Wu Ya's voice-over resonated once again.
...
...
After more than a month of traveling and inquiring, Ji Tianqi finally found his destination—a guesthouse.
In an obscure small town.
If it weren't for his good luck, passing by a certain tavern at the time, he heard some vague and incomplete phrases. He felt that even in this otherworldly realm called Da Xuan, searching for ten years he might not find it.
"Really lucky," he sighed.
As Ji Tianqi entered the guesthouse, all those observing his research team could distinctly hear him utter this remark.
"Waiter Two, three kilograms of beef, three kilograms of fine wine."
In the not-so-large guesthouse, Ji Tianqi found an empty table and sat down while shouting this order.
This kind of appetite immediately revealed his identity as someone from the world of martial arts.
Only a martial arts expert, and not just anyone, could consume and drink so much in one meal—indeed, Ji Tianqi's appetite had greatly increased with the enhancement of his power.
As a retired martial arts expert, Waiter Two sensed something foreboding when he saw Ji Tianqi and heard his shout.
Yet Waiter Two's acting was quite good. Just like any ordinary waiter, he responded promptly, and soon the wine and meat were served.
Something unexpected happened at this point.
Ji Tianqi, bold and skilled, directly opened his bundle right on the table, displaying all its contents including the jewelry, gemstones, and Night Pearls, without any restraint.
The least valuable among them were Golden melon seeds, rarely seen by ordinary people.
"These are for you," Ji Tianqi generously pinched a Golden melon seed and handed it over, seemingly oblivious to Waiter Two's identity and background, all smiles.
Waiter Two was somewhat dumbfounded.
Prior to his retirement from the martial world, he could definitely be considered well-traveled and knowledgeable.
The vast territory of Da Xuan consists of six hundred and sixty-six provinces. He, who mingled in 'Tongzhou' throughout the year, was once known as the second-best expert in Qinggong within the martial arts of 'Tongzhou'.
But even he had never encountered someone so wealthy and lavish.
"Thank you for your kind generosity,"—Wu Ya imagined this response, even deliberately changing his voice tone while narrating this part.
Ji Tianqi cheerfully asked, "Would you like more?"
[Here it comes!]
Waiter Two sighed internally, knowing this man meant trouble.
"What did you say, sir?"
"Simple," Ji Tianqi pressed his hand on the bundle, adopting a 'all-in' stance as if he was ready to push everything toward Waiter Two at any moment.
"By a fortunate coincidence, I received the favor of the senior You Yazi in Tianzhou, and I wish to take revenge for him by capturing his rebellious disciple, also a notorious demon of Tianzhou's martial arts, Niu Chunqiu.
Regrettably, despite my profound inner strength, I lack any practical martial arts skills. One could say I have brute strength but do not know how to harness it.
For this reason, I seek a martial arts skill that could lend strength to my cause, to help Tianzhou's martial arts and even the entire martial arts of Da Xuan."
Waiter Two was taken aback.
[So direct?]
Not just Waiter Two, Bai Xiuchu and others were also astonished—listening to Ji Tianqi's monologue and combining it with Wu Ya's vivid commentary, they could easily deduce the perspective within Ji Tianqi's self-awareness.
"You Yazi? Niu Chunqiu?"
Waiter Two exclaimed in shock, "Could it be that you are the famous Ji Tianqi, Hero Ji, who is rumored in the martial world to have obtained seventy years of power from the Tianzhou expert You Yazi?"
"Yes, that's me," Ji Tianqi nodded. "I am Ji Tianqi; Ji Tianqi is me. However, I am not yet worthy of the title 'hero.'
[Indeed, his reputation has grown,] — Cong Wen and others thought of Bai Xiuchu's analysis that Ji Tianqi's fame would continue to grow along with the dangers he would face.
"Truly, fame is not as good as meeting face-to-face. Hero Ji is indeed imposing, extraordinary."
Wu Ya's imagined response from Waiter Two made Bai Xiuchu feel slightly embarrassed for him.
But Wu Ya did not care, continuing enthusiastically with his vivid commentary.
"Waiter Two," Ji Tianqi slightly nudged the bundle and asked earnestly, "Do you know where around here someone could teach me such martial arts?"
"The hero flatters me too much, I'm just a waiter. I really have no idea."
Waiter Two nervously declined. Though his Qinggong was exceptional and his Acupoint Technique could be described as unmatched in the martial arts of Tongzhou,
Da Xuan was simply too vast, filled with too many experts.
Not to mention, Ji Tianqi, possessing seventy years of power, was beyond his reach.
"Oh? Well, never mind then. But since you've spoken so much with me, consider it a reward,"
Ji Tianqi continued to be generous, picking up two more Golden melon seeds and handing them to Waiter Two.
It must be said, at least in Bai Xiuchu and others' view, his behavior did not seem annoying.
Waiter Two hesitated to accept them.
As the saying goes, gifts blind the eyes. He wasn't worried about Ji Tianqi's intentions before, but knowing them now, he truly feared that accepting benefits might bring trouble.
Yet he wasn't the only one in the guesthouse.
The graceful proprietress, who had been eavesdropping for a while, finally couldn't withstand her greed and came over.
Her eyes gleamed as she gazed at the jewelry and Night Pearls on the table and sat down next to Ji Tianqi.
An enticing fragrance wafted over, and her soft, jade-like body radiated a warmth that could make any man restless...
...
...
"Hmm?" Bai Xiuchu looked towards Wu Ya.
Regaining his composure, Wu Ya slightly embarrassedly pointed at Ji Tianqi and whispered, "Look, Ji Tianqi just moved a bit to the side, which suggests there must be someone beside him now, but don't worry, Ji Tianqi is not lecherous, otherwise he wouldn't have moved."'
