Li Da Zui had been in a daze for days, leaving the Tongfu Inn kitchen in the hands of Huang Rong, who was now also working overtime.
Speaking of which, ever since Huang Rong joined the Tongfu Inn, business had been booming.
Many customers were drawn by Huang Rong's culinary skills.
Although Huang Rong only offered seven dishes each day, they were enough to attract people.
Eventually, people even started paying hefty sums to eat her dishes.
One dish even sold for ten taels.
That price was absolutely exorbitant in Seven Heroes Town.
Tong Xiang Yu was beaming with joy that day.
The past half-month's income was equivalent to the previous six months!
Now, Huang Rong was a precious treasure in Tong Xiang Yu's eyes.
“Da Zui! How long do you intend to rest? Huang's dishes are now a huge hit!
Also, after the shopkeeper's persuasion, Huang has prepared more dishes to attract customers these past two days.
If Huang enjoys this life and doesn't restrict the number of dishes, she might take over the kitchen.
Before, we worried about Huang leaving, but now things are different. Little Lu is with her, and if Huang marries Little Lu, she'll stay in Seven Heroes Town forever.”
Bai Zhan Tang advised.
Li Da Zui was startled, quickly realizing the issue.
“Right! Old Bai, you're right! I almost forgot about that! No, no, I need to cook! Or I'll lose my only skill!
Old Bai, you're a real friend! I owe you one!”
Li Da Zui immediately jumped up and rushed towards the kitchen.
Bai Zhan Tang laughed as he saw this: "Come out, I've taken care of things."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Yu walked out from the side, smiling: "Thanks, Big Brother Bai. If Da Zui doesn't cook again, Rong'er will be exhausted."
"Are you afraid Huang doesn't have time for dates with you?"
Bai Zhan Tang joked.
Lu Yu smiled and didn't refute. It was indeed a factor.
Huang Rong had been busy cooking these past two days, leaving little time for them to meet.
If it wasn't for Tong Xiang Yu's kindness to Huang Rong, she wouldn't have been so helpful.
With Li Da Zui back at work, Huang Rong was finally free.
As Lu Yu and Huang Rong left Tongfu Inn, they encountered Ge San Shu, who had been looking for Lu Yu.
"Little Yu! Finally found you!"
Ge San Shu exclaimed, frantic.
"What's wrong, Third Uncle?"
Seeing Ge San Shu's anxious state, Lu Yu immediately inquired.
"Something terrible has happened! The old lady went to Zuojia Village to buy things yesterday. She was supposed to be back this morning, but she's still missing.
I just heard that the Black Wind Bandits went down the mountain to rob again yesterday.
The road they took was the only path to Zuojia Village.
The old lady was probably captured by the Black Wind Bandits!"
Ge San Shu was on the verge of tears as he spoke.
Lu Yu's expression darkened upon hearing this.
The Black Wind Bandits were infamous for their cruelty. Those captured by them had little chance of survival.
If Ge San Shen was truly captured, her chances were slim.
"Third Uncle, don't scare yourself. It might not be as bad as you think. How about this, you go back and wait for news, and I'll go to Cuimiao Mountain to check the situation."
"You go? No, no, the Black Wind Bandits are too vicious, they've taken countless lives.
If you go, you'll be in danger. We should find Xing Bu Tou and discuss a solution together.
I heard from Zuojia Village that their local government is also investigating the matter."
Ge San Shu quickly spoke.
He didn't want Lu Yu to go to Cuimiao Mountain; he was simply looking for a close confidante to help brainstorm solutions in his panic.
With no children of his own, he instinctively turned to Lu Yu.
"Third Uncle, don't worry, I know what I'm doing, nothing will happen. Remember? I was the one who repelled the Male and Female Slayers.
Here, you go find Xing Bu Tou and explain the situation. I'll head to Cuimiao Mountain first."
"Th-th-that's... alright, but be careful."
Ge San Shu was disoriented, and Lu Yu's words were too quick for him to process, so he agreed.
Lu Yu turned to Huang Rong, "Rong'er, I'll be back soon, wait for me at the inn."
"No! I'm coming with you! Maybe I can help."
Huang Rong insisted.
"Alright."
Lu Yu didn't argue, readily agreeing. With Huang Rong's abilities, she wouldn't be a burden.
Immediately, they set off toward Cuimiao Mountain.
"Ah!"
Huang Rong yelped, realizing Lu Yu had scooped her up.
"We need to reach Cuimiao Mountain as fast as possible. Rong'er, I apologize."
With those words, Lu Yu moved his legs, unleashing the full power of his Wind and Shadow Technique!
A gust of wind swept past them as they vanished from sight, leaving everyone stunned.
"Little Yu..."
Ge San Shu was speechless, his jaw dropped.
That was incredibly fast.
After her initial surprise, Huang Rong quickly adapted.
Looking at the face inches away from hers, she blushed slightly, then wrapped her arms around Lu Yu's neck, her head resting on his shoulder.
"Fisher, I'm holding on tight. You can focus on getting us there."
This was undeniably a romantic situation, but Lu Yu was too focused to notice.
Ge San Shen was an incredibly important elder to him, on par with Ge San Shu.
Lu Yu had enjoyed countless meals prepared by Ge San Shen over the years, and his clothes had been patched by her countless times.
He had never met his biological mother, and Ge San Shen had filled that role for him.
So, Lu Yu's heart was filled with anxiety.
Cuimiao Mountain was not close, and by the time they reached the foot of the mountain, it was getting dark.
Worse, dark clouds were gathering in the sky.
"It's going to rain."
Lu Yu glanced at the gloomy sky and then at the Black Wind Bandit base nearby, muttering.
As soon as he finished speaking, large raindrops began falling, hitting the ground one after another.
The sound of rain intensified instantly.
Seeing this, Lu Yu quickly sought shelter behind a large boulder, placing Huang Rong down.
"Rong'er, I'm going to take advantage of the darkness and rain to sneak into the Black Wind Bandit base and check the situation. You wait here for me.
If you hear a loud noise, try to create a distraction."
"Okay. Be careful."
Huang Rong didn't argue about going with Lu Yu.
From the journey here, she had already witnessed Lu Yu's incredible light skills.
If she went in with him, it would hinder him more than help.
So, she wisely accepted Lu Yu's plan.
"Alright."
Seeing Huang Rong's agreement, Lu Yu didn't waste any time and immediately charged towards the Black Wind Bandit base.
The rain grew heavier.
The night deepened.
The Black Wind Bandits were unaware that someone was approaching.
Using his Wind God Legs, Lu Yu bypassed all of the Black Wind Bandit's defenses and entered silently.
He found a bandit who was alone, grabbed him by the neck.
"Tell me! Where are the people you captured yesterday?!"