Chapter 86: Throw It Out Immediately

Originally, the influx of customers into Fang Qi's shop had been a modest daily trickle, a steady and stable sort of growth.

Back then, the shop was never quite this packed, and it could be said that everyone could easily find a seat.

Yet for reasons unknown, long queues had now begun to form; far from dwindling, the number of people arriving to use the stations seemed to have surged exponentially overnight!

Furthermore, Fang Qi noticed that it was not just a substantial increase in headcount, but the individuals arriving were also, one by one, rather peculiar...

Take, for instance, the young gentleman in red who had just crossed the threshold...

Hong Lingfeng had originally been brought along to play by An Cheng and his companions, initially viewing it as nothing more than a novel form of amusement, but today, when his own master personally inquired who knew of the Origin Squad Shop... he gradually began to realize that matters were likely far from simple!

At this moment, Hong Lingfeng was ushering a silver-bearded elder with a head of snow-white hair through the door, while trailing closely behind the elder were several young cultivators!

The silver-bearded elder smiled amiably and spoke, "Lingfeng, your master's visit this time is merely to meet this senior expert named the Wine Sword Immortal, and incidentally to witness this Sword Control Technique; there is no need to make such a grand spectacle out of it."

"Your disciple understands!" Hong Lingfeng nodded repeatedly, then stroped to the counter, producing crystals as he said, "Boss, please activate the Legend of Sword and Fairy for me."

Fang Qi glanced over the current state of the internet cafe and spoke up, "Activation is no issue, but there are currently no vacant seats."

"Uh..." Hong Lingfeng scratched his head in embarrassment, returning to the elder's side to report, "Master, it seems we may have to wait in line for a bit."

"What?!" Hearing this, several disciples behind them flew into a rage on the spot. "Junior Brother Hong, what do they mean by this?! What sort of status does our Master possess? To come pay a visit, and yet he must queue?!"

"Wangxin!" The silver-bearded elder glared at the disciple. "I have already said that there is no need to make a grand spectacle. Lingfeng, where are City Master An and the others at present?"

Hong Lingfeng cast his eyes left and right, immediately spotting An Huwei and his cohort crowded behind Nalan Hongwu to watch, and hastily pointed in An Huwei's direction, saying, "Over there, they are also waiting in line!"

"Even they are queuing?!" A flicker of astonishment crossed the elder's face. "Then it is of no consequence if I wait a while as well; it happens to be a good opportunity to catch up with Fellow Daoist An and the rest!"

With those words, the elder moved to join the queue with utmost composure.

Fang Qi watched open-mouthed as everyone lined up in such an orderly fashion, with not a single soul causing trouble: "..."

...

Xiao Yulü could be described as riding the crest of success today; he had never imagined that this matter would proceed so smoothly!

To think he had actually managed to invite the person out directly!

"Could it be that Aunt already knows of my plight and has come specifically to vent her anger on my behalf?!" The mere thought brought a surge of immense gratification to Xiao Yulü's heart!

It was no wonder he thought so; after all, the Liuyun Daoist Palace had always been notoriously protective of its own, and given that he was Xiao Changlong's grandson, whenever he caused trouble outside in the past, returning to the sect to find backing always meant seeking retribution, without a single exception!

Therefore, Xiao Yulü had simply never considered any other possibility!

Staring at the now vastly transformed storefront before him, Xiao Yulü harbored a secret resentment as he pointed at the entrance and said, "It is this very shop!"

Following Su Tianji into the establishment, a wave of sheer exhilaration washed over Xiao Yulü's heart: "With my Aunt helping me this time, I would like to see how you intend to cope!"

...

Although the discourse on the Dao had been rendered somewhat incomplete due to the affairs of Ye Songtao and his companions, the swordsmanship, the manipulation of Qi, and the fragments of the Dao De Jing expounded by Ye Songtao had caused certain vague insights she held after her breakthrough to gradually become distinct.

"The highest good is like water, benefiting all things without contention...?" She carefully savored the wisdom within these words, and slowly, they actually began to stabilize her newly broken-through cultivation base and state of mind!

Compared to the atmosphere of a single discourse, her own progress in cultivation was naturally far more paramount!

