Steel torrents pioneering a different world

Chapter 137 The Secret of the Face Tree! Differential Treatment for the Rich and the Captives of Delicious Food (A massive 10,000-word update, please vote!)
Another world, a new materials research lab.

A pungent, burnt smell mingled with an indescribable, strange sweetness that permeated the entire cabin.

On the test bench, a piece of material resembling a human face tree, which should have possessed magical properties, had now been completely reduced to a lump of black charcoal.

Chu Zhiheng stared intently at that piece of trash, feeling his brain pounding.

He slapped his forehead hard, making his already thinning head even worse.

"Hold!"

"What the hell is this thing?!"

Am I such a useless, trashy person?

Suppressed roars escaped from the throat of the associate senior researcher at the Northwestern Polytechnical University's High-Tech Research Laboratory.

He led many groundbreaking national-level projects before he was even forty years old, truly a prodigy.

But ever since I came to this godforsaken place, I feel like my worldview, along with the scientific theories I was so proud of, has been repeatedly rubbed into the ground.

His Dao heart was shattered like glass flowers from Sichuan and Chongqing.

"Old Chu, what's with the wailing? It's so annoying!" A gruff voice came from the next workstation. "Take a break, have some water, and get ready to blow up the next furnace."

A colleague, also wearing a white coat and with dark circles under his eyes, walked over carrying an enamel mug and slammed it heavily onto his desk.

Chu Zhiheng raised his bloodshot eyes and exhaled a long breath, as if he wanted to expel all the pent-up frustration from his lungs.

He picked up the jar and drank the lukewarm boiled water in one gulp, barely managing to piece together his shattered Dao heart.

The tree with human faces...

These three words are now like a curse, playing on repeat in his mind.

The electronic scanning device in the laboratory had thoroughly analyzed the elven dagger, confirming that its main body was a human-faced tree, possessing a series of contradictory characteristics that even slightly subverted the existing framework of physics.

But when it came to the remake phase, everything changed.

Forget about 100% replication, they can't even do the most basic material shaping.

Every attempt is an expensive and time-consuming failed test!
Although it's said that failure is the mother of success...
But research that's making no progress is so frustrating!
"Old Wang, do you think... we've taken the wrong path?" Chu Zhiheng's voice was a little hoarse.

The researcher, known as Old Wang, leaned against the lab table and pursed his lips: "Who knows? This other world is full of treasures, but turning these treasures into something usable is harder than climbing to heaven."

The research and analysis of new materials in the other world are challenging for everyone, but the emotional issues that are bound to arise are not lacking at all.

For example, TNT took a month of back-and-forth troubleshooting before it finally stabilized.

The complexity of face trees is many times greater than that of TNT, and everyone had already prepared for the possibility of no results for a long time.

Chu Zhiheng complained a few times, then slapped himself a few times before pulling up the analysis data of the face tree and the previous synthesis report to look for possibilities.

Behind each row and column of cold data lies an unimaginable miracle.

【Red-leaved, white-barked tree with a human face pattern】

Scientists don't even call it a plant; instead, they refer to it as a "biomorphic magical complex."

The tree can grow up to 100 meters tall and is covered with red and white scaly bark. Its leaves are deep red all year round, and the veins of the leaves display a fluorescent pattern resembling a neural network under sunlight.

It is itself a powerful electromagnetic interference barrier.

When the Face Tree is intact, electromagnetic interference can affect a radius of 50 kilometers. Multiple Face Trees can also form a powerful electromagnetic barrier network, hindering the normal communication of modern high-tech electromagnetic equipment.

When the advance team first arrived here, the precision electronic components were severely interfered with. Only the most basic mechanical structures could function, which was largely due to the interference from the face tree.

Scientists are absolutely in love with this thing.

Analysis of reflected wave scanning confirmed that this thing's root system is more developed than that of any plant on Earth, extending deep underground. Perhaps it is this enormous root system that draws those so-called "magical particles" from the air and the depths of the earth in this world, which is what makes it extraordinary.

A complete adult-face tree can expand a "field" with a radius of fifty kilometers centered on itself. Within this field, all magical effects are amplified.

