Chapter 1911: I Want to Compete in Cooking

Don't look at Ye Zhangqing, who stays utterly calm from beginning to end, with not a trace of anger on his face.

This only shows that they simply don't regard you at all, feeling you pose no threat whatsoever.

It's like a tiger bothering itself with an ant's provocation?

But just because they don't see you as a threat doesn't mean your reckless provocation is justified.

Wu Zhong's actions right now are basically walking a tightrope—his life or death hinges on a single thought of the other party.

If Ye Zhangqing wishes, a single word can kill him.

Moreover, Hei Lao can't protect them either; even this old and young pair might die on the spot.

So Wu Zhong is blinded by jealousy, but Hei Lao isn't—he immediately shouted in anger.

After being scolded by Hei Lao, Wu Zhong seemed to regain some composure.

He clenched his teeth, desperately trying to suppress the jealousy burning inside.

Seeing this, Hei Lao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, as long as this brat doesn't keep courting death.

Thinking he had temporarily steadied Wu Zhong, Hei Lao didn't dwell on it, turned and immediately said to Ye Zhangqing:

"Young Ye, Wu Zhong is like this because he was once rejected by Huang Lao, and he's held a grudge ever since, which is why he spoke rudely. You are magnanimous, so don't quarrel with him—I guarantee he will..."

"I want to compete with you in cooking."

Whether this old and young pair can leave the courtyard safely today rests entirely in Ye Zhangqing's thoughts.

Therefore, even though Hei Lao's strength and seniority far surpass Ye Zhangqing's, his manner remains low in speech, hoping Ye Zhangqing won't quarrel with them.

But before he could finish speaking, a voice through gritted teeth came from behind.

As soon as those words were spoken, Hei Lao nearly blacked out and almost fainted on the spot.

Is this brat really seeking death? His words cut off, Hei Lao turned and glared at Wu Zhong, his eyes practically wishing to crush that fool right then.

So all his earlier words were for nothing? This brat didn't hear a single word?

Your life is literally in someone's hands—they can kill you anytime—so what are you even competing for? A damn nothing.

Hei Lao was truly speechless; he was desperately trying to save their lives here, while this idiot was recklessly courting death.

Do you really think you're immortal?

He had finally managed to put his words together, but before he could finish, that idiot threw off his rhythm with a single sentence.

Yet faced with Hei Lao's angry glare, Wu Zhong acted as if he hadn't heard a thing.

He paid no heed to the red‑faced Hei Lao, his gaze locked on Ye Zhangqing, waiting for his reply.

The more Wu Zhong acted this way, the more Hei Lao felt his breath catch.

He even couldn't help but shout, "You're asking for death, kid—don't drag me into it! What did I ever do to deserve this?"

Faced with Wu Zhong's angry stare, Huang Lao remained calm and silent, and Ye Zhangqing did the same, nodding without much hesitation.

"Fine, how shall we compete?"

Even the rules were left for Wu Zhong to set; hearing this, he blinked slightly, perhaps not expecting Ye Zhangqing to agree so readily, showing no hesitation at all.

It was only a brief stunned pause; Wu Zhong quickly recovered and gritted his teeth to say:

"Let everyone in Cooking King Immortal City be the judges; whoever gains the most approval wins."

Wu Zhong thought he had come up with an excellent way to compete.

With Huang Lao as Protector of the Way and Bai Yuan plus two other Deputy City Lords valuing him, if only a few people judged the outcome, Wu Zhong wouldn't feel at ease.

If others leaned toward Ye Zhangqing then, he would surely lose.

Therefore he chose to let all of Cooking King Immortal City serve as judges, doubting that everyone in the city would favor that Ye surname.

Faced with Wu Zhong's proposal, one expected Ye Zhangqing to hesitate, but he agreed without even thinking.

"Fine, let's do it your way."

Wu Zhong's proposal is clearly aimed at fairness.

He worried that Huang Lao, Bai Yuan and the others might favor Ye Zhangqing, but he didn't realize that, under fairness, he would also lose any chance to cheat.

Since the conditions are equal for both, Ye Zhangqing has nothing to worry about.

It's nothing more than a cooking showdown.

Ye Zhangqing agreed; Huang Lao didn't stop him and even unconsciously licked his lips.

He would get to eat this kid's cooking again—just thinking about it made him unable to suppress a bit of anticipation.

He had eaten a meal the night before, and upon returning, Huang Lao would from time to time recall that flavor, originally planning to have another meal today.

He never expected this opportunity to come so suddenly.

Hei Lao, who had been secretly watching Huang Lao, saw him lick his lips and his eyes light up, making him grow more suspicious.

What does that mean? Is he craving?

Unaware of Hei Lao's thoughts, Huang Lao was confident in Ye Zhangqing's cooking skill.

Joking aside, though he hasn't yet become an Immortal Chef, in Huang Lao's view his cooking—aside from its effects—already rivals the flavor of Ma Qiankun and the other Elders.

This brat Wu Zhong has no chance of winning.

Moreover, even if something unexpected happened then, Huang Lao wouldn't care—after all, in this world might makes right.

Calling white black is nothing new, whether in the Immortal Realm or the Xia Jie.

In short, Ye Zhangqing is destined to win this contest.

If he can't win openly, he still has this old coot—so this battle is a sure victory.

Huang Lao isn't worried at all; only this idiot Wu Zhong still thinks about winning or losing, fairness.

From the start he had no chance to win, something everyone present could see—except himself, whose eyes were blinded by jealousy.

As the agreement was finalized, Huang Lao, eager to eat, turned to the inconspicuous Ma Qiankun beside him and said:

"Go make the arrangements—set up the stoves and such in the city's main square, and let everyone in the city come."

Ma Qiankun, who had originally been still in a daze, upon hearing these words, snapped back to his senses and hurriedly replied respectfully.

Yes, junior will take care of it right away.

Having said that, he hurriedly left; among the four people in the Yuàn zhōng, he, Ma Qiankun, had no say at all.

Therefore, ever since Huang Lao appeared, he has been nothing but a nobody, and no one paid him any attention.

Now that Huang Lao has given orders, he naturally dare not delay, and immediately went to make the arrangements.

As for the stoves and such, they are simple; the Cooking King Immortal City has a special magical treasure that can be moved, and using it is also quite good.

As for inviting everyone in the city to serve as judges, that's not difficult either; anyway, just report it to Bai Yuan and the others, and let those few Deputy City Lords handle it.

He's just a minor Elder—what authority does he have to decide?

This is Huang Lao's order; as for whether to do it or not, that's not for Ma Qiankun to decide—let Bai Yuan and those Deputy City Lords decide for themselves.