Chapter Twelve: This Knife Must Be Used

"You know nothing about gourmet food, yet you sit here making reckless judgments to deliberately disparage my master!"

"Ask everyone here, isn't my master's sashimi delicious?"

Sun Jiarui spoke indignantly, feeling that Qin Tian was simply being unreasonable. He had noticed the two beautiful women sitting by Qin Tian's side and assumed, rather one-sidedly, that Qin Tian was merely trying to show off in front of them, pretending to be an expert on cuisine and spouting nonsense. He despised people like Qin Tian, mostly because he was jealous that Qin Tian had such lovely company.

"Master Yan's sashimi is excellent! I don't see any problem with it at all."

"Exactly, young man, stop talking nonsense," several people immediately chimed in, partly because of Sun Jiarui's influence and partly because the sashimi was indeed tasty—most wouldn't notice minor flaws.

"This sashimi is truly delicious, better than what many top chefs in our country make." At that moment, a guest from R Country spoke up. Their nation was renowned for sashimi, so his words carried weight.

Qin Tian rolled his eyes. "So, no one is allowed to mention even the slightest flaw in your master's dish? If you can't taste the problem, that's an issue with your palate, not the dish. There are indeed imperfections—it could be even more perfect!"

"Why not let it go? There's no need to argue," Shen Xiaoqing said, pulling Qin Tian back, worried that things might escalate beyond control. She also found the sashimi delicious.

"Relax. Even if the Emperor himself put a gun to my head, I'd still say this dish has flaws!" Qin Tian, now irritated, retorted. Being endlessly hassled by petty people would anger anyone.

"So, you intend to go all the way with your defamation today?" Sun Jiarui sneered, dismissing Qin Tian.

"Facts are facts, there's no defamation involved!" Qin Tian replied confidently.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, an elderly man dressed as a chef was bent over tasting a dish when a waiter rushed in.

"Master Yan, something's wrong! There's a quarrel outside!" the waiter said anxiously.

"A quarrel? How did it start?" Yan Songlin put down his spoon and straightened up.

"Someone said your dish had issues. Chef Sun heard him and accused him of slander, and now they're arguing," the waiter explained.

Yan Songlin was stunned for a moment, then frowned slightly. Someone dared to criticize his dish?

His cuisine was praised even by European royalty! He had presided over several top state banquets! Now, someone dared to question his dish?

"Let's go and see."

Yan Songlin removed his apron, washed his hands briefly, and followed the waiter outside.

"Master Yan!"

"Master Yan is here!"

"Greetings, Master Yan!" Many greeted Yan Songlin warmly as he appeared.

"Master!" Sun Jiarui was delighted to see him.

"I hear someone thinks my dish is flawed. I'd like to know exactly what the problem is," Yan Songlin said with commanding authority.

"Master, it's him! This young man insists your sashimi has imperfections!" Sun Jiarui pointed at Qin Tian.

Yan Songlin followed Sun Jiarui's gesture, scrutinizing the young man, who seemed neither wealthy nor privileged.

"So, tell me—what flaw did you find in my sashimi?" Yan Songlin looked at the plate and asked directly.

"Master Yan, it's all a misunderstanding. Your dish is excellent," Jiang Yingying interjected, not wanting the situation to escalate, and shot Qin Tian a reproachful glance. This was supposed to be a peaceful meal, and now he had stirred up trouble.

"A misunderstanding? To claim my sashimi has flaws in front of so many people—is that a misunderstanding? If he can't explain, then it's public slander," Yan Songlin said coldly.

"What now? The apprentice can't tolerate criticism, and the master is just as muddled? Is it forbidden to point out any faults?" Qin Tian sneered.

He was in the right, so he wasn't afraid if the situation escalated. If it did, it would be Yan Songlin who ended up embarrassed.

"I have no issue with criticism, but you should articulate the so-called flaw. If you can't, then what is it but slander?" Yan Songlin replied, though his gaze was still tinged with disdain; he was utterly convinced of his own culinary perfection.

"That's right, my master's cuisine has even been praised by the Flavor King of F Country!"

"The Flavor King's palate is recognized as the most discerning in the world. He never found any fault—how did you?"

"Is your palate sharper than the Flavor King's? Do you possess a golden tongue?"

"Or do you think your culinary skills exceed my master's? Why not show us your talent in the kitchen?"

Sun Jiarui looked at Qin Tian with a mocking smile.

To everyone's surprise, Qin Tian nodded seriously.

"That's a good idea—let's go to the kitchen, and I'll show you what I can do," Qin Tian replied cheerfully.

A murmur swept through the crowd. People stared at Qin Tian as if he were a fool—was he really planning to challenge Yan Songlin?

Jiang Yingying and Shen Xiaoqing furrowed their brows, concerned that Qin Tian was taking things too far.

Qin Tian gave the two women a reassuring look.

"Very well, let's move to the kitchen," Yan Songlin said, his expression dark. To be challenged by an unknown upstart was a blow to his pride.

Qin Tian shrugged and followed Yan Songlin into the kitchen. Many tried to follow, but the kitchen was too small to accommodate everyone. Only a few managed to squeeze in; the rest crowded the doorway, craning their necks.

"Hmph! What an embarrassment, challenging my master? You're not even qualified to challenge me!"

"My master accepting your challenge is a privilege you'll never deserve!"

Sun Jiarui snorted with disdain.

"Have you said enough?" Qin Tian glared at Sun Jiarui, then plunged the knife before him deep into a nearby block of ice.

The sudden movement startled Sun Jiarui, making him step back in alarm and glare at Qin Tian, "Are you trying to kill someone?"

"I can't say for sure whether I'll kill you, but I can say this—your master lost. His sashimi does have flaws."

"A chef who neglects such details shouldn't call himself a chef!"

Qin Tian cast a glance at Yan Songlin, then took Jiang Yingying and Shen Xiaoqing and strode out of the kitchen.

"Why is he leaving?"

"The contest hasn't even started yet—has he admitted defeat?"

The onlookers were baffled by Qin Tian's actions.

"Hmph! He brought shame on himself. Admitting defeat before the contest even began—leaving early is the right move!"

Sun Jiarui said smugly.

"Silence!"

"The sashimi does indeed have flaws!"

At that moment, Yan Songlin suddenly shouted at Sun Jiarui, stopping his wild boasting.

The entire scene was stunned—everyone was shocked!

Yan Songlin had actually admitted that his sashimi had flaws!

"I lost. I must use this knife," Yan Songlin said, looking at the blade embedded in the ice, then gazing in Qin Tian's direction as he left. Who exactly was this young man?