"Boss Zhao, I truly apologize; you are indeed a good man! Not only have you sold us such exquisite buns at a low price, but your heart is also exceptionally kind," the elderly man's companion admitted, realizing her previous misjudgment and stepping forward to apologize.
"Zhao Shen, I must commend you; not only did he refuse your kindness, but he also kicked you, and now he has become an ice sculpture—what poetic justice!" Mu Yichun remarked, feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt for having doubted Zhao Shen moments before. He was also puzzled as to why the dark guards had not appeared.
"Ah, so it turns out that Boss Zhao's food is made from rare and legendary ingredients. No wonder it is so delicious! We almost believed that man's slander—just look at how kind-hearted Boss Zhao is; how could he possibly commit such an act?"
Red numbers floated above Dayu's head as his health bar fluctuated; this marked the third time he had fallen, and he was forced to resurrect.
...
This incident unfolded after Dayu consumed the bun, rendering him encased in ice, with a thin layer forming upon his surface. However, despite his predicament, Dayu struggled to break free as his health continued to decline. The onlookers recalled Zhao Shen's earnest warnings and felt he was truly a good man, returning virtue for malice.
In the simulated world, a single resurrection would lower one's level by one.
Finally, after the third revival, cracks began to form in the ice, and Dayu managed to extricate himself.
"Ding! Congratulations to the player for consuming the Culinary Master Ming Leng Ku Cang Bun and successfully undergoing the Ice Resurrection. Ice Resistance +50, Fire Resistance +50."
"WTF!" Dayu cursed vehemently as his level plummeted by three! The humiliation of being turned into a spectacle only added to his rage.
"I told you not to eat it…" Zhao Shen protested, feeling utterly innocent.
"Are you playing me for a fool?!" Dayu lashed out, fully aware of his fault.
"You insisted on eating it!" Zhao Shen, being the kind-hearted person he was, truly had made every effort to dissuade him.
...
"I'll kill you!" Dayu shouted, launching a punch, only to be intercepted by Mu Yichun's sturdy arm.
"Zhao Shen, are you only capable of hiding behind others? Is that all the courage you possess?" Dayu dared not provoke Mu Yichun further, his voice dripping with contempt as he trembled involuntarily.
Mu Yichun frowned, realizing this was the second time the dark guards had failed to intervene. It was clear that Dayu had come prepared.
"Let me handle this," Zhao Shen insisted, pushing Mu Yichun's arm aside as he stepped forward.
"What are you joking about? He's at level seven while you're at level three; the gap in the simulation is insurmountable!" Mu Yichun spoke with concern, noting that this was hardly the time for bravado.
"Dayu, are you not finished? Is this senseless disruption going to persist?" Xiaoshuang also interposed herself in front of Zhao Shen, anxious that Dayu might strike once more. They knew that the simulation was utterly realistic, with every blow delivering authentic pain.
"Ha." Dayu offered no verbal response, but his eyes conveyed a clear message.
What should a man do when subjected to such ridicule?
"Ding! Zhao Shen has issued a duel challenge to Dayu, who has accepted the challenge. In a world where people gather, fate is uncertain, and only destiny prevails! The duel will commence in ten seconds; the losing party will lose one level."
A booming system announcement echoed throughout the entire stall area.
...
The crowd was left in shock; they had not anticipated that Zhao Shen, at level three, would challenge the level seven Dayu. Was he courting death? Just moments ago, he had been kicked away like a rag doll.
"Zhao Shen, what are you being impulsive for? You're a chef, a craftsman; why engage in combat? Preserve your future!"
"Oh dear, young master, you are still too naive. Just let him talk; there's no need to take the bait."
"This is it; Dayu will surely trample Zhao Shen mercilessly. The young master is usually so level-headed; what's come over him today?"
Even Dayu was taken aback, not expecting Zhao Shen to issue a challenge. His sinister smile grew more pronounced; he intended to humiliate Zhao Shen in front of everyone to alleviate his own resentment.
Ten seconds is a brief interval, yet Zhao Shen drew forth his weapon: a pitch-black frying pan and a glistening silver knife.
What was this? The crowd's hope for Zhao Shen diminished further.
...
"Ding! As a Culinary Master, Zhao Shen has successfully maintained his prestige, earning 5 prestige points."
There was no time to check; Dayu charged forward, his eyes glinting with intensity. His right hand shot out like lightning, aiming to seize Zhao Shen's left arm. Just as Dayu thought he had secured a grip, Zhao Shen's hand slipped away like an eel between his fingers. Taken aback, Dayu realized that his supposed sure strike had missed its target.
If there was any part of Zhao Shen's body that was agile, it was undoubtedly his arms. Daily use of knives and spatulas had honed his dexterity; while he might not evade Dayu's grasp elsewhere, his hands were remarkably nimble.
Ignoring Dayu's astonishment, Zhao Shen skillfully leaped backward, his expression icy and resolute as he fixed his gaze on Dayu.
"Today, it shall be either your demise or mine; you have successfully provoked my wrath," Zhao Shen declared, his voice laced with a chilling resolve.
Dayu, slightly taken aback, regarded Zhao Shen with surprise, perceiving him as overconfident. He scoffed, "How amusing; it seems you remain unaware of the rules of the simulation. The disparity in strength between levels is vast; do you think that avoiding one strike makes you my equal?"
"I haven't personally taken a life in quite some time; it will be a good way to stretch my legs, but rest assured, I will thoroughly torment you until you break. Go ahead; strike first."
...
Zhao Shen paid no heed to Dayu's taunts. For his own sake, and to uphold the dignity of the Culinary Master, he thrust his knife forward.
With the knife in his right hand capturing Dayu's attention, the iron pan in his left followed closely behind, leveraging his arm strength. His earlier three-level advantage had been wholly invested in his strength.
Dayu narrowed his brows, slightly taken aback by Zhao Shen's actions, but he remained dismissive. Given his level, defeating Zhao Shen would be effortless. Even if the force behind the frying pan was considerable, it posed little challenge to him.
"Clang!"
The frying pan struck Dayu's arm, causing a numbing sensation, yet it inflicted minimal damage. The gap in their levels rendered the attack feeble.
With an empty right fist, Dayu aimed a punch at Zhao Shen, who raised his frying pan defensively. The pan vibrated upon impact, yet its material proved resilient, showing no signs of compromise.