"Good work for today!" Wu Hantian remarked as he cleaned up a dirty table.
"Likewise," Jiang Ye nodded his head, but his mind wandered to his deal with Young Master Xiao Lei earlier. He did not know if this gamble would work. Maybe his noble blood will suddenly realize that he should not be working with a criminal. Jiang Ye hoped it would not happen, after all, he would have to escape the capital if exposed, which meant he wouldn't be able to reach out his hands to his precious cultivation resources.
However, when he thought about what he would be giving Xiao Lei in return, Jiang Ye's face formed a smirk. He was confident that this would hook him, after all, it was such an enticing offer that Xiao Lei wouldn't be able to refuse.
Wu Hantian noticed Jiang Ye who was currently wiping the counter, but a grin plastered on his face. "Are you fancying someone right now?"
"What?" Jiang Ye was taken aback by Wu Hantian's question. He had never been asked like that before. Why would he fancy anyone right now?
"Nope, what are you talking about?"
"Is that so?" Wu Hantian smiled when he heard his answer. "I suppose you successfully convinced Young Master Xiao Lei to go along with your little scheme."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ye looked at him in shock. How did he know about their deal?
Wu Hantian chuckled before saying, "Don't overthink, you have been talking to that guy earlier, of course, I would think you are trying to persuade him about something."
"Oh… right," Jiang Ye muttered as he looked at the wooden counter, now extremely shiny and smooth as light reflected upon it. He suddenly thought of his approach earlier and felt it was lacking in many things. What he just did was extremely risky, as it forced him to gamble his true identity in exchange for some resources. Just a slight mistake and the negotiation would go south.
Thankfully, he managed to be calm and not nervous at that time, if not, Xiao Lei wouldn't have been convinced to form a partnership with him. Now, all Jiang Ye had to do was prepare for the monthly Eight-Clans Underground Trade, which will take place two days later.
"Oh right," Wu Hantian suddenly interrupted. "Why did you ask me yesterday if there are any black markets in here?"
"Obviously because I am going there," Jiang Ye shrugged.
"Really?" Wu Hantian smiled. "All events that I mentioned yesterday are strictly only for nobles. Eight-Clans Underground Trade is the only underground market which allows entry of up to two servants per noble."
"And?" Jiang Ye asked, trying to compose himself what was about to come.
"You successfully persuaded Young Master Xiao Lei to let you come with him, under the guise of being his servant?"
At this moment, Jiang Ye was not even surprised. Of course, Wu Hantian would figure out his plan, that's what he was, a merchant, a cunning individual who uses schemes and plots to get ahead of his competitors.
"Yeah, whatever, you are bright Daoist Smart." Jiang Ye sneered.
"But I'm interested."
"On what?"
Wu Hantian put down all the stacked plates on a table, and said, "How did you convince him?"
"I don't know," Jiang Ye said, feigning ignorance. "It just happened naturally."
"Interesting," Wu Hantian replied. "Whatever it is, it must have placed a lot of importance to Xiao Lei that he would cooperate with a fugitive."
"Think whatever you like Mister," Jiang Ye chuckled, clearly enjoying making Wu Hantian think about his plans, although he knew sooner or later the latter would figure it out. "I am going now."
"Okay go," Wu Hantian nodded his head as he made a dismissive wave shoo-ing him away. "Tell me if you have forgotten the way to your room."
"Of course not," Jiang Ye shook his head as he stepped on the stairs.
A few minutes later, Jiang Ye was currently on his bed, sitting cross-legged while feeling that spiritual energy within the Spirit Stone in his hand. Wu Hantian had paid him 30 Spirit Stones after working for an entire day, a rather substantial amount. But of course, even if it was a huge amount, Jiang Ye was not satisfied with just Spirit Stones. After all, if all it took was one Stone to break through and advance to a whole new tier or stage, almost every noble would have already been in a high level of cultivation.
Martial cultivation was not as simple as just sitting and absorbing things—no, there was a condition that needed to be fulfilled, and the higher the cultivation, the harder the condition. Currently, even if Jiang Ye endlessly tempered his muscles and flesh, he wouldn't be able to break through. He was currently experiencing the stagnant phase that every cultivator experiences—the bottleneck.
To overcome this bottleneck, he must break it using a powerful force, and j by using Spirit Stone was not enough. What he needed was a much purer version of spiritual energy between heavens and earth that consolidated into spiritual and immortal herbs. And when those spiritual herbs are mixed along with other herbs, a pill will be created.
For now, what Jiang Ye needed to do was consolidate his foundation and maybe, practice some of his Martial Art. Currently, he had the Blood Condensation Blood Art which he stole from Officer Qin, and the Single Lotus Annihilation Art which he copied from that strange fellow humor-enthusiast, Pei Long. Both of them couldn't practice inside his room because it would destroy anything inside. He wouldn't want Wu Hantian to get angry and kick him out. That was not a smart move.
And so, Jiang Ye just closed his eyes as he endlessly absorbed the Spirit Stones.
---
At the same time, on the first floor where the main tavern was, Wu Hantian was pouring wine into a small glass cup. If a person were to observe the wine properly, he would notice that it was colored gold.
Wu Hantian took the glass cup and drank it in one go. He shook his head as he smiled ear to ear, "Good wine!"
Ring!
The bell above the door suddenly chimed as it opened. Wu Hantian looked at the door with a frown, clearly pissed that someone had interrupted his good time. But when he thought about it more, he guessed that it was probably his brother, Wu Chen.
However, his guess couldn't be more wrong as a different person entered the tavern. He was wearing a uniform that only the high-ranking officials of the Warrior's Council can wear. There was a badge on his left chest, with one full moon and three stars surrounding it. The symbol of Warrior's Council Warrior-General.
Immediately, Wu Hantian's frown changed into a smile as he stood up and greeted the person, "Good evening, Lord Liang Xuan. How may I help you today?"
The person who just entered the tavern was the Warrior-General Liang Xuan, the brother of the Domain Lord! And right now, he was wearing a formal uniform instead of what he wore a few days ago.
Liang Xuan looked at Wu Hantian, then at the bottle of that golden-colored wine. "You seem to be enjoying yourself today, Wu Hantian."
"Of course," Wu Hantian replied, his smile widening. "I have hired my first employee since the establishment of this tavern. It was his first day today."
"Really?" Liang Xuan's eyebrows raised when he heard this. "The almighty Wu Hantian who managed to keep Wu's Delicacy Tavern operating all by himself for more than seven years hired someone?"
"Well life is taking its toll on me," Wu Hantian reasoned. "I'm aware that I am at the prime age of my life, however, I have been planning to expand my tavern into a full-time inn. I couldn't avoid not needing help, especially when I am just a mere mortal cursed of being unable to cultivate.
"Anyway, what is your order for tonight?" Wu Hantian asked.
Liang Xuan's lips curled upwards slightly.
"I want the usual."