Previously, rockets launched by the military would inexplicably deflect before reaching their targets. That invisible force remains the ultimate research topic that all scientists and military personnel covet.

If we could crack the mystery and solve the problem of manipulating electrons at the microscopic level of energy, achieving the grand unified theory that the physics community has been dreaming of would be difficult, but humanity could master electromagnetic energy shields, increasing its combat power and destructive force many times over.

This tree is a treasure trove, priceless!
But now, these treasures are visible, but intangible.

"Damn it..." Chu Zhiheng scratched his hair in frustration, and a few precious and extremely rare strands of hair fell down again.

He stared intently at the microscopic structure diagram of the elven dagger on the screen, comparing it with the analysis report of the lump of coke next to it.

Failure, failure, and more failure.

and many more!

Chu Zhiheng's pupils suddenly contracted, and he sprang up from his chair as if he had been electrocuted.

He rushed to the screen, his finger almost poking into the monitor, zooming in on a microscopic detail of the Elf Dagger.

That was at the molecular bond of the material, in a region they had previously labeled as "residual organic impurities".

Because of its extremely low content and the fact that it is instantly vaporized during high-temperature smelting, it has been largely ignored.

But now, when Chu Zhiheng looked at that failed coke again, the crystal structure of its carbonized form was surprisingly similar in detail to that "impurity"!

A crazy idea, like a thunderclap, exploded on his head, which was about to become barren.

They've been using Earth-based thinking—smelting, forging, high-pressure molding.

But if...

What if the elves were never the ones who "forged" this dagger?

Chu Zhiheng's hands trembled slightly. He turned around and yelled at Lao Wang, who was still drinking water, "Lao Wang! Quick! Bring me a set of culture dishes from the biology department! The highest grade kind!"

"Also, I remember we collected a blood sample from an elf before, please request to thaw one sample!"

Old Wang hurriedly went to mobilize the resources, and a few minutes later, his somewhat annoyed voice rang out: "Damn it, which bastard used up all the elf blood?"

"what?"
-

"Blood draw? A large amount?"

Su Mingjin's temples throbbed as she looked at the application that popped up on her communicator.

She rubbed her temples, feeling that the amount of frustrating research she was doing lately was increasing.

The people in charge of life sciences wanted to be more energetic and skilled, citing the human lifespan enhancement plan as their reason. This was a very solid argument, and she approved it.

Those Taoist priests who pretended to be otherworldly and had a sincere heart also came to apply, saying they wanted to use the blood of elves to draw talismans and try to create something supernatural. Their reasons were very mystical, but since it was specially approved by the higher-ups, she had no choice but to comply.

Now, Chu Zhiheng from the materials analysis group has also joined in the fun, and his reason is even more outrageous—to use elf blood as a catalyst to synthesize new materials!
How is this any different from magical alchemy?
Oh, there's magic here!
Su Mingjin thought of those scientists who had recently developed dark circles under their eyes, were losing clumps of hair, and some were even secretly smearing failed materials on their faces, hoping for some kind of miracle... She swallowed her words back.

Garlic bird!

This hot potato should be passed on to the professionals.

With a swipe of her finger, she forwarded the other party's application to Gong Pengfei.

"Impossible! If they won't give us the quantity, we'll never give them again!"

Upon seeing the email, Gong Pengfei immediately dialed Chu Zhiheng's number.

“President Su, we’ve just established the most basic trust with that female elf! Now we’re going to tell her, ‘Hello, we’d like to draw a few more vials of your blood for our experiments’? What’s the difference between that and those lunatics who kidnap people for research!”

Chu Zhiheng on the other end of the phone was clearly also holding back his anger, his voice hoarse as he argued, "Team Leader Gong, everyone else has already given it to us. I have made a major discovery: Elven blood is very likely a special biological catalyst, the key to the dagger's formation!"

"Use other blood! Pig blood, cow blood, fish blood. Even rat blood from another world will do, just stop trying to get your hands on the elves!" Gong Pengfei's attitude was firm, and he wouldn't budge an inch.

There was only one female elf captive, and she was treated like a precious treasure.

