Old Lian smiled faintly. "If you weren't all heroes, Miss Peach Blossom's discerning eye wouldn't have invited you to the manor. Come, have some tea." He raised his teacup and took a delicate sip, his movements elegant.

Zhao Shengli took a large gulp, as if drinking wine, let out a heavy breath, and boomed, "Is Miss Thirteen a descendant of an official family, forced into the dust of this world?"

Old Lian paid no mind to his crudeness, smiling and nodding. "Precisely. Master was once the prefect of Fengnan, but was later framed by villains. He was saved by someone and ended up here... Miss has no remaining kin in this world. She is lonely, so she sings little tunes to pass the time, entertaining herself. She manages to live quite happily."

"Alas... Miss Thirteen is also a woman of bitter fortune!" Zhao Shengli sighed deeply.

…………………………………………………………

Old Lian chuckled. "It's been so many years, and I've never seen her grow close to any man. It truly delights this old man that you all could visit the manor today!"

"Haha, we owe our fortune to the monk," Zhao Shengli gestured toward Li Muchen.

Li Muchen was carefully savoring his tea, nodding constantly. He had tasted many teas, but this brew was truly exceptional—it entered the core, dispelled the turbid, and possessed a subtle fragrance.

However, serving such a fine tea to them was akin to feeding peonies to cattle; they gulped it down like strong liquor.

Only Cai Yuzhang was gentle, sipping slowly and appreciating the flavor, exuding an air of refinement. He was the son of a noble family; though he usually mingled with the rough crowd, his true pedigree showed now.

"Oh?" Old Lian turned his gaze toward Li Muchen.

Li Muchen set down his cup and smiled. "It truly is tea!"

"If Little Master Monk fancies it, take some with you when you leave," Old Lian said with a gentle smile.

Li Muchen laughed. "Such supreme tea—one cup is sufficient. I dare not be too greedy!"

Old Lian smiled. "Little Master Monk, to possess such control over the restless mind and wandering thoughts at such a young age—you have truly attained the samādhi of the Buddhist path. This old one is truly impressed!"

Li Muchen shook his head with a smile. "I am undeserving of such praise." Old Lian stroked his beard and smiled, nodding. "The young lady has a keen eye for character. Little Master Monk is certainly no ordinary man. Very well, I happen to have another packet of tea. I insist you sample a bit more."

Saying this, he rose, gave a respectful bow to everyone, and turned to leave the main hall.

Zhao Shengli quickly urged, "Monk, Monk! Show off a little! This old man speaks so much in front of Miss Thirteen!"

Li Muchen offered a wry smile. "Head Zhao, you're at it again."

"What do you mean, 'at it again'!" Zhao Shengli glared and snorted. "We soldiers have our heads tied to our belts. Who knows what might happen? Wouldn't it be a shame to lose our lives before we've even known a woman's sweetness?!"

Li Muchen shook his head. "I am a renunciant. I am bound by the Edicts of Restraint."

"Edicts of Restraint, fine, but you can just not return to secular life!" Zhao Shengli waved it off carelessly.

Li Muchen smiled. "Head Zhao, let's stop there. Let's discuss something else... This tea is superb, but it must be sipped slowly. It is different from wine!"

"You monk, you're too stubbornly single-minded!" Zhao Shengli glared and huffed.

……………………………………………………

Li Muchen chuckled, picked up his teacup, and gestured for them to drink together. Zhao Shengli reluctantly picked up his, took another huge gulp, and slammed it back down on the table.

"Head Zhao, since the Great Monk doesn't wish it, we shouldn't force him. Let him be!" Xiong Sihai laughed, then turned. "We should think about the Fan family—how to resolve this trouble. If they press us, we’ll just take men over tonight and sort them out!"

Xiong Sihai shook his head. "Head Zhao, you underestimate the Fan Family Escort Agency too much!"

"You flatter them too much!" Zhao Shengli pursed his lips, unconvinced.

Xiong Sihai stated, "The Fan Family Escort Agency is one of the top organizations in the entire Northwest. Even the Helian Clan has to give them some face!"

"Are they really that formidable?" Zhao Shengli frowned, considering. "The common folk shouldn't fight officials, but would they really dare trouble a monk?"

Xiong Sihai sighed. "With the Prefect backing them, beating one or two soldiers to death is a minor matter!"

"Damn it, what kind of situation is this!" Zhao Shengli shot up, huffing. "We'll strike first! Forget waiting until tonight, let's go back now, gather men, and flatten the Fan family!"

Xiong Sihai gave a wry, helpless smile and shook his head. "If we flatten the Fan family, we'll lose our heads when we get back!"

"What's there to fear? Just say the Fan family is colluding with Western Zhao!" Zhao Shengli waved his hand dismissively.

Xiong Sihai said, "My Head Zhao, the Fan family runs an escort agency. If we go there, we’re rushing to our deaths—we can’t beat them!"

Zhao Shengli scoffed. "So what if they are martial arts experts? Can they fight against arrows?"

Li Muchen smiled. "Head Zhao, Xiong Sihai, stop joking! Even though the Fan family is powerful, there’s no need to rush. We can just hide back at the barracks, and they won't be able to cause trouble even if they want to."

"That's true." Xiong Sihai nodded.

Zhao Shengli pouted. "What kind of plan is that? It’s too humiliating to act like a coward!"

