The human mouth, after tasting rich and intense flavors, becomes less sensitive to subtle tastes.
This is why at a dinner table, it's advised to "drink white wine before red wine" and "start with dry wines before moving to sweet ones."
If the goal is merely to fill your stomach, you can eat anything in any order.
But if you want to savor the delicate flavors of sashimi, it's best to follow this sequence.
"Fantastic!"
Leonora exclaimed in amazement, "After finishing one type of sashimi, cleanse your palate with some shredded daikon or seaweed. The act of refreshing your mouth allows you to fully appreciate the next round of sashimi's freshness all over again!"
With that, she abandoned her elegant eating manners and began devouring the sashimi with gusto.
"Indeed."
"This sashimi is so delicious, with each type of fish being absolutely exquisite."
"And the method of eating from light to rich flavors makes it impossible to stop; you just can't get enough."
Gin added as he continued eating.
"The best one is the tuna."
"The fatty part of the fish is the most succulent and also the most expensive, with a pinkish-white color. It's incredibly fresh, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture."
"The knife skills used are superb. This consistent and unique cutting method is something I've never seen before."
"Each type of fish provides a completely different sensory experience!"
"It's truly a perfect blend of crispness and sweetness, making it an unparalleled delicacy!"
---
At that moment, under the dazzling lights, a slender, elegant woman slowly walked into the Moon Banquet Hall.
She was dressed in a custom-tailored gown, the fine silk reflecting a soft and luxurious sheen under the lights, perfectly accentuating her graceful figure.
Though slightly slender, she exuded an undeniable elegance and strength.
Her hair was meticulously styled into vintage waves, with a few strands gently falling over her forehead, adding a touch of softness and grace to her appearance.
Her bright eyes seemed to penetrate the soul, sparkling with an endless curiosity and anticipation for food and cooking.
In this environment filled with the scent of food and the intensity of competition, her presence was like a breath of fresh air, instantly capturing the attention of everyone around.
Even though the main focus was on Asahi Saiba and Zane, her appearance made people wonder if she was a secret gourmet herself or an important guest there to witness this culinary showdown.
"Mom!"
"The final judge is you!"
When Erina saw Mana Nakiri seated at the judge's table, supported by Anne, she finally realized what was happening.
However, as soon as she called out, the entire atmosphere in the Moon Banquet Hall erupted.
"What?"
"That woman is the Director's mother?"
Seated in the audience, Eishi Tsukasa was equally surprised to learn that the mysterious judge for this crucial match was Erina's mother.
"Heh heh."
"I met her at the tavern."
"Erina's mother is the only Special Grade Executive Officer of the WGO (World Gourmet Organization)!"
Rindo Kobayashi chuckled, munching on her snacks.
---
Mana's appearance caused quite a stir.
Once she was seated at the judge's table, she focused her gaze on Zane on the competition stage, her serious expression suggesting a silent exchange of respect and admiration.
"Strange."
"Saiba has already finished his sashimi dish. Why is Zane still not making a move?"
Watching Zane sitting by the cooking station with his eyes closed, Mana, who hadn't eaten in some time, became increasingly anxious.
"Anne, how much time is left in the competition?"
Finally, she turned to her assistant, Anne, and asked in a low voice.
"Ms. Mana, there's less than half an hour left."
Anne glanced at her watch and replied.
"Thirty minutes, huh?"
Mana nodded, then continued to watch Zane intently.
As the competition progressed, this graceful woman became a unique sight in the Moon Banquet Hall.
Her presence added an extraordinary touch to the match, allowing everyone present to feel the deep passion and pursuit of culinary excellence that transcends social classes and boundaries.
Indeed, no one could be more qualified to judge the culinary showdown between Asahi Saiba and Zane than this Special Grade Executive Officer.
---
"Alright, now is the time."
Just when the atmosphere was growing tense, Zane finally opened his eyes, stretched lazily, and picked up a chef's knife.
In his hand was a simple yet razor-sharp knife named "Breaking Army," lying silently on the cutting board. Its blade shimmered faintly in the dim light, as if it held the history and deadly presence of countless battlefields.
Though the knife was named "Breaking Army," it was now tasked with a completely different mission.
"Wow!"
"What kind of knife is that?"
Terunori Kuga, startled, jumped up in surprise.
"Oh?"
"This knife must be heavy, right?"
Rindo Kobayashi blinked, intrigued.
The knife, about 80 centimeters long, 10 centimeters wide, and weighing around 5 kilograms, immediately drew gasps of amazement when it was revealed in the Moon Banquet Hall.
Even Asahi Saiba, who was accustomed to defeating opponents and seizing their tools, was shocked by the unusual shape and weight of the Breaking Army knife.
---
Zane slowly lifted the Breaking Army knife.
His fingers lightly brushed over the cold blade as if engaging in a conversation with an old friend who had seen many battles.
Instantly, a deep and steady power surged within him. He took a deep breath, focusing his gaze on a piece of beef on the cutting board, his eyes filled with respect for the ingredient and anticipation for the culinary techniques he was about to employ.
With a firm and powerful "Hah!" the Breaking Army knife sliced cleanly into the meat.
At that moment, time seemed to freeze.
The blade cut through the meat with precision, splitting it cleanly in two without the slightest resistance.
The craftsmanship was astonishing.
As Zane expertly maneuvered his wrist and applied just the right amount of force, the Breaking Army knife moved effortlessly through the meat. Each slice was accompanied by a series of crisp, melodic sounds—the perfect harmony of metal and food.
The meat gradually transformed into uniformly thin slices, each as delicate as a cicada's wing, with visible marbling that showcased the meat's ideal condition.
The air filled with the aroma of meat and the unique scent of the blade, mingling into an irresistible temptation.
