King Of War: Starting with Arms Dealer

By the time the news conference at the airport had ended and everyone had returned to the rescue center, the sky had already turned mostly dark.
Experience tales at empire

Old Bull was bustling around the rescue center's restaurant in a brand-new white apron and a tall hat on his head.

The restaurant was about 150 square meters, and one wall had been cleared out, with a row of tables against the wall laden with stainless steel trays, one after another, filled with Old Bull's carefully prepared food.

But most of the food already on the tables was the kind that could keep well...

Fried bananas, strawberry crisps, apple crisps...

Fried meatballs, fried twisted dough, fried spring rolls, fried dough cakes...

Fried steaks, fried chicken legs, fried shrimp tails...

There were also all kinds of fruit pieces and vegetable strips sorted into different stainless steel trays, waiting for guests to combine and take them as they pleased.

These were just the snacks; the main dishes were on the open ground at the entrance of the restaurant.

A huge bonfire had been lit, and six clean-shaven headless and tailless lambs were tied to a 'bountiful' shaped iron rack, standing upright on the ground around the bonfire to roast.

The half-nosed jungle veteran 'Rhino' had received the genuine teachings of Old Bull, and every 20 minutes, he would turn the roasting lambs over carefully checking them before making a few cuts in the meatier parts and then smearing them with fine salt to thoroughly season them.

The security guards, all black, didn't dare disturb 'Rhino', but the aroma of the lamb was too dominating, especially when 'Rhino', like a wizard, sprinkled light brown powder on the roasting lambs, that pungent smell invigorated everyone's spirits.

Knowing that the roasted lamb wasn't prepared for them, these guys wanted to squeeze into the restaurant, even snatching some food to fill their stomachs first would be good.

But every time they almost got in, a big guy with a rolling pin would chase them out.

All over the world, honest people share similar traits: no matter how they look, their demeanor won't scare anyone.

After a few chuckles and attempts, seeing they couldn't break through big Tony's defense, they brought in 'Reinforcements'.

After pocketing two strings of bananas as a fee, Danbao pompously breached Tony's defense and, feeling triumphant, chased after Old Bull, bumping into him and nearly making him jump before extorting an imported melon. Then he waltzed out of the restaurant, eating the melon and shaking his head with glee.

Distracted, Tony couldn't stop the black guys, and by the time he realized and tried to chase them out, he saw his mentor Old Bull banging a ladle on one of the guys' bodies, laughing and swearing loudly, "Get the hell out of here, you black devils, the food prepared for you guys is in the back—enough stir-fried rice with ham and tomato beef for everyone.

Get out, or I swear I'll kill you deadbeats!"

With that, Old Bull pointed at Manlo and shouted, "Are you all idiots? If the front door is blocked, don't you know to take the back door? You deserve to starve to death!"

Manlo, who had gotten close to Old Bull these past few days, paused for a second, then quick-stepped to the back door of the restaurant, erupting into a cheer.

It turned out that there was a row of tables under the porch by the back door too, and they also had food on them.

But these foods were 'tougher' than those in the restaurant.

Stewed tomatoes with beef, fried potatoes, stir-fried rice with ham, shrimp stir-fried with green veggies, braised lion's head meatballs.

There weren't many types of dishes, but they were undoubtedly the best food for laborers, with top-notch calories.

Several rescue center workers were enjoying their meal with big bowls, and even the boss of the rescue center, John, was there.

Seeing a few hunters with curious expressions, John laughed and said, "'Iron Shovel' is a miraculous man; remember that whenever it's mealtime, there will always be something to eat.

I've already paid my tuition, and I'm ready to have 'Iron Shovel' train me a chef...

My God, I want to eat this lion's head every day; it's the most delicious thing I've ever eaten in Central Africa."

Old Bull chased away the troubling Danbao and loudly called for Tony...

"Go see if the boss and the others have arrived. I've prepared so much, wanting to show off in front of the Prince and Princess. If it's past mealtime, nothing will taste good."

Obedient Tony ran to the entrance of the restaurant and took a peek outside on his tiptoes.

Seeing a convoy approaching on the distant road, Tony burst into the restaurant and shouted at Old Bull, "'Iron Shovel', they're coming, they're coming, the boss is here..."

Old Bull paused for a moment, then angrily waved his ladle and hit Tony on the head, cursing, "So you ungrateful brat, you don't even call me master and you call Old Bull 'Iron Shovel'?

Is my nickname for you to toss around?"

Tony probably got hit by Old Bull so often that he just rubbed his head with his honest face, saying, "Master, I'm just not used to it."

Old Bull squinted his eyes and said, "You'll have to get used to it whether you like it or not. I've taught you all my ancestral secret recipes, and you still dare not be accustomed to calling me master?"

"Do you still want me to find you a wife?"

"Yes, yes, yes..."

