While working tirelessly without a single pause, the chef continued to introduce the dish with seamless ease.
"These lamb chops are from free-range sheep raised on the grasslands of the Valley of the Four Winds; the meat is tender, and the fat content is perfectly balanced. First, you must cut the lamb chops into sections and soak them in clean water to remove any residual blood. Then, add salt, cooking wine, light soy sauce, cumin powder, chili powder, and minced garlic.
Massage the mixture thoroughly and let it marinate for an hour, allowing the seasonings to fully penetrate the meat. Next, skewer the lamb chops on bamboo sticks and roast them slowly over a charcoal fire. You must turn them constantly during this period, brushing on a little cooking oil and sauce, until the surface becomes golden and crispy, and the inside is thoroughly cooked and flavorful."
Alexstrasza picked up a skewer of lamb chops and took a gentle bite. The skin was crispy, while the meat inside was exceptionally tender and juicy. The aroma of cumin and chili blended perfectly with the fresh savoriness of the mutton, yielding a rich, deeply charred flavor with a long-lasting aftertaste.
"Delicious!" she said with a smile. "The fresh flavor of the mutton is thoroughly unlocked by the charcoal fire. Paired with the seasonings, it gets tastier with every bite."
This declaration of "delicious" wasn't merely because of the taste itself. It also carried a faint trace of her memories from Grim Batol. Back then, when Arthas had transformed into a red dragon and was locked up with her, he had brought her roasted mutton paired with fresh, savory fish soup, which had thoroughly spoiled her palate.
Onyxia also picked up a skewer, eating with immense relish.
"Crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, with a rich texture. This kind of comforting hearthstone flavor is truly hard to come by."
As long as a dish suited her appetite, it was deemed delicious, exceptionally delicious, in her book. It wasn't that she hadn't eaten exquisite food before, but compared to the Pandaren's craftsmanship, those dishes truly paled in comparison. Ever since Chen and Li Li had joined Lordaeron as chefs, she had grown completely unaccustomed to food prepared by anyone else.
Recalling her days in the Dustwallow Marsh, what on earth had she been eating back then? Calling it living like a savage by tearing at raw meat and drinking blood wouldn't even be an exaggeration. It was honestly far too pitiful.
Sylvanas took a bite, and her eyes lit up as well. Due to her pregnancy, she was still somewhat unaccustomed to things. Internally, she felt a mix of anxiety and anticipation—she was going to be a mother, but was she truly prepared for it?
"Charred and savory without being greasy, and the meat is exceptionally tender. The flavor is indeed excellent."
The group sat clustered around the charcoal fire, sampling the delicious skewers while basking in the warmth of the embers, the overarching atmosphere growing increasingly lively. This was what a real vacation was supposed to be. When traveling, besides admiring the scenery, the most important thing was to eat and drink well, sampling delicacies one had never seen or tasted before. Only then could it be considered a true vacation.
Having sampled all kinds of dishes, the group took a brief rest before arriving at the stall of Su Blossoming-Rice. Master Su was a gentle Pandaren female, and her stall was packed with various staple foods, including rice, steamed buns, stuffed buns, and rice cakes. The rich aroma instantly brought a sense of warmth to anyone who looked upon it.
"Honored guests, having sampled your way here, you must be quite full. Come try my Blossoming-Rice Glutinous Rice Cake—it is soft, chewy, and sweet, perfectly cutting through any greasiness while satisfying your hunger."
Master Su said with a smile as she brought out a plate of sliced rice cakes. The glutinous rice cake was pristine white, its surface dusted with a layer of crushed osmanthus flowers, exuding a subtle fragrance of glutinous rice and osmanthus.
She provided a detailed breakdown: "The primary component of this rice cake is the specialty glutinous rice from the Valley of the Four Winds. This specific rice possesses plump grains and a soft, chewy texture. First, the glutinous rice must be soaked in clean water for four hours, then washed thoroughly and placed in a steamer to cook over high heat for half an hour.
