C2 Water Cabbage

Could creating a culinary masterpiece secure Zhang Dashao's approval?

Ye Feng pondered this question all day long. He was at a loss as to what kind of gourmet dish would impress Zhang Dashao, especially since the ingredients in this world were far more exquisite than those in his own. Plus, considering Zhang Dashao's family had been chefs for generations, winning his approval was no small feat.

As evening approached and Zhang Dashao's return was imminent, Ye Feng was still clueless about what to prepare.

Just then, Senior Brother Lee Yuan approached him, saying, "Junior Brother Ye, organizing ingredients is more than just sorting and storing. We also need to tend to the poultry and livestock. Could you feed the Five-Colored Feathered Chickens in the backyard? You'll find the feed in the warehouse."

Feed the chickens?

Upon hearing that his task was to feed the chickens, Ye Feng instantly agreed, thinking it was a simple enough job.

He collected the feed from the warehouse and made his way to the backyard. Amidst a grassy field, he found a chicken coop that seemed ordinary but was actually imbued with a complex formation.

As he scattered the feed and watched the vibrant Feathered Chickens peck away, Ye Feng envisioned them as ambulatory chicken meat!

Suddenly, an idea for a dish flashed through his mind...

Boiled Cabbage!

This dish, from the state banquets of Ye Feng's previous life, appeared simple—a sculpted cabbage floating in a clear broth—but the preparation was intricate and elaborate.

It looked plain on the outside, but concealed layers of complexity, making it an ideal showstopper.

With this in mind, Ye Feng beamed a friendly smile at the Five-Colored Feathered Chickens busily feeding.

"Giggle, giggle, giggle..."

A flurry of feathers later, one plump chicken mysteriously vanished from the coop...

Ye Feng then took his newly acquired ingredient to the kitchen and called out to Lee Yuan, "Senior Brother, let me cook today as a way to thank you all for your kindness!"

Lee Yuan, seeing Ye Feng's eagerness to cook, gave a soft smile and accepted his offer.

Unbeknownst to them, the disappearance of the Five-Colored Feathered Chicken would lead to complications, marking the beginning of Ye Feng's rise. Yet at that moment, Ye Feng was oblivious to the chicken's significance; his sole focus was on crafting a delectable Boiled Cabbage dish.

The chicken was swiftly slaughtered, scalded, and carved in one fluid motion before the Five-Colored Feathered Chicken, which had died with its eyes open, began to tumble joyously in the boiling pot.

As the broth simmered, Ye Feng set to work on a cabbage, carving it with an air of someone who couldn't afford to waste. He stripped away the excess green leaves, leaving only the tender yellow leaves and the core. Skillfully, he sculpted each piece of the core into petal shapes before boiling them.

Come evening, Zhang Dashao returned with Wang Bao and Liu Ann. Upon entry, they were greeted by several dishes neatly arranged on the table, ready to be enjoyed.

Zhang Dashao glanced at the two men standing aside and inquired, "Did you make this?"

Lee Yuan shook his head, gesturing towards the beaming Ye Feng, "Senior Brother, this is Junior Brother Ye's doing. He's eager for your critique!"

At that, Zhang Dashao chuckled heartily, took his seat with authority, and unveiled the centerpiece dish.

The lifting of the lid released an enticing aroma. The onlookers were treated to the sight of a lotus flower adrift in a crystal-clear broth, steam swirling around it like a scene from a celestial realm.

"Wow! That smells incredible!"

Instantly, Wang Bao and Liu Ann joined in the chorus of admiration.

"The white lotus upon the water, its presence ethereal, captures the profound simplicity of the Great Dao. It's exquisite... truly exquisite!"

Zhang Dashao's lavish praise nearly made Ye Feng blush with modesty.

But before Ye Feng could bask in his accomplishment, Zhang Dashao added, "Junior Brother Ye, we've underestimated you. To think you possess such depth of spirit, it's truly enviable!"

Envious?

Ye Feng was momentarily puzzled.

Zhang Dashao went on, "At the founding of the Celestial Profound Sect, it was my ancestor's exceptional culinary vision that caught the eye of the sect's founding patriarch..."

He sighed wistfully, "Alas... since my ancestor's time, the Zhang family's luster has dimmed with each generation, to the point where we no longer cater for the sect. Only out of respect did the patriarch allow us to continue cooking for the prison. Otherwise, I, Zhang Dashao, would have been dismissed long ago."

After finishing his statement, Zhang Dashao suddenly stood up, clapped Ye Feng on the shoulder, and declared, "But starting today, I believe our destinies will change because we've met you!"

Ye Feng was dumbfounded...

Was all this excitement really just over some boiled cabbage he had made?

Or could it be that the meals these guys made were truly that awful?

While Ye Feng was still lost in his bewilderment, the system's voice abruptly rang out...

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the mission!"

"Ding! Congratulations to the host! You have received a novice gift bag!"

"Would you like to open the gift bag now?"

Ye Feng was about to mentally choose 'open,' when the door was suddenly kicked open with great force, and a disheveled old man stumbled into the room.

Clutching a yellowed bamboo cane, his murky eyes scanned Ye Feng and the others before his gaze turned icy.

"Which scoundrel stole my chicken?"

The old man's question came out coldly, and sensing that his anger wasn't fully conveyed, he added, "And it was the fattest one at that!"

Ye Feng didn't recognize the old man, but Zhang Dashao and the rest had been raised in the Celestial Profound Sect from a young age, so they were familiar with many of the sect's affairs and people.

There were three great taboos in the Celestial Profound Sect!

The first was the Sword Burial Cave!

The second was the Wordless Heavenly Book!

The third was the old man before them!

Known simply as Nameless, he had no surname. Many privately called him Old Drunk, yet no one truly knew what his role was, though every Sect Master had treated him with great respect.

As the old man demanded his chicken, Zhang Dashao and the others were both bewildered and frightened. However, Zhang Dashao, Wang Bao, and Liu Ann quickly turned their eyes to Lee Yuan, who was responsible for all the poultry and livestock in the sect.

"Why are you all looking at me? Surely you don't suspect that I'm the thief... do you?"

Lee Yuan's words trailed off as something dawned on him. He hastily glanced at the boiled cabbage on the table, then lifted the lids of the other two dishes, and with a look of utter despair, he asked, "Junior Brother Ye... where exactly did you get your ingredients from?"

Upon hearing the question, Ye Feng responded earnestly, "We have cabbages in the kitchen, along with carrots and potatoes. As for the chicken, I simply nabbed the plumpest one when you told me to feed them..."

After finishing his statement, Ye Feng had a sudden realization. It appeared that the old man had also mentioned someone stealing his fattest chicken!

Just as Ye Feng was about to offer an explanation, he caught sight of a bamboo cane hurtling toward his face...

"Ah!"

With a cry of pain, darkness enveloped Ye Feng's vision, and he collapsed, unconscious.