A Mortal’s Immortal Gourd
Chapter 27: Fish Demon Meat

Ergouzi had traveled for most of the day and finally, near dusk, walked into Huichun Hall with a sack of Strength Pills slung over his back.

“Brother Ergou, you’re finally here!”

It had only been a few months, but the moment Sima Yi saw Ergouzi, his eyes turned red with excitement.

He looked impatient, like he’d been waiting forever — the phrase “absence makes the heart grow fonder” couldn’t fit better.

“Why did it take you so long to get here? Look at this — I’ve got a few more white hairs from all the worry!”

Sima Yi pulled out a couple of white hairs to show Ergouzi.

“Sorry about that, I’ve been caught up with some stuff lately.”

Ergouzi apologized a bit guiltily. Last time, Sima Yi had ordered two shi of enhanced Strength Pills, but he hadn’t delivered them.

He’d been too obsessed with his cultivation the past few months. It was only because his sword training had stalled that he finally came out to make some money to buy Peiyuan Gutben Pills.

“Never mind that, how many of those enhanced Strength Pills did you bring?”

Sima Yi had sold some of the enhanced version earlier, and to his surprise, the results were phenomenal.

In the county, many wealthy families had money but no excitement in life. With nothing better to do, they just kept marrying more wives and concubines.

But even the finest foods can mess with your digestion if you overdo it, and your stomach isn’t made of iron.

Not to mention, these women were like tigers — fierce and demanding. Over time, these noblemen became thin, pale, and lifeless.

Still, once you marry them, even if you're running on fumes, you have to serve them — tears or no tears.

Otherwise, who knows who’ll enjoy your wife behind your back?

People eat your food and spit in the bowl — literally.

By sheer coincidence, Ergouzi had made two types of enhanced Strength Pills, which just so happened to cure these noblemen’s... private troubles.

One pill helped the spleen and kidneys, restoring vitality — a long-term solution. The other boosted virility with immediate effects. Anyone who took them knew just how well they worked.

Taking both together brought these noblemen back to life — and they were hooked.

They chased after Sima Yi for more. The shop had no stock, so they came every few days to ask, annoying Sima Yi to death.

Now that Ergouzi had brought in one shi of enhanced Strength Pills, Sima Yi felt a massive weight lifted.

After counting, they had 6,100 pills. At 80 wen per pill, that totaled 488,000 wen — equal to 488 taels of silver.

Sima Yi happily handed over 49 silver ingots. Ergouzi carefully wrapped up the silver.

“You’ve done me a big favor. Let me treat you to a meal!”

Ergouzi’s stomach was rumbling. He’d planned to grab a couple of meat buns, but with Sima Yi offering, he was happy to get a free meal.

They’d known each other for over half a year now, and Ergouzi thought pretty well of Sima Yi.

Sima Yi came from a wealthy family — no worries about food or clothes — but he wasn’t arrogant and had no hidden agendas.

Just as they walked out of the shop, a six- or seven-year-old beggar boy ran up and held out a filthy hand to Sima Yi.

Sima Yi didn’t shoo him away. Instead, he smiled and took out a few copper coins, placing them in the child’s hand.

“Go get your friends.”

“Okay, thank you, kind sir!”

The little beggar thanked him, then waved toward a corner. Instantly, dozens of beggar children swarmed over, surrounding them.

Before Ergouzi could react, Sima Yi had already tossed a large handful of copper coins into the air.

The children scrambled to pick up the coins, turning the scene into chaos.

“Let’s go!”

“If we skip one dish, they can survive for several days.”

Sima Yi said casually as he led Ergouzi down the street.

“You seem pretty familiar with those beggar kids?”

Sima Yi looked like a noble from the county — fair-skinned, clearly never worked under the sun, with slender fingers that had never done hard labor. His silk clothes were high-end too.

Ergouzi was curious how such a pampered young master knew a bunch of beggar kids.

“They’re just orphans. I skip one dish each time and give the money to them. After a while, we got to know each other.”

Sima Yi spoke naturally, like it wasn’t anything special. He didn’t act like he was doing charity either.

At that moment, Ergouzi felt genuine respect for Sima Yi.

He himself had never been generous enough to give like that, but he admired those who did.

Sima Yi didn’t dwell on it and kept walking.

“I heard Hong’an Hall recently got some meat from a hundred-year-old fish demon. Let’s go try it.”

Ergouzi thought they’d just hit up some roadside shop for a bite, but to his surprise, Sima Yi dragged him to Hong’an Hall’s front door.

Thinking back to the time he’d been thrown out by one of their lackeys, Ergouzi felt uneasy. But since Sima Yi was treating, he said nothing.

He glanced down at his new shoes, then followed silently behind Sima Yi toward Hong’an Hall.

At the entrance stood the same blue-robed servant who had kicked him out last time. But when the guy saw Sima Yi, he immediately bowed low, his face full of flattery.

“Oh! It’s Young Master Sima. Please come in!”

As Ergouzi walked past, the servant blinked for a second but quickly plastered on a smile.

No wonder Hong’an Hall was the county’s most luxurious restaurant — it had five stories. The main beams were made from trees thick enough to need two or three people to wrap their arms around.

Thick carpets lined the floor. Walking on them felt soft and springy, making Ergouzi gasp in awe.

Back at Shekou Mountain, his bed still only had straw on it. Here they used fine blankets just to cover the floor.