Recently, various scientific groups have been taking turns to draw samples, one today and another tomorrow.

I can't afford it!

"By now, that female elf has had at least 800 milliliters of blood drawn! 800 milliliters!" Gong Pengfei practically roared. "Even a pig would be limp for days after being bled like that, let alone such a precious intelligent life! If something happens to her, who will be responsible? Will you, Chu Zhiheng, be responsible?!"

Gong Pengfei was still hoping to build a good relationship with the other party to pave the way for comprehensive cooperation in the future. He absolutely could not let these research fanatics destroy the bridge.

The call was abruptly cut off. Chu Zhiheng gripped the communicator, the veins on the back of his hand bulging.

He walked out of the office without a word and paced restlessly in the corridor, his bald head reflecting a cold, hard light under the lamp.

A few minutes later, a new application was submitted to Su Mingjin's system.

[Request for a large quantity of fresh blood from animals, especially those from other worlds, for an urgent materials science research project.]

Looking at the application, Su Mingjin sighed and forwarded it directly to Commander Fu of the Logistics Department.

"Commander Fu, can this application be approved?"

"Yes, but it will take time." Brigade Commander Fu's voice was as steady as ever. "We need to wait until the far north is cleared and the oil extraction route is completed. Five days, um... five days later, once the road is cleared, I will immediately send troops to capture it."

"Okay, I'll reply to him."

……

In the laboratory, Chu Zhiheng clenched his fists, his eyes filled with resentment, as he looked at the reply that came in "five days."

five days?

With so many research teams racing against time, if someone else manages to get the results, they probably won't even get the right to name them.

Daylily should be served cold!
Moreover, inspiration is fleeting, and he now desperately wants to immerse himself in a petri dish to figure out exactly what that "organic impurity" is.

He stared intently at the microscopic structure diagram on the screen, his mind a jumbled mess.

“Old Wang…” Chu Zhiheng suddenly spoke, his voice dry as if sandpaper was rubbing, “I read the reports from the Taoist priests about drawing talismans. They said that… a person’s essence, energy and spirit can also trigger some special changes.”

Old Wang was leaning against the lab bench drinking goji berry water when he heard this. He was stunned, his heart skipped a beat, and he had a bad feeling: "Old Chu, what... what do you want to do?"

Chu Zhiheng suddenly turned around, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Old Wang, a look that sent chills down Old Wang's spine.

"We have to wait for the blood of animals from another world, and the blood of elves is out of the question."

Chu Zhiheng licked his chapped lips, slowly raised his arm, and looked down at his veins.

"Old Wang, tell me... are we humans considered advanced animals?"

"Could our blood...be used to keep things going for now?"

Old Wang raised an eyebrow, looked at Chu Zhiheng who seemed to have gone mad, and after a long while, finally squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth.

"...I knew it, following you would inevitably lead to trouble. This is just not logical at all!"

"But there are successful precedents."

Old Wang laughed: "So, whose turn should we draw first?"
-

In the modern world, at a certain combat club.

Lin Li is being beaten by a group of righteous people.

Three agile and nimble professional fencers are forming a triangular formation with perfect coordination, the tips of their training swords simultaneously thrusting at the center of the formation from three tricky angles.

"clang!"

Lin Li reacted extremely quickly, twisting his waist and swinging his sword to parry the frontal attack.

But the two swords on his flanks struck his ribs and back squarely, making two dull "bang" sounds.

Fortunately, the thick training protective gear absorbed most of the force, only causing him to sway.

"Come again!"

Lin Li let out a low roar and instead of retreating, he advanced, attempting to break through a gap with brute force.

His speed and strength far surpass those of ordinary people, but his skills appear crude and unskilled compared to these professional athletes.

The three opponents coordinated seamlessly, with one leading the attack and the other two providing support, like three slippery venomous snakes that could always find gaps in his defense.

Another ten minutes passed, and Lin Li's entire protective gear was covered with white impact marks, and his breathing became heavy.

"Stop, stop!"

He finally couldn't hold on any longer, raised his hand to signal a pause, and leaned against the sword, panting heavily.

