SailorStar9: Well, I've uploaded Chapter 22, and here's Chapter 23. 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 23: Underworld Cooking Society's Assassin, Cold-Hearted Genius Leon

"Mao, there is something I want you to prepare for a special guest today." Master Lou informed.

"Yes." Mao nodded.

"A special guest?" Mei Li echoed. Dad didn't mention that at all.

"What a huge water buffalo!" Mao gaped at the water buffalo in the courtyard.

"This will be the main dish I wish to serve our guest." Master Lou explained. "Can you take care of it, Mao?"

"Yes sir." Mao nodded. "You can count on me. Shilou, be careful with the innards. They're easily damaged." he cautioned. "Mei Li, take care that you don't cut against the fiber."

"Mao-sama, look out." Ya Xue pulled Mao out of the way of Leon's large knife. "Amazing..." she gaped in awe after Leon sheathed his knife. A huge buffalo like that was cut and prepared in a second! What a perfect and magnificent technique. He cut it so quickly without damaging the fiber. Who is this guy? She wondered.

"No, it can't be him... " Mei Li muttered.

"I've never seen it before..." Mao remarked. "Azure Dragon Raging Bull Slash."

"You don't spill even a drop of blood or a speck of meat." Ya Xue supplied. "You cut and prepare the meat in just a second. It's a technique that's only passed on and talked about in the Underworld Cooking Society."

"Where are Lou and Chouyu?" Leon asked.

"I'm not mistaken." Shell grabbed Leon's hand and seeing the black qilin mark on the back of his palm. "This is the man who stole my stick! Who is this man?" he winced when he was thrown to the floor. "He has incredible power!"

"So, you're the Super Chef who defeated the Masked Chef, Lien." Leon noted, spotting the Super Chef emblem that had came loose from the cloth that hid it. "You're not as good as I thought, kid. You took so much time to cut a buffalo."

"Stop it!" Mei Li shouted before the rest of the kitchen staff could lynch Leon. "Don't you guys see it yet? Look, this is Leon! I know that this is Leon! We were always together!"

"I can't believe it." Shilou remarked. "Who is this Leon?"

"Mei Li, can you tell us?" Ya Xue requested.

"Leon was a cooking master boy we were so proud of." Mei Li related. "He was just as good as Mao. One week after starting his culinary training, he was able to do the ornament cut. After a month, he mastered half of my father's dishes. Even Master Lou declared him to be a future master Chef. Leon was very kind, sometimes to a fault. Sometimes he cried as he cooked. We used to worry that he was too compassionate to be a chef. He told us he wanted to go out and train. And so, Master Lou and Father allowed him to go leave for his journey. It's been four years since then, without any contact from him. I didn't think he would return. I didn't think I would see him again. The Leon I know would not join the Cooking Underworld! There must be some kind of mistake! Right, Leon?"

"Don't touch me!" Leon pushed Mei Li off before she could touch his knife sheaths. "A chef's tools carry within them his very soul and essence. I asked where Lou and Chouyu are."

"They're both away." Ya Xue replied.

"Then I will wait here." Leon entered the kitchen and rested his legs on the table. "I have something to discuss with Lou."

He can't be the special guest Master Lou was talking about, can he? Mao wondered.

"What took you?" Leon inquired when the cooks parted to let Master Lou through.

"You're back, Leon." Master Lou noted. "I asked them to prepare the special buffalo dish for you. Your eyes look keen. How have you been these past four years?"

"I don't need a greeting either." Leon cut the aged chef off. "You do remember the promise, Master Lou?" he stood up. "Just as I promised, I have returned after my training journey, Master Lou. So why don't you give me the legendary cookware now? I hope you didn't forget what you have promised. I should have the legendary cookware. Otherwise, everything would be meaningless. I have already fulfilled your condition. So why don't you give me the cookware now, Master?"

"Now wait just a minute!" Shell objected. "Master Lou. This man stole my stick, and is a member of the Cooking Underworld! The tattoo on his hand proves that he's from the Underworld. We will have trouble if we give the Legendary cookware to people like that! Isn't that right, Master?"

"Let him have it." Chouyu cut in, bringing in a chuck of buffalo meat. "Were you the one who cut the buffalo, Leon? You've prepared it well, spilling not a single drop of blood. This is proof that he's done a great deal of training. The technique he used proved that he is worthy to receive the Legendary cookware."

"That's right, Chouyu." Leon smirked. "You understand."

"However!" Chouyu voiced. "As everyone mentioned, passing the cookware to the wrong man will definitely destroy China's cooking world! Wait." he closed off all protestations. "First, he must prove his skill at the Sacred Knife Skills contest. This will be held at Da Xian Temple, where the Legendary cookware is stored. It's been 100 years since the cookware was sealed off. It has no current owner, and is kept in the "Closed Room" of the temple. The cookware has been used by many great chefs in China. It attracted and controlled many people as a tool that gives them power. The person with the right to wield it must be an excellent chef. A great chef in technique as well as mentality. Why don't you show us the result of what you've learned in four years? Show us if you're worthy of the Legendary cookware, Leon."

"What a moronic tradition." Leon snorted.

"No." Master Lou corrected. "This was what I said. You would become a great chef after the journey, good enough to receive the legendary cookware. I'd like to see the real talent you have. I hear stories about a set of seven knives, used by Leon the 'Seven Star Knives'. His true technique."

"Very well then." Leon relented. "It might be a little exciting. Then... who's going to fight with me? You, Chouyu?"

"No." Chouyu replied and turned to Mao. "Mao, you will compete with him."

"Whatever." Leon snorted. "You think it's a big deal that you defeated a guy like Lien? He lived his life in the past. I am someone who threw away my past."

"Mao, show him your true power!" Chouyu instructed.

"I understand, Chouyu-san." Mao nodded.

"Master Lou, please forgive me for my selfishness." Chouyu knelt before Master Lou.

"All right then." Master Lou relented. "I shall speak with the Elders of the Cantonese Cooking Alliance. Listen well, Leon. Mao." he informed the pair. "The two of you will battle tomorrow. The competition will be conducted at Da Xian Temple."

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