Yae Miko: "Did I just get played? Huh?!"
The Little Master Chef.
Liu Maoxing.
The legendary Culinary God of Liyue.
The Visions—those divine gifts from Celestia—have always existed.
For mortals, the strength of one's will can call forth a Vision, and through the fulfillment of that desire, awaken a miracle—ascending to divinity itself.
Such beings are called Archons of Origin, or Original Gods.
Compared to the ancient Archons—the primordial gods born of the world—the Original Gods are ascended mortals, who through their own power reach the same divine plane.
Three hundred years ago, one such mortal appeared in Liyue—a culinary genius who traveled across all Seven Nations of Teyvat.
He challenged the most dangerous ingredients and prepared dishes that defied mortal understanding.
At the young age of twenty, he completed the perfect dish of his life—a dish that transcended all mortal limits.
That day, he ascended to the divine seat, becoming a true God of Cooking.
The Culinary God — Liu Maoxing!
His name resounded across the lands, and for chefs everywhere, Liu Maoxing became the ultimate idol—the dream every chef chased.
Now, standing before Yae Miko, Jiang Mo couldn't help but smirk.
Her charming, teasing smile froze mid-expression, her beautiful foxlike face twisting in disbelief.
"You…" Her eyes widened.
Jiang Mo chuckled softly.
"Looks like the Grand Priestess didn't know that one, huh? Not surprising—though Xiangling did learn from that old master, she never formally took him as her teacher. At best, she's his unofficial disciple."
"Jiang Mo!!!"
Yae Miko's patience finally snapped. Her elegant composure crumbled.
"Are you toying with me!?"
Jiang Mo feigned surprise.
"Eh? I didn't do anything. You're the one who proposed the bet first, weren't you?"
Then, he smiled slyly and added, "By the way…"
His gaze shifted toward the distance—where Xiangling and Guoba were running toward them.
As he passed Yae Miko, his words lingered teasingly in her ear.
"Yae Priestess… no, Miko-sama, I look forward to that hand-warmer you owe me. Oh, and Beidou mentioned something before she left—she asked if she should 'eat you up completely.'"
He grinned.
"After all, even pets have their duties, don't they?"
"Jiang Mo!!—"
"Mo-brother!"
"Xiangling!"
Jiang Mo greeted the cheerful chef and her fiery bear companion, leaving the dumbfounded Yae Miko behind.
Miko stood frozen, her whole body trembling. Her mind blank.
Had she just… been tricked again?
She—Yae Miko, High Priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine, the mischievous fox who toyed with everyone else…
Had just been outfoxed?
Her expression twisted. "No… no way…!"
She clenched her fists. A year ago that brat got me once… and now again?!
Her face twitched, half in fury, half in disbelief.
"Kukuku…"
A familiar, amused laugh echoed through the hall.
"Oh my, my~ looks like our dear little Miko's been thoroughly outplayed again, hmm?"
Leaning lazily against the gate of Tenshukaku was a woman with white fox ears, a short crop of snowy hair, and a graceful red-and-white shrine maiden outfit that put Yae Miko's to shame.
A black-sleeved hand held a pipe delicately as she blew out a puff of smoke, her red lips curving into a teasing smile.
Lady Kitsune Saiguu, the former chief priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine, matriarch of the White-Tailed Fox clan—a lineage rumored to share ties with Liyue's own Tushan fox spirits.
"Lady Saiguu!"
Miko turned to her mentor, her tone half outrage, half plea.
Saiguu chuckled, walking closer.
"Silly girl. When you lose, you lose. You got played—accept it. Maybe next time, investigate before you make a bet."
She sighed dramatically, tapping her pipe against her palm.
"Even Lady Raiden herself formed an understanding with Liyue's Morax through this boy. And you? You practically offered yourself up! Really, child…"
A teasing glint flashed in her crimson eyes.
"In three months, I suggest you focus on not being eaten alive. And if you come back with a round belly, don't say I didn't warn you. I'll have to retire you as the Grand Priestess right then and there."
"…"
Yae Miko nearly fainted on the spot.
She was the editor-in-chief of Yae Publishing House—she knew exactly what Saiguu was implying.
All those dubious novels she'd approved over the years were suddenly flashing through her mind.
"Madam, you don't want this either.mp4…"
"Fallen into the abyss because of him.avi…"
If she really came back pregnant, she might as well dig her own grave.
She had thought victory was in her grasp—with the Nakiri sisters on her side, her win had seemed assured.
Who could've guessed that Xiangling, that cheerful little chef, was the disciple of Liu Maoxing himself, the Culinary God of Liyue?!
And as if that wasn't enough—
Saiguu took another puff of smoke, her tone playful as ever.
"Oh, and one more thing, dear. That little girl Xiangling? The bear she's with isn't just a pet."
Her red eyes gleamed.
"That's Guoba—once known as Mare Jivari, the God of the Stove. The former Liyue Archon of fire and livelihood himself."
Yae Miko froze completely.
"...…"
She finally muttered, deadpan—
"Yeah. I got played."