A Taste of Everything

Hey there, Rover! Finally found you! Hope I didn’t keep you waiting!

Ah, my bad! Let’s not dilly-dally any longer. Trust me, once we munch, you won’t wanna stop!

Ah, well, look who’s here! Our little Xiaofang has brought a friend along today. How delightful!

No, no, no, Auntie Panhua, just forget that name! I’m begging you!

Yeah, exactly! Meet Rover, my awesome new friend! Today’s treat’s on me, so I brought {Male=him;Female=her} here to experience your culinary magic.

Oh dear, then I must show {Male=him;Female=her} something!

Any preferences or dislikes? Sweet, salty, sour, spicy, just let me know what you like. There’s always a Jinzhou cuisine for every taste!

Alright, something light... Find yourselves a spot inside. The dishes will be ready soon.

Alright, something spicy... Find yourselves a spot inside. The dishes will be ready soon.

Hmm... The Candied Caltrops is fresh with just the right sweetness; the Poached Chicken sauce is Auntie Panhua’s original, unmatched anywhere else. Oh, and the Jinzhou Stew! It’s something you can only find here. I bet you’ve never tasted anything like it! Trust me, you don’t wanna miss out on this!

I’ve decided. Let’s get all of them.

We Patrollers don’t get paid a lot, but I love treating my friend to a feast once in a while. It’s just one meal, I won’t go broke!

Alright, find yourselves a spot inside. The dishes will be ready soon.

Rover, you enjoying the meal?

You got it! Next time, we’ll bring Yangyang and Baizhi along. Food’s always better with more pals, right? But what should we get then?

If you come next time, I’ll have to treat you to a taste of my famous Essence Medley Soup.

Essence Medley Soup? What’s that?

It's brewed from the finest Jinzhou ingredients. Every essence is simmered and distilled into a single bowl. Some gourmets claim it's the epitome of Jinzhou's flavor, captured in a nutshell.

Even though I just polished off my plate, there’s always room for soup in my second stomach. Rover, fancy trying it out? Auntie Panhua, can you whip it up for us?

It's not that I'm unwilling to make it right now... In fact, it's an old wartime dish, a recipe lost to the ages. We keep it alive through word of mouth, preserving its memory. Now, about its taste, people have a lot of fun debates about it, but one thing's certain: it's like a warm, fresh hug, absolutely delightful and unforgettable.

However, while searching through old books, I stumbled upon its recipe. Though, calling it a recipe might be a stretch. See, back then, they used names for ingredients that are like riddles to us now. “Red beads,” “sweet roots,” “Monkvyrid,” “golden handle spoon”... I have no idea what they are.

Speaking of peculiar ingredients, it does remind me of someone...

Stop beating around the bush. Just tell me. I won’t take offense.

Well… it’s Uncle Mahe!

Hmph, he’s always bragging about how he can get any ingredient, but if he’s clueless about these, he’s just wasting his time in this business.

Just so we’re clear, I won’t go to him for answers, but if you want to give him a shot with this recipe, it’s your call.

Auntie Panhua! You’ve got the sweetest heart. I always knew it!

Alright, I’ll copy the recipe for you.

Don’t worry! I won’t let you do it for nothing! Auntie here will make sure you eat your fill!

Well, well, look who’s here. Chixia, back at it with the deliveries, eh?

Nah, that makes me sound like a delivery person. Besides, I’ve got a whole bunch of other stuff on my plate, you know? But hey, I’m here to ask you to check out this recipe.

Haha, but I truly owe you big time for lending a hand. You’re the reason those elderly folks with mobility issues get their goods on time. Thanks!

You’re always on the go, I see. You’re always there to help, whether it’s on patrols or off duty. I suppose deciphering this recipe is just another one of your good deeds?

Well, yeah... But fun fact, it’s Auntie Panhua who gave me this recipe.

What? Is she in trouble? Hand over the recipe!

Their dynamic is something else, like straight out of a Hero Play, you know? She’s all caring, and he’s all caring, but she’s playing it cool like she doesn’t care. You catch my drift?

Oh yeah! That’s right! Didn’t realize you had such a knack for summarizing. You must be a big fan of Hero Plays, am I right?

