Ancient Strengthening Technique

AST 2438 – Thoughts, Opening Imperial Cuisine Hall in Nine Stars Emperor City

Nine Stars Emperor City!

Qing Shui and the others had reached Nine Stars Domain’s legendary city. There was a strange aura which lunged over them the moment they entered Nine Stars Emperor City. This was a form of reserve strength.

“Nine Stars Emperor City has been around for a long time. It was rumored that they have been around since ancient times and was one of the weakest links within Upper Three Regions. However, even Nine Moons Domain or Nine Suns Domain wouldn’t belittle Nine Stars Emperor City.” Ling Chen’s home was here, and he was familiar with the area.

Qing Shui refused Ling Chen’s invitation politely and stayed in an inn here.

Ling Chen didn’t insist either. While their relationship was decent for the past few days, everyone had their own freedom. Besides, they didn’t have complete trust in each other just yet.

“Miss Nuo Lan, please gather some information about this place soon and establish a manor around this area.” Qing Shui smiled at Nuo Lan.

“That’s not a problem.” Nuo Lan smiled and headed out.

Qing Shui stood by the window of his room. He was on the sixth floor and could observe the roads below. It wasn’t too high, though, and was restricted in view.

The women walked in and Qing Shui smiled. “They’re still drinking.”

“Hm. It’s lively in the hall. I got to know quite a few people and heard some news.” Shen Huang spoke as she settled in the spot beside Qing Shui.

Qing Shui cuddled a woman on each arm and looked outside. “Nine Continents Medical Sect should be here as well. Oh, right. What do you think of Ling Chen?”

Beihuang Fan spoke up then. “Instinctively, I think he’s alright. He’s not one of those crafty and treacherous men. You said it yourself, he has never had a woman. Seems like he has principles.”

Beihuang Fan’s words mirrored his thoughts; he wouldn’t have agreed to Ling Chen dating Nuo Lan otherwise. Of course, this wasn’t to say that Qing Shui could control Nuo Lan’s relationships. But if Ling Chen was really an evil jerk, then he wouldn’t mind doing something behind their backs.

“We heard something in the hall earlier. A powerful Demon Gate Sect Leader appeared in Nine Continents Emperor City and was an unmatched beauty in her generation,” said Shen Huang gently.

Qing Shui didn’t express anything too out of the ordinary. He knew that they were talking about Tantai Lingyan and had expected her to be here. Although he didn’t think it was strange, he still felt slight agitation to the news. However, he didn’t have to show it in front of the two women, that wouldn’t be fair to them.

“We’ll see how it goes if we bump into them. This issue…” Qing Shui shook his head.

The next day, Nuo Lan informed Qing Shui about a few notable forces in Nine Stars Emperor City, such as Nine Continents Food Residence, Nine Continents Demon Gate, Nine Continents Medical Sect, Nine Continents Mighty Spear Sect, Nine Continents Cloth Manor, Nine Continents Trade Association, Nine Continents Medicine Association, Nine Continents Adventurers Society and so on.

Furthermore, they had already purchased a huge manor in a decent location. Despite the official term of it being purchased, the place was actually found by Ling Chen and they didn’t spend much. It was easy for Nine Continents Mighty Spear Sect to build a manor even in Nine Stars Emperor City.

The location of the manor was decent, standing along one of the best streets and at an intersection where there was a great traffic flow. Most importantly, this manor was rebuilt; it was just done but they hadn’t had a use for it.

Renovations were done as well. Qing Shui couldn’t be bothered with redoing the renovations, especially since it was already good to begin with. This would be an Imperial Cuisine Hall, and they would stop here for some time. However, Qing Shui knew that they would have to leave at some point. He was actually at a loss now.

Divine Palace and Demon Gate coexisted. Even though they were against each other, but it was like the good and evil in ancient times; there was no good without the presence of evil. Battle Gods existed for Demon Gate, and without the latter, there wouldn’t be Divine Palace.

Apart from that, Demon Gate and Divine Palace were also a form of existence in Nine Continents, just like Nine Continents Food Residence and the others. Hence, Qing Shui no longer felt a need to destroy the Demon Gate. They would reappear even after being destroyed; there was no way to eliminate evil. As time went back, it would reappear in a new form and even good could turn evil. This was just nature’s law.

Qing Shui had reached an epiphany about a lot of things that he didn’t know before. He had never been so aware as he was now. After experiencing so much, he truly felt it. He was aware before, but he had never felt it.

Hence, the way Qing Shui was now was mostly because of Tantai Lingyan, and he had the gut feeling that if Tantai Lingyan became Nine Continent Demon Gate’s strongest existence, then perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad thing. For example, they could rewrite the rules. Since he wouldn’t destroy them, then he could guide them. Perhaps such an ending would be for the best.

After thinking it through, Qing Shui’s spirits were lifted. Imperial Cuisine Hall was also ready to open for business.

It wasn’t a big deal to open a shop in Nine Stars Emperor City, but every industry had its rules, and smaller forces had their own. For example, to build some relationship, greet them in advance. This was even truer for greater forces. This was not like dealings with commerce taxations bodies in his previous life, but there was still a need to contact them. After all, there was a City Lord in Nine Stars Emperor City, and they had a few organizations under them. Payment must be made with the forces here, like taxing in previous life or protection fee.

Qing Shui’s street was under the name of Nine Continents Mighty Spear Sect and they had relied on Ling Chen for the opening of Imperial Cuisine Hall. No matter what, Ling Chen still had some weight among this generation.

The opening of Imperial Cuisine Hall wasn’t that crowded. Moreover, there weren’t many from Nine Continents Mighty Spear Sect who visited as well. Ling Chen came by, naturally, and brought along a few of his siblings. Qing Shui hadn’t allowed Ling Chen to make too much of a fuss over it as he didn’t think it was necessary. The more people there were, the more troubles it would bring. While he wasn’t afraid, he didn’t want to waste too much time and energy.

Qing Shui had about twenty to thirty people here, along with the dozens of people from Ling Chen’s side. Even though Ling Chen laid low, there were still several people who came for him.

It didn’t reach a hundred guests originally, but the grand opening of a shop always accompanied by the sound of firecrackers which attracted a crowd of pedestrians. After all, the location was good and there were many who were curious to check the new establishment out.

“Say, Boss. What’s this Imperial Cuisine Hall exactly?” yelled one of the guests out.

“Primarily for healing purposes, but we also serve foods,” answered Qing Shui.

“What a novel idea. Other inns would provide free food and drinks during opening while medical halls would allow free consultation. Do you have such an activity here?” shouted another guest.

“Yes, of course! Registration is there for free consultation, and free food will be on the other side.” Qing Shui laughed.

“Alright, I’ll go register.”

“Me too. But… Is the physician here good? I’ve been suffering from an unspeakable disease for a long time, but the medical fees are simply too expensive. It’s free right?” said a limping man.

The place was bustling in just a moment. After all, there were many who joined the crowd for the sake of it, and there was a great sales tactic of providing free services. Many people didn’t come to save money but to indulge in the atmosphere.