Chapter 893: Chapter 892: Overlap
The Chinese Realm is vastly different from Neon.
In terms of sheer scale, they are on entirely different levels.
The Neon Food World can be roughly summarized as ’One Temple, One Dormitory, Four Families’. Just one phrase encapsulates it.
To be precise, only Shi Lin Temple and Far Moon Tea House Cooking Academy can be considered as having barely touched the threshold of top culinary gates, knowing some deeper secrets.
However, in the Chinese Realm, not to mention the Light Realm, even the descendants of the one hundred and eight Lin Chefs of the former Dark Cuisine World, despite the fact that more than half of their legacies have been severed and disappeared, the nearly fifty remaining legacies scattered across the continent are each formidable culinary gates!
Are factions abundant?
This word cannot begin to describe the depth of the Chinese Realm. The position of ’Leader’ is like the leader of martial arts alliances, so Zhu Ji understands more than anyone the complexities beneath the calm surface of the Chinese Realm.
Not to mention far-reaching ones, just take the White Jade Tower for example.
Of the three Pavilion Master seats, one is given to the Kong Family after the saint, no matter who is in the leadership position, they must respect Kong, which is a custom and rule.
The other two are also closely related to the food world’s situation.
The Wei Family, led by Wei An, is the ’Imperial Faction’ in the Imperial City. To walk calmly and firmly in the Imperial City, this seat cannot be easily disturbed.
The third seat, once occupied by Huang He, is in a certain sense used for pacification and appeasement.
In the past fifteen to twenty years, Huang He and his White Cloud Pavilion have established such a formidable presence in the Jing Chu region that neighboring province factions and chef alliances felt threatened and began devising strategies to restrain them.
Thus, for balance, and considering the overall peace of the Chinese Realm, the Leader had to mediate from the center, summoning Huang He to the Imperial City and placing him in that seat.
Without its leader, the White Cloud Pavilion faction could then peacefully manage its own domain in the Jing Chu area.
So, the ’imperial power’ of the Leader is not as overwhelmingly strong as one imagines.
"Hmph, this Huang He, getting older in the capital for over ten years, still refuses to admit he’s old when he returns to his region?"
Slam!
Zhu Ji picked up the chess record again, suddenly frowned, and threw the chess record on the chessboard, scattering black and white pieces all over.
Outside the room, two doorkeepers dared not even breathe.
"Let’s see, let’s see more..."
Zhu Ji muttered softly, adjusted the chess record again, and bent down to pick up the pieces one by one.
...
The Lan Family residence is located in the outskirts of Jingguan City.
Originally, there was a famous spot called ’Feng Chu Waterfall’, but after Lan Feihong, his descendants, under the name of guarding the ’Kakura Blade’, enclosed the land and built the residence, gradually forming a small town of ten thousand people over a century.
The core main house is off-limits to the Lan family branches, but today the main house surprisingly welcomes two visitors.
Clan leader Lan Fengxian was waiting at the front gate early, personally receiving the visitors, showing how much he valued them. And when the household members saw the two visitors, one younger than the other, they were even more surprised.
Not some old monster?
"Tsk, now I understand what the Jia Mansion and Grand View Garden mean!" Xia Yu said, looking around and praising as he entered.
"Jia Mansion? This is Lan Mansion!" Zhu Qing said.
He was comparing Lan Mansion to the regal garden of the Red Mansion! Seriously!
Xia Yu glared, Zhu Qing glared back.
Lan Fengxian personally led the way, taking them to a quieter side hall, rather than the main hall.
This side hall was nestled in a bamboo grove. As soon as Xia Yu sat down, a breeze washed over him, the refreshing air making him close his eyes to savor it.
Lan Chuhai was already waiting there, boiling water with a charcoal stove, preparing tea, and acting as a maid, pouring tea for guests.
Having exchanged pleasantries several times along the way, Xia Yu took his seat without much formality and directly stated his purpose: "In fact, I have a favor to ask Elder Lan on my visit."
"Feel free to speak—"
Lan Fengxian smiled, adjusting his posture slightly in the main seat, showing no disregard due to Xia Yu’s youth.
"The thing is, I’d like to invite you to preside over a food duel for me, with your prestige..."
Clang.
The sound of a metal kettle falling onto the charcoal stove.
Xia Yu’s speech was interrupted, helplessly glancing at Lan Chuhai not far away. Lan Chuhai hurriedly set the kettle right, trying hard to appear calm.