...Ah, I see. This recipe seems to be quite old. It uses old-fashioned aliases instead of the ones we’re familiar with, making it tricky to decipher.

Let me see... The red gems here must be Gemberries. Sweet roots are Caltrops, and there’s also Kudzu, Honeysuckles... Lucky for you, I’ve got all these ingredients. I’ll sort them out for you later.

Absolutely! Uncle Mahe’s the go-to guy for anything and everything in Jinzhou. Not only food ingredients, he can get you many strange things!

If there’s anything you wanna buy, just come take a look.

Chixia, you’re being too kind. It’s entirely all thanks to everyone in the neighborhood supporting my business. If you need anything, just let me know.

But here's the snag: the recipe calls for water from the Monkvyrid, and there's this other ingredient called golden handle spoon. Honestly, I'm clueless about these two.

I know every food alias in the book, and these two are clearly not food ingredients.

I’m not good at cooking, but this recipe looks like it could be a medicinal cuisine or a chowder because it has many different ingredients in small amounts. What’s your take?

Maybe...? I got it! If it’s a medicinal recipe, we can go ask Koko at Shifang Pharmacy! She’s all about that medicinal recipe life, so she might just have the hookup.

Thanks for the inspiration! Uncle Mahe, how much are these ingredients? I’ll cover the bill.

Hey, they’re free. You’ve been an enormous help, and I appreciate it. Plus, I have a thing for Panhua... er, for what Panhua wants to make. Count me in for a taste, alright?

You betcha! If Auntie Panhua whips this up, you’re getting a front-row seat to taste it!

Hey ya! Long time no see, Rover. How’s it going?

Well, just calling to see what you're up to. Are you free now?

No worries at all! It’s no biggie, really. Well, not as huge as diving into those tokens, that’s for sure.

Remember my promise? About treating you to a nice meal? Well, since I’ve got a few days off and figured you’d be around, now’s the perfect time to cash in on that promise and invite you out.

So, what do you say? How about this Jinzhou Speedster takes you on a culinary adventure at Auntie Panhua’s Restaurant?

The Maocai she cooks is an explosion of spice and flavor! One gulp and you’ll feel the buzz in your bones!

You know, that’s what I like. But hey, no pressure if spicy isn’t your thing. Auntie Panhua’s a culinary genius, whipping up many treats like Poached Chicken, Rising Loong... you name it! It’s all authentic Jinzhou cuisine!

So, we’re on for a date, right?

Let’s meet at Panhua’s Restaurant on Gourmet Street. Time-wise, just let me know before you’re ready.

I’ll be eagerly waiting to hear from you!

Hello there, how can I help...? Oh, Ms. Chixia?

What brought you here? Picking up medicine for someone else, or feeling under the weather? Any injuries? Have you seen a doctor? Need any prescriptions?

Oh no, it’s just a habit I’ve picked up from running this pharmacy. Sometimes people struggle to describe their symptoms, so I ask a lot of questions to get a clearer picture.

Alright, let’s cut to the chase. Rover and I are here to get you to check out this recipe Auntie Panhua handed us.

Essence Medley Soup? I felt like I heard it from my grandmother or someone of her generation.

Really? C’mon, wrack your brain for it! Uncle Mahe thinks it’s more of a medicinal cuisine than a regular dish.

Let's see... Caltrops, Kudzu, Honeysuckles, a handful of Gemberries, and some pulled poultry breast. Simmer with water from the Monkvyrid. Once it's boiled, give it a stir with a golden-handled spoon... Water from the Monkvyrid? Isn't that the medicinal soup made from Coriolus, Perilla, and Lemongrass?

Who knew the medicinal soup could serve as a base... In a way, it leans towards medicinal cuisine. But with so many ingredients, wouldn’t it dilute the medicinal effect? There’s always something new to learn in dietary therapy.

No need to go through all that trouble. Remember where you are? A pharmacy! I’ve got some pre-made medicinal soup right here.

This recipe seems ancient. The Monkvyrid water is an old term from pharmacies, referring to that medicinal soup. Hold on, I’ve got the pre-made stuff for you.

