Chapter 191: Invited by the Emperor? (Third Update)

"My lord, I have already inquired about it," the shrill-voiced old man beside him spoke up. "The Prime Minister and his peers hold the television drama *Zhudian* in the highest esteem! Techniques like the Divine Sword Lightning Controlling True Spell and the Taiji Xuanqing Dao are extraordinarily profound and well worth a watch!"

At this moment, Ji Wu had not revealed his true identity, so they naturally addressed each other as master and steward.

"Mm." Ji Wu nodded. "I have indeed heard the Prime Minister mention it before. That Qinyun Sect, every single one of them has mastered the art of sword-riding, presenting an air far grander than any of the major cultivator sects within our own Wuwei Daoist Alliance!"

He waved his hand. "Steward Yu, it is a rare occasion for us to travel south of the river. Go on, let us first see this *Zhudian*!"

"Understood!" With that, Eunuch Yu hurriedly made his way toward the counter.

Meanwhile, Ji Wu cast his gaze around the internet cafe. "According to Hui's report, a master sits in watch over this establishment, so much so that even he could not pass the threshold... I know not whether this bodes well or ill..."

He selected a seat against the wall. "Yet, according to the old Prime Minister, this *Zhudian* can actually compare to the mystical wonder of the late Emperor's great advancement in cultivation upon viewing the Star Chart. I shall see for myself if such claims hold true."

"If it truly is so, this place might well be a blessed land for our Great Jin Empire!"

With these thoughts in mind, he pulled up a chair and sat down. Before his seat could even warm, a sudden, exotic fragrance assailed his nostrils.

"What is this object that possesses such an exquisite aroma?!" Ji Wu was instantly filled with great wonder. "I have tasted every manner of delicacy from land and sea, every rare and exotic beast within the imperial palace, yet I have never smelled an aroma that stirs the appetite so thoroughly!"

Just ahead, two men walked past.

"Instructor Chen, you truly are remarkable. Class A has produced so many talents all at once; your path to success is assured!"

"Luck, it is entirely a matter of luck!"

Chatting as they walked, the two ate instant noodles while scanning the surrounding seats, pondering where best to sit. At that moment, a solemn-faced, yellow-robed middle-aged man stepped forward to block their path. "What is that thing you are eating?!"

"Instant noodles!" Chen Zhong pointed toward the counter. "Just go to the counter and tell the young girl there that you want instant noodles."

Coincidentally, Eunuch Yu returned at that very moment. "My lord, *Zhudian* has been activated."

"Mm!" Ji Wu nodded. "I just caught a scent of those instant noodles, and it is exceptionally fragrant. I know not what sort of delicacy it is, but go and purchase a bowl for me."

"Your old servant shall see to it at once!" Before long, Eunuch Yu returned bearing two bowls of instant noodles.

Ji Wu took the noodles and sampled the aroma first. "It truly stirs the appetite immensely! Could it be that besides that master of supreme cultivation, this shop also employs a chef more skilled than the imperial cooks in my palace?"

He took a bite, then could not help but drink a mouthful of the rich broth, exhaling deeply. "An absolute masterpiece of the mortal realm! Have you ascertained who prepared these noodles?"

"Err..." Eunuch Yu's expression froze. "To not hide it from my lord, these instant noodles were actually prepared by your old servant..."

"..." Ji Wu stared in blank surprise, nearly letting his tongue slip. "Eunuch Yu... Steward Yu, since when did you possess such craftsmanship?"

"..." Eunuch Yu replied, "These instant noodles... one need only place the seasonings into the noodles and steep them in boiling water; anyone can bring forth such delicious flavor..."

"However, within these noodles and the seasonings lies a profound secret. It must surely be the signature offering of this shop!" Eunuch Yu pointed to the ham sausage in Ji Wu's bowl. "Surprisingly, this ham sausage is the very essence of this bowl of noodles."

Soon, the two could be seen sitting in their seats, taking a bite of noodles followed by a bite of sausage.

"My lord, I shall fetch you a bottle of Coca-Cola as well. I heard that young girl say that watching *Zhudian* while drinking Coca-Cola is exceptionally exhilarating!" Eunuch Yu added, "After finishing these, we can have a carton of Häagen-Dazs! However, that item must be eaten immediately upon purchase, and it is far more delicious than the 'Crisp Mountain' ice treats in the imperial palace!"