Actually, Zhu Qing and Lan Fengxian didn’t fare much better.
Lan Fengxian’s smile froze on his face, "A food duel? You want me to preside? And the opponent is..."
At this point, Lan Fengxian suddenly stopped talking.
His expression changed.
Lan Fengxian clearly thought of something, knowing that in the one domain of Shu, Jingguan City, even slightly bigger movements couldn’t escape the gaze of this Lan family patriarch.
This young man is indeed so fierce?
He couldn’t help but cast an incredulous look at the young man across the tea table.
At the same time, Lan Fengxian also had a trace of schadenfreude igniting within him. That Huang He and Wei Zhong probably never expected a reversal, turning defense into attack!
Checkmate!
Eat!
He heard a crisp sound of a piece falling.
After a moment, Lan Fengxian squinted slightly, swallowing all his earlier questions, only deeply looking at Xia Yu, "...Could you reveal what you’re relying on?"
"You’re already on the path, breaking through the fog."
"However, that person is at least several years, even a decade ahead of you. Even when your parents were alive, they had to face his culinary skills as a formidable rival!"
"You take the initiative to duel with an elder generation’s Reserve Pastry King, where do you get your confidence in victory?"
Reserve Pastry King.
The opponent in the food duel was already approaching the surface.
Zhu Qing’s hands, placed on her lap, tightened. She suddenly recalled Xia Yu’s words when they left the cemetery.
There’s winning and losing.
Life and death.
The loser is also the deceased, only to blame for their inadequacy.
...
Later in the afternoon, Lan Fengxian saw off Xia Yu and Zhu Qing.
At the residence’s front gate.
"He’s too bold!" Lan Chuhai’s eyelashes quivered lightly, her eyes still rippling with unrest, "It’s one thing to propose the food duel himself, but he even aims to completely crush the opponent in the Reserve Pastry King’s field of expertise!"
Lan Fengxian sighed, "That’s why I didn’t dare to agree immediately, instead saying I needed to consider it."
"Moreover, being the presider and chief judge of this food duel is no easy task!" Lan Fengxian’s eyes showed helplessness, "Ah Han, think about it, if this only seedling of the Xia Family loses, no matter what the duel conditions are, his newly gathered reputation will be ruined. If the Huang Faction seizes the opportunity, he will have no choice but to flee overseas again, returning to Japan, and may never set foot on the mainland again!"
"In that case, even Xia Qing and that person..." he said, speaking in hushed tones of fear, "The tragedy ten years ago has already infuriated that dragon-like figure, and Chen Dingbang’s massive group collapsed like a tall building falling. Even the Kirin Child, significant to the fate of the Chinese Realm, perished because of it... Sigh, better not mention it. Don’t think that figure is indifferent to family ties; Huang He is attempting to pluck dragon scales!"
Lan Chuhai remained silent.
After a moment, as the two turned to return to the residence, an elder resembling a butler rushed over to report:
"We have distinguished guests!"
This time, the guest was led to the main hall.
Wei Zhong, who was admiring a freehand ink painting on the wall of the hall with his hands clasped behind his back, turned around upon hearing footsteps, greeted Lan Fengxian with a smile, and said, "Lan Lao, it’s an honor to be granted your audience on my unexpected visit."
"Haha, how could I refuse to see the distinguished Reserve Pastry King? In terms of pastry, I fear I’m no match for you. I hope to take advantage of the leisure after the New Year to ask for your guidance on pastry, hoping Chef Wei won’t be stingy with his advice!"
Lan Fengxian performed well, demonstrating what it means to be as cunning as a fox and adaptable in all directions.
Lan Chuhai was speechless regarding her grandfather, turning to leave.
However, Wei Zhong, who had business at hand, didn’t waste any extra words of pleasantries. He even didn’t sit down, and his second sentence was:
"I’m here to ask Lan Lao to preside over a food duel..."
Upon hearing this.
Lan Fengxian’s expression immediately became subtle.
And for Lan Chuhai, who was turning away from the hall, her eyes widened, covering her mouth to stifle a low exclamation.
This overlapping visit, overlapping request.
Isn’t it saying that this food duel is inevitable?
Elsewhere.
Having just returned to the old house, Xia Yu eagerly opened the personal data panel.
"’Divine Hand’ (10/10), Blue Tier, requires corresponding Culinary Skill Experience Card *1, Purple Evolution Crystal *1 for advancement."
"Stored Talent Points: 15."