Free Web NovelChapter 406: Chapter 280: Gluttony – Taotie (Part 2)
KK couldn’t help but grit his teeth: "It’s disgusting... Having money and power means you can just disregard people’s lives and toy with them as you wish?!"
Su Mo: "In this city, in this world, having money and power does mean you can disregard people."
He looked out at the skyscrapers and said meaningfully, "At least until someone changes all this, the world will remain this hellish way."
As they talked, Shangguan Li took a call, and after finishing said, "I’ve got another appointment, I’ll take my leave now. First day of the New Year, keep it light, don’t let these gloomy things pollute your mood."
"I’ll see you out." Su Mo followed Shangguan Li to the door.
The two took the elevator down to the building entrance.
Shangguan Li turned back and said, "Alright, you go back and help KK vent. His empathy seems quite strong, tell him to stop worrying about the Fools’ Association’s nonsense, it’s not his concern. Overthinking it will only make him depressed."
Su Mo: "Yes, the Fools’ Association has been in New Moon City for many years now, getting angry at them from afar is pointless. I’ll guide him."
Shangguan Li waved goodbye to Su Mo, mumbling before leaving, "Just hope the Fools’ Association doesn’t target anyone around us, or it’ll be trouble..."
...
On the night of the first day of the New Year, everyone gathers with their closest friends, no exceptions anywhere.
In the central region of "Lake Heart Island," an island where the estate is filled with the most luxurious hovercars, complemented by the dazzling New Year lights, it appears incredibly opulent.
In the main hall of the mansion, everything is dark, except for the candlelight on the table, creating a mysterious and elegant atmosphere.
More than twenty gentlemen and ladies dressed in splendid attire gathered together, their expensive jewelry sparkling under the candlelight, engaged in a grand banquet.
The table is filled with a variety of exquisite delicacies, one delicious dish piled upon another, allowing each guest to take freely.
Contrary to the imagined genteel demeanor of elite society, they ate wildly, indulgently.
A beautiful woman didn’t wear dining gloves, directly grabbing a whole roast duck from the plate, holding it in her hands and taking large bites, sauce staining her face everywhere, juices dribbling down her chin.
A gentleman in formal wear cut a piece of steak, chewed it forcefully, his mouth slouching open alongside his chewing, continuously emitting unpleasant smacking sounds.
An old man eating pastries choked because it was too dry, raised a cup filled with wine and guzzled it down, burping loudly after rubbing his belly.
No one criticized, nor did anyone feel dissatisfied with others’ unsightly eating manners, for everyone was the same.
In the Fools’ Association, the least needed is those pretentious facades; everyone can fully display the most primitive side of their nature.
The banquet continued amid the guests’ revelry, at this moment, they were no longer the restrained social elites before the television but beasts immersed in the culinary delights.
Once fully satiated, the commotion at the table gradually subsided, everyone’s expressions satisfied and relaxed.
A butler in tailcoat emerged from the corner of the dining room, approached the man at the main seat, and politely inquired: "Mr. Mammon, are you satisfied with the dishes prepared by Ms. Shaya?"
Mammon casually wiped the sauce from his mouth with a napkin, looked at everyone and laughed: "Why is no one speaking? Let’s all assess together."
Laughter erupted among the guests, one said: "The president has tasted countless dishes; you rate first."
"Shall I rate it first?" Mammon glanced at the beautiful woman guest who had just eaten the roast duck and teased, "My taste is quite discerning, Ms. Shaya, don’t take offense."
Shaya nodded with a smile: "Please enlighten us, President."
Mammon cleared his throat and slowly said: "Well, according to the tasting process, let’s start with the ingredients."
"This time’s ingredients, I feel, aren’t very fresh from the source, too commonplace; didn’t bring me much surprise."
"As for the cooking technique, well, it seems just like that; this eating method is something everyone has tried many times, truly a bit tiresome."
"Regarding the seasoning... My goodness, kidnapping parents and children as leverage, this seasoning is truly unspeakable, don’t know how many have tried it."
At last, he earnestly concluded: "In summary, it’s not that this dish you made has issues, just too ordinary, lacking novelty. Can only say it’s somewhat relieving the craving."
It was evident that the relationships between these people were very harmonious; everyone applauded enthusiastically for this impressive critique and Ms. Shaya’s effort as the ’chef.’
Shaya, too, showed no difficulty, modestly said: "I am enlightened, will surely learn more from the President on cooking in the future."
Mammon lowered his hands, waited for the applause to fade and then smilingly said: "Today is the first day of the New Year, many people will go to climb and look afar, it carries the hope of advancing step by step in the New Year."
"To offer everyone the same blessing, I’ve specially prepared a dish today that I plan to carefully cook for everyone."
Upon hearing that the President was going to ’cook’ himself, everyone revealed curious yet delighted expressions, eagerly waiting for what’s next.
"Clap, clap." Mammon clapped twice.
The butler pressed the remote in his hand, starting a holographic projection.
Mammon wearing a passionate smile said: "Firstly, let’s take a look at this ingredient; you’ll definitely feel surprised." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
From the perspective of the hologram, it shows an aerial shot post-night vision viewing, location near the canyon waterfall.
Mammon: "This footage is captured using our Hegemony Company’s ’Apocalypse Star’; can anyone recognize where this is?"
After a moment of silence, an elderly man said: "Isn’t this Meteor Falls?"
"Yes, correct, let’s continue watching." Mammon signaled the butler to zoom the image closer.
The holographic imagery zoomed continuously, maintaining clarity, silently showcasing the robust technical prowess behind it.
The image zoomed to the ground level, focusing on two fiercely clashing people.
One man whose body bore a damaged prosthetic, wielding a fiery battle blade.
The other was a woman, white-haired like snow, wearing a mask, holding a Tang Blade.
Looking at the prosthetic implanter, someone recognized: "Isn’t that somebody once known as Seven Star, the one taken down by Omen Star, what was his name... I can’t recall right now."
Mammon: "He’s not important, what’s important is the one opposite him."
"White hair, mask, Tang Blade, too obvious, this is Silent Death God." Shaya pondered for a moment, tentatively asked: "The ingredient the President speaks of, could it be her?" freewebnøvel.com
Mammon spread his hands and laughed: "How about it? This ingredient fresh enough?"
Shaya blinked: "But we don’t know who Silent Death God is."
Mammon showed a mysterious smile: "Then continue watching."
The butler pressed the button, the projection continued.
This was back during the siege on Saber Tiger, where Ou Chenyu and Nuobai had a showdown atop Meteor Canyon Falls, the battle was ongoing fiercely.
At one stage, Ou Chenyu slashed Nuobai’s mask off with one blow.
Silent Death God’s true face, unseen by anyone before, was finally revealed.
Clear.
Under the ’Apocalypse Star’s’ powerful technical prowess, clear enough to even see the intricate iris patterns in those beautiful eyes.
"Clap." Mammon clapped again.
A personal dossier appeared, displayed within the projection.
That was Nuobai’s record as a New Moon City citizen in the Public Security Bureau, including a frontal photo, name, address, work status, and all other personal information clearly visible.
Instantly, joyful laughter filled the dining hall, with everyone applauding vigorously.
Mammon was radiant, placing one hand on his chest to express respect, then pointed upwards at the ceiling: "This is a New Year gift from our great leader to me."
"Good stuff ought to be shared with everyone! First day of the New Year, I present this fresh ingredient to everyone!"
Thunderous applause reverberated throughout the dining hall, long-enduring; these guests, just satiated, seemed like insatiable gluttons, eyes filled with hunger.
They stuck out thick tongues, licking the saliva from the corners of their mouths, eager for the imminent feast.
