Chu Li smiled and joked, “Seems like I can still be of some use.”

　　Xue Ling chuckled, remembering Chu Li’s impressive performance that day. It made her heart flutter.

　　Chu Li said, “From now on, you can go to the Martial Arts Hall at your own convenience.”

　　Xue Ling gave him a supercilious look. “I can go on my own. I don’t need your company!”

　　Chu Li smiled apologetically at her. “I went over to the Wisdom Tower and I was so engrossed in the books that I lost track of time… Anyway, how did it go for you? Was there truly no progress at all?”

　　“It was okay.” Xue Ling shook her head and sighed somewhat dejectedly. The notes he found for her on the Crescent Cryptic cultivation were so-so, it was only of little use to her and it was a far cry from the eight forms of the Crescent Cryptic.

　　Chu Li encouraged her, “No matter what, you must practice the eight forms of the Crescent Cryptic properly. You have not grasped its essence yet. The more you practice and understand its essence, the superior the effects and the faster the improvement in your Crescent Cryptic cultivation!”

　　“Understood.” Xue Ling nodded.

　　Now that she had read the notes for the Crescent Cryptic cultivation, Xue Ling became more appreciative of the eight forms of the Crescent Cryptic. Knowing its true value, she realized how impressive Chu Li’s skill was. All the notes on the Crescent Cryptic cultivation in the Martial Arts Hall only focused on the cultivation technique itself. Nobody came up with a special technique like the eight forms of the Crescent Cryptic to complement it. Chu Li could be considered a first, a pioneer.

　　Chu Li once again sat in the shade of the pagoda and threw a Torso-Refining Pill into his mouth.

　　He ate the Torso-Refining Pill like sweets, devouring them whenever he felt like it. Even though doing so would make its powers diminish over time, there were still some effects that could be felt. Accumulating those effects, the changes in his meridians would become obvious. At crucial moments, Chu Li could manifest his Infinite Azure Sea skill multiple times if he wished to do so.

　　Xue Ling stopped her practice and entered into the small teahouse.

　　In the pagoda, an odd white gas accompanied by a low gurgling sound was seen appearing out of the small red clay furnace.

　　Chu Li looked up at the sky and went into a state of trance. He was using the spiritual force of the Glory’s Will to train his Minute Pulse Cleansing Technique. The combination of the Minute Pulse Cleansing Technique and the Torso-Refining Pill gave him superb effects.

　　Xue Ling brewed the tea gently with elegant movements similar to the floating clouds in the sky and the flowing waters of the river. It was pleasing to look at but it was too bad that Chu Li was not paying attention to her. This made her feel disappointed.

　　“Master, here is your tea.” Xue Ling handed the white jade teacup that was grasped carefully between both her hands to Chu Li.

　　Chu Li took the teacup from her and sipped from it. He gave her an appreciative smile.

　　Xue Ling instantly felt light-hearted. The corner of her mouth tilted up unwittingly.

　　As night fell and the beautiful lights illuminated the area, Chong Ming Town was buzzing with activity, in contrast to the quietness of the street where the Leisure Cloud Pub was located.

　　Inside the pub, it was as noisy and as full of life as the main street in the very center of the town. The graceful silhouette of the girls walking to and fro the tables gave the pub a pleasant and lively atmosphere.

　　A young man in silk clothing walked to the front of the pub. Beside him was an average looking servant, seemingly between the ages of sixteen to seventeen who was bowing and scraping to the young man. “Master, this is the place! This is undoubtedly the Leisure Cloud Pub!”

　　“Very well…” the young man took out a hand-held white paper fan and fanned himself, examining the words ‘Leisure Cloud Pub’ on the signboard and nodded in satisfaction. “The writing is not bad but with this kind of location, can the business really prosper? There’s nobody around!”

　　He was a fat man with short limbs and a thick neck. His face was ridden with pimples and bumps, some of the pimples appeared to be white while some looked were red. It was not a pretty sight.

　　“Master, I have heard that the business here is actually very good. If you are late, you will not be able to get a table!” the servant explained hurriedly to the young man. “Let’s go in quickly. Hopefully, there are still tables available.”

　　“There’s no need to rush!” the young man in silk clothing swung his fan and said confidently, “Since I’m here, there must be a table reserved for me even if there are no tables left available!”

