Nathan went out with Scathach.
She didn’t dematerialize but wore casual clothes and walked alongside him.
Both of them were extremely attractive, perfectly matched as they walked together, like a couple, attracting many glances.
They were heading toward the place Nathan had agreed to meet Kirei… the Hongzhou Feast Hall: Taishan.
“Master, do you have any preferences?” Nathan said.
“I recall that restaurant is run by Chinese people, though the taste is certainly different from authentic cuisine.” “I’ve spent over two thousand years in the Land of Shadows, I’ve almost forgotten what eating feels like.” Scathach said.
“I’ll leave that decision to you.
As my disciple, choosing food that your teacher likes shouldn’t be too much to ask, right?” “Of course.” Nathan raised an eyebrow.
“You’re already acknowledging me as your disciple?” “Your judgment does exceed my expectations.
For this era, you should be considered an exceptional genius, right?” Scathach gazed at Nathan.
“And, with my [Wisdom of the Abyss], I still can’t fully see through the mist surrounding you.
That means you’re worth my teaching.” A predatory smile spread across her face: “During the Holy Grail War, I’ll let you off for now.
But once the war is over, I’m going to start training you.
Be prepared.
It’ll be a harsh training that will have you dying and coming back to life repeatedly.” “Bring it on.” Nathan smiled confidently.
“To defeat you, Master, I’m prepared.” Entering the Hongzhou Feast Hall, Kirei was already waiting there.
Kirei glanced at Scathach, his body instinctively tensing.
Then, his gaze fell on Nathan, a hint of eagerness in his eyes: “Do you know what’s wrong with me?” “Of course.” Nathan sat down and said to the waiter.
“Two servings of extra-spicy Mapo Tofu, and bring one of every specialty dish you have.” “Alright.” The waiter left.
Nathan said slowly: “Whatever you do, you can’t feel joy, only emptiness.
But the only time you feel something is when you eat the extra-spicy Mapo Tofu from this place, right?” Nathan’s words made Kirei nod: “May I ask, what is this…” “Wait a moment.
Have one of the Hassan of the Hundred Faces’ clones come out.” Kirei did so without hesitation.
A clone of the Hassan of the Hundred Faces appeared by their table, wearing a bone mask.
“Take off the mask and wait here.” At Kirei’s signal, the Hassan of the Hundred Faces obeyed Nathan’s command.
Soon, two plates of Mapo Tofu arrived.
This was Kirei’s must-order dish whenever he came, and the chef made it very skillfully.
Just then, Nathan took out a bottle.
This was a prop he had prepared before the Holy Grail War, based on Kirei’s personality.
It was a chili water made from Dragon’s Breath chili peppers.
Dragon’s Breath chili is the hottest chili in the world, with a Scoville rating of 2.48 million SHU.
In comparison, tabasco has a rating of only about 2,500 to 5,000.
Dragon’s Breath is almost one thousand times hotter!
Worse still, this stuff is simply inedible.
Any area it touches will develop blisters.
In extreme cases, it can cause anaphylactic shock, and severe burns can even lead to death from airway obstruction.
This is, literally, a chili that can kill you with its heat.
Nathan poured half of this chili water into the Mapo Tofu, and said to the Hassan of the Hundred Faces with a gentle smile: “Hassan, give it a try.
Finish it all.
This is your Master’s favorite food.” The Hassan of the Hundred Faces glanced at Kirei, who nodded.
So, the Hassan of the Hundred Faces picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful, and put it in his mouth.
Instantly, an intense spiciness choked his esophagus and trachea.
A burning sensation spread from the tip of his tongue all the way to his stomach.
The Hassan of the Hundred Faces even suspected he had swallowed a jar of sulfuric acid.
He opened his mouth, looking like he wanted to vomit but didn’t dare, his features contorted, his fists clenched tightly.
In that moment, he felt like he could breathe fire.
Snot and tears flowed uncontrollably.
His hand gripped the air, as if trying to grasp something, before finally falling limp.
Nathan’s demonic voice sounded in the Hassan of the Hundred Faces’ ear: “There’s still so much left.
Eat it while it’s hot.
It won’t be as good when it’s cold.” The Hassan of the Hundred Faces looked at Nathan in disbelief, then at Kirei.
Kirei nodded at him.
‘What kind of torture was this—’ The Hassan of the Hundred Faces wailed inwardly, but a Master’s command was absolute.
He took another spoonful of Mapo Tofu and put it in his mouth.
Watching the suffering Hassan of the Hundred Faces, Kirei’s heart began to stir.
It was an emotion he had never experienced before.
‘What was it?’ A continuous stream of emotions surged from the depths of his heart, filling the void within.
He was almost moved to tears.
His gaze fell on Nathan’s slightly curled lips.
A realization dawned on him, and his own lips slowly curved into the same smile.
He understood.
This was pleasure.
This was what he had been seeking.
… ‘Can that stuff really be eaten?’ The chef of the Hongzhou Feast Hall, who was also the owner of the restaurant, stared with twitching eyes at the plate of Mapo Tofu that Nathan had doused with half a bottle of chili water.
Since Kirei was a regular customer, and seeing him bring new friends, the chef wanted to hear their opinion of his dishes.
Who knew he’d see this?
He had originally thought his extra-spicy Mapo Tofu was already the hottest, but he never imagined there was something even more extreme.
‘But would anyone actually eat this stuff?’ Not knowing the chef’s thoughts, Nathan took out several more bottles, lined them up, and placed them before Kirei: “Here.
This is chili water made from Dragon’s Breath chili and Carolina Reaper chili.
They’re very suitable seasonings for you.” “I understand.” Kirei’s expression was solemn.
He finally understood what he truly wanted.
The path he should have been on wasn’t that of a priest, but a culinary master!
No, to be precise, a culinary master specializing in Mapo Tofu!
He put away the chili water Nathan had placed on the table, his expression solemn, his movements careful, as if they were priceless treasures.
Then, he walked up to the chef and bowed: “Please accept me as your disciple and teach me how to make Mapo Tofu!” Kirei understood one thing: he couldn’t force others to eat Mapo Tofu.
So if he wanted others to eat his extra-spicy Mapo Tofu, there was only one way.
Make it delicious!
That required learning professional culinary skills.
For Kirei, the chef of the Hongzhou Feast Hall was clearly a qualified teacher.
“Father Kotomine, why go through all this trouble?” The chef said.
“You’re a perfectly good priest.
Why become a cook?” Kirei’s eyes gleamed: “My father is getting on in years.
I want to personally cook a few dishes for him.” ‘What a filial son you are.’ The chef rolled his eyes.
If he hadn’t seen Kirei put away the chili water, he might have been a little moved, thinking Kirei was a good, filial child.
But now— ‘You’re not trying to cook for him…
you’re trying to send him off!’