Chapter 313: Chapter 313: There Are Always Scumbags
Xu Yunfan accepted, tucking the silk cloth into his robes.
The other disciples were overjoyed to see this, especially the round-faced one, whose ears flushed red with excitement. To serve a great figure who might one day lead the Taoist Sect was an opportunity many could only dream of.
The group crowded around Xu Yunfan, walking him out of the courtyard and into the bustling night of Jade Capital.
Vermilion Bird Avenue was lit as bright as day, with colorful lanterns hanging high and casting an iridescent glow upon the bluestone slab road.
Shops lined both sides of the street. Cloud brocade in the silk stores shimmered with a soft light, while the exotic fragrances from spice shops mingled with the rich aroma of wine from the taverns, compelling passersby to pause.
From the distant entertainment district came the sound of string and bamboo instruments, occasionally punctuated by the crisp rattle of dice from gambling dens. The entire city seemed steeped in an atmosphere of hedonistic splendor.
Along the way, Xu Yunfan turned the heads of many a discerning observer wherever he went.
He was clad in Dark Gold Dragon Scale Armor. Though mostly concealed by his robes, the scales that peeked through shimmered with a cold, sharp light. Tucked at his waist was a pair of Shaking Mountain Sea-Suppressing Hammers, and the entirely crimson Red Fire Dragon-Swallowing Mace was strapped to his back. Even more startling was the Sky-Sundering Cloud-Piercing Bow slung over his shoulder; its string, though untouched, hummed with the faint sound of wind and thunder.
This anomaly, produced by so many Divine Weapons, made martial artists along the road stop in their tracks. Even old veterans of the Mortal World, resting with eyes closed in roadside teahouses, suddenly snapped them open.
"What a grand display!"
A burly, bearded man carrying twin sabers on his back clicked his tongue, his eyes brimming with avarice.
Before his words had faded, a scholar in green robes beside him suddenly snapped his folding fan shut and stared intently at the Jade Token on Xu Yunfan’s waist. "A Profound Celestial Order? Could that be the Taoist Sect’s new..."
He trailed off, having recognized the man as the formidable character who had recently swept the arenas of the Thirty-Six Peaks and even faced off against an Organ Cultivation Realm master.
In that instant, he immediately suppressed the thoughts that had begun to surface.
About halfway through their stroll, the round-faced disciple sidled up to Xu Yunfan. Pointing to a three-story building with soaring eaves ahead, he said excitedly, "Senior Brother Xu, the late-night snacks at Changfeng Restaurant up ahead are one of Jade Capital’s finest! Their Snow Bud Deer Tendons are slow-stewed for three Hours in a broth of Qingzhou’s Snow Bud tea until the tendons melt in your mouth. And their Eight Treasure Gourd Duck is a secret recipe! The duck is stuffed with eight treasures. Even the big shots from the Imperial City Department often come here to treat themselves."
Xu Yunfan looked up and nodded slightly.
"Then let’s go have a taste."
’My predecessor grew up in Jade Capital City,’ he thought, ’but he spent most of his time cooped up in the Jiang Mansion. He rarely got to go out, so he’d never have been to a place like this.’
’Now that I finally have some free time, as a connoisseur of good food, I’m naturally curious to see how this branch of the Changfeng Restaurant chain tastes here in Jade Capital City.’
Changfeng Restaurant was brightly lit. Glazed lanterns hanging under the soaring eaves swayed gently in the night breeze, bathing the pavilion in a brilliant golden light.
Upon entering, they found the first-floor hall buzzing with voices. Waiters bustled about carrying gilded trays, from which the aroma of various delicacies wafted.
At several tables, boisterous martial artists from the Mortal World were deep in their cups, their blades resting beside them. Their lively conversations were peppered with the slang of various sects. In a corner, richly dressed merchants huddled in a hushed discussion, the faint clatter of abacus beads occasionally escaping from a sleeve.
Led by the Taoist Sect disciples, Xu Yunfan stepped onto the sandalwood staircase leading to the second floor.
The moment he reached the landing, he felt the surrounding aura shift—the staircase had been unexpectedly designed according to the Nine Revolutions Pure Sound recorded in the *Celestial Craftsmanship*. Each step was embedded with a special sound-absorbing device from the Celestial Craft Cave, completely nullifying the noise from downstairs.
Thanks to the clever architectural design, the clamor from the first floor instantly became nearly inaudible. Xu Yunfan could recognize the signs of this construction; it was clearly the handiwork of the Celestial Craft Department of the Celestial Craft Cave.
’To think the Celestial Craft Cave’s business extends all the way to Jade Capital.’