　　“Master, you are so assured!” the servant gave him a thumbs up and praised the young man. “With just one sentence from Master, they must give us their table even if they don’t want to!”

　　“Hahaha, it’s good that you understand!” The young man in silk clothing raised his head in pride.

　　The two of them were standing at the entrance of the pub during their conversation. Two young men walked by and saw them standing outside. They looked at them curiously, wondering if there was something wrong with the two of them — for not going inside immediately after arriving.

　　The two young men went in first. They raised the thick curtains and a refreshing gust of wind with a whiff of a fragrant aroma could be felt coming from the interior.

　　The big and flat nose of the young man in silk clothing wriggled twice when he breathed in the air into his nostrils. He smiled. “What a lovely scent! I like it!”

　　The servant urged, “Master, let’s go inside.”

　　“Let’s go!” the young man in silk clothing waved his hand-held paper fan.

　　The servant raised the curtains for him and instantly the refreshing and fragrant air blew towards him. Two beautiful ladies greeted them.

　　Chen Ying bowed slightly and smiled at them. “Mister, I’m terribly sorry. There are no more tables left for tonight, you can book a table for tomorrow. I will make sure of it myself to reserve a table for you tomorrow!”

　　“No tables left?” the young man in silk clothing surveyed his surroundings and determined that the interior was indeed very cooling. It was clear that quite a number of ice blocks had been placed here. The smiling beauty in front of him gave off a nice fragrance and it stimulated his senses.

　　The servant demanded in a loud voice, “My Master came here specifically and your pub should be proud of it. Quickly empty a table for him! Here, this is a hundred taels — take it!”

　　He took out a banknote and handed it to Chen Ying.

　　Chen Ying took a step back and declined the offer with a smile. She shared a look with her partner Chen Xue and shook her head helplessly—situations like this had taken place a few times already.

　　Chen Xue had an oval-shaped face, snow-white skin, and bright red lips. Her eyebrows curved towards her temples, both her eyes were bright and brimming with vigor. Although she was not as beautiful as Xiao Qi, she was without a doubt a stunner too.

　　Chen Ying smiled politely at the young man. “Mister, please, this is not appropriate.”

　　“What’s so inappropriate? Let me in!” the servant brushed her off and stepped into the hall. He waved the 100 taels banknote in the air and yelled, “Ladies and gentlemen! Whoever finishes their meals fast enough and offers their table will receive this 100 taels as a small token of appreciation! I express my thanks in advance!”

　　He smiled and gave a fist salute to everyone in the hall.

　　The hall quieted down. His speech was heard loud and clear. Everyone looked at him, then at the young man in silk clothing. Finally, they shook their heads and laughed. All of them continued with their conversations and ignored the servant.

　　The servant waited for a while but nothing happened. He frowned; Money usually makes the world go round but it was just not the case today. 100 taels was not a small amount of money, if somebody offered his table, that money would be his!

　　Chen Ying smiled and apologized again, “Mister, I am truly sorry, but please do not annoy the other customers. Both of you can come back tomorrow and I will definitely give you the best table.”

　　“Master?” the servant looked at the young man with silk clothing awkwardly.

　　The young man in silk clothing snorted haughtily, “Tell them who I am!”

　　The servant hesitated. “But master…”

　　“Don’t be so wishy-washy!” the young man in silk clothing glared at his servant.

　　The servant had no choice but to follow his master’s instruction. He nodded and declared loudly, “My master’s name is Feng Wen, son of Feng Shicai!”

　　“Feng Shicai…” People started to whisper among themselves after hearing what the servant had said.

　　Very soon, two people stood up and shouted, “So you are Feng Shicai’s son! Welcome! Come join us at our table!”

　　The young man in silk clothing who was now being called Feng Wen swung his paper fan proudly, pleased with himself. His servant smiled broadly and hurriedly gestured a fist salute and bowed towards the two people who had invited them over. “My many thanks to both of you gentlemen. Thank you very much!”

　　The two of them walked towards the table of the two gentlemen. It was a square table that had only been occupied by two people, its size was just right for Feng Wen and his servant to join them at it.

　　Feng Wen gave them both a fist salute and thanked them. “Thank you. I believe I have yet to ask for both of your names.”

　　The two young men were the ones who had got into the pub just before them. Each of them recited their names but Feng Wen did not care to remember them. The servant stood beside him.

　　“How is Hero Feng?” One of the men asked.

