Chapter 2 Ghost Chef, Cha Ji (Middle)_1

"No." Nian Bing suddenly said, "Grandpa, you're wrong, she was just taking shortcuts. The meat strips she cooked, she must've reached the limit of magic control, plus her understanding of the meat itself, combined with varying degrees of Fire Magic burning to naturally produce that unique taste. If you could use magic, the food you cook would surely be much better than hers." His father had once told him many times, although the strength of Magic Power is important, the control of magic is just as crucial. Great Magic Control Power can generate stronger effects with the same amount of Magic Power.

Cha Ji sighed, "Yes, someone told me the same thing afterwards. However, in that situation, as a man, when you lose, you lose. She asked me if the bet still counted. I said of course it did. So, I declared in public that I gifted her the title of the Ghost Chef, and, using my own knife, severed the tendons in my hand to signify my complete withdrawal from the gourmet world. Then, I came here, where I've lived for ten years. Now, you should understand why I was so excited when I saw you using magic. If I had known magic back then, my cooking would have reached a new level. If I knew magic, she would have long been my wife. The most deeply ingrained memory I had was her expression when I cut my own tendons. Such a complex look! From her beautiful eyes, I saw regret. But what use was that? For my own dignity, I had to do it, and no one could change my mind. Ghost Chef, Cha Ji, disappeared from the culinary stage that day, and a new Ghost Chef was born. Just as I was about to leave, she found me and told me she only knew how to cook that one dish. She challenged me because I had previously won against her father in the Kitchen God contest. Her father, still mindful of the old competition on his deathbed, hoped that she could someday surpass me in the culinary arts. His dying wish compelled her to strive in this direction but, being a mage, she didn't know how to cook before that. She was aware that surpassing me in culinary arts was next to impossible, so she chose to incorporate Magic Into Kitchen. Thus, I lost. I lost everything. At that time, she told me she only wanted to win the honor for her father, she didn't mean to harm me. I laughed and told her that none of it mattered anymore. The only love in my life had ended in such a tragic way. Leaving those words, I left. After some time of wandering, I chose to settle in this desolate place."

Nian Bing was deeply engrossed in the story, "Grandpa, do you regret it?"

Cha Ji shook his head, "No, I don't. Even though I lost everything, I discovered a new development path for cooking. That is Magic Into Kitchen. With the enhancement of magic, cooking can elevate to another realm. It's a pity that even though I know it, I can't do it, and few people would even try. After all, who among the noble mages wants to be a lowly cook?"

Nian Bing nodded, "I understand, you want me to learn cooking from you, integrate my magic with cooking and become a Magic Chef, right?"

Cha Ji collected his sorrowful emotions, smiled kindly, asked: "Are you willing?"

Nian Bing bowed his head, his eyes flickering with a mixture of complex emotions. As a ten-year-old, he was thinking too much, it's just that Cha Ji couldn't see his expression. After a while, Nian Bing made up his mind, lifted his head and looked at Cha Ji, "Grandpa, I'm sorry, I can't."

A glint flickered in Cha Ji's eyes, but quickly diminished, "Hmm, I won't force you. Now, you've heard my story, can you tell me yours? What made you drift aimlessly to this place?"

Nian Bing hesitated for a moment, "Grandpa, you saved my life. I really shouldn't keep anything from you. Both my parents were mages. We had a happy family. But, not long ago, while we were passing by a place called Mount Taru in the Bing Yue Empire, we were attacked by many bandits who wanted to rob us. My parents fought back. As you know, although mages have their own abilities, the biggest drawback is the time it takes to chant magic. Even though my parents were able to destroy some of the enemies, in the end...." At this point, Nian Bing broke down in tears.

If it had been any other time, Cha Ji would have noticed Nian Bing was secretly peeking at him as he cried. However, having just recounted his own story and his mind still immersed in the memory of that competition, he didn't notice this detail due to the dim light.

Nian Bing's lie contained an element of truth. When he and his father went through Mt. Taru, they did encounter many bandits who tried to rob them. However, with his father's magic proficiency, dealing with those bandits was too easy. Mt. Taru is a notorious bandit lair, and for this reason, Cha Ji believed Nian Bing's words. After all, how much caution can an old man exert towards a ten-year-old child?

"The Bing Yue Empire has always been guarded by the Ice God Tower, I just don't know what those mages inside the Ice God Tower do. Mt. Taru has been a problem for a long time, and they should have eradicated those bandits already. Child, don't be sad. Whether you are willing to learn cooking from me or not, just stay here for now, okay?"

Nian Bing, who had no place to call home now, nodded lightly. His juvenile heart was full of hatred, the Ice God Tower... I'll go there one day.

Cha Ji picked up a glass of water from the side, his hand was trembling, and due to his back facing Nian Bing, Nian Bing didn't see his hand pouring some white powder into the glass. He handed the water to Nian Bing, "Child, have some water first. I'll heat up the food for you."

Without any suspicion, Nian Bing agreed and drank the water in big gulps.

Cha Ji's eyes complicated, it seemed like he was struggling with something in his heart, but soon, he made up his mind.

After finishing the water, Nian Bing obediently put the glass aside, stretched himself, "Grandpa, why aren't you heating up the food yet? The food you cook must be delicious."

Cha Ji sighed, "I'm sorry, Nian Bing. But, I had no other choice. You are my only chance."

Nian Bing was stunned. He suddenly felt a wave of dizziness washing over him, his body wavered.

Cha Ji looked up at Nian Bing, his voice became more solemn, "Look at me, child, look at my eyes, you're feeling sleepy, very sleepy, relax, relax everything, I am the person you trust the most, sleep, sleep."

Nian Bing stared into Cha Ji's eyes, his gaze gradually became vacant, his body still sitting there, but he no longer showed any emotion.