Chapter 139: SSS-Level Mission

Intermediate Chef: 100% chance to create blue dishes, a small chance to create purple dishes, and a 1/1000 chance to create pink dishes. Using rare ingredients increases the appearance rate of high-quality dishes. Current proficiency is 0/2000. Once proficiency is full, players can accept the Advanced Chef advancement quest from an Advanced Chef.

The description of the Intermediate Chef was vastly different from that of the Novice Chef; it was much more detailed and straightforward. Propping his head in his hands, Chen Yun looked at the pink dishes mentioned in the description and couldn't help feeling a strong sense of yearning. If purple dishes could enable a Level 10 cultivator to break through a minor realm, what about pink dishes? Could they possibly be helpful even to Celestial Cultivators?

"It looks like I must hide any pink dishes the moment I make them in the future, or else things are going to get wildly out of hand..."

At night, in a forest outside Wang Hong's estate.

"Old man, I never expected your Heart-Devouring Poison to actually be cured by someone. If I hadn't discovered it early, my fate probably would have been even more miserable than Big Brother's. I originally planned to deal with you after I secured the position of family head, but you forced my hand. Don't blame me." Wang Lihong, Wang Hong's second son, said with a sinister expression, "Tonight is your birthday, and also your day of death."

"Father, I have already investigated. The person who cured the old man's poison is none other than Chen Yun. Tonight, he and Jiang Shan are coming together to attend the old man's birthday banquet," Wang Jiong said from the side.

"Don't worry, not a single one of them will escape. Everyone attending the old man's birthday banquet tonight is someone he deeply trusts. These people are of no use to us at all—tonight, not a single one of them will live!"

"Father, are we going to kill Jiang Shan as well? His grandfather is General Jiang Tian!" Wang Jiong said in shock. "We can't afford to provoke someone like that."

"Rest assured, he won't be able to spare any attention here for the time being. Once we get the money tonight, we'll defect to the Starry Nation. With heaven high and the emperor far away, who can possibly find the two of us?" Wang Lihong sneered coldly. "Besides, the ones making a move tonight aren't us, but the assassins of the Reaper Guild. The Reaper Guild is teeming with experts; a mere Jiang Tian is no match for them!"

"Look, it's Jiang Shan and Chen Yun!" Wang Jiong said, gritting his teeth. "That's him! He's the one who cured the old man's poison!"

"Good. Can't he cure poison? I still have a small vial of Heart-Devouring Poison left; I'll shove the whole thing down his throat and see how he cures it then!"

Hearing this, Wang Jiong felt a chill run through his entire body. Just smelling the Heart-Devouring Poison was enough to poison someone, let alone having it forced directly down one's throat. His father was truly ruthless!

"Haha, little Chen is here! Come right in!" Wang Hong was exceedingly happy about Chen Yun's arrival. This kid had not only cured his poison but also indirectly ferreted out the mastermind behind the scenes. The favor he owed him was simply too great.

During this period, while feigning illness, he had secretly dispatched people to investigate. The investigation didn't just open his eyes—it genuinely terrified him. Never had he imagined that his two sons could be so utterly shameless; the funds in the group's accounts had been almost completely hollowed out by the pair of them. Although he had subsequently used thunderous methods to recover the assets embezzled by his eldest son, breaking both of his legs in a fit of rage before throwing him into the hospital under strict confinement, somehow the news had leaked, allowing his youngest son and grandson to flee with the money!

If Wang Hong felt only disappointment toward his eldest son and daughter, then toward his youngest son and grandson, he felt only profound despair and hatred. After all, his eldest son and daughter merely cared about family property and had never harbored murderous intentions toward him or his family. His youngest son and grandson, however, were different—they had stopped at nothing to poison him just to seize the position of head of the Wang family. Furthermore, judging by the intelligence brought back by his subordinates, had he not taken action promptly, they would have even prepared to move against his eldest son, daughter, and his own mother. How could such people be allowed to remain in this world!

The Wang family was located neither in the urban center nor in the affluent villa district, but rather on a small mountain bought on the outskirts of the city, where an estate had been built. Outside the estate lay a tranquil expanse of forest, boasting serene and picturesque scenery.

"Such beautiful scenery. Rich people really know how to enjoy themselves." Stepping out of the car, Chen Yun looked at the estate and sighed.

"Heh, isn't the whole point of making money to enjoy it? Let's go in," Jiang Shan said with a smile. "With your current financial power, building an estate like this would be a piece of cake."

"That's true. Once things settle down for me in the future, I'll set one up too."

"Great, I'll come over and christen the house for you then."

"Haha, I've finally been looking forward to the two of you!" Just as Chen Yun and Jiang Shan were commenting on the estate, Wang Hong walked out with a smiling face.

