Reborn in Japan as a Chef God-Chapter 1064 - 1063: Preparations (Part 1)

"Safe travels." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

The Old Monk stood at the mountain gate, waving his hand at the open car window.

Shanben Xiaoshu stuffed the suitcase into the car’s trunk, walked around to knock on the window, and said despondently to Xia Yu in the passenger seat, "You’re leaving so soon? People come to Shi Lin Temple to train and wish to stay for at least a year, and you’ve only been here two weeks."

After a pause, the rooster-haired young man added:

"We haven’t even properly explored the path of ’dark cuisine’!"

Xia Yu shook his head and smiled slightly, "I’ve spent two weeks in the mountains...isn’t that enough? From Europe to Neon, counting the days, a month or two has passed. I should return home to prepare."

"Prepare for what?"

Shanben Xiaoshu discerned a hint of determination in Xia Yu’s words.

"I’m preparing to conquer a high mountain, a mountain so lofty that many in the culinary world dare not face it."

Having said that, Xia Yu nodded to Aoki Motota in the driver’s seat, and the other stepped on the gas pedal.

The car swiftly disappeared on the mountain road.

It was only then that Shanben Xiaoshu turned to ask Master Yizhen: "Master, hasn’t Xia Yu already created his personal Dragon Killer? In the realm of dragons, he should be standing at the pinnacle, with few rivals... Why does he still talk about conquering a high mountain?"

For a Killing Dragon Chef, a high mountain.

A shiver ran through Shanben Xiaoshu’s heart.

He actually already had an answer.

The Old Monk’s eyes were deep, "Don’t you young people often browse Weibo and forums? Even if he has been out of public sight for a while. His news with the one from the Aegean Sea must be getting more and more sensationalized, right?"

Shanben Xiaoshu’s smile froze.

Ahem, speaking of which, he shares a personality with those little editors in the UC news department, just loving excitement. Well, truly the ultimate showdown on Heavenly King Mountain is about to erupt? The first-ever public battle between Heavenly Kings!

In the past month or two, similar "grudge" rumors as eye-catching as these have been shamelessly titled to attract viewers.

So the "grudge" between the first-generation Dragon Chef and the youngest Heavenly King was really heated up.

Now everyone knows "Spiritual Treasure Vault" is in the hands of that Heavenly King.

Everyone knows the Young Dragon Chef carries the task of the Dragon Head of the Chinese Realm—to pursue legendary kitchen tools.

As he successively recovered the "Magic Saint Copper Artifact" and the "Greedy Wolf Pot."

The last piece left...

The "Spiritual Treasure Vault" battle...

Explodes!

Shanben Xiaoshu’s body trembled slightly, not knowing if he was frightened or excited and thrilled by the anticipation of an inevitable epic showdown.

"Then..." Shanben pressed his lips, "Master, does Xia Yu have a chance to conquer that mountain, the shortest of the four?"

The Old Monk shook his head and after a moment, softly said:

"I don’t know either."

"It’s unpredictable."

"Is that so?"

Shanben Xiaoshu breathed a sigh, gazing into the distant mountain path, muttering to himself in a voice he could hear: "...If he conquers it, I wouldn’t be surprised. Because, every step he has taken, is a miracle."

...

Xia Yu returned to Tokyo from Shi Lin Temple, packing his bags while preparing to return home.

On the Chinese Continent.

Outside the White Jade Tower, at the Heavenly King Pavilion, Ye Feizhou opened the door and softly said to the waiting Wei An and Kong Chun, "Master Wei, Master Kong, you may enter now."

This was a routine work report, and because the third Pavilion Master’s seat hadn’t been decided, Wei An and Kong Chun were temporarily handling Huang He’s previous teaching duties, working from dawn till dusk.

Lately, nothing major has occurred in the Chinese Cuisine World, so work reports seemed uneventful.

Finally, Kong Chun hesitantly said, "There’s one more thing I want to mention."

"Hmm?"

With his back to the two, fixated on a legend appliance pictorial on the wall, the gaze never leaving the eighth pictorial of Zhu Ji, from the peculiar metal cabinet in the image, he turned around.

Kong Chun bowed slightly, "Recently, the ’grudge match’ between Xia Yu and that Heavenly King has been stirred up by the media and some influential voices and public accounts online. I’m worried that if the public opinion is uncontrollable, it could be detrimental to Xia Yu. Furthermore, that Heavenly King, far away in the Aegean Sea, might also develop an aversion towards our Chinese Realm once he hears about it."

The implication in his words was straightforward.

The ’grudge match’ topic ought to be managed to some extent.

After all, it involves a talented Dragon Chef and a Heavenly King.

Even if their relationship hasn’t reached the level of irreconcilability as the public opinion suggests. But with media sensationalizing, it’s like in the entertainment industry, where certain stars don’t get along, leading to a gradual transformation of non-existent grudges into apparent ones.

Frictionlessly becoming antagonistic with a Heavenly King is unfavorable to the Chinese Realm circle.

"Has the public opinion become more intense?" Zhu Ji paused, casting an inquiring look at Ye Feizhou.

Ye Feizhou quickly responded, "Indeed, as Master Kong said, those media who love crafting narratives are wildly exaggerating the ’grudge match,’ adding fuel to the fire..."

His face turned slightly red, clearly agitated.

"They wish Xia Yu would fly to Europe tomorrow to challenge that Heavenly King, like an egg smashing against a stone!"

Zhu Ji simply smiled.

"Let them be."

This matter was genuinely tricky to manage.

Haven’t you seen in another dimension the United States’ Divine Emperor Trump, being left in disarray by the media?

Besides, every member of the UC news department is a talent.

The reason the ’grudge match’ topic became heated is partly due to talented writers, yet the heat also represents the people’s entertainment-value pleasure in this ’grudge match.’

Kong Chun and Wei An were astonished and exited the Heavenly King Pavilion.

Ye Feizhou also quietly followed them out, catching up with the two masters.

"Master Kong, Master Wei, why doesn’t the Heavenly King manage public opinion? We should step in to protect Xia Yu. In the midst of such a ’grudge match,’ he is at a disadvantage. His opponent is a Heavenly King, after all..."

Kong Chun halted, "It’s not that they don’t want to, but they can’t."

Wei An wore an enigmatic expression and added, "I think it’s probably because Xia Yu conveyed some sort of message to the Heavenly King, and the Heavenly King has a degree of confidence and trust in him."

Ye Feizhou’s face shifted in shock, he burst out, "Confidence? Where does that idea come from?"

...

Tokyo, airport.

The announcement was broadcasting that a certain flight was starting boarding; Xia Yu, Eriina, Lei Aoxue, and Morioka Maki, all wearing masks, mingled with the boarding crowd, queuing up.

Xia Yu thought for a moment, opened his contacts, and dialed a phone number.

"Can you arrange something for me? I’m arriving home tonight and will need it tomorrow."

"Is it important?"

The elderly voice on the other end was surprised.

"It has great significance!"

"Then go ahead and tell me."

"I’ve already written a detailed message, sending it now... I’m checking in and boarding, bye!"

Beep.

As soon as the call ended, Zhu Ji’s phone beeped with a new message alert.

The message was quite long, clear in its articles.

"Iron plate?"

"To be placed on the steep stone stairs of the Great Wall?"

"Main ingredient is rice, with various dried goods as supplementary materials..."

Wait!

A flash of insight flickered in Zhu Ji’s eyes, "Could it be..."