Li Huan participated in the competition as a "specially invited guest," but did not receive any martial arts manuals or prize money.
This undoubtedly greatly increased everyone's enthusiasm.
Murong Fu then announced, "Furthermore, women participating in the 'Martial Arts Culinary Tournament' can directly pass the initial selection without having to compete in martial arts!"
Another uproar erupted at the scene.
This regulation is tantamount to giving Wang Yuyan the green light.
At the same time, Princess Li Qinglu of Western Xia also enjoyed special treatment.
Soon, the first selection process began!
The contestants take the stage.
Li Huan looked closely and was greatly surprised.
Surprisingly, Kumārajīva was among the ranks!
What's going on?
Wasn't Kumārajīva trapped in a dry well and starved to death?
Could it be that someone used disguise techniques to impersonate Kumārajīva?
Murong Fu, Duan Yu, and Wang Yuyan were also surprised to see Kumārajīva.
Li Huan remained calm and said loudly, "Kumārajīva, what brings you here too?"
Kumārajīva said, "As the National Preceptor of Tibet, what's wrong with me representing Tibet to come to Suzhou to participate in the 'Martial Arts Culinary Tournament'?"
Li Huan asked, "You're really lucky! You actually managed to escape from the dry well!"
Kumārajīva said, "Heaven has not forsaken me! I have survived a great calamity and will surely be blessed with good fortune in the future!"
Li Huan said, "Your internal energy has been absorbed by Duan Yu, and your martial arts are completely useless. How can you pass the initial selection?"
Kumārajīva raised his head and laughed loudly: "Hahaha, this humble monk's internal strength has recovered somewhat. Although I cannot use my fist and foot techniques, I can still use hidden weapons!"
Li Huan raised his thick eyebrows: "I didn't know you knew how to use hidden weapons!"
Kumārajīva said, "This humble monk is obsessed with martial arts and is proficient in various hidden weapon techniques. Today, I hope to broaden the horizons of Alliance Leader Li!"
Li Huan said, "Even if you are proficient in hidden weapon skills and defeat your competitors, are you good at cooking? How will you pass the selection?"
Kumārajīva laughed and said, "Does Alliance Leader Li think that this humble monk is only obsessed with martial arts? To be honest, this humble monk also enjoys cooking and can cook very well!"
Li Huan said, "As a monk, you abstain from alcohol and meat, so how can you cook such good food?"
Kumārajīva said, "This humble monk is skilled in cooking various vegetarian dishes and can compete with you all!"
Li Huan said, "You're trying to steal the martial arts manual and the prize money by cooking vegetarian food? That's a bit of wishful thinking!"
"By the way, you've already tricked You Tanzhi into giving you the Yi Jin Jing, so why do you still want to win it through the Martial Arts Culinary Tournament?"
Kumārajīva said, "The previous copy of the Yi Jin Jing was unfortunately damaged in the mud at the bottom of the well and cannot be read!"
Li Huan understood that Kumārajīva's true purpose in coming to Suzhou to participate in the "Martial Arts Culinary Tournament" was to regain the "Yi Jin Jing".
Unable to contain his curiosity, Duan Yu asked, "Kumārajīva, there's a huge rock pressing down on the well, and you've lost all your martial arts skills. How did you escape from the dry well?"
Kumārajīva rolled his eyes: "There's no need for me to tell you how I escaped!"
Holy crap, this guy's still so arrogant!
He escaped with his life, and continues to act arrogantly!
Immediately afterwards, the competition began.
After several rounds of competition, ten people entered the formal selection process.
Among them are Li Huan, Duan Yu, Wang Yuyan, Li Qinglu, and Kumārajīva!
The other five are all renowned chefs who possess martial arts skills.
Murong Fu said, "Congratulations to the ten of you for entering the formal competition. Each of you will have half an hour to cook a dish. Whoever's dish is the most delicious will win first place in this competition!"
Bao Butong directed his servants to prepare ten stoves.
Li Huan thought to himself, "Even though I'm just going through the motions, I still need to demonstrate my superb culinary skills and not tarnish the reputation of Leader Li."
