Chapter 774: Chapter 773: The Annual Hunt
The fervor surrounding Christmas faded quickly, since the end of the year was upon us; in a few days, it would be New Year’s Day, ushering in the new year.
The time-honored Chinese Continent.
Shanghai.
This city that never sleeps was still so bustling, even after shifting through the dimensions.
The Tang Family, or rather Dragon Town Restaurant, was unequivocally the overlord of the Shanghai Territory. The day after Christmas, a huge gourmet plaza under the Tang Family’s banner seemed to be preparing for a major event. Not to mention the isolating and clearing of the area, the Tang Family had also mobilized a great number of capable staff to remove the Christmas decorations. All traces of Christmas trees and promotional posters disappeared without a trace, replaced by many delicate and understated decorations in traditional style.
As these decorations grew in number, a large street block gradually took on an atmosphere of an epicurean festival.
In the plaza, a vigorous foreman shouted orders to the nearby, busy Tang Family underlings, "Right, get those tables set up properly, and the cooking stations must be arranged within the marked areas, not a line out of place! Strict! Stringent!"
Even without reminders from the foreman, the underlings dare not be even slightly negligent.
Why so?
Simply the thought that in two days, the ancient "New Year’s Hunt for Young Talents" competition within the Chinese Realm would commence sent these Tang Family underlings—as representatives of the expectations of countless citizens—abrim with anticipation!
At this time, young chefs from all over the country, who were under 25 and confident in their culinary skills, would converge upon Shanghai, regardless of their humble or noble origins.
An underling finished setting up a cooking station, pointing to a spot marked ’Bing 111’ beneath his feet, and whispered confidential to his peer, "Hey, listen to this, I happen to know the chef who bid successfully for this spot. Do you know of Chef Lin from New Hongmen Building? Yes, yes, that’s the one, the up-and-coming chef in his early twenties. He’s sure to burst onto the scene at this year’s Hunt!"
"Brother Long, cut the bluster!"
A young underling with dark skin complained, "Let’s focus on doing our jobs well, so we can make a good impression and earn an internal culinary training spot with the Tang Family sooner!"
"Oh, can’t I brag a little?" the older underling glared back.
"Shush!"
Suddenly, everyone fell silent as if struck by frost.
An Executive Chairman in charge of setting up this street block came by for an inspection. He was a familiar face—a Tang Family clansman who had made his mark on the international stage in Sapporo—Tang Jingtiao!
Clad in a black martial outfit, with a full head of dense hair, Tang Jingtiao came with his hands clasped behind his back, followed by a supervisor sweating profusely and continuously explaining something.
Once the leader had passed, the block exploded with noise, as dozens of Tang Family laborers gathered in small groups to whisper among themselves.
"Whether the Tang Family can steal the show this year and showcase the prowess of the host to all factions depends on this Young Master Tang!"
"Exactly!"
"The Shanghai Tang Family has been able to maintain its position as the leading force in the Shanghai Territory over the past century because each generation has had exceptionally talented individuals. At this year’s Hunt for Young Talents, Tang Jingtiao has a chance to challenge the five reigning champions!"
Whispers like these followed wherever Tang Jingtiao went on his inspection.
After making his rounds, Tang Jingtiao returned to the ’New Year’s Hunt’ headquarters.
It was a building brimming with Chinese-style architecture. Walking down the corridor to the innermost area, Tang Jingtiao stopped in front of the door with the Chairman sign and knocked.
"Elder Lan."
Tang Jingtiao entered the room, reporting to an elder absorbed in painting with ink, "I’ve inspected the main venue, and the construction progress is on schedule. By dusk tonight, the venue will be fully prepared."
After a while, the elder set aside his brush and looked up. He didn’t ask about work. Instead, he asked with a chuckle, "Young Tang, last year you narrowly missed the top ten in the Hunt. This year, what’s your goal? To break into the top ten?"
The so-called "top ten of the New Year’s Hunt for Young Talents" naturally referred to the ranking aside from the Five Chinese Talents.
The annual gathering of the nation’s young elite was undoubtedly the center of attention.
Whether in this era or another, if an underprivileged youth successfully turned the tables, it would make for explosively popular news, especially if they were ranked among the top ten talents of the country, nearly on the same level as the "Five Chinese Talents," drawing the attention of many heavyweights.
In the history of the Hunt, it wasn’t unheard of for underprivileged youths to be spotted by giants who would then take them on as disciples or even directly as heirs, the instances of which had spiked in recent years.
Therefore, it was predictable that in two days, the number of powerful youths in Shanghai would see an unprecedented surge.
"Top ten?"
