Chapter 69: No Virtue, No Morality

Chapter 69: No Ethics, No Morals

Right, can it be replicated?

Serve these two scumbags the same package. Send them off together, so neither has to go alone. So the first one doesn't feel lonely on the way to the underworld.

Not letting them go alone is also a way for Tianlan Star to repay them.

Thanks to these two scumbags, they left some survivors when they made their move in the plot. They didn't wipe everyone out.

The Tang family, initially anxious and feeling helpless against such a powerful and unpredictable enemy, suddenly perked up.

Like wilted plants suddenly drenched with water.

The staff also saw this as a good starting point.

Since they called Tianlan Star a gourmet planet, then Tianlan Star should use its gourmet planet status to send them off.

If there were time, Tianlan Star would even host a gourmet competition just for them.

Tianlan Star has always been advanced and particular about its cuisine. In ancient times, there was a saying: 'One should never tire of fine food or delicate dishes.' Now, there are dozens of culinary schools, with at least one in every province.

Plus, the talented chefs who joined this world brought new culinary styles. The food scene has become even more lively.

Recently, the authorities issued a document to allocate resources and further develop this area.

Though the document was just issued, the impact was immediate. Many chefs answered the call, studying recipes and honing their skills.

The food industry on Tianlan Star is booming.

Even the barbecue stalls near residential areas have improved their techniques recently. Not only is the heat control better, but they have also developed a secret barbecue seasoning. Sprinkling it on while grilling makes the food smell amazing.

So even for funeral banquets, Tianlan Star chefs excel. Recently, tofu banquet dishes have been especially tasty, and everyone is eager to show off their skills.

"Hit the snake where it hurts."

"The opponent's weakness is obvious; we can exploit it fully. To kill them in one go."

"It's just about their gluttony. Tianlan Star has so many chefs. There are state banquet chefs, royal chefs, and hidden gem chefs in small roadside stalls and eateries. The food they make is absolutely delicious."

"Using all their skills, they can surely tempt them." This is the absolute confidence of Tianlan Star people in their delicious cuisine.

"Especially since this trash's racial weakness is their love for food, it's a perfect match!"

Just as the staff thought that heaven had finally favored Tianlan Star, letting them encounter the easiest opponent ever.

Tao Qingmiao suddenly thought of a crucial point: "Different races, could their tastes be different too?"

"They're not human, who knows if they can appreciate human cuisine."

"If they can't, no matter how well the chefs cook, it's useless."

Reminded by her colleague, the staff member who had already started arranging the gourmet competition process with his fingers, subconsciously moved his hands away from the keyboard.

He looked at the partially completed plan on the screen: "So all my preparations are in vain?"

The worst part isn't that he did useless work. But rather, doesn't this mean humans have no way to deal with them?

Thinking about the future in the plot.

"I don't want to turn into a prawn lying on the ground, slowly roasted red!" a staff member murmured to himself.

Of course, no one wants such a future.

When Sheng Qingquan realized he could exploit the enemy's weakness to eliminate them, his reading took on a highly purposeful tone.

He was also naturally thinking about the staff members' concerns.

Unlike the staff members, who had limited information channels and could only passively wait for clues to emerge, Sheng Qingquan, with his unique ability, received more comprehensive information and could notice more details.

Especially since what he often thought in his mind wasn't necessarily directly from the original text but frequently included extensive summaries of the plot.

The summaries Sheng Qingquan provided allowed everyone to quickly grasp the content of dozens of chapters, or even an entire novel, in a short time.

However, while quickly obtaining information, some details were inevitably missed, and sometimes additional details were included.

Often, details make or break success. Missing or adding details can both cause issues.

"The previous text used 'taotie,' a mythological creature known for its gluttony, to describe the racial characteristics of this trash. Taotie is not picky and eats everything. It was also mentioned that this trash's race particularly loves to eat."

"Putting this together, can I assume that this race, like the taotie, isn't picky and will eat anything in sight?"

"Otherwise, why would the author use such a metaphor?"

At the time, the staff members heard the term 'taotie,' but unaware it was from the original text, they thought Sheng Qingquan was using it metaphorically for the trash.

Hearing this, everyone now agreed with Sheng Qingquan's speculation.

"That's probably it," a staff member remarked.

Besides everyone genuinely hoping for this, based on the content of previous novels and the actual apocalyptic scenario, the author's descriptions often carried deeper meanings.

There was rarely any over-interpretation.

Many seemingly minor plots and details could eventually be analyzed to uncover important clues. Several times, Sheng Qingquan uncovered clues this way, aiding Tianlanxing.

This time, it likely wouldn't be an exception.

"So, it's unlikely the food wouldn't suit their taste."

Another issue was clearly more pressing and needed immediate attention.

"If we're afraid that the food might be too delicious for them to appreciate, besides hiring proper chefs, we could also go the opposite way and find some inexperienced cooks to cook. Then prepare more natural, unprocessed ingredients."

"Offer them plenty of options and let them choose what they like."

