Food Fairy Lord

Chapter 744 Tianshan Villa
“You seem to have quite a few seniors you’ve long admired,” Li Tishui said.

"Because all the seniors were just too amazing."

"Oh."

"Ah."

Li Tishui glanced at him: "Did you bring a poem for Li He? What did you prepare for me?"

"...Not knowing the senior's preferences, I didn't dare to prepare anything haphazardly."

Li Tishui turned around: "I like listening to opera."

“I can’t sing.” Pei Ye followed behind.

Li Tishui seemed to smile, but his face was not visible under the gauze curtain: "We are both dogs of the same fate, so there is no need for you to try to please me. It is only right that we help each other with small matters."

Pei Ye asked in surprise, "Can we use this name in public?"

“It’s fine within the world around me,” Li Tishui said. “Generally speaking, as long as it’s not spread to six ears, it’s actually fine in the capital. The larger world is what Li Jian is listening to.”

Pei Ye nodded thoughtfully: "However, we should still be as cautious as possible."

"Yes."

"I have indeed been at the Sword Cultivation Academy these past few days," Pei Ye explained somewhat embarrassedly. "I was on my way to the Heavenly Mountain Sword Banquet today, but since Sword Master Fei Guang happened to have some free time, I came early to meet him."

“He even bought clothes.” Li Tishui glanced at him.

“…” Pei Ye sighed and slumped his head. “I don’t know how to get along with these great literati. If someone who really likes swordsmanship came to ask me for advice, I would definitely like him more naturally. But I really like poetry. When I asked the senior Li He for advice, he was like sitting on… sitting on a hedgehog.”

The boy's understanding was built upon his previous experiences. He somehow discovered that he seemed quite likable, so he began to try to improve this strength. Unexpectedly, his first attempt, full of confidence, nearly ended in a crushing defeat.

The black cat whispered in his ear, "I just hope you won't bring me along next time you act in this."

Pei Ye was even more heartbroken.

"Commendable courage." Li Tishui stopped pointing out the shortcomings of the young new members and asked, "What is the Tianshan Sword Banquet?"

"You don't know?"

"The New Sword Tournament in Shenjing?"

"Yes. It's said that Tianshan is extending a wide invitation to swordsmen from Shenjing, and many top sects have gone. My entire Sword Cultivation Academy has been invited," Pei Ye said.

"It's past 5 AM, aren't you going?"

"Now that I have met you, senior, I should naturally ask for your guidance first."

Li Tishui said, "That would delay your journey. Let's go together. We can talk on the way. Oh, does this sword banquet require an invitation?"

“That’s all easy to arrange. It’s just that I’m a little overwhelmed by your consideration for my schedule, senior.” Pei Ye smiled.

"You flatter me. I just happen to have nothing to do today, and besides, it's been a long time since I've seen such a talented person. Let's take a look together on the way."

Pei Ye was somewhat surprised that this senior was much easier to talk to than he had imagined. Naturally, he had no reason to refuse and simply thanked him again.

But at that moment, a maid came from the direction of the small building and called out to Pei Ye, who was about to leave.

"Young Master Pei, please wait a moment." The maid bowed gracefully. "My master said that you should change your clothes before you go."

Pei Ye was taken aback and looked up at the blue building. On the top floor, a pale yellow figure stood by the railing.

Pei Ye frowned and looked down at his clothes: "Isn't this outfit quite nice?"

He quite liked his fresh, scholarly air.

“Young Master Pei is an exceptional person; he looks good in anything,” the maid said. “Perhaps his attire is not quite appropriate since he is attending the sword tournament.”

Pei Ye nodded: "That makes sense, but I don't have any other clothes right now."

"The master has prepared everything for Young Master Pei."

Li Tishui seemed to smile, waved for him to leave, and then leaned against the door to wait quietly, his sword hidden in his wide sleeve.

Pei Ye bid farewell and went upstairs, where he first saw Qi Zhaohua waiting at the door.

"Young Master Pei, you kept asking about me these past few days. Now that my benefactor has returned, I immediately sent you a letter. But I haven't seen you come." The woman leaned against the door, smiling at him.

Indeed, Qi Zhaohua had sent two letters to the Sword Cultivation Academy in the past few days, but the matter had long passed, so he was no longer in a hurry to look for them. He just smiled and said, "I'm too lazy to come."

Qi Zhaohua smiled: "It seems that Young Hero Pei has done a good job in the palace. He is not at all reserved when he goes to see the Emperor."

"It can't be said to be very good, but it's definitely done. From now on, if Mr. Qi has any tricky matters to deal with this month, feel free to ask him for help."

“I don’t fight here, so I don’t really need Young Master Pei’s sword,” Qi Zhaohua said. “Besides, my benefactor just told me the other day not to send you around casually. If she does assign you any tasks, she will inform you first.”

