"Wait!"
Lady Qian Qian's voice rang out across the arena, halting the roar of applause in an instant. All eyes turned to her as she stood up, trembling slightly, her gaze locked on Yun Che.
Her hands clenched at her sides. "Unforgivable…" she whispered through gritted teeth.
Yun Che tilted his head, confused. "What did I…"
But then he stopped.
A single tear rolled down her cheek.
"I wanted to fight you for so long," she said, her voice cracking. "I worked so hard… day after day, night after night. Just to stand here. Just to prove myself."
"I chased this dream, not for glory—but because you inspired it. Back then, when we were still kids… you probably don't remember, but I never forgot."
The memories poured back into her with the taste of his cooking. That warm bowl… that smile… the boy who once gave her a meal when she had none, and in doing so, lit a fire in her heart.
"The moment I tasted your dish…" she continued, wiping away tears, "I knew. Inevitable. My loss was inevitable."
She looked straight at him, no longer as a rival, but as someone baring her soul. "Your cooking reminded me of why I held onto this dream… why I walked this path. And no matter how hard I worked, I always chased your shadow."
Then, with a deep breath, she bowed—not in defeat, but in admiration.
"Yun Che… your cooking was truly delicious."
A silence, deep and resonant, filled the arena.
"Take it," she said. "Take the title. The Blue Wind Empire's Number One Chef… belongs to you."
The judges nodded.
The winner of this year's Blue Wind Culinary Grand Festival…
YUN CHE!!!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Cheers that weren't just for victory, but for the revelation that food didn't need to be grand to be divine. That soul, skill, and sincerity could make even the humblest bowl of ramen taste like enlightenment.
Lady Qian Qian looked down at her hands, then up at Yun Che. A bittersweet smile tugged at her lips.
"You've surpassed me," she said softly. "Not just as a chef. But as someone who understands people."
Yun Che scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "Guess all those late nights cooking for gluttons paid off."
Above the hill, Retsu, Qingyue, Little Fairy, and Chu Yueli watched from their high perch.
"Ufuu… Yuu-kun really pulled off something amazing again," Retsu murmured, pride glowing in her voice.
"Simple, but divine," Qingyue added, her voice laced with admiration. "Just like him."
As the crowd surged with applause and Luo Ran wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, he stood and raised his voice:
"Today, I tasted not just a dish… but a man's life. A journey captured in broth, a spirit preserved in every grain of salt and spice."
He turned to Yun Che, his expression stern but reverent.
"You, boy… have made this old man smile for the first time in twenty years. That alone is worth more than any crown."
And for the first time…
Yun Che saw it.
A small, serene smile on Elder Luo Ran's face.
=====================
[Ding…. Achievement 'Damned Cook' Achieved]
[Become the best chef the Blue Wind Empire]
XP: 250,000
SP: 75,000
[New Frame Unlocked]
The frame shows a chibi version of him grinning with a chef's hat with a spatula.
=====================
"Yatta!! Danna-sama won!!" Mio squealed, practically bouncing in place.
Nemu gave a small nod of approval, calm as ever. Beside them, Retsu reappeared in a gentle flash, her smile soft and proud as she watched Yun Che standing victorious.
On the stage, Qian Qian approached him one last time. "One day, I'll beat you—on the world's stage." She smirked, eyes gleaming with competitive fire. "I'll withdraw for now… but you better not slack off. This isn't over."
Yun Che grinned and crossed his arms. "I'll take on your challenge anytime, Lady Qian Qian."
Before she could respond, two high-pitched voices called out—
"Big Brother!!"
Her younger siblings ran up and hugged Yun Che around the legs.
"Not perverted this time?" he teased, ruffling their hair.
They looked up with sparkling eyes. "Please take us as your disciples!!!"
Qian Qian sighed with a hand on her hip. "You two… seriously…"
Yun Che gave them a gentle pat on the head. "You're both adorable… but I've already got two cooking disciples. Sorry, little ones. Doesn't mean I can't teach you a thing or two when we meet again."
Back on the hill…
"Hmph," Little Fairy mused with a rare, teasing smile. "If you hadn't won, I definitely would've beaten you up later." She let out a soft giggle. "Looks like I don't have to."
Up in the stands, Chu Yueli narrowed her eyes slightly. "That Qian Qian… she spoke like she knew him. Did they meet before?"
Qingyue remained silent, her expression unreadable. But her gaze never left Qian Qian. There was something there—recognition, maybe even a hint of concern.
The crowd cheered louder than ever, but amidst the celebration, subtle undercurrents began to stir. Bonds had formed. Rivalries had deepened. And some questions… were only just beginning to surface.
"Lady Qian Qian!" Yun Che called out as she packed up her utensils and folded her apron with practiced care.
She turned slowly, eyes shimmering like stars in the night. "I told you… call me Qian'er. You always did, back then."
