Chef Zhang wants to compete in cooking?
Word spread quickly through the Tianquan Mountain Villa restaurant.
When the crowd saw that the challenger was just a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy, they couldn't help but pause for a moment.
Then they erupted into laughter, as if they were watching a show.
"This kid wants to challenge Chef Zhang? This is hilarious!"
"Ha ha, he probably hasn't even stepped into a kitchen before."
"Don't laugh! At such a young age, being able to cook is already impressive. Unlike my kid, who just messes around all day."
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Ling Feng and Chef Zhang made their way to the kitchen.
To prevent any cheating or disturbances, the other chefs had already left, leaving just the two of them.
"Young man, don't say I'm bullying you. What are your three signature dishes?" Chef Zhang asked.
"I have quite a few dishes I'm good at," Ling Feng replied with a smile as he surveyed the kitchen.
He noticed that the ingredients were abundant—everything from fish and meat to vegetables, all available. No wonder it was the restaurant of Tianquan Mountain Villa.
"Let's make stir-fried clams, Eight Treasure Duck, and sautéed shrimp segments, shall we?" Chef Zhang suggested lightly.
"Sure," Ling Feng nodded.
Chef Zhang eyed him suspiciously. Can this kid really cook?
They both began preparing their ingredients.
As Ling Feng skillfully deboned the duck, Chef Zhang's pupils slightly widened. "Great knife skills and technique!"
"This kid really has some serious skills!"
Chef Zhang also got to work.
While cooking, he couldn't help but keep an eye on Ling Feng across the counter.
The more he watched, the more serious his expression became.
Ling Feng's knife skills and control over the cooking fire reached an exceptionally high level. Even though Zhang had worked as a royal chef, he couldn't claim to be better than him.
This was a formidable opponent!
Chef Zhang took a deep breath and focused completely on his task!
Outside the kitchen, the other chefs gathered together.
They inhaled the rich aromas wafting out and began to discuss.
"That fresh scent… it must be the stir-fried clams."
"And the shrimp and duck are also in there."
"Looks like it's sautéed shrimp segments and Eight Treasure Duck."
"Wow, does this kid really know how to cook?"
Soon, the kitchen door swung open.
The chefs rushed in to see two trays, each holding three dishes. From their appearance and color, there didn't seem to be much difference.
"Delicious, it really smells amazing!"
"Let's not talk about taste for now; the color and aroma are almost perfect!"
"Whose dishes are these?"
Looking at the two trays, the chefs couldn't distinguish which dishes belonged to whom.
They stared at Ling Feng in astonishment, unable to believe that such a young boy could produce dishes on par with Chef Zhang.
"Let's take the dishes out and let the guests taste them," Chef Zhang said indifferently.
However, when he glanced at Ling Feng, a look of admiration flickered in his eyes.
The dishes were served to the guests for a complimentary tasting.
After trying them, the crowd was filled with praise.
"Excellent, absolutely delicious!"
"The shrimp segments are perfectly coated, preserving their natural sweetness and tenderness. The texture and flavor are flawless!"
"This plate is slightly inferior but still at a very high level. This must be the boy's dish; to achieve this, he's truly impressive!"
"Which plate are you voting for?"
"Definitely plate one! Although plate two is good, the three dishes on plate one are clearly superior. I've never eaten anything this good before."
"Honestly, it's even better than what I've had at Tianquan Mountain Villa in the past! Looks like Chef Zhang has been holding back!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement as they began to vote.
Without exception, everyone cast their votes for plate one.
As Ling Feng and Chef Zhang stepped out, Zhang's expression darkened upon seeing the voting results. He walked up to plate one, picked up his chopsticks, and took a few bites. His expression shifted as he chewed.
"I can't believe it—this really tastes better than what I made!"
"Young man, who did you learn your cooking from?" Chef Zhang looked at Ling Feng with a complex expression.
The crowd was stunned. They all gasped in surprise.
Could it be?!
This plate one was made by that boy?!
Heavens!
This boy's cooking actually surpassed Chef Zhang's!
"I taught myself. I hope Chef Zhang doesn't mind," Ling Feng said with a faint smile.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for surpassing Chef Zhang in culinary skills, gaining recognition in the culinary world, and receiving a reward… Divine Tongue!!]
Divine Tongue?
What's that useful for?
[Divine Tongue is a coveted ability among chefs. With it, one can easily identify the ingredients in each dish, analyze the cooking methods, and even improve upon them.]
"That sounds pretty impressive," Ling Feng thought to himself.
"Looks like even if I stop cultivating in the future, I could still shine as a chef!"
"Good disciple, well done!"
Liu Rusi laughed heartily, looking proud as she walked over to Ling Feng and ruffled his hair. Then she turned to Chef Zhang and the manager. "Can we leave now?"
"Wait a moment. This young brother has exceptional cooking skills. I admire that. Would you consider working at our Tianquan Mountain Villa? I can offer you a monthly salary of one hundred taels," the manager said, smiling as he approached Ling Feng.
Liu Rusi immediately frowned.
"Who do you think you are, trying to poach my disciple?"
Indeed, asking a martial arts prodigy to work as a chef...
No one would ever do that.
Unless they were out of their mind.
The manager, although unaware of Ling Feng's status as a martial arts saint, understood that being a warrior held more promise than being a chef. He couldn't help but sigh regretfully. "What a pity. Young brother, I hope you remember that the kitchen doors of Tianquan Mountain Villa will always be open for you."
"Thank you for the kind offer," Ling Feng replied.
"Alright, once you two settle the bill, you can leave," the manager said.
"Hmph, as if I would eat without paying!" Liu Rusi rolled her eyes and tossed her money pouch at the manager.
"No need for change," she added.
The manager caught it and immediately sensed something was off.
Opening the pouch, he was stunned.
"Wow! Only two copper coins?!"
His expression darkened.
"Are you joking with me, Elder Liu?"
Liu Rusi shrugged. "How could I have only that left?"
"Oh, I remember now. I lost quite a bit at the Dashing Gambling House the other day and spent the rest on drinks," she admitted.
"Oh no, this is a disaster! How am I supposed to get by now…" Liu Rusi said with a grimace.
The manager's face darkened. "Hmph, I don't care how you're going to get by, but if you can't settle the bill today, you'll have to wash dishes!"
"Come on, manager, can't you be a bit lenient? Let me go home first, and I promise I'll pay you in a few days," Liu Rusi said with a grin.
However, the manager didn't believe her at all.
After all, a drunkard and gambler had no credibility.
Ling Feng watched his master haggling and couldn't help but rub his forehead. He had a renewed understanding of Liu Rusi's unreliability.
Just the thought of having to stay behind and wash dishes with his master made him sigh deeply. "How did I end up with such a master?"
[Host, this was your choice.]
"Uh…"
"Cough, cough. Little Feng, when I count to three, you grab my arm, and I'll take you out of here," Liu Rusi whispered to Ling Feng.
"Uh, master, are we really going to eat without paying?"
"Who cares? As the illustrious elder of Baiyun Sect, I can't wash dishes! It would be too embarrassing to be known for that," Liu Rusi replied defiantly.
"Master, I think eating without paying is… even more embarrassing."
Ling Feng's lips twitched.
Suddenly, he thought of something and asked, "Master, can we use spirit stones to settle the bill?"
The manager's eyes widened in surprise. "Spirit stones can be used as payment?"
(Please consider some Power Stones)