Reborn in Japan as a Chef God
Chapter 636 - 635: The Horn of the Sword Debate

Chapter 636: Chapter 635: The Horn of the Sword Debate

On the large screen, the pairs of Zhu Qing, Saito Chiyokuro, Li Han, and Lan Chuhai tied for the top spot with 90 points.

"Your Food Justice Seal was sufficient. ’Detachment’ is water, serene and uncompetitive, naturally fitting the theme of this competition. However, as a contrast to water, if the power of [Bursting Flame] were stronger, your dish could have scored full marks."

With the Chief Judge’s words full of regret, Li Han and Lan Chuhai stepped off the stage.

Upon reaching the side of the stage, Li Han felt the air conditioning breeze on his head and realized that he was already drenched in sweat.

"That was close!"

Exhaling a breath, Li Han was very satisfied with the 90-point score. After all, their "One Taste Imperial Swallow" had its materials easily overshadowed by other dishes. If not for Lan Chuhai’s natural alignment with the competition’s theme, they definitely wouldn’t have scored that high.

"Reaching the finals shouldn’t be a problem!" he said.

Lan Chuhai’s expression remained neutral as she said, "We’ll see in the Sword Debate final in five days!"

Her gaze swept over the "Jade Dragon Pot" in the display cabinet on stage, her eyes determined.

"I must get it!"

Beneath her calm demeanor, there was a fervor unknown to others.

Compared to other legendary cookware, the "Jade Dragon Pot" was mainly used for detecting and locating, making it easier to find other lost cookware. Lan Chuhai took a deep breath and thought, "A hundred years ago, the mysterious disappearance of Chef God Liu and the ancestors of the Lan Family was certainly related to the mystery of immortality involving the eight legendary cookware. I will follow in the footsteps of the Lan Family ancestors!"

Growing up listening to the stories of the Lan Family ancestors, who became an Imperial Chef at a young age and overshadowed Chef God Liu Maoxing throughout their life, Lan Chuhai was filled with admiration.

...

After Li Han and Lan Chuhai left the stage, the sixth group ascended.

The Tang Family duo from Shanghai Longzhen Restaurant carried their dish to the judges’ table.

A large platter was placed on the table, containing neatly stacked, square blocks of tofu.

On closer inspection, these golden-colored tofu blocks were obviously fried, with a crispy, appealing surface.

Next to the platter, lettuce floret and red cherries were used as garnishes, giving the dish a rich appearance.

As soon as the platter was set on the table, the fresh fragrance of fish filled the stage, the aroma was rich yet had a distinct freshness, and just a whiff left a sweet taste lingering in the mouth, instantly lifting one’s spirits.

Vast aroma!

Smelling the fragrance, the judges all wore solemn expressions.

"Please taste—"

Tang Yuqiong said, pointing at the dipping sauce on the platter, "The sauce is part of the complete experience! The flavor is even richer!"

"Is this fish tofu?" Nuliang picked up a piece with chopsticks, the fish’s fresh aroma intensified. He dipped it in sauce, took a bite, and the golden fried crispy exterior, presumably brushed with egg yolk, released a strong egg fragrance.

Then, as the teeth broke through the layer, inside was minced meat that had been steamed and fried.

"Ah, this fish aroma!"

The fish paste, minced and mixed with egg liquid, didn’t possess the smoothness and tenderness of other freshwater fish, nor did it have the fresh flavor of other sea fish. At this point, the judge’s expression trembled as the sauce, which had been idle, finally invaded the soul from the tip of the tongue.

Potato, cucumber, carrot combining a refreshing taste.

Vinegar, sugar, cooking wine, soy sauce, bean paste.

And the stir-fried fragrance of scallions...

It was hard to imagine such a black, thick sauce blending so many elements. Nuliang couldn’t name it; it was unfamiliar, and he tasted something ancient and vast, just the sauce alone was shocking.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Suddenly, as he swallowed the whole piece of fish tofu, the minced meat seemed to erect mountain peaks in his mouth.

