Chapter 20: Master of Taste

Bowen prepared a series of cooking tasks to test Henrich's skills. For each dish, Henrich was tasked with identifying the ingredients used. Meanwhile, Henrich sought advice from the system on how to successfully evaluate otherworldly dishes, along with their respective ingredients. Sis triggered a series of consecutive pop-up messages, reminding Henrich about his passive skill, [Heavenly Sense].

[Heavenly Sense]

[Level 1]

[A passive skill that grants an in-depth understanding of martial world items, equipment, ingredients, beasts, and techniques. It permanently increases DEX and INT by 5 points.]

"Oh yes! I forgot about it! I do have a passive skill for this!" Henrich whispered. Although he knew that activating this skill felt somewhat like cheating, considering there were many things he didn't know about this world, utilizing this skill proved to be a great help. Besides, for a basic-level skill, it was akin to having a photographic memory, an ordinary ability in its own right.

"Now, Muchen, all you need to do is to evaluate this unique dish I personally made. This is our secret menu, served only in our noodle house. You need to identify the ingredients used in just one taste," Bowen said impulsively. "Can you really do it?" He added.

Henrich clasped his hands and bowed to Bowen, showing respect. "I will do my best, Master." "Then, you may proceed." Henrich took a spoonful of each dish and carefully wrote down all the ingredients he could identify. As the unique flavors of the dishes triggered, his [Heavenly Senses] immediately activated, providing a variety of ingredients in each dish he had just tasted.

[Heavenly Senses Activates]

[Dragonfire Dumplings]

[Ingredients: Phoenix Meat, Dragon Peppers, Tri-star Celestial Spices, Essence of Elemental Flame Dragon]

[Imperial Jade Dragon Noodles]

[Ingredients: Heavenly Mugwheat, Moonshine Dew, Jade Dragon Eggs, Phoenix Tail Shrimp.]

[Mystic Lotus Soup]

[Ingredients: Thousand Lotus Flower Dew, Spring Growth Mushroom, Dragonfruit Orbs, Heavenly Bamboo Shoots.]

[Phoenix Blossom Rice]

[Ingredients: Jasmine Rice, Firebloom Spirit Petals Essence, Golden Raisins, Vermillion Flame Plum, Charnuts]

In less than a minute, Henrich had written down all of the ingredients. Then, he handed the answer sheet back to Bowen.

"He's already done?" Bowen couldn't believe how quickly Henrich had guessed the ingredients and written them down. When Henrich handed over his paper, Bowen couldn't believe what he saw.

"How... Who are you?" He said in awe as he read Henrich's incredible answers.

"It's all perfect!" Bowen rejoiced.

Ling Ling, on the other hand, was also shocked. She couldn't believe that the guy who had accidentally bumped into her was a master of taste.

"You're definitely a Master of Taste! Oh great cooking gods! Another Master of Taste has been found!" Bowen suddenly bowed down, surprising Henrich.

"What just happened?" He thought to himself. Suddenly, Bowen and Ling Ling's behavior changed, and they seemed to revere him with fear.

"Kid! Have you heard about the legend of Hou Tang?" Bowen asked, but Henrich simply shook his head.

"I'm not surprised, after all, this legend isn't widely known, and only a certain master chef within the Tang Xing region knows about it. Well, I'd like to share the story of the Master of Taste with you," Bowen began.

"Once upon a time, when the world was newly created from Nuwa's boredom, it was teeming with life and energy. However, humans lacked knowledge; they ate whatever they pleased, leading to chaos and destruction. But among them, a gifted individual emerged—Hou Tang. It is said that the Buddha himself came from Hou Tang's bloodline, the Master of Taste, who first understood the importance of knowledge through sensing the martial world. Using his innate abilities, he discovered the inner power within oneself, the Qi, and through him, humanity unlocked numerous mysteries known only to the gods. However, among all his discoveries, Hou Tang developed an art form that continues to benefit mankind to this day—cooking," Bowen explained in detail as Henrich listened attentively.

"Hou Tang realized that meat had distinct flavors, and herbs and spices possessed unique tastes. Through millennia of experimentation, he devised recipes that are still used today. He created cooking techniques such as boiling, steaming, fermenting, and drying to enhance the complexity of dishes and infuse them with various flavors. Additionally, he established guidelines on how these ingredients could contribute to our overall health, laying the foundation for the creation of pills in alchemy and medicine that are still utilized today," Bowen continued.

"Although no one really knows if the Master of Taste truly existed, for every master chef to encounter someone who can discern all the ingredients in a dish with just one bite is a dream come true. That's why, Kid, I believe you might just be a Master of Taste!" Bowen explained.

Henrich nodded in agreement with Bowen's words. He smiled as Bowen praised his cooking abilities, though he wasn't entirely convinced he deserved the title of Master of Taste. Nevertheless, he appreciated the warm welcome from the master chef.

"Thank you, Master!" Henrich clasped his hands and bowed respectfully.

"Hold on, Kid! I didn't say you've passed yet!" Bowen's words startled Henrich.

"While you've passed this initial test and displayed a rare talent—perhaps even a legendary one—you still need to impress me, your fellow cook, with the superb flavors and cooking skills you'll bring to the table!" Bowen declared.

"I know these tests won't be easy," Henrich sighed, anticipating Master Bowen's rigorous evaluation. "But I believe showcasing my culinary skills, the very thing I excel at, will prove that I'm worthy to be part of their kitchen," he reassured himself. "Alright, let's do this!"

[Special Mission]

[1/3]

As Henrich nodded to Master Bowen, he received a notification from the System Voice Mail. Henrich tapped it and heard Avin's voice message:

[Avin: Dude! I've got some time, where are you at?]

[Avin: I'm here at the auction house to collect our winnings. Send me your location, I'll come to you after I've picked up our credits.]

Henrich smiled upon hearing Avin's message. He quickly sent his current location and turned his attention back to Master Bowen's next challenge.