Yun Che tilted his head slightly. "Back then?" he echoed, puzzled.
Her expression faltered. "You really… don't remember me?" Her voice was soft, touched with a bittersweet sadness.
"Sorry," he said with a shrug and a sheepish smile. "Things from my childhood are a little hazy. Did we meet somewhere before?"
She let out a slow sigh, one that carried the weight of years. "It doesn't matter anymore… The reason I challenged you wasn't just for the title. I wanted to redeem myself. I wanted to forgive the arrogant girl I used to be."
She paused, then took a small step closer.
"I saw what you did for those siblings. That one over there, the one you were with this morning. That was the younger sister, right? You gave them hope… a future. With your cooking, you turned a dying stall into the talk of the city in just three days. I was there, watching from the crowd." Her voice trembled slightly. "The moment I saw your face during the finals… I knew. You were the same boy from ten years ago. The one who couldn't cultivate, yet dreamed of becoming a chef. A dream you never gave up on."
Yun Che stood still, listening. Her words reached into the parts of him even he didn't fully understand. The fragments of a past that wasn't entirely his—or perhaps was, long ago. It was a removed past after all.
"How did we…" he began, but the words trailed off.
She gently cut in. "I don't need you to remember. Just know that you were the reason I began cooking in the first place."
Then, she held out her hand—not with expectation, but with hope.
"I have a proposition," she said. "Let's travel together. As chefs. As cultivators. Let's explore the world through food, discover flavors no one's tasted, create dishes that can heal… inspire. Let's dedicate our cooking to something greater than ourselves. Together…"
The last word was almost a whisper, barely caught by the wind.
Yun Che looked at her for a long, quiet moment. Then, slowly, he lowered his gaze.
"…I'm sorry, Qian'er." His voice was calm, but firm. "I can't accept."
Her hand slowly dropped to her side.
"I have other responsibilities. People I've made promises to. A path I still have to walk… and it may take years." He glanced toward the waiting figures—Retsu, Mio, and Nemu. "My cooking… it already has a home. I cook for them. For us. And I'm not done yet."
Qian Qian nodded slowly, swallowing the tightness in her throat.
"But…" he continued, "even if I don't remember how we met, I'm sure… it was in good faith. You've come far, Qian'er. And your cooking today? It was beautiful."
She blinked, a tear slipping from her lashes—but this time, she smiled.
"Then I'll keep going too," she said. "I'll chase after that dream, just like you. And one day… we'll meet again. Not as rivals. But as partners."
He smiled, warm and respectful. "I'll be looking forward to that day."
"I see…" Yun Che murmured.
Qian Qian stepped closer, holding out a slender case wrapped in silk. "By the way, you should take this."
He opened it.
Inside lay an old kitchen knife.
It wasn't new—far from it. The blade had once been broken, shattered in multiple places, but had since been reforged with care. Scars ran down the metal like veins—imperfections that told a story of resilience rather than ruin.
He looked up, puzzled. "Why are you giving me this?"
She smiled, faint but proud. "You won. And for chefs… it's tradition to offer their knife to the one who surpasses them in the kitchen."
Yun Che blinked, unsure how to respond.
"Hold on to it," Qian Qian continued, turning her back to him. "But don't get too comfortable. I'll be taking it back one day." She laughed softly, walking away with her siblings in tow. "Don't you dare run away on me, Yun Che."
He stood there, holding the weight of the knife in his hand—its weight far heavier in memory than in steel. He opened his mouth to call out, to ask more about the past they apparently shared…
But before he could, soft arms wrapped around his waist from behind.
"Danna-sama…" Mio murmured into his back, hugging him tightly.
The moment passed. The question faded.
But the knife in his hand—and the scarred memories it represented—remained.
"Congratulations, Danna-sama…" Mio beamed, resting her head lightly on his shoulder. "Your cooking was too good. A lot of people only came here because of the smell drifting through the whole plaza."
Nearby, Mei clung happily to Kon like a plush doll, grinning ear to ear. Nemu stood with her usual calm beside Retsu, both cloaked in subtle veils.
But what Yun Che didn't expect… was them.
Little Fairy, Chu Yueli, and—surprisingly—Xia Qingyue, stepped forward.
Each one carried a familiar item: a cleanly packed picnic basket.
"Qingyue?" Yun Che blinked in surprise. "You're here too?"
She nodded softly. "You once told me… to try and see the world," she said, her voice calm but sincere. "So I've decided—I'll take that step."
Chu Yueli sighed beside her. "She's been following your words more than I expected. Public appearances… used to mean nothing to her."
Yun Che could feel the stirrings of whispers in the crowd. The combination of the Blue Wind's number one chef… surrounded by not one, but multiple Asgard fairies, was too much for most onlookers to ignore. Their distinctive white robes, even when veiled, were an unmistakable symbol.
