At that moment, several players approached Zhao Shen's stall, and despite the early hour, the atmosphere was notably more vibrant than usual.
"Hey? Isn't that the great merchant deity? My goodness! A tycoon has appeared in the novice village!" exclaimed a player with the ID Tang Jia Xiao San as he arrived at Zhao Shen's stall.
"Indeed! Tang Jia Xiao San? Aren't you a fan of Nicole's live streams? I've only ever seen the great merchant deity showering Nicole with gold coins, and now I'm seeing the man himself!" interjected a player with the ID Xue Yue.
"Are you all here because of Nicole's stream as well? I am too! I was hoping for a chance encounter with the lovely Nicole. And this must be Feng Qingyang?" piped in a player known as Wei Suo Xiao Diao Si.
...
The remarks from the group delighted the great merchant deity, who laughed heartily and proclaimed, "Yes, indeed, I am the great merchant deity! You are fans of Nicole's stream? It appears you've come to savor the delights of this stall! Eat to your hearts' content today; whatever you desire, it's on me!"
"Wow, I always knew the great merchant was affluent, but I didn't expect him to be so dashing in person!" exclaimed one of the newcomers, showering the generous offer with exuberance.
"Indeed, only a tycoon like him could be worthy of Nicole!" someone else added enviously.
"Actually, we're just here to see what the fuss is about. It would be wonderful to meet Nicole. Why don't you try a dish first and see if it truly lives up to the hype? If not, we can always find another place to gather!" Xue Yue remained composed, unbothered by the cost.
The great merchant deity's heart swelled with joy at their words. Money was nothing to him; it was merely a numeral—a mere representation of wealth. What mattered more was his reputation and popularity. After all, he wouldn't splurge in Nicole's live stream if it didn't benefit him socially. To him, spending money was akin to forging friendships, which explained why his consortium remained among the top three guilds—he was a man who garnered friends from all walks of life!
...
"I am typically quite discerning. Unlike some who relish in roughing it, since you all wish for me to sample this stall's culinary offerings renowned for their deliciousness, I shall oblige! Here's the plan: I will taste each dish and provide feedback for you all! Consider me your guide through this culinary adventure!"
The great merchant deity declared grandly, casting a knowing glance at Mu Yichun, and his intent to sample each dish was a display of refined elegance!
"Excellent! We eagerly await the great merchant deity's tasting!"
"Indeed, the great merchant's generosity is commendable! I've long heard whispers of this stall's delicacies. To encounter the great merchant for a tasting is surely the epitome of fairness!"
"The great merchant deity is a good person! He willingly braves the elements on our behalf!"
"Exactly! I've heard the tycoon's family enforces strict decorum, maintaining a gentlemanly image in public. Yet, the great merchant is here sampling street food for us—such a noble soul!"
The crowd grew increasingly effusive in their praise; after all, compliments cost nothing, and with dishes priced in the hundreds of gold coins, a few kind words were a small investment.
...
"Hahaha! Alright, no need to rush. Watch as I savor each dish," the great merchant deity replied, opening Zhao Shen's stall menu.
[Dragon Saliva Rice]: 88 gold coins per serving (limited to 1 serving per person per day, binds upon sale).
[Ice-Flow Snow Silkworm Bun]: 58 gold coins each (limited to 5 per person per day, binds upon sale).
[Golden Egg Fried Rice]: 333 gold coins per serving (limited to 1 serving per person per day, binds upon sale).
[Fiery Crimson Lotus Noodles]: A culinary masterpiece that combines wisdom and courage, self-created by the Culinary God. Consuming it may lead one to become a culinary fanatic, full of unexpected surprises. 666 gold coins per serving (automatically binds and cannot be traded upon sale, limited to 1 serving per person per day).
Hmm? There's a new item! The last time I visited Nicole's stream, this Fiery Crimson Lotus Noodles wasn't available. Since that's the case, I'll start with the most expensive dish. If this doesn't impress, then I need not bother with the others.
...
Meanwhile, Mu Yichun observed the scene and couldn't help but nod in acknowledgment. He had underestimated the great merchant deity. Perhaps his true talent lay not in management or combat prowess, but in social connections. Just this boldness alone left Mu Yichun feeling inferior, prompting him to engage in a wager with the bespectacled man and others nearby.
"Do you think he will regret mocking us after eating?"
"I believe this fool will regret his comments about our eating habits."
"I share that sentiment; I suspect he won't last past three bites before he succumbs to gluttony."
"I say two bites!"
"Is that feasible? He was so boastful earlier; he should at least manage some restraint."
"Perhaps not; depending on what he eats, if it's as addictive as the Fiery Crimson Lotus Noodles, he might be in for quite a surprise!"
"Alright, I'll wager three bites. The loser pays for the next trip!"
"Fine, I'll say two bites."
...
While Mu Yichun and his companions whispered amongst themselves, the great merchant deity lifted a plate of Fiery Crimson Lotus Noodles, ready to embark on his noble "selfless tasting" endeavor.
Meanwhile, he thought, "What are these fools chattering about? They're making fools of those of us who stand at the pinnacle! When I saw that thin man's eating manner just now, I was appalled! Truly uncouth."
Suddenly, he caught a whiff of an enticing aroma.
"What is that? It smells divine!"
The combined fragrance of red lotus pork wafted towards him, mingling with a hint of fiery peppers, refreshing yet devoid of greasiness.
"Mmm, quite impressive! The color of the noodles is beautifully executed, combining the vibrant peppers with the red pork, and the lotus patterns on the meat have been preserved. The peppers are uniformly sized, indicating skilled craftsmanship. Furthermore, the pairing with the red oil imparts a striking brilliance. If I'm not mistaken, the meat and red oil must be sourced from the red lotus wild boar, but I wonder if the peppers and noodles can handle that wild flavor. And is there too much oil? Unless the noodles haven't been prepared with excessive grease, it could affect the taste. Merely observing isn't enough; I must take a bite to truly discern the flavors!"
The great merchant deity spoke eloquently, reminiscent of a professional food critic.
...
However, after such lengthy deliberation, he could no longer resist; the tantalizing aroma was igniting his taste buds. Suddenly, the urge to dive in and take a bite overwhelmed him, but with so many eyes upon him, he couldn't afford to lose his composure.
He deftly picked up a mouthful and inserted it into his mouth. Instantly, his expression transformed dramatically, as if he had been transported into a blissful reverie. The fragrant notes of the peppers melded seamlessly with the meat, creating a delightful texture that unfolded in his mouth. The noodles had an unprecedented chewiness, reminiscent of the aroma from freshly kneaded dough, which erupted in this very moment, as if he could see the wheat swaying gently in the breeze.
The explosion of flavor was overwhelming! He swiftly grabbed a second mouthful, casting aside any notion of merely tasting!