Chapter 274 I want to protest!
"It's hard not to have heard of such a big thing," Chu Hengkong said. "I just didn't expect Mr. Sreil to know the whole process in detail. He's really well-informed."
This sullen-faced poet was none other than Sirell, the former resident singer in Huilong City. It turned out that his earlier adventure had been sparked by a letter of help he had sent. He crossed his legs, beaming with pride, "As a poet, I have my own connections. I know everything about the strange people and events of the world."
As Sreel spoke, his eyes grew confused. "It's just that I've stumbled this time. I have all the clues, but I can't seem to find the hero's face. You were also at Jinye at that time. I wonder if Inspector Chu knows anything about it?"
Chu Hengkong chuckled inwardly, knowing the incognito talisman was working. He pulled out a chair and sat down at the table. "I'm just a particle 3, how could I possibly be qualified to participate in such a remarkable event?"
Fan De echoed: "If I really knew something, I would have told you even if I exaggerated it. Why would I have nothing to say now?"
"What a shame, what a shame!" Sreel sighed exaggeratedly, but he didn't seem to regret much. He turned around and introduced himself, "Meet Inspector Chu from Huilong City. He's brave enough to fight a big demon with a particle of 1, and he can even fight an immortal machine with his skillful hands.
This rare animal is called the Great Seal. He currently runs a fishery bookstore. He is knowledgeable and talented, and he can eat and sleep well.
The big seal swallowed a large piece of meat in two or three bites and extended its paw in a friendly manner: "Mmm."
Chu Hengkong squeezed the seal's claws (the seal's claws were slightly bigger than his head). "Does the seal store manager not like to talk much?"
"Writing is always better than talking. The more you write, the less you speak. If you have something to say, just smile and call out a few times, and you'll generally understand the meaning." Si Ruier poured a glass of wine for Chu Hengkong and Fander. "You two came here specifically to catch leopards or to discuss business?"
"I want to ask the store manager to go back and discuss business."
The seal's mouth opened into an O shape, its two large black eyes widened. It began to shake its head: "Mmmmm!"
Seeing this expression of shirking responsibility, Chu Hengkong smiled and said, "Editor Otter said that you still have to make the final decision on this matter."
The big seal frowned: "Hmm..."
"But there's no rush. We can talk about it after you finish eating." Vander's eyes were full of hunger. "We're hungry too. Do you mind sharing a table?"
The big seal beamed and moved to the side, freeing up a hard-earned space. Sreel blew a long whistle, and the leopard cat waiter jumped up and opened the menu. "What would you like to order?"
"What's your signature dish?"
"Our fried chicken is quite famous, and many poultry lovers come here specifically to try it," said Antler Cat. "We also highly recommend our new fig puffs this season. Now is the perfect time to enjoy some fruit."
The big seal beside him nodded repeatedly. Seeing this, Chu Hengkong ordered, "Fried chicken set meal, a single lunch meal, two fig puffs, and a large plate of sashimi. Also, order a hamburger meal to go. No dietary restrictions."
The big seal rubbed his belly and struggled to raise a tablet: [Sashimi!]
"Okay, manager. I'll make you a small portion too." The deer-horned cat wrote on the dish, "Bon appetit, everyone."
"That's right. Let's talk about the political situation of the city-state and the future of Shendong Realm while we eat~" Sreel filled the glasses of the two new guests.
"Just kidding, it's just my personal matter."
The poet winked at him and said, "If you keep a close eye on things, your personal affairs will become more important than the heavens. If you think hard about it, you will become more important than the overall situation."
Changxiang Restaurant's food service was quick. While Chu Hengkong was explaining the situation, the hot fried chicken was already on the table. Unlike Korean fried chicken, which is battered and coated, or the American fast food style, which is thickly breaded and deep-fried, this place's fried chicken is marinated and deep-fried raw, an old-fashioned technique. Besides the most delicious chicken wings and drumsticks, the chef even reserved an entire chicken neck for its glassy, crispy skin.
Chu Hengkong's eyes lit up; this recipe was just what he wanted. He picked up the chicken leg with his chopsticks and took a bite. Besides the usual salty and savory flavor, the chicken had a hint of spiciness, bringing out its freshness completely. It was an unforgettable experience.
Vander rolled up the chicken wings and praised them highly: "This chicken is amazing!"
"The fourth-veined chicken is marinated with third-veined mushrooms. If you go outside of Jingsha, you won't be able to taste this delicious food," said Sriracha.
"Is the pulse sequence the urban area of Jingsha?" Chu Hengkong asked. He often heard this word today.
"There are some differences. Since Jingsha is called a 'city-state', it is a union of many cities. Do you know how many cities there are in Jingsha?"
Fander quickly answered: "Including 165 autonomous cities!"
"The little Eye Demon remembers it clearly. There are quite a few city lords in this area," Sreel said with a smile. "Governing so many cities individually would be cumbersome, so for geographical and economic reasons, we've unified them under one jurisdiction, creating a 'branch.' Similarly, similar branches on the sacred tree are combined into a 'vein,' which is called a 'vein sequence.'
One sacred tree, five main veins, twelve auxiliary branches, and one hundred and sixty-five cities—that's the largest sacred tree regime in history, the 'Jingsha City-State.' Just the third vein where you and I are is several times larger than Huilong City.
