Stronger with More Jobs

Chapter 637 - 280: Veterans’ Tavern

"This is an old tradition since the establishment of our Arctic Great Wall, with one in each main living area."

"It was really started by retired soldiers from the blood-soaked mountains of corpses on the front line."

"Every time before an expedition or after a triumphant return, everyone loves to go there, have a drink, listen to stories, and share their own stories. It’s a place of... solace and remembrance. Now you are officially part of Abyss Hunting, holding real positions, and could receive orders to move out at any time. Experiencing the atmosphere there is quite nice."

Fang Qingyu exchanged glances with the team members and saw the interest in each other’s eyes.

Shikong and Liu Hanyan’s Team happily joined as well.

Under the guidance of Jiang Chengyue, the group passed through several relatively quiet streets and arrived at a stone-built two-story building looking quite old, with marks of time.

A weathered wooden sign hung above the door, engraved with four large characters in strong fonts.

Old Soldiers Tavern.

Upon pushing the door open, a mix of malt beer aroma, roasted meat fat scent, a faint tobacco smell, and the warmth of wood greeted, instantly dispelling the outside cold.

The tavern’s interior space was not small, but arranged to be exceptionally warm.

The wooden tables and chairs were polished smooth, the walls were covered with mottled weapons, yellowed old photographs, and specimen parts of various grotesque Life Ghosts.

The fireplace burned with real logs, crackling, and the orange-red flame leapt, reflecting faces in the tavern that were either weathered or young.

At this moment, there were many people in the tavern, gathered in groups of three or two.

Old soldiers in worn military uniforms, missing arms or legs but with bright eyes, were leisurely drinking.

Soldiers who had just rotated back from the front line, travel-worn, were talking and laughing loudly.

There were also newcomers like Fang Qingyu and his team, wearing brand-new military uniforms.

The atmosphere was lively but not noisy.

As soon as Fang Qingyu and the group of over ten people entered, they immediately attracted a lot of attention.

Especially their medals and new shoulder insignias, which were particularly eye-catching.

A middle-aged man wearing a washed-out apron, with a hideous scar on his face but a cheerful smile, came up immediately.

"Well! New faces! And all young talents! Welcome, welcome!"

The boss’s gaze swept over everyone’s shoulder insignias and medals, with a flash of understanding and respect in his eyes, warmly greeting, "Come, come! Please, over here! Let’s set up a big table for you!"

He energetically led everyone to the largest long wooden table by the fireplace.

Skillfully setting up the tables and chairs.

"Boss, we just want to order..." Chu Kuanglan just started to speak.

"Hey! Ordering, what ordering!" The boss waved his large hand, smiling boldly, "Here, you eat and drink whatever Old Scar arranges! Guaranteed to let you taste the real front-line flavor! Just wait here!"

Having said that, he hurriedly turned and headed to the kitchen, not giving anyone the chance to order.

Jiang Chengyue looked at everyone’s bewildered expressions and explained with a smile: "That’s the rule here. You eat whatever the boss arranges. It’s said that each day’s ingredients are brought back by patrol or hunting teams from the front line, strictly inspected to confirm they are edible... beast-like Life Ghost meat."

"You can hardly find it outside, it’s quite a feature. You can try it later, and if you really can’t take it, I’ll go outside and get you something else."

"Eating...Life Ghost meat?"

Liu Qingyan covered her mouth in surprise.

The others also showed mixed expressions.

Although they had fought Life Ghosts countless times, eating their meat?

The sensation was indeed a bit odd.

"Modified Martial Artists use Life Ghost materials, but directly eating the meat... it’s the first time I’ve heard of it."

Shikong also rubbed his bald head.

However, everyone had fought out from piles of corpses, and despite their deep hatred for Life Ghosts, after the initial shock, no one resisted. Instead, they became somewhat curious.

Soon, the chatty atmosphere heated up again.

Jiang Chengyue spoke about the subsequent consolidation and prosperity of Glazed Light City, Shikong shared interesting news heard within Abyss Hunting, while Chu Kuanglan playfully bickered with Lu Jiuyuan.

After about half an hour, a rich and intense aroma suddenly wafted from the kitchen, sweeping over the entire tavern.

The chatter at Fang Qingyu’s table instantly quieted down, all eyes turned to the source of the aroma.

Even the old soldiers sipping their drinks independently couldn’t help but sniff.

I saw the boss Old Scar, leading several assistants, carrying several huge metal trays still sizzling with oil bubbles, walking out.

The trays were piled with large chunks of golden-brownish crispy roasted meat, glistening with oil, accompanied by roasted fragrant tuber plants and a kind of emerald green ice plain wild vegetable.

"Here comes the ice plain hound’s hind leg meat! Fresh goods just delivered today! Enjoy while it’s hot!"

Old Scar exclaimed boldly, filling the long table with the aromatic roasted meat.

The meat texture was distinct, perfectly roasted, with a crispy golden crust beneath which was tender and juicy flesh. The fat shimmered invitingly under the light, mixed with the aroma of spices.

The dozen or so people at the table glanced at each other.

Finally, it was Fang Qingyu who moved the chopsticks first.

Picking up a piece of still piping hot meat, he blew on it and popped it in his mouth.

Fang Qingyu’s eyes lit up instantly.

Without a word, he reached straight for the second, third piece...

Beside him, Chu Kuanglan had been closely watching Fang Qingyu’s expression, seeing the scene, how could he not understand? He exclaimed, "Wow! Is it really that good?! Save some for me!"

Immediately transforming into a Taotie, his chopsticks danced like shadows, joining the sweeping army.

The others were also tempted by the aroma and Fang Qingyu and Chu Kuanglan’s eating expressions, so they eagerly picked up their chopsticks.