#ttof main story

[dream-meister-translations]

THE TALE OF FOOD

MAIN STORY : CHAPTER 1 PART 3

━

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : Brother! I'm back!

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : Brother! Where are you? 

Gold Chicken Shred leads the way and enters the backyard through Ju Chun Court's back door.

THIRD DAUGHTER OF THE QINS : Do you think this hairpin looks good, Mr. Fu Shouquan?

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : It is certainly beautiful, but wearing it would be a shame. In comparison with your beauty, exquisite accessories like these lose their charm.

FIRST DAUGHTER OF THE JINS : These mandarin oranges aren't sweet at all, Mr. Fu Shouquan! Throw them away! I'll have some better ones brought to you right away.

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : Enough, Ruo. These oranges absorbed the essence of Fuzhou over time and are extremely juicy. To throw them out just because of your whim... 

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : Didn't I just tell you to cherish the hard-earned food? If mandarin oranges had souls, they'd come for you as Food Demons.

FIRST DAUGHTER OF THE JINS : Noooo! Then... how about you feed me instead...?

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : Hey, hey, hey! Does dignity mean nothing to distinguished ladies such as yourselves?

Gold Chicken Shred shows up in an imposing manner and scares away the young ladies crowding around Buddha's Temptation.

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : It seems studying overseas has not changed your temperament at all.

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : Come here and let me have a look. Have you become more radiant in the two years?

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : Bro! How many times have I told you to steer clear of those wild beauties? You have no idea what they could be plotting!

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : I know you're worried about me, Ron Goldie, but it's alright. They might seem willful, but they're actually rather innocent and do not harbor malicious intent.

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : Oh? Who might this behind you be... Buddha's Temptation seems to have noticed me standing behind Gold Chicken Shred. There was no way he could sense the emotional rush I was feeling at that moment...

Gold Chicken Shred saw the strange look in Buddha's Temptation eyes and quickly described our encounter.

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : You...? Have we met somewhere?

MASTER : I am…

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : I'm sure we've met before.

MASTER : You remember me, Buddha's Temptation?

Seeing a familiar face gave me the misconception that the disaster in Kongsang had merely been a bad dream...

Taotie hadn't invaded us, "The Tale of Food" was undamaged and everyone could still gather around, enjoying life in Kongsang…

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : Hey! This isn't what you promised! Now that you've met my brother, you should go! Gold Chicken Shred suddenly jumps between us.

MASTER : Thank you for bringing me here, Ron Goldie. I'm very happy... I shall return some other time...

With tearful eyes, I manage to squeeze out a smile and bid them farewell. This might be a good opportunity to invite them back to Kongsang with me...

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : You-- I-- I wasn't trying to bully you! I just...

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : Gorgeous! Hold on!

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : I hear you have come a long way. Why not stay at Ju Chun Court for now? I'll bring you around to explore the sights in Fuzhou. What do you think?

MASTER : Really?! That would be amazing! In that case... thank you, Mr. Fu Shouquan!

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : What?! You're letting them stay and even taking them sightseeing? This isn't like you!

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : "Meeting is an act of fate, and all visitors are guests." They saved you, so it's only right that I do this as your brother.

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : I shall have a banquet arranged for you. Please hold on.

[feeshies]

If you had the time, energy, and ideas, how would you rewrite the Kane Chronicles series?

Oh no, you’re bringing me back to what high school me used to day dream about instead of paying attention in class.

Edit: Whoops, this post ended up being really long.  I had coffee for the first time in 3 days and caffeine + tkc is a dangerous combination for me.  There are only two points in this post, but I guess I hard a lot to say about those two points.

As much as I’d like to say something like “ditch these main characters and just focus on these minor characters who I like”, that would be a different story and that’s what fanfiction is for.

If I were going to make major changes to the story as-is, I would start out by spending more time with the Brooklyn House initiates during the events between the first and second books.  Part of what made TRP so strong to me was that it focused on Carter and Sadie facing these dangerous obstacles together and learning to become closer as siblings despite being raised apart for most of their lives.  There was a bit of the Magical Academy trope, but it wasn’t the focus.  In TToF, we’re suddenly introduced to a bunch of kids, who I honestly have a hard time keeping track of.  Sadie and Carter being teachers rather than students is an interesting dynamic, but we don’t get a lot of that.  As far as the students go, I like Walt a lot, but we got time to get to know him throughout the series and his backstory/character actually added stakes to the main plot.  But the other initiates?  They’re okay, I guess, but I was never given enough time to care about them.  