The three coaches took off their helmets, and one of them, a middle-aged man with a square face, walked over with a smile and patted Lin Li on the shoulder.

"Brother Lin, your stamina is truly monstrous. But your fighting style is too wild, like a wild boar charging, leaving you vulnerable all over."

Another younger coach laughed and said, "Yeah, he's strong, but his technique is too messy. If the three of us weren't wearing protective gear, we'd all have broken a few bones by now, but you'd have to lie down too."

Lin Li took off his helmet, wiped the sweat from his face, and revealed a somewhat helpless yet hearty smile: "Thanks a lot for your guidance, brothers. Otherwise, I would have really thought I was invincible. Come on, it's my treat, let's go eat!"

These are all national team sparring partners that Zhong Mengyao asked her friends to invite from Beijing, specifically to provide special training and strengthen Lin Li.

The coaches were all straightforward people. After a few drinks, they started talking freely, analyzing Lin Li's shortcomings without reservation and imparting many practical fighting techniques.

After a satisfying meal and seeing off the coaches, Lin Li had just gotten into his car when his phone vibrated.

It was a text message from Zhong Mengyao, who had disappeared for two days.

"I heard you got beaten up pretty badly today? A friend of mine won a great opportunity to broaden his horizons in a raffle. A very high-end business banquet is going to be held in Shanghai with the theme of 'New Seafood'. Are you interested in coming and seeing what it's like? I heard that some of the ingredients are so expensive that you can't buy them even if you have the money."

Lin Li's eyes lit up instantly.

New seafood?
You can't buy it even if you have money?

He understood the subtext of those words: it was just some good stuff that had been salvaged from another world!

The resources that the soldiers who pioneered the front lines have obtained are now finally going to be served on the tables of the modern world.

This is more than just a meal.

I also contributed to their success by cheering them on from behind the scenes.

He replied immediately: "Yes! When?"

The message was sent out almost instantly, and Zhong Mengyao replied with a playful smiley face emoji.

"I knew you were a foodie. I'll send you the invitation later. See you there!"

"understand!"

After replying to the message, Lin Li leaned back in his chair, a strange sense of accomplishment welling up inside him.

Although he had never tried, he could almost smell the unique aroma from the deep sea of ​​another world.

This is what it feels like to lie down and enjoy yourself!

after one day!

On the banks of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, a private club that is not usually open to the public is brightly lit.

Those who can get in here are either rich or powerful.

But tonight, even money might not be enough.

Lin Li, dressed in clothes costing 200 yuan from Pinduoduo, followed the address sent by Zhong Mengyao, had a taxi stop a few hundred meters away, and strolled over.

The security guard at the entrance, dressed in a suit and exuding a composed demeanor, glanced at him before approaching.

"Hello, here's the invitation." One of them held out his hand, his voice completely flat.

Lin Li handed over the electronic invitation on his phone. The other person scanned it with a professional device, and after a soft "beep," glanced at Lin Li's face, smiled, and stepped aside to make way for him.

The whole process was swift and efficient, without a single wasted word.

Lin Li glanced at the outline of the gun at the other party's waist and thought to himself that this was more elaborate than any business event he had ever attended.

As you enter the banquet hall, melodious classical music flows in your ears, and well-dressed men and women hold wine glasses, chatting in small groups.

Lin Li scanned the area but couldn't find Zhong Mengyao. However, he did see many business tycoons, some super tycoons who frequently appeared on television, and some blond-haired, blue-eyed individuals.

Some people were surprised to see Lin Li's attire, but they didn't say anything.

He found a seat and waited for the meal to begin when a clear, cheerful voice rang out behind him.

"Ha, you're here so early!"

Lin Li turned around and saw Zhong Mengyao standing with her arms crossed, looking at him with amusement.

Today she wore a well-tailored black evening gown, her long hair was pulled up, revealing her fair neck. She looked less dashing than usual, but more stunning.

"You too!" Lin Li grabbed another piece and mumbled indistinctly.

"This banquet is of a very high standard!"

"Yes, a lot of important people have come. It seems to be paving the way for a new product."

"I really don't know what kind of good stuff it is."