Hearing Elder Lan’s question laden with profound implications, Tang Jingtiao didn’t overthink it and simply said, "No, I intend to challenge the position held by the ’Five Chinese Talents.’ Someone needs to be knocked down a peg. They’ve been too comfortable these past years."
Upon hearing this, Elder Lan’s eyes sharpened slightly.
Seeing Tang Jingtiao’s eyes filled with ambition, Elder Lan couldn’t help but admire inwardly: "No wonder the Tang Family continues to thrive... With Tang Yuqiong, the main branch’s daughter, and Tang Jingtiao from a collateral branch—a man and a woman—they’re sufficient to ensure the Tang Family’s heritage remains as solid as a rock for the next two decades."
"Oh, right!"
Remembering Tang Yuqiong, Elder Lan curiously asked, "Has the little princess of the Tang Family returned yet?"
"She has returned from Japan."
Tang Jingtiao nodded.
"That..."
The elder from the Lan Family was about to ask something, but hesitated with a flicker of indecision in his gaze.
"What does Elder Lan wish to ask?" Tang Jingtiao maintained absolute respect for the elder in front of him, for no other reason than this elder was indeed the pillar of the Lan Family clan, a widely renowned Dragon Giant who often engaged in chess and discourse with the recluse Heavenly King within the inner palace.
The elder of the Lan Family said with a voice full of shame, "Forget it, at our level, pursuing ancient recipes would only trap us in our own cage. The past is the past after all!"
He left the office of the Executive Chairman for this year’s youth talent hunt.
Bang!
The door closed, and after walking a few steps, Tang Jingtiao suddenly woke with a start and stopped in the hallway, "Pursuing ancient recipes?"
He finally caught onto the implication.
"Could it be that Elder Lan also harbors thoughts about that person’s ancient recipes?!"
When Tang Jingtiao thought of that person, his mind was instantly filled with stunning images of luminous dishes and culinary phenomena.
Golden buns that laugh open-mouthed.
Soul Suppressing Buns that impart a feeling of transcending life and death, of cycles of rebirth.
In the past, these recipes were unique skills hoarded by each giant. But in the modern world, with the ancients long gone, the recipes still shone with the luster of precious gems, no wonder an old Dragon Giant would covet them with greed.
Anyone who paid attention to that person, to the treasured artifacts and recipes in his hands, would probably have some designs on them, right?
"Hmph!"
Tang Jingtiao huffed softly and thought to himself, "Overseas, especially in the closed Japan Realm, that Food Demon King may protect you, but once you return to the country, facing the formidable powers of the Chinese Realm, not everyone will give you face, even if a Dragon Head agrees to protect you!"
"I hope you don’t foolishly come back to the country!"
"Just stay overseas... and be a lonely ghost of the Xia Family!"
...
Qilu Land.
Eight-Faceted Pavilion.
Yan Qi, the leader of the Dark World, who had returned to the country some time ago, was practicing calligraphy.
Li Han was also there, shamelessly cleaning Yan Qi’s brush, acting the part of a servile apprentice.
Finally, the practice was complete, and Li Han couldn’t help but ask, "Mr. Yan, I heard the other day that the Dragon Head was outraged within the palace, causing the whole White Jade Tower to fall silent..."
"Shush!"
Yan Qi raised his finger to his lips.
But Li Han pretended not to see and continued, "Was the Dragon Head’s fury related to your prolonged stay in Japan? Is it about that guy?"
Hearing this, Yan Qi placed his brush on the mountain-shaped holder, sweeping a calm gaze around.
"The Buddhist scriptures say, life has eight sufferings: birth, aging, illness, death, parting with loved ones, meeting those one hates, unfulfilled wishes, and inability to let go..."
Pausing for a moment, Yan Qi revealed a hint of mockery, "That person, is suffering from unfulfilled wishes and inability to let go, hence the rage."
Li Han’s pupils shrank at hearing this.
Unfulfilled wishes, inability to let go?
About that person?
Knock knock, there was a sound at the door of the study, and a server from the Eight-Faceted Pavilion respectfully presented a letter.
In this era, when meeting up and chatting online were convenient, letter correspondence was limited to a few scenarios. Yan Qi glanced at the envelope and laughed, "Indeed, he still can’t let go."
It was a personal letter from the Dragon Head, its content straightforward:
There’s no need for you to interfere any longer; I’ve already sent another envoy to Japan.
"Envoy?"
With a laugh full of derision, Yan Qi said, "I suppose it’s more like a yin-yang master, isn’t it!"
Li Han was confused.
What’s he talking about?
"Oh yes, regarding this year’s ’Young Talent New Year Hunt’..."