act40side

Oh, you came to the library too. What a coincidence.

Hello, Yu. Are you here to look up some case files?

Just grabbing some books to put under my pillow. I haven't been sleeping well lately—maybe some reading will help.

How I envy the life of a student. Their brains are filled with books, not worries.

Surely you're joking.

I'm not joking at all. Investigating these sordid cases for the Judicial Review Office every day is bound to make one feel sick.

They say the Baizao Academy library is the cleanest and purest place in the world, where only wise men and sages dwell. So I'll sit here for a while and purify my soul.

Did you use to study here at the Academy too, Gu Quan?

That was many years ago...

I still haven't achieved anything yet, academically, since I graduated from here. I feel unworthy of the academy's prestige.

But I was fortunate to meet a great teacher here, and that experience will benefit me for the rest of my life.

Who is this teacher you speak of?

...No longer with us.

Then why did you come here today? To borrow books?

I'm here to look up some case files...

The Ministry of Rites is preparing for a grand celebration, and we need to refer to some old rituals.

Hah...

I'm a deputy minister for the Judicial Review Office. Do you take me for blind, or merely illiterate?

That thing you have in your hand is clearly the case file from fifteen years ago, when the Grand Preceptor committed treason!

You know that file is top secret, right? You really have some gall!

I... have nothing to hide.

I am indeed looking for materials related to that old case. I think there may be more to it than we realize. If you think I'm doing anything illegal, then by all means, have me arrested.

What are you blabbering about? Did I say I was going to arrest you? I was only saying...

that it's quite a coincidence, because I'm also very interested in that case.

I learned a lot from our debate today. However, I still maintain my own views about the new reforms...

I'll have to do more research on this.

It's fine. This campus is plenty large enough to accommodate a wealth of different ideas. If my arguments have not convinced you, then you should not force yourself to agree with me just because I'm a teacher.

The students of this academy must focus on real world issues, instead of getting lost in theoretical or ideological musings.

Duoxie.

A clock hangs on the top of the ancient building, the minute hand ticking as the shadow of sunlight moves slowly. The bell rings, and soon, students start pouring out of their classrooms.

A lone figure moves against the tide. The guards fail to notice the unfamiliar face amidst the crowd.

Good day. Do you need some help?

Hello, how do I get to the archives where the students' files are stored?

You mean the registrar? What do you want with those files?

I'm a new assistant lecturer. The professor wants me to organize the graduates' files.

That's odd...

Which professor?

Professor Jing. She teaches military theory at the college affiliated to the Ministry of War.

She's teaching classes all day today, so she asked me to do this errand for her.

Oh!

What's wrong?

Go straight down here, pass the main building, turn right, and you'll see the Bingshen building. That's it.

You'd better get going... Trust me, you don't want to keep her waiting.

...Duoxie.

Ahem, the first rule of any restaurant is that once you enter the kitchen, the chef's words are law.

If you want to win the contest and meet Mo Bufu, you must follow my instructions to the letter. Do you understand?

Didn't we agree to split the prize money seventy-thirty? Why are you acting like I owe you a favor?

Okay Okay. Enough of that. Didn't you say you wanted to learn a few new recipes anyway?

Have you changed your mind?

No. I want to do this, but I'm no Rhodes Island five-star chef. This competition sounds too difficult for an amateur like me.

Why don't <i>you</i> go instead?

I am the <i>head chef</i> of Savors at Yu's. Participating in this kind of competition would be sullying my good name.

I'm giving you an opportunity here. As my apprentice, you can go show your skills, and wipe that arrogant smirk off Mo Bufu's face.

Wouldn't Xingzhu be a better choice? She's a foodie, you know.

I'm afraid that, as The Wandering Foodie, I'm too well known. It would be inappropriate for me to participate in a food competition.

Enough chitchat. First thing's first. To get you ready for this competition, let me tell you a little about Ding Feng Lou.

I've been hearing about this place since I first set foot in Baizao. What's so special about it?

Remember I told you about the Four Great Restaurants of Baizao, corresponding to the four main branches of Yanese Cuisine, that is, North, South, East, and West?

About four hundred years ago, several chefs arrived in Baizao. They each set up their own restaurants and culinary sects. This marked the founding of the four main branches of Yanese cuisine.

It was the first head chef of Ding Feng Lou who promoted the founding in the first place.

The legendary chef's name has been lost to history. He was the founder of Northern Cuisine, but was also proficient in the other three styles.

The other three chefs were only invited to Baizao after they lost to the Northern Chef in a cooking competition.

With such a storied history, Ding Feng Lou outshined the other three restaurants and became known as the 'number one restaurant in Baizao.'

Who's teaching this class, you or me?

Oh. My apologies!

Hmph, of course, what she said is pretty much accurate. The only thing I'll add is that eventually, the Four Great Restaurants of Baizao started fighting with each other for fame and glory. These squabbles continue to this day, and they're really quite annoying.

I thought Baizao was a place where all these great chefs could learn from each other. If I had known there was going to be all this infighting, I would not have gone...

Not have gone where?

Ahem...!

In any case, what you need to know is that, as the most famous restaurant in Baizao, Ding Feng Lou, and its Chef Selection Competition, has extremely high standards.

Ding Feng Lou has not taken on any new disciples in many years. The only reason they're hosting this competition now is because they suddenly got short-handed right when they needed to start preparing for the Feast of a Hundred Delicacies.

But I've also heard that Chef Mo is advancing in age and still hasn't found an apprentice to take over the business...

The format of the competition is different each time, but there is one requirement that stays constant: each chef has to showcase their best dish.

Wait a second...

If the competition is really that difficult, how can I ever hope to win?

Logic would dictate that an amateur chef with absolutely no culinary experience would have little hope of winning.

However, you have me in your corner. I can teach you a recipe that is easy to cook and is perfect for the occasion—

Longevity noodles.

Longevity noodles? Why would they serve longevity noodles at the Feast of a Hundred Delicacies?

The reigning True Lung's birthday just happens to coincide with the Mid-Autumn Festival, so every year, they serve longevity noodles at the Feast.

But it's such a simple dish. Is it really appropriate for a major competition like this?

Who told you that simple dishes can't show great skills?

Just watch and learn.

What's that smell...? That smells wonderful! What is it?

Hm-hmm—

What do you think?

It's like magic! You really only used the ingredients you showed us before? Nothing else?

Fresh shellbeast meat, mushrooms, scallions, bok choy...

It's a simple recipe with basic ingredients, but the result is truly amazing.

Sometimes, the true skill of a chef hides in unseen places. There's more to this bowl of noodles than meets the eye.

Another chef can use these exact same ingredients, but if the ratios, the heat, or the cooking time vary just a little bit, it'll taste completely different. Do you know how long I spent perfecting this recipe?

Don't just stand there. Dig in!

Wow.

I take back any criticism I had of your food!

You just inhaled it! Did you even taste the flavor?!

If Blaze can actually replicate that taste, maybe she really can meet Chef Mo.

But are you really up to the task, Blaze?

Figuring out the secret to this recipe would be difficult indeed. But simply following its steps should not be too much trouble.

Have you ever cooked anything before?

Of course!