"However, from the plot where they used sunlight for barbecuing, it's clear they also like cooked food. Otherwise, to teach the Tianlanxing people a lesson and make the minor trash remember, why go through such a hassle?"

"They probably enjoy, or at least don't mind, light flavors. Otherwise, they wouldn't have skipped salt during the barbecue."

"But compared to light diets, since the major trash discovered Tianlanxing and specifically used the fact that humans on Tianlanxing eat everything to educate the minor trash, I have reason to suspect that, although they are trash, their tastes are probably similar to humans."

"They also favor heavy salt, oil, spice, sourness, and sweetness."

Oh, it suddenly clicked for everyone.

We shouldn't just look at the major trash's sunlight barbecue without any seasoning. That was clearly the major trash setting an example to educate the minor trash.

They were completely biased and misled by this point, forgetting why the big glutton had done this in the first place.

Wasn't it because they were afraid that the little glutton, like humans, would overeat, indulge in heavy flavors, and consume junk food without restraint?

Just like humans who control their diet, preferring light and low-salt foods, and cutting down on sugar, only when they like something excessively, beyond limits, do they need to control themselves and abstain.

Otherwise, who cares?

The logic is obviously the same.

"There's no need to worry that they would turn up their noses at the delicacies of Tianlan Star. What we need to focus on now is how much gluttony is considered excessive, to the point of being fatal."

"Have there ever been cases of death from gluttony? Could it be that the death here was because the other party, for the sake of a tasty bite, snatched food from a stronger being and got beaten to death?"

After considering all this, Sheng Qingquan was afraid that the final outcome would be like this.

Yeah, that's also a possibility!

Hearing Sheng Qingquan's thoughts, everyone couldn't help but feel a sense of suffocation.

They had totally missed this point before.

Now that they think about it, if it really were like this, could Tianlan Star rely solely on brute force to take down the other party?

Even though Tianlan Star has been making progress, thinking about the various ingredients scattered all over the place in the plot, everyone couldn't help but reach for their oxygen tanks.

"May all the gods and our motherland bless us; please don't let it be like this." Under immense pressure, someone started turning to feudal superstitions.

Luckily, such an unfortunate event didn't happen.

Sheng Qingquan didn't know that someone nearby was resorting to desperate measures. Although the plot didn't specifically mention this example, it was just a casual remark when the big glutton was warning the little one. But from the big glutton's attitude, it could be inferred that this death from gluttony wasn't because they were beaten to death for snatching food.

"If it really were because they were beaten to death, then the big glutton shouldn't have used Tianlan Star and this method to educate the little one."

"Was being beaten to death because they overate?"

"It was because they weren't strong enough!"

"If they were strong enough, what's wrong with taking food from others? They just took it. The big glutton could easily wipe out half the planet's population; from this perspective, it has no character or morals."

"Would such a glutton think they shouldn't snatch food from others?"

"They would only think that taking your food is doing you a favor."

"Not treating you as food and taking you along is them being merciful, letting you off. You should be grateful."

Indeed, judging from the big glutton's behavior, it's clear that the example of death due to gluttony in its mouth was not because they were beaten to death for snatching food due to insufficient strength.

"Otherwise, what the little glutton needs is not such 'gentle' education."

"What it needs is clearly a good beating!"

"What it needs is to work hard to train and improve its strength."

"Even if the target wasn't changed, the big glutton still chose Tianlan Star, and what humans encountered was not becoming ingredients, but a bloody battle."

"Becoming the prey and whetstone for the little glutton to train its skills."

"What the little glutton needs to do is not to fear being beaten to death, but to strive to become the one who beats others to death."

After clarifying this point, Sheng Qingquan concluded that the death case mentioned by the big trash was simply caused by gluttony.

"Either they overate to the point of their stomachs exploding, or they couldn't resist eating forbidden ingredients."

"It's like people who are allergic to mangoes or seafood but still stubbornly find ways to eat them. They might have the same temperament."

"The original text mentioned that their race is not as formidable as the taotie, 'they can eat anything, digest anything. Like a bottomless pit, they can eat to their heart's content. They only have times when they can't eat enough, never times when they are too full.'"

"From this perspective, both reasons are plausible."

"If we're not sure which one it is, we'll have to address both. This way, if one method doesn't work, there's still the other."

"Especially if both are effective, that would be even better! Negative effects stacking up, it should be enough to kill them."

"So we must prepare as many ingredients as possible."

"Their appetite is so vast it could consume most of Tianlan Star's population as reserve food. Although it's unclear how long these reserves can last, they are clearly confident they can finish them. Their good appetite is evident."

We need to prepare a large quantity of ingredients, keeping enough for Tianlan Star's own consumption, and probably have to offer the rest.

The staff noted the key points.

Aim to overfeed those two pieces of trash.

"As for the ingredients they can't eat."

Sheng Qingquan has also scoured the novel. There is no mention of it throughout the text.

However, Sheng Qingquan has long been experienced in picking up clues from between the lines.

He soon realized.

