The Young Swordsman: The Taoist Priest of Qingcheng Has Descended the Mountain

"We haven't been open for business for several months. If this continues, our inn may have to close down."

"I told the manager to repair the inn a long time ago so that we could attract more business, but he wouldn't listen."

"What do you know? The shopkeeper said this is called elegance."

"I don't understand what's elegant or not, I only know that this cold wind is freezing, achoo..."

Xiao Se leaned against the window, listening to the conversation of his men; this was indeed his version of events.

He also said that people who are on a journey will enjoy the feeling of being on the road.

But he knew that this was just an excuse. Was the resort really going to be sold off and the owner run away because it was poorly managed?

It would be somewhat embarrassing to admit that we don't have the money to fix it.

But saving face can't put food on the table; the workers' wages have been in arrears for a long time.

Xiao Se was secretly worried when suddenly his eyes lit up as two guests appeared outside the window.

A man in a light blue robe strolled leisurely, leaving no trace in the snow.

One of them was dressed in phoenix fire and was holding a large carp in his arms, but he didn't seem very smart.

The carp was lively and jumping around, clearly having been caught recently.

He looked up at the sky and was secretly amazed that such a big carp could be caught nearby.

Regardless, neither of these two individuals seemed like ordinary martial arts practitioners; they were at least disciples from wealthy and powerful families who had come out to gain experience.

"Get ready to receive guests!"

A smile appeared on Xiao Se's face; today was indeed a day to be happy about.

Upon hearing the call, the men immediately gathered around.

"Oh, we really have a guest."

"They don't look like they have money."

Xiao Se remained unperturbed and quite patient.

"You don't understand. You can't tell the material of that blue robe, but the cut is well-proportioned, the workmanship is excellent, and the color is like jade. Although blue is cheap, this kind of blue is not common."

The skill involved in cutting alone is worth at least a hundred taels of silver.

Then look at that clumsy fellow. The red color on his body is also very special. It is called Phoenix Fire, and only large merchants like Yuxiufang in Tianqi City can afford to use it.

For an ordinary person to buy a bolt of cloth, they would probably have to sell it to two or three shops.

These aren't ordinary people; they're two big spenders. We need to handle them carefully.

Chapter 6 The Powerful Nobody

The guys' enthusiasm was ignited.

Xiao Se straightened his valuable fur coat and stood in front of the door himself.

He even put on a mercenary smile, but he was always kind to his guests.

"Gentlemen, would you like to have a meal or stay the night?"

Zhou Zhenhuan paused slightly as he stepped through the door, glancing at Xiao Se with a smile. Hmm, just like Lei Wujie, he was a handsome young man.

"You must be thinking that these two people are obviously big spenders, and big spenders love to show off."

You can make a fortune today.

Is that right, Mr. Xiao?

Xiao Se also felt the same ghostly sensation that Lei Wujie had experienced before.

However, there is more caution than anything else.

He has an excellent memory; as the disciple of the head of the Hundred Knowledge Hall, he has never made a mistake when it comes to intelligence.

He was certain that he had never seen this person before, nor had there ever been any intelligence indicating that such a person existed.

But how did this person know that his surname was Xiao?

Snowfall Manor is not famous. Although he always thought he was good at business, he had to admit that Snowfall Manor was poorly managed and had no reputation at all.

So the question remains: how did he know that his surname was Xiao?

"Guest, you are too kind. Since Snowfall Manor is an inn, we do not distinguish between rich guests, poor guests, and guests of all kinds."

Zhou Zhenhuan chuckled, looked around at the inn's decor, and shook his head: "It is indeed elegant, but not everyone on a journey enjoys the feeling of being on the road."

They would prefer a bowl of hot soup, a comfortable room, and ideally, a hot shower.

This time, not only was Xiao Se dejected, but even the guys felt like they had seen a ghost.

These are words Xiao Se used to fool his colleagues, spoken in private. So how did this person know them?

At this moment, in Xiao Se's mind, this person had risen to a level of mystery and terror.

Who exactly is this person?

His age is hard to guess from his appearance, but his demeanor is extraordinary. If he were famous in the martial arts world, he would definitely have heard of him.

"Alright, stop guessing. I came to Snowfall Manor to see you."

Xiao Se shed his feigned shrewdness, his eyes sharp as lightning.

"Does Your Excellency know me, Xiao?"

Zhou Zhenzhen remained noncommittal, waving his hand: "None of that matters. Whether we know each other or not, it doesn't really matter."

I came here just to try the pork belly, peach blossom wine, cherry cheese, and oh, that absolutely wonderful "Falling Petals" dish, it's a must-try.

The little idiot in the back pays.

Lei Wujie finally subdued the carp. Upon hearing this, he swallowed hard and looked overjoyed.

Pork shoulder, it sounds delicious.

But when I heard the last part, I was completely dumbfounded.

"Senior, shall I pay?"

"Didn't you just say you were going to treat us?"

"But what? A real man's word is his bond. In the world of chivalry, loyalty is paramount. How can one go back on one's word?"

Upon hearing this, Lei Wujie felt both ashamed and incredibly excited. He patted his chest and said, "If I said please, then please. It's settled then. Come, come, senior, sit here."

