Reborn in Japan as a Chef God-Chapter 996 - 995: Collecting the Legendary Cooking Utensils!

Chapter 996: Chapter 995: Collecting the Legendary Cooking Utensils!

The visit from Dragon Head Zhu Ji took Xia Yu by surprise.

Speaking of which, he had only met Zhu Ji once or twice in private. Their first meeting after Xia Yu returned to the country was on the Loulin Ship, where he heard Zhu Ji criticize the previous Kirin Child, Chen Dingbang.

The second time was after defeating Ye Feizhou, when Zhu Ji coincidentally discovered that Xia Yu had triggered the abnormal reaction of the "Jade Dragon Pot," emitting the ’Overlord Dragon Pattern.’

This third time...

In the quiet room, Xia Yu raised an eyebrow, listening as Zhu Ji made his intentions clear from the start.

"Do you remember what I told you shortly after you returned to the country?"

Zhu Ji’s mouth twitched slightly, and his expression was meaningful. "The Eight Legendary Kitchen Utensils, the nation’s divine artifacts, have several pieces that have wandered overseas. The ’Jade Dragon Pot’ in your hands is considered a success in retrieval, but the ’Spiritual Treasure Vault’, ’Greedy Wolf Pot’, and ’Magic Saint Copper Artifact’ remain unaccounted for."

Xia Yu revealed a look of obvious astonishment.

The Eight Legendary Kitchen Utensils are the Eternal Spirit Blade, Dragon Pot, Greedy Wolf Pot, Spiritual Treasure Vault, Magic Copper Holy Artifact, Kakura Blade, and a pair of Jade Dragon Pots, one male and one female.

He knew that some legendary kitchen utensils were still missing and not in the country, but it was his first time hearing exactly which ones.

The "Spiritual Treasure Vault," similar to a refrigerator, is used to preserve ingredients.

According to the plot story of "The Best in China," this item should have been inherited by Master Steel Rod Jie, becoming the property of the Jie Family. Could it be that the Jie Family lost the legacy, causing the disappearance of the "Spiritual Treasure Vault"?

The "Greedy Wolf Pot" is equivalent to an automatic processing machine, but only for ingredients.

Automatic processing? Slicing or dicing ingredients sounds like a useless feature. Xia Yu silently chuckled to himself, wondering how could a legendary kitchen utensil be that simple?

He was overwhelmingly certain that any ingredient thrown into the "Greedy Wolf Pot" would be processed automatically and "perfectly!"

It’s important to know that processing ingredients isn’t just about slicing and dicing—there’s a depth of knowledge there that could take average chefs a lifetime to master. What about other special processing and treatment?

The Greedy Wolf Pot could condense all "processing" into an instant, completing it perfectly!

Xia Yu’s heart skipped a beat as a thought emerged and wouldn’t go away, "What if it’s a fantasy ingredient? Can it be thrown into the Greedy Wolf Pot and be perfectly processed... Like ’Pseudo-GOD’ ingredients, could this instant processing suppress overly vigorous life energy in the ingredients?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

As he speculated, a shadow of doubt crossed his mind.

The missing "Spiritual Treasure Vault," "Greedy Wolf Pot," and "Magic Copper Holy Artifact" are no ordinary items—each is a national treasure of unique beauty, with incomparable significance for chefs. Even Xia Yu felt a twinge of greed, unable to remain calm.

Imagine the collectors abroad. Regardless of their identity, would they easily hand over such treasures? Xia Yu shook his head at the thought.

Dragon Head Zhu Ji and Xia Yu spoke for an hour.

As Xia Yu stood at the door, seeing off his guest, he couldn’t help but sigh, "I’ve just taken the position, and the old guy throws a mess at me right away."

Isn’t that the case?

Zhu Ji had come solely for the sake of the missing three legendary kitchen utensils, assigning Xia Yu the heavy responsibility of retrieving these national divine artifacts.

Now, there’s also the system’s ’Killing Recipe’ mission on top of retrieving the kitchen utensils...

Both tasks stood like two mountains before him.

He’s like the Foolish Old Man who must decide which mountain to move first.

Xia Yu’s brow furrowed into a river character.

"The old guy wants you to go abroad to find the divine artifacts?" Zhu Qing was waiting in the hall, listening to Xia Yu’s recounting. Her eyes widened in astonishment, "Where to find them? Those collectors, each shrewd and powerful, won’t easily reveal the whereabouts of their treasures. If it were that easy, the old guy would’ve brought them back all these years instead of bothering you, the new scholar-turned-winner!"

