Chapter 29 Cook

'Kids with their wild imagination.' Alex kept quiet after hearing the kid. Nonetheless, it was good that he was allowed to look around.

The shopkeeper was not thrilled by Alex's presence. But he could do nothing against it. They were important guests of the merchant union and he couldn't disrespect them when they voiced their opinion.

While all that was happening. Just like Alex, the big sister of the brat was carefully checking the spices. She was tasked to procure the spices required for the entire tribe. So, she carefully did her work.

"Bum-like master, where are you from?" The kid asked after slipping away from the servants.

Even though the servants noticed it, they didn't mind. They were used to the antics of the young miss. She had a wild personality contrary to her delicate looks.

'Poor kid, I didn't think she was this far gone.'

Smiling kindly like the statue of Maitreya Buddha, Alex said.

"Little miss, I am not a hidden master. I am just a poor kid from up north." Alex was trying to clear up the misunderstanding.

"Ku Ku Ku. I knew it!" A small smile bloomed on her face after Alex affirmed her doubt.

'What do you know?'

"No hidden master would acknowledge that they are one. Master, is this a test?"

'What test?'

"You don't have to explain anything. I think I know what you mean. Should I show my sincerity by buying you all spices you want? That way, would you take me as your disciple?"

'This kid is nuttier than the nuttiest nut.' Finally, Alex gave up on trying to make sense of what the kid was saying.

This was the first time he came across a situation like this. He has stuck between a rock and a cute kid. And she was not ready to let him leave.

Meeting a hidden master was always her dream. Now that she met one, she wanted to ask all kinds of questions. Like an excited little chick, she began following Alex who was browsing the spices.

"So, Master. Where are you from? I am Meena from the ice phoenix clan. The youngest granddaughter of the current rulers of this region."

Casually, she dropped another bomb on Alex's head.

'Youngest granddaughter of the current ruler of the Ice phoenix clan. What the… She is a pampered young princess of the region.'

Alex, who realised this was shellshocked. He paused for a moment to digest the new information.

'Is this the brat that the Uli brat wanted to marry? No, this kid is too young. It might be her older sister. The brat Uli is fifteen years old, the same age as my body. If he really wants to take over the ice phoenix tribe. He might be eyeing the older sister.' Alex reasoned.

But this didn't decrease his shock. How could he think with a sane mind after realising who he was dealing with?

Any offence against their little princess will cause everyone in the Blue gem city to turn against him. That meant only one thing, his head would learn to fly. Death was closer than he expected.

And Alex really didn't want to die.

'Think of me as a bum, eyesore or a hidden master. I don't care. But please let me leave in one piece.'

At that moment, it was the only wish Alex had.

"Meena, don't disturb the boy. Leave him alone. Let him browse the commodities." Suddenly like the chime from gods, words from Meena's older sister came.

'I am not a boy, I am a man! But that argument can be postponed to a later time. Thanks for saving me. It's time to scoot.'

Without giving any time for Meena to react. Alex escaped with his life.

Due to her sister being there, Meena did not run amok. And the presence of servants further prevented Meena from following Alex.

—---------------------

After escaping with his life, Alex quickly returned to the stall. While on the way, he sold the ginger he had for 10000 copper coins. Which converts to 100 silver coins. He could have converted it again to a single gold coin. But it would have been a chore to convert and use it. The silver coin was appropriate for his use.

It was enough for him to buy 100 chickens.

Alex's fried chicken start-up dream was about to be made into a reality.

So, to prevent any mishaps. Alex bought ten chickens and some eggs before returning to the stall stone head tribe set up.

He was going to try his recipe before selling it to the customers.

"Meru, where were you? We went all around looking for you. Dhairya is looking for you." Uli said.

"Okay, But don't be overly friendly. You should know your places as lackeys. Lackeys of Uli, teach him how to be a good lackey. After all, you are familiar with it." Alex sneered.

Give an inch, and they will take a mile. So, he had to be harsh with them until they are ready.

—----

"Elder, why did you call me?"

"I presume your exploration ended well. So, tell me. What did you learn?"

"It would be a great help if the elder could invest in my business."

"You learned to ask for money within two hours of running around. That's really great. But what business do you plan to start?"

"I don't need money."

"What?" Dhairya was perplexed. The kid was asking to invest, yet he didn't want money. Then what does he mean by investing?

"Elaborate…" Dhairya asked curiously.

"Within the wooden container that I carry is freshly butchered chicken meat. I plan to cook these and sell them. What I need for this business is manpower and a place to sell. As you know, our tribe has a stall. But if I could get one more, that would be great. Along with some people to work with me."

"Cooking chicken, there are many stalls that sell chicken soup. It's a lot of effort for a meagre amount of money. Only the popular, well-established stalls make a lot of money. Can you be competitive against them?"

"I know I can. And I am not planning to sell chicken soup. I plan to sell something new."

"Your confident face reminds me of my younger days. Just like how I began my business. But before any of that, let's get one thing straight. You will not get a stall of your own. You can sell your product at the stall of the stone head tribe. And you have to convince the other members before I allow you to sell them."

"Just what I was waiting to hear. Let me cook the most delicious food you have ever eaten." Smiling widely, Alex took the container of chicken meat and went to a nearby stove.

The stove was different from the firewood stoves that they used in the stone head tribe. It was better in every way.

The flame was hotter, the wood burned with less smoke and large cooking vessels can be placed on it effortlessly.

It was very suitable to place a large iron vessel in it.

Alex cleaned the chicken meat and marinated it with red chilli paste, ginger paste, garlic paste and some salt. He left it to rest.

After some time, he heated the oil inside a deep vessel. He was going to deep fry some of the marinated chicken meat.

And the rest, the whole marinated chickens were going to be grilled over a light flame.

Alex brought Uli to do the hard work of grilling the chicken. And a pleasant aroma filled the air.

This invited a crowd of people to form around him. It included people from the stone head tribe and the woodland tribe. Everyone looked curiously at Meru who was hard at work.

The salivating crowd patiently waited for Alex to do his magic.

While they were travelling, they had eaten delicious food due to Alex and they were sure that whatever he was cooking would be delicious.

'Things were going exactly as planned.'

The people surrounding were thrilled to see the meat turning brown after grilling. It was almost ready.

At the same time, Alex deep-fried the chicken and left it in a makeshift sieve for the oil to drain.

He took the eggs he brought and separated the egg white. He was going to use it to make mayonnaise.

Mixing just the right amount of egg white, sunflower oil, lime and a little bit of salt with his enhanced muscles. Alex made the first batch of mayonnaise in the world.

The food was ready to be served.