Chapter 4

Chu Li and Li Yue stepped into Qicao轩 (Herb Hall). Qicao轩 was separated from the bustling central street of Chongming City by one street, where the noise and bustle of the city contrasted sharply with the quiet and cold atmosphere here, as if they were in two different worlds. The signboard of Qicao轩 was old and dilapidated, and the surrounding antique shops and jewelry stores all had a similar style, as if they were about to go out of business. However, Chu Li did not underestimate this place; it was a place where business might not open for three years, but once it did, it could sustain for another three years. Lifting the curtain to enter, the scene before him suddenly widened, and the spacious hall was filled with a refreshing fragrance. Pots of exotic flowers and plants were displayed on the antique shelves. In the center was an Eight Immortals table, and an old man with white hair and beard was leisurely drinking tea. Seeing the two enter, he smiled and stood up, bowing slightly, "Young gentlemen, please feel free to look around."

Chu Li and Li Yue's eyes were immediately drawn to the Moonlight Orchid, with its emerald green leaves curved and shimmering with a gentle luster, as if carved from jade, beautiful beyond measure. The old man came over, chuckling, "Young gentlemen, do you like the Moonlight Orchid?" Li Yue snorted, "Rhetorical question, who wouldn't like it!" "Shopkeeper, how long can this Moonlight Orchid live?" "It was just transported here," the old man held up two fingers, "at least two months!" "Ten days!" Chu Li smiled. Li Yue patted his waist, snorting, "Shopkeeper, open your eyes wide!" "Hehe, are you from the Duke's residence?" The old man's expression changed, and he bowed, smiling, "My apologies, my apologies... I dare not deceive you. It's indeed ten days, but only one plant comes out of the island this year. The next one will be next year. I have a family to support, and I can't sell it cheaply!" Li Yue waved his hand, "Stop crying poor and acting pitiful, we don't buy that!" In this world, no businessman is honest, and none of those who can open a shop here are poor; they are all wealthy. Chu Li casually touched the Moonlight Orchid, "Make an offer!" The essence of the Moonlight Orchid instantly surged into him, and he circulated the Small Pulse Cleansing Technique once. He exhaled, suppressing his joy; it was extremely pure spirit energy! Just one year, and he could lay the foundation! The old man was about to speak when footsteps sounded, and a young man entered, lifting the curtain with both hands and bowing respectfully. A voice came from outside, "Sister Zhao, please—!" "Brother Zhuo, you go first!" A handsome young man strode in, with a face like a jade crown, sharp eyebrows, and bright eyes. He wore a long sword at his waist, exuding a radiant aura as he looked around proudly. It was Zhuo Feiyang. Behind him followed a beautiful girl with skin as white as snow, charming and delicate, Zhao Ying. Chu Li and Zhuo Feiyang's eyes met, and both frowned. Chu Li felt uncomfortable; why was Zhao Ying with Zhuo Feiyang again! It seemed Zhuo Feiyang's advances were intense. The Great Round Mirror Wisdom activated, and he secretly sighed in relief; at least Zhao Ying hadn't fallen for him yet, still hesitating. Zhuo Feiyang snorted, "What are you doing here?" Chu Li sneered, "What do you mean, why can't I be here?" Zhuo Feiyang snorted, "A lowly servant, you can't even afford a blade of grass, coming here just to satisfy your eyes, how pitiful!" "Master Zhuo, you're too broad-minded!" Li Yue thought it was not good; Zhuo Feiyang was a genius, and if the two really clashed, it wouldn't end well. He hurriedly bowed and laughed, "Hehe, Brother Zhuo, Miss Zhao, I am Li Yue from the East Garden!" Zhuo Feiyang gave him a cold glance and said nothing. Zhao Ying, dressed in a light green silk robe, smiled and returned the bow, "Brother Li." Zhuo Feiyang looked down from above, "Chu, why don't you get lost, a good dog doesn't block the way!" "Zhuo Feiyang, just because others call you a genius, you believe it?" "I am a genius!" Zhuo Feiyang raised his head and chest, "What good is being smart if you haven't laid the foundation?" "Sigh... No matter how strong your martial arts are, without brains, you're still a fool!" Chu Li shook his head. Zhuo Feiyang gritted his teeth, looking at him disdainfully, "In this world, martial arts are everything!... I'm at the Eighth Rank now, and I'll reach the Seventh Rank this year. You, a lowly servant, would need twenty years to reach the Eighth Rank, and you can't make any mistakes. With your rotten character, you'll just cause trouble!" "With your brain, no matter how good your martial arts are, you can only guard the house, not do anything significant!" Zhuo Feiyang snorted, "Being insignificant is still better than you!" "Brother Zhuo, Brother Chu—!" Zhao Ying stomped her foot, pouting. Zhuo Feiyang immediately changed his expression, smiling gently, "Sister Zhao, what do you think of this Moonlight Orchid?" "It's very beautiful, but too expensive." Zhao Ying lightly shook her