After getting the third Legendary cookware, the Spiritual Deity Copperware,
we traveled north to look for other Legendary cookware.
But the farther we traveled, the harsher the wilderness became.
And now, we're running out of provisions.
I'm hungry, Brother Mao. We've only had water for three days now.
Since Big Brother Shell said he'd been across China, I thought we'd be fine with him leading us.
But look where he's led us.
Hey now. Legendary cookware aren't hidden in the cities.
You have to look for them out here.
But you didn't plan properly!
We should at least have bought more food.
Stop it! Instead of arguing, let's look for food now!
Uhm...
It hurts to laugh..
If we make it to the mountains, we might find something to eat.
Come on guys, let's go!
Yeah!
Labyrinth of Darkness! Soul-Connecting Serving of Porridge
Slow down, Brother Mao.
Mao's so energetic while I'm weak from hunger.
Me too.
Please help me.
It's all over. Now I'm hearing voices.
Huh? What's this?
It's food!
I-is anybody there?
Somebody's down there.
I-is someone there?
Please help me.
Good thing we're passing by. What happened, grandma?
While returning to town, I slipped and hurt myself.
There's a town around here? Do they have food?
Lots of it! There's vegetables and fruits.
And pork, chicken, eggs!
Grandma, I'll help you back to town!
I can't. I threw out my back.
Please get someone bigger.
But I can't just leave you here.
Please leave some water. I can survive on that until you return.
So you left the old lady behind? Is she okay?
Don't worry! Once we get her back to town, there's food and water aplenty.
But no matter how I look at it, there doesn't seem to be a town around here.
She told us the cave by the cliff is a shortcut to town.
Here it is!
This is rock salt. Are there really people living here?
This cave leads to the town entrance.
Let's go, Brother Mao.
Look out!
Brother Mao...
Brother Mao! Mei Li!
Are you in there, Brother Mao?!
Brother Mao... Mei Li...
Mei Li! Are you hurt?
Mei Li. Mei Li!
W-what happened?
Rocks fell from the cliff.
Brother Mao, Mei Li, answer me!
Brother Mao...
No good. It's sealed tight.
What? So we're trapped...
Shilou! Can you hear me, Shilou?!
Brother Mao.
It's no use, kid.
Hee hee hee hee hee hee!
Hey, grandma!
I never expected such a big catch. It was a trap meant for the others.
You're Shan!
Shilou, wasn't it? Give this message to Steel-Stick Shell and Seven-Star Knives Leon.
You must hand over your Legendary cookware to save Liu Mao Xing and the girl.
Are you joking?
We can't give the Legendary cookware to the Underworld!
Do you know what this cave is called?
The Labyrinth of Darkness.
It's a lightless maze. Once you enter, you'll never find your way out.
The only one that knows the way out is this mouse.
Give me the Legendary cookware, and this mouse is yours.
If you don't, those two will tire out and die looking futilely for the exit.
No way. Brother Mao won't go down that easily!
I don't know about that. Look around you.
There isn't even one drop of water here.
How long will they be able to last?
That's our canteen!
Think about it carefully.
What are we going to do?
Mao, where are you?
Mao. Mao!
Mei Li, I'm right here.
Hold on, I'll start a fire.
Good thing I had some cooking oil.
It's okay now, Mei Li.
Oh, what am I doing?
L-let's go further in.
There's gotta be an exit somewhere.
It's dark, so watch your step.
Thank you.
Don't let go, Mao.
O...okay.
Are you okay now?
Yeah, I'm fine.
The path branches out ahead. Where should we go?
I have no idea. Man, this is like a maze.
So, are we ever going to get out?
Mao, my throat is so dry.
Mine too.
What is it, Mao?
What?
I hear some water!
What? Where? Where's it coming from?
This way.
It's so narrow.
I'll have to put the torch out.
But I'm scared.
Don't worry. Just hold on tight.
It's water!
Mei Li, hurry!
Mao!
I'm fine.
What happened?
It's as salty as seawater.
It's full of dissolved rock salt.
To think we found water...
This sucks.
No!
He looks like a traveling merchant.
I guess he ran out of energy.
What's that? A pot?
H-hey Mao, are we going to end up like him?
No.
I don't... I don't want to die, Mao!
It's okay. Calm down, Mei Li.
Don't cry, Mei Li. You'll snuff out the torch.
We only have the mushrooms I picked up.
And a little bit of rice.
But I can't do anything without fresh water.
No good. I'm weakened by hunger.
You are strong, but you're no match for that boulder.
How can you be so calm?
Mao and Mei Li are trapped inside with no food or water.
Well?
Have you decided to surrender the Legendary cookware for the lives of those two?
Shan, you bitch!
We won't hand over the Legendary cookware to the Underworld, no matter what!
You're quite stubborn. But how long will it last, I wonder.
Leave us!
Call me when you change your mind.
N-no more.
Mei Li, come on.
Fight, Mei Li!
