Seeing her opponent receive overwhelmingly positive reviews, Tadokoro Mieko couldn't help but look worried, her hand gripping Megumi's even tighter.
"Don't worry, Mom. Trust in Teacher Dylan."
Compared to her mother, Megumi Tadokoro was very calm. She had absolute faith in Dylan.
Wang Zhi's dish was certainly incredible, but in the end, it was just Luminous Cuisine. It was a hundred and eight thousand li away from Flowing Light Cuisine, with absolutely no chance of surpassing it.
"Now, this is all we can do."
Although Tadokoro Mieko was incredibly worried, she could only trust in Dylan. After all, he was already representing the Shōkei-en in this match.
Win or lose, she could only accept it.
"So, I've presented a Luminous-grade dish. How will you counter it?"
He paid little attention to the praise from the people around him, instead turning his gaze to Dylan, who was frying tempura.
Upon seeing that he was just making tempura, Wang Zhi's somewhat grave expression instantly relaxed.
How could a mere Japanese dish possibly compare to his meticulously researched Golden Soup Jade-Stuffed Bok Choy!?
And as the judges finished tasting Wang Zhi's dish and put down their chopsticks, they too turned their gazes to Dylan.
Then they saw the tempura Dylan was making in the pot and couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
Although tempura is very famous in Japan and highly recognized, at best it's just a snack. As a competition dish, it's really not that impressive.
However, the moment the ingredients came out of the oil pot, a faint golden Flowing Light wrapped around them, making the already golden-brown tempura shine even brighter.
It wasn't blinding, but it was persistent and powerful, a shimmering golden light that made it impossible to look away.
"Is this... an incomplete version of Luminous Cuisine? The golden color on it is so faint…"
Clearly, not everyone knew about Flowing Light Cuisine, and the old town mayor before them was one who did not.
For him, even seeing a Luminous-grade dish was a first in his life, let alone the Flowing Light-grade cuisine that was a level above it.
"It really is faint. It doesn't seem very obvious, but isn't the duration a bit too long!"
The crowd gathered around was also discussing it. The golden light on the dish was faint, but it still hadn't dissipated after two minutes. Its persistence was astonishing.
"It really is ridiculously long."
Master Izumino's brow furrowed slightly, his fingers tapping on the table. He thought of a possibility, but then felt it was unrealistic. How old was Dylan?
Moreover, a good dish must excel in color, aroma, and taste.
The tempura before them, while looking great—golden and crispy, looking delicious at a glance—had a very faint aroma, only the light scent of fried batter.
Normally, whatever you fry should have its own flavor. Fried shrimp has a rich shrimp aroma, fried fish has a mellow fishy scent, and even frying beans should have an aroma!
"Flavor lock. Only by locking all of the ingredients' flavors within such a thin tempura coating could it prevent even a trace of the taste from leaking out.
This is undoubtedly a Flowing Light-grade dish! To think I'd see one in this small town, and such a young Special Grade Seven Star Chef! Unbelievable!"
Looking at the dish before her and thinking of Dylan's age, the young girl cried out involuntarily.
However, because she was agitated, she spoke in Chinese, which confused the surrounding audience, who didn't know why she was so shocked.
The only one who reacted was Wang Zhi. Having already had a suspicion in his heart, he immediately replied in Chinese upon hearing the girl's words: "How is that possible? How old is he?! Do you know what a Special Grade Seven Star Chef means? That's the level of a national treasure chef!"
"Of course I know! I grew up eating this kind of cuisine. No one knows better than me what a Flowing Light-grade dish looks and feels like!"
Hearing Wang Zhi's skeptical voice, the pink-clad girl was immediately displeased, arguing with conviction.
And from her words, it wasn't hard to tell that she was either born into a family of chefs or her family was extremely wealthy, otherwise she couldn't have eaten Flowing Light Cuisine like it was a daily meal.
Compared to the latter, the former was clearly more likely. Because no matter how rich you were, you couldn't possibly hire a Special Grade Seven Star Chef to cook at home.
A chef who has reached this level is already a national-level treasure.