“It must be something really good! I’ve never had a chance to try it before, but this time…” Zhong Mengyao suddenly realized she had let something slip and immediately stopped talking.

Lin Li ignored the other party, instead taking a sip of champagne with a satisfied smile, his gaze sweeping across the room.

The lights in the banquet hall suddenly dimmed, and a spotlight shone on the small stage in front.

The host walked onto the stage, and it turned out to be Sa Beining, the host of CCTV's "Marathon."

He walked onto the stage and announced in a magnetic voice, "Distinguished guests, thank you for coming. Tonight's theme—New Seafood Therapy—is about to unveil its mysteries. The first dish, 'The Ultimate in the Icefield,' is for you to savor."

As soon as he finished speaking, the waiters pushed the food carts and brought out plates covered with silver lids to each person.

Lin Li rubbed his hands together, his eyes shining, and stared at the plate in front of him.

I'm coming!

He ate a piece like a cow chewing on a peony, nodded slightly, and thought to himself, no wonder those soldiers praised it so highly; it really is a top-notch delicacy.

That night, countless people who tasted the delicious food were captivated by these new ingredients.

Some elderly wealthy individuals inquired why these delicacies left them feeling warm and comfortable. "That's the magic of our scientifically prepared ingredients. They're made from our extracted biological extracts. The yield is very low…it possesses miraculous effects, it can…"

I heard from Xiao Sa that he really likes these things, and only a few hundred tons are produced each year. Moreover, in the future, they will only accept reservations from members, which shows that they have incredible power.

"How much does that cost?"

"Membership costs at least tens of millions of yuan a year, and meals are extra."

Upon hearing this, wealthy businessmen placed orders one after another.

Lin Li and Zhong Mengyao, who were just freeloading, also received a permanent VIP membership card.

With this membership card, he can enjoy free tastings at upscale restaurants that will be established in various locations in the future.

These wealthy people were overjoyed, willing to spend countless sums of money on a single meal.

But they didn't know that these things were just the daily diet of the soldiers on the front lines.
-

Shanghai, one of the world's leading megacities, boasts the most luxurious venues, where countless high-end business events are held every day.

With the opening of a new round of mega-tech exchange forums, Shanghai was once again packed with people.

Top business people, political teams, and tech gurus from around the world flocked to the event, like iron filings drawn to a magnet.

The forum, spearheaded by Southeast University, ostensibly aims to promote global cooperation and enhance world trade.

In reality, it's more like a muscle show with mixed exhibition elements.

This week-long, comprehensive, mega-exhibition, besides showcasing cutting-edge robots and AI models, truly captivates visitors with the opportunities hidden behind the scenes.

The influx of so many important figures has put immense pressure on Shanghai's security and reception capabilities.

Online, both domestically and internationally, videos of robots dancing and AI creating art have gone viral.

No matter how much Western media promote and criticize the threat from the East, they cannot stop this overwhelming heat.

At the height of its popularity, some special booths quietly appeared in a corner of the exhibition.

Some young men with short hair and a strong military style directly served as staff and cooks.

These people had indifferent expressions and did not follow the usual custom of greeting guests with a smile, making them seem very arrogant.

On this day, Abdul, a wealthy prince from the desert, was idly strolling around the exhibition hall.

He wore a pure white robe and his signature desert turban, which alone could be traded for a brand-new Xiaomi SU7.

Surrounding them were translators, security personnel, representatives from the machinery manufacturer, and guides sent by the authorities—a grand and impressive procession.

Wherever he went, countless burning gazes almost melted him.

The owners of the small and medium-sized enterprises participating in the exhibition stared expectantly, hoping that this gentleman would take a liking to their products and then shower them with money until they were completely overwhelmed.

Unfortunately, they don't understand Abdul.

As one of the hundreds of princes and princesses in the royal family, Abdul did not want to live a life of idleness and complacency.

He is ambitious, and he came here hoping to make a name for himself.

I finally managed to secure an official travel slot this time because I wanted to come here to seek out opportunities and find things that could change the country's industrial structure.

However, reality is much harsher.