To think that a mere handful of insights and fragments could exert such an influence upon her; from this, it was evident that the senior Wine Sword Immortal was absolute an unparalleled, hidden master!

Thus, Su Tianji had arrived this time with the intent of paying a respectful visit.

Not to mention what had been revealed in the remarks of the others—that the old Prince Nalan himself was currently here deliberating over swordsmanship!

Her coming to pay respects appeared entirely natural and proper.

She simply had not anticipated that out of so many disciples in the Liuyun Daoist Palace, the only one capable of guiding her here would be Xiao Yulü.

Consequently, she had no choice but to let Xiao Yulü lead the way.

Of course, it was merely to act as a guide.

Had she known what was about to unfold, or had she investigated the recent occurrences a bit more thoroughly, she would likely have preferred to make inquiries herself rather than ever permitting him to lead the way!

Su Tianji pushed open the door and entered, cupping her hands toward the shop as she prepared to utter a few polite introductory phrases for the visit, only to instantly witness a scene that nearly took her breath away!

"Where is your boss?! Tell him to come out!" Xiao Yulü stepped out from the crowd, striding forward with his head held high as he entered the shop and barked loudly, "If this young master does not thoroughly teach him a lesson today and wreck this shop, this young master will renounce the name Xiao!"

Very quickly, Xiao Yulü's eyes swept across the room and caught sight of Fang Qi, who, having no vacant station to use, was sitting right before the counter; he slammed the table heavily and sneered, "If you have the ability, try throwing this young master out again today?!"

Fang Qi looked at Xiao Yulü and asked in bewilderment, "Why are you back again?"

"...??" Su Tianji was already completely struck dumb by the sight!

...

"..." If everything could be undone and started anew, Su Tianji would certainly choose to first ask how Xiao Yulü had come to know of this little shop!

But quite clearly, there were no ifs!

At this juncture, Su Tianji noticed that within the small shop, one old acquaintance after another was turning to look over.

For instance, An Huwei, Ouyang Cheng, Ye Songtao, and even Hong Lingfeng's master, the Silver Dragon Elder; even Wang Kuan, the envoy sent by the Wuwei Daoist Alliance, was prominently among them...

Even Nalan Hongwu had been disturbed by the commotion over here!

And now, the gaze of every single one of them was converged entirely upon Xiao Yulü and Su Tianji!

"Is Fellow Daoist Su here to cause trouble today?!" Quite a few people looked at Su Tianji in astonishment.

Su Tianji's fair countenance was nearly contorted with rage on the spot!

"Hurl him out immediately!"

Before Fang Qi could even make a move, Xiao Yulü felt his body grow light, and like soaring through the mists and riding the clouds, he flew directly out the door!

"!!??"

Why have I been thrown out again?!

In the instant he flew out the door, Xiao Yulü had only a single thought left!

...

"Su Tianji of the Liuyun Daoist Palace comes to pay respects to Senior Wine Sword Immortal!" After casting Xiao Yulü out, Su Tianji finally exhaled a heavy, turbid breath.

Even Sect Master Ye and City Master An were learning the sword here, and a figure like Nalan Hongwu behaved with such decorum, yet that wild brat Xiao Yulü actually dared to spout such arrogant nonsense about wrecking the shop?!

Su Tianji truly wondered if that boy's brains had been kicked by a donkey!

Su Tianji also realized at this moment that during the days of her secluded meditation, she had likely missed out on a considerable amount of information!

Her mind was a tangled mess; originally, having chanced upon the Great Dao and gained insights, her coming here to visit and offer thanks could have been a beautiful tale of camaraderie, but as a result...

It appeared that this splendid occasion today had been utterly ruined by that boy!

However, she no longer had the luxury of mind to dwell on those thoughts.

As for the Sword Control Technique and the Dao De Jing, she supposed she need not even think about them anymore; her only hope was not to incur their enmity, otherwise, looking at this setup, it would definitely bode no good!

Just then, she heard the youth seated before the counter, addressed as the boss, speak in a calm, indifferent tone: "20 crystals for activation. There are many people now, go wait in line to the side first."

"..."