Zhou Huanzhen reached out and waved his hand, and the carp flew up from his arms.

"Oh, and also, please prepare this fish for me, Chef. I'll cook it three ways: one portion of fish head, one portion of fish meat, and one portion of fish bones."

Also, give this idiot a bowl of plain noodles and a bowl of braised pork. Let him see the difference between plain noodles and the signature dishes.

The waiter took the large carp somewhat bewildered and glanced at Xiao Se.

Xiao Se stood with his hands in his sleeves and squinted. He hadn't been able to detect any internal force flowing through this person's ability to manipulate objects from a distance. This person was a master.

Very, very tall.

"If a guest has a request, we must fulfill it. Go ahead."

"Alright! Pork belly, peach blossom wine, cherry yogurt, and a shower of fallen petals..."

Looking at Zhou Zhenhuan, whose true abilities were unknown, Xiao Se's mind raced.

Zhou Zhenhuan pointed to the side, which was opposite Lei Wujie, and laughed, "With the Hidden Meridian so badly injured, you're still worrying too much. This is not the way to maintain health."

Lei Wujie glanced at Xiao Se with some curiosity: "Senior, does this person know martial arts?"

"Of course, if he weren't injured, he would be much stronger than you."

Lei Wujie was somewhat surprised: "Really? I couldn't tell at all."

Xiao Se's face darkened, his impression of Lei Wujie worsening even further; this man was truly detestable. Did he, Xiao Se, really look that weak?

Of course, this guy in the blue robe was even more annoying, and equally frightening.

He hated the feeling of being better looking than him, knowing his background, yet knowing absolutely nothing about that person.

"Let's not beat around the bush, who exactly are you, Your Excellency?"

"Me? Just a nobody who has just come down from the mountain to see the world. Boss Xiao, there's no need to worry."

Zhou Zhenzhen lost interest in teasing him. He reached out and a phantom golden hand appeared, lifting a jar of peach blossom wine and placing it on the table.

"Great dragon and elephant strength! Your Excellency comes from Qingcheng?"

"With your strength, you are likely no weaker than a Daoist sword immortal. Why then have I never heard of such an immortal being from Mount Qingcheng?"

"Immortals? What are immortals? Only those living in the mountains are immortals. Once they enter the mortal world, they are just ordinary wandering travelers."

Xiao Se naturally didn't believe such an explanation, but became even more curious.

Qingcheng Mountain has always been mysterious. In the last few decades, a Daoist sword immortal has emerged, who is said to have seized all the martial and celestial fortune of Qingcheng Mountain.

So what's the story with this person?

Although the extent of that Dragon Elephant Force was unclear, it was likely already at a state of perfection.

Xiao Se personally opened the wine seal, but before the wine could be poured out, a group of uninvited guests arrived.

"Oh? It seems this wine isn't going to be enjoyed in a very peaceful way."

Zhou Zhen sighed somewhat. Lei Wujie, smelling the wine, practically stuck his neck into the wine jar.

"Damn it, what kind of place is this? I'm freezing to death."

"After pulling off this big job, everyone will be living the high life, and we'll definitely find a warm place to stay."

"This wretched place has been snowing for months, and I have no idea when it will end."

"What do you think was inside that coffin?"

"I bet it's filled with countless treasures. Just think, even the coffin is made of gold."

"Bullshit, I heard she's an absolute beauty."

"Give me a break, Hanshui Temple is a Buddhist temple. How can there be women in a Buddhist temple?"

As they were talking, a group of fierce-looking martial arts figures barged in.

"Where are they all? Bring out the best food and wine!"

"Give the grandfathers some extra money to enjoy, or I'll smash up your shabby shop."

Xiao Se cupped his hands in greeting to Zhou Huanzhen and sighed, "Truly an unwelcome guest, disturbing our peace and quiet. We need to clean up the mess."

"There's no need to go to such lengths."

Zhou Huanzhen gestured, and spring returned to the cold inn. A golden lion appeared out of thin air, roaring.

A gust of wind swept by, and in an instant, those martial arts practitioners had disappeared outside the inn, buried in the snow.

"Taiyi Lion Technique!"

Xiao Se was deeply shocked. Although Qingcheng Daoist techniques were on par with sword techniques, some even said that the supreme Daoist techniques, the Great Dragon Elephant Force, far surpassed the power of sword techniques.

However, this statement has always been quite controversial.

But what he saw today completely overturned his understanding of strength.

He was originally a genius of the Free and Unfettered Heaven Realm. Although he was injured and his strength was damaged, his eyesight was still intact.

That attack was effortless and controlled; he knew that even in his prime, he couldn't have broken it.

Where did this person come from?

But one thing is certain: this person is using authentic Qingcheng Taoist techniques and is undoubtedly a member of the Qingcheng Mountain sect.

Chapter 7 You're the one to take the blame.

The pork belly was tender and juicy, with a subtle plum blossom aroma; it was indeed a delicious dish.

The peach blossom wine is slightly sweet, less robust, and more elegant.

Zhou Zhenhuan only took a small sip; once his drinking was over, he only touched a few dishes on the table.