Little Fairy crossed her arms, eyeing him with a faint smirk.
"You and your troublesome ways…" she muttered. "Since when could you cook that well, rascal?"
That word hit like a sharp gust of wind.
"Rascal?!" Chu Yueli and Qingyue both echoed, shocked by her uncharacteristic tone.
"I… I called him that," Little Fairy said with a sigh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Back when he wouldn't stop annoying me with that foolish grin of his back in New Moon City."
Chu Yueli glanced at her with interest. "Oh? So you're that close to him in the past?"
Little Fairy sighs.
Yun Che looked around. His little group was unintentionally drawing the attention of half the crowd—his competition victory almost forgotten in the face of the strange and beautiful ensemble gathered around him. Veiled or not, the robes of Asgard were enough to attract the sharp eyes of those who knew what to look for.
With a deep breath, Yun Che gave a helpless smile. "Can't a guy just win a cooking tournament without being surrounded by beautiful trouble?"
"Well anyway. A win is a win." Yun Che smirked, stretching his arms with casual confidence. "I don't carry the Yukihira name for nothing."
Retsu, Mio, and Nemu all averted their gazes at once, synchronized sighs escaping their lips. It was the kind of sigh only long-time companions could give—a shared exasperation born from watching Yun Che do this exact kind of thing too many times.
"You really had to say it, huh?" Jasmine's voice rang out in his mind, sharp and dry.
"Yuki…hira…?" Qingyue echoed softly, brows lifting slightly. The name sounded foreign—something he'd never mentioned before. Was this the true name he spoke of in passing? she wondered, her curiosity now fully piqued.
The moment the name left his lips, even Little Fairy subtly reacted. Her gaze sharpened with quiet interest. So… he does have another name after all, she mused.
Yun Che blinked, suddenly feeling the temperature drop—not from cold air, but from the silent stares boring into him.
He sweatdropped. Crap… I forgot they were standing right here.
"Uhhh…" he rubbed the back of his neck, smiling awkwardly. "It's… a family name I adopted during my training days when I was little. You know, something for… joining a family or clan. Don't read too much into it, really."
The girls remained quiet.
Qingyue tilted her head. "Is Yukihira like your family name or something? Like Sister Retsu and her sister's family name Unohana?"
Yikes. She's spot on!
"Family? Uhh, something like that!" Yun Che waved his hands frantically. "Just… just something I used during training."
"Hmph…" Little Fairy folded her arms, clearly not buying it. "If you're hiding something, you'd better not expect me to forget."
Qingyue, however, simply looked at him longer than necessary. Then, with an unreadable expression, she spoke, "Yukihira… I'll remember that name.
So, the name Xiao and Yun was just a cover up. He did mentioned that Yun Che is nothing but a fake name. Then, if Yukihira is his family name, what is the real name? Qingyue tilted her head, her usual serene expression now tinged with curiosity.
Yun Che groaned inwardly. Great. Now I've started something…
Nemu, silent as always, jotted something down in her little notebook.
Mio sighs as if Yun Che really didn't look around before mentioning his name.
Unohana Retsu only smiled faintly and whispered in his mind, "You're done it for now, Yuu-kun. They already have one piece of the puzzle."
"Well, they're going to find out soon enough. I did tell them that Yun Che isn't really my real name. Might as well give a hint." Yun Che sighs.
"Can we not turn this into a full investigation?" Yun Che muttered under his breath, subtly edging away from the tightening circle of attention.
He sighed, glancing toward Chu Yueli—who, thankfully, looked more interested in the weather than his backstory. At least one of them doesn't want to dissect my past. He mused. Yet...
If she ever finds out that Yukihira and Mihawk are tied together…
I am done for….Well. That might be too late.
Little Fairy and Qingyue was now more interested in the name Yukihira than his winning dish.
"You really don't remember that Qian Qian?" Qingyue's soft question broke through the moment changing the tense subject, drawing Yun Che's attention back from his swirling thoughts.
He blinked and turned to her, then looked toward the path where Qian Qian had disappeared, her silhouette already lost in the crowd. That passionate, fiery woman… gone before he could ask a single thing.
"No, actually…" Yun Che exhaled, frustration tightening his brow. "I barely remember anything from ten years ago."
He had tried. He asked the system, even combed through the vast database of names and faces, trying to find any record of her. But Qian Qian didn't exist—at least, not within the archives he had access to. It was as if she was a ghost from a time that had been completely scrubbed away.
When he assumed Yun Che's third life, the childhood memories from the first were erased—wiped clean like a slate before a new painting. He didn't know who he once was before the fall, before the reincarnations. Whoever Qian Qian had been to him, she belonged to that lost time. A thread severed from the tapestry of his current life.
