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Chapter 96 - 096: Xiangling’s challenge: they say Ken’s cooking can make your legs go weak

It was noon, and the streets and alleys of Chihu Rock were filled with the aromas of all kinds of dishes. Crowds queued up to buy the various snacks Chihu Rock was famous for, with Wanmin Restaurant the busiest of all.

The closer you got to Wanmin, the stronger that distinctive fragrant heat of Jueyun Chilis became.

"It's Wanmin's spicy poached black-backed bass!"

Paimon sniffed the spice and identified the dish at once.

The little one wasn't good at much else, but when it came to food, she was exceptional.

"This is Wanmin's signature. They use fresh, tender black-backed bass and pair it with oil infused from Jueyun Chilis' unique fresh, numbing heat and glazed-lily seed pouches. The result is fish that's aromatic, tender, and silky, with an addictive spiciness—Xiangling's specialty."

Ken looked at the bustling Wanmin and explained leisurely.

If you changed even a little of the ingredients for this spicy poached black-backed bass, you couldn't reproduce its distinctive taste.

Even with all of Blue Star's seasonings, you couldn't simulate the flavor of Jueyun Chilis and glazed-lily seed pouches.

Especially the black-backed bass.

Teyvat's mountains and waters are pristine, its people and land exceptional. The fish here are all wild, and the ambient elemental energy everywhere makes fish raised in such conditions especially delicate and sweet.

Environment determines ingredients; black-backed bass is a Teyvat specialty.

"Mr. Ken, stop talking…" Paimon was already wiping drool, her little legs paddling the air as she zipped ahead, shouting at the door, "Xiangling? We're Xiangling's friends! One table of spicy poached black-backed bass to start!"

Wanmin was swamped. Chief Mao was darting between tables and the kitchen without pause.

Hearing Paimon, Chief Mao slapped his thigh. "I remember you. You came for noodles two days ago, right? You're Xiangling's friend?"

"Of course… Don't I look like it?" Paimon put her hands on her hips, all haughty—except the drool at the corner of her mouth betrayed her true thoughts.

Chief Mao eyed Paimon skeptically.

It wasn't that he lacked basic trust; it's just that lately more and more people were coming to eat at Wanmin, many using that excuse to cut the line.

And this floating creature in front of him had claimed to be Mr. Ken's friend two days ago, too.

"Huh? Mr. Ken?"

Just then, Xiangling's clear, bright voice came from behind him.

The girl, in an apron and holding a spatula, waved enthusiastically at Ken.

She'd heard Paimon's voice from the back kitchen just now.

Xiangling came out curiously to look. She didn't know Paimon, but in one glance she saw Ken approaching at an easy pace.

The puzzled Chief Mao immediately looked up.

In the crowded street, a man in dark garb strode forward. Even amid the bustling throng, his outstanding bearing made him stand out at once.

"So this is Mr. Ken?"

Chief Mao got a bit excited. The past two days, business at Wanmin had exploded. Besides people wanting Xiangling's specialty dishes, they came to try their new noodles.

With the noodles Ken provided, he'd saved a ton of effort.

Just this morning he'd been thinking that once the turbulence in Liyue passed, he'd bring gifts to thank Ken personally—he hadn't expected Ken to come himself.

"Mm, he's our partner," Xiangling's eyes sparkled.

Because of the Geo Archon's passing, everyone had been downcast these two days. But people must eat three meals a day; business at Wanmin was as steady as ever.

Even though cooking kept her busy and warded off some gloom, Xiangling still felt faint unease.

Though just a chef, she cared about Liyue's future.

But seeing Ken's figure approaching calmly, an odd sense of steadiness rose in her heart.

Yes.

Mr. Ken could perform grand prophecy.

Last time on Blue Star, she had focused solely on cooking and hadn't read Mr. Ken's prophecy—but Hu Tao had. Though Hu Tao didn't reveal details, she was clearly excited afterward.

