Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

Chapter 187: Chapter 187: The Mouth Complains, But the Body is Honest

Mr. Qilom slowly raised the high-stemmed glass, examining the dark brown liquid within, which seemed to be brewed from some kind of dark fruit.

White bubbles clung to the sides of the glass, occasionally a few would detach themselves, passing through the ice cubes, rising to the surface.

Drawing the glass close to his nose, he sniffed but detected no harsh odor, replaced instead by an indescribable mellow fragrance.

Based solely on the scent, Mr. Qilom couldn’t determine what it had been made from, and he didn’t hesitate to bring the glass to his lips.

The spicy flavor exploded along with the gush of bubbles in his mouth, rushing into his throat and nasal passages. Mr. Qilom’s eyes widened in surprise, like a water buffalo that hadn’t drunk for days, greedily guzzling down the delicious cola to the last drop.

”I have never tasted anything like this. How on earth do you achieve the sensation of these bubbles bursting in water? What exactly is added to it? It doesn’t taste like any sort of precious ingredient but is rather common and greatly memorable,” he mused.

”I’m not entirely sure of the specific method and ingredients myself. But it’s clear that this beverage doesn’t exist in our world,” Yang Yu responded with a smile, ”If Mr. Qilom can decipher the formula for this beverage and learn the correct method, I believe its worldwide popularity is just a matter of time.”

Yang Yu’s words didn’t garner a response from Mr. Qilom,

Right now, Mr. Qilom was utterly fixated on the half-empty bottle of cola before him, his long-dormant thirst for knowledge quietly reawakening.

Having spent many years in the culinary world, Mr. Qilom could deduce the ingredients, processes, and chef’s techniques from tasting any delicacy.

But as the years passed, he hadn’t found anything that truly dazzled him.

In the past, Mr. Qilom had looked down on beverages as a trivial matter, seeing them merely as the icing on a cake. However, in his search for new soup bases, he would occasionally taste some rare beverages, under the guise of disdain.

Now,

Faced with an unknown beverage, one whose method of preparation he was completely unaware of, he had only one thought—to unravel its principles and then use it in his own cuisine!

”Mr. Qilom, Mr. Qilom!”

After calling out a few times, Yang Yu found that Mr. Qilom, hooked by the joy of the soda, was staring fixedly at the bottle, utterly ignoring him.

Having no choice, Yang Yu stretched out his hand to grasp the bottleneck, his face showing a look of disappointment,

”It seems I was mistaken. This stuff really isn’t for someone with the discernment of Mr. Qilom.”

Yang Yu pretended to take the cola away, and Mr. Qilom, on instinct, seized the body of the bottle tightly, ”Boy, leave that with me.”

Under deep-set brows, Mr. Qilom’s blue eyes sparkled like the dawn of a new day.

”Didn’t we sign a contract? If you can find something that interests me, I’ll make an offer to purchase it. I’m extremely interested in this.

Think about it, I’m the only one in this world who can deduce the procedure and techniques just by tasting this beverage.

I’m also the only one who can produce it.

In anyone else’s hands, it would only be ruined.”

”I’m not doubting Mr. Qilom’s capabilities. As you’ve said, we’ve already signed a contract. Since Mr. Qilom appreciates this beverage so much, it should follow what the contract states,” Yang Yu replied respectfully.

”You just want me to continue funding you? Fine. I admire you, young man,” Mr. Qilom said, still not taking his eyes off the cola, ”How much do you want?”

Yang Yu showed a reverent smile, ”It seems Mr. Qilom is so excited that you’ve forgotten my earlier words. The decision on the price lies with you, Mr. Qilom.”

”Playing this game again. Fine, I’ll decide, I’ll decide,” Mr. Qilom extended a finger decisively, ”I’ll give you ten million, consider it an advance for our long-term cooperation. Don’t give the otherworldly food you find to someone else, or I’ll make you pay.”

”You have my word!”

It seemed you alone would be willing to pay such a price for this.

For such a sponsor, Yang Yu would only be too glad to serve, to sell him more delicious and fun things, and with Mr. Qilom’s blessing, become financially independent and focus solely on conquering this game.

Years of gaming experience told Yang Yu that Mr. Qilom was one of the main ways to earn Gold Coins in the late stage of the game.

NPCs with the Five-star Chef profession often issued daily Tasks like collecting ingredients that paid well and were simple; claims that they were short on money were nothing but tall tales.

Now that Mr. Qilom, this late-stage NPC, had proactively offered up assistance, Yang Yu was determined to cling to it with all his might.

”But, I used quite a sum to sponsor the All Things Library and become an Advanced Member. It will take some time to free up funds, if you can wait,” Mr. Qilom paused, ”If not, I can pay with Contribution Value from the Library. After all, in a little over a week, I have finished all the books I wanted to read.”

”Since you’ve said as much, Mr. Qilom, how could I possibly refuse? Contribution Value is fine too, there are some things I need to look into,” Yang Yu responded.

”Great. I’ll have someone prepare right now. It’s about time you let go, right?”

Mr. Qilom pulled the cola into his arms, and Yang Yu didn’t release his grip immediately, but instead kindly reminded,

”One more thing. Mr. Qilom, this beverage requires certain storage conditions, with specific temperature and space requirements. I’d better tell you all about it now, just so the cola doesn’t lose its flavor only a few days after you get it.”

After explaining all about how to store the cola, Yang Yu handed it over to Mr. Qilom.

”All right, all right. I’ve got it. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to the kitchen.”

Once he had the cola in hand, Mr. Qilom stuffed it eagerly into his chest, looking very much like a child who had never tasted cola enjoying it for the first time.

Seeing Mr. Qilom so delighted, Yang Yu naturally brought up the matter of a celebration feast,

”Oh, and Mr. Qilom, I have another favor to ask. Today we just got admitted to the Library, and we’d like to have a celebration feast. I hope we can taste the delicious dishes you prepare, so please grant my request for the sake of our relationship.”

”No problem, I’m in a good mood today,” Mr. Qilom didn’t refuse Yang Yu, ”What dishes do you need?”