Once steamed, pour it into a bowl, add a measured amount of white sugar and a little warm water, and crush it with a spoon into a smooth glutinous rice paste. Next, pour the paste into a mold lined with cheesecloth, press it down firmly to smooth it out, and place it back into the steamer to cook for another ten minutes. Remove it to cool and set, cut it into small pieces, and finally dust it with crushed osmanthus flowers."
Jaina picked up a piece of rice cake and took a gentle bite. The texture was soft, chewy, and sweet. The rich depth of the glutinous rice and the crisp fragrance of the osmanthus intermingled beautifully—sweet without being cloying, leaving a long-lasting aftertaste.
"This is absolutely spectacular!" she said with a smile. "Soft, chewy, and sweet. It feels very comforting to eat, and it effectively cuts through the richness of the other foods."
The culinary style of the Pandaren was very similar to that of the ancient Easterners; these delicacies were entirely unseen on the continent of Lordaeron. This truly brought her immense pleasant surprise. Not only was she happy in her heart, but within this antique tradition, she could also faintly discern a trace of alignment with magic.
Her long-stagnant magical domain showed signs of shifting. For a magus who had reached her level of Archmage, every single breakthrough would widen the gap between tiers significantly. It relied entirely on comprehension, relying on this sort of fleeting inspiration and opportunity.
Tyrande took a bite out of curiosity. This kind of delicacy embedded with a natural essence was her absolute favorite. She would eat meat, but she would never subsist primarily on a carnivorous diet. The Night Elves would also hunt animals for food; they weren't strictly vegetarian, as that would be a flawed perspective. She nodded and said:
"The texture of the glutinous rice is delicate, and the fragrance of the osmanthus is refreshing. Straightforward ingredients, yet they yield an extraordinary flavor."
Queen Azshara also picked up a piece, sampling it slowly, her tone softening: "Sweet, soft, and chewy, with a gentle texture. It is indeed a fine pastry."
This praise was somewhat rare. After all, unlike Tyrande, she had once reigned as the Queen of the Kaldorei Empire. What manner of rare treasures had she not seen? Later, during her ten-thousand-year reign as the Naga Queen in the deep sea, she similarly had fanatical Naga worshippers plunging into the abyssal depths to gather exotic curiosities to present to her.
Among all his consorts, the Red Dragon Queen Alexstrasza, the Green Dragon Queen Ysera, and the Elven Queen Azshara were undoubtedly the most discerning and proud. The former two Dragon Queens were slightly better; despite their sublime status, they weren't overly overbearing.
Azshara was different. Before becoming his consort, she was nothing short of aloof and aggressive. Whatever she desired, she would definitively secure, regardless of whether the other party was willing or not, as if the entire world was meant to revolve around her.
For the Pandaren's cuisine to earn a word of appraisal from her, besides possessing genuine, premium quality, it was largely because the current Queen had begun to evolve toward a more approachable demeanor.
Otherwise, no matter how delicious it was prepared, it would only receive a standard "passable" remark from her, and expecting anything more would be utterly impossible.
The group chatted while sampling the glutinous rice cakes, their faces radiating warm, contented smiles.
Finally, the group arrived before the stall of the last culinary master, Wu Hardshell.
Master Wu possessed a stocky build, a simple, honest smile gracing his features. His stall featured a massive clay pot, within which a thick soup was bubbling away merrily, a rich, concentrated savoriness dispersing to make everyone salivate. His soups were highly diverse, including chicken soup, fish soup, and pork rib soup—each possessing a potent aroma.
"Honored guests, come sample my Hardshell Mushroom Chicken Soup. This soup has simmered for a full three hours; it is rich, savory, and deeply nourishing for the mind and body."
Master Wu said with a grin as he presented a bowl of soup to the group. The broth possessed a milky-white hue, a tiny amount of oil film floating gracefully on the surface, containing chicken meat, various wild mushrooms, and green vegetables, its fragrance bursting forth.
"It looks quite delicious. Is there a specific story behind the ingredients of this soup?"
Arthas sniffed his nose. Truth be told, these Pandaren truly knew how to cook. The exact same ingredient could be stewed, roasted, or fried, and it would be delicious any way it was prepared—the crucial point was that they were all spectacularly flavorful.