Sitting in the guesthouse setting, on a long bench, Ji Tianqi indeed had just shuffled his position—though there was no one beside him.
Bai Xiuchu was at a loss for words.
"Alright, it's just my overimagining due to my shallow skills; please, go on."
...
...
The innkeeper ignored the murderous gaze of the smitten Waiter Two and enthusiastically moved closer to Ji Tianqi.
"I am the innkeeper here. I've heard that you, sir, wish to learn martial arts?"
"Indeed."
Ji Tianqi, ever polite, maintained a gentlemanly posture and responded, "And might I ask if there are any insights you would like to share, Madam Innkeeper? Rest assured, I am most generous."
As he spoke, he grabbed a handful of golden melon seeds and placed them on the desk beside him, obviously meant for the innkeeper.
"Well said."
The innkeeper snatched up the melon seeds, responding even more warmly, "I wonder if you've heard..."
Waiter Two couldn't help but interrupt, "Madam, they say one owes a debt to those who provide handouts."
The innkeeper frowned slightly, giving Waiter Two a glance.
"So what? You've said he carries himself nobly, so I obviously need to 'soften his hands.' You said he is extraordinary, so what's wrong with me 'owing one to his mouth'?"
"???"
"..."
"???"
Bai Xiuchu and Cong Wen, among others, looked at Wu Ya with strange expressions.
He then realized he had gotten a bit carried away.
"My bad, my bad. I've been reading too many novels lately, you wouldn't believe it, but these authors all have to sensationalize; if they don't, their ratings tank. My skills are shallow, and I haven't done well."
Cong Wen frowned and reminded, "Don't add so many adjectives. We need to record this and report it to the higher-ups."
"I was wrong. I'll correct it immediately."
Unlike Wang Biao, Wu Ya was very serious and promised not to continue like this anymore, resuming his fanciful narrations.
...
...
Both Waiter Two and Ji Tianqi were shocked by the innkeeper's words, still pondering their implications.
The innkeeper continued to speak.
"Hero Ji, have you heard of the Hengshan Sect? Hengshan as in 'horizontal and vertical.'"
Ji Tianqi hadn't heard of it, but knowing he was in an Otherworldly realm, which only superficially resembled the realities in earthly novels, he nodded anyway.
"Of course, I have heard of it."
"To be honest, I, the innkeeper of this establishment, am the wife of the sect leader of the Hengshan Sect."
"Oh?" Ji Tianqi stood up in surprise, "To be in the presence of Madam Sect Leader of the Hengshan Sect? What an oversight."
"Hey, don't be so formal."
The innkeeper pulled Ji Tianqi back to his seat. Amidst the nearly explosive glares from Waiter Two, she continued with a beaming smile.
"Hero Ji upholds justice, which I admire. Although my husband has passed and I am now a widow, I still hold some influence in the Hengshan Sect.
So..."
Ji Tianqi, sensing the deliberate pause by the innkeeper, wisely pushed his bundle across the table.
"Please, Madam, grant me this favor, and I will surely use my martial arts for the righteous path. Should there ever come a day when I turn to wicked acts, you are more than welcome to have all the experts of the Hengshan Sect come after me."
"[Worst comes to worst, I'll just cross back! You can't cross into my world anyway, erm… probably not?]"
"That's a bit heavy," the innkeeper said, happily placing her hand on the bundle, pondering, "Let me think, we of the Hengshan Sect have many martial arts suitable for you, hmm…"
"Wait!"
Waiter Two finally couldn't hold back. He was actually tempted to strike Ji Tianqi then and there, but was unsure of his depth.
Moreover, if he did make a move, wouldn't the money just end up in the innkeeper's hands? It would also affect his standing in her eyes.
Especially his character!
"To be honest." Waiter Two suddenly stood upright, his voice booming, "I am somewhat known in the world of martial arts, called Dao Sheng!"
"Hmm?" Ji Tianqi looked at Waiter Two perplexedly.
To be honest, he wasn't interested in Waiter Two's Orchid Acupoint Skill now.
The Hengshan Sect was surely a grand and comprehensive place with numerous martial arts and perhaps even places like Scripture Pavilions.
"I am Dao Sheng, who leaves nothing behind after his thefts." Waiter Two looked straight at Ji Tianqi, his eyes suddenly pleading, leaving Ji Tianqi somewhat puzzled.
"I possess a skill called Orchid Acupoint Skill, unparalleled in Tongzhou Martial Arts. I also have a Qinggong called Stepping on Snow to Seek Plum Blossoms, of which I've mastered thirty to forty percent, making me ranked second in Qinggong in Tongzhou Martial Arts."
Waiter Two's gaze burned with intensity as he looked at Ji Tianqi, but his glances also caught the furious look in the innkeeper's eyes, making the pleading in his own eyes even more apparent.
"I also have the Orchid Unsealing Hand and the Remote Acupoint Technique which I can teach you. I will personally guide your training until you master them."
"Good!"
Ji Tianqi was moved by Waiter Two's last sentence, what he lacked most was a skilled master.
The Hengshan Sect? It wouldn't do to forsake what was near for what was far.
With a grand gesture, his inner strength acted from afar, causing the bundle under the innkeeper's hand, along with all its treasures, to fly towards Waiter Two.
Ji Tianqi stood up and said, "Since you've taken my money, you had better teach me well."
What reactions Waiter Two and the innkeeper truly had, perhaps no one but Ji Tianqi could see.
But Bai Xiuchu and the others clearly saw the bundle rise into the air and then scatter on the ground.
No one caught it, no one picked it up, and it didn't disappear!