A Different World - Chapter 14: Eating

“Have you heard? It seems Zheyue Tower is going to participate in this Martial Arts Assembly.”

In the bustling restaurant hall, a table of diners chatted idly while eating, suddenly mentioning the mysterious Zheyue Tower that had become quite the topic in recent years.

Hearing the name “Zheyue Tower,” the diners at nearby tables turned their heads slightly, hoping to catch some gossip about what new information the intelligence-trading Zheyue Tower might bring.

The adjacent diner nodded and whispered, “Of course! I even heard that they arrived in Yan Prefecture a few days ago.”

As soon as these words were spoken, a murmur spread through the restaurant. Several tables exchanged meaningful glances, quietly left their seats, and gathered in a street corner.

“Master Lin, what do you make of Zheyue Tower joining the Martial Arts Assembly this time?” asked the Hall Master of Wuji Hall.

The Master of the Sirius Gang snorted coldly in response. “If it weren’t for Zheyue Tower interfering, our gang wouldn’t have botched that deal five years ago.”

Five years ago, they had received an assassination commission. Just as they were about to act, Zheyue Tower got there first, warning the target, who escaped right under their noses.

The client was a significant figure from Shuoyang, someone their small gang could not afford to offend. As a result, after failing the mission, every business the Sirius Gang handled in the following five years met with failure.

Seeing his once-prosperous gang on the verge of collapse, he decided to attend this Martial Arts Assembly to gauge the court’s stance. If given the chance to submit to imperial authority, perhaps his brothers could at least have a meal to eat.

The leader of the Twin Tigers Society chimed in, “Our society also suffered losses at the hands of those scoundrels from Zheyue Tower. They rely on their strategic position in Qiong Mountain to cut off others’ livelihoods. Even the notorious Crimson Moon Sect wasn’t as arrogant as they are!”

The Twin Tigers Society operated in Yue Prefecture, separated from Jian Prefecture by a river. As a martial arts faction protecting their region, what was wrong with charging tolls? It was an unspoken rule in the martial world. Even the cargo guilds transporting stone materials didn’t complain.

But Zheyue Tower suddenly interfered, claiming the canal construction was a noble cause for the country and the people, granting free passage through Qiong Mountain’s waterways to those involved in the canal project. The cargo guilds preferred rerouting through Zheyue Tower’s Qiong Mountain territory, currying favor with them, rather than continuing to do business with the Twin Tigers Society.

The Hall Master of Wuji Hall gritted his teeth and growled, “Ever since Zheyue Tower was established, they’ve infiltrated everywhere. They control all the information, leaving the rest of us at their mercy. If we want our secrets safe, we must pay their exorbitant fees. The martial world today has become so passive!”

At these words, the others voiced their grievances in agreement, vowing to unite at this Martial Arts Assembly and teach Zheyue Tower a lesson.

However, what they didn’t know was that someone hiding in the shadows had overheard every word and recorded it all.

A man disguised as a peddler emerged from an alleyway, entered the rear entrance of the Drunken Immortal Restaurant, changed into a server’s uniform, and carried dishes upstairs. He knocked on the door of the restaurant’s most prestigious private room, the Tianzi Suite.

The Tianzi Suite, nearly impossible to reserve, was currently occupied by a few diners enjoying a leisurely lunch.

Hearing the coded knock, the people inside looked toward the door. Jiang Yunxiu rose, opened a crack, and peeked outside. Confirming it was their own, he opened the door.

“Guests, here are your dishes: Longjing Shrimp, Braised Lion’s Head, Marinated Pork Ribs, and Three Delicacies Stew, all served. This pot is Penglai Spring tea. Enjoy your meal!” The server carefully placed the dishes on the table, exchanged a meaningful glance, and quietly left.

After he left, Jiang Yunxiu lifted a few dishes and found a note pressed beneath them, detailing everything the Sirius Gang and others had said.

He handed the note to Ye Yin and asked, “Master, should we eliminate these people in secret?”