　　“Well, he is fine. He can still scold and beat people!” replied Feng Wen.

　　“Hahaha, that’s good! That’s good! Hero Feng is still full of energy despite his age! Impressive!”

　　“He uses his energy on me! He scolds and hits me all day!”

　　“That’s Hero Feng’s way of showing his love for you!”

　　“Bullshit!”

　　“What is Hero Feng doing nowadays?”

　　“What can he do except scold and beat people? That old man!”

　　“Haih…” the two young men shook their heads in pity. Even someone as shrewd as Hero Feng had a son like this, it truly made others groan and feel sorry for him.

　　“I haven’t ask for this beauty’s name yet!” Feng Wen ignored the two young men and stared at Chen Ying intently while smiling wickedly. “I’m Feng Wenfeng.”

　　“Mr. Feng, please place your order.” Chen Ying gave him a nod and smiled.

　　She felt nothing even after seeing Feng Wen’s disgusting expression. All men are like this. Once they saw a beautiful girl, they lost the ability to walk or talk. Some of them hide their true intentions, while others display it openly. There was no difference.

　　“Fine. Give me all of your best dishes!” Feng Wen waved his hands in a dismissive manner with a smile. “And your name is?”

　　“I’m Chen Ying.”

　　“Wonderful! A beauty with a beautiful name—a brilliant combination!” Feng Wen sang her praises and clapped his hands.

　　Chen Ying shook her head introspectively—another person with intellectual pretension!

　　“Here, this is a reward from my Master!” The servant caught Feng Wen’s hint and handed Chen Ying a banknote. “Quickly, give thanks to him!”

　　Chen Ying turned down the offer with a wave of her hand and declined tactfully, “Thank you, Mr. Feng. But we have rules to follow here, we don’t accept tips.”

　　“Huh! What a weird rule to have!” Feng Wen laughed. “To refuse the money, that’s a first! Nice, I like it!”

　　Chen Ying smiled apologetically, bowed and turned to go away.

　　“Wait!” Feng Wen exclaimed, “I would like to ask you Miss Chen: what is your annual income?”

　　“Why does Mr. Feng ask this question?” Chen Ying answered him back with a question of her own.

　　Feng Wen waved his fan with a smiling face. “My family has a pub too and I would like to invite Miss Chen to work there. No matter what they are paying you, I will give you three-fold of the income you get here!”

　　He said while displaying three of his thick and short fingers.

　　“I like it here and I don’t want to work anywhere else. Nonetheless, thank you for your offer.” Chen Ying shook her head while maintaining her smile and turned to leave.

　　Feng Wen opened his mouth to say something again but Chen Ying had already left.

　　The servant whispered, “Master, do you need me to go and ask again?”

　　“There’s no need!” Feng Wen refused with a wave of his hand. He stared at Chen Ying’s back and sneered.

　　Feng Wen hated girls who rejected him the most. He disliked his own ugly face too but would not allow girls to disapprove of it. If a girl dared to refuse him, then she would face his wrath.

　　For the following two days, Feng Wen came to the pub. After sitting down, he would eat his meal and stare attentively at Chen Ying. It was as if he had fallen for her.

　　One morning, after Chu Li had finished with his work in the East Garden treating a number of illnesses, he was resting in the shade of the willow tree beside the lake, staring at the clear and shining surface of the water.

　　Zhao Ying, dressed in a light green gown, rode a small boat towards Chu Li.

　　Chu Li smiled and waved at her.

　　Zhao Ying got off her boat once she reached the shore and walked towards Chu Li, bringing along with her a sweet and captivating fragrance. She gave Chu Li a sideways glance and pouted. “Brother, you sure know how to enjoy yourself, having a beautiful maid at your side!”

　　Chu Li waved off her tease and asked, “Any problems with the pub?”

　　Zhao Ying stopped smiling and frowned. “Not much of a problem. It’s just that there are a few guys there who are infatuated with the girls.”

　　“Hmm—?” Chu Li turned to look at her.

　　“Sister Chen and the rest of the girls are all very pretty. There will definitely be men who are smitten with them. This is not surprising, isn’t it?”

　　Chu Li furrowed his brows and asked, “How many of them are there?”

　　“Around four to five.” Zhao Ying observed that he was unhappy so she said softly, “They came every day! They are all hopelessly in love!”