Just as they were speaking, Old Lian returned, carrying a teacup, and presented it before Li Muchen. He smiled. "Come, Little Master Monk, please sample this." Li Muchen took it with both hands and said, "Old Lian, you are too kind." He lifted the lid, sniffed—there was hardly any aroma, just a faint, water-like lightness. Then, he took a small sip, and his expression instantly changed, his eyes closed, and a smile crept onto his face.

Zhao Shengli and the others stared at him. Seeing his reaction, they were consumed with curiosity.

"Old Lian, what kind of tea is this? Could I trouble you for a cup?" Zhao Shengli chuckled slyly.

Old Lian shook his head. "This tea is only served to those who truly appreciate it. You gentlemen drink tea like cattle drinking water; perhaps it’s better to skip it!"

Zhao Shengli shook his head. "Old Lian, you are too stingy! It’s just one cup of tea, why be so evasive!"

"You rough fellow, what do you know of tea!" Old Lian waved his hand.

Zhao Shengli glared at him, then sat down and drank his own tea, taking a massive gulp and then a hearty slurp, just as before, looking smug.

Old Lian shot him a side-eye and turned his attention back to Li Muchen.

After a long pause, Li Muchen finally opened his eyes and let out a deep sigh. "Tea—!" It was profound, restrained, mellow, and lasting—truly the ultimate tea!

He discovered that as this tea settled in his stomach, his inner qi surged, and his internal strength had actually increased slightly!

"Heh heh," Old Lian said happily. "Hearing you say that makes this tea worth brewing!"

As they were speaking, the main door creaked open, and Miss Thirteen entered gracefully, followed closely by a man and a woman who trailed her every step into the hall.

Li Muchen looked up to observe them: the man was about twenty, with thick brows, large eyes, and an upright, honest appearance. The woman was around forty, with an oval face, still retaining traces of charm, though her brows were shadowed with sorrow.

Miss Thirteen settled the two guests and turned with a smile. "Master Monk, these are Madam Gao and Young Master Gao. As I mentioned, the price is five thousand taels of silver."

Li Muchen nodded and spoke gently. "Madam Gao, Young Master Gao, I am Monk Mingkong, affiliated with the Xiaoji Cavalry Camp. Are you truly intending to sell the neighboring residence?"

The middle-aged beauty nodded slightly. "Yes. Miss Bai told me that Master Monk is a hero who killed many Western Zhao soldiers. Is that true?"

Li Muchen nodded. Zhao Shengli jumped in first. "Madam, the monk did kill Western Zhao soldiers! He took their horses and sold the spoils just so he could afford to buy a house! Otherwise, how could we poor soldiers, with no power or status, ever afford your house, right?"

The middle-aged beauty nodded lightly. "If that is the case, let us draw up the official documents then."

Miss Thirteen said, "Old Lian..."

Old Lian rose with a smile. "Wait a moment; I will fetch them."

Madam Gao possessed a gentle demeanor and remained silently bowed. Young Master Gao looked around curiously, then asked, "Sister Bai said Master Monk’s martial arts are extremely high. Can you teach me?"

Li Muchen paused for a moment, then smiled. "The techniques I learned are military skills; they cannot be taught outside the ranks."

"Oh..." Young Master Gao looked very disappointed.

Li Muchen asked, "Madam, are you selling the house because you are short of funds?"

The middle-aged beauty shook her head. "My late husband engaged in commerce for many years and left some savings. I simply do not wish to remain in this sad place anymore. I intend to return to my hometown to live."

Li Muchen sighed. "Madam, please accept my condolences. All life is suffering. In the world of the Buddha, birth, old age, sickness, and death are inevitable."

The middle-aged beauty nodded softly. "I have managed to get through these difficult days thanks to Miss Bai's comfort."

Miss Thirteen smiled. "Madam, there's no need to be so polite."

Li Muchen smiled. "A neighbor in need is worth more than a distant relative. There are always kind souls in this world."

"Great Monk, shouldn't we look at the house first?" Xiong Sihai nudged his elbow and whispered.

Li Muchen smiled and shook his head. "There is no need. Miss Thirteen's judgment is rarely wrong."

...Sihai smiled and said no more. Zhao Shengli finally remembered! It would be better to inspect the house before buying; otherwise, if they truly disliked it, they would have wasted five thousand taels of silver. Even though the monk had the money now, five thousand taels was no small sum; in the past, it was an unattainable figure they wouldn't dare even dream of!

"Monk, we should still take a look!" he urged.

Li Muchen laughed. "It’s not too late to look after the purchase. Be patient."

……………………………………………………

With his Void Eye, he looked down; everything within a two-mile radius was visible to him. He had already seen the house. Although its layout differed from Miss Thirteen's residence, it was also quite satisfactory.

But to outsiders, he spent money without blinking. Still, the money was his. They had advised him, but he wouldn't listen, so they couldn't do anything about it.

Madam Gao looked at him, then at the others, and said nothing.

Young Master Gao, however, was clearly displeased and snorted. "If it weren't for this Master being a hero who killed Western Zhao, our house would be selling for seven or eight thousand taels!"

"Cheng! Stop that!" Madam Gao sharply reprimanded him.

Young Master Gao sullenly closed his mouth but still glared fiercely at them.

Li Muchen smiled and said nothing more, knowing he had gained an advantage. The house was elegantly furnished; clearly, Madam Gao was no ordinary person—she had depth and talent, but misfortune had befallen her.

Old Lian soon returned, carrying three sheets of paper and a box of ink seals, which he placed on the tea table.

Li Muchen, Madam Gao, Miss Thirteen, and even Old Lian and Xiong Sihai all pressed their thumbprints. The matter was settled.