However, Luo Ge glanced at the few packed meals on the table and thought the portions were a bit small.
A single bowl of stewed dragon meat would probably not be enough for Aisha and her daughter, especially since Aisha is still growing.
He turned to the restaurant owner, who was still reeling from the blow, and said, "Excuse me, could I use your kitchen for a moment? Just for a second, it won't take long..."
"Why..."
Randolph sat on the stool next to him, looking completely drained. He waved his hand listlessly, "There's hardly anyone here anyway, so whatever, you can do whatever you want."
After receiving permission, Nanahoshi followed Luo Ge into the kitchen, peering over with a curious expression. "Hey, what are you planning to do?"
I plan to bring more food back with me.
"Huh?"
Nanahoshi's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smug little expression. "You wouldn't... want me to cook, would you?"
"No!"
"Miss Nanahoshi, you've misunderstood."
Luo Ge glanced back at her, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. "Today's main character isn't you, it's me!"
Upon hearing this, Nanahoshi was completely stunned.
"You?"
"You savage? You can cook?!"
Her tone was filled with disbelief, as if she had heard news of the end of the world.
In her memory, Luo Ge was a battle maniac whose mind was only on swords and training. He spent his days either wielding his sword or traveling, and had absolutely nothing to do with cooking.
"Savage?"
Luo Ge seemed bothered by the title; he looked at Nanahoshi with a disdainful gaze, as if to say something.
You're underestimating me, aren't you?
Suddenly, as if struck by a sudden thought, Luo Ge declared war on Nanahoshi: "Today is just the right day... Nanahoshi! I challenge you!"
"Challenge?"
"That's right, let's settle this here! Let's prove ourselves with our culinary skills, and stake all our honor on it!"
Luo Ge was full of energy, feeling a burning passion for his own youthful idealism surging within him.
"Childish."
Nanahoshi rolled her eyes at him.
"Hmph, could it be that someone's too scared to continue? Afraid of losing to me and losing face?"
"What?"
"You think I'd lose to a savage like you? Are you kidding me? You're getting really arrogant today."
Nanahoshi was furious upon hearing this. She couldn't beat this savage in a fight, but when it came to cooking skills, Nanahoshi would absolutely crush him in a heartbeat!
"Hmph, let's compete then! Who's afraid of who!"
"I'll teach you a lesson today, you arrogant savage! Savage Luo Ge, you'd better die!"
The two stared at each other, their eyes filled with a palpable tension.
Then, almost simultaneously, the two turned to look at Randolph, who was standing to the side with his head down, looking dejected.
In an instant.
Randolph felt two burning gazes fall on him and immediately gave a puzzled look, as if to say, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"May I ask... how should this gentleman be addressed?" Luo Ge asked politely.
"My name is Randolph Marian. You can just call me Randolph; there's no need for such honorifics as 'sir'."
"Hmm... Mr. Randolph, I'll still call you 'Mr.'"
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Luo Ge, and the ugly woman opposite me is... well, her name doesn't matter. Anyway, today I'm taking advantage of this esteemed place to have a culinary duel with her."
" Randolph... would you do me the honor of being a referee?"
Randolph, who had been uninterested in everything else, became enthusiastic upon hearing the word "cooking."
His eyes lit up instantly.
Randolph nodded in agreement without hesitation, and sat down on a high stool in the corner of the kitchen, crossing his arms in front of his chest, looking very proper.
"Alright, it would be impolite to refuse... I, Randolph, agree and will guarantee the fairness and impartiality of the competition."
Hearing that even the restaurant owner, Randolph, had agreed, the two no longer held back and directly abandoned all pretense of civility.
He glared at the other person fiercely again.
Their eyes met.
A deep gaze.
The two, who had long disliked each other, instantly filled each other with rage. The air in the kitchen suddenly became tense, as if a major battle was about to erupt.
"I can't wait."
"... Nanahoshi, I'll make you kneel down and sing 'Conquer,' so you'll know that a Chinese man will never lose to anyone in the world."
"Hmph, don't be so smug. I, Nanahoshi Shizuka, will never lose to a savage like you..."
It was the familiar exchange of harsh words again, with the two launching into a barrage of attacks, neither willing to back down an inch.
To ensure fairness, the two even made a three-point agreement in the presence of Randolph.
In this match where all honor and dignity are at stake.
First, it must be completed within half an hour.
Secondly, the ingredients can only be what's readily available in the kitchen, and finally, magic tricks and any other cheating methods are not allowed.
Although this rule was clearly targeting Luo Ge, his Voiceless Magic for controlling temperature and fire was practically an invincible cheat code.
But will Luo Ge be afraid?
He's not afraid.
Having lived two lives, how could I possibly lose to a sixteen-year-old high school girl from an island nation?
After all, this victory or defeat wasn't just a matter between him and Nanahoshi; it involved the honor of everything behind them.
"Start!"
At Randolph's command, the two moved instantly.
Nanahoshi was the first to light the stove and skillfully poured oil into the pot.
After washing the pork chops, she gently pounded them with a knife to make the meat smoother.
Then sprinkle with pepper and salt for a simple marinating.
Her movements were methodical and skillful, showing that she often cooks at home.
As for Luo Ge, he didn't rush to make a move like Nanahoshi. Instead, he closed his eyes and stood still, as if he was preparing something.
Suddenly, he, who had been keeping his eyes slightly narrowed, suddenly...
Suddenly, he opened his eyes.
He seemed like a completely different person; his usual casual and carefree demeanor vanished, replaced by a focused and almost sharp aura.
What he needs to do next is to use his most skillful trick from his past life.
Fried rice with egg.
Crack the eggs and mix well.
The movements were fluid and seamless, executed in one go.
Tap tap tap tap... The egg mixture was stirred in the bowl until it produced fine foam, and the golden liquid shimmered under the light.
Heat oil in a wok.
The movements were clean and swift, without the slightest unnecessary pause.
Randolph sat on a high stool, initially just there to watch the spectacle. But after witnessing the fluid and skillful movements of Luo Ge and the Nanahoshi, and their unique cooking methods—something he had never heard of or seen before—he became quite engrossed.
He was completely dumbfounded.
Randolph has owned this restaurant near the port of King Dragon for decades.
But having lived this long, he had never seen such a unique cooking method as Luo Ge's and Nanahoshi in his entire life.
That kind of control over the heat.
His respect for the ingredients, and his seemingly casual yet incredibly precise movements, left even this veteran chef in awe.
It even created the illusion that one had mistakenly entered the imperial palace.