Off-the-Spot Tactics

After taking a few more sips of soup, Prefect Zhao commented:

"This clear-broth stewed water chestnut turtle perfectly showcases the characteristics of traditional Huizhou cuisine—primarily savory and fresh, highlighting the original flavor, emphasizing cooking techniques, and focusing on nutritional benefits."

"And this has always been Baiweilou's style."

"It was an exceptional dish, and I was fortunate to be able to taste it in this culinary competition."

His tone clearly conveyed approval.

Upon hearing this, Luo Qinzhu's tense body gradually relaxed: "Thank you, Prefect Zhao."

By this time, Jiang Yuqiao had finished his soup completely.

He elegantly wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and said, "In this round, I vote for Luo Qinzhu."

Luo Qinzhu looked at the other person in surprise.

Prefect Zhao frowned almost imperceptibly: "But you haven't tasted the other contestant's dishes yet..."

"I've eaten his food before, and even if I were to cook exceptionally well, I still wouldn't reach this level," Jiang Yuqiao said bluntly.

Prefect Zhao's face darkened: "Judging based on preconceived notions... how can the judging of a cooking competition be treated so lightly?"

Jiang Yuqiao said nonchalantly, "So what? If I'm wrong, I can just change my vote later."

"However, I don't think such a miracle will happen."

"You..." Prefect Zhao hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his dissatisfaction, and waited for the other contestant to serve his food.

Of course, no miracle occurred.

The other contestant's dish, while also tasty, was clearly far inferior to Luo Qinzhu's stewed water chestnut turtle.

In the end, Luo Qinzhu won the game with a decisive 3-0 score.

"Congratulations, Chef Luo!"

"Chef Luo is awesome!"

"Hahaha, I think the Jiang family's chefs are nothing special!"

Seeing the jubilant crowd at Baiweilou, Luo Qinzhu's mood gradually relaxed.

We just need to win one more game in the next two matches.

She won so easily, while Master Li's skill level was only slightly weaker than hers, and Uncle Wang was also a veteran of the eighth rank with profound experience.

It's impossible that we can't even win one out of two games, right?

Just then, she noticed that Mr. Li's expression was a little off.

"What's wrong?" Luo Qinzhu asked with concern.

Master Li was pale, and large beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead: "My internal energy is a bit out of control, which may be a sign of qi deviation... I am trying to control it."

"Going mad from qi deviation!?" Luo Qinzhu was taken aback, her expression turning anxious.

"I'll play next time," Wang Yi volunteered.

"Okay, please, Uncle Wang." Luo Qinzhu nodded hurriedly, "I'll go make Chef Li a dish to regulate his internal energy and alleviate the effects of qi deviation..."

"It won't work," Master Li sighed. "According to the rules of this cooking competition, whether you're cooking or buying medicine for me, it's a violation of the rules."

"After all, high-grade food provides significant benefits. If you say this dish is for regulating internal energy and doesn't improve my cooking skills at all, would anyone believe you?"

"The same applies to medication. So this time, I can only rely on myself to figure out how to get through it."

Master Li spoke with difficulty, his face growing even paler.

Upon hearing this, Luo Qinzhu bit her lip.

After a long pause, she suddenly spoke:

"...No, we can't just sit here and wait to die."

Luo Qinzhu turned to the people at Baiweilou Restaurant: "Everyone, Master Li needs our help right now!"

Seeing this, the chefs at Baiweilou were filled with excitement, patting their chests and saying, "Chef Luo, just tell us what you want us to do!"

"As long as it helps Master Li and defeats those bastards from the Jiang family, I'll go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Luo Qinzhu selected several chefs who possessed internal strength and whose internal energy attributes matched those of Master Li, and had them transfer their internal energy to help Master Li control his true qi.

In the tense atmosphere, time passed by little by little.

However, Master Li's condition did not improve at all, which made Luo Qinzhu even more anxious.

Meanwhile, the culinary battle between Wang Yi and the other person was also coming to an end.

Upon tasting the dish, Prefect Zhao instinctively frowned. He wanted to say something, but his good manners made him hold back.

"What garbage!" Jiang Yuqiao said bluntly without any politeness.

The score was quickly given, and it was the exact opposite of the previous round: 0 to 3.

Wang Yi's face turned pale, and he walked off the stage shakily.

In this round, Baiweilou lost completely.

"I'm sorry, I was really worried about Lao Li, so I didn't perform to my full potential..." Wang Yi explained.

Upon hearing this news, Mr. Li lost his composure, his anger flared, and he coughed up a mouthful of black blood, unable to stop coughing.

"Cough...cough cough cough..."

Seeing this, Luo Qinzhu's heart sank to the bottom.

In fact, she had already realized that what Master Li was experiencing was not a typical case of qi deviation.

If it were just a case of demonic possession, under the combined suppression of several people, even if it wasn't completely cured, it should at least have improved.

Considering the inexplicable red spots that appeared on Master Li's neck, she was almost certain that this "going astray" was a carefully orchestrated underhanded tactic by the Jiang family.

Previously, she had hoped that Wang Yi would also win and take the cooking battle in this round.

However, Wang Yi lost.

Luo Qinzhu suddenly felt a tremendous sense of powerlessness, and almost collapsed to the ground.

On the Jiang family's side, there is still one seventh-rank chef left.

As for Baiweilou, Master Li has gone mad and is unable to fight. The strongest of the remaining chefs is just an ordinary eighth-rank chef, and his strength is not even as good as Wang Yi's.

There's absolutely no way we can win.

What to do? What else can she do?

Should I report this to the Food Review Authority?

It's no use. If the Jiang family dared to pull this stunt, they must have already disposed of all the evidence.

Moreover, the Jiang family wields immense power, with a salt trade network spanning the entire Da Xuan region. They are known as "commoners who befriend the emperor," and their influence is deeply entrenched in Huizhou.

Reporting rashly would not only be useless, but would also completely offend the Jiang family.

If it were just Luo Qinzhu alone, it wouldn't matter. However, as the head chef of Baiweilou, she has to consider whether her actions will implicate the other people in Baiweilou.

So... is she really left with no choice but to accept this reality?

Panic, fear, despair... an endless stream of negative emotions overwhelmed me.

For a moment, Luo Qinzhu's mind went blank.

Just then, a calm voice rang in her ears.

"Chef Luo, I'm back."

The voice was like the dawn breaking through the fog, waking Luo Qinzhu from her confusion.

"...Nan Xu?"

Luo Qinzhu was stunned and looked at the boy beside her.

Nan Xu nodded, looking into her eyes: "Yes, it's me. I've become a ninth-rank chef."

Upon hearing this, Luo Qinzhu was stunned for a moment.

Then, she tugged at the corners of her mouth, revealing a smile that was even uglier than crying:

"Really? Congratulations."

"But, I'm sorry, it seems... I can no longer keep the promise I made to you."

"Our Baiweilou restaurant... might have to..."

Luo Qinzhu opened her mouth, but could no longer make a sound.

The next moment, she felt a hand, not strong but surprisingly powerful, rest on her shoulder.

"Chef Luo, the culinary competition... isn't over yet."

Nan Xu met her gaze, his eyes calm and resolute.

"Leave the rest to me."

"I am confident of winning."