Seeing Ken so at ease now, Xiangling guessed… Liyue's future must be good. That's why Hu Tao was so happy after reading the prophecy, and why Mr. Ken was so relaxed.

Her gloom dissipated at once.

"Hello, Xiangling, Chief Mao."

Ken approached with Lumine and greeted them cheerfully.

"Mr. Ken, please come inside," Chief Mao said, excited. "I'll have Xiangling make spicy poached black-backed bass for you to try. The fish were caught outside the city this morning—fresh and tender!"

"No need to be so polite," Ken followed Chief Mao's lead into a private room at Wanmin.

It was called a private room, but it usually wasn't open to guests.

Today, because Ken had come, Chief Mao made an exception. They couldn't have Ken squeeze outside with the crowd—even if Ken seemed easygoing, Wanmin couldn't do that.

"Hmph, told you—we know Xiangling!" Paimon said smugly, hands on hips.

"Apologies," Chief Mao chuckled. "Lots of folks lately have tried cutting the line with that excuse, so…"

"It's fine. This is Traveler Lumine, and this is her companion Paimon," Ken said, smiling. "Actually, I came to borrow your kitchen and some ingredients, to try a few dishes."

"Of course! Those noodles you brought from Blue Star saved us a lot of trouble—easy to store and wonderfully springy. Please use the kitchen as you like. If you need help, I can assist," Chief Mao said quickly.

Xiangling pulled her dad aside, chiding, "Dad! Let Mr. Ken eat first before saying all that. Mr. Ken, you must try my spicy poached fish! And Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius—try it too?"

"And Paimon!" Paimon chimed in.

Lumine tugged Paimon's clothes, a bit embarrassed. "Th-then sorry for the trouble, Xiangling."

"No trouble at all. I'll get right on it," Xiangling said happily, dashing to the back kitchen.

After serving a pot of good tea, Chief Mao also went to help.

Watching his daughter cook with such joy, Chief Mao smiled, thoughtful.

"Dad, what are you laughing at?"

Xiangling was puzzled. The kitchen was slammed—how did her father have time to smile?

"I'm just noticing how especially warm you are toward Mr. Ken," Chief Mao said meaningfully.

"He's our partner—Wanmin's benefactor—of course I should be warm," Xiangling said as she deftly minced Jueyun Chilis.

She breathed in their heat, and her bright brown eyes crinkled with a smile.

The essence of spicy poached black-backed bass is that Jueyun Chili flavor.

"Good, good…" Chief Mao chuckled, saying no more, though he was secretly pleased.

His daughter had great culinary skill, but poured all her passion into cuisine.

She hadn't paid much mind to matters of the heart.

Or perhaps she'd never even awakened to them.

It was rare to see her so warm to someone. While it didn't necessarily mean anything yet beyond gratitude toward a friend and partner, at least she'd made a somewhat special male friend.

By the time they'd finished the pot of tea, Xiangling herself brought out the spicy poached fish, while Chief Mao followed with two plates of farmhouse dishes.

"Eat first; I'll get back to work."

Xiangling had to stay in the kitchen, so Chief Mao would take her place and keep making the poached fish.

The steaming black-backed bass, dotted with red Jueyun Chilis and wild scallions, sent a rich aroma wafting over, making mouths water.

"Gulp gulp…"

Paimon stared at the colorful, aromatic fish and swallowed like mad.

Lumine, half-covering her face, handed Paimon chopsticks, urging her to eat—this drooling was too embarrassing.

"Mr. Ken, you said you wanted to borrow our kitchen—what do you plan to cook?"

Xiangling had always been curious about Ken's cooking.

Hu Tao had said Ken's skills were superb—good enough to make your legs go weak.

Xiangling had wanted to spar with him, and now that the chance had come, her curiosity bubbled over.

"Nothing too complicated. Mora Meat, Jade Parcels, and Matsutake Meat Rolls."

Ken picked up a bite of spicy poached fish; the heat activated his taste buds instantly.

Xiangling's big eyes sparkled. "Want to have a cook-off? Let the Traveler judge, how about it?"

