Chapter 73

Zhang Yuanxing's tone of dissatisfaction was clearly felt by Yuan Luoxi and the others, leaving them all quite surprised.

This guy is really bold, how dare he speak to Master Su like that?

Soon, they vaguely realized that Zhang Yuanxing must not yet understand Master Su's capabilities, much like how they initially perceived Su Yi...

Yuan Luoxi's beautiful eyes took on a hint of surprise, and she felt a mix of embarrassment and discomfort.

Back then, when I faced Master Su, I was even more arrogant than this Zhang Yuanxing. Now, thinking about it, I was really foolish...

Cheng Wuyong cleared his throat and explained, "Young Master Zhang, you misunderstood. We are merely traveling companions with... Mister Su."

As he spoke, he suddenly remembered Su Yi's previous warning not to reveal the events on Guimul Ridge, so he wisely changed his address from "Master" to "Mister."

"Is that really so?"

Zhang Yuanxing was taken aback, seeming somewhat disbelieving.

"Zhang Yuanxing, our relationship with Mister Su is none of your business. I want to ask, what are you doing here?"

Yuan Luoxi frowned and asked coldly.

Zhang Yuanxing quickly smiled, "Miss Luoxi, I heard you came to Guangling City, so I did some inquiries and learned that you had already led a group to Guimul Ridge yesterday. I've been waiting here ever since."

Yuan Luoxi's expression remained cold, "You, a distinguished young master of the Zhang family, what do you want from me? If you have nothing else, move aside!"

In Yunhe County, the Yuan and Zhang families were both among the top four major forces.

In terms of status and cultivation, Yuan Luoxi was no less than Zhang Yuanxing, and perhaps even superior.

She would not be polite to Zhang Yuanxing.

Zhang Yuanxing's face stiffened slightly, feeling quite puzzled. Yuan Luoxi had never been so impatient with him before!

What's going on?

Just as he was about to say something, he saw Yuan Luoxi turn to look at Su Yi, her delicate oval face showing a mix of anxiety and anticipation. She softly said,

"Mister... Mister Su, would you like to go into the city and have something to eat?"

Zhang Yuanxing's pupils suddenly constricted, his mind filled with doubts. What's going on here?

Cheng Wuyong also smiled, "Yes, this time on Guimul Ridge, we owe a lot to Mister Su and Elder Guo. Since we've arrived in the city, it's only right that we arrange a banquet to express our gratitude."

Seeing this, Zhang Yuanxing was so shocked that his mouth almost dropped open.

He knew very well that Cheng Wuyong was an outer gate elder of the Yuan family, a top-notch existence at the peak of the Gathering Qi realm.

In terms of status, he was on par with the old bear by his side.

Yet now, even Cheng Wuyong was being so courteous to Su Yi, how could Zhang Yuanxing not be surprised?

"Alright."

Su Yi nodded in agreement.

It was now dawn, and he was feeling hungry.

Yuan Luoxi immediately broke into a bright and charming smile, saying happily, "That's great, let's go quickly. I heard that Juxian Tower is the best restaurant in Guangling City, let's go there!"

"Elder Guo, you should come too."

Cheng Wuyong smiled at Guo Bing.

Guo Bing hurriedly clasped his hands and said, "This is an honor for me!"

Immediately, the group headed toward the city gate.

Throughout the entire time, no one paid any attention to Zhang Yuanxing.

"Old Bear, do you understand what's going on?"

Zhang Yuanxing's brows were tightly furrowed, feeling quite uncomfortable. Just now, he, a distinguished young master of the Zhang family, was completely ignored!

"Didn't the information you gathered yesterday say that when Yuan Luoxi found the herbalist Guo Bing, Su Yi was also there, and they set out for Guimul Ridge together?"

Old Bear, wearing a black round hat, pondered, "Judging from the current situation, it seems that Su Yi and Guo Bing helped Yuan Luoxi find a coveted medicinal herb, which is why they are so grateful."

"That's right! I must have overthought it!"

Zhang Yuanxing clapped his hands, as if a weight had been lifted from his mind. He smiled, "Old Bear, let's go to Juxian Tower too!"

He was once again full of confidence and vigor.

Seeing this, Old Bear couldn't help but remind him, "Young Master, Yuan Luoxi is the youngest and most pampered daughter of the Yuan family's patriarch. Her grandfather is the famous 'Jingyuan Marquis' Gu Chenfeng, known for his temper. He once said that anyone who dared to have designs on Yuan Luoxi before she turned eighteen would have their legs broken."

Zhang Yuanxing's expression froze, and he instinctively squeezed his legs together, saying, "What's there to fear? I just want to be friends with her. If there's a chance for a proper marriage, I'll wait until she turns eighteen."

Old Bear said, "But Young Master, you know that Yuan Luoxi has been pampered since childhood, with a proud and capricious nature. If you want to pursue her... you need to be mentally prepared."

Zhang Yuanxing nodded, excitedly saying, "What I admire most is her wild nature, like a little wild horse, making me want to conquer her..."

Old Bear didn't try to dissuade him further.

He was an experienced man and knew that young people wouldn't back down in pursuing a woman until they had a taste of failure.

