed on the bar counter and stood firm.

This clever move drew applause.

Zhu Qing clapped her hands, “You guys really came.”

Seven people in total, some with stern faces, others with casual demeanor, sat down around the bar.

Makki, Xiao Hui, Eriina, and Yuchuan Meisha sized up these seven guests with their peculiar styles, quite curious.

Especially when they clearly saw the small object that the leading man had thrown on the table—something that made the women’s eyes widen instantly.

“Is that… an ancient silver ingot?”

They exchanged glances.

A silver ingot, roughly twenty taels.

Zhu Qing glanced at the silver ingot and her lips twitched subtly:

“I mean, don’t use relics as payment for meals.”

“Isn’t it enough?”

The man in the black Crane Robe, eyebrows raised, took back the silver ingot into his bosom—his method of hiding money unknown as he hence produced a gold ingot, “This must surely be enough then!”

Due to his visual gift, Xia Yu could glimpse a fleeting mark beneath the gold ingot.

“Yongle? Or is it money from the Ming Dynasty?”

Xia Yu’s expression also turned subtle.

Without needing Zhu Qing’s introduction, Xia Yu recognized these seven.

The Eight-faced Tower Team gathered!

“Five Mysterious Snakes, plus two Lin Giants…” This was Xia Yu’s first close encounter with them.

He only knew the leader of the Five Mysterious Snakes, Lin Miao.

This man, an ordinary-looking middle-aged man, was the most normal among this group.

The other four special chefs ranged from a burly man with a large beard, somewhat resembling a reborn Li Kui, to a delicate woman holding an oil-paper fan, who was smiling tenderly towards him in the kitchen, her picturesque features alluring.

Including the two Lin Giants, one male and one female, one draped in the dark style of a Crane Robe, and the other wearing a revealing bright red dress—the front was practically a chest wrap, with half of her bosoms exposed, the delicate cherries on top slightly visible. The seductiveness of the scene was all-consuming; the air seemed to grow hotter.

Seeing Aunt Zhu Qing greeting them amiably, Xia Yu felt intrigued instantly.

Could it be that in this era, the Dark World and the Light Realm have normalized relations?

“Hey, ‘Golden Smiling Breakfast’, serve us seven portions!”

The Lin Giant Yan Mo speaking.

The other six eyed him.

Zhu Qing suddenly turned silent, her mouth curving into an inscrutable smile, seemingly curious about how he would handle these people from the Dark World.

Hearing this, Xia Yu didn’t ponder but simply spread his hands, “We’re sold out already.”

“Make more!” Lin Giant Yan Mo demanded.

“It’s limited edition…”

Yan Mo’s gaze drifted to the kitchen, where oil still sizzled and plenty of dough, vermicelli, and diced beef were left on the counter. His eyebrows furrowed, clearly displeased: “The oil is still hot, the ingredients are sufficient, why not make it?”

He then pulled another gold ingot from his coat and placed it on the table with a snap.

“Make seven portions, and this is yours.”

“One word—tired!”

Xia Yu said, “I hope to have more personal time during the day.”

The ten-day break seemed long, but Tokyo required his attention for many matters, quickly passing by, and even if he was hosting guests, it wouldn’t be the day after the competition ended.

Saying this, he shook his cell phone, “I already have plans, sorry.”

Having already washed his hands and taken off his apron, Xia Yu then didn’t linger any longer and left.

Tanaka Hikari, Morioka Makoto, and Tiqie Eriina went with him.

Now, only Zhu Qing was left to mind Xia’s Restaurant.

“I’ll take over…”

Zhu Qing donned an apron but spotted the seven guests’ stiff expressions and burst out laughing: “Hey, hey, hey, any objections to a Lin Chef serving you?”

From the shopping street, they headed to Far Moon.

Tiqie Family’s car was parked on a secluded public road behind the academy.

Beside the road, there stood a sign:

Private plantations, no trespassing.

Below the sign, there was a newly paved asphalt road surrounded by flower beds.

The car drove straight to the gate, where, similar to a military base, two uniformed guards with guns stood at the entrance.

“Instructor Xia—”

Ichise Hui, in a crisp suit, greeted them at the door.

Everyone got out of the car.

“How did this place change like this?” Eriina looked around in surprise.

“Before Instructor Xia left, he entrusted me with the management of the plantation. These security measures and infrastructure were approved by the General, and strictly speaking, the estate is now a private property under Instructor Xia’s name,”

Ichise Hui said with a beaming smile, slightly bowing.

“May I formally introduce myself, I am Ichise Hui, currently the manager of Xia’s Farm.”

They entered the password to get inside.

Pointing to the two guards at the entrance, Ichise Hui said, “These men are retired Food Mercenaries with a clean record, no criminal history, and have families in Tokyo, making them absolutely reliable.”

“Boss!”

The black and white guards bowed.

Xia Yu, being trained in martial arts, could sense the fierce and grim aura emanating from the two men, honed from battles of blood and fire.

Earlier, Xia Yu had entrusted the farm’s management to Ichise Hui.

This job was difficult for Ichise Hui to refuse.

His interests were originally in agriculture and cultivation, and with a background as one of the Ten Masters of Far Moon, he had been managing directly on behalf of the board of directors within the academy. Just last month, he was one of the managers for the “Autumn Selection.”

Another executor, the capable ‘Alchemist’ Rui Shan Zhi Jin Ye, had also been invited by Xia Yu.

“As for similar guards, there are currently 20, and I plan to expand that number to 50,” Ichise Hui said.

“Oh?”

Eriina raised an eyebrow, “Such an elite guard team must cost quite a bit.”

“It is costly, but very necessary!” Ichise Hui gave a wry smile, glanced at Xia Yu, and after receiving his nod, he pressed his lips together and continued, “This past month, the guards have indeed spotted and expelled quite a few prowlers, and have arrested some.”

“Where are they?”

“Earlier, they were taken away by Director Kikuchi.”

Hearing this, Xia Yu’s expression darkened.

As everyone entered the farm, they were immediately struck by the pastoral view, which was starkly different from the withered appearance typical of autumn.

Even Xia Yu was taken aback.

Before he left, much of the land on the farm was left uncultivated, but now every patch was being put to good use, whether growing vegetables or fruits, with lush green leaves and dense vines thriving with life.

“Good job!”

He couldn’t help but applaud and laugh in praise.

“It really seems like I entrusted it to the right person!”

Ichise Hui responded to the praise with a subtle embarrassment.

“Actually, it’s mostly thanks to the fertilizer you left behind,” he said in an incredulous tone.

“How about the greenhouse?”

Xia Yu glimpsed the silhouette of the greenhouse trees, felt a surge of warmth, and without hearing what Ichise Hui was saying, he immediately strode forward.

Ichise Hui paused briefly and then followed.

“This tree is growing slowly. I’ve followed your instructions to water and fertilize it daily.”

“Is that so?”

Xia Yu pushed open the greenhouse door. Whoa, the colors dazzled even him, and he had to raise his hand to shield his eyes, waiting a moment before he opened them and stepped slowly inside.

The strange fragrance wafted through the air.

A whiff of the scent entered his nostrils—natural, pure. Yet, even with his extensive experience with countless gourmet foods, Xia Yu found it hard to control his awakened and raging appetite. He kept swallowing to prevent drooling.

His gaze lingered on the tree, and information popped up:

“[Rainbow Tree](Growing Phase).”

“Growth level: 95%.”

“Estimated to mature and bear fruit in 9 natural days and 10 hours, with the first harvest yielding 2-4 fruits.”