"Is that so? My request is actually very simple, just four words: refined, mellow, and delicate," Ningguang said.
Beidou, hearing this, scoffed, "Heh, you call that simple?"
"If you stay with me at sea for ten days or half a month, I guarantee to cure you of all your pampered ailments."
"Then what does Beidou like to eat?" Xiangling asked.
"Me? Any hot dish will do. If you can add a little more chili, that would be even better!"
Beidou, having drifted at sea for a long time, wasn't too particular about food, but correspondingly, her taste was a bit heavier.
Chili and wine can provide excellent warmth, which is most suitable for places with strong winds and waves like the sea.
"Indeed, chili is a uniquely flavored condiment. Before, in Inazuma, I wanted to make boiled fish, but because there were no jueyun chilis, I could only braise it, which was a pity."
Shiki was quite fond of spicy dishes, especially when she could have a sip of soda while eating spicy food. The double impact of carbon dioxide and chili felt incredibly good.
"So, Miss Ryougi and Beidou like spicy dishes too? Then when we go back to Wanmin Restaurant, I'll personally make a dish of Boiled Black-backed Perch for Miss Ryougi!"
"It would be rude to refuse. It just so happens that I also want to experience the culinary skills of Liyue's future top chef."
"Oh, don't say that, the competition hasn't even started yet..."
Xiangling scratched her head a little awkwardly. Poor Xiangling, being played in the palm of Shiki's hand (laughs).
"As for me... it's still seafood, I prefer fresh flavors," Keqing said.
Keqing loves seafood; its delicious taste makes her unable to stop. However, she doesn't know that her taste is precisely what Rex Lapis dislikes the most.
Due to some events during the Archon War, Morax particularly dislikes seafood, especially those smooth, slimy surfaces, which can make him throw up his overnight meal.
However, river fish are fine. He would still eat dishes like Boiled Black-backed Perch.
"Hmm... hot dishes, seafood, and refined, mellow, and delicate."
Paimon said, "I feel like there's no connection between these three."
Xiangling: "No, Paimon, do you know the dish Golden Shrimp Balls?"
"The shrimp need to be deveined, then wrapped in extremely finely sliced potato strips and deep-fried. It's a dish that really tests one's skill! It perfectly meets all three requirements."
'Eh? Golden Shrimp Balls...'
A look of longing appeared in Keqing's eyes. This was her favorite dish!
Shiki, beside her, keenly noticed Keqing's gaze. She didn't expect that Yuheng of the Liyue Seven Stars' favorite dish was actually Golden Shrimp Balls.
Keqing composed herself, then said earnestly:
"Ahem, that's right. Although the process for Golden Shrimp Balls is simple, it requires extremely high skill from the chef, making it a rare and exquisite dish."
However, unbeknownst to her, Keqing's personal preference for the dish had been completely exposed to Xiangling.
"Oh~ I get it! So Keqing's favorite dish is Golden Shrimp Balls!"
"...I didn't say that, did I?"
Keqing scratched her head awkwardly. Although she denied it verbally, her expression completely betrayed her.
"Hahaha, it's good that you asked!"
Beidou let out a hearty laugh, timely coming to Keqing's rescue, unlike a certain Fox who only knows how to watch the fun all day long.
"Alright! The suggestions from all three of you have been collected. Thank you, I will seriously consider them!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Keqing asked, "Traveler, Paimon, do you have any other plans later?"
The two looked at each other, then shook their heads in unison.
"Currently, we don't have any plans."
"It's like this, I'd like to invite you to investigate this large rock together," Keqing said, pointing to the center of Yujing Terrace.
"Sure! Investigate, investigate as much as you want. If you get tired, just eat. No problem!"
...Why are you, Lumine, acting so Jerry-like?
Shiki narrowed her eyes. Are you Teyvat's Jerry?
"Yes, for the public, we Seven Stars also need to give an explanation to the fishermen. For my personal reasons, I also have something I want to verify. Therefore, I will invite the best helpers to personally investigate this matter," Keqing nodded.
"You should all know the general origin of the Moonchase Festival by now, but I personally have some other insights into this festival."
"My grandfather was a scholar who studied Liyue's traditional culture. He wrote in his notes that in ancient Liyue, there was a God of the Hearth, and people seemed to commemorate this deity on specific festivals."
"Records related to the God of the Hearth are scarce, and the text is very chaotic. Some schools of thought believe that the God of the Hearth is Rex Lapis, while others point out that the God of the Hearth is someone else..."
"There's even a folk legend that says ancient people once found the God of the Hearth's shrine, but there was no statue inside, only a smooth, large rock."
"The giant rock was lost during subsequent transportation and its whereabouts remain unknown to this day."
"And this rock happens to have the same characteristics; perhaps it's the one that was lost back then."
"My grandfather, after many years of studying ancient texts, proposed a hypothesis that the commemoration of the God of the Hearth could be called the 'God of the Hearth Festival.'"
"This festival might be the prototype of the Moonchase Festival."
"To prove this, we need to ascertain the true identity of the God of the Hearth. Now that the Emperor has passed away, we, as descendants, should value these cultural traditions."
"Therefore, this matter should rightfully be handled by me. It can both verify history and promote tradition, truly killing two birds with one stone."
Keqing looked again at the giant rock in the center. Would it be the key item to ascertain the true identity of the God of the Hearth?
"This rock was delivered not long ago, and Liyue just happened to be celebrating the Moonchase Festival. Perhaps this is fate in the unseen realm?"
Hearing this, Traveler's expression became troubled: "It's possible, but I also have Xiangling's commission..."
Before he could finish, Xiangling waved her hand and said, "It's okay, it's okay, don't worry about me. You're doing something important..."
"Eh, wait! I thought of something!"
"Why are you shouting so loudly?" Paimon said, covering her ears.
She was closest to Xiangling, and the girl's shout almost knocked her out of the air.
"Keqing, if you're going to investigate, can you take me with you?"
"Eh?"
"Since it's about investigating the God of the Hearth, there must be clues related to cooking. Maybe it can provide inspiration for me to participate in the Chef King Competition!"
"Please, take me with you, I'll help!"
Xiangling clasped her hands in supplication. Her intuition told her that if she missed this investigation, she might not win the competition.
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