In the culinary world, they could even be considered a kind of nuclear deterrent, an absolute authority!
Wang Zhi also thought of this point and couldn't help but feel some doubt.
He carefully studied the figure of the young girl before him, finding her a bit familiar.
The next moment, he couldn't help but blurt out: "You are Chuan Weihua, the champion of the Sichuan Cuisine Competition from two years ago?"
"Actually, I prefer you call me by my chef name, Chuan Jianyun. Because my ambition is to ascend to the heavens and climb the peak of the culinary path, to become the world's top chef!"
Two years ago, a youth chef competition was held in the Sichuan region. A seemingly dazed and cute young girl in pink clothes, sucking on a lollipop, won the championship.
She achieved ultimate victory with a dish of Sichuan-style Chili Topping Noodles. The Sichuan-style chili used over ten types of peppers, fragrant yet mildly spicy, and very easy to eat. Its flavor was layered and long-lasting, leaving people in awe!
It was just unexpected that the champion who was all the rage back then, but suddenly disappeared after the competition, would now appear here and become a judge for this Shokugeki over a ryokan. It was astonishing.
"No matter what, this is a Flowing Light-grade dish, and a very well-executed one at that. There is absolutely no other possibility!"
Chuan Weihua's voice was firm. She then turned her gaze to the sauce next to the dish, stretched out her fair fingers, and casually dipped it to bring it to her mouth.
And as the sauce entered her mouth, its delicate and gentle flavor made her freeze uncontrollably, a look of disbelief appearing on her face.
Beside her, seeing this, the town mayor and Master Izumino each picked up a piece of tempura and put it in their mouths.
The next moment, a crisp sound rang out.
"This... how can there be such a rich aroma in the world! No, I can't take it anymore! Quick, give me a bite! Quick, give me a bite!"
The moment they bit down, a rich aroma burst from the opening, spreading rapidly in all directions and instantly sending the scene into a frenzy.
Countless people who had been able to remain calm were now like hungry wolves, crazily pushing through the crowd, wanting to get a bite of the dish on the table.
Fortunately, the judges at the front, seeing the situation turning bad, quickly ate the rest of their portions, but they were still hit by pushes from behind, and the tempura on their plates was completely plundered.
In order to eat it as quickly as possible, they didn't even dip it in the sauce. It was only after chewing and showing a satisfied expression that the chaos in their eyes dissipated and they became clear-headed again.
The old town mayor had anticipated the situation on site, but he hadn't expected it to happen because of Dylan.
Seeing the crowded scene now, he immediately had the staff step forward, which prevented the situation from worsening.
Of course, the main reason was that the food in front of them had already been snatched. No matter how much these spectators wanted to eat, they couldn't possibly dig it out of someone else's mouth.
In fact, some people did try that, but they quieted down after getting punched a few times.
"The outer skin is crispy, and the inside is rich with layers of flavor. The soft sweetness of the pumpkin, the crisp tenderness of the burdock, the fresh sweetness of the radish, and the tender umami of the Monkfish are all intertwined.
It's clearly just one piece of tempura, so why can I taste so many flavors?!"
Master Izumino's eyes were filled with shock and confusion. The moment the tempura entered his mouth, he was stunned. What an incredibly rich flavor was this?
But why? No matter how you look at it, this tempura seems so ordinary...
Ordinary, yet not ordinary. With such a magical taste, no one would dare treat it as a normal piece of tempura.
"I get it! You layered the vegetables and the Monkfish together, then used the tempura frying method to perfectly lock the flavors inside."
Chuan Weihua opened her closed eyes, looking at Dylan with excitement as she explained the secret of the dish before her. What an ingenious concept.
Slicing the Monkfish into thin pieces, then adding similarly thin slices of Little Chrysanthemum Pumpkin, Tachikawa Burdock, and Red Root Radish.
A dish made this way can have the flavors of all these ingredients at the same time, and Dylan controlled the proportions perfectly, making the taste very harmonious.
"The moment it enters your mouth, sweet, savory, and fragrant flavors intertwine. The sweetness of the pumpkin, the freshness of the radish, the aroma of the burdock, and the umami of the Monkfish blend perfectly!"
