novelraw Chapter 141: There Might Be Monsters on This Ship
Chapter 141: There Might Be Monsters on This Ship
Chen Qi asked curiously:
"Captain, what kind of passengers are on your ship?"
Captain Gold-Tooth sighed:
"To be honest, sir, this ship is carrying nothing but distinguished VIPs, including even a third-tier doctor.
You should know that in our Witch Sea region, many transactions are conducted aboard ships.
Soon, they'll be holding a trading banquet onboard. Unfortunately, these guests are extremely picky - they want not just bunny girls, but male hosts too, along with gourmet dishes prepared by top chefs."
Male hosts? Bunny girls?
Chen Qi frowned. What kind of pleasure cruise was this?
Suddenly, he noticed Captain Gold-Tooth looking at him with hopeful eyes.
The captain realized that if this chef cleaned up properly, he actually had decent looks!He could totally work as a host!
The only pity was lacking some distinctive features.
Under the influence of Goldenfinch Kingdom's culture, the host profession had become fiercely competitive.
It required not just looks and eloquence, but also special traits like cat ears, dog tails, demon horns, or slime hands.
Failing that, one needed some extraordinary talent that could wow the crowd.
"I'm a respectable person."
Chen Qi emphasized.
As heir to the Deep Sea Hunters, he would never sell himself! Not in this lifetime!
Captain Gold-Tooth sighed:
"What a shame..."
Then suddenly, the captain slapped his balding head.
This chef before him was none other than the renowned chef from Moonstone City!
His culinary skills would be perfect for this banquet.
Forcing a smile, Captain Gold-Tooth immediately stuffed the 100,000 shell coins back into Chen Qi's hands:
"No, that's not what I meant, Chef. You're the owner of the Water Spirit Restaurant, right?
Our dining room currently lacks a famous chef. If you help us with this banquet, we're willing to pay you 500,000 shell coins. How about it?"
Chen Qi pondered for a moment.
500,000 shell coins just for one night's cooking!
That paid better than selling his body!
Currently, he only had about 4 million shell coins in cash - 500,000 was no small sum.
Moreover, if this was a trading banquet, that meant skill cards would be sold there.
He could use his chef identity to participate in the trades.
After some thought, Chen Qi replied:
"No problem."
Captain Gold-Eye said to Chen Qi:
"Guest, if you're going to the banquet hall, please make sure to dress properly. These guests are very particular - they absolutely won't want to see someone who looks like a drowned rat.
My guests... none of them are people to trifle with. They all have... peculiar tempers."
After speaking, Captain Gold-Tooth stood disheveled in the rain, looking utterly pitiful and helpless.
Clearly, the passengers aboard weren't people a mere second-tier captain could control.
Due to the storm and ghost ship incident, their banquet preparations had stalled.
Thankfully, they'd run into a chef along the way.
"I understand..."
Chen Qi accepted their request.
For safety's sake, he left Deepsea Water Spirits No.4 and No.5 behind to guard his small houseboat.
If anyone dared trespass, the water spirits could notify him immediately.
"Please follow me."
Led by Captain Gold-Tooth and a bunny girl, Chen Qi entered the cabin and dried his soaked body with a towel.
In stark contrast to the storm outside, the cabin was brightly lit and exuded luxury.
On his way to the kitchen, he passed by the banquet hall.
Two golden wall lamps at the entrance cast soft light like elegant greeters welcoming guests into this enchanting space.
The long tables were set with exquisite tableware and pastries.
High-class, grand, top-notch!
Chen Qi was mildly impressed. As a chef, this was his first time seeing such an opulent banquet hall.
Unfortunately, the atmosphere inside was quite gloomy.
At the center, a well-dressed man and woman chatted loudly.
The woman screeched:
"Damn ghost ships daring to steal my dresses! One day, my Wild Hound Hunters will slaughter them all!"
"Keep dreaming! Your little hunter group capturing ghost ships?"
"Better count your coins. I heard guests from that place are coming with rare goods!"
"I call dibs on anything floral or beauty-related!"
