#ttof prologue

[dream-meister-translations]

TALE OF FOOD MAIN STORY : PROLOGUE PART 4

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??? : 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

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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...

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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...

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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

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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.

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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.