Bearing the blue sky

Chapter 280 A Disagreement

"I don't know, and I don't want to know." Zhu Ge put down her chopsticks and looked at the young man: "What's wrong?"

He was speechless inside.

You'll encounter these rotten fish and shrimp no matter where you go.

He had already made up his mind that the next time he went to a city, he would go directly to the city lord to avoid trouble.

At this moment, the young man's face darkened: "I've booked this private room all year round. You've taken it. Now, please leave."

Zhu Ge didn't move: "The waiter said this private room just became available, so I came in. You can leave now."

The young man was taken aback, clearly not expecting Zhu Ge to be so direct.

He gritted his teeth, took out a jade pendant from his sleeve, and threw it on the table: "Look carefully, this is a token of the Zhang family of Zigong. The Zhang family has reserved this private room for three years."

Zhu Ge picked up the jade token, glanced at it, and then put it back on the table: "This is a token from the Zhang family, not a voucher for a year's subscription to this private room. Go and call the manager."

The young man's face flushed crimson. "You—who do you think you are? You dare ask me to call you the manager?"

Zhu Ge sighed upon seeing this.

It seems we won't be able to have this meal.

Zhu Ge didn't want to repeat what happened in Lijiang City, so he simply released 30% of his power.

"Boom—Boom—Boom—"

A rhythmic booming sound echoed throughout the city, like a melody composed of thunderclaps, and the source of this melody was his martial arts heart.

"What happened?!"

"Such a powerful aura! Could it be that the master of one of the martial arts schools has broken through to a higher level?"

"Such a terrifying display of power must mean that the disciple of the city lord, Qingmei the Scholar, has broken through!"

"Is that genius of the first realm really that powerful?"

The city was abuzz with discussion, and the restaurant was in an uproar.

Before Zhu Ge's eyes, the young man had already fallen to the ground in fright, his face ashen, his lips trembling and unable to speak.

His two attendants were in no better shape; their legs were weak and they had to lean against the wall to keep their balance.

"I still have to be a bit domineering" — Zhu Ge didn't look at him, but picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of rabbit meat, and chewed it slowly.

The roar of the martial arts heart continued, like muffled thunder rolling in the clouds, making the windowpane rattle.

The sound wasn't loud, but it carried a soul-crushing sense of oppression, as if an ancient ferocious beast was lurking in the restaurant, ready to awaken at any moment.

"Who are you? Who are you?" The young man's voice trembled.

"You've got some nerve, daring to ask in this situation—" Zhu Ge glanced at him, shook her head, and didn't answer.

Liu Jianjian put down her chopsticks, tilted her head to look at the young man, and said with a grin, "He's my master."

"Master—Master?" The young man panicked even more.

"Yes." Liu Jianjian nodded and said seriously, "My master is very powerful. You can't afford to offend him. Hurry up and leave, don't disturb our meal."

"Leave? Yes, yes, leave, I'm leaving—" The young man scrambled to his feet, leaned against the wall, and staggered toward the door.

Liu Jianjian said with a grin, "There are still smart people, no, or rather, there aren't that many stupid people. I thought they would call the parents like last time."

"I'm here to eat. If you call my parents, they'll just treat me to a meal." Zhu Ge picked up a piece of rabbit meat and put it in her mouth.

Liu Jianjian chuckled.

Not long after, footsteps could be heard again on the stairs.

This time, the approach was neither rushed nor slow, but steady and powerful.

Zhu Ge didn't look up, but she sensed that the newcomer was a cultivator at the third realm, with considerable cultivation and a calm aura.

The door to the private room was pushed open, and a middle-aged man walked in.

He was dressed in a blue robe with a dark belt around his waist. He had a thin face, three long wisps of beard, and a folding fan in his hand. He looked like a schoolteacher.

"I am Qingmei Shusheng, the city lord of Zigong City." The middle-aged man clasped his hands in a salute: "I was unaware of Mr. Zhuge's arrival. I apologize for not welcoming you properly."

Zhu Ge stood up, clasped his hands in return, and said, "You're too kind, City Lord. I was just passing through and had a meal; I didn't mean to disturb you."

The scholar smiled and said, "Your name is renowned far and wide. In the battle of Honghe Prefecture, you, at the second level, killed the great immortal Hongmi."

"Later, he created a new Confucian path, which shocked the world. It is an honor for Zigong City that you came to my city."

"You flatter me, City Lord." Zhu Ge invited the scholar Qingmei to sit down and poured him a cup of wine. "Your arrival is just in time, City Lord. Let's have a drink together."

The scholar, without hesitation, took the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp: "Excellent wine!"

He put down his wine glass and looked at Zhu Ge: "Sir, when you released your aura just now, did you encounter any trouble?"

"It's nothing." Zhu Ge wasn't a saint, so he naturally couldn't keep quiet. He casually said, "A man claiming to be from the Zhang family said that this private room was reserved by his family and told me to leave."

"The Zhang family?" The scholar frowned. "The Zhang family of Zhang Boyong?"

"It should be." Zhu Ge shook her head: "I'm not sure."

The scholar was silent for a moment, then sighed: "Zhang Boyong is the president of the Chamber of Commerce in Zigong City. He has a very large business, but he is a fairly decent person."

"His son is a real handful. Relying on his family's power, he runs rampant in the city, bullying men and women. I've wanted to teach him a lesson for a long time."

"Already? Is it inconvenient for the city lord to take action?" Zhu Ge raised an eyebrow.

"It's not that it's inconvenient," the scholar shook his head, "it's just not the right time. The Zhang family has been operating in Zigong City for generations, and their interests are too intertwined."

"A single hair can affect the whole situation. I've always wanted to find an opportunity to expose all his secrets and wipe him out in one fell swoop."

Zhu Ge nodded without asking any further questions.

This is a matter concerning Zigong City, and has nothing to do with him.

"Don't worry, sir, I will handle this matter well." Seeing that Zhu Ge remained silent, the scholar Qingmei stood up, bowed, and said, "It is a rare honor for you to come all the way from Gongcheng, sir. Why not stay a few more days and let me show you the hospitality of a host."

"Thank you for your kindness, City Lord." Zhu Ge also stood up. "I still have a long way to go, so I won't bother you any longer."

"Take care, sir." The scholar bowed with his hands clasped.

"Take care," Zhu Ge returned the greeting.

If you don't see eye to eye, even half a sentence is too much.

It was already late at night when we left the restaurant.

The lanterns were still dazzling, but there were far fewer people on the streets.

Liu Jianjian carried the rabbit lantern and walked ahead, humming an off-key tune.

Zhu Sisi was asleep, resting on her shoulder, the mulberry leaf still in her mouth.

Ma Zhu shrunk to the size of a normal foal and followed behind, snorting, "Master, where are we going now?"

"Leave the city." Zhu Ge's eyes were indifferent.

"Alright!" Ma Zhu happily wagged its tail.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from behind.

"Mr. Zhu Ge! Please wait!"

Zhu Ge turned around and saw a young scholar panting as he caught up with her.

He was wearing a white robe, with a book bag hanging from his waist, and a book in his hand, which was the preface to "The Book of Man" written by Zhu Ge.

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