Ch 24: Chopping board
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Pind_Ala
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The day of the grand event finally arrived.
The streets surrounding the Iron Core Gym, which had been strictly closed for the past five days so construction could proceed smoothly, were finally opened early in the morning.
From that moment until the mere minutes before the competition could officially start, the crowd outside did not disperse once. Because the makeshift arena could only safely accommodate one thousand people, and the spectator entry fee was set at 10 coppers per person, many citizens were left outside, desperately trying to join the fun.
One thousand people at 10 coppers each... that is 100 silver coins just from the door! Zani thought, practically weeping tears of joy as his financial crisis evaporated.
To maximize his profits, Zani had ruthlessly utilized all his disciples and the partnered hunters as free security guards to maintain order. The reasoning he gave them was that they could work in shifts, two of the three groups could actively watch the tournament while the remaining group guards the perimeter.
The main gates were about to be closed with only ten spectator seats remaining, when a group of three figures clad in unassuming robes aggressively cut the line. Without a word, they casually tossed a silver coin to anyone who parted ways for them, smoothly securing their entry.
"So domineering!"
"Who were they?"
"I got a silver too, Mommy!"
The crowd watched in awe as the mysterious trio crossed the threshold, completely ignoring the intimidating, towering Bai who was on guard duty.
Before long, the crowd could only watch as Bai turned around and pushed the heavy iron gates firmly shut.
Inside the gym, the transformation was breathtaking. A grand stage spanning almost 2,000 square feet sat in the center of the courtyard.
Surrounding it, the seating area was arranged like an ancient colosseum, entirely constructed from fresh wood. There was only one main opening leading from the iron gates where the people could enter. Everything else, including the perimeter walls, was shadowed under the elevated wooden bleachers.
Since the entire grandstand structure was hollow, held up only by thick supporting beams, it created a perfect hidden network for the staff to travel unseen. Bai, being one of the primary guards, stepped into the shadows beneath the bleachers under the guise of 'encouraging' the disciples on duty. A few moments later, a small girl wearing a silk veil quietly slipped out from the same shadows, making her way to the VIP section.
Meanwhile, on the main stage, a bulky man with a thick beard proudly walked to the center.
"Ahem. Can everyone hear me?!"
Chief Sythe's voice boomed across the entire makeshift stadium. Upon learning that Mayor Salam was a primary judge and that the announcer would also be granted unlimited tasting privileges, Sythe had shamelessly begged Zani for the role.
"Welcome, everyone, to this momentous occasion! My name is Sythe, and it is my absolute pleasure to host you all!"
He grandly swept his arm, officially announcing the prize pool. "The victor of today's grueling trial will not only walk away with a mountain of silver and a live Mud Boar piglet, but they shall also be crowned with the supreme title: The Best Chef of Grains City!"
The audience erupted into deafening cheers.
"Now, bow your heads and welcome our esteemed Judges!" Sythe roared over the noise. "First, the organizer of this grand tournament, Master Zani! Next, the ruler of our Grains City, Mayor Salam! And lastly, a VIP guest personally invited by the Mayor - the Owner of the legendary Roast Board Restaurant in Slaughter City... Master Roasty!"
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
Thunderous applause shook the wooden stadium. Zani himself clapped politely along with the crowd.
Today was his very first time meeting Mayor Salam face-to-face. The Mayor carried himself with immense dignity, yet he treated Zani with an incredibly humble and respectful demeanor, effectively giving the young Master immense prestige in front of the gathered crowd.
The Mayor had even utilized his own political favors to invite Roasty, a culinary giant from Slaughter City - a region renowned across the empire for its premium Mud Boar cuisine.
"Now, let us welcome the brave souls who dare to step up to the chopping board!" Sythe announced.
Soon, exactly two hundred and fifty-two contestants stood nervously upon the massive stage.
The group was a chaotic mix of renowned restaurant chefs, humble street stall owners, and ordinary housewives. Since an event like this had never been held in the history of the region, many had signed up purely for the spectacle. In fact, a full third of the participants had traveled from outside the city borders.
"Please move to your assigned stations! We will randomly draw numbers to form groups of twelve. From each group, only two shall advance!"
The elimination process was entirely up to the three judges, though any excess food prepared in bulk was generously distributed among the roaring audience to taste.
There was, however, one glaring exception to the tasting rule: Chief Sythe, as the announcer, shamelessly secured a hefty sample of every single passing dish. Furthermore, two cheeky girls - Elisi and the veiled Leo - had slipped into the seats right beside Zani, intercepting plates before they even reached the judges' table.
For the preliminaries, the screening was incredibly brutal.
Proving one's culinary Dao in just a single bite was a terrifying challenge, especially since many of these commoners had never experienced fast-paced, high-pressure cooking before. With the strict time restrictions and the judges only taking a single bite to form their verdict, shocking upsets occurred constantly.
Several highly reputed, arrogant chefs crashed out in the very first round, while completely ordinary people managed to advance through sheer passion.
"This format of yours is quite impressive, Master Zani," Roasty commented, taking a delicate sip of tea at the judges' table.