The woman looked him over and said, "Young Master Pei, you are now deeply loved by your benefactor."

Pei Ye said, "My words carry weight now. If Layman Qi has any wishes, he may speak to me."

Qi Zhaohua thought for a moment: "This room for handling official business is a bit small. Could you please give me a more spacious one?"

"Easy to say."

Qi Zhaohua smiled, stopped joking with him, and said seriously, "I know that you are still sincere, but you should not appear arrogant. Even if you and our benefactor do not think there is anything wrong, there are many eyes and ears around you. It will be interpreted differently by others. You should still observe proper etiquette."

Pei Ye thought for a moment and said, "I understand."

Qi Zhaohua nodded and then asked, "I see that my benefactor sent his attendant to summon you, young hero. Is there something important?"

"No, it's nothing."

"Then young hero, please go up quickly."

Pei Ye bid farewell to Qi Zhaohua and went up three more floors to the top of the small building.

Xu Chuo's pale yellow floral skirt was indeed standing by the railing on the platform, but just now she was looking downstairs, while now she was leaning against the railing looking into the room.

"Greetings, Master."

Xu Chuo looked at him from afar and said, "Your outfit is not bad. But don't wear it to the sword banquet."

"Isn't it good?"

"Hmm, not bad. You can wear this to see me next time you come to the palace."

Pei Ye found it a bit strange, but didn't pay much attention to it. She just smiled and said, "Actually, I think it looks pretty good. I plan to wear this when I go to the Imperial Academy in the future."

Two ladies brought out a set of sword attire. Pei Ye drew the curtain, loosened his clothes, and changed into the sword attire. To be honest, although he felt good about the previous outfit, this one felt more familiar and comfortable with its loose fit.

"How's everything going on your end? Is there anything I can help you with?" Pei Ye asked, adjusting his cuffs.

"all the best."

"Has Yongbei arrived in the capital yet?" "Not yet." Xu Chuo stroked the black cat that had jumped onto the railing and looked down, saying, "What were he talking about with Li He just now?"

Pei Ye quickly answered, "We had a very pleasant conversation."

The black cat calmly said, "It's unbearable to recall."

“When you go there this time, you can get to know the people of Tianshan better,” Xu Chuo said, stroking the kitten. “See what they think.”

Pei Ye was slightly taken aback: "I had dealings with Tianshan when I was in Bowang, what do you mean?"

“I know that last time you met Shi Zanxue, the ‘Anxiang’, and Anzang, the ‘Sifeng’. But this time, the entire Tianshan region came from Shenjing. The Tianshan Sword Banquet was organized by them.” Xu Chuo leaned against the railing. “Tianshan is far to the west and has been out of touch with the martial world for a long time. We also have limited knowledge of it. But in the past six months, they have been very proactive in making contact and cooperation with us.”

Pei Ye thought for a moment: "Is it because of Xi Tingxin?"

"I don't think there's anything else," Xu Chuo said. "It's a good opportunity for you to learn more. Let Shengyu go with you. Actually, I'm not entirely at ease with you getting too close to the people from Tianshan."

“According to the Master, Xi Tingxin will have to go west sooner or later,” Pei Ye said.

“Yes, I think Tianshan is concerned about the same thing,” Xu Chuo said. “In any case, I’m letting you know in advance. I will also be gradually contacting them in the next few days.”

“Alright, I’m off then.” Pei Ye straightened his sword robe and smiled. “If anything unusual happens at the meeting, I’ll bring you something back. By the way, Qi Zhaohua’s office is too small. Remember to get her a more luxurious one.”

After speaking, the young man walked downstairs with light steps. When he passed Qi Zhaohua, he gave her a smile. Qi Jushi didn't know what he had talked about with her upstairs. In any case, a moment later, a lady came down and said she wanted to see the size of her public housing.

……

……

Tianshan Villa is located in Shenjing East City, southeast of Dongchi. It is situated south of Leyouyuan and north of Dongshi, making it a tranquil place with mountains and water, offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle.

In fact, this elegant garden was only completed two years ago, and until the sign for Tianshan Villa was hung up, no one knew which family it belonged to. Now, among the sect residences in Shenjing, it is considered one of the most impressive places.

Pei Ye and the woman in the spring robe and veil turned into the street between the two neighborhoods, and could see the lush buildings in the distance.

“With a major military post stationed there, all the businesses around it started to revolve around it.” Li Tishui tilted his head and looked around. “I remember there used to be more small vendors in this area, but now it’s mostly martial arts schools and foundries.”

"A weapons shop is understandable. But what's the point of having a martial arts school here?" Pei Ye asked curiously. "Do the disciples of Tianshan go there to learn martial arts?"

Li Tishui laughed: "You said you opened a martial arts school next to the Tianshan Sword Gate. Doesn't the people in the industry respect you a bit? You can take advantage of that to recruit apprentices."

