Chapter 335 – Treating Guests to a Meal Costs a Fortune

At this moment, even if Ye Kuang were the dullest person alive, he could clearly grasp the underlying meaning in the words of these old fellows before him.

Truly, “food is the paramount necessity of the people.” No matter how powerful one becomes, returning to simplicity, they would still stoop for a few drops of fragrant oil.

Noticing the Elder’s eyes gleaming with clear displeasure, Ye Kuang would be a fool not to catch the hint. After all, he prided himself on being a shrewd little fox.

“Sigh, having money doesn’t seem like such a blessing after all,” Ye Kuang mused aloud. “I recall there’s a renowned dining establishment in Northern Huan—what was it called again?”

“That would be the Northern Huan Feather Pavilion, the Food Heaven Manor!”

“Ah, yes, yes! That’s the one, that’s the one… I remember Food Heaven Manor is famed for its exquisite delicacies. How about I play host today? Shall we all go and see for ourselves?”

As he spoke, even Ye Kuang felt nauseated by his own hypocrisy.

Observing this, the Elder’s anger gradually subsided, replaced by an expression that clearly said, “It’s about time you learned some sense.”

Half an hour later, at Food Heaven Manor, Marquis Wu Hall.

One had to admit, upon entering the hall, the group almost felt as if they had been transported to a battlefield.

Before their eyes stretched a vast scene of a million gallant warriors, while their ears caught the faint, orderly sounds of military formations. The surroundings were meticulously arranged as replicas of ancient army tents: wine cups ready for toasting, a commander’s dispatch platform, and general’s tea tables positioned at the four corners.

For a moment, Ye Kuang and the others found themselves at a loss over who should take the commander’s seat.

“Um, well… I suppose I should take a lower seat,” Ye Kuang hesitantly offered.

“Enough with the nonsense! You take the top seat. Besides, you’ll be footing the bill later anyway.”

“That doesn’t seem quite appropriate…” Ye Kuang muttered, inwardly trembling at the thought.

Seeing this, the Elder couldn’t help but chuckle. “Enough, enough. This isn’t a real battlefield—why stand on ceremony? Everyone, take your seats.”

At his words, a group of stern-faced officers, armed to the teeth, gathered around the general’s tea tables and closed their eyes in meditation. Their aloof demeanor suggested they couldn’t care less about the seating hierarchy.

Meanwhile, Ye Kuang watched as everyone settled into their seats, only to freeze in disbelief.

The reason? The main hall had only one seat left—the commander’s dispatch platform.

It was only then that he began to understand: being an ancient commander was no easy task.

“Today’s feast is entirely thanks to the generosity of you esteemed Seniors,” Ye Kuang announced. “Please, do not hold back. Eat to your heart’s content and drink to your utmost delight!”

Hearing this, the Elder couldn’t help but inwardly scoff: This fellow has some nerve! Since when did we become ‘honored guests’ here?…

But since things had come to this, the Elder had no choice but to play along. “Well said, straightforward and to the point! Everyone, you heard him—eat and drink as you please. Since someone is being so generous, how could we possibly disappoint our young friend Ye?”

“Haha, naturally! In that case, we won’t hold back. How about starting with four cases of ’82 red wine? What do you all think?”

“I’ll pass on that. I’ll have the Man-Han Imperial Feast. Whether I can finish it or not is none of your concern.”

“Hey, you all… Ah, never mind. I suppose I shouldn’t order anything too expensive either. My favorite is the 30-year-old Da Tai Tai—let’s start with one case.”

In an instant, the air filled with their polite exchanges. Though their words claimed frugality, their orders were anything but—each selection was extravagantly costly.It was easy to imagine how dramatically Ye Kuang’s expression shifted.

At that moment, even the trembling of his facial muscles went unnoticed by him.

One could say that, after who knows how long, as Ye Kuang watched plate after plate of main courses being wheeled into the hall, the look in his eyes kept changing.

Meanwhile, the crowd remained utterly silent, wholly absorbed in savoring the exquisite dishes.

The speed at which they ate, though not quite like a whirlwind sweeping away clouds, left one particular observer both stunned and numb.

“Have these people gone too long without tasting delicacies? They’re acting like starving ghosts reincarnated,” Ye Kuang grumbled inwardly.

Of course, these thoughts stayed locked in his mind, never daring to surface.

Yet it must be said that had he not already eaten his fill earlier, he wouldn’t have let them indulge so freely—he’d have jumped right in and feasted heartily himself.

As the saying goes, money shouldn’t be spent for nothing, and uneaten food is a waste.

For a full hour, everyone indulged in the feast.

Only when they began wiping the grease from their lips did Ye Kuang politely inquire, “I hope the meal was to your satisfaction, Seniors. Shall I order more?”

Hearing this, the Elder exchanged glances with Reverend Changqing and the others.

Some were picking their teeth with toothpicks, while others nibbled on fruit with faint, ambiguous smiles.

“Enough of that, lad. We’re not here today for a free meal,” the Elder retorted.

“I’m all ears, Senior. Please enlighten me.”

“Well, it’s like this: we wanted to ask if you had anything to do with the Financial Hell that erupted recently?”

Ye Kuang stiffened internally at the question but immediately denied it outright.

The Elder sighed, “Hmm, another dead end then. But I suspect you’re still connected to this affair.”

As he spoke, the Elder rubbed his temples, clearly worn out from the matter.

Ye Kuang, unwilling to accept this, protested, “Seniors, you must be mistaken. I have neither wealth nor influence—how could I possibly orchestrate something on that scale?”

Reverend Changqing interjected, “But this vast sum of money… By the way, has Sophia contacted you?”

“She did, but not in person—it was someone else,” Ye Kuang replied, then added, “Since you’ve honored me by sharing this meal, it shows you still trust me. In that case, I shouldn’t hide anything. Why don’t we speak frankly?”

The Elder fell silent.

Seeing this, Reverend Changqing spoke up clearly, “Do you realize these are troubled times? Setting aside the Financial Hell, even this fortune isn’t so easily kept.”

Perplexed, Ye Kuang asked, “Why is that?”

But the Elder cut the topic short, stating, “You may keep the money, but on one condition.”

“What condition?”

“With great power comes great responsibility. Coincidentally, I have a tricky matter I’d like you to handle.”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang fell silent.

If even someone of the Elder’s stature found it difficult, the task must be nigh impossible.

After a moment’s thought, he ventured, “Can I refuse?”

“Of course,” the Elder replied, then added with a look of having cornered his prey, “But we’ll have to freeze the funds for a while.”Little did anyone know, Ye Kuang’s previously playful expression suddenly froze in the next second, clearly looking like he wanted to cry but had no tears.

“Alright, let’s hear it. What’s the matter this time?”

“Well, I’ve recently heard that a master is coming to cause trouble. We just haven’t found a suitable candidate to deal with it, so… um…”

“Who is it? Someone who gives you such a headache that you need this kid to handle it?”

Upon hearing this, the Elder remained silent, growing increasingly impatient.

Seeing this, although Ye Kuang was still somewhat confused, he began to understand.

But then, his face instantly darkened, and he couldn’t help but burst out in anger: “Are you kidding me? I thought you were here to cause trouble for me! Then tonight’s banquet… Damn it, I’ve been played for a fool!”

At this point, he looked utterly disgusted, as if he had swallowed a fly.

All because what was supposed to be a simple meal had unexpectedly turned into such a massive financial blow!

A single meal had actually cost Ye Kuang over three million.