"When the Mayor first told me about a cooking event, I was certain it would be a humiliating flop that would ruin my palate. But now? I dare say this is the most entertaining spectacle I have ever been part of. Hehehe."
The reality is, Roasty was a remarkably straightforward man. He openly praised the flavors he liked, but his criticisms were utterly ruthless.
He outright spat out the dishes of arrogant, renowned chefs, mercilessly insulting their lack of foundational skills. Yet, in a stark contrast that revealed his true character, he would forcefully swallow the poorly cooked, bland dishes made by trembling housewives, offering them gentle smiles and encouraging them to try harder next time.
The grueling competition raged on for hours. Thankfully, with the First Autumn month just starting, the cool breeze prevented the midday sun from ruining the ingredients or exhausting the chefs.
By the time the sky bled into shades of evening purple, the final trial was underway.
Only five finalists remained on stage. Unlike the preliminary rounds where ingredients were freely chosen, the finals featured a strict, mandatory main ingredient: Mud Boar meat. Mayor Salam had specially purchased and preserved this high-grade meat during his trip to Slaughter City.
"Look at them go, people!" Chief Sythe shouted, having completely embraced his role as the ultimate hype-man.
"Oh! I see Mister Sty has already completed his prep work! He is currently melting a rich block of Muu-beast butter in his pan!"
"Sniff, sniff... Heavens, what is that aroma? I smell omelets! Is Lady Tassy truly attempting to pair Mud Boar meat with eggs?!"
"And look over there!" Sythe pointed dramatically. "Our dark horse, Julian! Why is he viciously stabbing the meat with an iron skewer?!"
All five finalists were completely in the zone. Their hands moved with blurring speed, their foreheads slick with sweat.
"I can't wait to taste it..." Elisi mumbled, practically drooling as she stared at the sizzling pans.
"Right?" Leo hummed in agreement.
As a child of a prominent Immortal lineage, there were very few delicacies in the world Leo hadn't tasted. Yet, eating here, surrounded by the roaring crowd and sitting beside her best friend, made the anticipation incredibly sweet.
Hearing them, Zani could only shake his head with a faint smile.
During the brief intermission before the finals, these two gluttons had actually run off to train and burn calories, deliberately emptying their stomachs just so they could stuff themselves even more.
Meanwhile, high above the chaotic cheering, seated in the absolute highest row near the towering outer wall, the group of three figures clad in unassuming robes sat in perfect, chilling silence.
Their sharp eyes never once left the stage.
____________________________________
[Question: Can guess who will win?]
[Author note: For those who are curious, they are using kerosene for cooking.]
The streets surrounding the Iron Core Gym, which had been strictly closed for the past five days so construction could proceed smoothly, were finally opened early in the morning.
From that moment until the mere minutes before the competition could officially start, the crowd outside did not disperse once. Because the makeshift arena could only safely accommodate one thousand people, and the spectator entry fee was set at 10 coppers per person, many citizens were left outside, desperately trying to join the fun.
One thousand people at 10 coppers each... that is 100 silver coins just from the door! Zani thought, practically weeping tears of joy as his financial crisis evaporated.
To maximize his profits, Zani had ruthlessly utilized all his disciples and the partnered hunters as free security guards to maintain order. The reasoning he gave them was that they could work in shifts, two of the three groups could actively watch the tournament while the remaining group guards the perimeter.
The main gates were about to be closed with only ten spectator seats remaining, when a group of three figures clad in unassuming robes aggressively cut the line. Without a word, they casually tossed a silver coin to anyone who parted ways for them, smoothly securing their entry.
"So domineering!"
"Who were they?"
"I got a silver too, Mommy!"
The crowd watched in awe as the mysterious trio crossed the threshold, completely ignoring the intimidating, towering Bai who was on guard duty.
Before long, the crowd could only watch as Bai turned around and pushed the heavy iron gates firmly shut.
Inside the gym, the transformation was breathtaking. A grand stage spanning almost 2,000 square feet sat in the center of the courtyard.
Surrounding it, the seating area was arranged like an ancient colosseum, entirely constructed from fresh wood. There was only one main opening leading from the iron gates where the people could enter. Everything else, including the perimeter walls, was shadowed under the elevated wooden bleachers.
Since the entire grandstand structure was hollow, held up only by thick supporting beams, it created a perfect hidden network for the staff to travel unseen. Bai, being one of the primary guards, stepped into the shadows beneath the bleachers under the guise of 'encouraging' the disciples on duty. A few moments later, a small girl wearing a silk veil quietly slipped out from the same shadows, making her way to the VIP section.
Meanwhile, on the main stage, a bulky man with a thick beard proudly walked to the center.
"Ahem. Can everyone hear me?!"
Chief Sythe's voice boomed across the entire makeshift stadium. Upon learning that Mayor Salam was a primary judge and that the announcer would also be granted unlimited tasting privileges, Sythe had shamelessly begged Zani for the role.
"Welcome, everyone, to this momentous occasion! My name is Sythe, and it is my absolute pleasure to host you all!"