Maybe she was a childhood friend… someone he only saw occasionally, he wondered. Or perhaps, a rival. Someone who once stood beside him with the same dream of becoming a chef…
Now, watching her walk away smiling, proud and at peace, there was no trace of bitterness—only resolution. Whatever they had shared in the past… she had carried it all this time.
"…She seemed happy, though," Yun Che murmured.
Qingyue glanced at him from the side. "So even your past holds secrets you've yet to uncover."
"Yeah," he replied quietly. "And now, I wonder just how much I've forgotten."
=======================
Qian Qian left the venue without a word, ignoring the voices calling out to her—praise, favors, and empty flattery from nobles and chefs who had once scorned her or treated her as a rival. She didn't stop. She simply walked past them all, holding her siblings' hands before taking to the skies.
High above the cheering city, the wind brushed against her cheeks as she carried her little brother and sister through the clouds. Her confident smile, the one she had kept for appearances, began to tremble. Slowly, it crumbled into a quiet, broken frown.
Then came the tears.
"Big sister? Are you crying?" her younger brother, Qian Wu, asked softly, clutching her sleeve.
"Eh?" Qian Qian blinked quickly and gave a forced smile. "No, silly. Big sister's not crying. The wind just got in my eyes. Must've been too fast, right?"
She turned her face away, letting her long hair veil her expression as she tightened her grip slightly on her siblings, as if grounding herself through them.
But in truth, her heart had drifted far away.
Back to that moment—ten years ago.
"…You really haven't changed," she whispered to herself.
And neither had the ache of knowing she could never quite catch up to the boy who had once saved her—who had, without even knowing, helped her find her dream.
=====================
"You're a cultivator! Act like one! And don't ever mention becoming a cook again!"
Her father's voice echoed like thunder across the courtyard.
The shadowy image of the man she once feared loomed over her memories, and with one brutal sweep of his arm, he hurled her precious utensils out the window.
Qian Qian, no older than twelve at the time, ran down in the pouring rain. Her fingers trembled as she picked up the broken pieces—charred spatulas, dented ladles, and her favorite kitchen knife… snapped in half.
Her heart shattered along with it.
To break a chef's knife… was to kill their dream.
She had knelt in the mud, holding the broken blade to her chest, her tears blending with the rain.
Then a small voice cut through the storm.
"Here."
She turned, startled.
A boy—scrawny, drenched, and maybe a year or two younger—was standing nearby, holding out the broken half of her knife. His eyes shone with a quiet light, as if her pain mattered to him.
"What are you doing?" she snapped, trying to sound strong. "Leave me be!"
But the boy didn't run. Instead, he grinned. "Big sis… you're a cook, aren't you?"
"…Eh?" Her starry eyes blinked in disbelief.
"So cool," he beamed. "I wanna be a chef too."
"Forget it, boy…" she muttered, her voice shaking. "A cultivator can never be a chef."
He looked down. "But I can't cultivate."
That made her turn sharply, her soaked bangs parting to reveal wide eyes.
"I'm what everyone calls trash," he said quietly. "So I decided… if I can't fight, then I'll cook. Little Aunt and Grandpa like my food. When they eat it, they smile… I wanna see more people smile like that."
For the first time, she didn't feel alone in her dream.
For the first time, she saw someone else—weak, cast aside—yet still walking forward.
She didn't even get his name. But the light he left behind… burned inside her for years.
"Pffft…"
Qian Qian covered her mouth, a soft giggle escaping.
"Don't laugh!" the boy snapped, his cheeks puffed with frustration. "Everyone always laughs at me…"
She shook her head, lowering her hand. "Big sis didn't laugh at you," she said gently. "For someone who shares the same dream as me… there's no way I could laugh."
The boy blinked at her, eyes wide and curious.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"Xiao Che," he said proudly, squaring his shoulders despite his small frame. "One day, I'll be the best chef in the Blue Wind Kingdom!"
She smiled, the warmth in her chest chasing away the last remnants of the cold rain. "I'm sure you will, Xiao Che."
She knelt and ruffled his hair. "My name is Qian Qian… but you can call me Qian'er."
"Big sis Qian'er!" he grinned, beaming. "When I get better, I'll bring you some of my cooking! You gotta taste it, okay?"
"Pfft… you talk big for a brat," she teased, though her smile betrayed the affection blooming in her heart.
"I'll show you!" Xiao Che grinned and ran off, splashing through the puddles, as if the weight of the world had never touched him.
Qian Qian stood in the rain, her broken utensils still in her arms—but the sorrow in her chest had vanished.
She had found something far more precious that day.
Hope.
If even a boy rejected by the world could chase his dreams with such fire…
Then she had no excuse to bury hers.
She remembered it clearly—the day she saw him again, that stubborn little boy named Xiao Che.
He was surrounded by older kids from the Xiao Clan, their laughter cruel, their fists relentless. She had been on her way back from her sect, taking a short break after two years of absence. Just by sheer coincidence, she happened upon the scene.
