Chapter 461: Chapter 238: Melted Scale Town and Red Scale Mushroom Soup

The influence brought by the flying Red Dragon still hasn’t completely worn off for her.

He doesn’t want her to be distracted when they encounter enemies later, causing the team unnecessary losses.

After resting in town for three days, Sava should have almost recovered.

Of course, from Xia Nan’s own perspective.

The past ten days of meals in the wind and sleeps under the stars make him especially yearn for the soft beds and sweet rich soups in the taverns.

A chance to rest for a period of time is naturally not something to refuse.

No one objected to this, and under Wood’s arrangement, tasks were clearly divided.

He took Sava and Luca to stock up on supplies in town, while Hai’an, Xia Nan, and Vier were to find a suitable inn to check in.

Xia Nan originally thought of finding a Blacksmith Shop in town to help maintain his armor equipment.

Although his skills are gradually improving, it’s clear that leaving it to a professional would yield better results.

Unfortunately, although Melted Scale Town has a fair number of adventurers due to the dragon scale industry, the blacksmiths’ skills in the town are far inferior to Rock Hammer Barn in River Valley Town.

The "fine" items displayed on the shop shelves lagged far behind those of Rock Hammer in quality.

This left Xia Nan feeling uneasy; he only picked up some maintenance materials and auxiliary tools along the way before leaving the shop.

The combined cost of his armor and leg armor alone was close to four figures in Gold Coins.

If they were repaired poorly, he didn’t have any connections in town to ensure compensation.

Since there were no severe damages, maintaining them himself would barely suffice for now.

After ten days, he could either go to Nianshu Territory or back to River Valley Town, where he could spend money on a full maintenance service.

Melted Scale Town itself isn’t large, just a small town nestled in the folds of the hills.

But due to the uneven topography with buildings built along the contours, navigating in town can feel very complex.

The three of them walked for quite a while on the narrow streets before finally finding an inn called "Resting Dragon Nest".

From the outside, it seemed unremarkable, with only a somewhat abstract sign of a bed and a wine glass at the entrance indicating its accommodation and dining services.

Inside, however, it was decoratively well-arranged.

A bar counter made of reddish-brown clay bricks faced the entrance, flanked by wooden drinking tables, and a staircase in the corner led windingly to the second floor.

The business was quite bustling; even though it was just the morning, nearly half of the tables in the hall were already occupied, and the overall environment was passably clean.

"You guys look at the menu first, order anything you want to eat, I’ll cover the cost."

Hai’an instructed the two, then went forward to negotiate the room booking with the front desk.

Knowing their generosity and friendliness, they’d never let anyone spend unnecessary money on the way.

Xia Nan nodded in gratitude, scanned the hall again to confirm no apparent hostility, then looked up at the menu hanging on the wall behind the bar.

Most of the dishes weren’t much different from those in general towns, mainly some common stews and smoked meats.

But given its proximity to the Melted Scale Mountain Range, Xia Nan indeed noticed many dishes on the menu whose names alone were eye-catching, such as:

"Salt-Baked Rock Lamb", "Dragon Breath Pit-Roasted Lizard Leg", "Sulfur Pepper with Crisps"...

And "Red Scale Mushroom Soup".

In an instant, a decision was made in his mind.

Xia Nan turned around, glancing at Vier beside him.

"How about it? Did you make your choice?"

...

The prices at the "Resting Dragon Nest" inn, although slightly heightened by the local adventurers, were still much cheaper compared to the White Sparrow Tavern.

The three of them ordered a whole table’s worth of dishes (the table wasn’t large, and meat dishes comprised the majority), costing only about five silver coins.

Equivalent to the bounty of one and a half goblins.

For Xia Nan, already accustomed to the costs at the White Sparrow, it was even considered a bargain.

As for the taste...

A spoon marked with wood grain stirred in the clay pot in front of him.

The deep brown and red viscous soup emitted steam, vaguely showing fragments of pepper and leaves floating in the broth.

His nostrils flared, sensing the faint sulfur smell wafting into his nose with each breath.

Xia Nan frowned slightly, scooped a spoonful of the so-called "Red Scale Mushroom Soup", and put it in his mouth.

His expression paused involuntarily.

His brows first furrowed more, then suddenly relaxed.

The salty and rich flavor was the main note, and the broth seemed to be made from Rock Lamb bones from the mountains, exuding a fragrant and fresh taste; the local peppers provided a spice that wasn’t abrupt, perfectly melting into the depths of the broth.

Plus, there were those peculiar mushrooms he saw for the first time, entirely tawny, with short pendulous stems and broad caps, crispy and tender like tripe, with a slight peppery taste.

The feeling was like drinking a bowl of hot and sour soup uniquely modified to the Otherworld’s taste.

Completely different from the creamy mushroom soup at White Sparrow Tavern, from texture to taste.

Yet equally delicious.

It’s a pity that, given the current spring season and it being a specialty of Melted Scale Town.

Otherwise, sipping a piping hot bowl of such spicy mushroom soup on a cold winter morning while watching the snowflakes outside the window...

The taste... Xia Nan couldn’t imagine how enjoyable it would be.

Meanwhile, on either side of his seat, Vier and Hai’an were also eating their own meals.

However, there was little change in their expressions, much like chewing jerky and gnawing bread at the campsite over these days.

Xia Nan didn’t mind.

Perhaps influenced by the culture and lifestyle of his previous life, he’s inclined to relieve his stress with gourmet food, a trait that sets him apart from many in this world.

Compared to vices like gambling and heavy drinking, it’s certainly healthier.

However, going without good food for a long time also makes him agitated, increasing his irritability.

Undoubtedly, the dishes at the "Resting Dragon Nest" perfectly matched his criteria for "fine cuisine".

With the steaming hot mushroom soup warming him, the fatigue from the journey seemed to be expelled through his pores by the spicy heat.

Just as Xia Nan was staring at the empty clay bowl before him, hesitating whether to order another,

He suddenly noticed a gaze coming from the opposite side of the hall.

Looking up, he saw a group of knights in uniform armor, equipped with exceptionally fine equipment, quietly having their meal.

Their implicit discipline and the similar look of their refined standard equipment made it evident they weren’t adventurers.

The gaze came from one who appeared to be the leader, a young, handsome man in heavy armor.

His expression was laden with hesitation and uncertainty, yet his gaze mostly lingered on the face of the Half Elf Hai’an beside Xia Nan.

"Hm!?"

Alertness instinctively sprung in his heart, suspecting they might be pursuing soldiers from Neum.

Xia Nan adjusted his position naturally, blocking their sight with his back.

At the same time, his fingertips lightly tapped the table below to alert his companions, his expression composed and serious.

Seeing this, his two tablemates were initially taken aback, then instantly prepared for either combat or escape upon realizing the urgent situation.

Without a need for words, they were ready in the blink of an eye.

Meanwhile, the young knight on the other side slowly rose, appearing to be heading in their direction.

And at this tense moment.

Very abruptly.

"Creak bang!"

The inn’s door was suddenly pushed open forcefully from the outside!

Blinding sunlight swirled with a strong smell of blood, pouring into the room with the cold wind from outside.

A middle-aged man with remnants of blood on him and an air of suppressed anger stepped into the inn under countless gazes.

His blood and mud-stained boots stopped only upon reaching the counter.

Facing the slightly trembling receptionist in front of him.

His hoarse and coarse voice echoed in the air.

"The room booked five days ago."

"May I... May I know the name you left then?"

"Quanya Squad, Lawson."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com