He's been here for quite a while, but he's had very few investment opportunities.

Truly top talents may work independently, but most talents are concentrated in the hands of the government.

At least they have official backing. Do you really think that private airlines and the like can be run by private individuals?
People from the aerospace system are involved behind the scenes.

Do you really think that SF Express's delivery drones were researched purely for civilian use and then requisitioned?

In fact, these things were designed from the very beginning to be for both military and civilian use.

Qualifications are important, but connections are even more important.

People with connections, skills, and qualifications will never lack investment funds in the East.

Arab businessmen are investing in various sectors around the world, with an increasing focus on the scientific field.

However, they have actually captured very few high-level scientific research talents with money.

There's no way around it; the infrastructure and research environment in this wealthy country are simply too... outdated.

The Western world is not simply blocking the East; it is blocking others as well.

Both robotics and artificial intelligence are cutting-edge technologies, and many of them require significant funding. In order to secure suitable investment this time, he brought a large number of technical personnel with him.

Unfortunately, he hasn't found a suitable investment project yet.

Having so much money at his disposal, he didn't want his precious pocket money and the initial capital that would affect his future political career to go down the drain.

He saw an interesting exhibit, smiled, and went over to learn more about it through a translator.

Listening to that reserved Easterner explain the future of these things, and thinking about the military and later commercial prospects of these products, I realized that they were just some imitations that hadn't broken out of their mindset.

"It's estimated that it won't be long before it's absorbed and swallowed up by some people!"

He smiled broadly, acknowledging the other party's advanced technology, and wore an exaggerated smile, appearing to be full of goodwill and sincerity.

In reality, he was inwardly complaining, but after waiting for the other party to finish speaking, he smiled and rejected this highly homogenized robot developer who was trying to fool him like a fool.

He then headed towards other areas.

Someone tried to fool him, this "easy target," with a generic template and a different exterior. He wasn't worth wasting his smile on!
He waved his hand, and his security personnel stopped the robot developer who wanted to follow, leading his men deeper into the exhibition hall.

"Your Highness, the brain-computer interface and biotechnology exhibition area is on the right. Perhaps there's something you'd like to see there..."

Before the guide could finish speaking, Abdul suddenly stopped.

He twitched his nose, his brows furrowed, and then a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

A peculiar fragrance drifted faintly from afar.

The taste was sweet, but not cloying; instead, it carried a refreshing allure that penetrated to the very core of one's being, making every cell in his body instinctively yearn for it.

As a prince who grew up eating top-quality dates and delicious camels, he was extremely picky about sweet and fragrant flavors, but this aroma was more domineering than any delicacy he could remember.

"what is that?"

Abdul raised his chin and pointed to a corner in the distance.

His translator looked in the direction of the finger, then glanced down at the exhibition hall layout map in his hand, and his expression instantly became somewhat strange.

“Uh, Your Highness, that was an official, temporary booth, mainly for… showcasing food.”

"Food? Food at a technology conference exhibition?"

Abdul's voice carried a hint of confusion.

He sniffed again; that unique fragrance now smelled even more alluring than the perfume worn by the most beautiful woman in his harem.

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.

He immediately made a judgment: the chefs who could occupy a place in such a setting either had extremely powerful connections or possessed something that even the Eastern government valued highly.

Either way, it's worth taking a look.

Without saying a word, he strode off in that direction, followed by a large group of people.

Before I even got close, a cacophony of complaints drifted over.

"Ten thousand yuan a serving? You have to bring your ID to eat here? And you can't even taste it or look at it, you have to pay right away? This isn't how you rob people!"

"What is this thing that's so precious that you can't offer it for free? At least let me see what it is!"

"You're crazy! Let's go, it's just a publicity stunt!"

Many people gathered in front of the booth, but most left in a huff and a huff, their faces full of anger at being made a fool of.

Abdul's shrewd eyes swept over his translator.

The translator's forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat as he racked his brains, trying to translate the crude complaints to the prince in the most tactful and elegant way possible.

"Your Highness, the guests are praising the price of this dish...it's very unique, and they believe it reflects its exceptional value."

