Aftertaste

Sun Xingzhe and the Cihang Gang's little schemes could wait. On the main stage, Xiong Shoushan and Chen Shanzang had already reached the middle of the competition.

Xiong Shoushan's dish had taken shape: a classic Honey Cake Roll. Chen Shanzang's steamed bun slices, skewered on iron sticks and set to roast, made his dish just as clear.

The three "Lord"-rank judges weren't particularly picky about dishes like these. After all, in a small place like Chanyuan County, no one expected to eat food made by the finest chefs in the land. Their daily routine was to sample dishes, keep their palates sharp, then find a way to earn a higher professional title in their evaluations. Their real ambition was to move to a big city like Dragon Palace City or Heavenly Palace City.

But for that very reason, they absolutely couldn't afford to make a mistake in their evaluations.

Ever since the Li Huang case had implicated the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven, the gourmands of the Central Plains had grown cautious with their words and actions. The Zhao Family's conduct had become increasingly ugly, but that was the Zhao Family's business. Those gourmands without powerful connections understood only one thing—

If they made no mistakes, they might get pushed around, at worst. But if they left even the slightest handle for someone to grab, their careers could be over.

"What do you think of the honey cake and the roasted steamed buns?"

There was no host or commentator, so the three judges chatted among themselves. The chubby judge on the left glanced at both contestants' progress, then said softly:

"I know Xiong Shoushan. His honey cake is one of his specialties. It might not be top-tier Dim Sum, but he should have no problem passing the preliminary round of