Hong’an Hall had five levels, and only guests with status and clout could access the fourth.

They said from the fifth floor, you could see all of Anchan County. But that floor was reserved for the county magistrate — no one else could go up without his permission.

With Sima Yi’s status, they were seated on the third floor.

Even so, getting to the third floor was a privilege that many wealthy merchants envied.

A servant led them through a carved wooden door. The room inside was even more lavish — all stuff Ergouzi had never seen in his life.

A fragrant incense wafted from a burner, making every pore on his body feel relaxed.

Even more surprising, two beautiful young maidens stood inside, stunning Ergouzi into silence.

He couldn’t tell how they were born so pretty — their faces were fair and smooth like peeled eggs.

In all his years in Shexi Village and Sanchazi Town, he had never seen anyone this beautiful.

Turns out people could look like this?!

Ergouzi suddenly felt self-conscious. His face reddened slightly as he lowered his head and tucked his hands into his sleeves, covering the black cracks across his skin.

“Greetings, Young Masters.”

The two girls bowed politely.

Sima Yi flicked his sleeve and grunted in acknowledgment, then sat beside the round table with Ergouzi.

The girls quickly came over to pour them tea.

Their dresses were sheer like mist, shimmering with colors. Their soft, pale skin peeked through like characters from a painting.

Ergouzi didn’t dare stare. He only snuck glances now and then.

So beautiful!

Such stunning women were only serving guests — what a waste by the city’s rich folk.

At the same time, he was doing the math. This meal must cost thousands of wen!

For that much money, he could’ve had meat buns — enough for two people to be stuffed.

“I heard you have meat from a hundred-year-old fish demon. Give me two servings.”

After ordering, Sima Yi turned to Ergouzi.

“Brother Ergou, what do you want to eat?”

Ergouzi thought for a bit. The best food he’d ever had was fatty pork and meat buns.

“I’ll have stewed pork.”

The two girls twitched their mouths slightly at that.

“Alright, one order of stewed pork!”

Sima Yi repeated the order and added a few dishes with weird names.

Soon after, the girls brought in many delicate plates.

All the plates were made of fine white porcelain — clearly expensive.

The food looked exquisite, but Ergouzi didn’t recognize a single dish.

Finally, when someone carried in a large bowl, he finally recognized stewed pork.

“Try it.”

“The chefs here — their ancestors cooked for the imperial palace.”

Encouraged by Sima Yi, Ergouzi picked up a piece of pork.

The pork in the bowl was evenly cut, with perfect layers of fat and lean meat, swimming in red, glistening broth.

One bite — and the flavor exploded in his mouth. Rich, savory, and not a hint of gaminess.

Just from taste and texture, it was leagues beyond anything he had ever cooked himself.

Then he sampled the other dishes. They were all incredibly delicious — the best he’d ever eaten.

The only downside: the food had no spiritual energy.

Unlike the pork stored in his gourd, which made his whole body feel powerful after eating it.

Just then, the girls brought in two more large platters.

The platters themselves were carved from solid white jade — just one of them could’ve bought all of Shexi Village.

But in the center sat only a thin slice of meat, just about an inch wide.

“This is the hundred-year fish demon meat. Rare stuff. Try it.”

Sima Yi took a bite and savored it with deep appreciation.

Ergouzi picked up a small piece with his chopsticks and popped it in.

The fish meat was tender and fresh — way beyond anything else on the table.

More importantly, Ergouzi sensed it — the meat was rich in spiritual energy, just like his gourd-stored pork.

So this was hundred-year fish demon meat!

Then the pork he usually ate… maybe it was demon pork too?

“You know, that fish demon weighed over 300 jin. The best parts went to the county magistrate.

What we’re eating now is just leftovers.

Even the scales and bones were bought by Hong’an Hall to make various pills…”

That 300-jin fish demon was used completely — even the stuff in its stomach wasn’t wasted.

“By the way, are you close with Hong’an Hall?”

Hearing the name reminded Ergouzi of his reason for coming. Maybe Sima Yi could help.

“I know the young master there, but we’re not that close. Why?”

“I want to buy some Peiyuan Gutben Pills, but I’ve tried many times and never got any.”

“Oh, that’s it? How many do you need? I can help you get them.”

Sima Yi responded casually, as if buying Peiyuan Gutben Pills was no big deal.

Ergouzi took out the pouch containing 490 taels of silver.

“If you can get them, I’ll spend all this silver.”

“No problem.”

Seeing Sima Yi agree so easily, Ergouzi actually felt a little uneasy.

Because every time he’d gone, Hong’an Hall only had a few pills, and all the martial artists fought over them. Even getting a few was pure luck.

“You can really get that many? I heard the ginseng is all controlled by the magistrate — barely any makes it outside.”

“That’s true, but besides the magistrate, Anchan County has some old families with hundreds of years of history.

They’re deeply rooted. When it comes to underground trade, even the magistrate has to turn a blind eye.”

Sima Yi really did know everything.

“Don’t worry. Just come to my pharmacy tomorrow morning and pick up the pills.”

“Thanks a ton!”

They chatted and ate, but when it came time to pay the bill, Ergouzi’s jaw dropped.

The meal had cost 18 taels of silver.

That much silver could buy several pigs.

Just the tiny piece of fish demon meat he ate cost five taels.