Upon hearing that a serving costs 10,000 yuan, even Abdul's eyes widened slightly.

Ten thousand yuan is nothing to him, but the fact that food at this price is here is highly unusual.

As a knowledgeable person, he knew that luxury goods in the East and luxury goods in the West were completely different things.

Western luxury goods are stories.

Luxury goods from the East are truly luxury goods with stories and cultural heritage!
He looked at the overly simple booth, which stood out starkly against the surrounding high-end technology exhibition halls, and instead became very interested in it.

In his view, those so-called elites who were deterred by the price were nothing more than mediocre people kept out of the door.

"Interesting." A smile played on his lips. "I'd like to see what kind of delicacy dares to sell for the price of gold here!"

Abdul straightened his back, and with security personnel parting the murmuring crowd, he walked straight to the booth.

He didn't speak directly to the staff member, but instead turned his head to look at his translator, his eyes fixed on the simple stall, looking quite interested.

"Ask him what delicacies are being sold here, and whether they're delicious?"

The translator quickly stepped forward and repeated the prince's question in fluent Chinese.

The short-haired young man didn't even lift his eyelids, speaking sparingly: "It's delicious."

The translator was taken aback, then asked again, "Then... could I try a small bite first?"

"Pay first." The young man finally raised his head, his gaze calm and indifferent, and pointed to the QR code sign next to him. "One serving costs 10,000 yuan. No credit, no tastings."

"By the way, for those who don't have their ID, it's $10,000 per person, which means you'll have to pay 70,000 RMB!"

The translator was now completely embarrassed.

Damn it, are you trying to discriminate against me?
Didn't I know this was the noble prince of the desert?

What kind of attitude is this? How can you treat international friends like this?

He wanted to speak further, but several officials behind him stepped back and did not participate in the matter, which alerted the astute translator to something amiss.

Something's weird!!!

He followed the prince around, and wherever he went at the exposition, he was greeted with a smile and treated as an honored guest.

I have never seen such a disrespectful and rude merchant.
The other party's "take it or leave it" attitude infuriated him, and he couldn't figure out what the other party was up to.

Before he could express his dissatisfaction in harsh words, Abdul behind him let out a soft laugh.

"interesting."

The prince's attention was no longer on the food, but on the staff member.

With short hair and an upright posture, his seemingly relaxed demeanor belies the sharp lines of his back, resembling a javelin.

He looked very thin, but he was full of energy and strength. His skin was dark from being exposed to the sun for a long time. When his eyes swept over, there was a sense of scrutiny in his calmness.

Most importantly, his hands were covered with distinct knuckles and thick calluses on the base of his thumbs, clearly the result of holding a gun.

Abdul had served in the army, so this feeling was all too familiar to him.

This is not a staff member, nor a cook or a businessman; this is a rigorously trained Eastern soldier.

Send soldiers disguised as staff to guard a bizarre food stall?

Abdul's gaze swept subtly over the several Eastern officials accompanying him not far behind him.

He noticed that the men were looking at him with smiles.

He instantly understood.

This is hardly a food exhibition booth; it's clearly a fishhook that the authorities prepared specifically for him, a "special customer," under the guise of the expo.

Having figured this out, his interest grew even stronger, and he directly instructed his entourage, "Pay up. I'd love to see what it is that would make our Eastern friends go to such lengths."

An attendant immediately stepped forward, took out his phone, and pointed it at the QR code.

With a soft "ding," the payment of 10 RMB was successfully received.

Only then did the receptionist finally show a faint smile and ask the translator, "What flavor would you like?"

The interpreter quickly moved closer to the prince and whispered, "Your Highness, what flavor would you like?"

"Oh? There's another option?" Abdul raised an eyebrow.

“Yes,” the translator’s expression turned very strange. He carefully chose his words, trying to make his voice sound normal. “There are… those that nourish yin and yang, strengthen the body, and enhance metabolism.”

Even though Abdul was a man of great experience, he was taken aback when he heard these options, and then a look of astonishment flashed in his eyes.

He cleared his throat and said in a serious tone, "I'm a Muslim, so I have to be halal and can't have fermented grape juice. You know, that... good for your health, I guess."