So, Li Huan took out various ingredients and busied himself with cooking a classic specialty dish – Buddha Jumps Over the Wall!
The culinary skills improved significantly during the Northern Song Dynasty, but Li Huan's "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall" was unmatched!
Duan Yu put his newly learned culinary skills to good use and cooked a dish called "Eight Treasure Duck".
This duck is a hidden gem, a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate, truly a testament to Li Huan's mastery of the craft.
Logically speaking, Li Huan's "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall" should be ranked first, and Duan Yu's "Eight Treasure Duck" should be ranked second!
To everyone's surprise, after being judged by three imperial chefs, Wang Yuyan's "Sweet and Sour Braised Fish with Noodles" won second place!
Li Qinglu's "Grape, Lotus Seed and Shrimp Soup" won third place!
Duan Yu's "Eight Treasure Duck" ranks fourth.
As for the vegetarian dishes that Kumārajīva had carefully prepared, they only came in sixth place.
The other five chefs looked displeased.
Because all the dishes they cook are top-notch and of extremely high quality.
Unfortunately, the three imperial chefs manipulated the situation behind the scenes, allowing Wang Yuyan to secure second place!
Li Huan admired Wang Yuyan's "Sweet and Sour Braised Carp with Noodles" with great interest. It is actually the traditional famous dish "Braised Carp with Noodles" in modern society!
Li Huan thought to himself, "Murong Fu is really damn insidious."
In the end, the goal is to get the cousin Wang Yuyan to come in second place, thus winning the martial arts manual "Yi Jin Jing" and 100,000 taels of silver.
We should keep the good stuff within our own family.
As for Li Qinglu getting third place, it was entirely because she was a princess of the Western Xia Kingdom.
Murong Fu personally presented awards to Li Huan and Wang Yuyan.
"Congratulations, Alliance Leader Li! You've won first place in this Martial Arts Culinary Competition!"
Murong Fu picked up a plaque and handed it to Li Huan.
This plaque is made of silver and has patterns engraved on its surface, giving it a somewhat rough appearance.
Li Huan said, "Is this a souvenir?"
Murong Fu laughed and said, "This is the glory of Alliance Leader Li winning first place!"
Damn it! Couldn't the medals be made a little more exquisite?
Murong Fu announced: "Congratulations, Miss Wang! You have won second place in this 'Martial Arts Culinary Competition,' winning the martial arts manual 'Yi Jin Jing' and 100,000 taels of silver!"
Sparse applause broke out from the audience, indicating a clear lack of engagement.
The people clapping were Murong Fu's four great generals and a dozen servants.
Seeing that the reaction at the scene was not enthusiastic enough, Murong Fu looked a little embarrassed.
"The third and tenth place winners will each receive one thousand taels of silver! Anyone who participates in the initial selection will also receive fifty taels of silver!"
Murong Fu's decision to give away silver livened up the atmosphere.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please come up to the stage and taste these ten delicacies!"
Murong Fu announced another benefit, which was met with cheers from the crowd.
Li Huan said, "With so many people here, how can we sample ten dishes?"
Murong Fu said, "Take the stage and taste the ten dishes in order of your status in the martial arts world and your ranking in martial arts."
The implication is that only those of high moral character and exceptional martial arts skills are qualified to step onto the stage and savor the delicacies.
In an instant, murmurs arose from the audience.
Some people humbly yielded, some were impatient, and some watched coldly from the sidelines.
A moment later, thirty people were selected to go on stage one by one and taste the ten dishes.
Among these thirty people were Xiao Feng and Xu Zhu.
There were also eminent monks from the Shaolin School, elders from the Beggars' Sect, experts from the Western Xia First-Class Hall, and even several cave masters under the jurisdiction of the Tianshan Lingjiu Palace.
Murong Fu said, "After you have tasted the ten dishes, you are welcome to visit my humble abode. Tonight, I will host a grand banquet, and I will enjoy wine and conversation with you all. I will also present you with generous gifts!"
Li Huan knew that Murong Fu had begun to bribe various experts.
Suddenly, Xiao Feng clutched his stomach, his thick eyebrows furrowing.
"Oh no! The food is poisoned..."
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