Oh, I feel great!
Today, Yosen Shuka is closed.
All the employees have gone for some rest and relaxation, at our fishing tournament.
We all need a break once in a while.
Look Chouyu. Don't start fishing until I’m done talking.
So then. Can you all hear me back there?
Loud and clear, old man!
Shilou...
Listen, the one who catches the biggest fish wins a prize!
Oh, there's a prize?
What sort of prize?
Behold, a classy new soup ladle!
What a letdown.
How cheap.
I don't want it.
All right, I'll win it!
Why would Brother Mao want that?
Mao wants to be the best there is, be it cooking or fishing.
Then... here we go!
Whoa!
What are you doing, Brother Mao?
I'm sorry, I'm sorry!
Mao, you can't win by catching that small fry...
How mean...
The Outdoor Cuisine of Friendship
This spot is no good, let me try over there.
No, maybe this place.
Nah, it's this place after all.
Calm down, Mao.
Oh! Mr. Chouyu got one!
This is a big one!
It might weigh at least ten kilos!
Maybe it's a carp.
Mr. Chouyu might be an expert chef, but he's no fisherman.
I'm here to forget about work and focus on relaxing!
I don't care whether I catch any fish or not.
Is that so?
As the tale of Tai Gong Wang illustrates, behind every great man is a great angler.
The same can be said of chefs.
If you're not a good angler, then you're not a good chef.
Chouyu, you obviously need more training.
Master Luo!
You wish to challenge me, Chouyu?
I got one. I caught one again!
My creel is full. Can't fit any more fish in it.
That old man is so mean. Okay, I'll compete too!
Very well. I'll catch some fish, on my honor as a chef!
Everyone, let's do it!
Yeah!
Everyone's so competitive, they're like children.
Look over there, Brother Mao! It's a whopper!
Wow, you're right.
Here's your chance, Dad!
Go, go Chouyu! Go, go Chouyu!
Got you.
Wha?!
How'd that happen? I must be getting drunk again!
That's cheating.
That usual dance again...
Shilou, how far are you planning to go?
Let's go further up the river. I'm sure there's a big one there, brother Mao!
If we wander off too far, Dad will scold us.
It's okay. We'll shock them by catching something as big as a whale...
Shilou!
Mao!
It's time for lunch. Did anyone see Mao and the others?
They'll be here soon enough when they get good and hungry.
Be careful... Chouyu.
The Underworld Cooking Society will definitely come after you and that boy!
This is not good. We're completely lost.
We even lost the fishing rod. What should we do, Brother Mao?
These bamboo shoots are prickly!
Tigers and bears hide and stalk their prey in places like this.
Don't say things like that!
If wild animals eat us all, it's all your fault, Shilou!
What?
Shilou!
Eek!
Wild Bear! Brother Mao!
Shell...
Well, well. If it isn't you guys.
Why are you camping out here?
What a relief...
Hey Shell. Are you here to fish too?
Yeah. I want to save money on meals.
Shell, you're still in Canton?
Hey, hurry up!
The capital of Chinese cuisine is exciting. It's hard to leave.
I was thinking of visiting Yosen again.
Hey, don't leave me here. I can't cross this!
I'll come and get you!
Stop that talk!
Oh, it's beautiful!
These are rapeseed blossoms!
The seeds must have been blown here.
Smells good!
So then, let's begin.
Wow, you even use your steel stick for fishing?
When you get used to it, it's better than a fishing rod.
There are more stars here!
The black star must be when you fought Brother Mao, right?
That's right. But someday, I'll change it into a golden one for sure!
Be prepared, Mao!
Yes, I'll look forward to that day, Shell.
Good.
Haiyaa!
His fishing style is just as showy as his cooking style.
That goes without saying!
I am the Super Dessert Chef who has trained across the continent. They call me Lord Shell, the "Steel Stick"!
Oh, you have a bite.
Okay. C'mere!
He's so cool!
Oh, how cute.
Things like this do happen to the best of us.
Got one more.
I heard the news, Mao.
You dueled a chef from the Underworld Cooking Society.
Y- yes.
You won, of course?
Yeah.
I fear you will face more trials ahead.
Eh?
The Underworld Cooking Society is a scary group, spread across the continent.
I heard that what they do isn't normal.
Be careful, Mao.
I'm starving to death. Please do something, Big Sis!
I told you not to call me that.
This was your fault anyway.
If you didn't want to go upriver, we wouldn't have gotten lost!
Be that as it may, I'll still starve to death at this rate! I'm too young to...
I'm the one who gets to cry around here!
I was looking forward to eating a delicious lunch in a scenic place with clean air.
My stomach...
That's right!
Why don't we eat the fish Big Brother Shell caught?
No you don't!
Huh? Why not?
These are carp, that's why. You have to wait half a day to clear them of mud.
Otherwise, they're too muddy to eat.
Oh no. I can't possibly wait half a day. Fish, fish everywhere and not a bite to eat...
Can't you do something about it, Mao?
Not even Mao can do anything about that.
Yeah. I don't see a way out of waiting.
This is it!
Shell, do you have any flour?
Yeah, since I camp out often. I have some.
What is it, Mao?
Brother Mao.
Mei Li, gather as many rapeseed blossoms as you can.
Huh? Rapeseed blossoms?
Rapeseed blossoms... oh, I get it!
Shell, may I borrow your cooking knife?