The sight made her blood boil.
Without a second thought, she descended like a storm, chasing off the bullies with her cultivation aura. They scattered, but not before leaving behind their damage.
There he was, the same boy—older now, maybe nine—but bruised and battered. His face was streaked with tears and blood, but he clutched something in his arms like it was more precious than his life.
A plate of food.
"What are you doing?!" she scolded, kneeling beside him.
"I-It's fine… just don't eat it…" he sniffled, turning his body to shield the dish. "It's dirty now…"
Ignoring him, she took the plate from his trembling hands and, without hesitation, scooped a bite into her mouth—dirt and all.
Qian Qian's eyes widened. Despite the grit of the ground, the flavor shone through. He really had improved.
His hands were bruised, his body covered in wounds—some clearly not fresh. But the food… the food was warm, even amidst the mud.
She couldn't leave him like that. Forgetting her trip home, she immediately sat him down and began tending to his injuries. He resisted at first, but when he saw her, really saw her, his eyes lit up.
"Big sis Qian'er… You're back!"
And from that day forward, she stayed. As long as she was around, he wasn't alone. They talked endlessly about food—flavors, recipes, dreams. She cooked with him, encouraged him, and even taught him tricks she had learned in her travels.
But peace never lasts.
Her sect was relocating. Her family had chosen to follow. There was no room to argue—not even for a tearful goodbye.
On their final day, she smiled through the ache in her chest as she knelt beside him, ruffling his messy hair.
"Big sis Qian'er…" he sniffed. "One day, let's meet again… and decide who's the best chef in the Blue Wind Kingdom!"
"You brat! I have years of experience! There's no way I'd lose to a snotty brat named Xiao Che."
"Blehh!! I'll beat you!!"
"If you do, I'll give you my kitchen knife!"
"Really?! Then I won't lose! I promise!"
And before she could stop him, he threw his arms around her in a tight hug.
She hugged him back—once, briefly. Then turned away.
She didn't look back. She couldn't. She knew, deep down, she would be leaving the Blue Wind Empire for good.
But she carried the memory of that stubborn, smiling boy with her… and the promise they made.
Until today.
And then, after ten long years... her unanswered wonder was finally resolved.
It all began with a passing conversation—when the woman from that restaurant mentioned the name "Yun Che." Something clicked in Qian Qian's mind. "Che," she thought. It was too much of a coincidence.
Still, it was only a name.
Until she saw him.
She attended the final match of the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament. He stood there—raven-black hair tousled in the wind, eyes filled with quiet determination. The moment she laid eyes on him, she knew.
There was no mistaking it.
That was him.
The same snotty little boy who once handed her a broken kitchen knife with his muddy hands. The same boy who shielded a plate of food with his own body.
He had grown—taller, stronger, with an aura that made others tremble—but she could still see him. The boy from her past, standing proudly in front of the empire.
But… did he still remember her?
As she returned from her memories, tears began to flow freely from Qian Qian's eyes.
After everything he went through—being labeled as trash, the beatings, the humiliation—she had been so sure it would all break him. But he had endured.
No.
He had thrived.
Now, he stood atop the culinary world of Blue Wind Empire, crowned the best of the best.
"You did it… You actually did it…" she whispered, smiling through her sobs. "You bested me… and you fulfilled your promise to me, you little brat."
But her joy was a bittersweet one.
Because he didn't remember her.
"You stinking brat… How could you not remember your Big Sis Qian?" she sobbed, voice cracking. "Did you forget everything about me? About us?"
She clenched her fists as she soared through the sky, carrying her siblings close.
"You even became a cultivator now… I didn't know a cripple could be healed," she muttered bitterly, though pride still tugged at her chest. "You grew up to be a handsome young man… but you're still that snotty little brat to me."
Her tears wouldn't stop. Not because he won… but because the boy who had once rekindled her dream… had forgotten her.
She had been ready to embrace him again. To cry in his arms and scold him for taking so long. But the moment she called out to him—when he looked at her with confused, unfamiliar eyes—her heart sank.
That wasn't an act.
That wasn't a flirtation or a tease.
He truly didn't remember her.
"You're Yun Che now… but to me, you'll always be my Xiao Che. The stubborn little boy who picked up my broken knife… and reminded me to chase my dream."
She smiled faintly, eyes still glistening.
"You might have forgotten me, but I'll never forget you."
"Big sis… you're crying. Is it because of that pervert big brother…?" Qian Wu asked innocently.
Qian Qian wiped her eyes, forcing a chuckle through her tears. "No… It's…" She hesitated, then gave her siblings a teasing smile. "Ufu… Yes. It's because I lost to that snotty big brother."
"Muu… Big sis, let's meet him again and beat him with your delicious cooking!"
