It’s not something you can taste just because you have money.

Zhao Weidong had already been planning to find an opportunity to get closer to Xiao Yao, and after this meal, he felt that his chance had finally come.

After Gu Weiwei settled the bill, Xiao Yao and Sang Qingye came over to exchange a few words. Seizing the moment, Zhao Weidong said, “Boss Xiao, tomorrow an important client of our company will be visiting. This person is very particular about food. I wonder if I could reserve a table for your personally prepared Hero’s Banquet?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Zhao, but it’s really unfortunate timing. I’m quite busy these days, and I may not have time to come to the restaurant. It’s truly a pity.” Dishes made by Xiao Yao himself weren’t something that money alone could buy, and he declined Zhao Weidong’s reservation without hesitation.

Zhao Weidong hadn’t expected that Xiao Yao would turn down money offered so eagerly and was quite surprised. He could only persist, “Boss Xiao, there will be about six of us tomorrow, same standard as today. I can prepay the 240,000 yuan now. Won’t you reconsider?”

“I genuinely don’t have time these days. Perhaps after a while, when our head chef has mastered the Hero’s Banquet, you’re welcome to visit at any time, Mr. Zhao.” To Xiao Yao, Zhao Weidong was just a stranger—there was no reason to make an exception for him.

Being rejected so bluntly made Zhao Weidong feel somewhat embarrassed. Awkwardly, he added, “Boss Xiao, your culinary skills are truly unmatched. I’ve never tasted food so delicious. I had hoped to satisfy my craving again tomorrow, but it seems that’s just a luxury now. I hope I’ll have another chance to taste your cooking someday.”

“I run a restaurant. There will always be opportunities in the future.” Although Xiao Yao remained polite throughout, he kept others at a distance, making it difficult for anyone to get close.

“The Hero’s Banquet at your restaurant is truly delicious and unique. For food lovers like us, it’s a true blessing. I’m already looking forward to the official launch of the Hero’s Banquet so I can come and indulge as soon as possible,” He Jiayi chimed in, her tone now much warmer, the faint arrogance she once carried completely reined in.

“Once our Hero’s Banquet is officially launched, I’ll be sure to invite everyone to come and support us.”

With the pleasantries exchanged, Zhao Weidong and He Jiayi were the first to leave. Gu Weiwei lingered in the restaurant a while longer, leaving with Sang Qingye amid laughter and conversation.

The restaurant was especially busy at noon, and it wasn’t until half past three that all the customers had finally gone.

At last, the kitchen was quiet. Xiao Yao began patiently instructing Qin Dahai.

The dishes he had prepared today weren’t complicated in terms of procedure, but mastering the details required great skill. Xiao Yao knew that Qin Dahai could never reach his level in this lifetime, but if he could reach even a tenth or a fifth of his skill, the Hero’s Banquet at Xunwei Zhai would surpass all similar-themed restaurants in the country.

This way, even if he stepped back completely, the Hero’s Banquet would remain the signature and highlight of Xunwei Zhai.

Xiao Yao didn’t return home until after dinner at Xunwei Zhai.

Steward Lu brewed a pot of tea for him and reported, “Young master, today Qin Huali, a wealthy businessman from Southeast Asia, called me. He wishes to visit the house tomorrow morning. Will that be all right?”

Thinking Xiao Yao might not be familiar with Qin Huali, Steward Lu explained, “Qin Huali is one of the top five long-established tycoons in Southeast Asia, of Malaysian nationality, with businesses all over the region and significant influence throughout East Asia—a true billionaire. He already had contact with the master before I took over as steward, and could be considered an old friend of your father’s.”

“I’ve heard my master mention Qin Huali. He’s visiting this time to ask for a talisman of protection. My master promised him one before he passed and told him I had inherited his mantle, advising him to seek me out after some time. I didn’t expect him to come looking so soon.”

“Since you’re aware, young master, I’ll call him now and confirm the visit for tomorrow morning. What time would you prefer?”

“Ten o’clock. After our business is done, invite him to stay for lunch. After all, he was my master’s old friend; we certainly can’t treat him with anything less than respect.”

After returning to his room, Xiao Yao began recalling matters related to Qin Huali.

Qin Huali was already seventy years old. Forty years ago, he had dealings with Pan Wu, who had helped him many times and, through him, amassed considerable wealth.

Qin Huali had a deep understanding of Pan Wu’s extraordinary abilities; the talismans he made were given to only a precious few, and Qin Huali was among them.

Pan Wu was a master of talisman crafting, and the protection talisman was one such creation. For ordinary people, these talismans were nothing short of miraculous—carrying one could sometimes be the difference between life and death.

Qin Huali had received two protection talismans from Pan Wu and had experienced their wonder firsthand. Xiao Yao was not surprised that he now sought another.

What Xiao Yao needed to consider was, if he were to gift another talisman to Qin Huali, what kind of compensation should he expect in return?

Even for Pan Wu, crafting such a talisman was no simple matter. A talisman that could save a life was far beyond any monetary value; unless sufficient reciprocation was offered, Pan Wu would never have given away something so precious lightly.

A little over half a month ago, Qin Huali had called Pan Wu to request another talisman. At that time, Pan Wu had just found Xiao Yao and had no mind to deal with it, so he told him that Xiao Yao had inherited his mantle and that he should discuss the matter with him later.

Yet just half a month had passed, and Qin Huali was already at the door—he was indeed impatient.

Xiao Yao had decided to give him a talisman, but what sort of compensation to ask for, he hadn’t yet decided. At the moment, there wasn’t anything he urgently needed; it seemed he would have to wait until he met with Qin Huali to make a final decision.

Now that the matter involved a protection talisman, Xiao Yao began considering whether he should attempt to craft one himself.

He had inherited all of Pan Wu’s skills; making a talisman wasn’t hard—the true difficulty lay in making the talisman’s markings resonate with the laws governing the world.

Achieving this required the creator to possess immense spiritual power.

If crafting a talisman required spiritual energy, he would be powerless to do so, but if it depended on mental strength, he could try.

Though Pan Wu’s legacy included many advanced cultivation methods, Xiao Yao hadn’t begun training, and thus had no spiritual energy within his body.

However, he had inherited the foundation of a sacred soul forged by Pan Wu’s three thousand years of hard cultivation; his soul was already at the Sacred Soul stage. Even without beginning cultivation, his mental strength was exceptionally formidable.

PS: Thanks to Tianyuan the Shepherd Boy for the reward!