SailorStar9: Well, I've uploaded Chapter 20, and here's Chapter 21. So, read and review. Come on boys and girls, is it so hard for you to leave a review other than putting this on your favorited lists and alerts?

Disclaimers: Me no own, you no sue.

Chapter 21: The Strongest Ace

"What is the third round of the best-two-of-three lobster battle?" Mao asked.

"Knife skills were first," the masked chef snorted. "Followed by frying in the second round. In the third round, I have chosen the cooking style considered the most difficult of all: braising. In other words, hotpot cooking. There are no restrictions in this round. Create a pot roast with lobster as the main ingredient. The better-tasting dish wins. However, time on the blood clock will continue to drip as we cook. Better hurry, or the poison will finish off Chouyu and the girl." he chuckled. "I underestimated you before." he admitted. "Now, I'll have to get serious or my revenge won't be fulfilled. You might choose any ingredient you think you might need." with a snap of his fingers, he opened the stone door to the storage. "In this store room, I have stocked many ingredients from both land and sea. If you happen to lose despite having access to all these ingredients, that can only mean that your skills are inferior. I will brook no excuse from you."

"Like I even need them." Mao retorted. "I have to win, no matter what."

"It shall be the last symphony of my revenge." the masked chef declared, bringing out his clay pots of dried seafood. "My Grand Finale! Lobster, best two of three. The last round that settles everything."

Quickly making his decision, Mao set to work with the mountain vegetables he had picked.

"I'll give you one piece of advice." the masked chef voiced. "Shouldn't you check your pot? You didn't think it through." he chuckled. "Mushrooms, mountain potatoes, and burdock taproot do produce wonderful soup stock, but if you boil that many vegetables at once, a large amount of alkaline will seep out. If not removed, the bitter froth will ruin the taste." he added, as the bubbling froth boiled over. "And no matter how much you remove, you don't have enough time to get it all."

"I was raised in Szuchuan." Mao reminded. "I know all about the alkaline. I'm just getting started here." he closed his pot. "I will challenge you with this!" he pulled out a recipe book from the nearby shelve and started ripping out the pages.

"It's done!" the masked chef declared. "Brimming with sea delicacies, I present seafood hotpot cuisine with the ultimate in Chinese soup stock." he opened the lid. "My Sea Dragon Hotpot!"

"I'm finished as well." Mao added. "Liu Mao Xing Special, with a bounty of mountain food, I present my Mountain Treasures Flying Dragon Pot! Now, judge the food."

"Don't be hasty." the masked chef chided. "I've lined up a suitable judge for the final round. Knocking a ladle against his wok, the side door opened to reveal a captured Shilou.

"Shilou, why..." Ya Xue was stunned.

"Mao-nii, I'm sorry." Shilou apologized after his bonds were cut. "I was worried, so I came after you guys. But they captured me. What happened?" he spotted the unconscious Chouyu and Mei Li.

"They were poisoned by this masked chef." Mao explained. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. "How dare you involve him? It can't be..." he gaped. "He's the judge you mentioned?"

"Exactly." the masked chef replied. "He will judge the food, not knowing who made what. We'll have him eat, and choose the dish which he feels tastes better. If you choose Mao's dish, then everyone will be spared. But if you choose my dish, then Chouyu, Mei Li, you, Mao and the servant girl... I've have your lives as well. Now, the third round will settle this match! Now judge!"

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.