Tony kept nodding, saying, "Master, let's find her together. Sanderson said we can go back to the United States with the boss, you come home with me, there are lots of beautiful women in our town.

My mom called me, said she can walk now, she will help us."

Old Bull was startled for a moment and smacked Tony on the head irritably, then said, "Where in Texas are you from? Do the women there have a strong body odor?"

Tony probably misunderstood Old Bull's question. He nodded earnestly and said, "Yes, the women there work on farms; they have a particularly strong smell, only those Mexican women don't have any scent.

Master, together we'll find one, you help me find a wife, and I'll let my mom help you find one too."

Old Bull looked at Tony, who had quite the acquired taste, and pondered for a while before saying, "Let's have a look. Tell your mom to think about it for me; actually, I think Mexican women aren't bad either."

Saying so, Old Bull patted his head and 'hehe' chuckled, "I never thought old me would have a chance to indulge in foreign delicacies, hehe..."

While Old Bull was daydreaming, a pressure cooker nearby suddenly made a noise.

Tony skillfully opened the pressure cooker, poured a full pot of mutton into a bucket, then placed the big bucket on the stove. He started simmering it over a low flame while adding various ingredients and seasonings constantly.

Amid the screams and lively cheers outside, Tony ignored the distractions and, after tasting the mutton soup with a spoon, said with slight regret, "Master, the taste is still lacking. We should've stewed it slowly in a clay pot..."

Old Bull watched as regulars like Dorian came in to greet them. He patted Tony on the head and said, "Where would we get the time for that? Plus, those silly foreigners wouldn't know the difference. Let them enjoy the freshness of the soup; that'd be enough for them.

Remember, this mutton soup is my secret recipe. You absolutely can't tell anyone. Even if you stop working at P·B one day and go home, you'll have a skill that puts food on the table."

Tony, oblivious that he was also one of the 'silly foreigners,' gave a simple smile. He filled a small bowl with mutton soup for Old Bull, and watching Old Bull give a thumbs up after drinking it, Tony happily wrapped an arm around Old Bull's shoulder and said, "Master, everyone says I'm a fool, but I'm not a fool at all, am I?"

Old Bull naturally said, "Of course not. Can my Old Bull's disciple be a fool?

We call it 'playing the fool to avoid the wise.' Yeah, that means we're smart but don't let others know, we just enjoy ourselves secretly!"

Dorian leaned over the open kitchen bar, sniffing towards Tony, "Potato, whatever that is, give me some, no, two servings. I'm starving."

Tony, who never refused a regular's request, took out a big bowl and served Dorian some milky white mutton soup, stylishly garnishing it with some green onion and coriander before handing the soup to Dorian, "Elephant, this is a secret recipe my master taught me. My master said if I learn it, I can marry a beautiful girl."

After taking a sip, Dorian, who routinely boasted of his gourmet tastes, was pleasantly surprised and gave a big thumbs up. After gulping down the mutton soup, Dorian spoke with an experienced tone, "Potato, instead of getting married, I recommend you find a girl you like, and then buy a house for her, and enjoy a good time together."

Tony frowned and asked, "Why?"

Dorian shrugged and said, "Because that's what marriage leads to...

You find a girl, then buy a house and get married, and in the end when you divorce, she keeps the house, and then you still have to pay her every month..."

As Dorian spoke, he felt a murderous intent emanating from Old Bull. He swallowed his saliva and decided not to bother the chef 'dreaming,' then added, "Of course, there is true love in the world. I believe you can find it."

Old Bull slapped Tony, who was lost in confusion, on the back and pointed at Dorian, "Don't believe a word this guy says; he's useless, a one-ball wonder.

Don't worry, as your master, I have got you covered, and I will find you a good woman you can spend a lifetime with."

With that, Old Bull rummaged through a cupboard below and pulled out several clay pots, laughing and saying, "Go on, chop up the cleaned intestines for me. I've made a batch of stinky tofu; the boss said he's been craving for it for a long time. This time, we're going to give him a nice surprise.

Stinky tofu and intestine hotpot, those who've tried it say it's good!"

......

Under the whistling of the crowd, Joe Ga, arm-in-arm with Nis, cut into a roast lamb at the invitation of 'Rhino,' then took a brush and smeared a stripe of diluted honey onto the honey-glazed lamb.

The intense heat from the huge bonfire quickly caramelized the honey-applied area, releasing a burst of fragrance.

The vast grasslands, wildlife, starry skies, a bonfire, along with the music beloved by the African fellows — it was an instant hit at the rescue center.

The princes and princesses, who had seen their share of grand scenes, were experiencing such unbridled fun for the first time.

Watching the royal lads screaming and frolicking in their return to 'wildness,' Joe Ga gave the enthusiastic Danbo's head a rub and, addressing TC and Jemma Alexander who had come from afar to provide medical support, smiled and said, "Today, I've witnessed the power of charity. Maybe you should have your parents start on their plans sooner..."