Chuan Weihua spoke about the sensation upon tasting it. The more she tasted, the more amazed she became. It was hard to imagine that a single piece of tempura could contain so many flavors.
"Beyond that, what's even more surprising is this sauce. If I'm not mistaken, it must have used Monkfish liver."
Master Izumino let out a cloudy breath.
The sauce is the soul of tempura. Fish liver has a dense texture and a rich taste, with a unique umami and a faint scent of the ocean. After preparation, the oils and aroma of the fish liver become the core of the sauce, adding a sense of luxury.
"Not just that. It should be based on Monkfish liver, with ginger, scallions, chili, sansho pepper, and yuzu peel stir-fried to bring out the aroma…"
Chuan Weihua's voice chimed in from the side.
Despite using only a few types of spices, it created such a flavor. It was hard to imagine such a complete fusion where the individual components were indistinguishable. If it weren't for her Super Taste, it would be impossible to taste the deeper flavors.
From this, one thing can be confirmed: this person definitely possesses one of the Super Five Senses, otherwise it would be impossible to make such a top-tier dish!
"The ginger and garlic add a spicy fragrance, balancing the richness of the fish liver. The chili brings a subtle heat, stimulating the palate. The yuzu peel provides a fresh citrus aroma, enhancing the sauce's refreshing quality. Sansho pepper has a unique numbing fragrance that can increase the complexity of the dish."
After identifying the spices in the sauce, she then muttered the functions of each.
The shock in Chuan Weihua's heart grew stronger and stronger.
He looks about the same age as me, right? Why is the dish he made on the same level as my grandfather's!? This can't be right!
"When it enters the mouth, it's the ultimate crispiness. The umami of the sauce and the sweet, fragrant, and savory notes of the tempura blend perfectly. Then, the richness of the fish liver and the layered complexity of the spices make the overall taste even more profound."
The flush on his old face deepened, and the old town mayor's breathing became slightly ragged. The rich flavors made him want to roar at the heavens.
"For this dish, we used the local specialty, Monkfish, supplemented with local ingredients like Little Chrysanthemum Pumpkin, Tachikawa Burdock, and Red Root Radish. We fused their flavors together to create a new dish.
This is what Megumi experienced in this town, what she learned at Totsuki. You can taste a young girl cooking with all her heart, wanting to showcase the flavor of her hometown."
Looking at the highly impressed judges, Dylan's voice rang out as he pulled Megumi Tadokoro, who had been hiding behind him, to the front, and explained the origin of this dish. He had only played a role in perfecting it; the person who truly developed this dish was Megumi Tadokoro.
"Megumi is a good child!"
Seeing Megumi pushed forward by Dylan, who lowered her head a bit shyly in the public eye, the old town mayor sighed from the bottom of his heart.
"I have no objection to that."
Beside him, Master Izumino also nodded, clearly having had some past interactions with Megumi Tadokoro.
In the dish, they tasted the epic of a young girl's growth, as well as a deep love for her hometown. It was truly precious.
The ingredients used were all unconditionally donated by others, just to show their support. Only Megumi Tadokoro, the town's beloved mascot, could be so popular.
"The winner of this cooking competition is already obvious. I believe you two have the answer."
Looking at the townsfolk behind them who had finally been pacified, it was hard to imagine that just one dish could make the originally friendly residents become so ferocious.
Even now, they still had a vivid memory of that scene and felt a little scared.
One second, the townsfolk were normal; the next, they turned into slum zombies, desperately trying to rush forward to taste the dish on the plate.
And that was just from smelling the aroma.
"Shōkei-en, the dish you've presented is outstanding. Congratulations on winning this Shokugeki."
After exchanging a glance with Chuan Weihua and Master Izumino, the town mayor read the answer in their hearts.
Luminous Cuisine and Flowing Light Cuisine... the gap was too large. There was no need for comparison.
"Even if you rule that I've lost, I still want to taste that tempura.
Kid, let me lose with complete conviction."
