Chapter 99: The Reckless Imperial Authority

Jiang Tian, Jiang Shan, and Zhang Lang furrowed their brows, surprised by the prince’s bluntness. He made no mention of buying the dish; he simply demanded it, and spoke with such a lofty air. Claiming it was by the emperor’s order, this statement effectively silenced everyone’s objections. No one dared resist the emperor’s wishes.

“You jest. If His Majesty likes it, then it shall be taken,” Chen Yun bowed his head and said, though beneath his calm exterior, a hidden fury simmered in his eyes.

Is this what imperial power means?

Just because the emperor wants something, can he arrogantly seize one’s possessions like this? This was a rare purple-grade dish valued at ten days’ worth of crystal coins, a divine recipe capable of producing a top-tier cultivator!

“Heh, I know Master Chef Chen has devoted great effort to this dish. I cannot take it without offering something in return. Please do not reject this token of appreciation.” The Fifth Prince pulled a gold coin from his pocket and placed it on the table.

This time, not only Chen Yun was angered, but everyone present was outraged.

Long Fei, what are you trying to do?!

Using a single gold coin to buy a dish that can create a supreme cultivator—is this really the emperor’s attitude towards Chen Yun?

“Brother, isn’t one gold coin too little? Father said this dish could…” Long Lan whispered beside him.

“Don’t speak,” Long Fei shot Long Lan a glare.

“Hahaha, Long Fei, you really love to joke. How could such a divine dish be measured by gold coins?” Jiang Tian’s expression darkened. “Since His Majesty favors this dish, I will buy it and gift it to the emperor. We cannot let Master Chef Chen’s hard work go to waste. I heard the auction’s starting price was ten days’ worth of crystal coins. Xiao Shan, fetch ten days’ crystal coins and give them to Master Chen.”

Chen Yun hurriedly stopped him. The Jiang family had always treated him well, never refusing his requests. How could he accept money from them? “General, there’s no need. It’s just a dish. Consider it a gift to His Majesty. Brother Zhang, please go to the bank and retrieve the dish to hand over to the prince.”

“Chen Yun, you…” Jiang Shan grew anxious, but Chen Yun shook his head, signaling him to keep silent. Helpless, Jiang Shan closed his mouth.

“Good! Truly a master chef’s magnanimity. I admire your spirit,” Long Fei smiled and stood, extending his hand. “The first matter is settled. Next, I wish to discuss another matter with Master Chen. On behalf of the Tianlong royal family, I formally invite Master Chen to join the imperial kitchen. I hope you will not refuse—it is also an order from my father.”

“Is this the emperor’s order? I’ve never heard of it,” Jiang Tian stood and looked at Long Fei. “I only recall His Majesty expressing great admiration for Master Chen, never mentioning recruiting him to the palace. Long Fei, what do you mean by this?”

“General, this was a last-minute instruction from my father before I left. Of course, you wouldn’t know. Master Chen, I give you half an hour to gather your things. I cannot stay long—I must return to report promptly.” Long Fei narrowed his eyes.

“Your Highness, is this really how the Tianlong imperial family recruits people?” Chen Yun could no longer hold back. He had endured the blatant demand for the dish, the paltry payment of one gold coin, but now his patience was gone. He was certain that if this was truly the emperor’s will, once he arrived at the capital, the royal family would detain him, turning him into a culinary slave solely for their kitchen.

He had never imagined the imperial family of this empire to be so overbearing and arrogant, offering no room for negotiation, only seizing and commanding.

It seemed he had made the right choice joining the Jiang family. No matter what, they treated him as a subordinate to be nurtured, while the imperial family sought slaves.

With this realization, Chen Yun refused to tolerate it further. The “Olive” was as precious as a football-sized treasure. If the Tianlong Empire could not accommodate him, he would develop his career elsewhere. If he left, the empire would suffer the loss, not him.

Just as Chen Yun raised his head to speak, Jiang Tian interrupted, “Long Fei, what do you mean? Master Chen is under my protection—that much His Majesty knows. He would never say such things.”

“General, Master Chen is the most promising chef to reach the Grandmaster level. With your family’s power, you cannot guarantee his safety. It’s better to entrust him to us in the imperial family. I hope you understand priorities, or else, if His Majesty holds you responsible...” Long Fei threatened.

“Holds me responsible? Hahaha!” Jiang Tian laughed loudly. “Good, what a joke. I suspected it—after so long of peace, the emperor is beginning to look down on us old ministers. Long Fei, I tell you, Master Chen is my man. Neither you nor your father can take him. Try whatever means you have—I, Jiang Tian, will withstand them all!”

Jiang Tian’s words silenced the room.

What is this about?

“Jiang Tian! How dare you say that? Don’t think just because you’re a Level 10 cultivator, the emperor won’t touch you. The Tianlong Empire has more than one Level 10 cultivator!” Long Fei slammed the table.

“General, have you reached the peak of Level 10 cultivator?” Chen Yun suddenly asked.

“Yes. Ever since I ate the stir-fried cucumber dish you made,” Jiang Tian paused, puzzled. “Why do you ask?”

“I want to know if one Heavenly cultivator can defeat two Level 10 cultivators,” Chen Yun lifted his head.

“Defeat? More than defeat. The gap between a Heavenly cultivator and a cultivator is like heaven and earth. Under a Heavenly cultivator, all others are mere ants. One Heavenly cultivator can annihilate countless cultivators in an instant,” Jiang Tian said with longing.

“I understand.” Chen Yun looked at Long Fei. “Your Highness, I respect you as a prince, so I will speak frankly. I will say this only once. The choice lies with you and your father.

“First, I cherish my freedom and detest being bound. I have no interest in your imperial kitchen. So recruiting me there is impossible, let alone ordering me.

“Second, I have recently made a breakthrough and created a dish that sacrifices my entire lifespan. This dish has a 100% chance of enabling a peak Level 10 cultivator to break through to the Heavenly cultivator realm. Now, tell me, if you push me too far, and I go down with you, making this dish for General Jiang Tian, who has helped me—what do you think will happen?”

Boom!

Exploding!

Everyone present’s hearts exploded!

A dish that could elevate cultivators to the Heavenly realm!

My heavens!

What a joke—does such a dish exist in this world?

“Master Chen… are you joking?” Not only Jiang Shan was stunned, even Jiang Tian was shaken. The Heavenly cultivator realm was a coveted pinnacle. On the Olive, there had never been a Heavenly cultivator; all had left this world for higher planes.

“I am serious. No joke.” Chen Yun said firmly. Jokes? He held a cultivator’s advancement manual in his hands—if he wished, he could turn any of them into a Heavenly cultivator in moments.