Chapter 440: The One-Eyed Owl Battles the Bull Demon King!
At the end of winter, the footsteps of spring were drawing near.
At this time, the greenery had not yet revived. Large swathes of meadows presented a dry yellowish-brown color, surging shallowly towards the lake in the breeze.
A thin layer of ice formed on the lakeshore, and the lake water was a deep cobalt blue.
Looking far into the distance, at the end of the sightline—though not steep, the majestic "Snow-capped Fuji" stood quietly!
Snow covered continuously from the peak to the mountainside, gleaming with a cold and pure light under the sun, sharply distinguished from the vast, cold blue sky.
"Tsk—! The scenery of this place of yours is quite nice."
Ryohei got off the sightseeing cart. While walking towards the barbecue grill by the lake, he looked around and praised from the bottom of his heart.
This scenery was even better than Stardew Valley Ranch at its peak!
Mainly, this sense of vastness and the majestic Mount Fuji truly added major points!
"I think so too."
Takatsuki Sen, with her small hands behind her back, followed beside the few people, a bright smile on her face:
"When spring comes, the scenery should be even better... After the weather warms up, the livestock currently kept inside will also be let out. By then, this area will be more lively."
She turned her head, looked at Ryohei and the others, and changed the subject: "You are welcome to come play anytime."
"We'll see, we'll see."
Ryohei waved his hand, neither refusing nor agreeing.
"Oh ho—! The ingredients are quite abundant!"
Minos slightly quickened her pace, passed everyone, glanced at the barbecue grill where the charcoal was already laid and lit, and came in front of two long tables pushed together.
She swept her gaze over the dazzling array of ingredients on the table, accurately picked up a plate of skewered, brightly colored beef tenderloin, turned her head, and suggested cheerfully to Ryohei:
"Ryohei-kun, let's roast a portion of beef tenderloin first!"
"Okay." Ryohei wore a smile, gave her a doting look, turned his head, and said to Yurine and the others beside him: "You guys also go get the ingredients you want to eat."
He paused for a moment, taking the host's role, and looked at Takatsuki Sen, Tatara, and Kirishima Ayato:
"You three don't be polite either."
"I've become the guest instead?"
Takatsuki Sen pointed at herself with feigned surprise, then lifted her chin slightly, asking and answering herself: "Alright, then I won't be polite!"
Although she said so, her feet didn't move—and the same went for Tatara and Kirishima Ayato.
Perhaps they wanted to wait for Yurine and the others to "roast" a round first?
Ryohei didn't mind them either and looked at the small table next to the barbecue grill—it was piled with various bottles and jars. There were five kinds of oil alone!
Rapeseed oil, rice bran oil, peanut oil, camellia oil, and butter blocks!
"You guys prepared quite comprehensively!"
Ryohei sighed softly, picked up a mug of clear-colored, refreshing rice bran oil, and used a brush to evenly coat a layer on the grill to prevent the food from sticking.
Without needing his instruction, Yusa, responsible for assisting, had already taken the beef tenderloin from Minos's hands and arranged them in a row on the grill.
—The two cooperated with considerable tacit understanding, flowing smoothly like water, just like a young couple who had been running a barbecue stall for a long time!
"Help me roast these."
Ryohei had just brushed a layer of beef tallow on the beef tenderloin to lock in moisture and enhance fragrance. At this time, Pekola approached Yusa carrying a plate of mutton skewers and a plate of pork belly.
"Okay." Yusa responded, first picked up a handful of mutton skewers and arranged them in order on the barbecue grill, followed by the pork belly.
Ryohei was just preparing to add oil when—
"Ryohei-kun, I helped you bring a plate of oysters to nourish you."
Like claiming credit, Lucoa brought a plate of oysters and delivered them in front of Ryohei, holding a plate of skewered large shrimp in her other hand.
"I truly thank you!"
When people are speechless, they will smile—Ryohei handed the beef tallow to Yusa, looked at Lucoa, and smiled while emphasizing his tone to show his "gratitude."
"You're welcome."
Lucoa got a bargain and still acted innocent, breaking into a smile and revealing two rows of neat, white teeth.
Ryohei didn't mind either—
With their relationship, they could still afford such little jokes.
He casually picked up barbecue tongs, placed the oysters from the plate onto the barbecue grill one by one, then took the large shrimp and laid them out in order on the grill.
"I say you guys, get some vegetables too."
Yurine, somewhat helpless, brought two large eggplants and some other vegetables.
She paid quite a lot of attention to nutritional balance in her daily life.
"Will get some, planning to get them later; want to eat a bite of meat first."
Standing aside with one hand on her waist waiting for the beef tenderloin, Minos looked at Yurine and replied.