"Yeah! His cooking is good, but you're better than him! You're the best chef in our Empire!"
She laughed gently, wrapping her arms around both her younger siblings as they flew. Their warmth was enough to patch the hole in her chest, at least for now.
"Alright, alright. One day we'll meet him again—and when we do, I'll beat him fair and square. But for now… let's head home. The Divine Phoenix Empire must be worried sick about you two."
As the wind shifted around her, Qian Qian released the seal on her profound energy. The aura that exploded from her was overwhelming—towering and absolute. The previous First Level of the Sky Profound Realm had only been a mask. Her true cultivation shimmered like a blazing sun—
Peak of the Tyrant Profound Realm.
With her robes fluttering like phoenix wings, she cast a final look over her shoulder toward the Blue Wind Capital far behind them.
"Xiao Che… or Yun Che… whoever you are now," she whispered, "I only hope that one day, when you rise to higher realms… you'll remember your big sis Qian." Her eyes narrowed with a playful glint beneath the sadness. "If fate allows it, we'll meet again. And when that day comes—I will make you remember. I will beat you so hard in the kitchen, you'll regret ever defeating your Big Sis Qian."
====================
Somewhere in the Blue Wind Capital…
"Shiver…"
"Huh?" Yun Che paused mid-step as he prepared more of his Special Ramen for his guests. "Why do I feel a chill down my spine all of a sudden?"
"You okay, Yuu-sama?" Nemu asked, glancing up with concern.
"Do you have a fever, Yuu-kun?" Retsu added, already checking his pulse with clinical precision.
He gave a nervous laugh, trying to brush it off. "No, no… It's nothing. I just… felt like someone was talking about me behind my back."
"Someone dangerous?" Mio asked with narrowed eyes.
Yun Che blinked. "Yeah… something like that. Kind of like the feeling when someone swears to take revenge on you… but with a frying pan."
Yun Che sighed with satisfaction as he set the bowls down on the table, steam wafting gently from the surface. It was his special ramen—crafted with care and love—served to those dearest to him: Retsu, Mio, Nemu, Kon, and Mei. He didn't forget Qingyue, Little Fairy, or Chu Yueli either, setting extra bowls aside for them.
Even through their veils, their reactions were obvious—the subtle pause, the stillness as they tasted the broth, the way their hands trembled slightly as they reached for more.
He smiled faintly. Cooking… really is a way to reach the heart.
Just as he wiped his hands, a voice called out.
"Yun Che… this old man would like a word."
He turned and saw Luo Ran approaching, flanked by his disciples in pristine robes, their eyes watchful and respectful.
"Ah, Elder Luo Ran," Yun Che greeted politely.
"This old man would like to formally invite you to my Heavenly Pavilion—the finest restaurant in the city," Luo Ran said with a faint smile. "Talent like yours deserves a worthy stage."
Yun Che shook his head, his smile unchanged. "I appreciate the offer, Elder Luo Ran… but I'll have to turn it down."
"Oh?" Luo Ran's brows rose slightly.
"This may be a hobby of mine," Yun Che continued, "but I cook for the ones I care about. For them, every dish is a tribute. And besides…" He gestured toward Mio and Retsu who were quietly savoring their ramen. "I'm training these two in my art. That's where my focus lies for now."
"A shame." Luo Ran's tone held a hint of disappointment. "Still… understandable. You are free to visit the Pavilion at any time and witness the skills of this old man yourself."
"I'd be honored, Elder Luo Ran. I'll drop by one day to see what the Heavenly Pavilion has to offer."
"Wise words," Luo Ran replied with a nod, before turning and leaving with his entourage.
As the quiet returned, Qingyue finally spoke up beside him. "That Qian Qian… she seemed familiar."
Yun Che blinked and glanced at her. "Remember anything?"
Qingyue shook her head slowly, her eyes distant beneath her veil. "No… But she looked hurt when you didn't recognize her."
He lowered his gaze, stirring his tea in silence.
"…I can't blame her," he muttered at last. "I don't remember much from when I was little. It's like… the more I grow, the more pieces are missing."
There was a long silence. He didn't mention about the System erased the original Yun Che's memories. Qian Qian is probably part of those memories.
Retsu reached over and quietly placed a bowl of ramen before him. "You should eat too, Yuu-kun. Even chefs need warmth."
He smiled and nodded. "Yeah… thanks."
But deep inside, as the broth's aroma filled the air, Yun Che couldn't shake the feeling that the past—his forgotten past—was catching up to him… one meal, one memory at a time.
Or more like the real Yun Che's memories.
Xia Qingyue and her party went back but Yun Che knew Little Fairy would come again tonight and judging of Retsu now being friends with Qingyue. He assumed she would come over alongside Chu Yueli.
However in his mind, he was thinking about who that Lady Qian Qian was but more on thinking how to cook the fish he just won. He didn't want his golden winning medal and gave it to the old fishseller.
