Magic Chef of Ice and Fire

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Announcement: This Sunday's selection meeting at 12.05 PM will be held here. You are welcome to participate in the book review section of Fire and Ice Chef Magician.

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"Practice cooking for ten years, comprehend it for ten years, endure a lifetime of loneliness, and risk a complete downfall." Nian Bing repeated Cha Ji's words, "Master, I understand. Don't worry, I will definitely reclaim your title of Ghost Chef for you."

Cha Ji gently shook his head and said, "No need. The Ghost Chef is me, not you. You have learned my skills, but you can't be satisfied with where you are. Only constant progress can lead you to the pinnacle of cooking. Being a chef is a very common profession on this continent. You need to work hard on cultivating magic. This profession also serves as good camouflage for you. I don't hate that woman from the past, and you don't need to go looking for her. What's past is past. If it weren't for her, perhaps I wouldn't have grasped the mystery of combining magic with cooking, nor would I have had such an excellent disciple as you." While speaking, he took a wrapped bundle from his side and handed it to Nian Bing, "This is my old buddy. From now on, it's yours. Go on, open it up."

Nian Bing unfolded the wrap, and as the wrapped cloth gradually disappeared, a knife with a sheath appeared before him. Unlike ordinary kitchen knives that don't usually have sheaths, this one did, just like his Morning Dew. The body of the knife was about the same length as the Morning Dew, but the blade was much wider, about four inches wide, and surprisingly thick at half an inch. It was so heavy in his hand that it felt as if he was holding three Morning Dew knives. The sheath was a deep red color, and had an antique floral pattern etched on it. Nian Bing held the handle, which fit perfectly in his hand, and slowly drew out the knife.

A faint heat passed over Nian Bing's face from the dark red blade. Nian Bing's hand trembled slightly as the Fire God Stone in his embrace let out a low roar. The rotation speed of his internal magic power, Fire and Ice of the same origin, had increased slightly due to the agitation of the Fire God Stone. The oversized blade and thick back of the knife, that had initially looked irregular, now exhibited an extraordinary beauty. A crimson sheen flowed over the entire knife handle. The blade was sharp and the edges smooth, like that of a shark's fin. Holding it, Nian Bing couldn't help but feel his blood boil with excitement.

"This is the precious knife I got after I made my name. It's my old buddy, just like a brother, always accompanying me. Do you still remember Hua Tian? This is the most satisfactory piece he ever created, apart from your Morning Dew. This Righteous Sun knife is not made of metal. Accurately speaking, it should be described as carved, not forged. The basic material of this knife is the horn of a Fire Dragon."

"A Fire Dragon's horn? Master, do Fire Dragons exist?" Nian Bing asked curiously, looking at the beautiful streamline patterns on the Righteous Sun knife.

"I can't answer that. All I can say is that there are rumors about them. Even if they do exist, they are very scarce. I found the original Fire Dragon's Horn in a valley. Because of its warmth, I knew it was a treasure. So, I found Hua Tian and showed it to him. He told me that he wanted this horn and that I could name any price. Being as smart as I am, I told him he could have the horn, but in return, he must forge the proudest knife of his life, a knife for me to use in my cooking. Hua Tian agreed, so this Righteous Sun came into being. He was indeed very reliable, carving the horn into this precious knife. Since it was carved out, there's not a single gap on the blade. Moreover, it emits the aura of a Fire Dragon, and it inherently has a fire attribute. Back then, if I wasn't overconfident and had used Righteous Sun during my competition with that woman, even with her magic culinary skills, she wouldn't have been able to defeat me. The reputation of the Ghost Chef is not undeserved," Cha Ji said, hacking into a fit of coughing, but the pride in his eyes remained.

"Master, you should rest for a bit, stop talking," Nian Bing said with concern, gently patting Cha Ji's back.

Cha Ji smiled and said, "I'm fine, I'm just too happy. My disciple is about to graduate, and I'm glad that my skills will not be buried with me. Nian Bing, what are your plans after leaving here?"

Nian Bing was taken aback, "Master, I've never even considered this question."

