"They’re clearly all made from soybeans, but each one has its own distinct characteristic." The Ox-Head tribesman with the curved horns licked his lips, speaking with great relish.
Bi and the reddish-brown furred man both nodded in agreement. That was right, all three dishes were incredibly delicious, yet each was unique.
After the pot of hand-pulled noodles was cooked, everyone present was given a bowl. Those who knew how to use chopsticks used them; those who didn’t used spoons to scoop. The Ox-Head tribe had never seen flour made into a dish like this, both chewy and flavorful. The tofu eaten with the broth also had a completely different flavor compared to eating it plain.
For a moment, aside from the sound of gulping saliva from the beastmen sneaking glances from afar, everyone was silent, each person holding their bowl and eating voraciously.
Eric added chili powder to his bowl, happily picking up pieces of noodles. The Ox-Head tribe truly didn’t lack food supplies; the flour they brought last night had all been left for him. They were so generous.
Few beastmen liked spicy food; only Joseph asked Eric for some chili powder. Both of their bowls were fiery red, and they focused on eating with gusto.
"Little chief, you truly are a genius." After the meal, Bi praised him sincerely.
"That goes without saying." When it came to food and drink, Eric felt that, at least here, no one could compare with him.
Michael had already cleaned the stone mill. Eric thought of the roasted peanuts from yesterday, slapped his head, and went into the house. Among the food supplies the Ox-Head tribe had prepared for their guests, there was some sticky rice, which was perfect for making peanut milk.
Eric put the shelled peanuts and sticky rice into the stone mill, added water, and began to grind. The sticky rice was actually best if soaked for a day; soaked, softened rice would grind smoother.
But even with unsoaked sticky rice, Eric was confident he now had enough strength and technique. He pushed the stone mill with all his might, looking like a tireless donkey.
A stream of thick, milky-white liquid flowed from the stone mill into the pottery jar below.
Seeing him tinkering with a new dish again, Max gave a helpless smirk, lifted Eric to one side, and took over the job himself, easily grinding the remaining peanuts and sticky rice.
Previously, Eric always used a blender, which would automatically cook the mixture during the blending process. Now, he had to use a pot to cook it.
Everyone gathered around curiously, countless eyes fixed on Eric’s every action, especially the Ox-Head tribe members, who were already extremely curious about him.
The Ox-Head tribesman with the curved horns was quick-handed, stepping forward to help Eric pour the liquid from the jar into the pot.
Peanut milk and soy milk had completely different flavors. Although both were thick, white liquids, the peanut milk had a sweeter, more fragrant taste.
Because of the added sticky rice, it was even smoother and thicker, rich, with an excellent flavor.
This was a dish Eric had craved immensely after reading about it in some novel, so he had specially gone to learn how to make it.
The flavor might not have been completely authentic, but it was still very delicious.
"I really want to bring all our food and give it to you. How can the same ingredients become so magical in your hands?"
Tasting a sip of the sweet, fragrant peanut milk in his bowl, Bi felt his vocabulary had been completely depleted; he didn’t know how to praise it anymore.
From last night to this morning, just two encounters had caused him to use up all his flowery words.
It was also the first time Thomas and the others had tasted peanut milk. Remembering the fragrant, crispy roasted peanuts from last night, everyone silently resolved that they must plant this as well.
Thomas added another crop to the small notebook in his head.
The more variety in ingredients, the better, of course. Eric was also eager to experiment, but unfortunately, he had to set off for the coast today with Max and Michael.
Today was a beautiful, sunny day; the brilliant sunlight had dispelled some of the cold.
The trade discussions from last night were settled, and the remaining tasks were handed over to Thomas Uncle and Joseph.
Joseph still needed to discuss privately with the Ox-Head tribe about the exchange: the number of farming tools the Hong Thao tribe needed crafted and repaired this year, and however many each Dwarf tribe could produce would be exchanged for that much food.
After the negotiations were complete, they would take the food supplies back first.
In previous years, the Ox-Head tribe would always proactively send people over, bringing the farming tools that needed repair, and then bringing the new and repaired ones back to their tribe.
After all, Dwarves were different from beastmen. The journey to the Hong Thao tribe could exhaust many Dwarves; they couldn’t endure such hardship.
This year, the Du tribe and the Thomas tribe had merged, so the Ox-Head tribe no longer needed to make the arduous journey. It just so happened to serve as a cover for Eric’s group’s trip.
In previous years, the person who came to the Du tribe to discuss trade was a different Ox-Head member.
This year, Bi took on the responsibility of the exchange with Joseph, and he would report back to his companions after returning.
Joseph and Bi carried their bowls into the house to discuss things slowly. Although Eric was the chief, the Dwarves already had established rules of exchange with the Ox-Head tribe, so he didn’t need to participate.
In the kitchen, the tofu was being pressed; outside in the yard, the pot of fragrant, sweet peanut milk was cooking. To avoid making the Ox-Head tribe suspicious, Eric added only a very small amount of sugar.
With this small amount of sugar, the Ox-Head tribe might guess they had used these novel items to trade with humans. Using too much would easily make them suspicious; after all, sugar was very expensive.
Although the Ox-Head tribe was gentle-natured, it was better to avoid potential trouble.
Even so, the two remaining Ox-Head tribesmen drank it with great enjoyment. This drink indeed suited the palate of vegetarians like them better.
Seeing that Eric had used all the peanuts from the bag last night, the two of them implicitly understood and went back together to get more for him.
It was because they also really liked the roasted peanuts from last night, and they even wanted to learn how to make them from Eric.
Eric reached out his hand helplessly, trying to stop them, but he could only watch the backs of the two Ox-Head tribesmen as they quickly departed.
Long legs really were fast.
The corners of his eyes crinkled in amusement. He looked at the other beastmen still pretending to walk back and forth nearby, feeling that beastmen were, at times, truly adorable.
"There’s still a lot of peanut milk here! Whoever wants some, bring your bowl over! We’re sharing until it’s gone!"
Eric cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone and shouted loudly.