The Old Man

The old man grumbled a bit. "How do you know who I am? Not many should recognize me in my current state," he said. 

"Your current state?" Alex asked. "Then… is the hair, beard, and mustache on purpose?"

"Kind of," the man said. "I was also too lazy to take care of it all. Now tell me how you recognized me."

"So you are Zhou Linfan," Alex said and noticed the man's lack of patience. "I've heard about you," he quickly added.

"What have you heard about me?" the man asked.

"First, you're a Level 10 cook," Alex said, lifting the bowl in his hands to see that it had been a hint. "One couldn't make something as good as this without being at your level. And I would know as I have tasted some of the finest dishes while I stayed in the Dragon Palace."

The old man gave a slightly angry look at the name.

"And?" he asked. "That is not all, is it?"

"No," Alex said. "There is also the fact you were very strong, which I learned a long time ago."