Li Fan laughed, scratching Hongyan under her chin to keep her busy. "It may have been slightly exaggerated, senior. They only cried for their fathers, not mothers." This earned a guffaw from surrounding cooks.
"Well, show us what you got then!" laughed another, a woman grilling spirit mushrooms. "We could use some entertainment while the fighters poke each other with swords."
Never one to shy away from an appreciative audience, especially when he might get to taste others' food in exchange, Li Fan decided to do a spontaneous cooking demo. "Alright, since everyone is curious, how about I recreate that infamous Hellfire Stew? In a less lethal form, of course." There were cheers and a few mock fearful groans.
He took a spot at an empty cooking station. Luo Bing quickly helped set up a pot and ingredients. Hongyan settled behind him, watching intently like a sous-chef ready to ignite flames on demand.
As Li Fan cooked and bantered with the onlookers, more people gathered. Some recognized the big red bird and came just out of curiosity of that sight. Li Fan exaggerated the storytelling: "So there I was, surrounded by a hundred bandits—" Luo Bing coughed, "It was twenty.""Shh, details.", "—their ferocious leader, an eight-foot-tall brute with fists like hammers—" Luo: "More like six-foot-five." Li Fan: "Do you want to tell it?" The crowd chuckled. "I realized, I could shed blood... or I could shed tears. Their tears!" Dramatic flourish of spice into the pot.
He went on to vividly describe the bandits' defeat by stew, while expertly balancing the ingredients to make the version cooking now actually edible. People were laughing and inhaling the tantalizing aroma, this time he kept the super stink out, opting for a more crowd-pleasing heat level. Hongyan provided the occasional flame spurts on cue, to oohs and ahhs.
Among the crowd, Li Fan noticed a few individuals who seemed particularly interested. One was a stern-faced older man in ornate white robes—likely a top chef from the Heavenly Cuisine Pavilion, a known imperial cooking school. Another was a young scholar scribbling notes furiously, possibly writing an article for some cultivation gazette about this amusing anecdote.
And quietly at the back, he saw Lan Yin, the veiled girl from Jade Lake Sect, watching with those same amused eyes. She gave a small wave when their gazes met. Encouraged, Li Fan turned up the performance.
Finally, the stew was done. He dramatically ladled portions to willing tasters. Several brave souls tried and, though they fanned their mouths, they praised the complex flavor. "Spicy yet savory! It really does make you feel like breathing fire, but in a good way!" one man commented with teary eyes and a thumbs up.
The Golden Cauldron Sect chef slapped Li Fan on the back, almost making him drop a bowl. "You, kid, have got guts and flavor. If that stew was the toned-down version, remind me never to anger you enough to taste the full thing!" More laughter.
As the impromptu showcase wound down, people dispersed, though a few hung around to chat or swap tips. Li Fan finally stepped aside to let someone else use the space and wiped his brow. It was hard work entertaining and cooking at once, but he was happy—it went well, and he got to taste a dozen other goodies from folks who offered in return. His belly was approaching a very zen state of fullness.
Luo Bing was comparing marinade techniques with another cook. Hongyan had dozed off under a shady tree after devouring the extra stew. Li Fan found himself momentarily free, and that's when Lan Yin approached.
"Masterful storytelling and cooking," she said softly. She had removed her veil now that they were out of formal ceremony, revealing a lovely face with a mischievous smile. Li Fan blinked, certain he had seen that face somewhere... maybe glimpses back at the sect? In moonlight on a roof? It clicked suddenly: the mysterious veiled figure who'd been watching him. The shape and eyes matched!
"It was you... at Azure Sky, wasn't it? On the rooftop, and by the tree that morning?" he asked in a low tone, not wanting to alert others.
Lan Yin winked. "Took you long enough. I had to drop a few hints. Not many ladies wear veils like me after all. And I even used a similar name just now." Indeed, Lan Yin vs the 'Lan Ying' he guessed earlier perhaps. "Yes, I've been... keeping an eye on you."