The Breaking Army knife, having fulfilled its unconventional purpose, now lay quietly on the cutting board. Tiny beads of blood clung to its edge, glinting in the light, hinting at the stories it could tell of battles both on the field and in the kitchen.
To those watching, the Breaking Army knife was more than just a tool; it was a bridge that connected ingredients to one another, and chefs to chefs. It bore witness to the transformation from destruction to creation, to the limitless possibilities of human skill and ingenuity.
---
"What... What's going on?"
Mana, who had never witnessed such a scene before, widened her eyes in disbelief.
This strange chef's knife, with a mere touch, seemed to awaken the dormant life within the ingredients.
Each slice of meat, each fiber, appeared to be infused with new vitality, rearranging themselves in a harmonious and orderly manner, revealing unprecedented freshness and tenderness!
Even more astonishing was that the fragments of food cut off by the knife did not immediately lose their life force.
Instead, they gently swayed, like dancing spirits, exuding an enticing fragrance that tempted everyone's taste buds.
"Is it just my imagination?"
"It feels like the dead meat has come back to life after being handled by that knife."
Mana murmured to herself.
To be honest, she had always held great expectations for Zane's cooking.
But this time, she had a strong premonition—she felt that Zane, in his match against Asahi Saiba, would create a dish that would astound the entire world!
---
Sichuan-style Catfish and Beef Liver Stir-fry.
This was the first dish from the "Eight Dishes of Demon Subjugation."
It combined the freshness of Sichuan-style catfish with the unique flavor of beef liver.
This dish innovated on the foundation of Sichuan cuisine, cleverly blending two different ingredients. It retained the traditional flavors of Sichuan cuisine while adding a new taste experience.
After the catfish was slaughtered and cleaned, it was cut into appropriately sized pieces and marinated with a mixture of cornstarch, cooking wine, and other seasonings to remove any fishy smell and enhance the texture.
The marinated catfish pieces were then deep-fried in oil heated to around 180 degrees Celsius.
"Hmm?"
Zane stood before the stove, his eyes fully focused on the faint, flickering flame.
Every flicker of the flame seemed to awaken a deep, unknown power within him.
As time passed, the air around him grew heavier.
Finally, Zane took a deep breath, and his sharp eyes began to glow red.
At first, the red light flickered on and off, but it gradually grew stronger, until Zane's black pupils had turned a deep crimson!
"It's here."
"His special ability has finally emerged!"
Mana, seated at the judges' table, stood up in excitement as she witnessed this transformation.
"A special ability?"
Erina, Gin, Leonora, and the others looked puzzled.
"This can't be happening."
"He... he has a special ability too?"
But it was Asahi Saiba who was the most shaken, his face turning pale as he stumbled back in shock.
---
At that moment, Zane was completely unaware of his surroundings.
His consciousness, his very soul, began to forge an inexplicable connection with the flame, gradually immersing itself in
the heat and brilliance, feeling the pure, primal power surging through his veins.
Suddenly, the flame's color became even more vivid, radiating beams of light that illuminated the entire Moon Banquet Hall.
Zane also heard the whispers of the flame, as if the fire spirits were calling out to him, inviting him to join their ranks.
He closed his eyes, fully opening his heart, quickly merging with this newfound power.
"Hello there!"
In his mind, Zane greeted these fire spirits.
He didn't feel that anything unusual had happened; he simply sensed the joyful emotions of these glowing points of light and their expressed trust in him.
Indeed, after receiving Zane's friendly gesture, the fire spirits in the air gathered even faster. If Zane were to open his eyes now, he would see his body glowing with a brilliant red light!
And so, Zane immersed himself in the joy of absorbing the fire spirits.
One second!
Two seconds!
Five seconds!
A minute!
Ten minutes!
---
No one knew how much time had passed.
Zane felt the speed at which the fire spirits were merging into his body gradually slow down, so he willed himself to wake up.
"I see!"
"This... this is my special ability?"
His eyelids trembled slightly, as if shedding an invisible burden with each blink.
Zane's eyes regained their gentle, jade-like glow. The whites of his eyes returned to their pristine, spotless state, contrasting beautifully with his dark pupils, like the brightest stars in the night sky.
Finally, fully awake, Zane stared blankly at the stove's flame, suddenly realizing the truth.
---
Fire has always played a crucial role in human food preparation.
Even before human civilization fully evolved, people recognized the importance of fire.
Back then, fire wasn't just fire; it was a symbol of hope because it helped people cook food, ensuring they wouldn't get sick from eating raw or unclean food.
In ancient times, there was an idiom in China:
"Sui Ren Shi drills wood to make fire!"
From that moment on, the ancients learned to kindle fire, marking the beginning of a new era.
In Greek mythology, there's also the story of Prometheus stealing fire.
---
"Let me give this a try!"
With that, Zane extended a finger.
And then, a miraculous scene unfolded. With the first uncontrollable flame leaping from his fingertip, the entire Moon Banquet Hall erupted.
Initially, Zane felt both fear and confusion towards this unprecedented power. The intense heat and destructive nature of the flames made him hesitant to touch them. But as time passed, he gradually learned how to harness this force.
He transformed his fear into strength and his confusion into the courage to explore the unknown.
Finally, under his control, the catfish was perfectly fried to a golden brown, removed, and drained of excess oil.
The beef liver was sliced thin or cubed, marinated to remove any off-flavors and enhance the taste.
Then, the beef liver was quickly stir-fried to maintain its tender texture.
In the same pan, garlic, pickled ginger, and pickled chili—staples of Sichuan cuisine—were stir-fried until fragrant, followed by the addition of a suitable amount of broth or water to bring to a boil.
The fried catfish and stir-fried beef liver were added to the pan, seasoned with pepper and sugar, then simmered on low heat until the sauce thickened. Finally, the dish was plated.
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