head, reluctantly taking her eyes off the Moonlight Orchid. Zhuo Feiyang glanced at the Moonlight Orchid and smiled, "Sister Zhao, let's go somewhere else, it's too unlucky to be with him, let's go!" "Brother Chu..." Zhao Ying smiled apologetically, and Chu Li waved his hand, indicating it was fine, watching them leave with a dark expression. "Phew..." Li Yue let out a long breath, looking at Chu Li helplessly, "Brother, you..." Zhuo Feiyang was a genius, destined to be a great figure in the future. It was best not to provoke him, as it would bring endless trouble. Chu Li waved his hand, "Shopkeeper, make an offer." The old man chuckled, "Two hundred taels, please." "What a swindler!" Li Yue shook his head, taking out a silver note from his pocket. "Hold it!" The curtain was lifted, and a young man entered, the guard who had been standing behind Zhuo Feiyang, slender and tall, with a handsome face. Bai Zhijie, a Ninth Rank guard, always smiling. But now he stood in front of the old man with a cold face, "I'll offer three hundred taels!" Li Yue's eyes widened, exclaiming, "Bai Zhijie?!" This guy usually smiled at him and called him "Brother Li," but now he suddenly changed, as if he were a different person! "Shopkeeper, what do you think?" Bai Zhijie didn't even look at Li Yue, staring coldly at the old man. The old man hesitated, "This..." He looked at Chu Li, then at Bai Zhijie. The gentlemen from the Duke's residence were not to be provoked, but the huge profit was tempting. He turned to Chu Li with an apologetic smile. Chu Li said, "Five hundred taels!" "Six hundred!" "Seven hundred!" "Eight hundred!" "One thousand!" "One thousand and one!" Bai Zhijie stared coldly at Chu Li, "Brother Chu, I advise you to think carefully, do you really want to oppose Master Zhuo?" Chu Li suddenly smiled, "Ten thousand taels!" Bai Zhijie stared at Chu Li, "Brother Chu, are you going to the end?" Chu Li smiled. Bai Zhijie hesitated for a moment, then stomped his foot, "Eleven thousand!" Chu Li bowed and laughed, "Impressive, you win!" He turned and left, Li Yue glaring at Bai Zhijie and hurriedly following. On the central street, amidst the bustling crowd, Chu Li's anger surged, and he felt no joy in outsmarting Zhuo Feiyang. The next Moonlight Orchid would only come in a year, and in that year, Gu Lixiang might successfully cultivate it, Zhuo Feiyang would advance to the Seventh Rank, and he would have no hope of advancing or laying the foundation. The most terrifying thing was that Zhao Ying's heart might also belong to Zhuo Feiyang! Li Yue saw his dark expression and tried to comfort him, "Brother, think positively, Zhuo Feiyang is rich and powerful, you can't really compete with him." Chu Li frowned, saying nothing, and had no more interest in sightseeing, returning directly to the residence. The next morning, Chu Li was practicing in the Qingsang flower garden when Li Yue ran over, "Brother, it's not good, it's not good!" Chu Li frowned at him. Li Yue ran over, shouting, "Zhuo Feiyang is too unfair!" "Speak quickly!" Chu Li said impatiently. Li Yue said angrily, "Zhuo Feiyang wants to change his guard!" Chu Li's face darkened, "Me?" Li Yue nodded, punching the ground, "Too much!" Chu Li's face was dark, and his anger surged. A rank higher meant a significant difference. The salary of a guard and a servant was different, but their status was similar. An Eighth Rank guard could have a Ninth Rank servant, and similarly, an Eighth Rank servant could have a Ninth Rank guard. Zhuo Feiyang asked Baicao Hall for a servant, and Baicao Hall wouldn't offend this genius. Besides, being a guard's servant was a good job. A guard was out on missions for ten months of the year, and the servant stayed in the residence with no other duties, living a leisurely life. The guard received a generous bonus for missions, and there were side incomes, enough to make the servant live well. If he refused, others would see it as not knowing his place. What a good move by Zhuo Feiy, a significant improvement, this move was ruthless and despicable! "What to do?" Li Yue asked anxiously. Without Chu Li, he wouldn't be able to sleep well again, as the flowers and plants in the East Garden were too delicate and prone to problems. Chu Li snorted, "We can only use the last resort!" "Speak quickly!" Li Yue asked hurriedly. Chu Li said, "I'll write a challenge letter, and Brother Li, you help me deliver it." "You want to challenge Zhuo Feiyang?" Li Yue hesitated, "Brother, isn't that too risky?" Chu Li's sword skills were strong, but Zhuo Feiyang wasn't him, and he might not win. Chu Li smiled, "Let's try." "Sigh... Your courage..." Li Yue shook his head helplessly, as Chu Li didn't care about anything and dared to do anything. Chu Li returned to his small courtyard, wrote two letters, a challenge letter to Zhuo Feiyang and an invitation letter to Zhao Ying. Li Yue asked, puzzled, "Why invite Miss Zhao?" "Without inviting Sister Zhao, Zhuo Feiyang will cheat!" "Not that bad, right?" "This guy is not as upright as you think, he's very despicable!" "..." Li Yue half-believed, half-doubted, and agreed.