Upon hearing Duolong's words, Wu Sangui's expression turned displeased.
"Master Duo, the duck belonging to Sect Leader Yue has already been slaughtered. How can you provide evidence? Master Duo, just taste this dish. Why make things difficult for Sect Leader Yue?"
Duolong laughed and said, "I've already tasted it and found it to be fishy, but Master Yue has repeatedly tried to deny it, saying that duck gizzards don't have a fishy smell. This kind of shameless and unyielding attitude is really frustrating!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a murmur arose from the audience.
"Master Duo is right, it's normal for duck gizzards to have a fishy smell, so why is Sect Leader Yue so stubborn and refusing to admit it?"
"Some people don't find duck gizzards fishy, while others find them very fishy."
"Yue Zhuoran is indeed not humble enough; he is self-righteous and too arrogant!"
"Even if Sect Leader Yue's cooking skills are terrible, he wouldn't slaughter a sick duck to cook, would he?"
"Perhaps Sect Leader Yue was careless and really killed a sick duck..."
...
Yue Zhuoran frowned deeply and said loudly, "I swear to heaven, I would never slaughter a sick duck or remove its gizzard!"
Wei Xiaobao said with a grin, "Swearing won't help. You're not a veterinarian, how can you guarantee that the ducks you slaughter aren't sick?"
"Some chickens and ducks may look lively and energetic, but they are actually sick. I think it's understandable that Master Yue couldn't tell at the moment!"
Yue Zhuoran was speechless, looking like he wanted to curse but was holding back.
Princess Jianning said, "Let me say something fair."
Wei Xiaobao said, "Please speak, Princess."
Princess Jianning said, "After tasting the 'Huashan First-Class Winter Melon Soup' prepared by Sect Leader Yue, I can confirm that it does have a slightly fishy taste!"
Yue Zhuoran's brows furrowed even more!
Princess Jianning said, "In the palace, I often eat duck gizzards from the imperial kitchen. There are stir-fried duck gizzards, braised duck gizzards, stewed duck gizzards, and other flavors. The imperial chefs do a very good job, and there is no fishy smell at all!"
"Therefore, Master Yue's 'Huashan First-Class Winter Melon Soup' today was a failure due to negligence. He failed to remove the fishy smell of the duck gizzards!"
Sweat beaded on Yue Zhuoran's forehead.
The princess's evaluation was extraordinary.
Yue Zhuoran could shamelessly argue with Duolong and Wei Xiaobao, but he couldn't argue with Princess Jianning.
After all, Princess Jianning was of noble status, not only being the emperor's sister and Wu Sangui's daughter-in-law, but also the protagonist of today's story.
Wei Xiaobao reminded him, "Your Highness, let's begin the vote!"
Wu Yingxiong hurriedly announced: "Your Highness and all judges, please vote for Yue Zhuoran's 'Huashan First-Class Winter Melon Soup'!"
Wu Sangui raised his hand: "I give my vote to Master Yue!"
Wu Yingqi also raised his hand: "I also vote for Sect Leader Yue!"
Feng Xifan quickly raised his hand: "Master Yue's culinary skills are superb, he should get the vote!"
The three of them unanimously voted for Yue Zhuoran.
Doron said, "As for me, I won't vote. As for the reason, I've already explained it."
Wei Xiaobao said firmly, "I won't vote either."
Princess Jianning smiled slightly and remained silent to indicate her refusal to vote.
Wu Yingxiong had no choice but to announce the results.
"Sect Leader Yue's 'Huashan First-Class Winter Melon Soup' has received three votes!"
The crowd booed.
Yue Zhuoran looked embarrassed.
As a well-known figure in the martial arts world, he thought he had superb culinary skills and came to participate in the "Martial Arts Culinary Competition". He was the first to present his dish, but he only received three votes.
This score is equivalent to failing, and failure is inevitable.
It's a disgrace to the Huashan Sect.