Oh, and here are some new recovery and synthesis potions. Consider them a bonus.

But even with potions to treat your injuries, stay safe out there, alright? Always keep your guard up when exploring.

Don’t be like Chixia, just barging in and scaring everyone.

So, are you two heading back to help Auntie Panhua with this Essence Medley Soup? If so, count me in on learning that recipe too!

Just let Auntie Panhua know. It should be cool for you to join in!

But there's still one last piece of the puzzle to crack: the golden-handled spoon. If we whip up the soup without figuring out what that is about, the flavor might not hit the mark, right?

Wait, isn’t the golden handle spoon that big pyrite spoon from Uncle Wei’s shop? I thought you both knew.

Seriously? No way! Who’d have guessed that!

Oops, looks like I gotta step down from my role as the Jinzhou encyclopedia. I’ve never even heard of that pyrite spoon!

Haha, no worries. I spotted that spoon the last time I dropped off medicine at Uncle Wei’s and asked out of curiosity.

Why does the best weapon maker in Jinzhou have a big pyrite spoon tucked away? Well, I’m counting on you to solve that mystery, along with the last step of the recipe.

We’ve covered more ground from Gourmet Street to here. Bet you haven’t had many city strolls like this before, huh?

Even though it’s a bit of a trek, I’m thrilled to show you around my hometown. We’re nearing the Main Street, where things get even more interesting.

Well, well, if it isn’t our Xiaofang. Back so soon? Didn’t I just fix up your pistols last week? You broke them again already?

...Aw, please don’t call me Xiaofang! It’s Chixia!

Oh no, I'm doomed. It seems everyone knows my other name now.

Haha, you’re exaggerating. As far as I know, only we, your old pals, are calling you that.

Cool, cool. Let’s get to business then.

Anyway, we're here to help Auntie Panhua recreate the Essence Medley Soup.

The recipe says we need to stir it with a golden-handled spoon once it starts bubbling. And Koko mentioned you happen to have a pyrite spoon with that exact name, right?

Ah, I see.

That’s right. The golden handle spoon, indeed the pyrite spoon I have. And let me tell you, I have a bit of history with this Essence Medley Soup. Any guess what this soup is all about?

Just a simple brew of herbs, really. Barely qualifies as medicinal cuisine in my book.

You youngsters didn’t witness the making of this soup. Back then, Jinzhou was still under construction, right around the year-end. Every household would bring out their cherished foods to share. And if they had nothing, they’d whip up some medicinal soup. If that wasn’t an option, they’d pitch in however they could.

And that’s when I forged this large pyrite spoon. Made stirring that big pot a breeze. What a shame though, those border guards insisted on every bit of metal being used for weapons. Otherwise, you’d still see it around.

Now I’m even more eager to get a taste, knowing the backstory! Uncle Wei, mind lending us your big pyrite spoon?

The reason that the spoon affects the soup's flavor is because it releases a few minerals while stirring. You could use a smaller pyrite spoon instead.

That makes sense... By the way, doesn’t Auntie Panhua already have one on standby?

Since we’re here, might as well make the most of it. Can you lend a hand and check out my friend’s weapon?

Ah, I remember you. New to Jinzhou, right? You’re that... that...

That’s right. Madam Magistrate mentioned you’re Jinzhou’s guest.

Let’s have a look at your weapon... Hm, this wear and tear... Can’t let youngsters like you wander around with a weapon in this state.

Here, take these unused casting molds and ores the Ordnance Division gave me. They’re the building blocks of a weapon. With these, you can forge a new one.

Kid, materials are meant to be used. If you want to thank me, put them to good use.

Well, this weapon looks decent enough. Take care of it, alright?

If you don’t like what you’re currently using or want another one made, come find me anytime. As long as you've got the casting molds and ores, I'll make it for you.

No need to be so formal, kid. I’m not really useful for much else besides tinkering with weapons.

Just so you know, the ores and materials I just gave you aren’t top-notch. For higher-quality stuff, you’ll want to check out the Synthesizer.

Oh, I heard about it! It's a new type of device the Academy introduced a couple of years back, right over there!