Drinking soup was something everyone enjoyed. A bowl of soup before a meal opened up the appetite and refreshed the spirit, while a bowl of soup after a meal soothed the digestion and cleansed the palate.
Master Wu introduced the dish with pride while ladling the soup.
"The primary component of this dish is free-range old hen sourced from the Valley of the Four Winds; the meat is firm and highly nutritious. The secondary components are wild mushrooms harvested from the ridges behind the Halfhill Market, including shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, and fresh green vegetables. First, the old hen must be cleaned thoroughly and cut into large chunks, then soaked in clean water to extract any blood. Next, place it into a pot of cold water alongside ginger slices and cooking wine, bring it to a rapid boil to skim off the foam, and transfer the chicken out to drain.
Following that, place the chicken into a clay pot, add an abundant volume of clean water, bring it to a boil over high heat, and then drop it down to a low simmer for two hours. Then, add the cleaned mushrooms and continue to simmer for another hour. Finally, add the green vegetables and salt to season, simmer for another ten minutes, and it is complete."
"The process is quite complex, isn't it? It must take an immense amount of effort. It seems I will have to find some kitchen assistants in the future, otherwise doing this entirely by myself will be utterly exhausting."
Li Li muttered to herself. She enjoyed cooking, but she despised these tedious prep and cleanup tasks; repeating them just a few times was enough to make her head spin instantly. It was far better to focus strictly on the actual cooking, which would also leave her with time to watch movies and read magazines.
Arthas served a bowl of soup to Jaina first. Jaina took a gentle sip; the broth was rich and savory, the fresh flavor of the chicken and the crisp fragrance of the mushrooms blending perfectly—yielding a smooth texture that deeply nourished the mind and body.
"The freshness is absolute!" She closed her eyes, savoring the lingering aftertaste. "This soup is thoroughly infused with flavor; every single sip is bursting with savoriness."
Alexstrasza took a sip of the broth and remarked with a smile, "Rich, savory, and highly nutritious. This caliber of fine soup is truly rare."
Ysera took a light sip, her eyes brimming with a gentle smile, "The crisp fragrance of the mushrooms makes the flavor profile of the soup even richer; it feels very comfortable to drink."
Sylvanas also nodded in agreement, "The broth is concentrated, and the meat is exceptionally tender. The flavor is indeed excellent."
This was what a true family feast was supposed to look like—it was as if everyone had instantly transformed into a culinary critic. Perhaps organizing a cooking competition in the future wouldn't be a bad idea either. One always needed to find activities to occupy themselves; delicious food could warm people's hearts and bring hope to life.
Only when one was well-fed and satisfied would they possess the strength to work. As long as people could fill their bellies, there was always hope in life.
Princess Tess and the others accompanied them silently. They deeply desired to strike up a conversation with Arthas, but now was hardly the time. Being permitted to accompany them was entirely a courtesy extended by Jaina; furthermore, with so many consorts present, stepping forward now would be showing far too little respect to his primary partners.
Certain matters could be executed in secret, but they could never be done openly. It wasn't that it was physically impossible, but rather that it was socially impermissible.
Having sampled all the creations of the six grand culinary masters, the group sat gathered within the courtyard of the Halfhill Market, bathing in the warm spring sunshine, their faces radiating satisfied smiles. Although very little food remained upon the table, the fragrance of the delicacies still lingered in the air, and joyous laughter echoed throughout the courtyard.
Jaina leaned against Arthas's side, whispering softly, "Today has been truly wonderful. Not only did I get to sample so many delicious foods, but I was also able to gather here with you and all the sisters. This kind of warm, comforting time is truly unforgettable."
Arthas gripped her hand firmly, his eyes brimming with absolute tenderness, "As long as it makes you happy, we will come here frequently in the future."
The bond between them was highly unique—they were childhood sweethearts who had subsequently parted ways. Yet upon crossing paths once more, their affection had not diminished in the slightest; instead, it had grown even more profound.
