Novel Full Chapter 64: The Stir-fried Tea Dispute
Chapter 64: Chapter 64: The Stir-fried Tea Dispute
After packing the tea leaves, Fang Yue left the shop.
As for why he didn’t haggle, it was because in this era, most ordinary shops that managed to stay in business did so on the strength of their good reputation.
People at this time placed great importance on credibility. If a shop was caught cheating customers, word would spread, their reputation would be ruined, and it would become difficult to do business.
Since arriving in this ancient era, Fang Yue had been deeply impressed by the simple and honest customs of this world.
Not long after leaving the shop, Fang Yue arrived at the White Tiger Boxing Hall.
The gatekeeper was a different person this time, but still an ’acquaintance.’ It was the same man who had been at the gate when he first came to the Martial Arts Hall with Fang Hu—a ’martial uncle’ of sorts.
However, although this man was from the same generation of disciples as Fang Hu, his skills were lacking. He was over thirty and still only at the Skin Grinding stage; this was likely the extent of his lifetime achievement.
Thus, a dignified, official disciple of the Martial Arts Hall had been reduced to guarding the gate.
However, Fang Yue had later heard that this man had returned to his village in the countryside.
He didn’t expect that after not seeing him for two years, the man would be back in the city, guarding the gate once more.
"Heh, isn’t this the fellow who came with Fang Hu? What was your name, Fang-something? Sorry, the side gate is broken today. Please use the back entrance."
They hadn’t seen each other in nearly two years, yet this man still remembered Fang Yue.
However, just like their first meeting, he was extremely rude to him.
Or rather, he was transferring his discourtesy toward Fang Hu onto Fang Yue.
’The back entrance?’
’He won’t even let me use the side gate?’
Fang Yue couldn’t help but smile. The man was still the same. But Fang Yue was now a Martial Scholar, no longer an insignificant nobody in the Martial Arts Hall.
Even if he wasn’t well-liked in the hall because of his connection to Fang Hu, he was no longer someone a mere gatekeeper could bully at will.
Fang Yue smiled faintly, just about to teach this gatekeeper a lesson.
But at that very moment, a strong horse galloped over.
"You, stop! Do you think you can just use the side gate!"
The gatekeeper shouted, moving to block Fang Yue.
But at that very moment, a fast horse galloped over.
When the gatekeeper saw the newcomer, he ignored Fang Yue completely and turned to greet the rider with a warm, fawning expression.
"Ah, isn’t it Eldest Young Master Wang? Please, come in."
The newcomer was also an acquaintance: Wang Teng, who had taken the Martial Scholar examination with Fang Yue.
He was also the person Fang Yue suspected of plotting against him. However, aside from the opponent he had fought in the test, the man hadn’t made any other moves.
After passing the exam, Fang Yue had returned to Da Liushu Village, so he hadn’t gone looking for trouble with him.
He never expected to run into him here today.
"Heh, Mr. Chen, it’s been two years. You’re looking much younger," Wang Teng said with a smile.
Although he used a respectful title, he showed no intention of dismounting.
Clearly, he didn’t hold this gatekeeper in high regard.
The Chen Gatekeeper bowed and scraped with a broad smile, then went to open the Martial Arts Hall’s side gate to welcome Wang Teng inside.
But at that very moment, Hall Master Zheng’s second disciple—the man who was now the actual steward of the Martial Arts Hall—happened to walk out.
"Master Chen!" Wang Teng saw the man and, assuming he was there to greet him, felt a surge of delight.
’Could it be? Does Master Chen Tong know that I’m about to achieve Great Success in Skin Grinding and will be able to start Bone Forging in half a year at most?’
’Is that why he’s so enthusiastic to see me?’
However, in the next moment...
Chen Tong walked past the gatekeeper, past Wang Teng, and came to Fang Yue’s side.
"Haha, Fang, why are you just standing here?" he said warmly. "You must be here to see the Hall Master. As it happens, he’s free right now. Come, come with me."