Zhu Qing protested with exaggerated gestures.

Zhu Ji came and went quickly, perhaps afraid of this "rebellious" daughter. If he hadn’t made a fast escape, seeing Zhu Qing’s reaction, she would’ve surely pulled at his beard and scolded him harshly.

Morioka Makki and Tiqie Helinai were by the side, each with their own insights.

"Ah Yu, I heard from Miss Lei that she’s been abroad all these years gathering clues. Since Dragon Head entrusted this task to you, she might just become your assistant." Morioka Makki smiled brightly, her lips curling upwards.

Tiqie Helinai propped her chin thoughtfully, "I actually think you should take on this task."

She winked at the crowd.

"The legendary kitchen utensils, why have they scattered since being gathered a hundred years ago and never been recovered? It’s not because Dragon Head Zhu didn’t have the ability, but because it’s difficult—culinary skills alone can’t overcome it."

After all, being the ’Queen of Far Moon,’ chosen by the General as an heir, Tiqie Helinai is quite sensitive to such matters.

Xia Yu sensed a revelation.

Retrieving treasures from abroad certainly requires a gentle approach. Being able to buy them back with a significant sum is the simplest method. But considering that over the years, every collector of legendary kitchen utensils not only has an extraordinary identity but may also possess remarkable culinary skills akin to a Dragon Chef, in such cases, benefits alone won’t sway them, leaving only seizing as an option.

A straightforward and righteous means of seizing, which is extremely challenging, otherwise why did Dragon Head Zhu repeatedly encourage and advise him during the hour-long conversation?

Afterwards, Xia Yu called his Elder Xia Qing for advice.

A sigh was heard:

"...It’s partly our family’s disgrace over these generations. In fact, the Chinese Cuisine World flourished then declined, and the legendary kitchen utensils drifted outside the country’s gates for very complex reasons. Since you’re the Kirin Child of this generation, tasked with the mission to collect the kitchen utensils, it’s only right. I, the old man, would also love to witness the day when all eight utensils are gathered, uncovering the secret of the longevity legend before lying in the coffin."

Hearing this, Xia Yu’s mouth twitched, "I’m just retrieving the kitchen utensils, not collecting all Eight Legendary Kitchen Utensils!"

"Does it make a difference?" The old man laughed heartily, "If you manage to find those three missing utensils, within the country, ’Dragon Pot’ is with the Shanghai Tang Family, ’Eternal Spirit Blade’ is in Guangzhou, ’Kakura Blade’ is sealed at the Lan Family Phoenix Maiden Waterfall, and the remaining Jade Dragon Pots, you and the old ghost Zhu Ji each possess one... Your current reputation is enough to have nobody stop you from borrowing these utensils when you seek them!"

The old man also explained many reasons why Dragon Chefs do not leave the country and are uninterested in the missing treasures.

"In any case, when it comes to treasure hunting, looking across the Chinese Realm’s cuisine world, you’re the most suitable. If your culinary skills were lacking, you’d be easily dealt with abroad, bringing shame upon oneself. Hmph, others either are too old, their blood has cooled, fearing further contest, or they’re tied down by family estates. If they suffer a crushing defeat abroad, the family’s reputation would be ruined immediately."

Yan Qi took over the phone, laughing, "People like Lan Fengxian and Li Wannian, they’re old and have too many family industries to worry about, impossible to challenge like you young people, by sending a declaration of war and taking the life-or-death platform."

After hanging up the phone.

Xia Yu sighed as well; it seemed this task was truly meant for him.

"Ding!"

A task window popped up from the system, and Xia Yu’s pupils slightly contracted as he scanned it. A line of golden text appeared:

"...National Divine Artifact, Eight Legendary Kitchen Utensils? Do you wish to collect all Eight Utensils, uncovering the secret of the longevity legend passed down orally for thousands of years in the Chinese Culinary World? Do you want to know what will happen after collecting the utensils..."

[Collect Legendary Kitchen Utensils]!

"It’s here!" Xia Yu’s eyelids twitched, "A golden mission!"

His gaze fell on the reward section labeled "Unknown," sparking curiosity. If this quest were part of some game, it would undoubtedly be the main storyline, revealing part of the story’s backdrop.

His breath quickened.

Perhaps the disappearance of talents like Rein, Liu Maoxing, and Lan Feihong is linked to this secret?