"And Paimon! Paimon wants to judge too!"

"Ah, right, right… Paimon too…" Xiangling said excitedly. "Maybe a cook-off will give us new inspiration."

Paimon and Lumine both looked expectant.

Even though they'd feasted yesterday with Tartaglia at the luxurious Liuli Pavilion, what they craved most was Ken's cooking.

"All right, then."

Ken was a bit helpless—he was borrowing their kitchen and ingredients, after all. A friendly spar was fine.

"I'll go call my dad and Ah Liu to judge too!"

Xiangling grinned.

Ah Liu and the others were Wanmin's helpers—more judges would mean a fairer verdict.

After devouring the fragrant, spicy fish, Lumine and Paimon were fanning their mouths—the heat of Jueyun Chilis was the kind that grew on you.

Xiangling told Chief Mao about the cook-off; he was delighted to join the fun. Once the lunch crowd thinned, he closed the doors early and led everyone to the back courtyard.

"Knock knock knock—"

They had just arrived when knocking sounded.

Xiangling went to open the door helplessly, and when she saw who stood there, she exclaimed, "Yu… Yuheng Qixing?"

Though Keqing kept a low profile and many didn't know her true identity, Xiangling wasn't one of them.

She occasionally cooked for Ningguang, after all.

"I mean no harm. I have something to discuss with the Traveler."

Keqing's small face was set and serious.

Xiangling glanced back, then opened the door to let Keqing in.

Seeing the lively courtyard, Keqing's gaze finally fell on Ken. "Mr. Ken, quite leisurely of you. The Traveler is… surprising, too."

Lumine: "…"

Seeing those pink-violet eyes, Lumine felt odd.

Why did Keqing's words feel a bit passive-aggressive…

"We're not the ones who killed the Archon!" Paimon hurried to explain.

Keqing folded her arms over her sword. "Mm-hm… Of course I know. And the Qixing didn't harm the Archon either. I'm here to invite you to the Jade Chamber for a talk."

When Lumine and Paimon appeared in Liyue Harbor, Keqing and Ningguang got word.

Normally, she wouldn't come in person for a mere message.

But since Lumine was with Ken—and she'd met Ken twice—she came herself to avoid any conflict.

"Talking is fine, but we have something more important right now," Lumine said, puffing her cheeks.

Keqing raised a brow. "More important than talking to Ningguang? Though she and I differ in philosophy, without question this is your best chance to clear your name."

"We're cooking for the adepti, to lure them out!" Paimon said, hands on hips.

Keqing fell silent briefly.

She knew why Ningguang wanted Lumine: to serve as a neutral envoy to Jueyun Karst.

So cooking for the adepti was equally important.

"Right place, right time. May I watch?" Keqing's gaze fell on Ken, with a hint of appraisal. "I'd like to see what food the adepti favor—and I have something to discuss with Mr. Ken."

Everyone tensed.

Especially Chief Mao.

Keqing always moved low-key through Liyue Harbor, but that didn't make her status any less exalted.

The Yuheng Qixing appearing here made them all nervous.

"Your presence is making everyone nervous," Ken said evenly.

"Uh…???"

Keqing choked, not expecting that at all.

She'd thought herself blunt already.

How could someone from another world be even more direct?

No face-saving at all?

Her pink cheeks puffed, her modest curves rising and falling a bit more.

"It's all right… Having the Yuheng here is an honor for Wanmin. Since Xiangling and Mr. Ken are having a cook-off, why not judge with us?" Chief Mao smoothed things over, not wanting friction.

"Mm-hm…" Keqing's lips quirked into a smile. "Very well. I'll judge."

Xiangling shot her dad a couple of subtle glares. Keqing wasn't a bad person, but with the Archon's death so fresh, the Traveler had important things to do; having the Yuheng watching wasn't exactly convenient.

Ken gave Xiangling a look, signaling her to relax.

"In that case, let's begin!"

Chief Mao lit a long incense stick to start the timer.

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