Chapter 32: You Might as Well Surrender

  Transtor: Krukist

  The hall fell silent, stunned by the Marquis and his wife’s reas. Nan Zhan and Qin Caiyun seemed lost in bliss, but Lin Yu wasn’t surprised. He’d expected this the moment he served the Braised Pork. If they dared taste it, that rich aroma would hook them.

  Shuitian, though, squi Lin Yu, a whiff of liquor trailing him. Lin Yu clocked it—following Huofeng earlier, this guy was likely a Spirit Brewer. “Did he spike it with something? Nah, Nan Zhan’s to for cheap tricks. Did this kid really tame him with one dish?” Shuitian couldn’t his head around it.

  Situ g stared, bewildered, at the pork he’d once sed. Now it seemed to be him, whispering, “So tasty. e eat me. I’m the pork you hate, but I’m delicious.” He knew Nan Zhan wouldn’t fake it—despite their mutual dislike, the Marquis wouldn’t rig this for a nobody. Situ g shot a worried g Situ Deng.

  Situ Deng recovered from his shock, smirking. “This guy’s got skill—quered their taste buds, huh? Too bad it’s just like st night. My dish hits taste and spirit. It’s a Spirit Feast.” fidence oozed—he’d win, no matter how dazed the couple looked.

  Lin Yu, drenched i, felt his oil-proof robe g like it’d been soaked. That was from surviving Situ g’s aura. He g the Elder, then turned away, etg the man into his memory.

  Tray in hand, he approached Shuitian, gratitude in his eyes. He knew if hadn’t spoken up, Nan Zhan couldn’t have stopped Situ g. Dead here, who’d care? Sure, he had value while Nan Ziyan ate his food, but his outlook soured. He’d thought the Situ ’s grudge wouldn’t meah—today proved otherwise. To them, a oner’s life was an ant’s.

  Shuitian grinned. “Heard you cooked with liquor. This it? Smells like wine, but faint.”

  Lin Yu smiled, a bit shy. “, sir, I used it to kill the pork’s stench. The wine st’s just a lucky bonus.”

  “Lucky bonus? That’s a stretch,” Shuitian said, grabbing chopsticks. He popped a pie his mouth. Shock fshed in his eyes as he studied Lin Yu’s quiet fidence.

  Meanwhile, Situ Deng finished his flourish. While Lin Yu served, he fussed with presentation—colorful veggies cirg his Vegetarian Chi like stars around the moon, boosting its fvor visually. “Everyone, after Lin Yu’s pork, my Vegetarian Chi will se your pate—keep the mundane from tainting you.” His voied, still jabbing at Lin Yu.

  Nan Zhan and Qin Caiyun looked up as Situ Deng approached, sharing a satisfied gnd a slight smile. Qin Caiyun weighed her words, then spoke pin. “Situ Deng, why not surrender now? Do it, and we’ll keep it quiet—no leak from the manor about you losing to Lin Yu.”

  Before she finished, Situ g cut in. “That’s too much, Madam! You haven’t even tried my nephew’s dish and you’re telling him to quit? Marquis, we’ve both seen war—surrender’s no small thing! You’re risking his spirit, and you haven’t tasted his Vegetarian Chi!”

  Situ Deng’s face had crumpled, but he forced a smile. “Marquis, Madam, I know you’ve had my Spirit Feast Vegetarian Chi before, but this one’s different. I pulled an all-nighter with top chefs to innovate. It’s peak First-Grade Spirit Feast—taste perfe and cultivation boost…”

  Nan Zhan sighed, his gaze heavy on Situ Deng. “If you think we’re just coaxing you to quit, try your dish yourself.”

  Shuitian chimed in. “Don’t. Situ Deng, I’ve heard of your pride. Taste Lin Yu’s dish, and it won’t just bruise your spirit—it’ll shatter it.”

  Situ Deng trembled. Even Shuitian said this—could pork really beat him?

  Situ g couldn’t stand it, but with Shuitia, he held back. Instead, he stabbed his chopsticks into the Braised Pork. “I don’t buy it. Pork even our servants won’t touch—how good it be?”

  His words hadn’t faded when the pork hit his tohen, from the hall’s entrance, a voice rang out. “Everyone’s here? Guess I’m te!”

  Lin Ling’er’s eyes lit up.

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