Jaz almost dies and gets put into a coma in the beginning of the second book and…I mean that’s a bummer she seemed nice and all, but I barely know her.  But everyone’s acting like huge deal and we’re informed that all these characters grew really close between the first two books, but I didn’t get to read about it.  And just when it seems like we’re going to get to know these characters more, we’re back to Sadie and Carter going on adventures by themselves.  Which I’m perfectly cool with, since those are my favorite moments in the series, but all the Brooklyn House stuff seems like a waste.  Honestly, I don’t know how I’d fix this completely.  Maybe introduce Jaz in the first book and have some time to get to know her before she gets put into a coma.  Maybe not introduce all of the initiates at once and give the reader time to get to know them.  I understand that it makes sense to give the main characters a team, considering the size of the stakes, but sometimes Brooklyn House feels more like Camp Halfblood-Lite, rather than a fleshed-out organization.

And for my second biggest point, this one might make this post insanely long, but here we go.

I’ve loved Egyptian mythology since I was 6 and I’ve consumed every bit of media I could get my hands on.  One of my favorite things about Egyptian myth stuff is seeing how different creators interpret the gods.  Some of the interpretations in TKC is different from what I previously envisioned, but I adore nonetheless.  Like the TKC version of Thoth?  Brilliant.  I’ve seen him depicted as a mad scientist-esque character before, but I really like how Riordan emphasized the mediator side of his character, instead of a snobby smart guy.  I also like how he’s not just bookish, but he’s curious about the mortal world and he’s willing to try multiple hobbies at once.  And he doesn’t just start out perfect at everything “because he’s so smart”.  Like in TRP when he sucks at playing guitar, then two books later he’s playing Hendrix riffs like it’s nothing?  Growth!  We love a god of wisdom who finds time to practice different skills while the world is ending.

Sorry, that was a bit of a separate post I never ended up making.  But in short, there aren’t a lot of gods who’s depictions actually big me.  Yeah Set being the villain (in the first book) is played out, but the books aren’t going to expect their preteen readers to understand that he was largely demonized in the later ages due to his association with foreign invaders right off the bat, and his evolution from “the big bad guy” to “chaotic neutral finger-gunning disco man who might kill you or take you clubbing who can trust him” is some good growth too.

Anyway, the tkc version of Anubis sucks.

That was harsh.  I mean, there are things that I don’t outright hate.  I like how he’s not villainized for once?  (for some reason media often depicts Anubis as a bad guy I don’t get it).  The idea of him spending so much time in the Land of the Dead that he’s stuck out of time is cool too, if I didn’t know if it was a way for him to make this love-interest status less problematic.  And I actually like a lot of his banter with Sadie.  I’m not big on the romance, but they do have chemistry as characters.  This version of Anubis is very different from my own interpretations, but as I said before, that’s not a deal-breaker to me.  Of course it’s going to be different.

But he’s not consistent.

During his first exchange with Sadie, Anubis largely comes off as old-fashioned and rather socially awkward.  This makes sense.  He’s used to dealing with the dead.  His social skills extend to what is needed to handle death rituals and to console mourners.  He says the wrong thing a lot, he can be too blunt with talking about mortality, that’s great.  It’s funny, and it makes sense in character.

So why the hell does he have the same wardrobe as me???

Imagine if you arrived at the land of the dead and you were greeted by some e-boy wearing jeans, combat boots, a band shirt, and a leather jacket.  He was stuck out of time, remember?  He canonically wears an Arcade Fire t-shirt at one point, are you kidding me?  You’re telling me, that the same dude who’s so out of touch that he asked Sadie why she hasn’t been married off yet, also knows enough about modern music to own merch?  Did he borrow it from a dead person?  Maybe Sadie’s mind is projecting onto him, but idk, ugh.

Then in the later books, he gets less awkward and more bland love interest-y and that diminishes from his charm to me.

Anyway, my fix for him is much more simple.

Put him in some funeral-appropriate attire.

Keep him weird.

