# E17 - At the End of the Yangtze River
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/GX9UQD8NN/at-the-end-of-the-yangtze-river)
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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
**[00:04] (Flashback) Yakan**
Behold the land's largest fire!
**[00:08] (Flashback) Like**
When he unleashes that heat,
**[00:10] (Flashback) Like**
everything he touches
is enveloped in flames!
**[00:13] (Flashback) Yakan**
I see that you are a chef of an
extraordinary scale, Liu Maoxing.
**[00:18] (Flashback) Yakan**
But that's not enough to defeat me!
**[00:25] (Flashback) Yakan**
Great Heavenly River of Fire!
***SIGN*** Great Heavenly
***SIGN*** River of Fire
**[00:32] (Flashback) Mao**
The Yangtze River...
**[00:33] (Flashback) Shirou**
...is on fire!
***SIGN*** True Cooking Master Boy
***SIGN*** Flaming Chef
**[02:08] Yakan**
I am the Cooking Underworld's
Five Tiger Star Ya Kan!
**[02:11] Yakan**
Liu Maoxing, if you'll burn a boat,
**[02:15] Yakan**
then I shall transform the Yangtze
River into a sea of fire!
**[02:19] Like**
Explosive Twice Cooked Pork
and Roast Suckling Pig.
**[02:23] Like**
Maoxing, you're quite impressive.
**[02:26] Like**
However, Lord Ya Kan
is a bit more impressive.
**[02:31] Yakan**
Let's go, Li Ke.
**[02:32] Like**
Yes, sir!
**[02:35] Meili**
Why is she acting like she's our friend?
**[02:38] Xielu**
He's not taking any ingredients or utensils.
**[02:41] Xielu**
What's he planning to do with that boat?
**[02:45] Leien**
What's that sound?
**[02:52] Xielu**
Look. A ton of fish
are floating to the surface.
**[02:57] Like**
Lord Ya Kan, how are these?
**[03:00] Yakan**
You've chosen well as usual, Li Ke.
**[03:03] Mao**
Look at that bluish black back.
**[03:05] Mao**
She's chosen exceptionally fresh black carp.
**[03:09] Narration**
*Black carp.*
**[03:10] Narration**
* One of four major Chinese freshwater fish*
* and luxury ingredient in Chinese cooking.*
**[03:15] Narration**
* Its powerful jaw as well*
* as the tail it waves*
**[03:17] Narration**
* when it uses said jaw*
* are considered delicious.*
**[03:21] Shirou**
But why did all those
fish rise to the surface?
**[03:24] Xielu**
Gunpowder.
**[03:26] Xielu**
They set off gunpowder underwater.
**[03:28] Xielu**
The fish knocked out
by the blast floated to the surface.
**[03:32] Xielu**
It's an effective method for catching
**[03:34] Xielu**
large numbers of black carp,
which live on the riverbed.
**[03:37] Meili**
It's raining.
**[03:39] Meili**
I have a bad feeling about this.
**[03:41] Shirou**
What are you talking about?
That's lucky for us.
**[03:43] Shirou**
This'll put out his fire.
His dishes will be ruined.
**[03:47] Leien**
No. If anything, the fire appears
to be burning even higher
**[03:50] Leien**
as though it's fighting back
against the rain.
**[03:56] Yakan**
Let's go, Li Ke.
**[03:58] Like**
Yes, sir!
**[04:00] Mao**
They've already removed the guts
and made deep uniform cuts.
**[04:05] Mao**
Such speed.
**[04:06] Xielu**
He doesn't mind this rain at all.
**[04:09] Xielu**
What an unbelievable guy.
**[04:11] Xielu**
He's heading straight into the flames.
**[04:14] Xielu**
Is he trying to kill himself?!
**[04:18] Yakan**
Behold my fire dance!
***SIGN*** Great Heavenly Wheel of Fire
**[04:27] Yakan**
Great Heavenly Wheel of Fire!
**[04:34] Xielu**
What's this?
**[04:36] Xielu**
Ya Kan is swinging a bundle
of carp inside the fire
**[04:39] Xielu**
while the girl splashes
something on the fish.
**[04:43] Meili**
This isn't cooking, it's more like
an exciting and magnificent dance!
**[04:49] Xielu**
The power it takes to swing the fish
is certainly impressive,
**[04:52] Xielu**
but we should be focusing on the point
where the carp cuts through the flames.
**[04:59] Shirou**
He's just swinging them
around like a madman.
**[05:02] Mao**
No, it makes sense.
