C119 – Conspiracies Are Lurking
Jiang’s mother, with her wealth of experience, saw the situation clearly and her face immediately lit up with a smile.
“That little rascal is actually jealous of Xin Er!”
Her remark sent the crowd into an uproar of laughter.
……
As night fell, Xue Zixi stood atop a skyscraper, her gaze sweeping over Tianhee City’s nocturnal landscape.
“With Jiang Hao, the young Grandmaster, on board, and our robust marketing efforts, Heavenly-Mansion Tavern is poised for unprecedented success,” she mused, reaching for her phone to make a call.
The line connected quickly.
“Nine times, I need you to leak something for me,” Xue Zixi instructed crisply. “The Heavenly-Mansion Tavern has a new, exceptionally young culinary Grandmaster.”
“Yes, Miss,” came the immediate response.
“Make sure it seems like the news slipped out accidentally.”
“Understood!”
After ending the call, a subtle smile played on Xue Zixi’s lips.
“With Jiang Hao, the young Grandmaster, joining us, I’d like to see who else dares to gossip now!”
……
Before long, every high-society bigwig in Tianhee City was buzzing with the news that the Heavenly-Mansion Tavern had acquired a remarkably young culinary Grandmaster.
Meanwhile, in a lavish estate on the outskirts of Tianhee City, a middle-aged man strode into the main hall, his expression grave.
Once he had notified the servants, an elderly man with a white beard emerged, flanked by several youths. His presence alone exuded a commanding aura, the mark of a long-standing high-ranking individual.
The middle-aged man, recognizing the gravity of the situation, quickly addressed him.
“Grandmaster Wu, we have a serious problem!”
Wu Shi settled into the armchair before turning his attention to the middle-aged man.
“Please, have a seat, Second Master Xue,” he offered calmly.
“What’s so urgent that it has you in such a state, Second Master Xue?”
Without any airs, Second Master Xue took his seat, his face etched with concern.
“Grandmaster Wu, we’re facing a crisis. Today, I’ve learned from the underworld that my beloved niece, Xue Zixi, has somehow recruited a culinary Grandmaster!”
Moreover, this culinary Grandmaster is incredibly young—he hasn’t even reached thirty!”
“Wu Grandmaster, we are in a very unfavorable position right now!”
Second Master Xue’s face was etched with worry.
The usually composed Wu Grandmaster shot to his feet in alarm upon hearing Second Master Xue’s words.
“What?! A Grandmaster under thirty?”
Panic set in for Wu Grandmaster.
As a culinary Grandmaster himself, he was acutely aware of the arduous journey to achieve such a title.
He had been fifty-five when he earned the distinction of Grandmaster. And now, he was being told that someone had managed it before thirty!
His surprise was undeniable.
Moreover, this sub-thirty culinary Grandmaster had indirectly entangled with him in a conflict of interest!
This was unequivocally bad news for him.
Even though he too was a Grandmaster, it was clear to any observer who had the greater potential between them.
But was it truly possible for someone to break through to the Grandmaster level before thirty?
A skeptical Wu Grandmaster regained his composure.
“Second Master Xue, can we trust the accuracy of this information?”
Second Master Xue, not wishing to waste a moment, responded promptly.
“Wu Grandmaster, the information should be accurate. It came from a spy I placed close to my niece!”
Upon hearing this, Wu Grandmaster’s expression hardened.
He remained silent for a long stretch before a glint of determination flickered in his eyes.
“If that’s the case, we must act swiftly to capitalize on his shaky foundation and strike first!”
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