Holy shit, this is really long.  I’m sorry.

Also Set and Khonsu should be best friends.

[charlotteecraig]

Jumping back into edits for #TheTidesofFate has been...a struggle. Sometimes, taking a long break from a project is refreshing. It gives you time to process, imagine, rest, and refresh your creative well. But it also can leave you feeling unmotivated and disconnected from your story. The latter has been my experience lately. And it has made writing this book that I love feel like a chore. Once it feels like just another task, the joy I find in watching my words string together to create characters and worlds is lost. I’m left with frustration, writers block, and a manuscript I want to toss in the trash. This is not the first time I’ve experienced this while writing (specifically this book). And I know it will not be the last. Along the way, I’ve learned how to maneuver past this crater in my path. Here are three main things that have helped me: 1. RE-READ the parts of your manuscript that you have already written/edited so far. As the entire first half and a bit of TTOF is polished, this has been a huge task that has rekindled my love and ideas for this story. It also fills me with the motivation to press on and finish this book. 2. LISTEN TO MUSIC. I have a very extensive writing playlist for every project that I write. Music helps me fall further into these worlds that I have created and into the minds of my characters. Just listening to this playlist when I’m doing daily tasks helps me get back to my story. It helps me imagine how I’m going to write or rework this next scene and motivates me to get back to my keyboard. 3. PRAY. As a Christian, prayer is a huge part of my life. I try to pray before I write. Often, I ask God to remind me why finishing this story is important. I turn to him for inspiration and motivation. This always helps. Always. Especially on days when I’m feeling down about my project and myself. There are a few more that I could add to this list, but these are the main three activities that continue to help me as I finish writing this book. Writers, what are some other tasks that you do to motivate yourself to finish/get back into a project? ✎ https://www.instagram.com/p/B6DnKA0gEMm/?igshid=1syuf3mo0jbhl

[dream-meister-translations]

THE TALE OF FOOD

MAIN STORY : CHAPTER 1 PART 2

━

HU-GENG : Oh? Look, Master! There's a horse carriage.

There's a horse carriage hidden in the forest where the Food Demon emerges. The horse is resting, and the carriage is filled with goods. However, nobody is in sight...

MASTER : The Food Demon from before might have scared them off. Look, they didn't even take their supplies with them.

HU-GENG : Master! Why is there a convulsing sack in the carriage?

MASTER : Maybe it's some sort of fowl which has been left behind? Let's open it...

MASTER : A-A chicken spirit?!

CHICKEN SPIRIT : Mmph!!! Mmph! Mmph!

HU-GENG : Master, he's--

CHICKEN SPIRIT : Mmph! Mmmmph!

MASTER : G-Gold Chicken Shred?! Why are you--??

The youth keeps struggling while glaring furiously. Hu-Geng hastily removes the cloth in his mouth...

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : Who are you?! How dare you humiliate me this way! Release me this instant!

OPTION 1 : "I'd prefer a polite request."

OPTION 2 : "I'll release you right now!"

OPTION 3 : "Heh! Nope!"

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : How dare you treat me this way! You will be punished!

━

FIGHT

━

MASTER : Do... Do you still remember, Gold Chicken Shred?

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : Only the most beautiful things in the world will catch my eye. Who'd remember a bumpkin like you?

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : Huh? How did you know my name's Gold Chicken Shred?

MASTER : Your beauty is exceptional and you brim with talent. Anyone who knows about food souls should recognize you!

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : What a surprise... You're quite knowledgeable for a bandit.

MASTER : Bandit? You seem to have misunderstood. Also... what are you doing in a sack?

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : I traveled across the ocean and tried to catch a ride to seek my brother, Buddha's Temptation, in Ju Chun Court. Who knew we'd run into bandits…

MASTER : Are you going to Ju Chun Court to find Buddha's Temptation?! That's great! I finally found someone who knows the way!

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : I- I never said I knew the way! I have been traveling around Europe for the past two years, so naturally I barely remember the way to Fuzhou Prefecture...

HU-GENG : Don't worry, Master. It's great knowing we are close to Fuzhou Prefecture and that Buddha's Temptation will be there.

MASTER : You're right. On top of that, we've got a carriage we can use! Let's get on - it's true that things will eventually work out!