Go ahead. This looks interesting, I'll lend you a hand.
Brother Mao, can I do something?
You are a beginner who can only cook soggy stir-fried vegetables.
Damn it. Don't belittle me. I did train to cook, too!
Now, let's start!
Shell!
Got it.
Shell!
Got it.
Oh, you startled me.
Oh Mei Li. Sorry about that.
What are you doing?
Mei Li, can you put those flowers in the wok?
What?
All of these?
Yes, all of them.
Here goes.
Using the strong scent of flowers to mask the smell of carp.
Right, Mao?
Absolutely.
Wait. This fire won't produce as much heat as an oven.
We'll get upset stomachs if we eat half-boiled carp.
Still, if we boil it for a long time, then we'll ruin the freshness of the fish.
Isn't that right?
Huh? Heated rocks?
This is my secret weapon!
Wow, it boiled instantly!
A collaboration between Shell and myself... the "Outdoor Wilderness Dumpling", is complete!
Here, try it Mei Li.
Thank you. It looks tasty.
I shall partake.
What delicious fish stock!
Soft meat that smoothly enters your mouth.
I can't believe that this was made from the carp!
We made dumplings of fish paste inside a flour skin.
And we used fish heads and bones for the soup stock.
Because the rocks instantly boiled the water, we kept the freshness of the fish.
The perfect combination of carp meat and the bitter taste of rapeseed blossoms.
This dumpling is full of wilderness goodness!
Really, it's amazing. You made a feast out of nothing!
Look around. Mother Nature is a giant food market.
With two chefs here, it's no wonder something that delicious was made!
I'm so happy to enjoy a freshly-made feast outdoors!
Yes, there's a special outdoorsy taste that can't be found in fancy restaurants.
Right, Mao?
Mei Li, has your mood improved?
Yep! And it's all thanks to Shilou.
Oh, so the young lady's mood improves when her stomach is full, is it?
Speaking of which, where did Shilou go off to?
Do you smell something burning?
Over there.
What's Shilou doing?
Shilou, what are you doing there?
I'm smoking the carp.
That's right. Smoked carp won't have the muddy smell too.
Good job, Shilou.
I'm a chef as well, after all.
But I need more smoke to do this properly.
Is there something I can burn? Oh!
It's an old rag.
Hey, that's...
Oh, it's burning well!
Hey, wait a minute!
Good, this will do the job.
I'm looking forward to this.
Burn! Burn! Burn! Burn!
WAIIIIIIIT!
What's the matter, Big Brother Shell?
This is the bag where I keep all my money!
All your money...
My travelling funds are nothing but ashes now...
Come one, come all! Those who aren't busy, please come right in!
I've got delicious siu mai. The best siu mai in the country!
It tastes totally different from ordinary siu mai!
He's got spunk. He opened a stall right in front of Yosen Shuka.
He's bold and full of vitality.
He's staying here till he makes enough money to travel again.
Stop slacking. Get to work!
I'll make you work to earn back the money you burned up!
Yes, ten shrimp siu mai, coming right up! It comes with three more free!
This sucks...
Checkmate!
Oh... wait! Please take that move back!
No taking back!
Please, just one more time?
Oh, Mao.
I'm home. Man, I'm bushed.
You sold lots of siu mai. You must be happy, Shilou.
It's nothing to be happy about. Ouch!
I work like a dog but don't get paid, Brother Mao.
Who can you blame? It was your fault.
You have a pretty face but a mean streak.
And what of Shell?
He went off for a drink.
Good! Let's go out too! It's my treat today.
Hooray! Mei Li, you're awesome.
My siu mai sold well.
At this rate, I can quickly regain the amount that burnt away.
Oh yeah, this is the place.
Hey, open up. Hey!
Hmm, looks like nobody's home. And I bought meat buns for those kids.
What a waste of time.
Who are you?
"Steel Stick" Shell...
Well, looks like I'm getting famous.
I'm looking for the chef who defeated Lien.
I have no business with you.
What did you say?
But I will have your steel stick cookware.
Interesting. Try it, if you dare!
Why you...
A chef's tool carries within it his very soul and essence. Without your steel stick, you are nothing.
Why you... this is...
As agreed, I shall take this with me.
That's the... W-wait!
It's good to go out for a meal once in a while.
You learn new things from it.
Ahh, I'm full.
But Shilou ordered expensive stuff, so now my wallet's empty.
Well, I've often helped you. Consider this as repayment.
When did you help me? Huh?
Huh? Someone's lying in front of the restaurant.
What?
Oh, it's Shell!
What happened, Big Brother Shell?
Shell, get a hold of yourself!
What?
Your steel stick was...
No doubt about it. He's from the Society.
The Underworld Cooking Society has spread its influence to Canton.
Mao.
Brother Mao.
You and Chouyu defeated one of the Society rascals.
So now they're targeting you.
This is very serious, Mao.
The Underworld Cooking Society!
The city center has a bustling din,
As I jump over the guard rails unseen.
Must hurry over to our meeting place,
And beat the dusk in a race.
In your twinkling eyes, I see so clearly,
The soothing warmth that you feel for me.
And with only that, my poor defenseless heart,
Is starting to melt and break apart.
This is a feeling that won't stop; it just keeps going straight.
And it's starting to speed up and accelerate.
I'm by your door, and knocking hard. Won't you let me in?
Let me show you my spirit filled with passion. Yeah!