Cha Ji said, "Then, listen to my suggestion. After you leave here, go to Bing Xue City first. I don't know if that old man Hua Tian is still alive. Please visit him for me. As the top blacksmith on this continent, he has many treasures, certainly not limited to what you saw that day. You might get some more benefits."

Nian Bing's eyes suddenly welled up with tears, gripping Cha Ji's hand tightly, "Master, I don't want to go. I really don't want to go."

Cha Ji's eyes sparkled with a strange light, "Silly child, didn't I tell you? You can't always be under my wing! You will have to go someday. Dacheng Restaurant and Qingfeng Vegetarian Restaurant in Bing Xue City are renowned restaurants in Bing Yue Empire. They will be your first stop; you can choose either one. Try to enter their kitchen to observe the chef's culinary skills, it might be of some benefit to you. However, remember, if you happen to reveal your culinary talent, you must leave. Otherwise, with your current capability, you will easily attract attention, and if noticed by government officials, there would be lots of trouble."

Nian Bing nodded tearfully, "Master, I will remember. I will follow your example and traverse the entire continent to learn different dishes. I won't let you down."

Cha Ji wiped away Nian Bing's tears and kindly said, "Silly child, there's no need to cry, remember these things is enough. To the left of the kitchen stove, there's a hollow wall where I have stashed some savings. You can take some of it for your journey. No harm in having more money even though it's not commendable, but without it, many things are hard. As for everything else, you have to figure it out yourself. You should find a high-level magic expert to guide you, be adaptable, and as long as someone has something to teach, don't hesitate to acknowledge them as your master. You need to keep learning until old, such is the requirement of being an Advanced Level Chef."

Nian Bing nodded, looking at Cha Ji's face lighting up with a radiant glow, his apprehensions heightened.

Cha Ji laughed; a calm smile, "Child, you are much more insightful than me. Although we only had eight years, you learned much more than me in ten years. Eight years of culinary practice and comprehension, but I don't want you to lead a lonely life. Don't miss the opportunity if you find a suitable girl, chase after her. Happiness is something you need to fight for."

Nian Bing knew nothing about courtship, "Master, I'll think about it later."

Cha Ji said seriously, "No, you have to promise me, it's something you must do. I don't want my tragic past to be repeated onto you. A stable family is only good for you and would also stabilise your heart while continue deepening your culinary skills. Oh, didn't you promised to cook Fish Soup for me? Go now, master, I am getting a bit hungry. I've been eating your dishes these past years, even daresay I got bored with my own cooking."

Nian Bing nodded vehemently, "Master, please rest assured, I will definitely make the most delicious Bright Flame Fish Soup for you."

Cha Ji smirked a little and waved his hand towards him, "Go, go, your master is waiting."

Nian Bing somehow pulled himself together, got up and quickly ran out. Watching Nian Bing's retreating figure, Cha Ji's eyes twinkled with satisfaction; "My child, my discernment wasn't wrong. Although you're cunning, you're still a pure-hearted person. With such a disciple, what else could I pine for?" He tremulously picked up the Righteous Sun Knife and sighed lightly, scribbling hastily on the floor. Even though the words were skewed, they were discernible.

Nian Bing ran quickly towards the river. For Master to savour his Fish Soup as soon as possible, he jumped into the water to catch the fish himself. Over the course of years, he had developed impressive swimming skills. Within no time, he caught two plump fish and returned. Holding the squirming fish in his hand, he ignored the dripping water on his body and muttered to himself, "The fish today are very fresh. Master, I will definitely make a good soup that would satisfy you."

Bubbling with excitement, Nian Bing ran back to the Peach Blossom Forest. A few strides later, he was at the wooden hut, "Master, Master, look, I caught two big fishes. Just fish for today might fill you up, Master..."

When Nian Bing re-entered Cha Ji's room, he stiffened suddenly. His body seizing up as if encased in ice, frozen in place. Cha Ji was still laying there, in the comfortable recliner. But his eyes were closed, seeming peaceful, as if asleep. However, Nian Bing understood clearly, it wasn't the way Cha Ji slept, after all, the snoring that echoed day and night was missing now...