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : What? You want to meet Buddha's Temptation too? Are you his fan?!

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : No way! There used to be so many of his fans in front of his residence. The entire street would be congested!

MASTER : Well, master... Seeing as we saved you, wouldn't it be reasonable to take us to Buddha's Temptation in return? 

With no other choice, I force a pandering smile...

Gold Chicken Shred looks me up and down, then straightens his clothing.

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : Fine. I can tell you're sincere... But you have to promise you'll leave the moment you're done with him. You can't linger around!

MASTER : Of- Of course! That's obvious! So... How about you get on first, master?

GOLD CHICKEN SHRED : Hmph!

[dream-meister-translations]

THE TALE OF FOOD

MAIN STORY : CHAPTER 1 PART 1

━

MASTER : Safe Landing! It's been a while since I traveled to the mortal realm through the universal formation.

MASTER : Dad often says I shouldn't cross realms too frequently. While history isn't often affected by external forces and will autocorrect itself, it's easy to lose yourself if you linger in the past...

MASTER : Huh? Why am I in a forest out in the wild? I'm supposed to be in Fuzhou Prefecture in the Qing Dynasty...

HU-GENG : It's been a few millennia since the universal formation was set up in Kongsang. Minor deviations are understandable.

HU-GENG : This might be close to Fuzhou Prefecture. We can ask around if we see someone.

MASTER : Hu-Geng seems particularly familiar with Kongsang and the Universal Formation.

HU-GENG : Not at all, Master. I had the honor of being the first food soul included in "The Tale of Food".

HU-GENG : I have been with Master Yizhi since Kongsang's establishment. Every part of Kongsang has special meaning to me.

Along the way, Hu-Geng tells me a lot about Kongsang's past. Things that happened before I was born, and only heard in bits and pieces from my father...

MASTER : ...

HU-GENG : Are you tired, Master? Shall we take a break here?

HU-GENG : What's wrong, Master?

MASTER : Nothing... Kongsang is ruined. I still have no idea how this happened...

MASTER : Taotie had been sealed under Mount Buzhou for over millennia. How did it get into Kongsang without raising a ruckus?

MASTER : And if Yi Ya had brought it to Kongsang... How could he be powerful enough to control Taotie?

MASTER : Also, there's that masked person who appeared in the temple. I wonder if that was the "Master of the Realm of Melanya' Yi Ya mentioned..

MASTER : Yi Ya accused my father with such certainty. There's got to be a misunderstanding!

HU-GENG : It's been hard on you, Master. You have to deal with both the pain of separation and the responsibility of rebuilding Kangsang.

HU-GENG : I believe Master Yizhi will soon rush back to Kongsang to take things over, Until then, I shall stay by your side.

Hu-Gang's gentle smile and words leave me feeling warm inside. I take a deep breath and decide to keep going.

All of a sudden, I hear a commotion coming from the trees up ahead...

ROTTEN CRAB : !!!

MASTER : It's a Food Demon!

HU-GENG :  Watch out, Master! Stay behind me!

━

FIGHT

━

MASTER : Purifying thou in the Food God's name, I command you restore your true form before me...

ROTTEN CRAB : Ugh-

MASTER : Phew...

HU-GENG : You've worked hard, Master. You look pretty similar to Lord Yizhi when you are purifying the Food Demons. But the incantation sounds very unfamiliar somehow...

MASTER : Th-This is just my third time purifying Food Demons. Dad never taught me this properly. He was always more focused on... *Ahem*

MASTER : Speaking of Food Demons, they're like food souls in that they are souls born of food. However, food souls come from dishes made with care, while Food Demons come from leftovers.

HU-GENG : You did amazingly well today, Master. You'll definitely become a true Food God like Master Yizhi in the future.

[dream-meister-translations]

TALE OF FOOD MAIN STORY : PROLOGUE PART 4

━

??? : Very good...Don't give up...

MASTER : Who're...You?

??? : We...Meet at last...

A soft stream of white light shines from "The Tale of Food" as the owner of the voice shows himself. It's a strange food soul...

HU-GENG : It's been many years. I never dreamt that you'd grow into a handsome young man...

MASTER : Have we...Met before?

HU-GENG : I am Hu-Geng. You were but an infant when I entered my slumber...

