Chapter 78: The Feast Begins

August 1st.

Early in the morning, Yun Xuan was picked up by soldiers and driven in a business car to a military camp outside the capital. This was not the same training ground as before, but a true military base, heavily guarded.

Peering out the window, Yun Xuan watched disciplined soldiers engaged in their morning exercises, but saw none of the weapons he had imagined.

The car stopped in front of a large building. Yun Xuan stepped out, accompanied by four others—all middle-aged chefs.

“All five of you have been handpicked as four-star chefs. The gourmet banquet will begin at noon. Please proceed to your designated kitchens to prepare,” Su Yinya, waiting at the entrance, said softly.

“Team Leader Su, I can accept the other three, but what is this youngster doing here? Does he really think he’s qualified to take part in the gourmet banquet?” sneered the burly, bearded man who had alighted beside Yun Xuan.

“May I ask, sir, how many years have you been cooking?” Yun Xuan replied with a smile.

“I, Old Tie, have been cooking for ten years. My knife skills may not be the best in the world, but there aren’t ten people who surpass me,” the bearded man said, folding his arms.

“Knife skills, you say? Team Leader Su, would you kindly prepare two blocks of tofu for us to compare? There’s still plenty of time before preparations begin, so it shouldn’t be a problem. And as for the other three gentlemen, if you’re interested, you’re welcome to challenge me as well. Forgive my frankness, but compared to mine, your culinary skills are laughable,” Yun Xuan said to Su Yinya, then looked at the four chefs with a cheerful expression.

“Young man, I, Old Zhang, have never met anyone as arrogant as you. Let’s compete with our signature dishes,” said the slightly plump man coldly.

“I, Old Mu, will join too. I specialize in cold dishes—let’s see who does it better,” laughed the white-bearded elder, his demeanor mischievous like a child.

“Mr. Yun Xuan, you truly are… I’m Shen Ping, head chef of Autumn Reverie House in the capital,” the last middle-aged man said with a wry smile, extending his hand to Yun Xuan.

“A pleasure, Chef Shen. Then I’ll trouble you to be our judge,” Yun Xuan replied, shaking his hand. Shen Ping was someone Dongfang Aoxue had mentioned before; his skills were worthy of a four-star chef, and he was a good man.

“What’s all the commotion here?” came a voice from behind.

“General Lin,” Su Yinya exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the newcomer, and hurried over to greet him.

“Miss Su, no need for formalities. Today, I’m just an ordinary diner,” the black-haired elder in uniform replied with a gentle smile.

He was a general, no longer managing affairs but still highly influential. His name was Lin Li, and his family’s rise was largely due to him.

“Sister Yinya!” called a sweet voice beside Lin Li.

The speaker was a young woman with mid-length black hair, dressed in a white dress, her hair tied with a pink ribbon into a playful bow.

“Ximeng, it’s been a long time,” Su Yinya replied with a smile.

“Are you about to compete?” Lin Li looked at the five chefs, his gaze pausing on Yun Xuan, whose youthfulness caught his eye.

“Well, since General Lin is here, why don’t you, Chef Shen Ping, and I serve as judges?” Su Yinya said with a wry smile.

Just last night, she had warned Yun Xuan that someone might try to embarrass him. Yun Xuan had assured her he could handle it, but she hadn’t expected he’d end up challenging three four-star chefs at once.

“Very well, I’ll enjoy an early taste of your craftsmanship,” Lin Li said with a laugh.

“Sister Yinya, I want to taste too,” Lin Ximeng said coquettishly.

“Don’t worry, I’ll have them prepare an extra portion for you,” Su Yinya replied with a smile.

They entered the building, and Lin Ximeng’s gaze lingered on Yun Xuan, her expression puzzled.

“What’s wrong, Ximeng?” Lin Li asked curiously.

“It’s nothing, I just think he looks like someone I’ve seen before,” Lin Ximeng replied, shaking her head.

…

This building was named “Mess Hall”—yes, that was its name. It had been left over from wartime, and after several renovations, now served to entertain high-ranking members of the Huaxia military. Each year, a dozen or so distinguished guests would be invited here.

The gourmet banquet was also one of the arenas where four-star chefs proved their skills.

“The first round will be a knife skills contest between Chef Tie and Yun Xuan,” Su Yinya announced, looking at the blocks of tofu before them—a considerable challenge.

“Chef Tie, let’s keep it simple and carve the tofu,” Yun Xuan suggested.

“No problem,” Chef Tie replied disdainfully.

“Begin!” commanded Su Yinya.

Yun Xuan and Chef Tie started simultaneously, carving the tofu with their kitchen knives.

“To carve tofu with a kitchen knife is no simple feat—a slight error can ruin the presentation,” Lin Li observed from across the table, watching with interest.

“Grandfather, do you know who that is?” Lin Ximeng whispered, pointing at Yun Xuan, who wielded his knife with effortless grace.

“Is he perhaps your boyfriend?” Lin Li teased.

“Grandfather, you’re so improper! Have you forgotten where the painting in your room came from?” Lin Ximeng pouted.

“You mean that painting called ‘Future’… don’t tell me it was painted by him?!” Lin Li’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“Correct! He’s Yun Xuan, the champion of the Star-Moon Cup, the youngest winner in its history!” Lin Ximeng proclaimed proudly.

“A prodigy indeed—a painter and a four-star chef. His future is limitless,” Lin Li exclaimed, appraising Yun Xuan with admiration.

“General Lin, that’s not all. He holds the title of Spirit of Cuisine, is Dongfang Aoxue’s master, and a partner of the Dongfang family’s Autumn Reverie House. His original dishes bring in over eighteen million annually,” Su Yinya added.

“Dongfang Aoxue’s master?” Lin Li was astonished.

He certainly knew of Dongfang Aoxue—the youngest four-star chef, three-time winner of the Spirit of Cuisine, and a focal point of attention.

“Holder of the Spirit of Cuisine title?” Lin Ximeng said, her mouth agape.

The Spirit of Cuisine was as difficult to attain as the Star-Moon Cup; both were pinnacles in their fields and goals for the younger generation.

“Done,” Yun Xuan announced, setting aside his knife with a smile.

“Impossible!” Chef Tie stared, stupefied, at the lifelike flowers Yun Xuan had carved from tofu.

“Thank you for the match, Chef Tie,” Yun Xuan said, glancing at Chef Tie’s work, which was impressive but lacking in detail.

With his advanced culinary skills and even higher proficiency in carving, Yun Xuan had surpassed most four-star chefs.

“Chef Yun, I was narrow-minded. I’m convinced,” Chef Tie said with a wry smile, clasping his hands in respect. This time, he addressed Yun Xuan as ‘Chef’ with genuine admiration.

“You’re too kind,” Yun Xuan responded graciously.

Chef Tie stepped aside as the staff brought out new ingredients.

“My turn now, Chef Yun. Your knife skills are impressive, but the proof is in the taste,” said Chef Zhang, who had challenged Yun Xuan to a signature dish contest.

“I couldn’t agree more. In fact, I recently improved one of my original recipes,” Yun Xuan replied with a smile.

“Begin!” Su Yinya announced, her eyes shining—Yun Xuan was truly remarkable.