SailorStar9: Well, I've uploaded Chapter 32, and here's Chapter 33. 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 33: Another Seven Star Sword! Mysterious Woman Shan!

"Well then, those who choose Lakon, the King of Dim Sum, please raise the white spoon!" Shan smirked. "Those who choose the King of Dim Sum, Lakon, raise the white spoon!" she repeated when none of the judges raised their spoons.

"Master Zhang, what does this mean?" Sanche demanded. "Why haven't you chosen anyone's dish?"

"Sanche, do you remember when you were a child?" Master Zhang reminded. "I told you the parable about the shield and the spear. Once upon a time, in the country of Chu, a weapons merchant was selling a spear that could pierce anything, and at the exact same time, a shield that nothing can penetrate."

"I see!" Mao realized. "In similar terms, Shell's Golden Laughing Bun pierces through tradition with his unique ideas, he made the deep-fried buns laugh. They represent the all-piercing spear."

"Consequently, Lakon's Eight Seafood Treasures of the Four Gods Bun contains 1,600 years of wisdom and technique, blocking all new kinds of dim sum." Leon added. "They represent the impenetrable shield."

"So, what happens if your spear is used to pierce your shield?" Master Zhang pointed out. "The parable ends there, with the merchant unable to answer the question. We feel exactly the same as the weapons merchant. In short, a contradiction."

"But it's true that both the all-piercing spear and the impenetrable shield were equally good." Master Hu admitted.

"Therefore, a contradiction will be this battle's verdict." Master He added.

"We declare the battle to be a draw!" Master Zhang announced.

"Shell, I've made up my mind!" Lakon tossed Shell his stick, "I'm embarking on a culinary journey all over China! I've been a frog stuck in a well for the last century. Knowing that new talent like you are flourishing throughout the continent, how can I sit here like this any longer? We'll fight again in ten years, Shell! Until then, hold on to that stick for me! As you've heard." he gave Shan a side look. "The Underworld has been kind to me, but I'll be leaving you for now. Don't forget me, kid. Rematch in ten years!" he declared, having fled the arena.

"Seven-Star Knives Leon, step forward!" Shan barked. "We also call you Leon the Betrayer. I've always thought we'd fight each other someday. Or will you run away again? Just like when you ran from the Underworld?"

"I will neither run nor hide!" Leon declared. "Mao, I've told you before." he looked at the younger chef. "I made an unforgivable mistake once, and took the wrong path as a chef. I left so I can destroy the Underworld Cooking Society with my own hands. I don't regret my betrayal. I won't hesitate to fight the Underworld."

We have prepared a suitable venue for your battle." Shan pulled a lever, shifting the arena to a lower level.

"Welcome, everybody, to the second battlefield!" Marin declared. "I'm Marin. I'll be the commentator and your host for this challenge! Now, let me reveal to you the secret ingredient! Open the bottom tank!"

"We will use your favorite ingredient, seafood." Shan stated, when the gap in the floor opened up. "You were too naive to inherit the spirit of your future rulers. You can't hope for a victory."

"My overconfidence made me commit a grave mistake once before." Leon admitted. "I swore to myself never to make that same mistake again." removing the cleaver from his back, he split the water into half and forcing the squid to emerge. "This is my... determination!" he sliced the giant squid with the cleaver and sent to onto the judges' table. "Seven-Star Army Break Raw Squid Slices!" he sheathed his knife, the sliced squid breaking up domino-style. "I don't want anything else from this world, other than to clear everything on behalf of the Seven-Star Knives!"

"Precisely why I said you were too naive." Shan mocked. "You haven't overcome that incident yet, have you? Weak as you are, you can't stomach what you're about to see now." she undid her cloak to reveal she had a similar 'Seven-Star Knives' set. "I am Shan, the 'Ten Feet of Blue' of the Underworld."

"That's not true." Leon was shocked. "It's impossible!"

"It is true." Shan smirked. "This is the same bloody Seven-Star Knives as yours. Surprised? Don't be. These Seven-Star Knives know all the sins you've committed. Except, what I have are the genuine Seven-Star Knives. Watch this, if you don't believe me." she tossed in her chain dart and pulled out a sturgeon from the water. Tossing the fish onto the stone table, she secured it with the daggers. "Seven-Star Swift Breaking Force Incision!" she sliced open the fish's belly and poured the roe onto a plate. Sweeping her hand over the cut, she closed the wound shut. "This is my appetizer." she tossed the plate on the judges' table. "Though unsalted, the fresh roe will taste better than caviar. Oh, don't be surprised just yet." she tsked, freeing the sturgeon and releasing it back into the water.

"I've heard my father mention this." Ya Xue breathed. "The Return Cut. If a fine blade and a master are paired, whatever is cut can be immediately closed up. And only a true Seven-Star Knife can do that."

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