Chapter 23: The Syndicate’s Counterattack

The scent of the Monarch's Feast still lingered in the guild hall, its effects empowering every member. Spirits were high, but Zhang Ye knew that the Syndicate wouldn't remain silent for long. Their enemy had suffered a humiliating defeat, and retaliation was inevitable.

As dawn broke, scouts rushed into the hall with grim expressions.

"They're moving," Linna said, her voice sharp. "The Syndicate's forces are regrouping at the western edge of the district. They're rallying every remaining fighter they have."

Kai clenched his fists. "That means they're going all in. They won't stop until we're wiped out."

Zhang Ye remained calm. He had expected this. The Syndicate had been backed into a corner, and a desperate enemy was the most dangerous.

"How many are we facing?" he asked.

The scout hesitated. "Over five hundred. And… they brought mercenaries. High-ranking ones."

A murmur spread through the guild members. The Syndicate wasn't just using their usual thugs—they had hired elite fighters. This battle would be unlike any they had faced before.

Elira narrowed her eyes. "Do we have a plan?"

Zhang Ye nodded. "We don't fight them head-on. That's what they want. Instead, we'll draw them into a battlefield of our choosing."

Linna's eyes gleamed. "You have something in mind?"

Zhang Ye smirked. "Of course. And it starts in the kitchen."

---

Inside the guild's kitchen, Zhang Ye activated his system, searching for a dish that would give them an edge. He needed something that could turn the tide of battle.

[New Recipe Unlocked: Phantom Mist Stew.]

[Phantom Mist Stew: A dish that enhances agility and grants temporary illusionary effects, making the consumer's movements harder to track in battle. Lasts for one hour.]

Zhang Ye's mind raced. This was perfect. If his fighters could become harder to hit, they could turn the battle into a war of attrition. The Syndicate's numbers would count for nothing if they couldn't land a solid blow.

He worked swiftly, preparing batch after batch of the Phantom Mist Stew. The kitchen filled with the rich scent of herbs and broth, but underneath it all was a faint, almost ethereal mist—the sign of the stew's unique properties.

By the time he finished, guild members had already gathered, ready for the fight ahead. Zhang Ye handed out the bowls, his expression serious.

"This stew will give you the advantage," he said. "You'll move faster, and your enemies won't be able to track your movements easily. Use it wisely."

The guild members ate without hesitation, determination burning in their eyes.

And then, the battle began.

---

The Syndicate's forces stormed into the district, their sheer numbers overwhelming. Their mercenaries, clad in dark armor, led the charge, cutting down anything in their path.

But the guild was ready.

Zhang Ye's fighters struck from the shadows, their movements enhanced by the Phantom Mist Stew. To the Syndicate's forces, they seemed to vanish and reappear like ghosts, attacking from unexpected angles before slipping away again.

The battlefield became chaos. The Syndicate's men swung their weapons wildly, unable to land decisive hits. Meanwhile, the guild's fighters systematically took down their opponents, using precision over brute force.

Kai cut through the ranks with speed he had never experienced before. "This stew… it's insane!" he laughed, dodging an incoming attack and countering in a single fluid motion.

Linna fought with deadly efficiency, her daggers striking before her enemies even realized she was there. "Zhang Ye, I swear, your food is the best weapon we have."

Even Elira, who preferred ranged combat, found herself moving with unnatural grace, her arrows striking their targets with pinpoint accuracy.

Zhang Ye himself fought on the front lines, his cooking knives glowing with spiritual energy. With every precise cut, he took down enemy combatants, proving that a chef could be just as deadly as any warrior.

The Syndicate's forces, despite their numbers, were falling apart. Their mercenaries, confused and frustrated, tried to regroup, but by then, it was too late.

The guild pushed forward, driving the enemy out of the district.

By the time the sun set, the battle was over. The Syndicate's forces had been routed.

Zhang Ye stood at the highest point of the district, watching as the remnants of their enemies fled into the distance.

Kai wiped sweat from his forehead. "We won."

Linna exhaled. "More than that. We crushed them."

Elira crossed her arms. "The Syndicate won't recover from this. Not here. This district belongs to us now."

Zhang Ye looked at the city below. This was only the beginning.

His food had turned the tide of battle, but he knew there were greater threats beyond the Syndicate.

And he would be ready.