Chapter 4998: Sit Down and Talk 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

“I’ve heard of you, though I never imagined I’d have the honor of meeting you today.” Song Lingbo spoke, adjusting his robes as he spoke.

Hearing this, the Captain surnamed Chai narrowed his eyes, his mind racing. Someone who could identify his status at a glance—no ordinary person! But who could this individual be? Knowing about their mercenary group yet showing no fear—was it sheer courage, or was he putting on a brave front?

“May I ask your name?” Captain Chai, the leader, inquired, his gaze fixed on him.

“Song Lingbo.” He raised his hand in a fist salute.

“Culinary God Song!” The captain’s voice rose slightly, his surprise unmistakable.

“Father! We’re back!” Mi’er returned with the three children, carrying several unidentified items. Hao’er and the others helped carry some things, while the two guard birds behind them clutched branches they’d gathered.

Seeing them, Song Lingbo smiled. ” Stop running around. The fire’s already lit. Sit tight a bit longer, and you can have some soup first.”

Mi’er and the others approached, sizing up the group. They noticed that the forty or fifty members all carried a distinct scent of blood, and each bore a hint of savagery and bloodlust in their brows. The group couldn’t help but frown slightly, keeping their distance as they walked.

“Heh heh, Captain, word is Chef God Song Lingbo’s culinary skills are extraordinary. His dishes can replenish lost spirit energy and even enhance one’s strength to aid breakthroughs—practically like medicinal pills. Now that we’ve stumbled upon this, surely we wouldn’t pass up such a golden opportunity?”

A man approached, his voice hushed, eyes gleaming with excitement. His gaze swept over Song Mi’er and the three children with a hint of ruthlessness, deepening the smile on his face.

“Captain, look—they have a woman and three children. And there are only a handful of them…”

The implication was clear.

The captain, a man surnamed Chai, felt a stir within upon hearing this. Truth be told, the moment he learned that this person was the Culinary God Song Lingbo, the thought had crossed his mind. However, the Culinary God Song’s formidable strength had kept him from acting rashly. But if they captured the woman and the three children first, wouldn’t he have no choice but to comply?

“Culinary God Song, I’ve long admired your reputation.”

The Captain spoke, raising his hand in a bow as he stepped forward. Yet, the moment his words fell, he suddenly flung a net toward Song Mi’er and the three children standing nearby. The net closed in on them instantly, tightening so swiftly that the group, each holding something in their hands, couldn’t dodge in time.

“Ah!”

Song Mi’er gasped, dropping her belongings as she let go. She braced against the net with both hands, trying to pull it off, but it only tightened further.

Hao’er, Muchen, and Yue’er froze for a moment before their own items also fell to the ground. Trapped within the net, they were dragged toward the group, who swiftly surrounded them, trapping them in the center.

Seeing this, the three exchanged glances. They didn’t cry out, remaining silent.

Song Lingbo, enraged that he dared attack them even after knowing his identity, his expression darkening further, barked furiously, “Chai San! Release them!”

“Culinary God Song, no need for anger. Since we’ve met here by chance, why not sit down and talk?”