Chapter 385 - 285: Folangji’s "Cuisine

Chapter 385: Chapter 285: Folangji’s "Cuisine

York City Docks.

Night had just fallen, and the shore lights shimmered on the ocean’s surface, dancing with the rhythm of the rolling waves.

Wu Liangchen was in the ship’s cabin, eating.

The meal was simple: a freshly caught fish, a few side dishes, and a bowl of rice.

Although the docks were lined with restaurants and taverns, the Folangji were as famous for their god-awful food as they were for their merchants.

It was as if these Folangji people were born without the ability to cook; no matter how fine the ingredients, they would be rendered inedible in their hands.

Wu Liangchen had this confirmed when he personally witnessed Graham toss a fresh fish directly into a wok of boiling oil to deep-fry it.

It was a dish Wu Liangchen would never forget for the rest of his life, a monstrosity named Stargazy Pie.

That was why Wu Liangchen would rather cook for himself than sample the Folangji’s special "cuisine" at the docks.

As he was eating, Hoffman, who was lying on the floor nearby, suddenly started struggling. Despite his dislocated jaw, he let out a series of muffled grunts, clearly desperate to say something.

Wu Liangchen walked over and gently pushed his chin.

KLACK.

With his jaw back in place, Hoffman immediately said, "Give me something to eat."

"You’re about to die. Are you still afraid of being hungry?" Wu Liangchen asked.

"It’s because I’m about to die that I can’t go out on an empty stomach."

Hoffman had come to terms with his fate.

He was going to die sooner or later anyway, so he might as well die on a full stomach.

Wu Liangchen didn’t make things difficult for him. He turned to Graham and said, "Get him something to eat."

"No, I want to eat what you’re eating," Hoffman said immediately, swallowing audibly as his mouth watered.

"I’m so fucking sick of that Folangji crap. Can you let me taste some of your food?"

Wu Liangchen gave Hoffman a long, hard look. Seeing the eager expression on the man’s face, he couldn’t help but smile.

"Alright."

A moment later, Graham could be seen suppressing his rage as he began feeding Hoffman, one spoonful at a time.

"Delicious. Absolutely delicious! Now this is what I call fucking food!" Hoffman exclaimed as he ate.

In truth, Wu Liangchen’s cooking skills were average at best. But to Hoffman, who hadn’t eaten anything decent and had been starving for days, it was a feast for the gods.

And the more Hoffman enjoyed it, the more furious Graham became.

He hadn’t been spared any suffering when he’d fallen into Hoffman’s hands, so why should he have to spoon-feed the man now?

At this thought, Graham shoved the spoon forward with more force, making Hoffman’s mouth bleed.

But Hoffman was a tough bastard. Even with his mouth bleeding, he kept eating with gusto, completely unfazed.

Just then, a commotion erupted from the shore.

Graham immediately looked up and saw a troop of riders galloping toward them at high speed.

Mounted police!

Even from a distance, Graham recognized them instantly, and his heart sank.

In Folangji, the Imperial Mounted Police held a very high status.

And this troop was clearly here for Fleming.

This made Graham extremely nervous.

Wu Liangchen, however, was completely unconcerned. He didn’t even raise his head, continuing to wolf down his food at the table.

Meanwhile, the mounted police who had charged to the water’s edge pulled sharply on their reins, halting in unison.

Then, Annabelle urged her horse forward, her cold gaze fixed on the scene aboard the distant merchant ship.

Though it was evening, the docks were brightly lit. Coupled with Annabelle’s excellent eyesight, she could clearly see Wu Liangchen sitting in the center of the ship’s cabin.

She didn’t need anyone to tell her; she knew at once that this must be the man who had led the "troublemaking" and injured her junior.

There was no other reason; Wu Liangchen was simply too conspicuous.

Whether it was his striking good looks or his profound, unshakable composure, it was difficult to ignore him.

"Set up the pontoon bridge!" Annabelle ordered coldly.

The bridge had already been prepared, so it was assembled quickly.

The hard soles of her high riding boots made sharp, crisp sounds as they struck the pontoon. Annabelle strode forward with purpose and soon arrived before the merchant ship.

Following behind her were Fleming and a group of guards.

Once aboard, Annabelle completely ignored Graham, who was attempting to approach and speak. She strode unceremoniously to the table and jabbed its surface hard with the handle of her riding crop.

"So you’re the one who beat my man and swore we had only one day before we’d face the consequences?"

Wu Liangchen said nothing. He was focused on the serious business of eating.

It was as if the pristine white rice was the most precious thing in the world; he didn’t even look up the entire time.

Annabelle’s brow furrowed slightly at this, but she didn’t lash out. Instead, she waited patiently.

For a moment, the entire cabin fell silent. The only sounds were the breathing of the onlookers and the soft clinking of chopsticks against a porcelain bowl.

Graham broke out in a cold sweat.

He recognized this woman.

The "imperial police beauty" from a renowned, aristocratic family, and also the top graduate of the Royal Police Academy.

Any one of those labels alone meant she was not someone to be trifled with.

And when combined in one person, she was someone no one dared to provoke.

All he could do now was pray that Wu Liangchen wouldn’t be too impulsive. If he killed or injured this woman, Graham’s only option would be to change careers and become a pirate, forever wandering the seas.

Meanwhile, Fleming was also filled with apprehension.

Although he was filled with rage, for some reason, the moment he saw Wu Liangchen, the place where he’d been slapped began to throb with a phantom pain.

Crucially, he had no idea how this man would react.

’And why isn’t Annabelle saying anything?’

In this strange atmosphere, Wu Liangchen finished the very last grain of rice in his bowl. Only then did he set down his bowl and chopsticks and look up at Annabelle.

"That’s right. It was me."

Annabelle’s pupils contracted instantly, and her breath caught in her throat.

Because Wu Liangchen’s seemingly casual glance had struck Annabelle with a sense of unparalleled terror.

It was as if she wasn’t facing a person, but a colossal dragon poised to devour someone at any moment.

A Martial Artist!

And an incredibly powerful one at that!

Although the martial ways of Folangji were in decline with the rise of firearms, as a scion of a top noble house, Annabelle had naturally encountered many powerful Martial Artists.

But the oppressive aura of all those men combined could not match the intensity of the man before her now.

Annabelle couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret.

’If I had known he was such a powerful Martial Artist, I wouldn’t have come with so few people.’

But it was too late for regrets. Annabelle quickly composed herself, took a deep breath, and spoke.

"If my subordinate was in the wrong, then I offer you my apologies. But if he was not, then I hope you will submit obediently to the judgment of Imperial law."