"To think that watching this *Zhudian* involves so many particular customs?" Ji Wu nodded, leaning back into his chair as he began eating instant noodles and watching *Zhudian*.

In his heart, he remained somewhat bewildered; could one's cultivation truly increase through such means?!

Six hours later...

"Where are episodes seven and eight?!" Ji Wu bolted upright from his seat.

"Your old servant has already inquired... It seems episodes seven and eight have not been released yet due to production issues..."

"You actually arrived at a good time; it updates tomorrow." Just then, Chen Zhong, who was sitting not far away, also logged off his computer. "People like us have already been waiting for half a week!"

"Though this *Zhudian* is excellent, it is a television drama biased toward cultivators. In comparison, the things we warriors can learn from it are significantly fewer."

"Is it not so? In my view, they ought to release another drama centered primarily on warriors. Look at *The Legend of Sword and Fairy* now; it too is focused on cultivators. As for *Diablo*, that concerns foreigners; the martial techniques therein are good, but one can only pick and choose what to learn. Some are truly unsuited for our practice, and mastering them would likely require a vast amount of time."

Chatting casually, the group departed from the internet cafe.

Watching them leave, Ji Wu frowned slightly, slowly turning over the contents of *Zhudian* in his mind. "What they say is reasonable. Still, these shops are truly miraculous. Steward Yu, go and ask if these 'computers' are for sale."

After all, this world did not operate under the notion that all lands beneath heaven belonged to the king. Ji Wu had conceived a desire for them, but since the establishment was guarded by a powerful figure he dared not provoke, he could only resort to the thought of purchase.

...

"For sale...?!" Fang Qi sat before his computer desk, having just finished farming runes and logged out. He looked with some bewilderment at the old man and the middle-aged man who had approached him to buy a computer. Although this was not the first time he had encountered such a request, still... what was this before him...

The shrill-voiced old man held up five fingers. "Fifty thousand spirit crystals, how does that sound? You have quite a few of these spiritual artifacts here, shopkeeper. Selling one or two should be of no consequence, right?"

Fang Qi's face darkened. They certainly were generous with their offer, but unlike before, he truly did not care much about five thousand or fifty thousand now. As long as the shop remained open a while longer, he would earn it sooner or later. "Do you truly think I lack fifty thousand?"

Eunuch Yu's expression grew somewhat dark. Just then, the man behind him stepped forward and spoke. "Is the shopkeeper interested in relocating this establishment?"

Fang Qi grew even more perplexed. The man possessed a square, solemn countenance, and Fang Qi felt a nagging sense that he had seen him somewhere before. "Dear guest, my shop is doing perfectly fine. Why should I relocate it?"

"What if it were inside the imperial palace?" Ji Wu still possessed a measure of confidence in his own palace halls. "Would the shopkeeper be interested then?"

Fang Qi was utterly astonished. "Imperial princes and princesses run to my shop every day to use the internet. Why on earth would I move over there?"

Fang Qi spoke with a touch of exasperation, "Do you think this shopkeeper has nothing better to do?"

"Do you know to whom you are speaking?!" Eunuch Yu instantly shrieked.

"Steward Yu!" Ji Wu glared at him, gesturing for him to back down. He fixed his gaze squarely upon Fang Qi. "Shopkeeper Fang, what if the Emperor of the Great Jin Empire were to invite the senior master backing you to enter the imperial palace, and have this shop moved there as well?"

"An invitation from His Majesty the Emperor?" Fang Qi eyed the group up and down, hesitating for a brief moment.

"So you people belong to the Emperor?" Fang Qi looked at them in sudden realization.

Ji Wu remained noncommittal. "His Majesty the Emperor would naturally treat him as an honored guest; it is not impossible for him to become a grand enshrined master of our Great Jin Empire."

"This is an honor rarely beheld by ordinary mortals!" Eunuch Yu declared with an air of arrogance. "When the time comes, His Majesty will surely bestow an official rank upon you as well, shopkeeper!"

"Not interested."

Ji Wu: "..."

Eunuch Yu instantly flew into a rage. "You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!"

Ji Wu looked somewhat displeased. "Allow me to meet with the one standing behind you."

No matter how great their strength, becoming a grand enshrined master of the realm could hardly be considered ill-treatment, could it?!