Chapter 28. Raiden Ei's Want to Try
Just like Lumine, Futsu Mitama, Zhongli, and Ningguang all felt that the pigeon soup before them was truly delicious, and the richness of its flavor exceeded expectations even after the earlier anticipation.
"The meat is exceptionally fresh and tender,"
Zhongli said after taking a bite, his tone carrying a rare note of approval. Even with the enhancement provided by the legendary kitchenware, he could tell that the base quality of the dish itself was already excellent. In his judgment, even without such enhancement, this pigeon soup would not have been inferior.
Ningguang also nodded slightly and offered her own evaluation.
In her view, although the legendary kitchenware possessed extraordinary effects, the chef's personal skill remained the decisive factor. The balance of flavors, the control of heat, and the treatment of ingredients were all handled with remarkable precision, which was why the dish could reach such a level.
Compared to them, Futsu Mitama and Lumine were far more direct in their reactions.
They did not elaborate on technique or composition, and instead simply expressed their impressions in the most straightforward way possible, repeatedly describing the dish as delicious, very delicious, and even extremely delicious.
"Delicious!"
Even Paimon, still lying on the table, murmured softly with her eyes closed. Although she had not awakened, the aroma alone was enough to trigger her instinctive response, as if her body remembered the sensation of good food.
Hearing such unanimous praise, the first chef who presented the dish could not hide his joy. His expression brightened immediately, and the tension he had carried up until that moment finally eased.
When the final scores were announced, all four judges had given full marks, resulting in a perfect total of forty points.
This outcome left the chef overjoyed, as such an achievement was more than enough to become a lifelong honor, regardless of whether he ultimately advanced further in the competition.
Among the judges, aside from Lumine, whose reputation in Liyue Harbor had yet to fully spread, the other three were figures of great standing. To receive unanimous praise from them was, in itself, a recognition of the highest order.
After stepping down, the next chef immediately took his place without delay.
The second dish was a well-known Liyue specialty, Jueyun Chili Chicken. Having witnessed the overwhelming reception of the previous dish, the chef chose not to hold back and presented his signature creation directly.
Lumine looked at the dish placed before her and once again acted first. She reached out with her chopsticks, picked up a piece of crispy rice along with a slice of tender meat, and brought it to her mouth.
As she chewed, the combination of textures and flavors spread instantly across her senses.
In that moment, her expression changed slightly, and her eyes widened as she felt a distinct reaction within her body, as if something unexpected had been triggered by the dish.
"Is it delicious?"
Futsu Mitama looked at Lumine with clear anticipation. After witnessing the earlier "clothes-bursting" effect from the pigeon soup, he was naturally curious about what kind of reaction this next dish would produce under the influence of the legendary kitchenware.
"It's delicious—!!!!!!!!!"
Lumine answered without hesitation, but the moment she spoke, flames burst directly from her mouth. This was not some illusion like before, but actual fire, erupting outward in a brief but striking display.
The entire venue fell silent for a moment.
No one had expected that simply eating a dish could result in such a phenomenon.
"Spicy!"
After the flames subsided, Lumine immediately reached for the clear water prepared on the table and drank it in one go, her expression showing both shock and relief.
Futsu Mitama watched this scene, momentarily unsure whether to laugh or be astonished. The effect was so unexpected that even he felt a surge of curiosity. Without hesitation, he picked up a piece of the Jueyun Chili Chicken and tasted it for himself.
The moment the food entered his mouth, he felt the layers of crispy, fragrant, and spicy flavors erupt all at once, surging through his senses and rushing upward. Along with this overwhelming taste, a faint yet distinct Pyro element began to gather within him.
In the next instant, a burst of flame escaped from his mouth as well.
It was not that he lacked control over the element, but rather that the intensity of the sensation momentarily disrupted his focus. The Pyro energy itself was weak and harmless, so there was no need for him to suppress it deliberately.
Ningguang observed this scene quietly, her fan already raised to cover part of her face. As one of the Liyue Qixing, maintaining composure in public was essential. Although the situation was somewhat novel, even interesting in a certain sense, she had no intention of displaying such a reaction openly.
Nevertheless, she still chose to taste the dish.
Instead of allowing the reaction to escape outward, she endured it internally, suppressing the impulse. However, the result was immediate and obvious. Her fair complexion flushed red, and she quickly reached for the water, drinking it to ease the overwhelming spiciness.
"This is quite something," she remarked, her tone restrained but sincere.
Zhongli, in contrast, remained as composed as ever. He tasted the dish calmly, as if such phenomena were of little consequence to him. His expression did not change significantly, though a faint hint of appreciation could be seen.
