Master Craftsman of the Elven World

Chapter 422 How did I end up on the set of "Cooking Master Boy"?

When someone asks you why your cooking is so delicious, or even moves you to tears, what is the standard answer?
The answer is, I added onions, or flashbangs!

"onion.?"

Guangtai blurted it out without thinking, but immediately realized it was wrong.

The key is not what ingredients to add, but the cooking method.

And, when it comes to onions, the image of a shrine brigade inevitably comes to mind.

Huangbo's cooking skills are so bad that even making sandwiches would make her friends get sick. They were described as dry and hard, with a pungent smell and absolutely no taste.

Honestly, I just can't understand how such a simple food as a sandwich could be made like this. You could say it's because the curry was overcooked and mushy, which would be somewhat understandable.
Huangbo: "...The secret is...onions? Onion fruit?"

"No, that's right! So that's how it is! So what I've been lacking is onions!"

She clenched her fist excitedly: "I've been to many restaurants, but in fact, even the most famous Haidai Club's food can't compare to this meal!"

"I don't know if it's because I'm really hungry, but I'm always hungry when I go to a restaurant."

Guangtai: "I know Haidai Club, isn't it a very famous restaurant in the Padiya region?"

Huangbo: "Our Padiya region is famous for its cuisine! Our various delicious dishes are renowned throughout the world! But even so, it's still not as good as..."

She became completely disoriented, as if she were lost in some kind of fantasy.

The moss could only pat her awake: "Wake up, the onion isn't important."

"What I mean is, even with high-quality ingredients like onions, it won't work without excellent cooking techniques."

There are indeed many restaurants in the Padiya region.

When you come to the human towns in this region, you will always encounter some people who can cook, as if you have entered the culinary world of MasterChef.

And there are actually many Chinese and Japanese dishes here. Speaking of which, why are all the famous Spanish dishes foreign? Your Spanish flavor isn't authentic!
"The water vapor in vegetables is the most natural umami flavor. The key is to use cooking techniques to bring out this flavor."

"Don't slice the eggplant too thinly; leave about half a finger's thickness so it can maintain its shape during stewing. Remove the seeds from the tomato and cut it into large chunks so it doesn't turn into a paste. Peel off the white membrane inside the pepper so it won't taste bitter when stir-frying."

"Remember to cut onions into thicker slices, not thinner ones; the thicker fibers will release their sweetness during simmering."

"Different vegetables and fruits require different processing methods. After proper processing, they can be paired with appropriate seasonings, such as olive oil and minced garlic. Fresh waterside herbs and olive oil are the most famous products from the Lorepadia region, aren't they?"

"Generally speaking, the heat during stewing is also crucial. High heat and low heat make completely different stewing results. Stewing usually takes a lot of time, but with the help of Pokémon, plus a little bit of superpower, we can easily shorten the cooking time."

"Hmm, are you alright? You look like you're about to lose your fighting ability."

Guangtai looked into Huangbo's eyes. Miss Huangbo was already showing signs of developing round eyes. Although she maintained a polite smile, she had already entered a state of confusion.

Sure enough, it's too difficult for a physical education student to learn these things. She's better suited to be like Guava, running off to the mountains, lighting a campfire, and living like a crazy caveman.

However, when it comes to knowledge about combat, she does know quite a lot.

"This is just the basics. If you want to advance further, you'll need to learn knife skills, steaming, boiling, and stir-frying."

Huang Bo's expression revealed a deep sense of powerlessness, as if she had just gone through a life-or-death struggle:
"I understand! Cooking and practicing fighting skills are both amazing things!"

Lightmoss: "Everyone has things they're good at and things they're not good at. People and Pokémon alike have things they can and can't do. There's no need to force yourself. But if you really want to learn a simple way to stew a dish..."

"I can teach you a little bit, but it will be for a fee."

"You have to get me some precious ingredients, rare vegetables, secret seasonings, exotic fruits, or even ancient treasures and antiques."

"There must be a similar rule in the culinary world: if you want special recipes and techniques, you have to bring useful ingredients!"

"Precious materials?" Huang Bo fell into deep thought.

As someone who is terrible at cooking, Huang Bo really wants to improve her cooking skills. She has gone to famous restaurants to ask for advice and watched online videos.

But the most prominent characteristic of an outstanding athlete is that "they have the brain but not the hands," or "they don't have the brain either."

"Yes. That's right!"

