Lin Zhan, feeling groggy, led Zhang Haoming through the High Martial Academy. Zhang Haoming said to Lin Zhan, "Brother, who was that old man? He looked really fierce. Even at his age, he's still out here smashing and grabbing."
"Alas, brother-in-law, you have no idea. These old guys get more eccentric with age. When my grandfather was short on military funds, he led these old fellows on raids. Not only did they plunder other special zones, but in desperation, they even raided the homes of the Ten Thousand Races. Can you say such an old man isn't fierce?" Lin Zhan said with a helpless expression.
"Now that we've fallen into this old man's hands, our brothers are in for a tough time. When my brothers return, I'll tell everyone to be careful. Who knows what kind of old perverts they'll assign to deal with us."
Zhang Haoming sighed and nodded, "Understood, brother. Where are we going now?"
Lin Zhan looked up at the sky and asked, "Brother-in-law, are you hungry? I didn't eat much this morning, and that old man swindled me for the whole morning. My stomach is empty. Your sister-in-law is eating with the other ladies at noon, so no one's looking after us. Let's go out to eat."
The young Daoist's eyes lit up, and he nodded. "Sounds good, brother. I can still eat."
With that, the two ambled off with a rascally air towards the High Martial Grand Hotel.
Meanwhile, at the High Martial Grand Hotel, from the manager and head chef down to the bellhops and waiters, everyone was gathered around three giant beasts who had finished their meal, refused to pay, and were now packing leftovers.
A Platinum-level expert, dressed in a chef's uniform, held a cleaver and yelled at a giant snake, "Can you guys have any shame? Eating for free is one thing, but what's with the packing? What, is eating a free meal not enough? You need takeout too?"
Xiao Jin glanced at the胖厨师 and said, "What, can't I? Let me tell you, little fatty, we never pay when we eat out in the city. Coming to High Martial to eat your food is doing you a favor. You dare ask me for money? I'm not even charging you an advertising fee, which should be enough face for you. Don't t—"
He then opened a spatial rift and took out a crystal core about a meter in diameter. It was the king-grade peak crystal core that the Golden Dragon Emperor Jin Ao had given him during the previous battle. "Let me show you something. This is pocket money from our ancestor. A king-grade peak crystal core. Hurry up and get the change."
The胖厨师 and his colleagues had never seen such a display. They stared dumbfounded at the king-grade crystal core before them, speechless.
He had originally planned to call the patrol team if these guys continued to make a scene. After all, the prestigious High Martial was a place for cultivating elites, and it was filled with experts. How could they let these brats bully them at their doorstep?
But now, he dared not speak. What kind of family could produce a king-grade crystal core? They had never even seen such a thing at his level. Yet these brats carried them around. The胖厨师 really wanted to say, "Your Majesty, your humble servant cannot afford to offend you."
Xiao Jin looked at the indecisive胖厨师 and said with disdain, "What are you thinking about? Hurry up and get the change."
The胖厨师 looked at the three youngsters with a wry smile and said, "My lords, I was blind and did not recognize your eminence. I beg you to show mercy and let me off the hook. This meal is on me. Take whatever you like."
Xiao Jin nodded and said, "At least you, little fatty, are sensible. Then, we brothers won't be polite. We'll take whatever we want."
"What do you want to take? Tell me," Lin Zhan's voice echoed as soon as Xiao Jin finished speaking.
Lin Zhan entered the hotel and saw the three youngsters acting presumptuously. He said with a sinister grin, "Alright, you three have gotten quite ambitious. I knew why you three snuck away last night. So you came here to eat a free meal. Did I not feed you properly, causing you to come here and disgrace yourselves?"
The three youngsters fawned, "Heh heh, Boss, why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be in class today? Heh heh, we were just joking a moment ago. Believe us, ask this little fatty... uh, ask this master chef."
Lin Zhan turned to the胖厨师 and said, "Master Chef, I am truly very sorry. These three ignorant brats have caused you trouble. Whatever losses these three have inflicted upon you, I will compensate."
Saying that, Lin Zhan handed the胖厨师 four Platinum-level crystal cores and asked, "Master Chef, do you think these are enough?"
Upon seeing Lin Zhan's imposing aura and how the three youngsters immediately became like obedient pets upon his arrival, the胖厨师 knew he had encountered the real boss. He hastily said, "Young master, you jest. You don't need so much. These three young lords only consumed food equivalent to two Platinum crystal cores."