Chapter 53

Zhuo Feiyang was seething with anger. Chu Li was skilled at wooing women, even someone as proud as Manager Su treated him differently, and there was also Zhao Shimu... Thinking of this, he sneered and drank two cups of wine in one breath.

Bai Zhijie remained silent.

This matter was too frustrating. Chu Li had a connection with Manager Su, which was very troublesome. If the young master wanted to cripple Chu Li, the manager would certainly not let it go.

As the manager of Yvqi Island, with her word, the young master would have no place in the Duke's Mansion.

Zhuo Feiyang lowered his head to eat, and after a few bites, Bai Zhijie also lowered his head and started eating voraciously. The dishes here were exquisitely prepared, each dish was not much, but the taste was excellent.

The two men turned their frustration into appetite, finishing all the dishes on the table in one go, then burped and drank wine, casually looking around. The place was already full of people, beautiful women moving among them, serving tea, water, dishes, and wine.

They all wore pale white silk robes, simple and elegant, emitting a faint fragrance that calmed the mind and purified the spirit, making one feel at ease and not think impure thoughts. It was as if the beauty of the women made one's heart and soul drunk.

"Ah..." Bai Zhijie sighed.

Such a tavern would never lack customers, especially men.

Zhuo Feiyang slapped the table and said in a deep voice, "Waiter!"

Two beautiful women approached, smiling gently, "Have the two gentlemen finished eating? Would you like some fruit?"

Zhuo Feiyang nodded, "Sure! ... But we didn't bring any money."

The two women were taken aback; it was the first time they had encountered someone eating for free.

They looked at each other, and one of the beautiful women said, "Gentlemen, don't joke with us!"

Zhuo Feiyang said coldly, "I'm not joking, I really didn't bring any money!"

"Then... this sword will do." One of the women pointed to the long sword at his waist.

Zhuo Feiyang sneered, "This is my personal sword, I live with it and die with it!"

"Then what do you plan to do, sir?" the woman asked with a light laugh, "Do you really want to eat for free?"

"Yes, I'm determined to eat for free!" Zhuo Feiyang sneered, "What are you going to do about it?"

One of the women left gracefully.

Zhuo Feiyang glanced at her, crossed his arms, and sneered, "Do you have enforcers here?"

The remaining beautiful woman shook her head and smiled, "Sir, you misunderstood. We will report to the owner, and the owner will decide how to handle it. We are just servers, we don't make the decisions."

Zhuo Feiyang looked at her deeply. She could still maintain a gentle smile despite his attitude. Where did Chu Li find such women? They were truly impressive!

A moment later, Zhao Ying appeared in front of him, frowning, "Senior Brother Zhuo?"

Seeing Zhao Ying, Zhuo Feiyang's face turned red, then he scowled. It seemed the two of them were thoroughly entangled. This Zhao Shimu, so lacking in self-respect, what was wrong with her that she had to be with Chu Li!

Thinking of this, he was both angry and resentful, and said in a sullen voice, "Zhao Shimu, are you the owner here?"

Zhao Ying nodded, "Sort of."

"Is this not Chu Li's tavern?"

"I help manage it."

"What is your relationship with him, to help him like this?!" Zhuo Feiyang sneered, "You're not really together, are you?"

"It's not like that!" Zhao Ying frowned, "Senior Brother Zhuo, don't cause trouble, pay up and leave!"

Zhuo Feiyang stiffened his neck, "I don't have any money!"

"You don't have any money?!" Zhao Ying laughed, "What a joke!"

"I really don't have any money, you deal with it!" Zhuo Feiyang hardened his resolve and said coldly, "This is Chu Li's tavern, you don't need to worry about it. If you want money, go ask him!"

"Senior Brother Zhuo, are you trying to get away with not paying?" Zhao Ying said irritably, "One hundred taels, quickly!"

"One hundred taels, that's so expensive?" Bai Zhijie blurted out, then quickly closed his mouth.

Zhuo Feiyang sneered, "Chu Li is really ruthless. To charge so much for a meal, I'm only half full, and it's already one hundred taels?"

"The price of each dish is clearly marked. If you think it's too expensive, don't order it!" Zhao Ying said impatiently, "You ordered the more expensive dishes. A normal meal would cost about fifty taels. Alright, leave now!"

"I don't have any money!" Zhuo Feiyang grunted.

Zhao Ying waved her hand, "Don't be a nuisance here, I'll tell Senior Brother Chu!"

"..." Bai Zhijie hesitated.

He was at a loss. Originally, he had planned to cause a big commotion, forcing Chu Li to show up. If he didn't accept the challenge, he would come every day to cause trouble, to see how long he could endure!

Zhuo Feiyang frowned and stared at Zhao Ying.

Zhao Ying touched her jade-like face, "What's wrong?"

Zhuo Feiyang sneered, "Zhao Shimu, you've changed!"

Zhao Ying said irritably, "Senior Brother Zhuo, you should say that to me!"

As soon as Senior Brother Zhuo came out of seclusion, he sought her out to defeat her, to avenge his earlier defeat. A man with such a small heart made her look down on him.

"How have I changed?" Zhuo Feiyang asked hurriedly.

Zhao Ying waved her hand, "Alright, this is a tavern. You've finished eating, so leave now. I'm very busy and don't have time to fool around with you."

This was the tavern of the women from the Tiger Den. Senior Brother Chu had already said that all the income would go to them. Senior Brother Zhuo coming here to eat for free was simply unreasonable!

Zhuo Feiyang was furious at her attitude, "Fine, tell Chu Li that if he wants money, he should come to me!"

"Got it, got it!" Zhao Ying waved her hand impatiently.