"Everyone transforms into ingredients. Earlier in the text, it was said they turn into fish, shrimp, eggs, and large sugar cubes, but actually, it's not just these."

"Because they transform based on people's favorite foods."

Initially, this was Sheng Qingquan's guess, but it was later confirmed by the big trash in the novel.

"The big trash directly told the little trash that these people would transform into their own favorite ingredients. So besides fish, shrimp, eggs, and sugar cubes, many people also turn into steak, duck meat, shellfish, crab, pork, lamb, goose liver, chicken hearts, and various other meat ingredients."

"Although many people on Tianlan Star prefer to eat meat, there are also quite a few people who like to eat vegetables."

"Otherwise, where would all those vegetarian restaurants on Tianlan Star come from?"

"Vegetarian dishes have been removed from restaurant menus. You can just take vitamin tablets instead of spending extra on vegetarian dishes."

"Many people on Tianlan Star eat vegetables, partly due to beliefs, but more are simply fond of them."

When Sheng Qingquan mentioned this, a staff member nodded: "I love pea tips the most—perfect in soup and hot pot."

He has a deep understanding of himself.

"If I were to transform into an ingredient, it would definitely be pea tips."

Tao Qingmiao also spoke up: "I prefer fruits, especially watermelon. So I would definitely transform into a watermelon."

"Grilled watermelon sounds like a strange dish; they might not change, and pea tips are better boiled. These can be somewhat explained. But I absolutely love mushrooms!" a staff member chimed in.

Who on Tianlan Star doesn't know that mushrooms are very suitable for grilling?!

"So it's pretty odd that no one turned into shiitake mushrooms."

"Besides shiitake mushrooms, there must be people who like leeks, corn, potatoes, cucumbers, and so on... Not a single vegetarian dish, which is clearly weird."

"So it's pretty likely that there were transformations, but they were left out on purpose in the plot."

"Even though all those meat-based foods turned back into people when the big trash took them away. But vegetarian dishes were completely overlooked."

On this matter, Sheng Qingquan could only think of one possibility.

"When I don't like something, I just tune it out. Normally, when I order food, I always go for dishes I like. But when going out for banquets or gatherings, it's hard to dodge it entirely."

"I hate eating lamb the most, so even if it's on the table, I won't even look at it. I would probably sit as far away from the lamb as possible. Just act like it doesn't exist."

"Indeed, I hate ginger the most, so you won't find any ginger in my house, not even for removing fishy smells," a staff member added.

"The author didn't write about vegetarian dishes or fruits throughout, but made a point to write that the big trash told the little trash that everyone would turn into their favorite food ingredients. This is a clear giveaway."

"It's pretty likely that the big trash doesn't like vegetarian dishes, but considering its previously mentioned gluttonous examples, and the fact that their race is similar to the gluttonous Taotie."

Considering this, Sheng Qingquan thought it over and made a correction.

"Rather than disliking, it seems like they can't eat it."

"Because they absolutely cannot eat it, fearing they can't resist the temptation, so they just avoid it altogether. If you don't look, don't focus on it, you won't be tempted. To avoid losing control and eating something that might kill them."

"When I'm on a diet, I stay away from reading food blogs or watching eating shows. Even when shopping, I make a point to skip the food section," a staff member said quietly.

This is clearly the same principle.

"And there's the matter of flavor."

Sheng Qingquan couldn't help but think.

"Is the big trash teaching the little trash just because it thinks a light diet is healthier, so it avoids strong flavors, or is it because it can't eat them?"

"Besides not being able to eat fruits and vegetables, might these be weak points? Could strong flavors also be one of their weaknesses?"

"Because reading the entire text, it feels like the big trash is more about teaching the little trash to eat less, rather than completely forbidding it. So heavy oil, spicy, salty, and sweet foods, might these be weak points for their race, where a little is okay, but a lot is not?"

"Regardless, it's better to play it safe."

Then there's only one last question left.

Sheng Qingquan seriously flipped through the book.

"When will these two non-recyclable trashes come?"

Fortunately, this question isn't difficult.

"In the plot, on the day they appeared, Little Tang and Old Tang were secretly eating fried chicken. When buying fried chicken, Little Tang chose White Beard's among several different brand chains."

"Could that day have been a Thursday?"

"As everyone knows, White Beard's has promotions every Thursday. Buying fried chicken that day, choosing their store is the most cost-effective. When ordering, people usually compare prices and choose the most economical option. Little Tang shouldn't be an exception."

"Moreover, after the delivery arrived, Old Tang, upon seeing the fried chicken, asked in confusion why so much was bought today. Little Tang replied that it was cheaper today, so he bought more. From this, it should indeed be Thursday."

This Thursday is the day after tomorrow.

The authorities prepared as quickly as possible.

When the two uninvited guests arrived, they were immediately captivated by a strong aroma before they could even take in their surroundings.

What on earth is this?

They couldn't help but look down. Below them were large pots.

The pots were filled with a red broth, where various ingredients floated and sank, tumbling repeatedly.