The judges saw mountains, shrouded in mist, with primitive birds and beasts, while a hidden underground river suddenly sprang forth with vividly colored ancient stone fish, seemingly the one Tang Yuqiong had previously slain with a knife.

"Mountains and Water... magnificent rivers and mountains!"

Nuliang ate slowly, taking a long time to chew and swallow a piece of tofu.

"These tofu pieces themselves aren’t much to speak of."

Tang Yuqiong nodded, "Yes, anyone can make them. Buy two fresh fish from the market, clean, debone, rinse, dry, mince the fish, and mix with water, eggs, and cornstarch in a blender to make a fish paste, seasoning with sugar and salt. You could either steam or fry them, but..."

She paused.

"The sauce!"

The judges’ eyes fixated on the small bowl of sauce on the serving dish.

"That stone fish belongs to water, and you utilized the inherent properties of the ingredient to create a scene of water, allowing us to experience the vast landscapes through this fish..." Nuliang ate a second piece of tofu, chewing slowly, his pupils reflecting vivid culinary images.

"The sauce of the Dragon Pot... finally truly integrated into the dish! It inherently contains profound meaning!"

The competition venue fell into a sudden silence.

...

Tiqie Mansion.

The Far Moon Commander watched TV, nodding, "It seems that the three finalists have been determined."

Footsteps sounded outside the living room.

Eriina ran in from the kitchen, panting, with astonishment in her eyes, "I didn’t expect it to be a three-way tie at 90 points!"

Just now, the scores for Tang Shan and Tang Yuqiong’s team were also revealed.

"Hmm, unless another team surpasses them and knocks these three 90-point scores out of the finals, but that seems impossible now." Senzaemon laughed, "After all, even with the Tang Family duo’s dual Food Justice dish, they only got 90 points. No matter how outstanding the later teams are, it’s difficult to exceed this score."

"Dual Food Justice?"

Eriina only somewhat understood. Was it the sauce from the Dragon Pot that gave the dish a second complete Food Justice?

It seemed the judges were strict, not appreciating Food Justice derived from external artifacts too much. Otherwise, seeing the astonishment in her grandpa’s eyes, Eriina thought the Tang Family should have walked away with a full score.

"So, between these three teams, Grandpa, who do you think will win the championship?" Eriina suddenly asked.

"The Tang Family, with the Dragon Pot Divine Artifact as an aid, may not have been able to fully utilize its power in the past, but with an addition of a Lin Chef, that may not be the case."

"The combination of Li Han and Lan Chuhai also has an extremely frightening potential!"

Senzaemon wore a solemn expression.

"Instructor Xia’s team faces a tough challenge to win!" He shook his head, "The gap between these teams is very small, and even a slight difference in their dishes could determine the outcome."

"Ultimately, it comes down to the Sword Debate’s theme and their responses."

"Let’s watch and see!"

His eyes filled with anticipation, Senzaemon looked at his granddaughter, "Eriina, do you want to see the finals in person?"

"Yes, yes!"

The Divine Tongue was immediately delighted, her tongue practically tied in excitement.

...

In the blink of an eye, it was after the competition.

Backstage.

Lei Zhe and Desani’s team was in a closed room receiving guidance.

On the screen, a man in black clothes faced away from them, sighing, "Since we failed, nothing can be done!"

Neither of the two dared breathe heavily, keeping their heads down, the stance expected of the defeated.

"I originally intended to watch the competition in person, but with the back-and-forth, it’s the three teams from the Chinese Realm entering the finals. No matter the outcome, the return of the ’Jade Dragon Pot’ is inevitable, quite disheartening!"

The man shook his head, letting out a low chuckle.

Lei Zhe raised his head, "President, if you are determined to obtain the ’Jade Dragon Pot,’ besides competition, we might have other means available."

His eyes were cold.

"We’ll wait and see! See where it ultimately lands!"

"People only know the mystery of immortality surrounding the eight legendary cookware, but they don’t know..."

The voice abruptly cut off with the image.

But they don’t know what?!

Lei Zhe and Desani perked their ears and tried to memorize the words, but only heard half, the itch in their hearts was maddening.