Well, since you know the place, how about having Chixia show you the way there? If you’re short on materials, I can...

Hey, no worries, Uncle Wei. I just snagged some synthesis materials recently. Rover can borrow mine!

Once we check out the Synthesizer, we’ll head straight back to Auntie Panhua’s restaurant. Just sit tight for the good news about whipping up that Essence Medley Soup.

Check it out. That’s Uncle Wei’s weapon shop right over there.

He’s the top-notch weapon maker in Jinzhou! If you have any weapon-related questions, just go ask him.

How’s your weapon maintenance? Once we figure out what that big spoon deal is, you can ask him to check it for you!

And here we are. This is the Synthesizer Uncle Wei mentioned.

Aside from crafting materials and beefing up their quality, you can also whip up some basic potions here. It’s like a one-stop shop for all your needs, whether you’re kicking it in the city or out on an adventure.

I’ve got some synthesis materials right here. Go ahead, give it a try.

It might seem a bit tricky just hearing about it, but once you try it hands-on, you’ll get the hang of it real quick.

How do you feel? Quite handy, huh?

With technology getting fancier by the day, life’s becoming a breeze around here.

I’m kinda curious, though. If we rallied everyone up again and asked them to bust out their most prized grub, what do you think they’d bring this time?

Oops, got a bit carried away there. Let’s hustle back to Auntie Panhua’s restaurant! Who knew making a dish would be such a mission...

...I see. So that’s how it is. The Essence Medley Soup isn’t a fancy dish, just a simple recipe that’s often made and enjoyed at home. No wonder everyone’s talking about it being made from the finest Jinzhou ingredients and distilled into a single bowl.

And the reason it’s so prestigious isn’t necessarily because it’s mind-blowing in terms of taste... In that case, I suppose I won’t be needing this recipe after all.

Auntie Panhua, how about giving me and Rover a shot at it together?

While it may not end up being a regular menu item, we’ve put in a lot of effort to gather the ingredients, so it would be a shame not to at least try it. Besides, there are loads of folks out there dying to give it a try.

True. You’ve gone through all the trouble to gather the ingredients. It’d be a shame not to give it a try. Come on, everyone. The stove’s right here. Let’s whip it up together!

Well, how can I put it... It’s not exactly terrible, but...

Not good either. At the very least, it’s a far cry from the other dishes you make.

Oh no, we've come this far. Like in a typical story, it's time we proudly declare, "Thanks to our persistence, we've discovered the perfect flavor," right?

Seems like Rover's got some skill in the kitchen. Even though it's not a complex dish, you handled it like a pro, especially for a novice cook.

Looks like I’ll have to start calling you teacher.

Alright, after all this effort, it’s time to take a rest.

Here you go, everyone. The rewards I promised. Three meal vouchers. Anytime you’re craving Auntie’s dishes, just swing by. One voucher equals one free meal, and there’s no limit on how many dishes you can order!

Wow, can you believe we’ve covered almost half of Jinzhou in just one day?

Tiring, but so worth it! I’m usually tied up with patrols, so catching up with so many friends all at once like this is a total first for me.

Introducing you to everyone, shooting the breeze... It’s like reconnecting with old friends all over again. Wait, didn’t I promise to treat you to a meal? How did it end up with you being my tour buddy instead?

But hey, thanks to you, I finally get why folks rave about the Essence Medley Soup as they do.

Brewed from the finest Jinzhou ingredients, with every essence distilled into a single bowl... The real treasure lies in everyone’s willingness to share their most prized grub, don’t you think?

Exactly! If we were back in wartime, Auntie Panhua reminding me to eat on time, Uncle Mahe caring about my work, Koko fretting over my safety, Uncle Wei dropping knowledge bombs on me, and all the other folks in Jinzhou...

They’d all without a doubt open up their pantries and share their most cherished grub with us.

As for me, I wanna be someone who can protect every single soul in Jinzhou... including you! I wanna keep you safe too! I’ve had a great time hanging out with you.

So, while we’re in Jinzhou, let me shoulder your worries and troubles, alright?

You can bet on this Jinzhou Speedster’s determination!