Chapter 91: Lin Dandan

A moment later, the old mantis demon, who had said little all along, suggested opening a tavern trial to recruit a new waiter.

“A tavern trial? Is it really that serious?” the old toad demon asked with a chuckle.

“May I ask the seniors, what exactly is a tavern trial?” the scholar said, folding up his fan, his face full of confusion.

“Did your elders never tell you?” The old toad demon exhaled a stream of green breath and sighed. “It seems we old fellows have lived too long. We had nearly forgotten there was such a thing.”

“Please, Senior, enlighten us,” said the scholar respectfully, pouring the old toad a cup of tea.

“Before the attendants, accountants, chefs, and even the tavern keeper can take up their posts, they must all undergo a trial. Only after passing may they assume their duties. But later, the process became far too cumbersome.”

“Except for the tavern keeper, the other workers turn over too often. Every few centuries, new hires must be made again, because the waiters’ abilities vary so widely that they often perish during certain missions. The turnover is simply too frequent. That is why, even now, the hiring of waiters is generally decided by mutual agreement among the families present.”

“They are all recommended into service by the families here.”

As he spoke to the scholar, the old toad also looked toward White Lotus and emphasized the point.

“That does seem like a fair method,” the scholar replied thoughtfully.

“It’s all because this humble woman lacks the ability to handle such matters properly. Let the families here vote on it, then. Whether to open the trial or not, let everyone decide,” said White Lotus, making an inviting gesture.

“I agree to open the trial,” the scholar declared first.

“Are you certain? The trial is extremely dangerous. You may lose your life,” the old toad kindly reminded him, shooting him repeated meaningful glances.

The toad demon clan had, in truth, already grown quite destitute by now, surviving only by living off the old foundations of their ancestors amid these great demons.

So the old toad knew that if the trial were opened, they would be at a disadvantage.

If they wanted to secure this waiter position, the most practical path was undoubtedly to rely on their family’s prestige and win that way.

“I object,” the old toad said firmly.

“I, I also object,” said the middle-aged demon, who was in the same predicament.

“Let’s just do it. I agree,” said the wild boar demon, his legs already aching from standing.

“I agree too,” said the electric fan demon.

“I agree as well.” Since the proposal had come from the old mantis demon, of course he agreed.

Everyone then turned their attention to Young Master Long Seven.

“I abstain,” said the silent Long Seven coldly.

In truth, whether he agreed or not no longer mattered. The demon representatives present mostly hoped to open the trial in the name of fairness.

The eight monsters seated here represented eight different old and new factions. The old powers clung to rigid conventions and sought to keep control through reputation and standing, while the newly risen forces wanted to break the existing order. Thus, each harbored hidden intentions.

This waiter recruitment was, in fact, only a pretext.

“So now the situation is clear. Since everyone agrees to open the trial, let each of our families send one representative to take part in this tavern trial,” said the old mantis demon, asking for everyone’s opinion.

But then—

At that very moment, the guestroom door was suddenly smashed open.

A handsome young man stumbled inside.

It was Li Changluo.

He swept his eyes around the room with a grin. Most of the faces were familiar: Young Master Long Seven, White Lotus, and even the scholar who had competed with him for a mission last time were all there.

There were also several odd-looking, grotesque demons staring at Li Changluo in bafflement, the scholar among them.

Young Master Long Seven still wore that same cold expression, utterly unreadable.

Li Changluo bristled at the sight.

At the very least, I used to be your teammate. Even if you weren’t going to come kneel and welcome me like before, couldn’t you at least greet me?

Cold-hearted wretch.

But then—

What did it mean when the tavern keeper, White Lotus, had just bitten her lip and secretly laughed for a moment?

He had seen it clearly.

Stop pretending, all right?

“I’m also going to take part in the tavern trial. I definitely will…” came Li Changluo’s resolute voice from inside the room.

The monsters in the entire room were stunned.

It was like a gathering of martial arts masters sparring when, all of a sudden, a young man who danced on the street ran out, pointed at them, and shouted, “Yo, check it out, I’m taking on all ten of you.”

“Yo, come at me together, you bunch of trash.”

Even Li Changluo himself was stunned.

I never said a word at all.

That was not me speaking.

How is it appropriate for you all to stare at me like that?

He desperately wanted to tell everyone in the room:

I was just kicked in here by a grade-school kid.

I only refused to save his sister with the absurdly large chest.

He kicked me in here.

No matter how hard he thought about it, he never would have imagined that a grade-school kid could have such terrifying strength.

“What did you say?” The old toad demon, unable to believe this sudden intruder, asked again.

“He said he wants to take part in the waiter-recruitment trial,” said the grade-school boy, who was wearing glasses and carrying a schoolbag from the central primary school, as he slowly walked in behind Li Changluo. Adjusting his spectacles, he answered the old toad on Li Changluo’s behalf.

Li Changluo was dumbfounded. He wanted nothing more than to rush up and slap him.

You little brat, weren’t you clearly imitating my voice just now?

Where is your sister with the outrageous bust?

When they were outside a moment ago, Li Changluo had already sensed something was off.

This grade-school kid was absolutely suspicious.

He had only just tried to slip away when the kid sent him flying in with a kick.

“Oh, so it’s Accountant Mister Lin. And this young man is?” the old mantis demon said, bowing to the schoolboy before pointing at Li Changluo and asking.

“Him? I met him at the door. He was crying and kneeling, begging me to let him participate in the waiter recruitment,” said the schoolboy, pushing up his glasses and waving a hand in return, his manner exceedingly grave and composed, utterly unlike a child.

…

The more Li Changluo listened, the angrier he grew.

I was crying and kneeling, begging you?

Participating in some waiter recruitment nonsense?

And besides—

Is this tavern about to go out of business?

You bring in a little brat to be the accountant?

Can he even add and subtract within ten?

Something was deeply wrong here. Could it be that Black Wa and Little Green had been kidnapped by this brat too?

With a smack, Li Changluo threw the wine and dishes in his hand to the floor and, blazing with fury, prepared to denounce the child and expose him.

“Lin Dandan, you mustn’t bully people,” White Lotus said gently, chiding the schoolboy like a kind older neighbor girl, her face bearing a soft smile that filled the heart with a touch of warmth.

Lin Dandan?

Li Changluo was so exasperated he almost laughed. What a ridiculously unserious name.

But no matter how many eggs you have, I’m going to expose you.

So—

Li Changluo obediently crouched down and carefully picked up the wine and dishes he had just thrown onto the floor.

“Sorry, my hand suddenly broke,” he said with a grin, explaining to everyone.

Inwardly, however, he was cursing to the heavens.

Because just then—

The schoolboy standing before him had pointed toward the door, then made a slashing gesture across his own throat.

The motion was done in one smooth sequence, and only Li Changluo had seen it clearly.

Then the little bastard even turned his head and flashed a V sign toward the tavern keeper, White Lotus.

A V sign, my ass.

You two are conspiring so openly in broad daylight—does that seem proper?

I’m exhausted…

Being threatened in front of so many people.

“Since that is the case, why don’t we give this ambitious young man a chance?” White Lotus said, clasping her hands together and looking at Li Changluo, so moved that tears nearly welled in her eyes. Then she spoke softly and sought everyone’s agreement.

Li Changluo still wore that same ingratiating smile, nodding and bowing his thanks toward White Lotus.

Yet all he wanted was to point at her nose and shout:

Who the hell are you insulting?

Who’s ambitious?