Xu Yunfan couldn’t help but marvel. ’I’ll have to find time tomorrow to visit the Celestial Craft Cave’s outpost.’
The private rooms on the second floor were separated by Centennial Thunderstruck Sandalwood Screens. The embossed Cloud Patterns on each screen secretly contained an Array that both soundproofed the rooms and prevented spying.
From a room on the east side, the faint strains of string and bamboo music drifted out; one could vaguely make out the tune of the *Feathered Robe Dance*.
They didn’t linger on the second floor, instead following the Taoist Sect disciples up to the third.
Without stopping, they went directly to the third floor.
The third floor had only four private rooms, with door curtains woven from Jiao Xiao, a material impervious to both fire and water. A great deal of thought had clearly been put into it.
The round-faced disciple lifted the beaded curtain of the "Celestial Character C" room. After Xu Yunfan had taken his seat, the disciple said with a touch of pride, "Don’t worry, Senior Brother Xu. The third floor of this restaurant has always been reserved for the upper echelons of the various sects. Last month, when the Peak Leader of Profound Sky Peak hosted a banquet here, even the waiters were masters at the Bone Refining Realm."
As he spoke, he pointed to a Profound Iron Token hanging from the corner of the curtain. "With this, we Taoist Sect disciples can go anywhere in Jade Capital City, save for a few restricted areas guarded by the Imperial City Department."
Before the round-faced disciple had finished speaking, a sinister, mocking voice came from the next room, "Celestial Character B": "Oh? The Taoist Sect can go anywhere? I wonder if you can make a splash in a dry latrine?"
The words were immediately followed by a burst of melodious giggling from women.
Xu Yunfan raised an eyebrow. He tapped his fingers lightly on the low table, silently sensing the flow of qi in the next room.
’Not weak, but not overwhelmingly strong, either,’ he thought. ’Someone who’d say that is probably a disciple from one of the Six Great Sects. And given the animosity, it’s highly likely they’re from the Sword Pavilion, which is notoriously at odds with the Taoist Sect.’
’Disciples of the Jiangnan Dao Sword Pavilion...’
The round-faced disciple’s face flushed red, and he was about to retort when Xu Yunfan raised a hand and placed it on his shoulder.
"Let’s order first."
These three words were imbued with the vibrating Strength of the Pure Yang Qi Skill. The sound waves pierced the Jiao Xiao curtain, causing the teacups in the next room to rattle.
The room next door fell silent at once, its occupants having clearly realized a master from the Taoist Sect was present.
A moment later, a cold snort was heard, followed by deliberately lowered voices. The other party had recognized the profound aura of Xu Yunfan, who had reached the Great Success stage of the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm.
The Snow Bud Deer Tendons arrived in Cyan Jade Cups; the broth was crystal clear, and the tendons shimmered like amber. The Eight Treasure Duck was served in a Zisha Pottery Jar; as the lotus leaf wrapping was lifted, the exotic aroma of the eight treasures inside—dried scallops, matsutake mushrooms, and more—wafted out. The Cold Pool Fragrant Wine was a pale cyan color, with tiny Ice Crystals swirling within the cups.
"They say Jade Capital City gathers rare treasures from all over the world. Seeing it today, I find its reputation is well-deserved."
Halfway through the meal, another sneer came from the next room.
"Oh? Still enjoying your meal from the latrine?"
The cyan jade chopsticks in Xu Yunfan’s hand paused for a moment.
He sighed softly and put down his chopsticks. His voice was neither loud nor soft, but just right for the next room to hear clearly. "The only bad thing about Changfeng Restaurant is that it attracts all sorts, and some trash always manages to slip in."
A loud SLAM came from the next room as someone struck a table, and a furious voice suddenly shouted.
"What did you say?"
Xu Yunfan was as silent as iron. He didn’t say another word, but abruptly grabbed the Shaking Mountain Sea-Suppressing Hammer and, to the stunned gazes of the Taoist Sect disciples, smashed through the wall.
Amidst the flying bricks and rubble, a scholar in green robes stood with his hand on his sword, his knuckles tapping a clear rhythm on the scabbard. Through the thick cloud of dust, their gazes met like bolts of lightning, the force of their clash even causing the bronze bells on the eaves to ring.
Without a hint of hesitation, the muscles on Xu Yunfan’s right arm coiled like Qiu Longs. The immense Powerful Qi in his body surged along with his boiling blood and qi, and his Jade Marrow Golden Bone erupted with a faint golden light. The Triple Force Dao exploded from the Yongquan Acupoint on the sole of his foot, twisting through his waist and hips before pouring into the handle of the hammer.
