Who gave this heretical practitioner permission to cook?

Chapter 225 Replicating an ancient recipe after only one reading? That's a bit too fast! (Second update)
冰刀
A type of knife commonly seen in anime and novels.

There are virtually no corresponding records in actual cities, since the theoretical value of this thing far outweighs its practical significance.

Or rather, its aesthetic appeal far outweighs its practicality.
It's important to know that even if the indoor temperature is controlled at 25℃, ice skates are made using edible pure water, and the blades are sharpened to an absolutely sharp edge at low temperatures.

When cutting radishes, it can only maintain the cutting for a maximum of about four and a half minutes.
This doesn't mean the knife is unusable after 4 and a half minutes, but rather that the friction between the blade and the food during cutting generates heat, causing the blade to quickly become dull.

In other words, if the record of this dish is true and valid, then the entire process must be completed within 4 minutes.

For radishes that require the "penetrating cut" knife technique, this time is indeed a bit too short.

Sui Wubai also offered his opinion on this matter.

"I think this is very likely a misunderstanding by our predecessors regarding the 'crystal blade' that was completely frozen solid; perhaps they weren't using ice skates in the conventional sense."

But only Xia Ming knew that, according to the description in this record, "Thousands of threads lock in the white frost, and the cold air gently unfolds the exquisite snow."

This thing can only be an ice blade.

While the city may be unfamiliar with ice skates, he is not entirely unfamiliar with them.

Because he had not only seen it, touched it, but even used it, and used it for a long time.
Every few years, the Blood Blade Sect of the Nine Provinces holds a grand event called the Blood Crimson Banquet.

In a different city, the sect would pay for a continuous feast. That would be the busiest time for the kitchen.
As a low-ranking disciple within the sect, aside from bringing their own ingredients to eat in the canteen, this was the only time they could access high-level spiritual energy cuisine.

It is hailed by the disciples of the sect as an unmissable event.

Since it's a banquet, there will naturally be the same setup. Xia Ming doesn't know what the situation was like before, but since the head chef took over, the banquet setup has been set with many specifications.

Depending on the type of banquet and the availability of ingredients, different considerations are required.

Each time, Blood Blade Demon Ancestor would hold a separate banquet, presenting a total of 77 dishes. In urban terms, this would be like an emperor eating a Manchu Han Imperial Feast.

However, in fact, some of these 77 dishes are not much different in process from the banquet dishes below.

More importantly, the ingredients are all top-tier rare species, such as cubs of seventh-tier exotic beasts and Saint-tier spiritual roots.
And so on.
However, because the availability of ingredients varies every few years, most of the cooking methods involve freshly making the food.

Only the Ten Paths have always been a reserved item within the sect.

One of the dishes is called "Extreme Ice Sand Liver," and the main ingredient is "Kun Yuan Imperial Pig" from the back mountain.

This is a form that the "Earth Pig" takes after breaking through to the seventh level. At this stage, it can no longer be called a pig, but only a "Xi".

These pigs absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and have already secretly aligned with the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, making them excellent as battle pets and mounts.

However, its fighting style is not well-suited to the Blood Blade Sect, so it is usually kept in the back mountains to extract its "liver".

The liver part of the "Kunyuan Imperial Pig" is even more precious than its beast core. Don't be fooled by the fact that this "pig" is as big as a mountain and has already grown scales on its body.

But the liver inside his body was actually only the size of two of Xia Ming's fists. Back then, he had asked the master why this was the case.

The master chef explained that all living things have their own direction of development, and that "Kun Yuan Yu Xi" compressed its liver to such a small size in order to further gather spiritual energy.

"Don't underestimate this small amount of sand liver. It is a natural detoxifying agent. The Kunyuan Imperial Pig's invulnerability to all poisons is due to its function."

The master chef also said that this thing is also very magical. If you only take a part of it, the "Kun Yuan Yu Xi" will become weak, but it will not die. Moreover, its liver will slowly grow back and will grow back to its original size after more than ten years.

If you take it all away, the "Kun Yuan Yu Xi" will die; its function is comparable to its second heart.