Huang Bo suddenly clapped her hands: "Chili extract!"

"A rare ingredient from a special Pokémon that is extremely difficult to obtain! It can only be found in a few regions, such as the South First District!"

"Sorry, my voice was too loud!"

Seeing the somewhat confused look on Guangtai's face, Huangbo explained with great interest: "In the Padia region, a local specialty dish is made with the front tooth that fell out of a Pokémon called Hot Baby, which makes it extremely spicy."

"And after this Pokémon evolves, it can obtain a very precious, hotter, and even somewhat sweet chili essence."

"The famous chain restaurant in the Patia region, Lai Lai Lai Xuan, serves Mapo Tofu made with this chili extract. It's both spicy and sweet, and you'll never forget it after just one bite!"

Mapo tofu is a Chinese dish that inevitably appears in Japanese games. However, the Japanese version of mapo tofu tastes somewhat different from the original, but there's no need to delve into whether it's authentic or not.

Light Moss: "Chili extract. You mean the 'fierce chili'?"

Huang Bo: "Hey, did you know?"

Light Moss: "I've only heard of it, but I've never actually seen it."

Huangbo: "Yes, this kind of Pokémon is very rare. Hot Chilipod is only found in West First District and the Red Desert. As for its evolved form, Jalapeno, this Pokémon seems to only appear in mountainous areas."

"In the Sixth District of the South, there are high mountains, specifically the hollow south of Yuanmo Town. Inside, you'll find the Fierce Chili Pepper!"

"According to the investigation report released by the Padia Academy, it seems that they need a Fire Stone to evolve, so only Hot Babies that are lucky enough to find a Fire Stone can complete their evolution."

"However, the sunlight in the mountains and forests is not sufficient, at least not as intense as in the desert, so it is difficult for the Hot Kids to go to the dark mountain caves to find the Fire Stone."

Lightmoss nodded.

Although the Padia region is full of strange drops, evolution stones are still quite rare. Otherwise, Steven would have come here to buy them in bulk long ago.

Why bother mining? Just take a stroll around the mountains and you'll have a pocketful of evolution stones. Stone fanatics from all over the world will flock here and sweep through Padia three or four times. It's like a locust swarm.

So, is the main purpose of Pokémon in this place to "produce food"?

"Precious ingredients, and there might also be legendary kitchen utensils and a dark culinary world, right? Is this really the set of 'Cooking Master Boy'?"

Guangtai muttered.

Believe it or not, there really is such a legendary kitchen utensil, the most famous of which is a knife made from the feathers of a parakeet.

"Alright! To grasp the essence of this dish, I'm going to find some really potent chili peppers!"

Huangbo has found her way forward: not only the grand event of fighting and bullfighting, but also the opportunity to improve her cooking skills. It seems that a bright future is just around the corner!

So, have eaten and drunk your fill.
"Moo!"

Kentaur had been waiting impatiently for a while. He nudged his mistress with his horns, and Miss Huangbo finally snapped out of her daze, her face slightly flushed, quite embarrassed.
"Ah! I almost forgot, right, there's also the battle!"

“I was only focused on cooking.” “It’s alright. Aren’t you more energetic now that you’re full?” Guangtai stood up and started walking out of the church, and with a whoosh, all the companions inside the church got up as well.

One after another, they dragged Huangbo and Tauros out of the church, and only then did Huangbo get a clear look at the Pokémon inside!
Snow leopard, dragon, greatsword, iron dragon, paladin, immortal dragon, flower lady, winged squirrel, mechanically modified giant insect
Apart from Samurai, Riolu, and Burning Bug, she hardly knew anyone else!
"How spectacular," she muttered, while Tauros beside her was also surprised to be surrounded by so many Pokémon with powerful auras.

I feel even more nervous now, don't I?

"Click!"

Tan Xiaoshi got into position, staring at the equally tense Tauros in front of him. The bull's hooves were pawing the ground, and water vapor was spraying from its nostrils. Because it was a Water-type, it naturally didn't emit any heat.

However, that force did not weaken in the slightest!

"The Water-type Tauros has five weaknesses: Flying, Grass, Electric, Psychic, and Fairy."

Guangtai instructed Tan Xiaoshi:
"Unfortunately, you don't know any of the moves associated with these five elements."

"But there's no need to worry."

"Generally speaking, fighting, poison, ground, ghost, and dragon are the six attributes that can also cause normal damage to it."

