Although Qin Ping served as a servant in the Qin residence, whenever he traveled any significant distance outside, he would always call for a carriage. It had been a long time since he’d walked on foot for such an extended period.
It really wore him out!
Qin Ping felt a dull, throbbing ache in his heels, sharp as if pricked by needles. Not to mention his throat, which had long gone hoarse and uncomfortable from talking too much.
However, seeing his new master still enthusiastically browse the wares of a small porcelain shop, looking around with keen interest, Qin Ping could only grimace and force himself to keep up. After all, the master hadn’t complained of fatigue, so how could he, a mere servant, dare to whine?
“I’m getting a bit hungry. How about we find a place to have lunch?”
The moment Qin Ping caught up to Han Li, he heard his master turn around and make this utterly candid statement. Qin Ping was instantly so excited he agreed repeatedly on the spot, eagerly suggesting they eat at a small tavern not far away. He heaped praise on its signature dishes, describing them as heavenly.
Han Li found this somewhat amusing inwardly, but he kept a neutral expression that left the decision to Qin Ping. He then followed his servant, who led the way with urgent haste, into the modest two-story establishment.
The first floor was filled with ordinary patrons enjoying simple meals, while the second floor was the dining area for those with some status or standing.
Qin Ping naturally wouldn’t let Han Li dine on the first floor, though his master seemed somewhat tempted. There weren’t many patrons on the second floor, only three or four tables occupied.
At one of the tables, three men and two women sat drinking together, which was quite a striking and unusual sight.
When Han Li entered the second floor, his gaze naturally swept over that table. A moment’s observation made him pause internally. All five individuals, men and women alike, were Qi Condensation stage cultivators at the tenth layer of the Basic Cultivation Technique. This was quite unusual.
“Could they be from one of the Six Devil Dao Sects?” Han Li wondered instantly.
In response, he immediately retracted the spiritual energy around his body. Using the “Aura Drawing” technique, which only Foundation Establishment stage cultivators could learn, he drew his own aura inward. This way, to low-level cultivators with far inferior cultivation bases, Han Li would appear no different from an ordinary mortal.
“Young Master, please take a seat over here!”
Qin Ping, suppressing the pain in his feet, guided Han Li to a table by the window. He even diligently wiped down the wooden chair with his sleeve before smilingly inviting Han Li to sit.
Han Li showed a slightly embarrassed expression and immediately urged Qin Ping to sit as well. This time, Qin Ping didn’t protest much; after a brief feint, he sat down honestly. His feet were truly in great pain, and he could no longer worry about the distinctions of master and servant. Fortunately, this young Master Han, newly arrived in the capital, didn’t seem to care about such formalities.
As soon as they were seated, a quick-footed waiter approached with a humble expression.
“What would the two guests like to order? Our tavern has several very famous signature dishes.”
“Send up a table of fine wine and food, and bring one serving of each of your signature dishes. Use the finest ingredients. My young master is from the Qin residence!” Knowing Han Li likely wouldn’t be familiar with ordering, Qin Ping took the initiative to speak for him. When he mentioned the Qin residence, his entire demeanor became instantly proud and imposing.
Sure enough, the name of the Qin residence worked wonders. Upon hearing it, the waiter immediately bowed and scraped, becoming extremely obsequious. He hurried off to expedite the order.
Han Li had no interest in watching his attendant show off. Instead, he focused all his attention on the table of cultivators nearby.
What puzzled him, however, was that one of the men at that table, a blue-robed individual who appeared to be in his thirties, seemed strangely familiar, as if Han Li had seen him somewhere before.
But after a moment of thought, he couldn’t place him at all. He certainly wasn’t someone very familiar.
The men at that table, including the blue-robed man Han Li found familiar, all wore expressions of deep worry, their heads bowed as they drank silently. The two somewhat attractive women simply stared blankly at the table full of food, not touching their chopsticks at all, seemingly having absolutely no appetite.
Judging by their appearance, it seemed they had encountered serious trouble. They hardly looked like Devil Dao cultivators who had infiltrated the Yue Kingdom.