The insect feast was served, and Yu Daohhen raised an eyebrow at the variety of insects on the table, some even alive.
Qiangzi picked up a wriggling white grub and brought it to his mouth, then sucked. The five-centimeter-long grub was sucked into Qiangzi's mouth, and he began to chew.
Qiangzi chewed, making appreciative sounds, then picked up another fried one and popped it into his mouth.
Yu Daohhen felt a chill run down his spine as he looked at the wriggling grubs on the table. He extended his chopsticks, then retracted them.
Seeing Yu Daohhen hesitate, Qiangzi asked, "Master Yu, why aren't you eating? These things have more protein than beef."
"What kind of bug is this?" Yu Daohhen asked, looking at the wriggling white grub on the leaf.
Qiangzi picked one up and chewed it, "Coconut grub."
Yu Daohhen made a pained expression, then tremblingly picked up his chopsticks, speared a wriggling coconut grub, and prepared to put it in his mouth.
He brought the coconut grub to his lips, hesitated for a long time, took a deep breath, and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing furiously before swallowing.
Qiangzi found Yu Daohhen's reaction amusing. He hadn't expected the esteemed Master Yu of Jiangdu to be afraid of small insects.
Yu Daohhen shot Qiangzi a glare. Everyone had their fears. Some might face a blade at their throat without flinching, but would jump out of their skin at the sight of a cockroach.
Besides, he wasn't afraid of the thing itself. It was just the thought of the white thing wriggling in his mouth that made him feel uneasy all over.
The meal was finished quickly. Throughout the meal, only Qiangzi ate ravenously, while Yu Daohhen mostly drank tea.
After finishing the meal, Qiangzi paid the bill, and the two walked back towards the street.
"Are we taking Su Qing with us tomorrow?" Yu Daohhen asked. Qiangzi's condition couldn't be delayed, and the sooner he was treated, the better.
Qiangzi shook his head. "Taking her with us is too risky, and I'm still being hunted by the Zhenbao Sect."
Yu Daohhen nodded. Bringing Su Qing would undoubtedly make her a target. "Then at least someone needs to look after her."
"I was thinking of asking the Yan Shu Sect for help," Qiangzi said after a pause.
Yu Daohhen frowned. The Yan Shu Sect was known for their self-interest; they never did anything without profit. Though he didn't know their exact motive, they never engaged in losing ventures. If only that guy were here.
Thinking of this, Yu Daohhen's eyes lit up. "Why not send Su Qing to the Midnight Shop?"
Qiangzi's eyes brightened. "Right, the safest place in this world is the Midnight Shop."
"Get ready tonight, and we'll set off first thing tomorrow morning," Yu Daohhen said.
Qiangzi nodded. His poison couldn't wait, and the sooner they left, the better.
Back in the room, Zhang Xiaoqiang chatted with Yu Daohhen for a few words before returning to his room to be with Su Qing.
Yu Daohhen, meanwhile, sat cross-legged on the sofa and began to meditate.
Gurgle.
After an unknown amount of time, a slightly awkward sound came from Yu Daohhen's stomach.
Yu Daohhen rubbed his stomach. He had only eaten a little for lunch, and just one coconut grub for dinner. He was indeed hungry.
Yu Daohhen took out his phone and saw it was already half-past eleven at night.
He got up and went to Su Qing's room door. Yu Daohhen was about to knock, but then thought better of it. Judging by Qiangzi's ravenous eating that afternoon, those insects probably hadn't been fully digested yet.
Picking up the key from the table, Yu Daohhen quietly closed the door and walked out onto the street.
On the street, most of the shops were still open. The red lanterns on either side of the shop doors shone brightly in the dark night.
Yu Daohhen stretched. He found the night more suited to him than the day.
Yu Daohhen looked at the restaurants around him and casually chose one that seemed to be doing good business.
He went in, found a seat, and looked at the ten or twenty people eating around him. He had to admit that Yunnan's night market was quite lively.
Yu Daohhen ordered a bowl of Yunnan's specialty noodle soup, Guoqiao Mixian.
Guoqiao Mixian was prepared by adding boiling soup to a large bowl and then adding various ingredients. This way of eating was indeed quite unique.
After finishing his noodles, Yu Daohhen paid the bill and continued to wander.
Soon, the road ahead began to darken, and then the surroundings gradually lit up again, with the shop lanterns turning white.
The number of pedestrians on the road also increased, and some were even dressed in ancient costumes.
People also set up stalls on both sides of the street, displaying various items. Yu Daohhen casually found a stall, squatted down, and picked up an item to examine.
"Boss, how much is this?" Yu Daohhen asked, looking at the bamboo dragonfly in his hand.
"One million!" The stall owner, dressed in clothes from the Republic of China era, had his face obscured as he looked down.
Yu Daohhen was stunned. In all his life, he had seen fierce and terrifying people, but this was the first time he had encountered someone trying to swindle him. He was about to curse him out.
He looked at the bamboo dragonfly again and suddenly realized something was wrong. He looked up at the stall owner, and his expression instantly turned grim.
I didn't have enough time to do homework today. I'll thank my little darlings for their gifts one by one tomorrow.