LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 192: Trust
<{Reward: The Title Chef's Pride}>
<{Effect: When your pride is hurt, your mind will clear, allowing for focused and rational thinking.}>
Lucian was speechless and imperceptibly scowled. […Why did you wait so long to say that?]
[I was hoping the Host would come up with a solution to the problem.] Then, the System said with a sigh, [But it seems I thought too highly of you. What a pity. Are you sure you aren't an imposter masquerading as an Ancestral God?]
Lucian gritted his teeth and scowled again. Thankfully, because his back was facing Duan Mu and Mei, they could not see his expressions.
[If you haven't realized by now, Chef Lucian was from Earth. A planet where Magic and Cultivation solely existed in the realm of fiction.] Lucian said, then continued after remembering what the System once told him, [Though… according to you, it seems it did exist, somewhere on that small blue planet.]
He then added, [What is the second solution?]
Now that the System had issued a Quest, he wanted to complete it.
The System had also seen the System Notifications, so it went straight to the point. [The Voidtear Essence can be neutralized by an equal or greater force. We need something potent enough that can purify the essence.]
'Something potent…' Lucian considered his options, quickly realizing he had none. If the kitchen had potent Mana on an equal level or even greater, the Voidtear Essence would have gone to it. Furthermore, adding another ingredient could risk ruining the delicate balance of flavors in the Siren's Melody Eggs. Explore more at empire
When it came to ingredients, Lucian doubted Duan Mu could provide anything of use. Which meant he had to rely on himself.
That did not mean he had no chance of completing the Quest. The Quest would not be given if it was impossible to complete. The System had said so itself.
There had to be a way. He just had to find it.
Think…
In the silence of the kitchen, Lucian racked his brain for any method or ingredient that could handle such purification, while not affecting his food.
With the limited time and resources available to him, it was a tall task, but soon, Lucian remembered.
Every time he received a recipe through the System, it came with an incredibly detailed breakdown of the ingredients. For the Siren's Melody Poached Egg recipe, there was one ingredient that had a subtle cleansing property.
[The Starlight Vinegar.] Lucian murmured. [It has a cleansing property… but on its own, it won't be enough…]
[You're on the right track, Host.] The System praised. [But you'll need to enhance the Starlight Vinegar with another ingredient to counter the Voidtear Essence. I recommend asking your disciple. Furthermore, since he is your disciple, you should trust him more. Explaining to him what occurred just now is a step in the right direction.]
Lucian was not so proud that he would not ask for help. Especially, help from his disciple, which he felt do for the course. A disciple helping his Master and vice versa was only natural.
Lucian looked behind his shoulders and at Duan Mu.
"The Siren's Melody Eggs have been poisoned."
He was blunt. A bit too blunt. As soon as he revealed such information, shock colored the faces of Duan Mu and Mei. At the same time, a hint of suspicion crept past Mei's face.
'Was it him… no. He wouldn't reveal it if it was him. Then, who?'
Mei then turned to Duan Mu, who, besides her and Lucian, was the only other person in the kitchen.
"You…" Killing intent flashed in Mei's dark green eyes. Extending her hand out, black smoke began swirling in her palm, ready to be unleashed.
Duan Mu, still shocked by his Master's sudden revelation, did not notice that death was close by.
But the same could not be said about Lucian. After his initial confusion as to why Mei was enraged, he chuckled.
"Stop."
Mei frowned and looked in his direction.
"Why should I?" She questioned.
"Did I say it was him who poisoned the Siren's Melody Eggs?"
"Then who could it be?" Mei furrowed her brows. "You aren't implying that it was me, are you?"
Lucian shook his head.
"Of course not.
He then continued while pointing at Duan Mu, "First, retract your Death Element-clad hand. You've frightened my disciple."
Following the trajectory of his finger, Mei saw a pale-faced, shivering young man. She frowned, went into deep thought, and then removed her Death Element.
"I-I… thought I was a goner." Duan Mu took in deep breaths while his hand covered his rapidly beating chest. At first, he had not noticed literal death was staring him down, but it did not take him too long to realize it. After all, even as a cripple, he could still feel danger. And the danger a Tendon Tempering Realm Mage posed to him was life-threatening.
He felt lucky to be alive.
"Thank you, Master. You saved my life."
Lucian chuckled.
"Don't mention it. Next time, be more aware of your surroundings."
Duan Mu nodded his head repeatedly.
"Explain." A female's demanding voice entered their ears, leaving no room for anything else.
Lucian turned toward Mei, who was glaring at him with her arms crossed.
On the other hand, Duan Mu, while still recovering from the near-death experience, looked between his Master and Mei.
Beads of sweat rolled down his face. Closing his eyes, he stuttered, 'I-I almost died.'
"Calm down. I didn't say it was Duan Mu who poisoned the dish, nor did I say it was you. The real culprits aren't among us." Lucian said.
Mei's frown deepened. "Then who poisoned the Siren's Melody Eggs? From the beginning, it's only been us in the kitchen."
"Three Ghouls had snuck into the kitchen and tainted the Siren's Melody Eggs with Voidtear Essence. They left not too long ago."
Duan Mu's face paled as he thought about the implications and consequences of what his Master just said.