Chapter 20: The Taste of Resolve
The air in the guild was heavy with anticipation. Every member moved with purpose, their faces etched with determination. They had heard the Syndicate's plans and knew what was at stake. The eastern district wasn't just a piece of territory; it was the guild's home, the lifeline of countless innocents, and a symbol of their unity.
Zhang Ye stood in the strategy room, surrounded by maps and reports detailing the Syndicate's movements. His core team—Linna, Kai, and Elira—stood beside him, their expressions tense but focused.
"The Syndicate has fortified their positions in the eastern district," Linna reported, pointing to a map. "They've taken control of several key warehouses and are using them as supply hubs. If we can cut those off, we'll cripple their operations."
Kai leaned over the table, frowning. "That's easier said than done. They've got mercenaries guarding those locations, and some of them are high-tier combatants. We'll need more than brute force to take them down."
Zhang Ye's gaze was steady. "We won't rely on brute force. We'll rely on strategy—and food."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Food?"
Zhang Ye nodded. "The Syndicate is overconfident. They think they've already won. That arrogance will be their downfall. We'll use their own appetites against them."
Elira smirked. "Let me guess. You're planning to poison them?"
Zhang Ye shook his head. "Not poison. Something far more effective."
---
The guild's kitchens became a hive of activity as Zhang Ye and his team worked tirelessly to prepare the dishes that would turn the tide of the battle. Zhang Ye's system provided him with new recipes, each one designed to exploit the weaknesses of his enemies.
One of the most critical dishes was the Silent Ember Stew, a seemingly harmless dish that, when consumed, temporarily suppressed the spiritual energy of those who ate it. It was perfect for neutralizing the Syndicate's combatants without raising suspicion.
Another was the Fury's Feast, a dish that boosted the combat effectiveness of allies by sharpening their reflexes and increasing their endurance. Zhang Ye ensured there was enough of it to feed every guild member heading into battle.
As he worked, Zhang Ye's mind raced with calculations and contingencies. Every ingredient, every spice, had to be perfect. One mistake could mean the difference between victory and defeat.
---
When the day of the operation arrived, the guild moved swiftly and silently. Teams of guild members infiltrated the eastern district under the cover of darkness, positioning themselves near the Syndicate's strongholds.
Zhang Ye and his core team led the main assault. They carried crates of food disguised as offerings of tribute. The plan was simple: present the dishes as gifts to the Syndicate's mercenaries, claiming they were bribes to ensure the guild's survival. Once the mercenaries consumed the food, their spiritual energy would be suppressed, making them easy targets.
As Zhang Ye approached one of the warehouses, his heart pounded. He knew the risks of the plan. If the Syndicate saw through the ruse, they would attack immediately. But Zhang Ye trusted his instincts—and his cooking.
The mercenaries guarding the warehouse eyed the guild members suspiciously as they approached.
"What's this?" one of them demanded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"A peace offering," Zhang Ye replied smoothly, his voice calm and unthreatening. "We know the Syndicate values strength, and we want to show our respect."
The mercenary narrowed his eyes but eventually waved them through. "Fine. But if this is a trick, you won't live to regret it."
Zhang Ye smiled. "I assure you, it's no trick."
---
Inside the warehouse, the mercenaries gathered around the crates of food, their suspicion giving way to curiosity as they caught the aroma of Zhang Ye's cooking. The dishes were arranged beautifully, each one a masterpiece designed to entice even the most cautious of diners.
One by one, the mercenaries began to eat. At first, they were wary, taking small bites. But as the flavors exploded on their tongues, their wariness melted away, replaced by hunger and satisfaction.
Zhang Ye watched silently, his expression unreadable. His system chimed softly in his mind.
[Effect Activated: Silent Ember Stew. Enemy spiritual energy suppression: 35%.]
The suppression effect was gradual, ensuring the mercenaries wouldn't notice anything unusual until it was too late.
When the last of the mercenaries had eaten their fill, Zhang Ye gave a subtle signal to his team.
Kai grinned and cracked his knuckles. "Time to clean up."
---
The battle was swift and decisive. The mercenaries, their spiritual energy suppressed, were unable to fight at full strength. The guild members, bolstered by the effects of Fury's Feast, overwhelmed them with ease.
Zhang Ye moved through the chaos with precision, using his agility and cunning to disable key targets. His cooking knives, sharpened to a deadly edge, became weapons in his hands, slicing through the Syndicate's defenses with lethal efficiency.
By the time the sun began to rise, the warehouse was secure, and the remaining Syndicate members had fled.
---
As the guild regrouped, Zhang Ye stood at the center of the warehouse, surveying the aftermath. The operation had been a success, but he knew the war was far from over.
Linna approached him, her expression a mix of exhaustion and pride. "We did it," she said.
Zhang Ye nodded. "This was just the first step. The Syndicate won't take this loss lightly. We need to stay vigilant."
Kai walked up, a broad grin on his face. "Still, you have to admit, that was one hell of a strategy. I don't think I'll ever doubt your cooking again."
Zhang Ye allowed himself a small smile. "Good. Because this is only the beginning."
As the guild prepared to return to their base, Zhang Ye's system chimed once more.
[Quest Progress: Defend the Eastern District. Objective 1 Complete: Secure the first warehouse. Rewards: 300 XP, Recipe Unlocked: Crimson Tempest Soup.]
Zhang Ye's eyes gleamed with determination. The Syndicate had made a grave mistake by underestimating him. And he would make sure they paid the price.