"Old Wang, your complexion looks great! I was actually planning to check your pulse and prescribe some body-nourishing formulas for you today, but it looks like that won't be necessary." Jiang Shan said with a cheerful smile.

"I owe it all to Chen Yun for curing my poison. Otherwise, I'm afraid I wouldn't be far from death right now," Wang Hong said with a sigh.

"What is Old Wang saying? With your current constitution, living another hundred years won't be a problem at all," Chen Yun said with a grin.

"Haha, I love hearing little Chen's words. Hurry up and come inside. Tonight, I've only invited the two of you; the rest are trusted people within the family. Even though it's my birthday banquet, I don't want to make a big deal out of it—we'll just have a simple meal." Wang Hong pulled Chen Yun straight into the hall.

There weren't many people in the hall; including the two of them, there were only about twenty people, all seated comfortably around a single large table. Chen Yun sighed inwardly—a large family definitely had far more than just this handful of people. It looked like Old Wang was dead set on a massive purge this time, having cleared out virtually everyone who was disloyal to the family.

That was for the best, too. Only through this could the Wang family have a clean future.

"Old Wang, this kid knows you aren't lacking in precious items, so I specially stir-fried a few dishes as a birthday gift. Please don't despise them." After taking his seat, Chen Yun picked up the insulated box and said to Wang Hong.

"Dishes made by you?" Wang Hong was overjoyed upon hearing this. "It's not easy to eat food made by a Master Chef. I'm in for a treat today—hurry up and bring them to the table so everyone can have a taste!"

Chen Yun placed the dishes from the insulated box onto the table and said, "They're just ordinary home-cooked dishes, but they're very good for the body. Everyone should drink more of this Catfish Spirit and Tofu Soup in particular; I guarantee you'll all be full of vigor afterward."

Everyone present was deeply trusted by Wang Hong. Knowing that the young man before them was the very person who had saved his life, none of them dared to put on airs, and they hurriedly nodded in gratitude.

After taking a sip of the Catfish Spirit and Tofu Soup, Wang Hong's eyes lit up brightly, and he praised, "As expected of a Master Chef's craftsmanship—it's far beyond what those Advanced Chefs can compare to. Just a sip of this soup, and I feel several years younger. No, I must drink more."

"Indeed, I feel like I could run a full marathon outside right now."

"This steamed egg custard is so delicious, tender, and smooth, with not a single trace of egg fishiness. Just a bite makes me feel much more energetic."

"It's miraculous! I had a cold today and couldn't smell a thing, but after just one bite of the garlic sprouts stir-fried with shredded pork, my nose cleared up and I could smell again!"

For a moment, everyone showered the dishes with praise, gaining a deeper understanding of the Master Chef profession. It was a profession that could turn decay into magic; using the most ordinary ingredients, it produced such incredible effects.

Halfway through the birthday banquet, having drunk a bit of alcohol, Wang Hong brought up his previous proposal at the table once more: "Little Chen, why don't you reconsider what I said last time? Right now, I really can't find anyone else capable of inheriting the family business. At present, the only person I truly trust is you."

"Old Wang, let's not mention this matter again. I'll say it again: my ambitions do not lie here. With so many trusted people of yours present, you can easily find someone to cultivate and groom." Chen Yun shook his head and refused. Money was nothing more than a number to Chen Yun now; he even tossed Heavenly Crystal Coins to his mount as gasoline. His standards were far too high now, and he no longer looked down upon gold coins or purple gold coins. Even if the Wang family's assets were vast, how much could they really amount to? Did they even add up to 1 Heavenly Crystal Coin? Probably not.

"Sigh... But you are the one I value the most. Courageous, resourceful, and with exceptional character—you are the only flawless candidate to inherit my family estate," Wang Hong said with a sigh. "It seems the destiny of the Wang family ends here. Very well. After I pass on, I will sell off all the family assets; everyone present will receive a sum of money, and the rest I will donate to charitable organizations," Wang Hong said with a hint of reluctance.

"What a waste to donate it to charity. How wonderful it would be to give it to us to spend instead..." Just as Wang Hong's voice trailed off, a sinister voice echoed from outside the door...

"Player has triggered mandatory SSS-rank Quest - Annihilate the Reaper Guild..."

*****Divider Line*****

barring any unforeseen circumstances, this book will go on commercial release tomorrow. The performance of this book is very poor, so I won't be begging for a huge amount of monthly votes or subscriptions in exchange for extra chapters. I only hope that readers with spare cash can support the legitimate version and give the author some positive energy and encouragement. It will go live around noon tomorrow, with 10 chapters released immediately upon launch. Thank you.