Zhuo Feiyang got up reluctantly and left the Xianyun Tavern with Bai Zhijie.

He looked back at the Xianyun Tavern, hearing the laughter inside, and sneered. He decided to come back the next day to see how long Chu Li could endure. If he didn't accept the challenge, he would keep coming!

Bai Zhijie said in a low voice, "Sir, I didn't know Senior Sister Zhao was here."

"Don't mention her!" Zhuo Feiyang said coldly.

Bai Zhijie quickly shut his mouth, feeling somewhat embarrassed. Senior Sister Zhao was Sir's nemesis. If she hadn't been there today, things would have escalated.

---

In the early morning, the sun was bright, and the training ground in front of the Martial Hall was bustling with noise.

More than two hundred guards were practicing, some swinging swords with flashing blades, some practicing knives with silver streaks, some practicing staffs, some practicing spears, and some practicing exotic weapons, as well as many practicing punches and palm strikes. Each was practicing their own style, occasionally making grunting sounds.

Zhuo Feiyang was practicing swordsmanship in a corner of the training ground, the sword light like snow, enveloping him, impenetrable.

Bai Zhijie was practicing swordsmanship beside him, his sword movements swift, but far inferior to Zhuo Feiyang's, the difference was clear.

He had improved greatly under Zhuo Feiyang's guidance, but he was still in the Pulse Opening stage, lacking in speed and strength, making his sword light dim.

He was already very content. He couldn't compare to Sir's talent, but he was far ahead of his peers.

A small boat approached lightly, and a girl in a white silk robe gracefully disembarked and came to the training ground.

Her skin was as white as snow, her eyes bright and spirited, looking down on everyone with a high and proud demeanor.

She gracefully approached Zhuo Feiyang and stood quietly beside him.

Seeing the beauty, Zhuo Feiyang immediately felt invigorated, his sword light becoming even brighter.

Bai Zhijie, however, was somewhat distracted, occasionally glancing at her, wondering who she was. He had never seen her before, and such beauty was unforgettable. She must be someone important.

Sir was a genius and very attractive to women, but this was the first time a woman had been so bold and direct. Her cold and beautiful demeanor made Bai Zhijie feel uneasy, but he didn't dare to disturb Sir, who was focused on his practice.

After a while, Zhuo Feiyang finished his practice, looking satisfied, and smiled handsomely at the girl, "Senior Sister, what can I do for you?"

The cold and beautiful girl said indifferently, "Are you Sir Zhuo Feiyang?"

"Indeed, it's me!" Zhuo Feiyang bowed slightly.

"Good." The cold and beautiful girl said indifferently, "I am Xue Ling, sent by my master to collect the debt you owe, one hundred taels, thank you!"

"Wait!" Zhuo Feiyang's smile froze, and he asked hurriedly, "Who is your master?"

"My master's name is Chu Li." Xue Ling bowed slightly.

"Chu Li?!" Zhuo Feiyang's face darkened, and he said coldly, "You are Chu Li's maid?"

"Indeed." Xue Ling nodded lightly, "You didn't pay for your meal at Xianyun Tavern yesterday. My master sent me to collect the money. Debts must be repaid, it's only right!"

Xue Ling was like a magnet, drawing everyone's attention. The people on the training ground were secretly watching her, initially envying Zhuo Feiyang's good fortune. A martial genius and a handsome man, who wouldn't like him?

But when they realized she wasn't there to admire Zhuo Feiyang, but to collect a debt, they couldn't help but feel amused, secretly cheering and feeling satisfied.

Bai Zhijie quickly said, "Miss, don't talk nonsense, who owes money?"

Xue Ling looked at him coldly, "What, trying to get away with not paying?"

"Enough!" Zhuo Feiyang interrupted Bai Zhijie, and said coldly, "Fine, Chu Li is ruthless. Zhijie, give her the money!"

Bai Zhijie looked at Zhuo Feiyang helplessly, his face showing difficulty.

Zhuo Feiyang grunted, "What, my words mean nothing to you?"

Bai Zhijie hurriedly said in a low voice, "Sir, I didn't bring any money."

"Damn it!" Zhuo Feiyang glared at him and said, "Then go get it!"

"Yes!" Bai Zhijie quickly responded and turned to leave.

The entire training ground was quiet, everyone had heard their conversation, their eyes filled with amusement and schadenfreude.

Zhuo Feiyang's handsome face was as cold as ice, his gaze unfriendly as he stared at Xue Ling.

Xue Ling lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze.

Zhuo Feiyang sneered, "When did you become Chu Li's maid?"

Xue Ling remained silent, as if she hadn't heard.

"Hmph, just like Chu Li!" Zhuo Feiyang sneered disdainfully, "What a waste of such beauty!"

Xue Ling still didn't speak, silent as a statue.

This made Zhuo Feiyang even angrier. He felt like a laughingstock, sensing the mocking and derisive gazes around him, as if they were about to engulf him. He knew he would become a laughingstock, and the news would spread throughout the mansion by the end of the day.

Chu Li, you are ruthless, we're not done yet!

He roared in his heart, his gaze towards Xue Ling icy cold.

Xue Ling stood quietly, like a jade statue, but she drew everyone's attention.

They were curious about Chu Li, who could have such a maid, and envied his good fortune!

Bai Zhijie ran back out of breath, holding two silver notes, one for one hundred taels.

Zhuo Feiyang took one and threw it on the ground, "Take it, give it to Chu Li!"

He turned and walked away.

Xue Ling bent down to pick it up, her face unchanged, and left gracefully.

Everyone shook their heads and sighed. Zhuo Feiyang was a martial genius, but his behavior was too excessive, treating such a beautiful woman so rudely!