Chapter 4: Stop Fighting, Let Me Set Up My Stall

Cultivators were locked in a magical duel right here. The dazzling display of spells left Lu Wu staring with burning eyes; every strike was lethal, and one might have thought these people were engaged in a life-or-death vendetta.

But in reality…

"You dare snatch my woman? I'll kill you!"

"In the world of cultivation, strength is everything. So what if I’m better than you? If you had the skills, you wouldn't be buying buns."

"Heh, you think I don't know your little schemes? You’re just jealous that the courtesan you had your eye on preferred to be kept by me. Don't blame the road for being rough just because you can't walk it."

"What a joke! You really think it’s your own strength? It’s only because Boss Lu’s buns are amazing."

The story was simple: Zhang San had taken a fancy to a courtesan, but since she had been won over by Li Si’s prowess the night before and was willing to spend another night with him, Zhang San was naturally indignant. After digging into the reason, he tried to turn the tables by using the buns as bait, but would Li Si let him?

The argument escalated into a fight, leading to the scene Lu Wu was witnessing now.

A crowd had gathered to watch the spectacle, some even snacking on melon seeds. Many had benefited from the buns the previous night, and under their recommendation, the reputation of Lu Wu’s bun stall had spread throughout Flower-Willow Street. Clever vendors had even moved their stalls closer.

Lu Wu looked around, observing the massive crowd. Even the courtesans from the nearby brothels were peeking out to watch the excitement. Surrounded by layers of people, Lu Wu couldn't break through. Weak and helpless, she watched as people fought over buns while blocking her, the actual seller, from getting to her spot. She couldn't help but reach out.

"Excuse me, could you please move aside?"

Her voice was swallowed by the crowd, which was busy cheering the two fighters on. Lu Wu spotted Lou Xiaotian, his cold, aloof eyes darting around as if he were plotting something devious. Perhaps Lu Wu’s gaze was too conspicuous; Lou Xiaotian looked over, and the moment he saw her, his eyes lit up like lightbulbs. He opened his mouth to shout, then, remembering something, quickly covered it.

He slunk out of the crowd and walked over to Lu Wu, deliberately shielding her from view.

"Boss Lu, let’s make a deal. Don't go over there—I’ll take all your buns for today."

After the validation of the customers last night, he was certain that Boss Lu’s buns had special strengthening effects. He was a man, after all, and he was tempted.

"I’m afraid that won't work." Lu Wu shook her head. According to the system, she wasn't currently in the designated stall area, so any buns sold now wouldn't count. Besides, she had promised the customers yesterday; she couldn't let one person buy them all.

"Ah!"

Lou Xiaotian’s disappointment was palpable. Just as he was about to try and persuade her further, someone shouted, "Boss Lu is here!"

There were plenty of sharp-eyed people in the crowd. Immediately, the two fighters stopped in a tacit agreement. Zhang San even snapped his fingers, repairing the shattered ground.

*Magic is so convenient,* Lu Wu thought, feeling sour with envy.

Pairs of eyes turned toward her. Under the pressure of these laser-like stares, Lu Wu forced a smile and greeted them. "Hello everyone, I’m here. Please, excuse me and let me pass so I can set up my stall."

*Whoosh!*

The crowd parted in a second. Someone even thoughtfully helped her push her cart.

"Boss Lu, I’ve been waiting for these buns all day, I’m ready to feast!"

"Boss Lu, I’m a new customer; you can't show favoritism!"

"I’m not greedy, I just want the same kind as yesterday."

"Hey, move aside! I was Boss Lu’s first customer yesterday; I helped her open shop, so I should be first today!"

Amidst the banter, the courtesan from the previous night approached Lu Wu, her eyes burning with intensity. Lu Wu felt like she was being devoured alive, but when she noticed the faint spots on the woman’s otherwise clear skin, she understood why.

"Sister, thank you for the buns."

"My name is Furong. From now on, you can set up your stall here with peace of mind. As long as I’m here, no one will dare touch you."

As Furong said this, she swept her gaze over the crowd, and many dared not meet her eyes. Although she wasn't targeting Lu Wu, Lu Wu still sensed a powerful aura emanating from her; it seemed Furong’s cultivation level was quite high among this group.

"No one has any objections to me being first, right?" Furong asked with a smile.

"Of course not, Miss Furong, you deserve to be first." The group nodded and laughed. Taking advantage of the distraction, the young bully who had just been rejected cleverly stood behind Furong.

"Everyone, be self-aware and line up! And stop fighting; be careful not to hurt Boss Lu."

Lu Wu had no cultivation, which was obvious to any cultivator at a glance. To a mortal, the mere shockwaves of a cultivator’s duel could kill her several times over. With Lou Xiaotian’s help, the crowd began to form a proper line. A few minor frictions over the order were unavoidable.

Lu Wu moved with practiced ease. Even the raw meat filling was enough to make the customers’ eyes shine. Watching her nimble fingers stuff generous amounts of filling into the thin dough wrappers, the customers could already envision the scene once the buns were steamed: the meat filling gently sloshing in the juices beneath the translucent skin.

*Slurp!*

A chorus of people gulped.

Under their expectant gazes, Lu Wu arranged the bamboo steamers. Furong wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and, trying to distract herself from the hunger, chatted with Lu Wu.

"Boss Lu, can you supply our house’s sisters with these buns long-term in the future?"

The other courtesans in line cast longing glances. They weren't interested in the kidney buns or the meat buns, but no woman could resist the beauty-enhancing red bean buns.

"Ah, you can come buy them for the next five days."

The customers’ willingness to support her was the greatest affirmation a chef could ask for, and Lu Wu was very happy. However, she was on a system mission. The food she sold and the location where she sold it were all determined by the system; she couldn't promise anything beyond that. As sorry as she felt for the sisters, she wanted to cultivate immortality. For the sake of the system rewards, she couldn't stay in one place for too long.

"Why only five days?" Furong asked, and the others pricked up their ears.

"Boss Lu, if you have any difficulties, just say so. I believe there’s nothing in Xiaohe Town that I can’t handle," Lou Xiaotian added.

"That’s right, Boss Lu, is someone giving you trouble? Is someone threatening you? Tell us, and we’ll go smash their head in."

Faced with the protection of a group of violent cultivators, Lu Wu was touched but politely declined.

"No, there are no difficulties."

"I just want to try making more varieties of food, and my stall location won't be fixed in the future, so I can't make any promises."

Under the confused gazes of the crowd, Lu Wu arranged the freshly steamed buns. She looked at the long line that had formed and hesitated before saying, "To ensure everyone gets a taste, there is a limit of two buns per person today."