Chapter 27. The Legendary Kitchenware Unleashes Its Power!
Finally, Aether left with his two subordinates.
Zhongli, on the other hand, showed a faintly satisfied expression, as both sides had ultimately achieved what they wanted from this encounter. For him, this had only been a minor interlude, something resolved without escalating into unnecessary conflict.
Lumine remained completely unaware that her brother had secretly entered Liyue Harbor because of her and had been stopped directly by Rex Lapis. Likewise, Futsu Mitama had no idea that Aether had misunderstood the situation to such an extent.
From Futsu Mitama's perspective, his impression of Lumine was indeed good. After all, she was someone he had once controlled in his previous life, which naturally gave him a certain familiarity and favor toward her. However, beyond that, he had not given much thought to anything else.
If he truly had other intentions, then people like Kuki Shinobu, Shenhe, and Sangonomiya Kokomi would not have remained as they were. Even someone like Aila, who stayed by his side and was both capable and devoted, would have already crossed that boundary with him.
The truth was much simpler. It was not that Futsu Mitama had no thoughts at all, but rather that he had been far too busy recently to consider such matters. More importantly, he was cautious by nature. Having no experience in either life, he understood such things in theory, but hesitated to act, worried about losing control once he stepped across that line.
For now, it was easier to leave such matters untouched.
The night passed quickly.
The next morning, after a simple breakfast and some preparation, Futsu Mitama and the others set out once again for the competition venue.
There was, however, one piece of news—whether good or bad.
Paimon was still asleep.
Not only asleep, but sleeping exceptionally soundly, showing no signs of waking up.
Concerned that something might be wrong, Kuki Shinobu and Sangonomiya Kokomi used their own methods to check her condition. What they found was reassuring. Paimon's vital signs were completely normal; she was simply in a deep sleep, though how long it would last remained unknown.
This left Lumine feeling somewhat helpless, but as her companion, she chose to keep Paimon by her side. Even if the chances of her waking up today were slim, there was still a possibility. If she did wake up, she would be able to enjoy the event immediately.
With that thought, Lumine carried her along.
When they arrived at the venue for A Bite of Liyue, all the chefs who had passed the preliminary round were already present. Lumine glanced around and, after confirming that Hu Tao was not among the fifty participants, quietly let out a small breath of relief.
"How is Paimon?"
Ningguang looked at the small figure in Lumine's arms and asked with concern. Regardless of the situation, Paimon had collapsed after tasting Hu Tao's dish, and as both a judge and a member of the Liyue Qixing, it was only appropriate for her to check on her condition.
"She's fine, just sleeping,"
Lumine replied calmly as she gently placed Paimon onto the judges' table. Although she could not say when Paimon would wake up, her condition had clearly stabilized. Compared to yesterday, when she had been rolling her eyes and repeating "delicious," this quiet state was already an improvement.
Ningguang nodded slightly, her expression easing.
Futsu Mitama looked at Paimon lying on the table, her breathing steady and peaceful, while Zhongli calmly sipped his tea as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
At that moment, Paimon suddenly sat upright.
"Delicious! Yummy!"
After shouting those words loudly, she immediately collapsed back onto the table and continued sleeping as if nothing had happened.
Futsu Mitama paused, momentarily unsure whether to laugh or cry at the sight.
Lumine covered her face, clearly not expecting that even in her sleep, Paimon could still create such a startling scene.
"Oh, by the way."
Futsu Mitama turned to Ningguang as if recalling something important, his tone becoming slightly more serious as he spoke.
"Miss Ningguang, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."
Ningguang looked at him with a hint of curiosity, her interest clearly piqued by his sudden request. She had already been anticipating that he might bring up matters related to The Chasm, especially after Guizhong had mentioned it previously, but his current expression suggested something else.
"What is it?" Ningguang asked calmly. "Feel free to speak."
Futsu Mitama considered his words briefly before explaining that he possessed a set of legendary kitchenware forged by Raiden Shogun. These utensils, he said, were said to grant dishes special effects when used in cooking, something that had not yet been tested in a proper culinary setting.
He suggested that since Inazuma did not hold such gourmet events, it would be a good opportunity to allow the chefs present to use these utensils and observe the results.
Hearing this, Ningguang's expression shifted slightly, revealing genuine interest. The involvement of such an item elevated the entire event to a different level, transforming what was originally a small-scale gathering into something far more significant.
After a moment of thought, she asked about the quantity of the utensils, and upon learning that there was only a single set, she quickly proposed an alternative arrangement. Rather than having one chef use the full set at a time, which would be inefficient, she suggested distributing individual utensils among the participants initially, allowing them to explore their effects independently.
As the competition progressed, more advanced rounds could involve multiple utensils, and eventually, the finalists could use the full set to create their dishes.
Zhongli was the first to agree with this arrangement, and Futsu Mitama also found it reasonable. Lumine, after glancing at the still-sleeping Paimon, nodded in agreement as well.
With the decision made, Ningguang immediately began organizing the necessary arrangements, instructing her secretary to announce the new rules and ensuring that the Millelith maintained strict security around the utensils.
When the announcement was made, the reaction among the chefs was immediate and intense. The idea of cooking with utensils forged by the Raiden Shogun, capable of producing dishes with special effects, was something none of them had expected.
Excitement spread quickly, and as the competition resumed, the chefs eagerly selected their utensils and began cooking.
Soon, an unusually rich and intense aroma filled the air, far surpassing anything from the previous day. The spectators and chefs alike were visibly shocked, as the fragrance alone suggested a level of culinary refinement beyond ordinary limits.
Even those currently cooking felt a noticeable change. Handling ingredients became smoother, their techniques more precise, and their overall performance seemed to reach a new level. Many of them began to feel a deep sense of admiration for the one who had created these utensils.
At the same time, they could not help but wonder just how extraordinary Raiden Shogun's own culinary ability must be.
Paimon, still asleep, stirred slightly and murmured softly about delicious food, her body reacting instinctively to the aroma even in her unconscious state.
Zhongli narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly appreciating the fragrance, while Ningguang also grew more focused, her anticipation rising.
Futsu Mitama and Lumine felt the same, as even the aroma alone was enough to excite their senses.
Before long, the first dish was completed—a pot of pigeon soup prepared using one of the legendary utensils. It was quickly presented before the judges, its fragrance even more pronounced at close range.
Faced with such an enticing dish, Lumine took the initiative to taste it first. As the soup touched her lips and spread across her senses, her expression changed instantly, her eyes widening in clear surprise.
The flavor was beyond anything she had experienced before, rich and overwhelming, as if every aspect of taste had been elevated at once.
Seeing her reaction, the others did not hesitate and followed suit, each preparing to taste the dish for themselves.