"I think so too."
Lucoa indicated her thoughts were the same as Minos's.
"Me too." Pekola followed up, her tone unperturbed.
"Alright."
"..."
While the few were talking, Ryohei had already placed the two large eggplants on the barbecue grill.
Potatoes, chives, and enoki mushrooms were also laid out one by one, brushed with a layer of homemade spiced oil—this was oil infused with spices like scallion, ginger, and Sichuan peppercorn. The plant fragrance was rich, especially suitable for roasting vegetables and mushrooms.
Sizzle sizzle sizzle—!
Over the charcoal fire, the enticing sizzling sound gradually intensified.
The beef tenderloin changed color first, gradually turning from fresh deep red to an enticing light brown. A mellow meaty aroma carrying a hint of milkiness rose up first.
The fat on the mutton skewers curled up slightly, seeping out a wild, savory freshness.
The fatty part of the pork belly gradually became translucent, the lean meat tightened into an enticing caramel color, and the unique rich aroma of lard permeated, carrying a satisfying burnt fragrance.
The juices inside the oyster shells began to bubble, mixing with the savory freshness of garlic and the concentrated mineral scent of seawater, forming a complex and alluring umami.
The fragrance of the vegetables also quietly escaped...
Various aromas intertwined and wove together in the breeze, forming an enticing barbecue smoke flavor!
Gulp—!
Smelling these wisps of aroma, Takatsuki Sen unconsciously swallowed her saliva. Her dark green right eye had already turned completely black and red, and scarlet light emerged.
Even more unsightly was Kirishima Ayato; his saliva had already flowed down, dragging a silver thread in the sunlight.
"Distribute them."
Ryohei evenly sprinkled homemade compound seasoning on the beef tenderloin and instructed Yusa.
"Okay." Yusa responded with a gentle face and began to distribute the skewers.
Ten skewers of beef tenderloin; Minos was given two skewers, and the rest got one skewer each—Ryohei's was given to Yurine, to be fed by her.
"Arigato!"
Takatsuki Sen took a skewer from Yusa's hand feeling somewhat flattered.
She didn't expect there to actually be a portion for her in this round!
She looked at the meat skewer still sizzling in her hand—
Deep brown, gleaming with pale golden light, dripping with juices, with spice particles clinging to the surface. Just one glance was enough to arouse all one's imagination of "crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, overflowing with meat fragrance."
"Ah-mu—!"
Takatsuki Sen opened her cherry-like small mouth and took an expectant bite.
"Mmm—!"
Her teeth cut into the slightly burnt, slightly crispy outer layer, feeling an extremely smooth and tender sensation.
Scalding hot, fresh, sweet meat juice full of fat aroma splattered in her mouth, instantly filling her entire oral cavity, bringing tremendous satisfaction.
This "bursting juice" experience made Takatsuki Sen feel amazed!
And along with chewing—
The solid savory base flavor brought by the barbecue sauce, the faintly revealing sweetness, perfectly blended with the spicy and slightly hot flavor from the compound seasoning, and the meat fragrance and fat of the beef itself...
"This is just too delicious!"
Completely different from the stewed beef and green pepper beef strips she usually ate at the restaurant, Takatsuki Sen involuntarily immersed herself in it!
"..."
In a daze, she seemed to have arrived at the roof of a skyscraper—no, more accurately, an arena. The whole city was an arena stage!
Takatsuki Sen stared at the figure with a bull's head and human body opposite her.
The other party wore an iron helmet, draped in splendid golden armor, stepped in pointed-toe suede boots with white soles, tightly cinched a lion-patterned belt with three strands of silk threads around his waist, and held a heavy mixed-iron rod in his hands.
His name... was the Bull Demon King!
"Very good, you have successfully attracted my, Old Bull's, attention!" The Bull Demon King blew two streams of white smoke from his huge nostrils, his voice like muffled thunder.
Takatsuki Sen raised her brow, her petite body suddenly expanded and mutated, instantly entering the Kakuja form!
While moving at "high speed," she used her Ukaku to launch a probing attack. Countless feather-like objects emitting scarlet light poured towards the Bull Demon King like a sudden downpour.
"Oh my mother! Your true form is actually uglier than my, Old Bull's!"
The Bull Demon King seemed startled, muttering a curse. The next moment, his massive body abruptly vanished from its spot.
Before Takatsuki Sen could react, she felt herself hit by an irresistible force, her whole person flying backward like a meteor.
The over three-meter-tall Kakuja form was instantly disintegrated by this devastating blow, knocked back to its original form!
The white bandages wrapped around her body rustled in the fierce wind, peeling off inch by inch...
—Takatsuki Sen, defeated!
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