Chu Hengkong had originally thought that the so-called "vein" of a city-state was a main city, but now it seemed more like a "state" expanded several times. He had a deeper understanding of the enormity of the city-state. The thorny thorns that could support such a giant were like the mythical world tree. Such a massive being was a Sephiroth 7.
"That's amazing." He exclaimed, "I also know that Huilong City's influence in the Shendong world is insufficient, so I came to the city-state to find a solution."
"Then you underestimate your own abilities. Without the routes you've opened up in Huilong City, no one's books can be sold to the world these days." Si Ruier laughed. "Well, my great store manager, this customer has come all the way here. You should at least say something, right?"
The seal, who had been secretly trying to get a piece of fried chicken, quickly retracted its claws and sat... or lay down in the face of danger. It pulled out a writing pad from its thick fur and quickly wrote: [Who are you looking for?]
"My previous..." Chu Hengkong hesitated, "employer."
What was your previous occupation?
"Killer."
The big seal glared with round eyes: [What kind of killer? Part-time? Professional? Expert?]
"The top star in the industry." Vander answered for him, "He's recognized as number one in his hometown and around the world."
The big seal mumbled for a while and looked at Sreel: "Mmm?"
"This killer has now returned to the right path and is a legendary figure. He dared to fight with real weapons when he was only at Seismic Point 1, and now that he is at Seismic Point 3, I'm afraid he has defeated even more powerful opponents." Sreel replied.
“Hmm…”
The big seal grunted a few times, raised its paw and wrote: [This matter I——]
Everyone looked sideways at the same time, and three gunshots were heard downstairs.
·
"...The top layer is a crunchy paste of chocolate chips wrapped in fig jam, while the middle layer of velvet cream is enriched with soft shiitake mushrooms. A clever design... but the best part is definitely the puff shell." The host raised the microphone, which looked like a gold coin. "Chef, could you tell us about your design?"
The host was a small metallic ghost, sitting in a small box that was about the size of a puff when placed on the table. The restaurant's panda chef was 1.9 meters tall and had to shrink his neck to respond.
"The answer is the soft bean mushroom." Chef Panda smiled innocently. "I hollowed out the whole mushroom, leaving only the thin outer layer as the shell of the puff pastry, and used the mushroom flesh to make the cream, to preserve the original flavor."
"What a brilliant design. My dear audience, this job isn't as easy as the chef makes it sound. The smell of the shimeji mushrooms is very difficult to deal with..."
The ghost host boasted to the camera, and the director's gestures told it that the current real-time ratings had reached the top three, and the host felt even more bitter.
Holy crap, who on earth came up with this awful idea for a ghost food livestream? Everyone else is eating, and we're the only ones doing the scripts. It's so awkward. I was waiting for the livestream to end so I could ask Mr. Sreil for his autograph, but if it keeps going on like this, he'll probably finish his meal and leave.
The ghost host ate a small gold coin to calm himself and was about to continue speaking when the director was suddenly shoved aside. Several strangers dressed as workers took control of the camera crystal, and a turbaned man, led by them, strode towards them.
"My name is Hiland Taff. Do you mind if I say a few words?" he said in a low voice.
"I'm sorry, sir," the ghost said dully, "I haven't heard your name..."
Hiland laughed a few times and grabbed the microphone without saying anything. His men pushed the director to the camera.
"Sir, I'd like to ask you a question. Many citizens are listening with me, so please answer me honestly," Hiland asked. "What's the most watched program right now?"
The director, wearing glasses as thick as bottle bottoms, spoke haltingly, "Today's top-rated show is the duel at Feiyan Amusement Park... the wood art expo at Fifede Farm, and then there's your show... If there's a concert or something like that, I'll squeeze in first..."
"Entertainment, art, food! Music!" Hiland laughed. "What about politics? News? Right now, First Order is holding its fourth public debate on Bill 368. Where does that rank in the ratings?"
The director slapped his glasses hard: "34th... Sorry, it's 37th now. Ahhh!"
The director was pulled away by Hiland's men. Hiland stared at the camera, his laughter revealing uncontrollable anger.
"37!" Hiland roared, "For all the respected citizens, there are at least 36 things more worth watching than the parliamentary debate, even though this debate involves the implementation of an extremely shameless bill. If this debate passes again, it will go to a vote on whether to implement it!"
"Everyone says that city-state politics is the politics of its citizens, but oh my God, how many people actually care about how the city-state works?! We speak out day and night on various platforms, and we debate at the top of our lungs in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, but no one pays attention! No one cares! Our lovely citizens disdain politics; they care more about making a living!"
Many diners were ready to protest, but Hilander pulled out his pistol and fired three shots out the window. The gunshot scared off everyone who wanted to take action, and Hilander's men placed an hourglass with a countdown on the table.
30 minutes.
"As a citizen of Thorns, I feel I have to take some action to make you pay attention to the issues at hand. I have to make some rough moves to get you involved in politics," Hiland said coldly. "In 30 minutes from now, please adjourn the fourth debate in the House of Lords. Every minute that passes will result in one less person in this restaurant."
“I look forward to the responses from the politicians.”
The director swallowed, the real-time information in his eyes telling him that the ratings had climbed to number one in the city-state. Meanwhile, at the large table by the window on the second floor, everyone gathered for dinner, looking at each other in bewilderment.
"Well," said Finder, "who wants to show off in front of the citizens of the city?"
(End of this chapter)
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