Chapter 153: Cold-Blooded Five (3)

Ye Lang now spent every day holed up in the laboratory, thoroughly engrossed in his work, so much so that he felt reluctant to leave. His original plans and goals had long since been forgotten.

One day, after finishing an experiment, Ye Lang suddenly felt tired and stepped outside for some fresh air and to find something to eat. Although his ring still contained plenty of food prepared by Zhen Xiaoyan, he hesitated to eat it too quickly, fearing he would soon run out.

He realized that Zhen Xiaoyan’s preparations hadn’t been enough; he had already consumed more than half. Back when he was playing mercenary, he ate voraciously, justifying it as replenishing his strength, but as a result, he devoured it too fast.

“Fatty, without you, what am I to do?” he thought suddenly, recognizing how important Zhen Xiaoyan really was. Yet, if asked to choose between Zhen Xiaoyan and her food, Ye Lang’s answer was always the same…

Once, in a hazy moment, Zhen Xiaoyan had looked at him with dreamy eyes and asked softly, “Ye Lang, which do you prefer, me or the dessert?”

Without hesitation, Ye Lang had replied with two words: “Dessert!”

“One, two, three, four; two, two, three, four…” Ye Lang was doing soft body exercises in the courtyard, feeling at ease as if at home. Only he could feel so comfortable, with no desire to leave and no sense of danger.

At that moment, a member of the Cold-Blooded Squad entered and asked, “Frank, has the Thirteenth Master emerged yet?”

“Not yet. I reckon he’s dead in there,” Ye Lang replied, speculating.

“Come on, you just want him dead so your own life will be safe,” the squad member said irritably before leaving.

“Whether he dies or not doesn’t affect me. He can’t do anything to me,” Ye Lang said indifferently, continuing his exercises, though no one heard him.

Even if someone did, they wouldn’t care, thinking it just reflected Ye Lang’s ignorance.

“After exercise, I’m hungry again. A shower, then the kitchen for something to eat,” Ye Lang rubbed his stomach and smiled, heading to the bathroom.

After washing and changing, he left the small courtyard. No one was watching him today, so he went to the kitchen alone.

Don’t ask if he knew where the kitchen was—of course he did. He had become quite familiar with the place during his time here, and the kitchen was no exception.

Upon arriving, Ye Lang saw a group of people outside. They were the kitchen staff and helpers, whom he recognized. But why were they outside, not inside? That was strange.

“What are you all doing here?” Ye Lang asked from behind them.

“We can’t help it. It’s not that we don’t want to work inside, but the place…” At first, they thought Ye Lang was a superior officer and tried to explain. Soon, someone realized it was Ye Lang.

“Frank, it’s you. Hungry again, huh? You’ve come at the wrong time—someone’s taken over the kitchen,” said a round-faced cook.

The tone and words made it clear that these people knew Ye Lang well too, aware that he would come running when hungry.

“Who’s so reckless as to occupy the kitchen? Kick them out now!” Ye Lang said immediately. He only knew he was hungry, and eating was his priority; nothing else mattered.

“Shh!” The nearby people quickly hushed him, afraid of disturbing whoever was inside.

“Why the shushing? If you don’t dare, I will!” Ye Lang showed no fear, rolling up his sleeves as if ready to fight.

“Frank, you fool, come back! You can be hungry a while, but if you go inside, your life won’t be safe!” someone nearby grabbed him.

“Do you know who’s inside?” they asked him.

“No. I only know I’m hungry and want to eat!” Ye Lang shook his head, trying to break free.

“We told you to wait. The person inside is the Fifth Lord of Cold-Blooded. If you go in, you won’t come out alive!” the cooks warned.

“The Fifth Lord? Cold-Blooded Five?” Ye Lang was stunned for a moment, then recalled, “I remember Cold-Blooded Thirteen warned me about him. Said he’s a ruthless killer who doesn’t blink when taking a life, and told me to keep away—far away if possible.”

“Exactly. So just wait a bit. He should be done soon; the time is about right,” someone nodded, checking the hour.

“Wait, if you know the time, then he’s been here before?” Ye Lang was puzzled. Since they could estimate the duration, it couldn’t be his first time—and definitely not just once or twice.

If they could calculate the length of his stay, it meant many visits.

“Yes, sometimes he uses the kitchen to cook something. After he leaves, we clean carefully. After all, he’s the Fifth Lord…” one said.

“Right, people like him need caution—better to disinfect the kitchen and test the food to be absolutely safe!” Ye Lang nodded in agreement.

He suspected these people feared the Fifth Lord, a murderous fiend who might poison them in the kitchen.

“...Isn’t that a bit much?” one muttered.

“Better safe than sorry. You can leave this to me, but you have to treat me to something delicious,” Ye Lang smiled.

“You’re just after some free food. But really, with the Thirteenth Master backing you, what can’t you get with a word?” someone teased.

“In that case, I want snow dragon meat, purple royal honey, abyssal crimson fruit…” Ye Lang counted off on his fingers.

“Damn, don’t get your hopes up. Even the palace doesn’t have those. Where do you want us to get them?” they said, their faces falling, then quickly quieted as if afraid the Fifth Lord inside might hear.

“You said it’s just a word to get what I want. Why not this time?” Ye Lang looked at them with innocent eyes.

“...” They fell silent, then softly said, “There are limits. At least it has to be something we can manage.”

“Oh, then make me braised bear paw and shark fin stew,” Ye Lang settled.

“Alright, alright, we’ll get that for you!” they agreed immediately. Though rare, these were within their reach.

(To be continued)