Queen Azshara looked upon the group before her, a note of poignancy lacing her tone, "Having resided within the confines of royal palaces since my youth, I have never experienced a feast with this caliber of comforting hearthstone atmosphere. Gathering with everyone today has truly allowed me to experience a different kind of warmth."
Tyrande nodded and said, "The bounty of nature, the comfort of fine delicacies, paired with the companionship of cherished friends—this is truly the most beautiful time imaginable."
Alexstrasza remarked with a smile, "The cuisine of the Valley of the Four Winds fully deserves its legendary reputation. What is even rarer is this harmonious family atmosphere, which infuses the mind and body with absolute pleasure."
Ysera said softly, "May this warmth endure forever, and may our bonds never dissolve." Onyxia and Sylvanas also nodded in succession, rare, relaxed smiles gracing their features.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the golden residual glow washed over the courtyard of the Halfhill Market, drawing the group's shadows out exceptionally long.
Everyone reluctantly bid farewell to the six grand culinary masters and embarked on their return journey. The fragrance of the food still lingered in the wind, and their hearts were filled with absolute warmth and joy. This culinary journey within the Halfhill Market of the Valley of the Four Winds, this harmonious family time spent in the company of cherished friends, would remain forever embedded within everyone's memories.
The following day.
Arthas was still yawning when, upon waking, he noticed the Pandaren maiden Li Li was also yawning by his side. He was completely stunned. Wait, this isn't right... why is Li Li in his room?
Helya entered carrying a washbasin. She submerged a towel into the hot water, retrieved the soaked cloth with her delicate hands to wring it dry, and began to wipe her master's face. She had once been a supreme Goddess of Death, but now that her great vengeance had been exacted, she felt somewhat empty and lonely, as if life had lost its functional meaning.
Yesterday, she had accompanied them to sample the delicacies at the Halfhill Market. Although she had remained entirely like a transparent entity throughout, that warm sense of family allowed her to realize—for the very first time—that there were still people and matters in this world worth caring about. Consequently, she had become increasingly adept at her duties as a handmaiden, gradually growing to enjoy the work.
Previously, she had been forced into the role of a handmaiden under the pressure of circumstances—the reality of power dynamics dictated it, as Arthas's strength far eclipsed her own, and his fists were larger. Since she couldn't defeat him, she could only temporarily submit.
Now that her internal psychological block had been unraveled, the smiles on her face had multiplied notably. Furthermore, with the alterations to her appearance and having newly secured so-called friends, she was entirely prevented from veering toward absolute extremes.
In truth, she currently desired a child of her own as well; it looked quite amusing. Before becoming a handmaiden, she possessed only a solitary friend—Grand Magistrix Elisande of Suramar. Currently, Elisande was pregnant and naturally favored absolute tranquility; during this excursion, she had simply followed along to eat silently, never uttering a single word.
Perhaps she felt constrained in the presence of Queen Azshara, having once been a subject of the Kaldorei Empire. Now, she had actually had the audacity to conceive the child of the Queen's consort; escaping without explicit punishment was already a massive leniency.
"Ugh, Your Majesty, you were far too rough last night. Whew... I am going to change my clothes and take a bath while I'm at it; this sticky feeling is truly uncomfortable."
Li Li lodged a blunt, careless complaint before making her way to the bathroom entirely on her own accord. From start to finish, she never explicitly detailed what had transpired, nor did she utter a single word demanding that he take responsibility.
Arthas was completely bewildered. Last night, he had merely been drinking with Princess Tess and the others while sampling some barbecue. The end result was simply that he had consumed far too much and ended up thoroughly intoxicated.
Once he dropped his passive defenses, it was indeed possible for him to get drunk, but it shouldn't have resulted in a total absence of memories. He turned his gaze toward his handmaiden, Helya.
"What exactly did I do last night?"
"Master was executing the exact same activities as always; it was merely the target that was different."
"Uh, alright... then Tess, Taelia, and Lorna weren't subjected to any unfortunate mishaps, correct?"
"No. Only Li Li endured it; the others were called away early by Lady Jaina to have a midnight snack."
Helya's response remained thoroughly precise, remarkably concise.