Juxian Tower.

It was early morning, and the place was quiet with few customers.

But when the news of the Yuan family's young miss, Yuan Luoxi, coming to dine spread, Juxian Tower's owner, Yue Tianhe, immediately struggled out of his concubine's embrace and rushed to the tower as quickly as possible.

He had the servants bring out a rare vintage, and Yue Tianhe followed a serving girl to a private room on the second floor.

With a warm and enthusiastic smile, he was about to bow and introduce himself when he paused, surprised, saying,

"Su... Su Yi?"

He saw that in the spacious private room, only Su Yi, Guo Bing, Yuan Luoxi, and Cheng Wuyong were seated.

And Su Yi was calmly sitting at the head of the table!

This scene almost made Yue Tianhe's jaw drop.

He, of course, knew Su Yi, and better than most. This young man was not just an ordinary son-in-law of the Wen family. Both the city lord, Fu Shan, and the commander of the imperial guards, Nie Beihu, treated him with great respect.

At the recent Longmen Banquet, Su Yi's victory in the Longmen Competition had already spread throughout Guangling City, and how could Yue Tianhe not know?

But he never expected that early in the morning, the young miss of the top-tier Yuan family from Yunhe County would be entertaining such a distinguished guest as Su Yi!

For a moment, Yue Tianhe almost forgot the carefully prepared words he had in mind.

"Who are you?"

Yuan Luoxi asked, not recognizing Yue Tianhe.

Yue Tianhe snapped to attention, quickly bowing and smiling, "Miss Yuan, I am the owner of Juxian Tower. Upon hearing of your arrival, I specially brought a fine wine as a small token of my respect."

Saying this, he presented the wine.

Yuan Luoxi said, "You know Mister... Mister Su?"

Yue Tianhe hurriedly replied, "How could I not know a young hero like Mister Su? He is the number one celebrity in Guangling City, and I admire him greatly..."

He spoke fluently, enthusiastically praising Su Yi to show that he had a good relationship with him.

Seeing Su Yi's cold expression, Cheng Wuyong sensed something and cleared his throat, interrupting, "That's enough, you can go now."

Yue Tianhe knew when to stop, nodding repeatedly. As he left, he didn't forget to greet Su Yi, "Mister Su, if you need anything, just call. I'll be downstairs, ready to serve you at any time."

"This guy is really a leech."

Su Yi sneered.

The others also laughed.

In any case, the dining atmosphere was pleasant.

Back at the counter on the first floor, Yue Tianhe was still in a daze, with only one thought in his mind—

When did Su Yi climb up to the high branch of the Yuan family in Yunhe County?

"Boss, which private room is Miss Yuan Luoxi of the Yuan family in?"

A clear voice suddenly rang out.

Yue Tianhe looked up and, upon recognizing the person, couldn't help but draw a sharp breath. He quickly approached, smiling ingratiatingly, "It's Young Master Zhang!"

The person was indeed Zhang Yuanxing, who, upon hearing this, was somewhat surprised, "You know me?"

Yue Tianhe smiled warmly, "Yesterday, I delivered wine to the city lord's residence and had the good fortune to see Young Master Zhang from a distance. Your extraordinary presence left a deep impression, so I recognized you immediately."

This flattery made Zhang Yuanxing feel quite comfortable, but he said, "Enough talk, take me to Miss Luoxi."

Yue Tianhe quickly led the way, eagerly.

Zhang Yuanxing and Old Bear followed closely behind.

Upon reaching the private room, Zhang Yuanxing straightened his clothes and mentally reviewed the words he had prepared.

Then, he pushed open the door, facing the surprised looks of Yuan Luoxi and the others, and apologized with a smile,

"Luoxi, I misunderstood Mister Su earlier, so I came to apologize. You can't send me away, Luoxi."

This was the prepared speech, using Su Yi as a starting point to cleverly avoid being excluded or rejected from the banquet.

Indeed, Yuan Luoxi's expression softened.

This made Zhang Yuanxing feel both proud of his strategy and a bit annoyed.

Why does mentioning Su Yi have such an effect on Luoxi?

"You want to apologize to me?"

Su Yi's expression was strange.

Zhang Yuanxing took the initiative, found a seat for himself and Old Bear, and then chuckled, "I misunderstood earlier, thinking that Mister Su had joined the Yuan family. I didn't expect that Mister Su helped Luoxi a great deal this time..."

He explained and raised his glass, "I'll drink three cups as a penalty!"

After drinking, Zhang Yuanxing suddenly noticed Yue Tianhe outside the room and frowned, "You, why don't you have any sense? Close the door and leave!"

Yue Tianhe shuddered, quickly smiling and closing the door before leaving.

But his mind was in turmoil, and he remained dazed even after returning to the counter.

Being treated as a distinguished guest by the Yuan family's young miss and having the Zhang family's young master personally apologize, when did Su Yi become so popular?

Yue Tianhe couldn't understand.

"I've worked hard for decades to become the owner of Juxian Tower, and this kid, at such a young age, has connections with the two top forces in Yunhe County... It's really... unfair!"

Comparing himself to Su Yi, Yue Tianhe felt that his life had been a waste.