"Ok."

The other party nodded, turned around, and dragged out a silver-white metal box from under the display stand.

The box looked like a small safe, and when it was opened, a chilling white vapor came out.

He put on a professional chef's hat and disposable gloves, and took out a bright red fish that was only about 30 centimeters long.

"It looks a lot like a redfin snapper, but it's so beautiful!"

The fish was frozen solid, like a piece of red crystal.

With a flick of his wrist, a short blade appeared in his hand.

After cleaning the scales and gutting the fish, the man flicked his wrist, and slices of fish meat as thin as cicada wings were precisely sliced ​​off and neatly arranged on an exquisite white porcelain plate.

The fish meat is a translucent reddish-brown color, shimmering with a crystal-like luster under the light, with clearly visible textures.

He prepared a seemingly simple sauce, pushed it to the front of the display stand, and nodded with his chin toward Abdul, indicating that he could eat it.

A loyal servant immediately stepped forward, blocking the prince's path, ready to test the poison for his master as was customary.

"Go back."

Abdul's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

He pushed the servant aside and stepped forward himself.

He picked up the pair of bamboo chopsticks, a style unique to the East, with practiced ease, clearly not the first time he had used them.

Pick up a piece of fish, dip it lightly in the sauce, and put it in your mouth.

The fish melts in your mouth.

An indescribable, refreshing sweetness exploded on his taste buds. It was a flavor that no top-quality ingredient he had ever tasted could compare to. It was pure and clean, as if it carried the chill of a snow-capped mountain peak, instantly washing over his entire mouth and invigorating him.

Abdul paused for a moment.

He picked up another piece of fish, and this time, without dipping it in any sauce, he put it directly into his mouth.

Without the slight saltiness of the sauce, the intense sweetness becomes even more overwhelming, like a clear spring rushing straight to the top of your head. Every taste bud is cheering, sending an unparalleled sense of satisfaction to your brain.

"Well……"

He couldn't help but let out a satisfied hum, then closed his eyes and immersed himself completely in this feast for the senses.

The servants and translators around him exchanged bewildered glances, their faces filled with confusion and unease at their prince's unusual behavior.

Is this stuff... really that delicious?
The man remained expressionless, but a barely perceptible smile seemed to flicker deep in his eyes.

Soon, Abdul devoured the plate of fish in no time.

He put down his chopsticks and let out a long sigh of relief. A moment later, he felt a warm current rise from his stomach and slowly flow to his limbs and bones.

It wasn't the heat of a full meal, but a gentle, vibrant warmth.

It might have been a psychological effect, or it might have been something else, that dispelled the fatigue of his days of travel and made him feel like every cell in his body was relaxed.

"This warm feeling..." Abdul opened his eyes, staring intently at the man, "is this what they call 'strengthening the body'?"

"Hmm!" The other person blinked, then nodded sparingly.

Even the translator's expression turned strange.

He glanced at the serious-looking staff, then at the seemingly unwavering prince, and at the numerous officials behind him. He wanted to remind His Highness that this might be psychological, but dared not speak.

Abdul's servants were so anxious they were practically scratching their heads, fearing their master had been deceived by this Eastern "charlatan."

But Abdul's mind was in turmoil at that moment.

Why show these things?

Is food the key to unlocking something?
Even if it's not a stepping stone, it seems like I can still learn some etiquette through this.

He instantly understood the value behind it.

If... if we could obtain the exclusive distribution rights for this product throughout the entire desert region, what would that mean?
wealth?

No, he already has plenty of wealth. That's a bargaining chip that's stronger than gold and oil.

If my 85-year-old father can eat this and stay healthy...

This should allow him to stand out among his arrogant brothers and uncles and step into the core of the family's power council with his head held high, right?
Thinking of this, Abdul's gaze towards the staff member completely changed.

It was no longer curiosity, but the burning desire and greed of a hungry wolf when it sees its prey.

"What should I do if I want to get more of these things?"

"Sir, we operate on a membership system. The annual membership fee is $1000 million per person. Meal costs for each meal are calculated separately!!!"

(End of this chapter)