The beast core of "Kun Yuan Yu Xi" is generally used to forge defensive magic weapons. Although its rank is not low, its effect is generally average compared to similar ones.

The sand liver of "Kun Yuan Yu Xi" is extremely rare and is generally used to prepare elixirs in the Nine Provinces.

Within the Blood Blade Sect, this item also has another use: to create "Extreme Ice Sand Liver".

Making this dish is very simple. You just need to catch a "Kunyuan Imperial Pig", cut open its belly, cut off half of its liver with a precise cut, and then put it back to recuperate.

It seems to be quite easy, but it requires the use of a special ice-type magical artifact from the Blood Blade Sect called the "Condensed Fat Blade".

This sword is a special magical weapon belonging to the eleventh elder of the Blood Blade Sect. That's right, the elder who drank "Night Moon Beast Brew" like crazy.

Compared to other swords, this sword has a unique characteristic: it possesses an inherent freezing property, capable of sealing the soul of others as well as sealing one's own wounds.

Back then, because of the "Night Moon Beast Brewing Wine" incident, the Eleventh Elder gave the Master Chef a batch of embryos.

The master craftsman actually had two complete swords, but he made up an excuse and gave them to Xia Ming.

Although Xia Ming did not have the corresponding cultivation technique, the blank of this "Flat-Skin Blade" could save his life when he was seriously injured.

Normally, this thing can also help him seal the spirituality of some materials, which is why he can preserve the blood soul remnants for a period of time before using them to refine "acquired bloodline pills".

"That blade is as cold as ice, and it needs to be carefully polished every month with water from the dark pool not far from the blood pool."

"I once tried using that knife to imitate the method of 'Extreme Ice Sandalone Liver' and made a liver of a lower grade. Although the taste was similar, the spiritual energy was quite different."

"After all, it is a magic weapon used to save lives, so it is reasonable that it does not have the functionality of the Blood Gate Nine Blades."

Even so, Xia Ming still managed to learn some techniques related to ice blades on his own while using them.

In the Nine Provinces, these techniques don't have much practical use; they might just be used to enhance the appearance of a dish.

However, in the city, where ice blades are rarely used for extended periods, Xia Ming can exploit a bug.

"First of all, practically no one in the culinary world uses ice skates. Even if they do, they're definitely modeled after slicing knives or fruit knives." "If I were to forge one based on the shape of a 'Frozen Cream Knife,' it would naturally be my original creation. Since there are categories on techniques, there should be categories on kitchen utensils as well."

"By handing this 'smooth knife' to the culinary association, I've already made a ready-made contribution. If I were to pair it with one or two specific techniques—not too complicated, but requiring the use of the 'smooth knife'—then I could earn a second contribution."

"But at this time, the 'Flatbread Knife' wasn't very famous yet. To become famous, it had to be paired with the ancient recipe of 'Five-Strand Silk Cutting'!"

"That way, after restoring the recipe, I can get my third contribution."

Although "Wu Chan Tou Si Ji" should ultimately be a collaborative work between Xia Ming and Sui Wubai, he alone cannot claim full credit for his contribution.

But the logic behind using this fish in three ways is not problematic.
As for the "Through Silk Cutting" technique, Xia Ming already knew its core after reading the description of the dish.

"The technique itself is not difficult to master; the challenge lies in controlling its precision."

"When I went on Nicholas Tse's variety show before, I met 'Hou Xinqing,' who just happened to be unable to do this job."

Xia Ming quickly simulated it in his mind. The core of the [Through Silk Cut] is to cut thousands of threads to the same thickness while ensuring that they stick together.

This is virtually impossible for ordinary people. The masters in history who could use this skill either had a higher concentration of mental energy than others.

Or perhaps they have an innate talent for judging size.

Simply put, this skill requires talent to master, so it's understandable that it's been lost to the public and not something that just anyone could learn.

For Xia Ming, none of these are problems. He can now cut the [through silk] without any difficulty.

However, it would be quite difficult for him to teach others the [Through Silk Slice].