Therefore, all the Huashan Sect disciples below the stage turned red in the face and couldn't lift their heads.
Duolong said, "Sect Leader Yue, you only got three votes. There's no way you can win. What are you standing there for? Get off the stage now."
Yue Zhuoran sighed, clasped his hands in a salute to Wu Sangui, and prepared to step down from the stage.
"Wait!" Wu Sangui shouted.
Yue Zhuoran suddenly stopped, turned around and asked, "What are your orders, Your Highness?"
With a smile on his face, Wu Sangui stroked his beard and said, "Although Master Yue only got three votes and has almost no chance of winning this round, you still have the opportunity to submit to me and serve me!"
The scene suddenly fell silent.
Wu Sangui continued, "As long as Sect Leader Yue leads the Huashan Sect to submit to me, he will receive 100,000 taels of silver and a beautiful woman as a reward!"
The crowd gasped in surprise.
"With three votes, there's no way to win, yet there's still a chance to get 100,000 taels of silver?"
"Unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable! Ten thousand taels of silver!"
"Hmph, what's there to be happy about? Would the prestigious Huashan Sect submit to Wu Sangui?"
...
There was much discussion and conflicting opinions.
Li Huan said, "Your Highness, the rules of the competition were announced before. The winner would receive 100,000 taels of silver and a beautiful woman if he was willing to submit to Your Highness. With the number of votes for Sect Leader Yue, he has no chance of becoming the winner!"
Wu Sangui said, "I admire Master Yue, which is why I took the initiative to recruit him and give him the opportunity to submit."
Li Huan shrugged: "Since Your Highness has taken the initiative to recruit, then I have nothing more to say."
Wu Sangui asked, "Sect Leader Yue, are you willing to lead the Huashan Sect to submit to me?"
Yue Zhuoran quickly clasped his hands and said, "I am deeply grateful for Your Highness's kindness. This matter is too hasty. Please allow me some time to consider it."
Wu Yingqi smiled and said, "Your father is personally recruiting you. This is a rare opportunity. What are you still considering?"
Yue Zhuoran frowned slightly, his eyes revealing a complex emotion.
Li Huan could tell that Yue Zhuoran wanted 100,000 taels of silver, but did not want to submit to Wu Sangui.
Because Wu Sangui was a traitor, and his reputation was too bad.
If Yue Zhuoran were to submit to Wu Sangui, he would surely be subjected to insults from many martial arts figures.
Yue Zhuoran said, "Submitting to the Prince is a very important matter, and I need to discuss it carefully with the elders of the Huashan Sect!"
Wu Sangui asked, "Have the elders of the Huashan Sect also come to the competition?"
Yue Zhuoran replied, "The three elders of the Huashan Sect are below the stage."
Wu Sangui said, "Very well, I will give you time to consider it and discuss it with the elders. You will give me your reply later."
Yue Zhuoran responded and left hastily, stepping down from the stage and heading towards the Huashan Sect's camp.
Li Huan knew that although the Huashan Sect was now considered a major sect, it was far less prosperous than it had been during the Song and Ming Dynasties.
The fact that the dignified leader of the Huashan Sect personally took to the stage to participate in the "Martial Arts Culinary Competition" in an effort to win the prizes is enough to prove that the Huashan Sect needs both money and to expand its influence.
The heavy responsibility of developing the Huashan Sect fell on Yue Zhuoran's shoulders.
At this moment, winning the first round of the competition has become an almost impossible task.
Unless the other five contestants all receive three votes, in which case the six will have a tiebreaker round and vote again.
The possibility is extremely slim.
Therefore, if Yue Zhuoran wanted to obtain 100,000 taels of silver, he had to lead the "Huashan Sect" to join Wu Sangui and serve him.
After Yue Zhuoran joined the Huashan Sect, he whispered with the three elders...
Wu Yingxiong called out, "Next contestant, please present your dish!"
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