Ye Yin set down his chopsticks, calmly took the note, and reviewed it before replying softly, “No need to act for now. Just send someone to monitor them.”

He then handed the note to Chang’an, who had been glancing over curiously.

From others’ perspectives, Zheyue Tower’s actions indeed blocked their financial paths. However, the Sirius Gang had been tasked with hunting down someone Zheyue Tower had vowed to protect. As for waiving tolls, it was a way to build rapport with the cargo guilds. Zheyue Tower specialized in intelligence trading, and the cargo guilds, as the “fish” of the Xu River, were the most knowledgeable about everything on the waterway. Naturally, frequent interactions were necessary.

It was simply a matter of differing positions and approaches.

At the other end of the table, Zuo Qingchuan remained silent, staring at the dishes but not moving his chopsticks.

Jiang Yunxiu, noticing his unusual behavior, asked softly, “Does the food here not suit your taste?”

That couldn’t be. To better disguise themselves, Zheyue Tower had established bases across various regions over the years. The Drunken Immortal Restaurant was one of them. Knowing the master was coming, the kitchen had specifically prepared dishes in the Jian Prefecture style. It should have been to his liking!

Zuo Qingchuan shook his head and simply said, “You all eat. I’m not very hungry and will go rest in my room.”

After saying that, he lazily walked out of the private room.

Ye Chang’an’s gaze shifted away from the paper and, looking puzzled at Zuo Qingchuan’s departing figure, asked Ye Yin, “It seems like something’s been off with him ever since we entered Yan Prefecture.”

Knowing Zuo Qingchuan dislikes unnecessary movement, they had specifically asked him before departure whether he wanted to join. This martial arts conference would last a month, and Ye Yin’s medication couldn’t be interrupted. If Zuo Qingchuan chose not to come, they’d have to prepare a month’s supply of medicine in advance.

At first, Zuo Qingchuan said he wouldn’t come, but upon hearing that the conference would take place in Yan Prefecture, he suddenly changed his mind and decided to accompany them.

Regarding Zuo Qingchuan’s odd behavior, Ye Yin was well aware of the reasons. Given their complex identities, Ye Yin had ordered Jiang Yunxiu to investigate everyone within Zheyue Tower, naturally uncovering what Zuo Qingchuan had gone through.

However, this was a private matter, not something Ye Yin could casually explain. Instead, he picked up some food and placed it in Chang’an’s bowl, saying gently, “Eat up. These are all your favorites.”

Seemingly intent on competing, Chang’an also picked up some food and placed it in Ye Yin’s bowl. “Master should eat more; your arms are so thin they’re almost without any flesh.”

Not long ago, during the winter, a heavy snow had fallen on Qiong Mountain. Chang’an, exhausted from practicing his swordsmanship, had accidentally fallen asleep in the courtyard. When he awoke, he saw Ye Yin building a snowman in his image nearby. Upon noticing that Chang’an had woken up silently, Ye Yin was so startled he nearly fell over. Fortunately, Chang’an had grabbed him in time, though at the time he thought he had grabbed a stick of firewood.

Unknowingly, a small mountain of food had piled up in Ye Yin’s bowl. He hurriedly called out to stop Chang’an. “Chang’an, that’s enough! I can’t finish all this!”

Ever since the end of last year, not only had Chang’an been watching over Ye Yin while he drank his medicine, but he’d also been monitoring his meals. Still, there was an upside to this; Ye Yin had indeed put on some weight in recent months.

“Take your time.” Chang’an stopped adding food but continued to watch Ye Yin seriously, ensuring he finished his meal.

Suddenly, the secret knock sounded again. The same server from earlier delivered a new pot of wine, accompanied by a fresh note.

After reading the information on the note, Jiang Yunxiu quickly approached Ye Yin, presenting it to him. “Master, how should we deal with this person?”

Since their arrival in Yan Prefecture, many had been secretly trying to find out where Zheyue Tower was staying. However, this individual was different—he had come from the capital, Qingdu.

Author’s Note:

Thank you for reading!