**[05:04] Mao**
He's making the most of the centrifugal
force resulting from the carp's weight.
**[05:08] Meili**
Centrifugal force?
**[05:09] Mao**
Li Ke is probably splashing them with sauce.
**[05:13] Mao**
Since the cuts on their bodies
cut deep towards the head,
**[05:17] Mao**
the force causes the sauce to be
absorbed rapidly as the fish is cooked,
**[05:20] Mao**
while any excess sauce is removed.
**[05:23] Mao**
Repeatedly applying the sauce and
cooking the fish deepens the flavors.
**[05:29] Leien**
Looks like he's finished cooking.
**[05:37] Yakan**
Have a taste
**[05:41] Yakan**
of my Great Heavenly Grilled Black Carp.
***SIGN*** Great Heavenly Grilled Black Carp
**[05:44] Shirou**
You put on quite the show,
**[05:46] Shirou**
but all you did was fry
some fish over a fire.
**[05:48] Xielu**
No, grilling fish is incredibly
rare in Chinese cuisine.
**[05:53] Xielu**
Because grilling a fish is such
a simple cooking method,
**[05:55] Xielu**
it requires great skill in the use of fire.
**[05:57] Xielu**
I can tell you're quite confident
in your fire techniques.
**[06:03] Xielu**
* It's so fragrant, the mucus*
* membrane of my nose is melting.*
**[06:21] Mao**
Xie Lu?
**[06:24] Xielu**
It's good. It's delicious.
**[06:26] Xielu**
I hate to admit it, but it's so good,
it's giving me goosebumps!
**[06:32] Xielu**
The centrifugal force allowed
the sauce to permeate the fish.
**[06:35] Xielu**
Hard to believe he achieved this depth
of flavor with such a short time.
**[06:38] Xielu**
The force may have cast
the mud off the fish,
**[06:40] Xielu**
because there isn't the slightest
whiff of it on the fish.
**[06:43] Xielu**
But most unbelievable of all...
**[06:46] Xielu**
is how well it's cooked!
**[06:48] Xielu**
It's lightly browned, as though
it was slowly cooked.
**[06:51] Xielu**
Not only that, but it falls apart
no matter where I stick my chopsticks.
**[06:54] Xielu**
It's so uniformly cooked!
**[06:56] Mao**
Uniform? That's impossible.
**[07:01] Shirou**
Impossible?
**[07:02] Mao**
Uneven browning is a distinctive
quality of grilling anything.
**[07:08] Mao**
Swinging the fish around inside
that blaze should've dispersed the flames,
**[07:12] Mao**
making the browning even more uneven.
**[07:14] Mao**
What technique did he use?
**[07:18] Yakan**
It's not about my skill
with fire, Liu Maoxing.
**[07:23] Yakan**
Let's move onto the main dish.
**[07:27] Shirou**
Well, Xie Lu? Which dish is better?
**[07:31] Xielu**
You idiot! I can't make that decision
until I've eaten Ya Kan's second dish.
**[07:36] Like**
Who's currently winning, then?
**[07:40] Like**
How does Lord Ya Kan's dish
compare to Maoxing's dishes?
**[07:44] Xielu**
Don't be ridiculous!
**[07:45] Xielu**
The nation's best Super Chef cooked
two incredible dishes for me.
**[07:49] Xielu**
They can't be compared to a single dish.
**[07:52] Xielu**
That would give Mao the advan...
**[07:57] Xielu**
Sorry. Let me think about it.
**[08:00] Mao**
Xie Lu.
**[08:03] Xielu**
* Think about Mao's Explosive*
* Twice Cooked Pork.*
**[08:07] Xielu**
* The crisp texture of the vegetables*
* cooked in that red-hot pan.*
**[08:12] Xielu**
* The rich pork that absorbed the fat*
* and slightly sweet and spicy sauce.*
**[08:18] Xielu**
*Then there's his Roast Suckling Pig.*
**[08:21] Xielu**
* The flavor of the beef fat and browned*
* suckling pig were to die for.*
**[08:25] Xielu**
* There shouldn't be a dish that can*
* stand against these two great dishes*
**[08:28] Xielu**
*that utilized both high and low flames.*
**[08:31] Xielu**
* But that flaming jerk's dish*
* involved swinging fish around*
**[08:35] Xielu**
*like a madman inside a fire.*
**[08:39] Xielu**
* The sauce permeated the fish,*
* and the fish itself was fragrant.*
**[08:42] Xielu**
* It was delicately and*
* uniformly cooked. That said—*
**[08:47] Xielu**
*Huh? No, wait. That's not...*
**[08:50] Xielu**
*Could it be?!*
**[08:52] Like**
They're evenly matched, aren't they?