"Oi, why did I have to carry the heavy part?" Kon whined, struggling in the air as he wobbled left and right, his tiny arms hugging the massive fish head that was at least ten times his size.
"Because you floated the moment I handed it to you," Yun Che smirked, the fish tail slung casually over his shoulder. "You could've said no."
"I did say no!" Kon shouted. "You just ignored me!"
"You're doing great, Kon," Retsu said gently, her voice as sweet as honey as she walked behind them, hands resting on Mio and Nemu's shoulders.
Kon instantly perked up. "Oh? Really? Well then… I suppose I am doing great."
Yun Che chuckled under his breath. "Shameless glutton."
He glanced at the massive fish parts they were hauling, eyes gleaming with anticipation. "This thing is big enough to feed the entire courtyard for a week. With the right cuts… maybe sashimi for the upper meat, grilled steaks from the belly… the bones could go into a broth base for ramen, maybe even some rich fish collagen soup…"
Retsu hummed in approval, already picturing how she'd assist as she held Mei's hand. "The skin can be crisped and used for garnishes. And we could make salted strips for preservation."
Nemu nodded. "We can chart the nutrient profile. The fish meat enhances qi circulation. Confirmed by post-meal scan."
Mio added with a finger on her lips, "Fried cheeks. We didn't try that last time. Let's not waste it."
"Oh, we're going all out this time," Yun Che said with a wicked grin. "We'll feast like kings and queens tonight."
Retsu, Mio, and Nemu all gave approving smiles, like commanders preparing for battle.
Behind them, Kon puffed up with pride. "Well then, as the chief delivery beast, I expect the biggest portion!"
"You get the head meat, nothing more," Yun Che teased.
"Wait—what?!"
"Anyway, did you detect Qian Qian's Phoenix bloodline?" Yun Che asked, his gaze shifting to Retsu as they walked.
"Yes…" Retsu nodded slowly. "There's no doubt. Her fire essence was almost identical to the ones we encountered in the Phoenix Trial Grounds. Refined, yet ancient. I've heard people compare my beauty—and Qingyue's—to the famed Princess of the Divine Phoenix Empire… but I'm more interested in what the Divine Phoenix Empire is hiding. Could she really be from there?"
"Maybe," Yun Che said, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "She knew the little me. The real Yun Che. That means she must've been in the Blue Wind Empire when they were kids... then left. Probably after her sect or family relocated."
"And now she returns, concealing her strength and cooking skills. Suspicious," Retsu muttered, folding her arms. "The Phoenix, too... If she has the bloodline, could she be connected to the first soul fragment?"
"Exactly my thought," Yun Che said, smirking. "Remember, the Phoenix split its soul in two. One half stayed in Blue Wind; the other fled with the first four stages of the World Ode of the Phoenix. If I had to guess… Qian Qian's a core disciple of the Divine Phoenix Empire. Maybe more."
"Ara… and yet, you didn't scan her for the lost stages?"
"I tried," Yun Che muttered, annoyed. "But the system locked external scans on her. Apparently, I need to earn the stages through official trials in the Divine Phoenix Empire. It wants me to go there personally."
Well, more than I was the one who asked the system since I didn't expect to meet a person from the Divine Phoenix Sect in this empire at all. Tough luck.
"Just like it always does," Retsu said with a soft sigh. "No shortcuts for you, Yuu-kun."
He laughed lightly. "Wouldn't be fun otherwise."
"But then… why was someone of her caliber competing in a regional cooking contest?" Retsu asked, narrowing her eyes. "She concealed her cultivation until the end."
"She's hiding more than just her power," Yun Che said. "Maybe she came not just to cook, but to see me. Maybe she had her own promise to fulfill. Either way…" He turned his eyes toward the horizon. "I have a feeling we'll meet that Qian Qian again."
=======================
Xia Qingyue flew silently through the sky, Little Fairy and Chu Yueli following at a respectful distance. The cool wind brushed against her cheeks, but her mind wasn't focused on the scenery. It was still lingering on the warm taste that remained on her lips.
So delicious…
She had never tasted anything like it before—each bite during the contest was like tasting comfort, joy, and serenity all at once. She didn't even realize how hungry she was until the flavor melted on her tongue. What surprised her even more wasn't the crowd that came to watch the contest—it was that many of them showed up just because of the aroma alone.
She saw it with her own eyes: even the judges, who were meant to sample the dishes, ended up devouring everything placed before them. It was unprecedented. Embarrassed by how affected she was, Qingyue quietly left the venue once the prize ceremony ended. But deep down… she had been silently cheering for him the entire time.
You've truly become the best cook in the Blue Wind Empire. Yun Che… or Yukihira?
Now, he held the title of the best—and she, oddly enough, was part of the fortunate few who could taste what he made. A faint warmth lingered in her chest at the thought.