When the evaluations were given, the results reflected both the novelty and the technical execution of the dish.
Lumine praised it enthusiastically, describing it as delicious and refreshing, awarding it a perfect ten. Futsu Mitama also gave it ten points, noting the unique experience it provided. Ningguang, while acknowledging the quality, remarked that the spiciness was slightly excessive for her preference and gave it nine points. Zhongli, as always, was precise in his judgment, pointing out a minor flaw in texture and giving it eight points.
With this, the pattern among the judges became increasingly clear.
Lumine's standards were straightforward, often guided by immediate taste. Futsu Mitama was more balanced but still generous when impressed. Ningguang evaluated with a refined sense of expectation, while Zhongli remained the most exacting, able to identify even the smallest imperfections.
As more dishes were presented, the influence of the legendary kitchenware became increasingly evident. Even minor flaws in preparation were often mitigated, allowing dishes to reach a higher baseline of quality. However, for the truly skilled chefs, this enhancement became an opportunity to push their creations even further.
Some dishes produced effects similar to the earlier ones, such as heightened sensory experiences or temporary elemental manifestations. Others induced a sense of calm, like the Almond Tofu, which seemed to soothe the mind upon tasting.
The entire event gradually transformed into something far beyond a simple culinary competition. It became a demonstration of how cooking, when combined with extraordinary tools, could transcend its usual boundaries.
Lumine, experiencing these dishes one after another, could not help but feel fortunate. If not for Paimon's insistence on coming to Liyue Harbor, she would have missed all of this. Even though Paimon was currently unable to participate, Lumine carefully recorded her impressions, intending to share everything once her companion awakened.
For her, this was something that should be experienced together, even if it had to be conveyed afterward.
Ningguang, too, found herself unexpectedly satisfied. What she had initially considered a minor event had turned into an experience unlike any other. Even with her extensive exposure to fine cuisine, this was something entirely new.
Zhongli shared a similar sentiment. Though he had only attended as a substitute, the outcome had proven worthwhile, offering him a rare and refreshing experience.
At the same time, within the Chat Group, the reactions were equally lively.
[Albedo: "Interesting. Truly interesting. I am considering heading to Liyue immediately."]
[Klee: "It sounds delicious! Klee wants to eat too!!!"]
[Raiden Makoto: "So food can temporarily grant elemental effects?"]
[Yae Miko: "If I use this to make fried tofu—No, this is too tempting."]
The discussion quickly grew more animated, with many expressing their desire to experience the dishes themselves. Even Raiden Ei, who had initially shown little interest, began to reconsider upon hearing about the results.
Meanwhile, in Mondstadt, Albedo stood before the Good Hunter restaurant, quietly contemplating the implications. Realizing that the effectiveness of the legendary kitchenware was closely tied to cooking skill, he decided that it might be worthwhile to improve his abilities in that area.
Elsewhere, on Mt. Aocang, Aila carefully studied culinary techniques with renewed determination, her goal simple yet sincere—to prepare even better meals in the future.
Back in Liyue Harbor, Kuki Shinobu and Sangonomiya Kokomi also began planning to acquire ingredients, intending to experiment with the legendary kitchenware themselves once the opportunity arose.
As for Raiden Ei, within Tenshukaku, she quietly opened her eyes and took control once more, her thoughts turning toward the kitchen as she prepared to act.
Tenshukaku did, in fact, have a kitchen.
It had always been there, fully equipped with all kinds of utensils, yet it had remained unused for a very long time. Its existence was more symbolic than practical, as no one truly expected it to be used by its master.
And yet, at this moment, Raiden Ei had chosen to step into it.
The reason was simple. Through the discussions of Futsu Mitama and Lumine, she had come to understand a key point.
If the legendary kitchenware was to display its true potential, then the user's culinary skill could not be lacking. The utensils alone were not enough; only when paired with sufficient technique could their full capabilities be realized.
With this realization, Raiden Ei arrived at a decisive conclusion.
She would improve her cooking.
It was not hesitation, nor was it a passing thought. Rather, it was a firm decision, one made with the same resolve she applied to all things she deemed necessary. If mastery of cooking was required, then she would achieve it.
She intended to present the results as a surprise.
"Someone."
Her voice echoed calmly within Tenshukaku.
Although the kitchen was fully equipped, it lacked one essential element—ingredients. Without them, even the finest utensils would serve no purpose. Therefore, she summoned her attendants, intending to have the necessary ingredients prepared at once.
The order itself was simple, but the implication behind it was anything but ordinary.
For the first time in a long while, the kitchen of Tenshukaku was about to be used.