C4 Tracing the Origin

A cascade of alert tones sounded, and a deluge of information flooded Zhang Zhen's mind, causing a prolonged throbbing pain. It took some time before he could catch his breath and come back to his senses.

System?

Having read a few novels, this was Zhang Zhen's immediate thought. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, there was no sign of the anticipated intelligent response. Instead, a kitchen knife with a chilling gleam materialized on the table, starkly affirming the reality of the recent events.

Meteoric Kitchen Knife: Forged from celestial meteoric iron, this knife is incredibly sharp, capable of slicing through hair with a mere puff of air, and it maintains its cleanliness automatically, never harboring bacteria...

Zhang Zhen picked up the knife, its heft reassuring in his grip. Instantly, a flood of intricate details filled his mind, as if the knife had been his companion for years. In a mix of astonishment and curiosity, he tested the blade on the table. Without applying much force, the iron-clad table parted like soft tofu, offering no resistance to the knife.

Incredibly sharp!

Zhang Zhen swallowed hard, the Wing-Breaking Blade Technique coming to mind.

Wing-Breaking Blade Technique (Proficient): This entry-level life skill from the Culinary God's civilization can slice through the wings of a fluttering fly. Only those who cannot sever such delicate wings are unworthy of holding the sacred kitchen knife.

With a mere thought, Zhang Zhen's hands danced, and the once rough block of wood was now a meticulously carved five-clawed golden dragon. Each scale, each whisker, was rendered with lifelike precision. This skill with the blade was enough to humble chefs worldwide.

As he gazed upon the wooden dragon on the table, Zhang Zhen's hands shook, and he was overcome with emotion. Tears welled up in his eyes as he remembered the sensation of wielding the knife. There was a strange power guiding his steady hand.

After his hand had been impaled with 39 steel nails, he had forgotten what it felt like to be so nimble, so free. Once hailed as a surgical prodigy, he had forsaken his accolades to join the Night Snakes Special Forces as a combat medic. He had saved countless lives, taking pride in his hands, which were once more precise and unfailing than any machine...

After that covert operation, all his fellow soldiers had been lost, and he himself was left severely injured. Though his life was saved, his hands were nearly shattered.

Desperate for a cure, he exhausted every option and diligently pursued rehabilitation, but despite numerous setbacks, he still struggled to even hold a pen steadily.

In his despondency, he encountered Mo Qingge. A combination of her former military prowess, his own dire circumstances, and a series of fortuitous events led him to become the Mo family's son-in-law.

Zhang Zhen concealed his true self behind a smile, disregarding the swirl of gossip and maintaining a humble demeanor with everyone. Internally, however, he felt like nothing more than cold ashes.

Yet now, the Broken Wings Saber Technique had sparked a glimmer of hope...

Even though he could only forget his injuries while chopping vegetables, the occurrence of such a miracle suggested that perhaps his hand could heal!

A scalpel?

How he longed to wield one once more!

Zhang Zhen steeled his resolve and pondered the origin of the tiny bullet he had never expected to find lodged in his body.

The Kindling Operation?

His mind drifted to the final mission of the Night Serpent Special Forces. It was unusual for such an elite assassination squad to be assigned a mere escort task, yet it was that very assignment that led to the box exploding under the assault of a mysterious military force, decimating the entire team.

His hands were mangled, his body riddled with countless shards. It was possible that the bullet had embedded itself in him during that chaos, but why had it gone undetected at the hospital?

Still, the peculiar talent for discerning flavors and melodies had only emerged after his recovery...

Zhang Zhen placed his hand over his heart, and suddenly, his awareness deepened, noticing two droplets clinging to the iron pellet.

Origin Reversal Energy (Beginner): 5/5.

He could trace back to the essence through phenomena and integrate improvements...

This was the function of the Origin Reversal Power!

Zhang Zhen realized that his ability to deconstruct a recipe from just a taste of Drunken Goose was an influence of this power, initially triggered unconsciously, but now harnessed intentionally.

