Reborn in Japan as a Chef God

The incident began with a culinary influencer possessing millions of followers.

An article titled "Chef vs. Chef? Beyond Cooking Skills, Let's Discuss the Tradition of Respecting Seniors in the Culinary World..." caught public attention shortly after its release, quickly approaching the top ten trending topics.

The article was accompanied by a striking set of images.

A middle-aged man's face was blurred out, dressed tidily, standing in front of the tightly shut doors of an old mansion in a narrow alley, with a hint of displeasure on his face.

Below the main image was a pair of meaningful contrast images.

One image was from earlier this year, showcasing the stage where the Grand King Chair sat under the spotlight.

The other image displayed a collection of achievement medals stacked on a table.

The images were simply described as follows:

"In 1986, at age 16, he was one of the 'Five Chinese Talents' and received the Five Talents Medal."

"In 1990, at age 20, he won the silver medal in the Chinese Realm Young Chef Competition."

"In the same year, he became the head chef of Yanyun Restaurant in the Imperial City."

"In 1992, at age 22, he battled again in the Young Chef Competition and ultimately won the title of Champion."

"In 1995..."

A series of medals and certificates of achievement highlighted the status and prestige of this "senior."

Below the Weibo post, a crowd of onlookers sensed the brewing storm and excitedly replied and discussed.

"Wow! A big shot, my knees are shattered!"

"These medals, these credentials, would scare a bunch of kids to death if shown!"

"Who is it? I'll go look it up..."

"I know who it is, but I'm puzzled. Wherever this famous chef goes, he's usually treated with high honors, right? How did he get turned away at this old mansion in a narrow alley? Who could be so important?"

The discussion, after just a short hour or two in the morning, seemed to be spreading to the whole nation.

Why?

If it were an ordinary famous chef, people wouldn't care to gather just for curiosity.

But this chef is different. Just the fact that he was once one of the "Five Chinese Talents" was enough to make a large group of people as agitated and eager to stir up trouble as sharks smelling blood.

It must be acknowledged that this Weibo post was very skillfully crafted.

Neither mentioning names explicitly nor revealing the key individual's face, even the title simply touched on the courtesy of respecting seniors, which seemed non-aggressive. However, in reality, those who understood the images and texts probably gasped in shock.

"My heavens, can't anyone look up this resume online, and see it points to the so-called 'Reserve Pastry King' Wei Zhong?"

This person graduated from the "Five Chinese Talents" over twenty years ago. In the current culinary world, apart from those ancient freaks, who dares to give him a cold shoulder? It's quite bold, no wonder the influencer caught and scolded it.

Wait a minute!

"That narrow alley, doesn't it look like it's in an old district of Jingguan City in Shu?" A bystander replied on the Weibo post, dipping out, then resurfaced a while later posting a shocked face meme, before disappearing again.

Evidently, the first member of the public to learn the truth had appeared.

Don't underestimate the internet's power, for the event itself had clear image and textual clues.

As the pieces were pieced together, one by one, the article "Chef vs. Chef? Beyond Cooking Skills, Let's Discuss the Tradition of Respecting Seniors in the Culinary World..."—who it targeted, criticized, and mocked—became clear to the onlookers!

"This, this..." Many were left staring wide-eyed at their phone and computer screens.

They sensed the shift in tone.

Was this to cause the newly crowned Grand King to fall from grace?

Courtesy might seem trivial, yet in the Chinese Cuisine World, which places great emphasis on inheritance and adherence to rules, it could rise to the level of a chef's character and integrity.

Lacking skill but possessing morals?

Possessing skill but lacking morals?

Discussions like these have persisted from ancient to modern times, with some viewers gloatingly commenting, "Now, won't these rule-abiding old relics be dug out?"

...

Returning to the Xia Mansion.

Xia Yu fixed his gaze on the young girl in a black dress and white attire, momentarily dazed.

Liu Ying, this "Demon King junior," really surprised him, treating "golden wheat" like kneaded salt, or as a seasoning? It sounds simple and easy in words, but really diving into culinary research, one would discover things are far more complex!

At least, placing yourself in her shoes, Xia Yu found it hard to imagine treating what is a staple food ingredient as a minuscule seasoning. It's not just him; in the minds of many renown chefs, who would be so creative as to regard flour as a salt-like additive?

"Hmm..."

He picked up the chopsticks again to continue tasting Liu Ying's 'Treasure Cover Mushroom Noodles.'

This time, Xia Yu calmed himself, using his teeth and tongue to feel the texture of the noodles repeatedly.

"More elastic than ordinary ramen! And softer too!"

With chopsticks, he picked a strand of noodles from the bowl, then put down the chopsticks, holding the noodle strand's two ends with both hands like stretching a rubber band, even if he abruptly extended his arms to the fullest, the strand slightly straightened and bounced in the air, showing no sign of breaking.

"Mr. Xia!"

Liu Ying, mustering courage, asked, "Can my dish earn your passing evaluation?"

"Passing?"

Xia Yu was taken aback, organizing scattered thoughts, then locking eyes with Liu Ying's blinking ones, he couldn't help but laugh, "Is it just a passing evaluation you wish to obtain from me?"

This counter-question left Liu Ying stunned, then understanding dawned, she beamed with joy, "Is it above passing?"

Her anxiety wasn't difficult to understand, as her master Xia Yu was indeed strict. In the days Liu Ying had spent learning from him, she was often depreciated. Fortunately, early wisdom and tenacity characterized Liu Ying, unlike other peers who would have long since sobbed, clamoring to go home to see mom.

Outwardly, Xia Yu showed indifference, but inwardly, he gave a thumbs-up.

Impressive!

Simultaneously, Xia Yu also discreetly wiped sweat, feeling a bit ashamed.

Liu Ying's creative and sudden ideas appeared to significantly reduce the difficulty of mastering "golden wheat" and other fantasy ingredients. In contrast, his past linear strong-armed approach now seemed a bit foolish. Xia Yu couldn't help but sweat and self-deprecate, "Compared to a true genius, I'm just a pseudo-genius exposed in an instant."

However, never having claimed to be a genius, Xia Yu wasn't disheartened by the "junior" stride of imagination.

Instead, he felt genuine happiness.

"Let's proceed along this line of thought!" His hand landed on the young girl's head, ruffling her soft hair to convey fondness for the "junior," evident that Liu Ying understood, lowering her head with crimson cheeks, with joy on her face and in her eyes, hard to conceal no matter what.

Observing his apprentice return to the kitchen, Xia Yu exhaled.

"According to this progress, in the Liu selections, Little Ying could use 'golden wheat' as a trump card!"

A glint of a smile appeared in his eyes.

It seemed this "junior," from the day of the selection, would surely turn heads.

Inspired by a bowl of Treasure Cover Mushroom Noodles, Xia Yu's fingers itched, planning to practice following Liu Ying's concept. However, the phone on the dining table kept buzzing with notifications.

"Who is it?"

He considered turning it off, but upon seeing the number and name displayed on the screen, he answered.

Zhu Qing, from an unknown corner of Jingguan City, began berating furiously:

"You're impressive, aren't you? The Demon King's tail is practically reaching the heavens!"

The anger poured through the words.

What did I do?

Xia Yu was filled with confusion.