Mao.
Wake up, Mei Li!
I'm... sleepy...
You mustn't fall asleep! Don't give up, we'll be rescued!
Sleepy...
Mei Li.
Mei Li. You've always given me strength.
Ever since I came to Canton and endured the Yellow Soil Trial from Mr. Chouyu.
And during the Super Chef exam...
I was able to do my best because you were there with me.
But now, I can't do anything in this situation.
I've always said that a chef exists to make people happy.
And yet I can't save the one I need the most.
What's the point of being a chef?!
Why?
We should decide before dawn. They haven't had food or water in three days.
If this drags on longer, we'll be too late. We can't let them die.
We'll just have to hand over the Legendary cookware.
Brother Mao... Mei Li...
Mom...
Please give me strength. There must be a way to save Mei Li...
Mom...
Mom!
Mom.
Huh?
I-is that?
No doubt about it, this is it!
Just a while longer, Mei Li!
Mushrooms.
And rice.
It's my fault. It's all my fault that Brother Mao's...
Stop that, it's getting old.
But...
It's done. I did it.
Mei Li, open your mouth.
Mao, what's this?
It's porridge. Don't worry, the salt is gone.
What about your share?
I've eaten already. This is yours.
You're lying! You haven't eaten.
Well, just say ahh.
Just forget about me!
Don't worry.
I haven't been able to prepare anything for you up until now.
This is the first time I cooked something just for you.
M-Mao...
Come on...
M-Mao...
So, is it good?
The rest is yours.
Just eat!
We'll take turns then.
Mei Li... I never had the chance to tell you this, but...
Mei Li, I...
Mei Li.
What?
What is it, Mao?
There's a way out!
What?
We can escape through here, Mei Li!
What?
Over there, there's a hole on the roof. Let's climb!
I can't do it, Mao. Go without me.
How can I leave you behind?
Let's go. Hold on tight.
Go away!
Don't let go, Mei Li.
I won't go down like this!
There are many things I still need to do.
Well, we should decide now.
The Legendary cookware?
Or the lives of Mao and Mei Li?
Which is it?
Time out! Before that, I gotta pee!
Mei Li, we're almost outside!
I'm so nervous. How can we decide something like th—what the?!
Why are bats coming out of there?
Mei Li, you can't let go.
Mao, are you okay?
Can't hold on...
Well? Are you going to hand the Legendary cookware over?
Here they are. Catch!
These aren't the Legendary cookware! What is this?
It's a steam pot.
What?
Impossible!
That pot saved our lives.
I found it near a merchant who died inside the cave.
It was created in Yunnan province over fifty years ago.
This awesome pot makes pure water from seawater!
Pure water from seawater...
Put saltwater in a pan, and heat it up.
Put food in the steam pot, and place everything in the pan.
When the water boils, the steam comes out of the funnel.
When it hits the lid, it condenses and turns into pure water.
That's how we were able to survive without fresh water.
And the rising steam ultimately showed us the way out.
Shan! No matter what dirty tricks you use, the Heavens side with us.
Liu Mao Xing, I lose to you again.
Now I can no longer return to the Underworld.
Farewell.
Shan!
Shan.
Hey, Brother Mao.
What's with the hands?
Uh, well..
He told me to hold on because it was very dark!
Oh hey. I wonder what happened in the cave?
Oh, I see.
I guess only the bats will know.
Et tu, Leon?
Hey, there's a town here!
What is it, Leon?
There's someone important over there.
Hey, Admiral Lee!
You're right. But what's he doing here?
Admiral Lee. Isn't he the general managing officer of the Imperial Kitchen?
Yeah. He helped me in Szechuan and Canton.
Admiral Lee!
Eh?
Oh, Mao!
Admiral Lee!
Mao, I've been looking for you!
It's been a while, Admiral.
Master Luo told me you're looking for the Legendary cookware.
So I trailed you.
Oh? I see that Steel-Stick Shell and Seven-Star Knives Leon are with you.
Oh, and I'm Brother Mao's number one apprentice, Shilou!
Mao, you have to come with me immediately. I need your help.
Shell, Leon.
I ask for your help as well!
What?
The Underworld Cooking Society is making its move in Peking, where the Emperor is.
The Underworld Cooking Society...
Shan has failed me again.
It matters not. I didn't think she would succeed.
Rin chefs, now it is time for you to move.
The time has come for the realization of our ambition.
To take over the world through cooking!
FREE AS THE WIND
Every night when I fall fast asleep I can hear you whispering in my dreams, feel me.
Then a bluish flame burns bright within Shining, sparkling hotter than ordinary fire.
Look at all the rain gently falling down, Filling over the dry lake bed with freshwater streams.
If we both go down like this inside our hearts, Who knows what places we will find and explore?
Destiny ensured that we both meet at the same present.
Free to frolic like the wandering wind.
Ohhh, can we stay like this until the very end of time?
This intensity I feel for you, is from Cosmic Power...