**[08:56] Like**
Maoxing's two dishes and
Lord Ya Kan's one dish.
**[08:59] Like**
It's reasonable to think they're
evenly matched. Right, Xie Lu?
**[09:02] Xielu**
Damn it!
**[09:03] Xielu**
That's right! They're equal!
**[09:06] Xielu**
I'm sorry, Mao.
**[09:08] Xielu**
But as a chef, I can't lie to my tongue.
**[09:12] Xielu**
When it comes to heat and flavor,
**[09:15] Xielu**
your dishes can't compare
to Ya Kan's individually!
**[09:21] Shirou**
Why? Why would you rule in
favor of the Underworld?!
**[09:25] Xielu**
Use your head, Shirou!
This is hardest for me!
**[09:29] Shirou**
But...
**[09:32] Shirou**
It's time for his second dish.
**[09:34] Shirou**
What's that flaming jerk
going to do this time?
**[09:39] Yakan**
My second dish shall be
fried and boiled fish.
**[09:44] Shirou**
Boiled fish?
**[09:45] Shirou**
But he doesn't have a pot.
How's he going to boil a fish?
**[09:50] Shirou**
What?
**[09:51] Shirou**
Ya Kan's fire is causing the surface
of the Yangtze River to boil!
**[09:55] Shirou**
That shouldn't be possible!
**[09:57] Leien**
No, Panther Head Ya Kan always
does what he says he'll do.
**[10:03] Leien**
The leaders of the Cooking Underworld
are more powerful than we imagined.
**[10:08] Shirou**
Since Mao's two dishes are equal to his one,
**[10:10] Shirou**
if he makes a second dish...
**[10:12] Meili**
Mao's undefeated record...
**[10:15] Leien**
Not even Mao could overcome the Five
Tiger Stars' undefeated record.
**[10:26] Xielu**
The rain is suddenly coming down harder.
**[10:27] Xielu**
Look, there!
**[10:30] Xielu**
It's putting out Ya Kan's wall of fire.
**[10:36] Leien**
Not even Flaming Chef Ya Kan can use
his fire skills in this pouring rain.
**[10:47] Yakan**
It's a tie.
**[10:49] Like**
Indeed. Regardless...
**[10:52] Like**
You're quite the lucky boy, Maoxing.
**[10:55] Yakan**
You're wrong, Li Ke.
**[10:58] Yakan**
I finally understand what's
holding you up, Liu Maoxing.
**[11:03] Like**
What do you mean?
**[11:06] Yakan**
Mengzi once said,
**[11:08] Yakan**
"Those who follow heaven live,
while those who defy heaven perish."
**[11:15] Yakan**
Liu Maoxing.
**[11:16] Yakan**
You are beloved by the heavens.
**[11:21] Yakan**
That is why the superior chef Shao An lost
**[11:26] Yakan**
two contests that determined his fate.
**[11:32] Yakan**
None can defy the will of heaven.
**[11:36] Yakan**
The heavens are continuing
to choose you for now.
**[11:42] Yakan**
Let us leave for today.
**[11:44] Yakan**
However, next time will
be different, Liu Maoxing.
**[11:48] Yakan**
You should hone your skills until then.
**[12:06] Mao**
* The Cooking Underworld's Five Tiger*
* Star Ya Kan was an incredible chef.*
**[12:12] Mao**
*I want to beat him.*
**[12:13] Mao**
* To do that, Ya Kan,*
* I'll unravel your mysteries!*
**[12:21] Meili**
We successfully defended
the legendary utensils,
**[12:24] Meili**
but the undefeated Mao nearly
suffered his first loss.
**[12:27] Shirou**
That Ya Kan guy seemed awfully different
**[12:29] Shirou**
from the other Underworld
Chefs we've met until now.
**[12:32] Xielu**
Yeah. He's not only skilled,
but he has a dignified demeanor.
**[12:37] Xielu**
He knew when to quit, too.
**[12:39] Xielu**
It's a shame he has to be our enemy.
**[12:42] Leien**
He's a true Five Tiger Star, one of
the Underworld's strongest chefs.
**[12:48] Mao**
It's true that at my current level,
I couldn't possibly compete against him.
**[12:53] Mao**
But I'll train 10—no, *20 times* harder.