As he spoke, Wang Zhi came before Dylan. The arrogance from the beginning was gone from his face, replaced only by humility and pleading.
If at the beginning Wang Zhi thought Dylan was too arrogant and ostentatious, now he felt he was too modest. Despite having the skill of a Special Grade Seven Star Chef, he didn't say a word, delivering a direct blow through his cooking.
Although he lost the competition, losing to a young Special Grade Seven Star prodigy was not something Wang Zhi felt ashamed about.
It was only when he thought of his earlier words that he felt an inexplicable panic, wanting to turn and leave immediately. But he also wanted to taste the tempura that had made the townsfolk lose their minds and go crazy before he left.
This was a Flowing Light-grade dish. If nothing unexpected happened, he would only get to eat it a few times in his entire life. Each tasting could greatly broaden his culinary path.
"Master Wang Zhi, you…"
Watching Wang Zhi proactively approach Dylan to talk, in front of the Hyakuchō-kyo Inn, Tsubasa Hyakuchou, who had been dumbfounded this whole time, couldn't help but want to say something…
"Silence! I've already done what I promised your mother. It's just that the opponent you found was too strong, and my skills were inferior, so I lost. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."
Wang Zhi cut him off, his expression exceptionally cold. He had done what he promised, but he never said he would definitely win.
The other party found him such an opponent, a young prodigy, making him lose face in front of so many people. It was a testament to his good character that he hadn't flown into a rage.
"Tomorrow morning, we'll sign the contract and handle the property transfer. I'll only give you three days to move out.
Although this Shokugeki wasn't officially notarized, with so many townsfolk watching, it doesn't matter whether it was or not. I don't think the Hyakuchō Group would renege on its debt."
Hearing Tsubasa Hyakuchou, Dylan looked up and saw his extremely grim expression. His voice was faint, yet it revealed a deep cruelty.
Tsubasa Hyakuchou giving this ryokan to Tadokoro Mieko meant he was completely out of the family power struggle, with no chance of ever getting back in.
But if he reneged, the Hyakuchō Group's reputation would inevitably be affected, and the resulting losses might even be greater than giving away a ryokan.
At that point, he wouldn't just lose his status as an heir; he would be directly kicked out of the family.
"Don't worry. We won't need three days. I'll clear out the ryokan tomorrow."
Since he knew struggling was useless and the other party was unlikely to accept any pleas, Tsubasa Hyakuchou could only accept his loss. After all, they were the ones who had plotted against the Shōkei-en first.
Now that they had failed, choosing to go back to being a profligate rich second-generation heir... at least he'd have no problem enjoying life's pleasures.
"To celebrate the Shōkei-en's victory in the Shokugeki, I will be making 'Mountain & Sea Tempura Kiwami' here tonight. Everyone in the audience can receive a portion.
Also, I will later teach this dish to the chefs of the Shōkei-en, making it our signature dish. Anyone interested is welcome to come."
After settling the matter of the Hyakuchō-kyo Inn, Dylan looked at Wang Zhi, who was staring at him with a fervent gaze, and the townsfolk behind him.
The streets on both sides were packed solid, a dense sea of heads, and every face was filled with longing. Dylan understood that if he didn't make a gesture today, these people probably wouldn't let him leave easily.
Even a great chef has his own troubles.
Dylan complained internally, but his face was all smiles as he turned back to the cooking station.
He had planned to do this anyway, because most of the ingredients came from the townsfolk. Although they were given to Megumi Tadokoro and had nothing to do with him.
But you repay a peach with a plum. Since they had given a gift, he had to give one in return. After all, he and Megumi Tadokoro were in the same boat.
The dishes he was making in public now were his return gift to the townsfolk!
"Silver Chopsticks Ten Wok Return!"
He let out a long, cloudy breath, took out the iron woks and chopsticks he had prepared from under the cooking station, and Dylan's expression suddenly became serious.
Under the flick of the silver chopsticks, one iron wok after another was sent onto the stove.
However, because the cooking station wasn't very large, he could only work with five woks at once.
Even so, many people on the scene cried out in surprise, because Dylan filled four woks with oil and used one to make the sauce with Monkfish liver.
