Chapter 119: Slapped Until the Face Smacked!

Chen Feng’s critique instantly stunned everyone. What was originally considered a delicious dish was utterly dismissed by Chen Feng as worthless. Fang Yi’s face turned pale and flushed in turns, almost spitting out old blood on the spot. The terrifying fact was that Chen Feng could discern the flaws at a single taste, and no one had expected this man to be so perverse—he could even tell the gender of the pigeon used in the dish.

“Hmph!” Fang Yi snorted coldly through his nose. The surrounding judges, however, remained objective and gave a score. Despite Chen Feng’s harsh criticism, Fang Yi’s “Mandarin Duck Five Treasures Stew” still tasted quite good. But it was impossible for him to get a high score now.

The competition continued. The next chefs did not present any particularly dazzling dishes; most were just standard fare. Chen Feng refrained from unleashing his biting tongue and instead offered fair evaluations. To put it simply, except for Fang Yi’s dish, all others received praise from him.

At this moment, it was clear to everyone: Chen Feng had locked horns with Fang Yi.

“Next up, Chef Chen Feng!” At this, the host Chen Jing called out Chen Feng’s name. Chen Feng leisurely descended from the podium.

The host smiled faintly, “Ladies and gentlemen, I believe you are all familiar with Chen Feng. He is this year’s national college entrance examination top scorer. What’s surprising is that besides his academic achievements, he is also an exceptionally skilled chef. Chen Feng, would you please introduce the dish you prepared today?”

“Of course, it would be my pleasure!” Chen Feng smiled gently. All eyes fixed on him, especially Fang Yi, who watched him intently, determined to find flaws and give a harsh rating.

With a light clap, a staff member wheeled in a large cart. Chen Feng glanced around with a faint smile and said, “The dish I prepared today is called: Wolfberry and Poria Flower Carved Pork.”

As he spoke, Chen Feng lifted the cover of the cart, causing everyone to be slightly startled. Inside was a whole piglet, roasting over charcoal embers beneath it, sizzling lightly. A subtle, indescribable aroma wafted gently through the air.

The host swallowed instinctively, feeling the fragrance seep deep into her being, stirring a strong urge to taste it.

“No, that’s wrong!” Fang Yi jumped up as if he had caught Chen Feng’s weak spot. He spoke urgently, “That’s not Wolfberry and Poria Flower Carved Pork at all. The proper method is to cut the pork into long strips, marinate it with carrots, scallions, ginger, and Shaoxing wine; then boil water, adding poria, wolfberries, codonopsis, angelica, and bring it to a boil. Add a proper amount of Shaoxing wine, then put the pork in to cook until 70-80% done before taking it out. Drain the water and roast it in an oven, brushing on lard and honey until fully cooked. Serve with pepper and salt. What you have here is simply roasted suckling pig!”

Many frowned at Fang Yi’s loud accusations, which seemed to flout the competition’s rules and were disrespectful to Chen Feng. Yet the host Chen Jing remained silent, seemingly enveloped by the aroma, her reactions sluggish.

Chen Feng glanced at Fang Yi with a look of disdain, picked up a pair of chopsticks, and gently pinched a long strip of meat.

“What?” Fang Yi was dumbfounded. Chen Feng calmly explained, “I forgot to mention, I have already cut the pork into strips. For aesthetics, I reassembled it into its current form.”

“Moreover,” Chen Feng said with a sneer, looking slowly at Fang Yi, “my method is completely different. I fed this recently weaned pig with tonic herbs like poria and wolfberries, and gave it Shaoxing wine until it matured. Of course, there are some flaws—the pig should ideally take twelve months to mature, but I raised it for only three. However, this timing is perfect, as the meat is at its most tender. The tonic effect is slightly less, but the taste is far superior.”

Chen Feng spoke with grace, his gaze sweeping over Fang Yi’s face. He continued softly, “Then, just five hours before the competition, I began preparing the charcoal fire. The most authentic way to eat this is to slaughter the mature pig on-site and roast it while carving. Eating it now is just right.”

