"Whoever booked that room, tell them to vacate it immediately! Our Young Master will pay ten times the price they did!"
The others nodded in agreement, their voices loud and arrogant, causing quite a commotion.
-----------------------
"How dare you refuse our Young Master?"
"Whoever booked that room, tell them to vacate it immediately! Our Young Master will pay ten times the price they did!"
The others nodded in agreement, their voices loud and arrogant, causing quite a commotion.
"I'm very sorry, but we cannot do that. It's on our policy that we must uphold the fairness. Unless you can persuade the person himself." The clerk responded.
"I'm very sorry, Young Master, but we cannot do that. Our establishment upholds fairness, and once a room is booked, it remains with the guest unless they choose to leave on their own." The clerk maintained a polite but firm tone.
"Tch…" Young Master Li's expression darkened as he stomped his foot in frustration.
"Fine. Take me to that room." His voice was laced with impatience.
Behind him, his followers exchanged eager glances.
"Keh… We're really lucky to catch Lady Ruxin's performance today, especially with the best view." One of them chuckled.
"Young Master Li, you must secure that room no matter what! It's rare for Lady Ruxin to perform." Another added, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Hmph. I know," Young Master Li scoffed, adjusting his sleeves. "That room will be mine."
Without further delay, the clerk nodded and led the group toward the private dining room where Lao Xie was seated.
Knock Knock
A series of firm knocks echoed through the room.
Inside, Lao Xie, who had been leisurely watching the scene below, slowly shifted his gaze toward the door.
"Excuse me, Sir," the clerk's voice came from outside. "Apologies for disturbing you, but there are a few gentlemen here who wish to speak with you."
Lao Xie raised a brow, his fingers lightly tapping against the table. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Oh?" he murmured, amusement flickering in his light golden-colored eyes.
Lao Xie leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes flickering with mild curiosity. "Let them in."
The clerk hesitated briefly before stepping aside, allowing the group of men to enter. At the front stood a young man dressed in an elegant silver robe, his posture straight and his expression carrying the quiet confidence of someone used to getting what he wanted.
The clerk clasped her hands together and spoke with a neutral tone. "Sir, this is Young Master Li. He has a request regarding this private room."
Young Master Li's lips curled into a polite yet authoritative smile. "Fellow disciple, let's not waste time. I want this room. Name your price."
Lao Xie tilted his head slightly. "Not for sale."
The rejection was immediate, causing a flicker of surprise to pass through Young Master Li's eyes.
One of the men behind him scoffed. "Do you even know who you're speaking to?"
Another stepped forward with a sneer. "Young Master Li is from the prestigious Li Family! Their name alone commands respect across the sect! You should be honored!"
Young Master Li raised a hand, signaling them to stop. He smiled, unfazed by Lao Xie's indifference. "I see. You value this room highly. How about fifty gold coins?"
Lao Xie merely raised an eyebrow, unfazed by the boastful declarations.
Young Master Li, however, remained composed, chuckling softly. "I understand. Perhaps fifty gold coins is too little." He retrieved a jade pouch from his robe and placed it on the table. "How about one hundred? Enough to live comfortably for years."
Lao Xie's eyes flickered toward the pouch.
"One hundred gold coins? That's a thousand silver… a hundred times more than what I have right now." He almost wanted to laugh.
Leaning forward slightly, Lao Xie rested his elbow on the table, a smirk playing at his lips. "Even if you offer me a thousand, my answer remains the same." His tone carried a hint of amusement, as if he found the whole exchange entertaining.
"A hundred gold coins just to see Ling Ruxin's performance with the best view? That's a ridiculous amount of money. But seeing his reaction makes it worth it." he mused inwardly.
The air in the room tensed.
The men behind Young Master Li stiffened, their expressions darkening.
"One Hundred Gold Coins?" One thought."
One of them clenched his fists. "You dare turn down Young Master Li's goodwill?"
Another sneered. "Do you even understand what you're rejecting?"
Another stepped forward, his aura faintly rising. "Maybe we should teach you some proper respect!"
Before they could act, the clerk sharply interrupted, her tone carrying an unmistakable warning. "I advise against that."
The moment she spoke, the group turned to her, only to see the once-polite clerk now wearing a stern expression. "Azure Sky Restaurant does not tolerate disturbances. If you attempt anything, I will call the guards immediately."
The words made them freeze.
Young Master Li's expression twitched slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. He exhaled softly through his nose, then turned his gaze back to Lao Xie. "Enjoy your meal."
With that, he spun on his heel and strode out, his men following reluctantly.
As the door shut behind them, Lao Xie let out a quiet chuckle. "How entertaining."
Just as Lao Xie leaned back in his chair, amused by the recent exchange, a gentle knock echoed from the door.
Knock Knock
"Sir, your meal is ready," came a polite voice from outside.
"Already? Indeed worthy of the High-End Restaurant title." Lao Xie smirked slightly. "Come in."
The door slid open, and two clerks entered, each carrying trays filled with steaming dishes. The rich aroma of braised spirit beast meat and fragrant rice filled the room as they carefully arranged the plates on the table.
As they adjusted the last dish, one of the clerks smiled. "You arrived at just the right time, sir. Lady Ruxin is about to perform."
Lao Xie lazily picked up his chopsticks. "Is that so?"
The other clerk nodded. "Indeed. Her performances are rare, and many consider themselves lucky to witness them. The restaurant has already fallen silent in anticipation."
Lao Xie's golden eyes flickered with mild amusement. He had already expected this, given how desperately Young Master Li had wanted this private room. But now that it was actually happening, he supposed it wouldn't hurt to see what made Ling Ruxin so special.
With a slight bow, the clerks excused themselves and quietly shut the door.
Just as Lao Xie took his first bite, the soft hum of a guqin resonated through the restaurant. The first note alone carried an ethereal quality, like a ripple spreading through a still lake.
The once lively Azure Sky Restaurant had turned eerily quiet. Even from his soundproofed room, the vibration of qi-infused music subtly penetrated, as if bypassing ordinary barriers.
Lao Xie narrowed his eyes. "Oh?"
His fingers lightly tapped against the table. There was something peculiar about this music. It wasn't just elegant, it carried traces of… something?...
A performance capable of silencing an entire restaurant.
Interesting.
Lao Xie leaned back, chopsticks pausing mid-air. His heartbeat slowed as the melody pulled him into an indescribable trance.
Cling~
A familiar panel slowly manifested before his eyes, It's text shimmering brightly.