Novel Full Chapter 65: Yihong House
Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Yihong House
Tea,
Stir-fried tea!
The moment Master Zheng spoke, Fang Yue understood his objective. It turned out he had his sights set on the stir-fried tea.
However, the secret to stir-fried tea was as thin as a paper window. As long as one knew the key, it wouldn’t be difficult to replicate.
’With Hall Master Zheng’s status and position, he shouldn’t need my opinion to get involved in this business.’
"To answer you, Grandmaster, the stir-fried tea Master Zhang has was a gift from me."
For a moment, Fang Yue couldn’t quite grasp the intentions of Hall Master Zheng and Chen Tong, so he simply told the truth.
"Excellent, excellent. To be able to create something as wonderful as stir-fried tea... Yu’Er, you are truly thoughtful," Hall Master Zheng said with a slight smile.
"Oh, and one more thing. I see your skin has become like bronze and iron, Yu’Er. You must have reached Great Success in Skin Polishing."
Hall Master Zheng stroked his beard, his face full of satisfaction. He then turned to Chen Tong and said, "Chen, as his senior, you will personally teach Yu’Er the subsequent Cultivation Technique in a moment."
"Thank you for this opportunity, Grandmaster."
’This went more smoothly than I imagined.’ Fang Yue breathed a sigh of relief, his gratitude sincere.
Afterward, Hall Master Zheng, Chen Tong, and Fang Yue exchanged a few more pleasantries, presenting a picture of perfect harmony.
Then, Chen Tong led Fang Yue out to the training hall to teach him the Fist Technique for the subsequent Bone Forging Pass.
Some time later, Chen Tong re-entered Elder Zheng’s room.
Hall Master Zheng spoke before Chen Tong could even open his mouth, taking a sip of his tea. "You must be a bit puzzled why I’m giving that Fang Yue special treatment. He’s just a poor kid from the countryside, and Fang Hu’s disciple, no less."
Upon hearing this, Chen Tong immediately bowed slightly. "I wouldn’t dare."
Hall Master Zheng smiled, unconcerned. Although this second disciple of his was respectful and always carried out his orders to the letter, his judgment was still somewhat lacking.
"Heh. Earlier, outside, I saw that Fang Yue’s skin was like bronze and iron. In just over a year, he has already achieved Great Success in Skin Polishing. Such progress is on par with those geniuses who are constantly supplied with Secret Medicine."
"If that were all, he’d be nothing more than a minor genius. But his strength is astonishing, beyond that of even an ordinary Bone Forging practitioner. It’s no exaggeration to say he possesses Divine Power. I expect that after this year’s Military Examination, our Martial Arts Hall will have another Martial Scholar."
The Four Martial Arts Gates, each one a new height to be scaled.
If a practitioner cannot achieve Great Success in Marrow Transformation and advance to Qi Sensing before the age of forty, their journey on the Martial Dao comes to an end.
After that point, as one’s vitality decays, their strength also weakens progressively.
This is the meaning behind the saying, "The fist fears the young and strong."
For Fang Yue to have reached this stage at his age, his future is very bright.
’So that’s why Master had me personally greet Fang Yue at the entrance. This was the reason.’
"You are right, Master. I understand."
After speaking, Chen Tong seemed to recall something and added, "But what should be done about the stir-fried tea?"
Originally, after learning about the stir-fried tea from Zhang Boyang, the Martial Arts Hall had intended to get into the tea business. Over the past year, they had finally managed to secure a thirty-percent share of the county’s tea market from several of the larger families.
It was a huge business venture; if managed well, it was certain to be immensely profitable.
Several disciples in the Martial Arts Hall were keen to take charge of this business, with Zhang Boyang and Wang Yuangang being the most prominent candidates.
Both men were Martial Scholars, and both had a knack for business.
The initial plan was to give it to Wang Yuangang, but after seeing Fang Yue today, Hall Master Zheng had a change of heart. The business would go to Zhang Boyang, because he and Fang Yue were on good terms.
As for why he didn’t give it directly to Fang Yue, it was because the boy was still young. Although his potential was great, potential was still just potential.
Until it was converted into actual strength, it remained an uncertain variable.
But with Zhang Boyang managing the business, all the Hall Master had to do was say a word, and he was confident Zhang Boyang would not treat Fang Yue poorly.
"Since the idea came from Boyang’s side, let him manage it."
After speaking, Hall Master Zheng waved his hand, dismissing Chen Tong.
~~~~~~
Meanwhile, after leaving the Martial Arts Hall, Fang Yue did not head back to his inn.
Instead, he began to wander through the city. The meeting had been surprisingly straightforward.
This put him in a good mood, so he followed the whim and decided to have a proper look around Xiahe County Town.
Although he had been here many times, every visit had been rushed, and he’d never had a chance to properly look around.
Perhaps his luck was good today, as he happened to arrive on market day.
"Candied haws! Fresh hawthorn, malt sugar! Sweet and sour candied haws!"
"Dough figurines for sale! Get your dough figurines here!"
The crowd bustled back and forth, and the cries of vendors rose and fell from all sides.
"Heh. Boss, give me two of those candied haws."
Three maces for one stick, or five maces for two. Fang Yue naturally bought two.
Munching on a candied haw, he continued on his way.
He took a leisurely stroll, enjoying the worldly hustle and bustle.
Before he knew it, he had crossed the Jade River and arrived in an area suffused with a fragrant aroma.
The waters of the Xiahe River were channeled into the county town, flowing through its center like a belt of jade, which is how it earned the name Jade River.
On the opposite bank stood gilded pavilions draped in gauzy, rouge-colored curtains. Painted pleasure boats bobbed on the water, and the sounds of string and wind instruments were incessant.
’I didn’t expect the pleasure district in Xiahe County Town to be so... prosperous,’ he thought.
Fang Yue was no naive boy; even if he’d never eaten the pork, he’d seen the pig run. He knew exactly what kind of place this was.
One glance at the hazy reds and willow-greens ahead was enough to tell him what sort of establishments they were.
However, after a quick check of his money pouch, Fang Yue decisively turned to leave.
’Buying an occasional snack was fine, but if he were to actually enter one of these money-pits, the silver coins he had would be gone in no time.’
"Well, if it isn’t Fang! I didn’t realize you were a fellow connoisseur. I didn’t get my fill of drinking yesterday, and now I’ve run into you! Come on, let’s go together!"
"It’s my treat today! We’re not going home ’til we’re drunk! If you refuse, Fang, you’re saying you look down on me!"
Just then, Chubby’s voice rang out.
Fang Yue turned and saw a pale and chubby figure—it was none other than Bai Xingqiu.
And so, under Bai Xingqiu’s enthusiastic invitation, Fang Yue feigned reluctance before following Chubby across the arched bridge and into a tavern shimmering with gold and reeking of hedonism.
"Come on, Fang! We’re not going home until we’re drunk tonight!"
Bai Xingqiu made himself right at home. Upon entering the brothel, which was named Yihong House, he immediately ordered a full table of food and wine.
He then whispered a few words to the Madam, and soon, several young women arrived to wait on them as they ate and drank.
"This crispy Beggar’s Chicken is the most tender and delicious. It just melts in your mouth, and the aftertaste is incredible. And this dish here, Jade Maiden Greets Spring..."
Listening to Chubby’s descriptions, Fang Yue instantly knew that the man must be a regular here.
Otherwise, how could he be so intimately familiar with the menu? It was obvious this was not his first or second visit.
A table of just eight dishes and two jugs of wine cost a full ten taels of silver.
’What an outrageously extravagant meal!’