Fang Yi stared blankly at Chen Feng, biting his teeth in his seat, silently scheming how to find faults in Chen Feng’s dish. He simply could not believe Chen Feng’s ability to craft a flawless dish.

Chen Feng smiled, took a small knife, and with a swift cut had neatly arranged portions of pork on dozens of plates, sprinkling a special blend of seasonings.

Having finished, he smiled faintly at the host and said, “Host, please distribute this Wolfberry and Poria Flower Carved Pork for everyone to taste.”

The host snapped back to reality, hastily instructing staff to serve the dish to the judges and audience. Chen Jing swallowed again, still sensing the lingering aroma on her nose, sighing inwardly—she knew she was outmatched.

The judges, before even picking up their chopsticks, were already tempted by the enticing aroma, as if it were awakening their deepest cravings. One judge lifted a piece to his lips and tasted it. His eyes widened, and without any decorum, he devoured the dish with ravenous greed, cleaning his plate.

Rarely had all the judges been so silent, each savoring the Wolfberry and Poria Flower Carved Pork in quiet reverence.

Fang Yi’s plate held the same dish. He glanced at Chen Feng, then inhaled deeply. Instantly, he felt as if his internal organs were melting; hunger surged from his core. He instinctively grabbed a piece and placed it in his mouth.

Before he could even begin to chew, the pork burst with juicy sweetness, flooding his taste buds with an indescribable flavor, a full assault on his senses.

At that moment, Fang Yi was completely dumbfounded. He forgot to critique and simply closed his eyes to savor the exquisite taste.

No one knew how much time had passed before Fang Yi suddenly snapped back to reality, realizing his plate was empty.

“Gone? Just like that?” Fang Yi felt a pang of sadness. The flavor lingered on his tongue, yet it filled his soul so deeply that tears unexpectedly welled in his eyes.

He suddenly felt that his life had been wasted, never having experienced such a marvel before.

The venue fell silent. All the judges silently chewed for three full minutes before gradually regaining composure. Master Xing looked at Chen Feng with fiery eyes, “Chen Feng, you’re incredible. Ever since I met you, I realize everything I’ve eaten before was a failure. What will I do if I can’t taste your cooking in the future?”

Chen Feng smiled gently, “Master Xing, you’re too kind. So, shall we proceed with the scoring?”

“Ten points!” Master Xing answered without hesitation.

“Ten points!”

“Ten points!”

Everyone awarded Chen Feng full marks. The dish was simply too delicious, leaving all deeply shaken. Lin Suxin looked around; although she wanted to give a low score to Chen Feng, with so many others praising him, she couldn’t bring herself to do so.

The gap was glaring, a chasm between two realms—Chen Feng’s level was simply unassailable.

Then Chen Feng’s gaze rested on the chefs’ quarters, his smile faint but confident. “Master Fang, do you have any advice on my culinary skills?”

Fang Yi was momentarily stunned, his face flushing deeply as if slapped. He desperately wanted to find flaws but could not. At this moment, he wished he could disappear into the ground.

He forced a calm expression and said, “I admit, it is truly delicious. But Chen Feng, this competition is only just beginning. You’ve revealed all your cards so early; winning the championship won’t be so easy!”

“Rest assured, Master Fang. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve,” Chen Feng replied politely but with a sharp edge. “But Master Fang, next time, you really shouldn’t mistake the gender of your pigeons and arrogantly name your dish ‘Mandarin Duck.’ People will laugh you to scorn!”

That old rascal was still so arrogant. Naturally, Chen Feng was not polite and promptly slapped Fang Yi’s face repeatedly.

(First update. Thank you all for the incredible support! No complaints—today we continue with three updates, pulling ahead of the genius doctor’s eighty monthly tickets. Four updates tomorrow, including the explosive Tokyo Taoist, five updates total. Everyone, let’s keep it up!)

(To be continued...)