**[12:58] Mao**
Next time, I'll win!
**[13:15] Xiang**
Panther Head Ya Kan went too easy on you.
**[13:19] Xiang**
His weakness is his immovable pride.
**[13:24] Meili**
This voice.
**[13:25] Xiang**
I can't believe he left behind
the utensils that were right before him.
**[13:35] Leien**
Oh, no. The Holy Copperware!
**[13:37] Xielu**
Who's there?!
**[13:40] Xielu**
Ten Feet of Blue Xiang!
**[13:42] Xielu**
I've been wondering where you went
since you went missing in Shanghai.
**[13:46] Leien**
You failed to learn your lesson
and showed up again.
**[13:49] Xiang**
Liu Maoxing, beloved by heaven?
**[13:53] Xiang**
Then I'll change the will of heaven myself.
**[13:59] Xielu**
You still don't get it, you vixen?
**[14:01] Xielu**
No matter how many times you challenge us
with your shallow wit, it's pointless.
**[14:05] Xielu**
Return the utensil, now!
**[14:13] Xielu**
Who are you?
**[14:17] Luoke**
I am Luo Ke the Multicolored Tiger.
**[14:20] Luoke**
Are these the chefs from Guangdong
who defeated Shao An in Shanghai?
**[14:24] Xiang**
That's them.
**[14:27] Xielu**
Crap! Protect the maps!
**[14:33] Shirou**
Mao!
**[14:38] Mao**
Master Luo gave us these important maps.
**[14:41] Mao**
We won't let you have your way.
**[14:43] Xiang**
What's the point in resisting, weakling?!
**[14:46] Xiang**
Let go of the maps, Liu Maoxing.
**[14:50] Both**
Mao!
**[14:55] Mao**
Lei En!
**[14:56] Mao**
The maps!
**[15:05] Xiang**
They're mine!
**[15:10] Xielu**
Lei En!
**[15:16] Mao**
Xie Lu, Lei En!
**[15:20] Xiang**
Three more to go.
**[15:22] Mao**
Why, Xiang?
**[15:23] Mao**
How can you be so cruel?!
**[15:26] Xiang**
Two thousand years ago, Liu Bang
chased down and destroyed Xiang Yu
**[15:29] Xiang**
after supposedly making peace with him,
then founded the Han dynasty.
**[15:33] Xiang**
Even so, future generations
don't call him a coward.
**[15:36] Xiang**
Heaven's favor comes to those
who seize opportunities,
**[15:38] Xiang**
are unconstrained by feelings,
and stick to their purpose.
**[15:42] Xiang**
I'll rip the utensils, the maps,
and your divine favor
**[15:46] Xiang**
right out from under you.
**[15:50] Mao**
You'll pay for this, Xiang!
**[15:55] Mao**
What?
**[15:56] Leien**
Stay back, Mao.
**[15:57] Xiang**
What?!
**[16:00] Xielu**
You won't be taking anything!
**[16:04] Xielu**
Mao! Hold onto the utensils
and stay right there.
**[16:08] Xielu**
I won't let you trash lay a finger on Mao!
**[16:13] Leien**
He's the culinary world's last ray of hope.
**[16:18] Mao**
Xie Lu, Lei En...
**[16:21] Leien**
This is your last chance to go, Xie Lu.
**[16:23] Leien**
I can settle this on my own.
**[16:26] Xielu**
Idiot, you think I'd let you
heroically die alone?
**[16:31] Leien**
You truly are an idiot.
**[16:34] Xielu**
Right back at you!
**[16:36] Xielu**
Now move!
**[16:39] Luoke**
What are you doing?!
**[16:44] Luoke**
They severed the chains!
**[16:46] Luoke**
The boats are drifting apart!
**[16:47] Xiang**
Let's steal the remaining maps and utensils!
**[16:50] Luoka**
Got it—
**[16:55] Xielu**
Stay down, morons.
**[16:57] Mao**
I'm coming!
**[16:59] Xielu**
I told you to stay put!
**[17:02] Leien**
Get to land and head to the next utensil!
**[17:06] Mao**
Not like this. Xie Lu, Lei En!
**[17:10] Xielu**
Don't worry, Mao. We've got two maps.
**[17:15] Xielu**
If we split up, we'll be able to
gather the utensils faster.
**[17:19] Mao**
But, Xie Lu...
**[17:23] Xielu**
Mao, let's hold another shumai contest
in the Yang Spring Restaurant's kitchen.