"……I see."

This swordswoman is far more approachable than her sword, but as Li He said, a famous sword is the swordswoman's lifeline. Pei Ye still believes that beneath this appearance lies something as sharp as [Xianghuang].

However, Pei Ye spoke to her more than Li He along the way, yet he still knew nothing about her.

She didn't mind handing the sword, "Xianghuang," to the boy for a look. The sword itself didn't seem particularly extraordinary; its blade was as clear and cold as autumn water, and only when it was slightly swung could one feel the surrounding wind cracking.

But apart from that, she only smiled and said "It's not convenient to talk about" to all the boy's questions—how to obtain the sword, his own life, etc.

Along the way, she asked Pei Ye more questions. Pei Ye suddenly felt that her instruction and wanting to see the talents of today were all excuses, and that her real purpose was to chat with her about topics that interested her.

The woman looked at the willows along the street. Most of the questions she asked along the way were about Yue Muzhou, but they weren't very detailed. They were just casual chatter. It seemed that the name was just a thread that touched her thoughts.

The remaining half was about the Mirage Realm and Wei Qingju, inquiring about the young man's impressions of Wei Qingju. Pei Ye was somewhat surprised to find that she actually knew a great deal about Wei Qingju.

After looking at the shops for a while, Li Tishui suddenly asked, "Do you recognize Jiang Yin'er?"

Pei Ye was taken aback: "We were both in the Sword Academy, so of course we know each other."

"You two must have a good relationship?" Li Tishui tilted her head to look at him.

“…” Pei Ye thought for a moment and said seriously, “I consider her my own younger sister.”

Li Tishui then chuckled: "I heard this young lady came to the capital last year, but I haven't met her yet. I've heard she's very beautiful?"

Pei Ye was stunned: "Yin'er is very beautiful."

What kind of swordsmanship does she practice?

“Yin’er is a true disciple of Shenxiao, so naturally she will practice Shenxiao’s swordsmanship.” Pei Ye was slightly taken aback.

"Have you mastered the Jade Terrace Thousand Tribulations? If you have good talent, you should practice the Jade Divine Explanation—or should you learn the Phoenix Wanderer?"

"...Yin'er knows how to use 'Jade Terrace Thousand Tribulations'. She also knows how to use 'Phoenix Wandering'."

Li Tishui nodded and sighed softly, "That's the method Ying Suyu taught his disciples."

Pei Ye couldn't understand, so he didn't say anything more.

After walking quietly for a while, Li Tishui looked up and said, "Tianshan is quite powerful now. We'll probably have to deal with them later."

Pei Ye was slightly taken aback: "Tianshan has treated me quite well."

"Only a small group of people."

After Li Tishui finished speaking, he stopped talking, and the two of them were already standing in front of the Tianshan Villa.

There weren't many pedestrians, but there were quite a few onlookers from near and far, and most of them seemed to be wealthy young men. It seemed that the Tianshan Sword Banquet was indeed quite a big deal, having spread beyond the martial arts world and into the common people's lives.

By this time, the line from the Sword Cultivation Academy had already gone in. After queuing for a short while, Pei Ye took out his invitation and handed it to the guest master of Tianshan at the door.

The guest read the post, then glanced at the woman beside Pei Ye.

"this……"

Li Tishui looked up quietly at the ancient tree peeking over the wall. Pei Ye bowed and said, "This is my friend. He came to visit today. If there is any inconvenience, please inform your esteemed Miss Shi."

The host quickly returned the greeting: "The maiden had already instructed that Young Master Pei can do as he pleases in the brothel. Please come in—I just wonder if it would be convenient to record his name."

Pei Ye clasped his hands together and said, "Sorry, it's not convenient."

“…Oh.” The usher paused for a moment. “Then please come in, Young Master Pei.”

After the guest finished taking notes, he handed the invitation to the maid behind him who was leading the way. The maid bowed and led the two forward.

"Thank you very much."

Li Tishui walked in: "It seems that Tianshan has indeed treated you well."

“We’ve known each other since Shaolong,” Pei Ye said with a smile.

It will be the Spring Festival Gala soon, the garden is adorned with lush greenery, and the warbling of orioles is melodious. The style of Tianshan is still mostly simple and rustic, with less delicate and refined features, so there are still many pines and cypresses and strange rocks, but few exquisite flowers and plants.

The garden was very large. After walking deep into the garden for a long time, we finally came to a wide, flat pond, its surface as smooth as a mirror. Around the pond, rocks, trees, pavilions, and seats were all prepared.

At this moment, many voices of conversation and laughter could be heard. The size of the venue and the number of people were quite beyond Pei Ye's expectations.

But after looking around, he still spotted that simple-colored sword-wearing uniform.

(End of this chapter)