HU-GENG : The shock awoke me from my long sleep, but I am appalled at what I have awoken to...

MASTER : But everyone's...How did you...?

MASTER : I've never seen you before. My father's never mentioned you either...

HU-GENG : Though it is embarrassing to admit this, the cover of "The Tale of Food" was a divine weapon entrusted to Lord Yizhi by the goddess Nuwa. No ordinary spell can destroy it.

HU-GENG : Perhaps Lord Yizhi's act of embedding the pages in which my soul rested in the cover was what spared me from the disaster.

HU-GENG : I once served Lord Yizhi for a millennium. Now that Kongsang is in peril, I'd like to offer you my services. Will you accept my fealty, Master of Kongsang?

MASTER : I promised everyone I'd take them all back to Kongsang...I won't go back on my word!

MASTER : I'll fill "The Tale of Food" with brand-new memories. Are you willing to embark on this journey with me?

Mustering my courage, I reach for Hu-Geng's hand. In that moment, he seemed to flash a smile...The warmth spreading from my palm seems to be nourishing my fatigued form, while giving me courage for the road ahead...

HU-GENG : I'll be by your side.

MASTER : Thank you. Will you go to the Universal Formation with me? I'd like to see if there are any food souls lingering nearby.

HU-GENG : As you wish, Master.

[dream-meister-translations]

TALE OF FOOD MAIN STORY : PROLOGUE PART 3

━

MASTER : Are you still there, Yangzhou? Bring "The Tale of Food" with you and let's-

MASTER : Who goes there!

YANGZHOU RICE : Ma...Ster...Run!

MASTER : Release Yangzhou!

??? : Want him back? Ha, there you go!

The unwelcome guest tosses Yangzhou Rice out of the hall with a sweep of his wrist.

Yangzhou Rice's fragile body crumples onto the debris limply.

MASTER : Yangzhou!

??? : Weird, I sense no spiritual power from you.

??? : I guess you're the offspring of a mortal after all.

MASTER : You must be...The Master of Realm of Melanya that Yi Ya mentioned.

MASTER : Did you study under the same Master as my father?

??? : So what if I did? Has Yizhi ever treated me as such? Hahaha...

MASTER : Do you think merely possessing "The Tale of Food" is enough to make you the Food God?

??? : Such a commonplace text is hardly worthy of consumption. But I suppose it will serve its purpose as a guinea pig...

Using a strange spell, the masked man slowly erases the book, like how ink dissolves in water.

MASTER : Stop!

??? : Vainglorious but weak. Your power is dust in the face of mine!

Instinctively, I reach for "The Tale of Food" but am knocked back by the jet stream and everything fades to black...

━

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : Gorgeous!? You're awake!

MASTER : Buddha's Temptation?! Is everyone alright!?

MASTER : Lil' Emperor! You're injured!

PEKING DUCK : Nothing you should worry about! I failed to stop Taotie...I...Failed.

MASTER : You've done well! As long as we all do our part, we'll rebuild our home, Kongsang!

PEKING DUCK : ...Ugh!

Peking Duck suddenly collapses onto the debris, his face twisted in agony.

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : I thought you said you were fine! Here, let me help you up...

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : ...Urgh!

MASTER : Wait, what? Why do...All of you smell like Food Demons!/

I glance at "The Tale of Food," clutched tightly in my hand. Each page has been stained by chaos like ink!

MASTER : Is this...What they call Food Demonification?

MASTER : That person's magic must have corrupted "The Tale of Food"!

MASTER : Don't worry, I'll purify it right away!

Terror curls its icy tendrils around my heart as I swallow and try to keep my composure. I summon the power within me...

MASTER : Why can't I purify you!? Why!? Hang in there, I'm going to try again!

After a dozen failed attempts, I can no longer gather the light in my palms. My hands are leaden and a metallic tang is rising in my throat...

PEKING DUCK : Enough! That's enough! I hereby command you...To stop!

PEKING DUCK : You're going to kill yourself if you keep it up and we'll all become food demons!

PEKING DUCK : We'll become insensible food demons, and tear you to pieces. I don't want to be a mad king who butchers his loyal subjects. Why not...

PEKING DUCK : Why not destroy "The Tale of Food" and render all contracts between food souls and Kongsang null and void? That way...

