48. A Dangerous Task? Then I Choose You!
"Mr. Zhongli. I need to ask you something!"
Ryūhei immediately recounted his meeting with Ningguang and the request to investigate the disappearance of the miners and adventurers.
"So you're saying this might have something to do with Azhdaha?"
"I'm not sure, but I had a hunch. The disappearance of those people was too odd. When I heard a storyteller talk about you, I recalled something at the time when you told me about karmic debt. That's why I asked whether you've ever sealed a dragon or not."
"So, that's how it is."
Zhongli somehow believed what Ryūhei said. Anyhow, Zhongli knew a little bit about Ryūhei. And he regarded Ryūhei as a person with sharp senses, just like when Ryūhei caught a Fatuus as that person threatened Ryūhei's shop. This time should be no different.
Then, Ryūhei said to Zhongli.
"If it's not trouble for you, can I ask you to accompany us tomorrow?"
"Alright. It might be too dangerous for you. If it's really him, I also have to solve this matter."
Hearing this. Ryūhei sighed in relief. It was fortunate that Zhongli still had his power, so he had the assurance to solve a problem that could become a catastrophe if left unchecked.
After discussing something with Zhongli, Ryūhei returned to his shop and spent the rest of the day printing some copies of the manga.
— — — —
Meanwhile, Xiangling walked leisurely in the direction of Qingce Village. Even though she is a chef, it does not mean that she is only an expert in cooking. Armed with the spear technique that came from her Master, she wasn't afraid if she crossed with a monster on the way. Though, she still had to be careful because not all monsters were weak.
Feeling tired and still needing some time to reach Qingce Village, Xiangling decided to rest near the Bishui River, where she could rest in the shade of a tree.
After eating, she flipped the manga she just bought earlier.
It started when Sōma was looking for his dormitory. When he arrived, he was surprised that there were oddities in the dormitory, such as a room full of smoke and running cattle.
She kept reading further. Then, there came Isshiki Satoshi, who introduced himself as the seventh seat of the Elite Ten Council. Sōma was fired up after hearing that his senior was a top-level chef in the academy. So, he immediately cooked a dish, intending to compare himself with the seventh seat.
"Whoa, Mackerel Onigiri Chazuke! Hehe, it looks delicious." Her eyes were shining brightly. She immediately took a note to write the ingredients down, as if she wanted to buy those ingredients soon.
Then, she read further. A few moments later.
"Traditional one-on-one cooking challenge, Shokugeki! Hehehe. Interesting."
***
The manga started in the cooking arena where the Shokugeki would be held.
A girl wearing an academy uniform hosted the Shokugeki with enthusiasm.
"Thank you for watching! The administration has recognized this match as an official "Shokugeki"! Soon~ it will start!"
The girl announced it cutely, attracting a lot of boys in the arena.
"The first one to appear is the meat master~ Mito Ikumi!"
Then, a tanned girl with a voluptuous body walked proudly toward the center of the arena. Her appearance in revealing clothes made the boys cheer with joy.
"Next, Yukihira Sōma makes his entry!"
*Boo*
All of a sudden, everyone in the arena showed their contempt.
"Shokugeki, Start!"
The host announced the match, then both Mito Ikumi and Yukihira Sōma moved simultaneously.
A few moments after the dishes were served,
"Oh My, the winner is Yukihira Sōma!"
***
"So, I can't use the strong flavor of rice together with high-quality meat? Otherwise, they will fight each other. So, the flavor must be balanced, huh? Hehehe. This manga gives me more knowledge about cooking." Xiangling commented on the manga after reading it till that point.
— — — —
Meanwhile, the famous pirate captain, Beidou, sat around the dockyard since her ship needed to be repaired.
A new volume of One Piece manga could be seen on her hands.
"Oh. Luffy finally got his ship."
***
It showed when Luffy got a ship from Kaya, the rich young lady on the island.