"When will this banquet start? Why aren't they serving food yet!"
Because of the ghost ship encounter, all the guests were in foul moods.
Activating White Pigeon Perception, Chen Qi's gaze unconsciously drifted to a corner.
At the hall's edge sat a straight-black-haired girl reading an anatomy book, seemingly isolated from the noisy atmosphere.
A voluptuous blonde flirted with two golden-haired sailors.
There was also a white-cloaked figure sitting cross-legged by the entrance, muttering strange incantations.
......
......
Many transcendents openly displayed weapons at their waists.
Why does this feel familiar? Chen Qi studied the black-haired girl carefully before saying to Captain Gold-Tooth:
"Captain, you didn't run background checks before letting them aboard, did you?"
Real business banquets wouldn't have people flaunting weapons so brazenly.
This armed crowd resembled more of a mafia or pirate gathering.
While some wealthy individuals were present, pirates had definitely infiltrated the group!
Captain Gold-Tooth smiled helplessly without denial:
"Sir, what can we do? We're just an ordinary passenger ship. It's impossible to thoroughly vet everyone.
Besides, this is a noble's banquet.
Even if there are pirates with bounties exceeding tens of millions aboard, we're powerless."
I see... Chen Qi muttered, remaining vigilant.
Need to be careful - there are third-tier transcendents here.
The crowd might be mixed, but this unconventional trading event could be more interesting than regular ones.
Next, Chen Qi entered the kitchen and surveyed his fellow chefs.
Only five people worked there: two elderly Cup-affinity transcendent chefs (one blonde, one bald) and their three assistants.
Amid flying spatulas, leaping flames, and the ship's rocking, the kitchen was in chaos.
Seeing the limp water spirit on Chen Qi's head, the professionals immediately recognized him:
The chef from Water Spirit Restaurant!
As colleagues, they'd heard of his street stall fame.
With impatient guests waiting, Chen Qi didn't waste time. He deftly tied an apron and grabbed a spatula:
"Everyone, I'm here to help with cooking. Just tell me what needs doing."
An unlicensed chef who gained fame through competitions actually made White Pigeon Newspaper!
Many chefs had wanted to challenge him!
But given the urgency, his colleagues suppressed their competitive urges.
The bald head chef said:
"Thank heavens! We need help with the BoBo lobsters, abalone in sauce, fresh triple fish, and Inspiration squid balls."
All seafood, including transcendent ingredients... Chen Qi smiled. Though he disliked seafood, his Soul Seasoning specialized in enhancing natural flavors.
Perfect match!
Chen Qi confidently approached the lobsters:
"No problem."
He elegantly wielded a knife, trimming excess parts with graceful arcs.
The elderly head chef watched Chen Qi's unhurried technique and couldn't resist nitpicking.
Unprofessional! Mediocre knife skills!
Based on thirty years' experience, those movements resembled assassination techniques more than food preparation!
Did this chef's skills really match his reputation? Or was his boat just popular for cheap prices and water spirits?
"This won't do..."
The head chef shook his head and lectured:
"Sir, preparing BoBo lobsters requires speed and simultaneous cuts - finish before they realize what's happening.
If too slow, their agony spreads through the flesh, creating a slight bitterness!!"
Pain affects taste? What bizarre theory?
Chen Qi listened dumbfounded.
Though it did sound somewhat logical.
"I understand."
Chen Qi acknowledged his seafood knife skills might indeed lag behind veteran chefs.
Gritting his teeth, the head chef said gravely:
"Sir, I might be picky, but our guests tonight are extremely distinguished with unusual backgrounds.
If we fail to satisfy them, we might get beaten to death before any ghost ship robbery."
His hands trembled as he sighed deeply:
"Originally, there were three chefs aboard this ship..."
"That serious..."
Chen Qi instinctively tightened his grip on the knife.
Then the bald head chef glanced at the door, ensured no eavesdroppers, and whispered:
"Sigh... Sir, this ship might harbor pirates... and monsters from the deep sea..."
"Oh."