Unbeknownst to Qingyue, one of her escorts was also lost in similar thoughts.
Chu Yuechan—Little Fairy—kept her veil steady as she flew in silence, eyes closed, her aura serene as always. But inside, her mind was anything but calm.
That meal… That damned meal.
It ignited a hunger she had long suppressed. During the three months she spent in hiding with, caring for her small little family in secret, she had grown used to their simple home-cooked meals. Back at her sect, food was merely a necessity—something to keep hunger away. Bland. Routine. Almost tasteless.
But his cooking… It was something that she missed.
There was something more to it. Something alive. Every bite brought a warmth that settled not just in her stomach, but in her soul. It healed, it comforted, it made her remember.
Even now, she felt the difference. Despite indulging more than usual, her body remained as light and graceful as ever. Her cultivation had even advanced more smoothly during that time.
How…? What sort of cooking can boost vitality… ease cultivation?
She glanced briefly at Qingyue, who said nothing the entire flight. But Little Fairy could feel it—her junior sister was thinking the same thing.
What had Yun Che learnt to be able to produce such results?
Could it be… that culinary arts, in the hands of a cultivator, could transcend beyond nourishment? Could it become a Dao in itself?
If such a path exists… then he is walking it with every step.
It was more than just a meal. It was an experience that soothed their hearts, satisfied their palates, and lingered in their souls. After tasting his cooking, everything else became bland. Dishes prepared by anyone else—even high-ranking sect chefs—felt dull and lifeless in comparison. The flavors of Yun Che and Retsu's cooking had raised their standards to such a level that anything less was simply... unsatisfying.
Even Chu Yueli, usually composed and withdrawn, found herself unnervingly quiet. Her mind was lost in the past—recalling the moment Mihawk prepared a bowl of porridge for her deep inside the tomb. It had been a dire time; the spirit's tampering with her body left her unable to control the hunger ravaging her from within. She had been desperate, trembling.
Then came that simple dish—warm, comforting, and rich in taste beyond words. One spoonful silenced the torment in her stomach and brought peace to her soul. From that day on, nothing she ate back at the sect ever compared. Every meal felt hollow, mechanical… until today.
Today's dish reopened those forgotten memories. She hadn't expected Yun Che to evoke something that once only Mihawk could.
--------------
Xia Qingyue, too, flew silently beside them, her gaze distant as her thoughts wandered to a memory buried deep within her heart—ten years ago.
That purple-haired woman…
Qian Qian. That name stirred something. The sight of her reminded Qingyue of a girl she saw once—a bright purple-haired girl who comforted the "trash" boy Xiao Che. A time when everyone, even members of his own clan, looked down on him.
But that girl… she didn't.
That one rainy fateful day before, she saw the same purple-haired girl approached by him, ignoring her protests, scooping up the shattered remnants of her cooking tools.
She remembered Xiao Che offering her the broken kitchen knife with trembling hands.
That girl regained her smile.
Qingyue remembered. She had been there. A small, quiet child, watching from afar. She saw Xiao Che, bloodied and bruised after being beaten by the clan's children. She saw him shielding a broken dish in his arms.
He was called trash. Weak. Powerless.
Yet he kept cooking.
He cooked even when he was starving.
He cooked even after being beaten.
He cooked with a dream so strong it burned through every bruise.
And that purple-haired girl? She was the only person outside his Little Aunt and grandfather to ever eat his food. To believe in him.
And Xia Qingyue… only watched.
Back in the present, Qingyue slowly lowered her head, her heart heavy with guilt and questions.
If I had supported him back then… would anything have changed between us?
Would she still have become the cold, distant woman she once was?
So much had changed ever since Yun Che reentered her life. He wasn't just the "trash" anymore. He was someone who brought people together—through power, yes, but even more through food. Through warmth. Through dreams he never let go of, no matter how harsh the world was to him.
Then, she remembered…
Something.
A sudden flicker of memory struck her—clearer than ever before.
That day.
The day he was beaten black and blue.
The day he clutched a broken dish to his chest like it was more precious than life.
The day the purple-haired girl stood beside him.
There had been something else.
She had picked it up after the bullies scattered. It was lying in the grass, half-buried in the dirt and overlooked in the chaos. She hadn't known why she took it. Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe it was shame of not being able to help him. Maybe it was the way his eyes darted around in desperation in the days after, searching for something he'd lost.
She never gave it back.
Too embarrassed.
Too uncertain.
Too afraid of what he'd think if he knew she'd had it all along.
So, she kept it.
I still have it, she realized, biting her lip. After all these years…
As the wind brushed through her long hair, a quiet resolve formed deep within her chest.
She would return to Floating Cloud City.
Not as the cold, distant girl who once stood back and watched.
But as someone ready to make things right.
To give back what never belonged to her.