Li Fan felt a confusing mix of flattery and wariness. "Why? Are you some spy from Jade Lake Sect or something? Because if you are, honestly, our sect secrets mostly involve recipes these days." He grinned to hide genuine curiosity.
She giggled, which made Li Fan's heart skip unexpectedly. "No, nothing so sinister. Let's say I have a personal mission and you happened to become very interesting during it. And... I enjoy your antics. They're quite entertaining compared to the usual cultivation monotony." She stepped a bit closer, and Li Fan noticed she had a light fragrance of jasmine.
"Personal mission... you're being very mysterious," he prodded, eyes narrowing playfully. "Is it my charming personality or my cooking you fell for?"
Lan Yin pretended to think. "Hmm, the cooking drew me in, but the personality kept me around. Honestly, 'lazy chaotic foodie defeats enemies with lunch' is not a story I hear often." She lowered her voice, "You also managed to calm a Vermilion Bird and earn the respect of elders. There's more to you than meets the eye, Li Fan."
He rubbed his neck. "Well, I'm pretty average at punching things. But thank you, I guess? I'm still not entirely sure who you are... Lan Yin of Jade Lake, but what does that mean? Is Jade Lake Sect even here? I didn't see them on the roster." He realized that sect name hadn't been announced anywhere.
She smiled cryptically. "Let's just say I have many connections. And Jade Lake... might not be a sect per se, but that's a story for another time." Seeing his slightly frustrated look, she added, "Don't worry, I'm on your side. In fact, I'm rooting for you in this culinary competition. There's a contest at the end, and some stiff competition, including a royal chef and that stern man over there." She nodded toward the white-robed older man Li Fan noted earlier, who was ladling out something glowing to awed tasters.
"That's Head Chef Zhu of the Heavenly Cuisine Pavilion," Lan Yin explained. "He's rumored to have a divine palate and can cook dishes that boost one's cultivation significantly. He's favored to win the culinary contest. There's also an alchemist from Pill Hall trying his hand with medicinal cuisine. And a dark horse contender, a wandering chef with mysterious techniques. But I think you could give them a run, especially with your flair." She looked genuinely encouraging.
Li Fan felt a warm feeling at her support, but also a twinge of imposter syndrome. Him, compete with the empire's finest? He was just making it up as he went. "I'll try not to burn the judges' tongues off, at least," he joked lightly. "But thanks for the vote of confidence... Miss 'Definitely Not Just Jade Lake Sect'."
She laughed. "I believe in you. And... I'm sure you'll find out more about me soon enough. Until then, best of luck, Li Fan." She then did something surprising: she reached out and gently straightened his slightly crooked headband, part of his formal attire. It was a small, intimate gesture that made Li Fan's cheeks warm slightly. Then, with a quick glance around (some onlookers were already curious why a pretty girl was touching this random disciple), she slipped away. "See you at the finals," she waved.
Li Fan stood there for a moment, hand on the spot where she'd adjusted his headband. A dumb grin found its way onto his face. Romantic hints indeed, he thought. Pang Wei and Luo Bing came up moments later, having missed the encounter, and found Li Fan staring into space. "Uh oh, did the stew knock him out standing?" Pang Wei joked.
"Huh? What? No, I'm fine!" Li Fan snapped out of it, quickly regaining composure, though he couldn't fully wipe the smile away. "Let's head back and rest, I guess. Big days ahead." Hongyan woke from her nap and waddled over, nudging him perhaps for a treat. He fed her a remaining piece of roast from an earlier trade. Absentmindedly, he wondered just who Lan Yin really was, and what bigger game might be afoot. But for now, he had to focus on upcoming events.
As they left the culinary hall, a pair of watchful eyes from the shadows followed Li Fan's back. It was the stern Chef Zhu, who had taken note of the lively show Li Fan put on. He stroked his beard, muttering to himself, "That boy... interesting. But does he have real skill or just parlor tricks? We shall see." Clearly, Li Fan had made it onto his radar. The stage was set for a cook-off of legendary proportions.