Charcoal Servant is on high alert!
“And you too.” Guangtai looked at the big black ox.

"Moo?" Kentauro looked up. "Is this something for me to do?"
Hikari: "You should be able to improve your close combat skills during the battle with my Tanjiro, right? I wasn't lying when I said I could help you."

"Moo!" Kentaro was confused and filled with doubt.

It then looked at Charcoal Servant.

Oh dear! Your Tanjiro is wearing equipment, but it's still a weak water Pokémon and no match for you at all!

Although it has a lot of presence, it's too weak!

Can this Pokémon really help me improve my close-combat skills? Niu Niu thought you were going to get other "stronger" Pokémon around to fight him!

Kentaro let out a helpless sigh, somewhat disappointed!

Hmph. This little guy... I'd probably be knocked unconscious by it bumping my head!

Sure enough, as a bull, I still want to battle against those stronger Pokémon!

Huang Bo felt that her Tauros seemed to be underestimating its opponent, so she immediately patted the bull's back:

"As a fighter, never underestimate any opponent!"

Kentaro shook his head indifferently.

Hmm. Fine, since you've put it that way, I'll take it a little more seriously and make it fly!
Tauros got serious and showed his true strength!

Special ability activated!
"My Tauros's ability is Intimidate!"

"When a Pokémon with this ability enters the battle, it will lower the opponent's Pokémon's Attack by one stage!"

Phoenix Blossom launched the first attack!

"Is that hammer a battle weapon? Not bad, not bad. In bullfighting, some Pokémon carry shields or blunt weapons to fight Tauros, since Tauros are known for their fierce tempers!"

"Alright, let's bring on the first move!"

"Water jet!"

They pounce on their opponent with lightning speed, ensuring a preemptive strike!
Kentaro's eyes widened in anger!

The black bull uses Water Jet as a priority move. Even though the move itself isn't very powerful, its power becomes quite terrifying due to the bull's impact and STAB boost! Not to mention, Water-type moves are super effective against Samurai!

This strike will let you taste the flavor of bull horns!
The bull charges forward, and Charcoal Boy happens to be red, seemingly confirming an ancient bullfighting legend from Parthia.

The moment the buffalo charged.

This preemptive attack was almost too fast for anyone to react to!

In the nick of time, Tan Xiaoshi suddenly started glowing!
It rolled over!
Boom!

Tauros was blinded by the light, his vision blurred, and his horns struck thin air, missing Samurai!
Lightmoss: "The move you just used was..."

"not bad."

"Although it was only a short adventure, we have already gained something!"

Those were moves that could no longer be learned in the ninth generation and were removed from Game Freak's internal data.

Theoretically, it is a move that most Fire and Grass-type Pokémon can learn, and it even existed as a Secret Move in a certain generation.

That dazzling combat technique was—

"flash!"

It emits a bright light, thus reducing the opponent's hit rate, and can also illuminate the surroundings in dark caves!
Reduces the target's hit rate by 1 level!
Although this is not a preemptive move.

However, no matter how fast a preemptive strike is, it still takes time for it to land.

As for radiance, it just needs to be unleashed on its own!
Among its teammates, only Torterra and Flareon can use Flash.

And now, there is one more companion calling for the light.

"No matter how powerful a Pokémon is, or how strong a move is, it won't work if it can't hit."

"Theoretically speaking, a decrease in accuracy would be fatal, but for weak Pokémon, it could be a chance to turn the tide!"

A dazzling light emanated from Tan Xiaoshi's body, and it grew brighter and brighter!
A blinding light shone ahead!

"Click!"

The glorious knight began the battle.

Sparks flew as the hammer rubbed against the ground.

Sun, light my way!

The cloak fluttered in the wind, rustling loudly!
Kentaro shook its head, and as it sensed danger approaching, the little knight swung its heavy hammer!
At the cost of sacrificing one's own defense, charge and advance towards the opponent! A high-level technique for continuous close-quarters combat!
That's not a combat skill that a trainee knight like Tanjiro could learn!

Tauros, who had previously looked down on Tanjiro and even despised him, suffered the heaviest blow at this moment!
The swinging hammer made the bull's horns buzz.

The embers of the fire danced a magnificent dance.

Even the hardest stone will be smashed to pieces!
Even Miss Huangbo was taken aback!
As a fighter, how could she not recognize those fighting techniques!
It is the most powerful fighting style among all fighting styles!

"It's actually close combat?!"

(End of this chapter)