"This is a cool ship." Luffy exclaimed.
Then, Kaya told him, "I had everything you'd need for a voyage loaded onto the ship."
Hearing that, Luffy couldn't help but reply,
"Thanks for causing all this trouble!"
"That's "For going through all this trouble!" You dumb!" Zoro corrected Luffy's words.
***
"Hahahaha! This Luffy is too funny as a captain. Should I act like him to ease my crew when they are acting in front of me?"
Beidou enjoyed reading the manga while taking a large gulp of wine from the bottle.
Meanwhile, Kazuha could only slap his forehead after hearing her.
"Captain Beidou becomes more and more influenced by the manga."
Beidou kept reading until Luffy found an interesting cook. But, the manga had already reached the end.
"This is so annoying. He cuts the story when things get interesting." Beidou complained about Ryūhei's way of making readers curious. In fact, Ryūhei only drew the manga like the original.
— — — —
Time flies as the morning of the next day arrives.
Ryūhei had already prepared all of the things in his backpack. A tent, ingredients, utensils, and everything else needed for camping. After all, he would probably be gone for a few days.
Around 8 in the morning, a muscular man came to his shop.
"Excuse me! I heard from the Ministry of Civil Affairs that this is where Niwa Ryūhei lives."
Ryūhei immediately greeted him.
"Yes. I'm Niwa Ryūhei. I received a request yesterday that someone needs an expert to find missing people."
The muscular man frowned when he looked at how young Ryūhei was. However, when he looked at the muscle in Ryūhei's body and a katana on his hips, the muscular man put a wide smile.
"From your stature and build, you must be experienced in close combat."
"You could tell?"
"Hahaha. I'm a miner. In this trade, you need a sharp eye for people, not just rocks. I can see what you're made of by just looking at you. Alright, my assistant should be arriving soon so let's just wait here for a moment." The muscular man crossed his arms as he turned around while waiting for someone. But then, Ryūhei asked him.
"By the way, I don't know your name."
The muscular man turned to Ryūhei while laughing.
"Ahahaha. I forgot. My bad. Just call me Uncle Dai! Oh, who is that?"
Uncle Dai saw a gentleman approaching the shop.
Ryūhei stepped forward to welcome him.
"Mr. Zhongli. Thanks for coming."
After greeting Zhongli, Ryūhei replied to Uncle Dai.
"He's my helper, Mr. Zhongli. A consultant from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Since he is well versed in almost everything, he might be a great help in a lot of areas."
"Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's consultant… Mr. Zhongli! I've heard about you. They say you're a man of great knowledge and many talents. I had no idea I'd be meeting you in person today."
Uncle Dai never met Zhongli in person. So it was understandable if he didn't recognize Zhongli after seeing him.
"You're exaggerated, sir." Zhongli replied.
"Hehehe. No, no. Everyone knows what kind of person you are, so your assistance is certainly a big help. Oh, there you go. My assistant is here." Uncle Dai complimented Zhongli before he saw someone with glasses approaching.
"So, this person is?" Ryūhei asked Uncle Dai. He replied.
"Allow me to introduce my assistant, Kun Jun." Then, Uncle Dai turned to the man called Kun Jun. "Young Kun, this person is an adventurer assigned to us. And as for this gentleman."
"Hello. Hm…?" Kun Jun greeted them with a smile. But when his gaze landed on Zhongli, he furrowed his brow.
Uncle Dai introduced Ryūhei and Zhongli to Kun Jun. But, Kun Jun was still looking at Zhongli while recalling something.
"I… I'm sure I recognize you… Have we met at the parlor? Wait, I've never been to the parlor." This not only confused Zhongli. Even Uncle Dai was so. But, Ryūhei kinda felt that his sentence was similar to a heroine after losing memories in a tv drama. It was as if the two of them had a connection in their previous life, but none of them remembered.
Jokes aside, Uncle Dai announced.
"Since everyone is here. Let's depart!"