Chapter 257 Reasons
Elder Li nodded and said, "That's right. The result of the second duel is irrelevant. Participating in the second duel will only distract you and do more harm than good."

Xu Qing knew that what they both said was right, and it was all for his own good.

This is the most reasonable approach, the most correct choice based on rational thinking, and the wisest decision under the current circumstances.

But Xu Qing has never been a rational person.

Although he always appears calm and composed, as if everything is under control and any difficulties can be easily solved.

But in the final analysis, Xu Qing was just following his own will and doing what he wanted to do.

And in his mind there was no other option.

There is a saying that goes, "Money cannot buy my happiness," which probably refers to people like Xu Qing.

Xu Qing is well aware of his willful shortcomings, but unfortunately, he doesn't want to change.

Xu Qing said: "Elder Li, Master, I understand what you mean. I know that given my current situation, giving up the next duel is the most reasonable choice."

When Master Luo Tian heard him say this, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

He knew Xu Qing too well. When he heard him say that, he knew he would definitely not do it.

really……

Xu Qing then said: "But I still don't want to give up. I want to continue with the second match."

"why?"

Elder Li was confused and asked, "You know your body best. It's not like you will lose if you give up the second duel. Why do you insist on having a second duel in this situation? You must have a reason."

Xu Qing said softly: "Reason? I don't want to give up, that should be the reason."

"you……"

Elder Li was so angry that he was speechless. He turned to look at Luo Tian and said, "You go ahead and tell me."

Then he sat aside in a huff.

Master Luo Tian sighed secretly.

Let him speak, what can he say?
He doesn’t know Xu Qing yet?
Xu Qing has such a bad temper that once he makes up his mind, even ten oxen can't pull him back.

Is what he says useful?

Even so, Master Luo Tian still tried his best to persuade him: "Xu Qing, are you sure you can win the second duel?"

"No."

Xu Qing said simply.

He couldn't even lift a knife with his right hand. Compared with the combination of the top chef and the top knife maker in the dark cuisine world, it was like an egg hitting a stone.

"If you are not sure, why should we compete? We have the upper hand now, so the second match is dispensable. If you lose to the other side, you are only giving them an advantage and building up their confidence. It would be better to give up the second match and let them win, so that we can fully prepare for the third match."

Xu Qing nodded, "I understand. But Master, this duel is not just about winning or losing."

Master Luo Tian asked doubtfully, "What else does that matter?"

“It’s still about it.”

Xu Qing turned his head to look at the altar.

it?
Upon hearing this, Master Luo Tian and Elder Li also looked towards the altar.

The legendary kitchen utensil that was placed here during the previous duel - the Eternal Spirit Sword - has now been taken away by people from the dark culinary world, leaving the table empty.

Xu Qing said, "The focus of this knife showdown before the gods is this - the Eternal Spirit Knife. Master Luo Tian, ​​you once said that the legendary chefs have their own souls. They will see and feel in their own unique way, and then select the chefs they recognize."

"The chef cooks with his heart, and the Yongling Knife feels with his heart. Master Luo Tian, ​​do you think it would recognize a chef who gave up cooking?"

"This……"

Master Luo Tian hesitated. As the manager of this generation of Yongling Knives, he could best understand the unique spirituality of the legendary kitchen utensils.

No one knows what the criteria for selecting the successor to the Eternal Sword are, but it just so happens that whoever wins the swordplay duel before the gods in each generation will be recognized by the Eternal Sword.

Judging from the results, perhaps the winner is the selection condition.

Master Luo Tian has always believed this.

After hearing what Xu Qing said, he realized that he had not considered enough.

What if the Eternal Spirit Sword sees more than just the results?

If what they want to see is the chef's hard work, the fighting spirit and determination shown by the chef in the duel, then they can choose the successor based on this.

Then Xu Qing would have to have a second match.

Because if he gave up, perhaps the Eternal Spirit Sword would also give up on him.

Elder Li couldn't help but stand up and asked, "Luo Tian, ​​could this really happen?"

Master Luo Tian said: "I'm not sure. I know that the Eternal Spirit Sword does have spirituality, a spirituality that we cannot judge with common sense. I'm not sure how the Eternal Spirit Sword makes judgments. Maybe... maybe it's really like Xu Qing said, the Eternal Spirit Sword doesn't just judge based on the result, the process is equally important."

Xu Qing nodded silently.

The reason why he thought so was because such a thing had happened in the original plot, and the person who lost the duel also gained the recognition of the Eternal Spirit Sword.

This shows that the outcome of the duel is not the only decisive factor.

Therefore, Xu Qing wanted to continue the competition.

But there is another factor.

That is Xu Qing doesn't want to give up.

There was no other reason, he just didn't want to give up.

He doesn't want to give up any opportunity to cook and any cooking competition.

However, this groundless obsession could not convince others, so Xu Qing had to choose a second-rate reason.

This reason was very sufficient and immediately made Master Luo Tian and Elder Li change their minds.

They both realized at the same time that they had to fight in the second match even if they lost.

And you can't just fool around, you have to compare seriously.

Elder Li sighed and said, "Alas, can your body still support it?"

Xu Qing smiled and said, "Elder Li, my right hand is just a little overtired, and there is nothing wrong with other parts of my body. At worst, I can just not use this hand."

Elder Li asked in confusion, "How can you cook without using this hand? And this is a knife skills duel before the gods, you have to show your knife skills."

“I still have my left hand.”

Xu Qing said, "Although it is not as flexible as the right hand, it can still be used. However, the result of the duel may be..."

Elder Li said, "You don't have to worry about this. If you lose, you lose. The result of the second match is not important. Just relax and enjoy this match."

Master Luo Tian said, "What do you think about the ingredients for the second match, Xu Qing?"

Xu Qing said: "I hope I can choose squid."

Elder Li frowned and said, "Squid? But squid is complicated to prepare and requires high knife skills. It's hard to do it well with your left hand, which is not your strong point."

Xu Qing said: "I understand, but I have some experience in handling squids. Even if I use my left hand, which is not my strongest point, I am still confident."

Master Luo Tian knew that Xu Qing had handled squid in the previous duel with the dark cuisine world, so he said: "Okay, then the ingredients for the second duel will definitely be squid."

(End of this chapter)