Chapter Fifty-Three: Worthy

The title "God of Cuisine"—how could just anyone bear such a name? Unless he took action himself!

But then again...

Why bother with something so thankless? In the end, all he would gain was an empty reputation—what good would that do him?

“Ding! Mischievous Child System has triggered a main quest: The God of Cuisine Tournament will be held in one month. You must win the championship on that day. The key ingredient for victory—earth!”

This task left Li Zhi stunned for a long time!

He could not fathom the meaning of this quest!

What did it mean, the key ingredient was earth? Was the system demanding he use earth as food and still claim the championship? How could that be possible?

“Brother Zhi, what are you thinking about?”

“Aren’t you going to teach me or not?” Li Lizhi asked, impatient.

“I’ll teach you... but can you actually learn?”

“I can!” Li Lizhi declared resolutely. “With my intelligence, what could I not master? Cooking is just a craft—I’ve already learned a lot. Teach me a few of your best dishes, and winning the title of God of Cuisine will be a breeze!”

...

While Li Lizhi was brimming with confidence, Cheng Chubi ran in as well.

He exclaimed with delight, “Master, is His Majesty really holding a God of Cuisine Tournament?”

“Yes.”

“You heard what the princess just said, didn’t you? The tournament will be held in Chang’an in a month, and this time the event will be grand. As my master, you should at least participate!”

That was exactly Cheng Chubi’s intention!

Excited, he said, “I don’t just want to participate—I want to become the God of Cuisine!”

“What did you say!” Li Lizhi climbed onto a stool, grabbed Cheng Chubi by the ear, and shouted angrily, “The title of God of Cuisine is mine! Don’t meddle!”

“Ow...” Cheng Chubi broke free and replied, “Please, Your Highness, don’t be angry. I just want to test my cooking skills in the tournament, see how far I’ve come...”

“I forbid you to go!”

“I’m afraid I can’t comply with that order!”

“You...!”

Li Lizhi’s face puffed up in anger.

Cheng Chubi laughed lightly, “Princess, with your superb skill, do you really need to worry about me? Wouldn’t it be great if we competed on the same stage?”

“I have no intention of competing with you!”

Although she was unwilling to admit it, Cheng Chubi’s culinary skills were indeed superior to hers.

She had no chance of winning against him!

“Neither of you... Will you not ask whether I intend to compete in the God of Cuisine Tournament?” Li Zhi suddenly interjected.

“What!!”

Both were dumbfounded!

Li Zhi was their master, his skill unmatched. Everything they knew had been taught by him!

If Li Zhi entered, they stood no chance at all!

Once they realized this...

Li Lizhi was not pleased!

“I finally found joy in learning to cook, and now you’re crushing my spirit. Boohoo... I don’t care, I’m going! No—wait, you can’t go!”

“I insist on going!” Li Zhi chuckled, put on his coat, and headed to the living room.

Li Lizhi and Cheng Chubi followed behind.

Neither wanted Li Zhi to compete.

The reason was simple.

Against others, they still had some chance.

Against Li Zhi, there was not even the slightest hope.

Entering the tournament would be a sure humiliation!

“Master, can you really bear to see me lose? Why not let me compete on your behalf? I promise to win the title and bring you honor!” Cheng Chubi pleaded.

“And me! Though I am your elder sister, you are my teacher in the culinary arts. If I win the title, I’ll tell everyone my master is you! Just think, Brother Zhi, how distinguished you would be!” Li Lizhi added.

It did sound appealing!

If not for the system’s demand, he would have given the opportunity to Cheng Chubi.

“This time, I must compete! Chubi, you can try as well—let’s consider it a friendly contest between master and disciple. I believe you won’t lose!”

“Master, you overestimate me!” Cheng Chubi replied, knowing full well he was no match for Li Zhi, despite his progress.

“What about me?”

“As for you... Don’t make trouble. Just be a good princess,” Li Zhi said, smoothing her ponytail.

“Hmph!”

“How am I making trouble?” Li Lizhi shook off his hand angrily. “Fine, don’t teach me—I’ll learn on my own! I’ll enter the tournament too. Even if I lose to you... I’ll accept it!”

There was a hint of pouting in her words, but she knew well that she stood no chance against Li Zhi in the tournament.

...

In the days that followed, Cheng Chubi continued learning from Li Zhi, honing his skills further. Li Lizhi, observing from the side, picked up a few tricks as well.

“Using earth as food... Is that really possible?” Li Zhi kept pondering this question.

Because the system’s task was to use earth as an ingredient and win the tournament, claiming the title of God of Cuisine.

“Chubi!”

“Yes, Master!”

“Can earth be eaten?”

“Huh?” The abrupt question left Cheng Chubi dumbfounded. “Master means earth?”

“That’s right. Using earth as an ingredient—do you think it’s possible to make it into delicious food?”

“Definitely not!” Cheng Chubi replied. “When desperate, common folk might eat earth to survive, but that’s just to stay alive. I’ve heard palace physicians say that eating too much earth is harmful to the body! Let alone making it into a delicacy!”

“Indeed...”

Li Zhi felt stumped as well.

How on earth could he win the tournament under these conditions?

Damn it!

What a troublesome system!

Li Zhi racked his brains for a long time but still found no solution. At last, he decided to set the matter aside. “There’s still a month left—no need to rush!”

That evening.

Sun Jiali, the magistrate of Chang’an County, personally delivered the deed to Tianyi Restaurant.

He was deeply anxious. “Your Highness, because of this matter, I’ve offended Lord Zhangsun. He will surely seek retribution. You cannot leave me to fend for myself!”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Well...” Sun Jiali hesitated. “Could Your Highness... perhaps put in a good word for me before His Majesty? If the emperor approves of my actions, Lord Zhangsun won’t dare push too far.”

Luo Tong interjected, “Magistrate Sun, is this your way of currying favor?”

“I wouldn’t dare...”

“Your eyes are gleaming green with envy—and you say you wouldn’t dare?”

“Ahem!” Sun Jiali answered awkwardly, “It’s true I wish to claim credit, but I took a huge risk to see this through. Your Highness, surely you could show a little appreciation!”

Li Zhi replied, “That’s easily done! When I return to the palace, I’ll report the matter truthfully to Father. With your merit, a double promotion should be no problem!”

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

A double promotion?

Wouldn’t that send him directly to one of the Six Ministries?

And whose domain was that?

Zhangsun Wuji’s!

Sun Jiali was startled. “No, that’s like entering the tiger’s den!”

“Zhangsun Wuji hates me so much—if I end up under his authority, rebuke and punishment would be the least of it... I might even be framed, not knowing how I died!”

At that thought,

Sun Jiali resolved, “I must never go to the Six Ministries!”