By documenting and analyzing the origins of a civilization, the data would be uploaded to the Supreme Divine Hall. The Divine Hall would assess the information and reward the contributor accordingly.

As soon as the authority was activated, Zhang Zhen instinctively grasped the mission the small pellet had brought him. The Origin Reversing Ability was a crucial tool for aiding in the collection of civilization's knowledge.

He knew he had to test it to uncover more information.

Zhang Zhen was quick to assimilate new abilities, and given that it pertained to healing his hands, he wasted no time in getting to work.

Two hours later, Zhang Zhen finally took a seat, thoughtfully touching the metal pellet embedded in his chest.

Origin Energy (Beginner): 1/5.

Zhang Zhen had carried out four experiments, uploading data on garden construction, software design, Western desserts, and a comprehensive medical encyclopedia. Yet, none of these provided any rewards.

He remembered the initial prompt; the pellet had activated only after he completed the Chef King Manual. Could it be that only his own original writings counted?

Moreover, what criteria were used to evaluate the data?

And how could he restore his Origin Energy?

Zhang Zhen was brimming with questions. This system was unlike any he had read about in other novels; he would have to discover its secrets on his own.

"Young Master, Young Master!" Aunt Mei's voice interrupted his reverie from outside. Glancing at the clock, Zhang Zhen realized it was nearly dinner time and he had inadvertently neglected his father-in-law for a while.

Downstairs in the living room, Mo Wensen was seated on the couch, a small pot of white wine on the table before him—his favorite, Immortal Inebriation.

Despite any past reprimands, the wine his son-in-law made was not to be missed.

It was this very Immortal Inebriation that had initially endeared Zhang Zhen to Mo Wensen. But now, Mo Wensen's expression was stern and frosty.

"Not a single one of them gives me peace!" Mo Wensen grumbled, emptying his glass in one go. His irritation, however, wasn't aimed at Zhang Zhen.

"They say they won't come back, and they don't. What's more important, work or family?" he continued. "And you, you're a grown man who can't keep his wife in check. I've given you this grand villa, but how many days has Qingge spent here?" In a sudden move, he pulled out a set of keys from his pocket and tossed them onto the table in front of Zhang Zhen.

"Go and bring Qingge back. Your mother and I have figured out that today is her optimal day for conception. You must make it happen today, no matter what!" Zhang Zhen's nose twitched at the words. It seemed his in-laws had too much time on their hands, calculating ovulation schedules at home.

"What are you waiting for? Are your hands so useless you can't even drive? If you don't bring Qingge back, don't bother returning!" Zhang Zhen grabbed the keys, wisely avoiding any confrontation with his father-in-law at that moment.

Despite marrying into the family, Zhang Zhen was treated quite well by the Mo family. His father-in-law might have had a sharp tongue, but he wasn't unkind. After the wedding, he generously provided a villa for the couple, ensuring they had their own space. Zhang Zhen's name was even added to the deed. At family gatherings, he was never embarrassed but treated with respect.

However, the issue of having a child was a thorn in his father-in-law's side. The Mo family, one of the most distinguished in Changnan City, boasted a two-hundred-year legacy. Their ancestors had held noble titles in former dynasties, and it was a shock to them when Mo Wensen's line produced three daughters in a row, threatening the continuation of the family name. Hence, the desperate measure of having a son-in-law.

After three years filled with high hopes and no results, it was understandable that Mo Wensen was anxious and off-balance.

Now, Zhang Zhen could finally make his father-in-law's dream come true...

Seated at the wheel, a subtle smile played on Zhang Zhen's lips.

Anyone who knew him well would sense something different.

Zhang Zhen's face was no stranger to smiles, but this one had a new vibrancy, a hint of defiance.

Given the chance, he was determined to truly live.

Beneath his innocuous exterior, a once fervent and passionate soul was reawakening...

Moments later, a white Dongfeng Honda vanished into the horizon.