**[17:29] Leien**
Smile, Mao. You're best when you're smiling.
**[17:34] Mao**
Xie Lu, Lei En...
**[17:38] Xielu**
You know what do yo, Shirou and Mei Li!
**[17:41] Xielu**
You've gotta support Mao!
**[17:43] Shirou**
Xie Lu!
**[17:45] Meili**
Lei En!
**[17:46] Both**
Let go!
**[17:47] Xielu**
I don't think so.
**[17:49] Leien**
This is your destiny.
**[17:54] Mao**
Xie Lu, Lei En!
**[18:09] Shirou**
Mao, how much farther to
the Chrysanthemum Tower?
**[18:12] Mao**
We're almost there.
**[18:14] Shirou**
You've been saying that for three days, Mao.
**[18:20] Shirou**
Your home, the Chrysanthemum Tower...
**[18:23] Shirou**
is Szechuan's greatest
state-run restaurant, right?
**[18:26] Shirou**
How are they managing without you?
**[18:34] Mao**
The shop's closed for now.
**[18:36] Mao**
Keling is supposed to be
taking care of the shop.
**[18:46] Shirou**
*This* is how you spin a bamboo-copter. There.
**[18:55] Shirou**
You suck, Mao.
**[18:57] Mao**
Now you've said it, Shirou!
**[19:02] Mao**
You little brat.
**[19:03] Shirou**
Ow. That hurts, Mao!
**[19:07] Meili**
*Why is Mao trying so hard to smile?*
**[19:12] Meili**
*It's only been half a month since then.*
**[19:24] Shirou**
Hey, Mao.
**[19:26] Mao**
Huh?
**[19:30] Shirou**
Quit spacing out, Mao!
**[19:32] Shirou**
A Super Chef shouldn't burn his cooking!
**[19:38] Mao**
Shirou, your dinner is ready.
**[19:40] Shirou**
You're making me eat this? You suck, for real!
**[19:45] Shirou**
Jeez, Mao. I can't eat this.
**[19:47] Meili**
*Mao is doing his best to pretend
to be cheerful, but...*
**[19:50] Mao**
Hey, cut that out.
**[19:56] Meili**
*I want to do whatever I can to help Mao.*
**[19:59] Meili**
* I'll harvest some rare and*
* delicious mountain vegetables.*
**[20:05] Meili**
That's an unusual mushroom. Isn't that...
**[20:10] Meili**
Oof.
**[20:12] Meili**
I'm sure Mao will cheer up
if I bring these to him.
**[20:15] Meili**
Almost there...
**[20:23] Meili**
I've been saved?
**[20:29] Zhuqi**
That was close.
**[20:32] Meili**
Who are you?
**[20:35] Meili**
Thank you. I'm so clumsy.
**[20:39] Zhuqi**
Indeed. Given how clumsy you are,
it's no wonder you fell down that ravine.
**[20:45] Meili**
Listen, you—
**[20:47] Zhuqi**
Hey, you're hurt.
**[20:50] Zhuqi**
What a hopeless girl.
**[20:52] Zhuqi**
Not only are you injured,
**[20:53] Zhuqi**
but your hair's a mess,
and your clothes are ruined.
**[20:55] Zhuqi**
You couldn't be less attractive.
**[20:59] Meili**
What do you know?! I've got my reasons!
**[21:03] Meili**
I've been through a dangerous
journey to get this far.
**[21:08] Zhuqi**
I'm saying you're putting your
unparalleled beauty to waste.
**[21:13] Meili**
What?
**[21:16] Meili**
Don't tease me!
**[21:20] Zhuqi**
So, what are you doing
here in these mountains?
**[21:23] Meili**
What?
**[21:24] Meili**
I was trying to get those mushrooms.
**[21:28] Zhuqi**
And if you'd safely gotten your
hands on them, you would've died.
**[21:31] Meili**
Why?
**[21:32] Zhuqi**
Those are poisonous east
Asian brown death caps.
**[21:36] Zhuqi**
Put one in your mouth,
and you'll be dead within minutes.
**[21:40] Meili**
What? Who are you?
**[21:44] Zhuqi**
I'm Zhu Qui, head chef of
the Chrysanthemum Tower.
**[21:49] Zhuqi**
Don't you forget it.
**[21:51] Meili**
Head chef of the Chrysanthemum Tower?
***SIGN*** Next Time
***SIGN*** "Calamity at the Chrysanthemum Tower"
**[23:57] Narration**
*"Calamity at the Chrysanthemum Tower."*