MASTER : But doing so will erase everyone's bond and connection with Kongsang, you'll forget all about it!

MASTER : ...And me!

My heart aches as I swallow a huge lump in my throat..

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : Trust me, it'll be alright, Gorgeous. Though tearing up "The Tale of Food" will scatter us across the lands and take our memories...

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : I am certain that you'll gather us under your banner once more in Kongsang!

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : Please believe our bond can survive such setbacks. One day, we will reunite, under its guidance...

━

The starry sky of the three realms is still beautiful and full of mystery.

There is nothing but silence.

Everyone is just watching me...

...And waiting for me...

...To make the final decision...

Today I make a promise to everybody here…

No matter what obstacles lie ahead…

Even if it means searching through the ages…

Crossing every land of the world…

I WILL find everyone…

Let us reunite in Kongsang once again!!

[dream-meister-translations]

TALE OF FOOD MAIN STORY : PROLOGUE PART 2

━

This is Kongsang, the place that I, along with my parents and the food souls, call home.

Another day with warm breeze and azure-blue sky. The excellent weather in Kongsang leaves travelers from across the three realms unwilling to leave. It is yet another breezily warm day of clear azure skies. The unchanging beauty of Kongsang is reputed to have lingered in the memories of all who have visited it.

HARBIN FRIED PORK : It has been fifteen minutes, Master. I am at your service if you require any assistance with your wardrobe.

MASTER : No need...I'll be right there.

HARBIN FRIED PORK : Are you truly ready? The button on your collar appears to be undone and suggests otherwise.

MASTER : I was rushed for time so...

Harbin Fried Pork steps forward and buttons it up before I can protest.

HARBIN FRIED PORK : The Food God has been roaming the world with his beloved wife for many eons. As your butler, it is my duty to assist you in discharging your duties as Deputy Food God.

HARBIN FRIED PORK : Tens of thousands of Food Souls now call Kongsang their home. The restaurant welcomes thousands of patrons from the three realms daily.

HARBIN FRIED PORK : As the descendant of the Food God, perhaps you, as the Master of Kongsang, should...

MASTER : That's enough. Save your nagging for another day. I'm going to check on the restaurant.

━

I have barely stepped inside the restaurant when I am almost deafened by firecracker explosions and drumming at the entrance of the restaurant.

PEKING DUCK : You're so late, Master! I've been up already, yet you dared sleep in?

PEKING DUCK : I must have someone keep an eye on you, my loyal subject, so you kick this habit soon!

MASTER : I- What's going on outside? It sounds like a parade's happening out there...

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : The grand opening of a neighboring restaurant is taking place.

PEKING DUCK : Interesting. Don't you think they're a little overconfident, setting up shop next to the Food God's own establishment?

PEKING DUCK : But Lady Luck may smile on he who has lofty aspirations. I admire their courage, at least.

MASTER : The opening of a restaurant is to be celebrated. May it bring much joy to all in the days to come.

MASTER : After all, the joy mortals derive from food is the reason why the Food God and Kongsang exist after all.

??? : Hear, hear! I couldn't have put it better!

The door to the restaurant flies open before anyone else can say a word. Led by a single person, a long file of servants clad in similar outfits enter, each with an equally haughty expression.

??? : There's no need to panic whatsoever. Allow me to introduce myself.

YI YA : I am Yi Ya, the head steward of the Realm of Melanya. I am here today on behalf of my Master to pay my respects to Kongsang!

MASTER : The Realm...Of...Melanya?

YI YA : Goodness, how comes it that you know not the Realm of Melanya, child of the Food God Yizhi?

YI YA : There is a huge rock on Manting Peak shaped like an incense burner, this is known as the Realm of Melanya.

YI YA : In the year 219 BC, thirteen deities gave a feast for their hometown in the realm of Melanya! The dishes served were exceptional and received unanimous praise.

YI YA : The person behind the feast's success is the most skilled culinarian and the present master of the Realm of Melanya!

MASTER : Your master sounds like a real character. But why was he not the Food God?

YI YA : Hmph! If not for Yizhi's deceitful wooing of Her Highness Yaoji, she would not have sung his praises before the goddess Nuwa...Otherwise, Yizhi stood no chance of winning.

YI YA : A pity my Master saw Yizhi as a brother...To think he stole my master's beloved and divine title!

