The Spirit of Gourmet

Chapter 494 The Converging Undercurrents

"Meng Yan is in Xianyu City now?!"

"Yes!" Xie Rui nodded.

"After the match today, Qin Lang and I ran into Meng Yan, and that's why we came back to inquire about Meng Yan's situation."

At this point, he scratched his head. "Didn't I mention that before?"

"You didn't!" Zhang Hui's face darkened as he punched Xie Rui on the head. "Such an important thing, and you're only telling me now!"

"Ugh... Ouch!" Xie Rui gasped. "Teacher, that hurts!"

"Serves you right." Zhang Hui snorted. "I knew when to hold back, but you deserved it. Tell me the whole story."

"Okay, okay..."

Xie Rui nodded quickly and recounted in detail how Meng Chang recruited the two of them after the competition, and how he unexpectedly encountered Meng Yan after the competition.

After hearing this, Zhang Hui's expression grew even more unpleasant.

"The methods of the Treasure Hunting Team are really despicable. They are so blatant in organizing competitions to recruit new members."

"Mr. Xu Wei reported to the association yesterday that a hunting team had been appearing near his home recently. I never expected them to be so rampant!"

"Teacher, you mean the treasure hunting team?" Xie Rui was stunned for a moment before belatedly realizing his shock. "Meng Chang wants to recruit me into the treasure hunting team?!"

"Otherwise what?" Zhang Hui rolled his eyes. "Your teacher is at least a Level 1 Spirit Master. If there really is such a legitimate mutual aid organization for Spirit Masters, I would at least try to help you join it."

"After all, this is for your own good."

“But the reality is, there is none at all!” Zhang Hui snorted. “The association is already the best platform for mutual assistance and exchange among spirit chefs. Eight out of ten of those who recruit people under the guise of mutual assistance are criminal organizations.”

Xie Rui was speechless, feeling both touched by Zhang Hui and frustrated with his own eagerness to join back then.

Suddenly, he thought of something and turned to look at Qin Lang. "Qin Lang, did you already know?"

"I have some guesses," Qin Lang said, shrugging. "But if I told you directly that the other party was a rare animal hunting team, you definitely wouldn't believe me."

"I was thinking of finding an opportunity to explain to you, but it seems I don't need to now."

"Damn it, I'm the only one who believed him!" Xie Rui was increasingly annoyed, but then his expression became somewhat puzzled. "But if that's the case, why did Meng Yan warn me not to join the treasure hunting team?"

Qin Lang shrugged.

He was equally unaware of this.

Perhaps Meng Yan still cherished the camaraderie they once shared as fellow disciples and didn't want Xie Rui to go astray, or perhaps it was for some other reason.

“I’ll report the situation to the association first,” Zhang Hui said in a deep voice. “According to you, they organized a competition. Even if it’s a privately organized competition without the association’s supervision, they still need to apply to the association.”

“During the application process, the other party will inevitably leave some clues.”

"Perhaps we can investigate the other party through this situation."

As he spoke, Zhang Hui picked up the phone and dialed, quickly reporting the specific situation to the person on the other end.

Soon, he hung up the phone.

“The public security management team has intervened,” Zhang Hui said in a deep voice. “Next, the public security management team will conduct a further investigation into this issue.”

"That's great." Qin Lang breathed a sigh of relief.

With the intervention of the security management team, it is believed that the remaining forces of the Treasure Hunting Team in Xianyu City will be eradicated, and Haishengyan Catering, which is likely connected with the Treasure Hunting Team, will inevitably be affected as a result.

At that time, Hai Sheng Yan will be too busy to deal with Hai Ba Wang Restaurant. With Manager Qu Dong's return, everything will eventually be set right.

In this way, the matter that Cao Dongdong's father had asked him to do was considered complete.

With the hunting team apprehended, he also has the opportunity to obtain the Chili Spirit. It can be said to be killing two birds with one stone.

“Forget it, let the security management team deal with these problems.” Zhang Hui said slowly. “I have already told them that when they find the whereabouts of the hunting team and confirm the arrest, I should go with them.”

"This time, I will capture Meng Yan myself."

As he spoke, he patted Xie Rui on the shoulder, "Xiao Rui, go cook."

"Hey!" Xie Rui nodded and was about to walk towards the kitchen when Qin Lang stopped him with a smile.

"I'll cook dinner tonight."

"Hmm?" Zhang Hui glanced at Qin Lang in surprise.

Qin Lang explained with a smile, "Mr. Zhang Hui, I only said that if I lose, I will cook dinner tonight."

"But I never said I wouldn't cook if I won."

"Speaking of which..." Qin Lang smiled, "I didn't go all out in today's match so as not to alert the Treasure Hunting Team!"

In terms of ingredients, he didn't use any rare or precious ingredients, and in terms of cooking, the dishes Qin Lang made weren't particularly difficult.

"Really?!" Xie Rui's eyes instantly lit up with surprise.

He already greatly admired Qin Lang's culinary skills, and after learning that Qin Lang was the champion of the Tianhua Prefecture Youth Cooking Competition, he longed to be like him even more.

I tried a spicy fish head dish at the competition today, but it wasn't enough!

“Of course it’s true.” Cao Dongdong chuckled. “Zhao Qian and I know Qin Lang’s cooking skills best.”

"I guarantee he didn't even use half his skill in today's match!"

"Then what are we waiting for?" Zhang Hui swallowed hard and pointed towards the side of the Spirit Arena. "The kitchen is over there!"
-
"Hiccup~"

After letting out a satisfied burp, Zhang Hui patted his bulging belly with a pleased expression. "Truly excellent cooking skills!"

"The president once hosted a banquet for us association members, and I still remember that meal vividly. He is a Level 2 Food Recommender, and your cooking skills are no less than the president's. More importantly, you use very good ingredients."

At this point, Zhang Hui glanced at Qin Lang and said, "This kid's been hiding it pretty well. There must be two or three kinds of rare ingredients in this meal, right?"

"With so many rare ingredients, you knew it was a competition organized by the Rare Treasure Hunting Team, yet you still dared to participate. You really have guts."

"Actually, I wasn't sure at first either," Qin Lang said helplessly.

Looking back, Qin Lang couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

But if given another chance, he would definitely do it again.

"Mmm, it's so delicious!"

Xie Rui, who was eating nearby, was almost crying. He couldn't help but look at Qin Lang and said, "I thought you and I were about the same strength before."

"Looking back now, it's so embarrassing."

"You are excellent too." Qin Lang smiled gently.

"Alright, you two, stop being so polite." Zhang Hui laughed. "Xiao Rui's cooking skills are quite good, and there's still room for improvement."

"Qin Lang brought such delicious dishes today, I can't leave without showing my appreciation." As he spoke, he reached into his robes.

Qin Lang showed a look of surprise and anticipation.

What will Mr. Zhang Hui's statement be?

(End of this chapter)