"If we could break this down into a form that other chefs could understand, and transform it into an advanced level of knife skills, surpassing even 'Wen Si Tofu,' wouldn't we be able to collect contribution points on the spot?"

Xia Ming wasn't worried about other chefs learning this skill, because as he had said before, it was something that required talent.

Even after he made the revisions, it still requires someone with "Wensi Tofu" knife skills or higher to learn it, so the entry barrier is already quite high. When he adds the title of "restoring the ancient method," he'll set the contribution level even higher.
After all, for Xia Ming, a so-called lost "Manchu Han Imperial Feast" dish was not of much value to him.

He doesn't open a shop, so he can't sell this dish for a high price like others, such as 12888 or 10888.

But if he doesn't sell, others will. Even if Sui Wubai doesn't sell, and Tan Zhifeng, who makes fusion creative cuisine, doesn't sell, there are so many other high-end Chinese restaurants that will find ways to sell.

There are many wealthy people in China. Although 12888 is an astronomical price for most people, there are certain occasions where they need this kind of dish to show off their status.

Where there is demand, there is profit. Selling fish is too much trouble for him, but selling fishing gear is something he can try.

Seeing Xia Ming hesitate for a long time, Sui Wubai thought he was struggling with the ice blade issue.

According to Sui Wubai, it is actually very difficult to restore ancient recipes 100% due to the times they were created; it is sufficient to restore most of them.

"Xia Ming, don't worry too much. We can put ice skates aside. Technology is so advanced now, we can change the variety of radishes! If that doesn't work, we can use flash freezing."

"It's not easy for frozen radishes to perfectly retain their original texture after being flash-frozen, but if you keep looking, there's always a chance."

Sui Wubai has a very relaxed attitude. Restoring ancient recipes is not something that can be done in a day or two.

The main reason for calling Xia Ming over was to have a chat, offer some guidance, and build a closer relationship.

In Sui Wubai's eyes, as long as Xia Ming doesn't lose his edge, it's very possible for him to surpass him.

Even someone as uninterested in networking with powerful families would still need to be careful when dealing with a genius who could become a culinary master at any moment!

After all, while Chef Wang is highly talented, he's a bit impetuous and lacks focus, making it difficult for him to take over the reins anytime soon.
He's only 49 now, but one day he'll be 69, or even 79!

The master's teachings must not be lost!
Sui Wubai feels a bit emotional every time he thinks about this.

"If I had recruited this kid back when 'One Meal Makes Me Famous' was airing, could I have worked for a few more years and then retired with honor?"

Recalling the way Xia Ming was squatting in the corner back then, Sui Wubai felt like he had missed something.

Of course, there are no "what ifs" in such matters; after all, for him to accept the offer, Xia Ming had to be willing to pay homage.
Hearing Sui Wubai's words, Xia Ming raised an eyebrow.

Just kidding, how can you recreate an ancient recipe without ice skates?
If you don't use ice skates, how can this dish be sold at a high price? If it's not sold at a high price, who will learn to make it? If no one learns to make it, where will he get the horseshoe crab blood?
While wild animals from overseas may be tempting, the ones you can exchange at home aren't bad either! After all, you've never tasted horseshoe crab blood, so it might be even more effective than human blood.

Seeing this, he waved his hand.

“Master Sui, you can’t say that. Although the ancient methods may seem complicated, I think there is wisdom in them that contains reason.”

"The instructions say ice skates, so let's use ice skates."

Upon hearing this, Sui Wubai began to understand.

"Xia Ming, do you already have a plan?"

Xia Ming smiled as well.

"A little, Chef Sui. Does the Chef Association have its own ingredient supply channels? I'd like to go pick some out tomorrow and see which type of radish is more suitable."

Upon hearing Xia Ming's words, Sui Wubai's breath hitched.

He had a vague feeling that Xia Ming must have already secured the deal, which was why he asked to pick the radishes.

"Is that even possible? To be able to replicate an ancient recipe after just one look? That's a bit too fast, isn't it?"

(End of this chapter)