YI YA : And now, Yizhi has forsaken Her Highness for a mortal wife. To top it off, he's left the running of the venerated Kongsang to a suckling of a child, what sacrilege!

YI YA : The Millennial Food God Selection is at hand. Having failed to discharge his duties, Yizhi is no longer fit to reign! My Master will take back his rightful place in the pantheon!

MASTER : Should you be dissatisfied with the titleholder, please pit your skills against us at the selection by all means. But Kongsang will tolerate no further slander against the Food God.

MASTER : Tell your master that Kongsang accepts his challenge! The outcome will be decided in fair competition. Now please leave!

??? : Roar-

A sudden roar rips through the skies of Kongsang, sending tremors through the ground. Roof tiles rattle overhead and dust rains down from the rafters.

MASTER : What happened? What was that sound?

Meanwhile, Yi Ya and his followers have made their getaway amidst the chaos...

PEKING DUCK : Confound it! This was a diversion! We must investigate outside right now!

??? : Roar-

MASTER : Taotie, one of the four ancient beasts?! How can it be? It should already be sealed under Mount Buzhou!

PEKING DUCK : The myriad of food souls that reside in Kongsang will make an excellent feast for it! We must act immediately!

MASTER : I've got a bad feeling about this...I'm worried our enemy's real target is..."The Tale of Food" on the temple's altar!

PEKING DUCK : Good thinking! I'll leave the defense of the food souls to you!

MASTER : Lil' Emperor...Are you sure you can take on Taotie on your own?

PEKING DUCK : How many times must I repeat myself? Pray speak not that nickname of mine again!

PEKING DUCK : Who do you think I am? Pay attention and watch my heroic form!

A group of duck soldiers hastily emerge and waddle closely after their lord.

[dream-meister-translations]

TALE OF FOOD MAIN STORY : PROLOGUE PART 1

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??? : Master? Rise and shine...

??? : What do I have to do to get you out of bed?

MASTER : !?

MASTER : Buddha's Temptation? You again? Aren't you tired of ruining my beauty sleep every day?

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : Remember when you were this tall and throwing tantrums till I held you in my arms?

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : You refused to go to sleep unless you were enveloped in my arms and surrounded by my scent, which you loved.

MASTER : That was ages ago! It doesn't count anymore! Off my bed! And out, NOW!

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : What do you mean it doesn't count? Your younger self and you now are surely both one and the same.

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : Or...Do you no longer like how I smell?

The sorrow in Buddha's Temptation's eyes overwhelms me with guilt. His natural aroma is like the breeze of a warm spring day that soothes all worries from my mind...

MASTER : I didn't mean it like that...

BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : So that means you like how I smell, right? Why don't you come closer Mm...

This is routine to us but I'm still sort of...

OPTION 1 : Push Him Away BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : It's alright, Master. I get it. We've all the time in the world. Master : I...!? OPTION 2 : Hug Him Buddha's Temptation presses ever closer, his warm, fragrant breath caressing my cheek. BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : Such cheek from you, Master. Still a five year-old, are we? MASTER : You're always treating me like a child anyway! OPTION 3 : Headbutt Attack! Buddha's Temptation presses ever closer, his warm, fragrant breath caressing my cheek. BUDDHA'S TEMPTATION : This trick of yours is a little tired, don't you think? I only dodged it out of concern your forehead couldn't withstand that blow... MASTER : Someday...!

??? : Master, are you up yet? Everyone's waiting for y-

??? : Oh? Looks like I came at a bad time.

To have someone walk in on me in such compromising circumstances... I jump right up and end up slamming my head into Buddha's Temptation's forehead.

MASTER : Oof! Ouch!

HARBIN FRIEND PORK : Serving Master's needs as they get ready for the day is my duty as a steward of Kongsang, Buddha's Temptation. You, on the other hand, seem to take perverse pleasure in arriving before I do.

MASTER : Why are you all in my room!? Is privacy dead?

MASTER : I won't tolerate your nonsense any more! Scram, all of you! I'll freshen up and meet you all at the restaurant in fifteen minutes!

Mustering all my might, I shove both of them out before closing my door firmly on them. My disheveled reflection in the mirror tells me that I am long overdue for that wash-up.