As he spoke, he enthusiastically took Fang Yue by the hand and led him into the Martial Arts Hall.
Only then did Wang Teng notice that Fang Yue had been standing right there all along.
He hadn’t noticed Fang Yue at all at first. Or perhaps it was that Fang Yue was dressed too plainly, looking like a poor boy from the countryside.
Looking at his back, he truly wouldn’t have recognized him as Fang Yue.
And now, Chen Tong—Master Chen—the man with real power in the Martial Arts Hall, second only to Hall Master Zheng and the senior-most disciple, was being so warm toward Fang Yue.
For a moment, Wang Teng was completely stunned.
It wasn’t just him; seeing this, the Chen Gatekeeper was utterly dumbfounded.
It took him a long while to come to his senses.
"Nephew Wang, who was that just now? How did he merit Chen... Senior Brother Chen coming to greet him personally?"
Although the Chen Gatekeeper also had the surname Chen, compared to an expert of Marrow Transformation like Chen Tong, he was like dust to jade—worlds apart.
"That man is named Fang Yue. He’s a Martial Scholar."
Wang Teng’s face darkened. He was a Martial Scholar too, and from a better family. How had he been outshone by Fang Yue?
He thought of Zhang Shu, the woman he coveted but couldn’t have, who was now to be betrothed to this very Fang Yue by Zhang Boyang.
This left an even more bitter taste in Wang Teng’s mouth.
After speaking, his face still dark, he ignored the Chen Gatekeeper and led his horse into the Martial Arts Hall himself.
"Oh, my heavens! That kid is a Martial Scholar? What incredible luck did that Fang Hu have to get a Martial Scholar as a disciple!"
The Chen Gatekeeper stood there, dumbfounded, his expression turning bitter.
Fang Hu was just a has-been disciple of the Martial Arts Hall. He had only dared to bully his apprentice because Fang Hu had poor relationships with some of the other disciples.
But a Martial Scholar was considered a figure with official standing.
Although he had been away for two years, he had heard quite a bit about Martial Scholars.
He knew, of course, that after the new reign name was declared last year, the Military Examination system was reformed to include the new title of Martial Scholar.
And based on the current trend, it was clear that Martial Scholars were highly valued by the imperial court.
In another two years, the Martial Examination might become like the civil examinations, where one had to first become a Martial Scholar before being eligible to test for Martial Graduate.
It was only because the Martial Scholar system had just begun and many of the rules were not yet fully established that the current situation was possible.
In the future, things would surely be very different.
After all, their White Tiger Boxing Hall currently had only two Martial Scholars.
No wonder Fang Yue was receiving such attention from Chen Tong.
~~~~~~~
Inside the Martial Arts Hall, in an inner room, Fang Yue paid his respects to Hall Master Zheng.
"You’ve already come all this way, why bring a gift? There’s no need to be such a stranger," Hall Master Zheng said, also very amiably, as he looked at Fang Yue with a smile.
Nevertheless, he still accepted the gift Fang Yue had brought—a box of stir-fried tea leaves.
"Yes, Grandmaster."
Fang Yue remained respectful, observing all proprieties without the slightest breach of etiquette.
At this moment, however, Fang Yue was also feeling a little puzzled.
’Why are the de facto head of the Martial Arts Hall, Master Chen Tong, and Hall Master Zheng treating me like this on my visit?’
’Even though I became a Martial Scholar, it’s not like the Martial Arts Hall doesn’t have any Martial Graduates.’
’I’ve never seen Elder Zheng show such special favor to anyone. Why is it like this, this time?’
It wasn’t that Fang Yue was overthinking things; it was simply because the contrast between their past and present attitudes was too great.
This difference left Fang Yue feeling very confused.
Just then, Elder Zheng took a sip of tea and asked.
"Haha, Fang Yue, let me ask you. Were you the one who gave that stir-fried tea to Boyang?"