Controlling five woks at once, using only a few long chopsticks—such a sight was truly astonishing!
"What kind of cooking skill is this? He can control five iron woks simultaneously with just a few silver chopsticks!?"
Wang Zhi was also so shocked his jaw dropped.
As a chef, only he could appreciate the power of the technique Dylan was using. It was absolutely an epoch-making culinary skill!
"To think such a technique exists in the world, flexibly controlling five iron woks with just a few silver chopsticks, as if they were his own limbs. It's truly an eye-opener!"
Chuan Weihua was also surprised. Despite being born into a family of chefs, this was the first time she had seen such a unique skill, and her eyes were filled with curiosity.
The reason was simple. Although her grandfather's culinary skills were high, ever since she could remember, his cooking had always been conventional and by the book, without any peculiar aspects.
The great path is simple; return to the true essence.
This was the industry's evaluation of her grandfather's cooking.
So, upon seeing Dylan use such a flashy technique, although Chuan Weihua felt it was amazing, she didn't feel much envy.
"But can the dish made with this technique still reach the level of Flowing Light Cuisine?"
Chuan Weihua was doubtful. To create Flowing Light Cuisine, a chef needs to be highly focused. Only a master who has reached a certain level of skill can handle it with relative ease.
However, even if it's relatively easy, I've never heard of anyone who can handle five woks of ingredients at once, with every single one reaching the level of Flowing Light Cuisine. Even my grandfather can't do that!
After all, it's hard to manage so many dishes.
"It's probably because there are too many customers here, so he lowered the standard of the dish. Otherwise, even if he worked until late at night, it would be impossible to satisfy so many people."
Looking at the eagerly waiting audience around her, Chuan Weihua came to a conclusion. To satisfy such a huge number of customers, some sacrifices must be made.
However, just then, the dish came out of the wok, still wrapped in a faint Flowing Light, looking very dazzling and making it hard to look away.
"Flowing Light-grade cuisine! How can it be? Every single wok is Flowing Light-grade!? This is Flowing Light-grade cuisine, not some common roadside stuff..."
Her voice was filled with disbelief, and she stood up from her chair, striding forward to the edge of the cooking station.
She saw Dylan's skilled technique as one portion of Mountain & Sea Tempura Kiwami after another was lifted from the oil pot by the chopsticks and then placed steadily on a silver plate.
The sauce was placed in a large bowl. Both were distributed by Megumi Tadokoro and Tadokoro Mieko. Each person could only receive one portion and no more.
"Everyone, line up in front. Each person can only get one portion. After you get your food, please leave quickly and don't continue to block traffic."
Looking at the extremely crowded townsfolk, Dylan tapped on the cooking station. His voice, imbued with inner energy, sobered up the eager residents quite a bit.
Then, they obediently formed two lines.
Although everyone was eager, they were also worried that being too crowded would annoy Dylan, causing them to lose the chance to taste Flowing Light Cuisine. That was something they absolutely could not accept, so it was better to be well-behaved now.
Soon, with the efforts of the Shōkei-en staff, the Mountain & Sea Tempura was distributed in an orderly manner to the townsfolk, and the crowd gradually dispersed in the process.
Even Tsubasa Hyakuchou and his staff from the Hyakuchō-kyo Inn across the street each received a portion under Tadokoro Mieko's murderous gaze.
"This is truly a breathtaking dish. I apologize for the rude words I said earlier. It was my fault for being blind and mistaking a pearl for a fish's eye."
After tasting the dish Dylan handed him personally, Wang Zhi's face showed an expression of complete conviction. This dish... even if he practiced for another 100 years, he would be far from reaching this level!
Once culinary skills reach a certain level, every step forward is as difficult as ascending to heaven!
The most obvious example is between Special Grade Four Star and Special Grade Five Star. Although it's only a one-star difference, it has trapped Wang Zhi for thirty years.
However, this isn't without its benefits. For thirty years, he has been accumulating power for Special Grade Five Star, hoping to one day transform into a dragon and soar.
Unfortunately, that day is just too hard to wait for.
_____
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