He grandly swept his arm, officially announcing the prize pool. "The victor of today's grueling trial will not only walk away with a mountain of silver and a live Mud Boar piglet, but they shall also be crowned with the supreme title: The Best Chef of Grains City!"
The audience erupted into deafening cheers.
"Now, bow your heads and welcome our esteemed Judges!" Sythe roared over the noise. "First, the organizer of this grand tournament, Master Zani! Next, the ruler of our Grains City, Mayor Salam! And lastly, a VIP guest personally invited by the Mayor - the Owner of the legendary Roast Board Restaurant in Slaughter City... Master Roasty!"
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
Thunderous applause shook the wooden stadium. Zani himself clapped politely along with the crowd.
Today was his very first time meeting Mayor Salam face-to-face. The Mayor carried himself with immense dignity, yet he treated Zani with an incredibly humble and respectful demeanor, effectively giving the young Master immense prestige in front of the gathered crowd.
The Mayor had even utilized his own political favors to invite Roasty, a culinary giant from Slaughter City - a region renowned across the empire for its premium Mud Boar cuisine.
"Now, let us welcome the brave souls who dare to step up to the chopping board!" Sythe announced.
Soon, exactly two hundred and fifty-two contestants stood nervously upon the massive stage.
The group was a chaotic mix of renowned restaurant chefs, humble street stall owners, and ordinary housewives. Since an event like this had never been held in the history of the region, many had signed up purely for the spectacle. In fact, a full third of the participants had traveled from outside the city borders.
"Please move to your assigned stations! We will randomly draw numbers to form groups of twelve. From each group, only two shall advance!"
The elimination process was entirely up to the three judges, though any excess food prepared in bulk was generously distributed among the roaring audience to taste.
There was, however, one glaring exception to the tasting rule: Chief Sythe, as the announcer, shamelessly secured a hefty sample of every single passing dish. Furthermore, two cheeky girls - Elisi and the veiled Leo - had slipped into the seats right beside Zani, intercepting plates before they even reached the judges' table.
For the preliminaries, the screening was incredibly brutal.
Proving one's culinary Dao in just a single bite was a terrifying challenge, especially since many of these commoners had never experienced fast-paced, high-pressure cooking before. With the strict time restrictions and the judges only taking a single bite to form their verdict, shocking upsets occurred constantly.
Several highly reputed, arrogant chefs crashed out in the very first round, while completely ordinary people managed to advance through sheer passion.
"This format of yours is quite impressive, Master Zani," Roasty commented, taking a delicate sip of tea at the judges' table.
"When the Mayor first told me about a cooking event, I was certain it would be a humiliating flop that would ruin my palate. But now? I dare say this is the most entertaining spectacle I have ever been part of. Hehehe."
The reality is, Roasty was a remarkably straightforward man. He openly praised the flavors he liked, but his criticisms were utterly ruthless.
He outright spat out the dishes of arrogant, renowned chefs, mercilessly insulting their lack of foundational skills. Yet, in a stark contrast that revealed his true character, he would forcefully swallow the poorly cooked, bland dishes made by trembling housewives, offering them gentle smiles and encouraging them to try harder next time.
The grueling competition raged on for hours. Thankfully, with the First Autumn month just starting, the cool breeze prevented the midday sun from ruining the ingredients or exhausting the chefs.
By the time the sky bled into shades of evening purple, the final trial was underway.
Only five finalists remained on stage. Unlike the preliminary rounds where ingredients were freely chosen, the finals featured a strict, mandatory main ingredient: Mud Boar meat. Mayor Salam had specially purchased and preserved this high-grade meat during his trip to Slaughter City.
"Look at them go, people!" Chief Sythe shouted, having completely embraced his role as the ultimate hype-man.
"Oh! I see Mister Sty has already completed his prep work! He is currently melting a rich block of Muu-beast butter in his pan!"
"Sniff, sniff... Heavens, what is that aroma? I smell omelets! Is Lady Tassy truly attempting to pair Mud Boar meat with eggs?!"
"And look over there!" Sythe pointed dramatically. "Our dark horse, Julian! Why is he viciously stabbing the meat with an iron skewer?!"
All five finalists were completely in the zone. Their hands moved with blurring speed, their foreheads slick with sweat.
"I can't wait to taste it..." Elisi mumbled, practically drooling as she stared at the sizzling pans.
"Right?" Leo hummed in agreement.
As a child of a prominent Immortal lineage, there were very few delicacies in the world Leo hadn't tasted. Yet, eating here, surrounded by the roaring crowd and sitting beside her best friend, made the anticipation incredibly sweet.
Hearing them, Zani could only shake his head with a faint smile.
During the brief intermission before the finals, these two gluttons had actually run off to train and burn calories, deliberately emptying their stomachs just so they could stuff themselves even more.
Meanwhile, high above the chaotic cheering, seated in the absolute highest row near the towering outer wall, the group of three figures clad in unassuming robes sat in perfect, chilling silence.
Their sharp eyes never once left the stage.
____________________________________
[Question: Can guess who will win?]
[Author note: For those who are curious, they are using kerosene for cooking.]
