"Gentlemen, what can I get for you?" The waiter immediately approached with a smile.

Zhuge Yun said casually, "The 'Purple Qi Ascends from the East' private room on the third floor." Moon-Gazing Tower was one of the most prominent restaurants in Jiangning Prefecture, and the private rooms on the third floor were extremely expensive. However, wealthy merchants in Jiangning Prefecture generally chose the third-floor private rooms when entertaining guests.

And the 'Purple Qi Ascends from the East' room was the most costly of them all.

"This..." The waiter couldn't help but pause.

"Hm?" Zhuge Yun frowned slightly.

"Esteemed guest, that 'Purple Qi Ascends from the East' room has already been reserved by Master Li from the East City for some time. Perhaps the guest..." Before the waiter could finish, the manager from the first floor hurried over, positioning himself in front of the waiter, bowing deeply with a conciliatory smile: "Ah, it is Young Master Zhuge! Very well, please proceed upstairs; this humble one will lead the way."

Zhuge Yun, Teng Qingshan, and their four companions followed the manager up the stairs to the third floor.

There were several waiters in the hall on the first floor.

"Didn't Master Li reserve the 'Purple Qi Ascends from the East' room?" That waiter was still somewhat stunned.

"Master Li is nothing," another waiter immediately pulled him aside and whispered urgently into his ear. "Remember that young master just now? That is the Young Sect Master of the Guiyuan Sect! Forget about that so-called Master Li; even the Prefect of Jiangning Prefecture would have to yield his seat to him! Remember this, next time you see the Young Sect Master, absolutely do not call him Young Sect Master; you must call him Young Master Zhuge! The Young Sect Master does not wish for too many people to know his identity."

"Ah!" The waiter gasped in shock.

The Young Sect Master of the Guiyuan Sect?

The Guiyuan Sect governed the entire Jiangning Prefecture. The so-called Prefect and City Lord both answered to the Guiyuan Sect. The status of this Young Sect Master was indeed terrifying.

The 'Purple Qi Ascends from the East' room was the largest among the four private rooms on the spacious third floor. It was bitterly cold outside, but this room was quite warm, and fine agarwood was burning, its intoxicating fragrance lingering within.

Teng Qingshan and his group sat down.

"Young Master Zhuge, what shall we dine on today?" the manager inquired with a bow and a smile.

Zhuge Yun waved his hand: "In this bitter winter, a hot meal is most comforting. Bring us a table of the 'Winter Tonic Golden Flower Feast'!"

"Excellent choice, sir," the manager chuckled and quickly exited the room.

"The Winter Tonic Golden Flower Feast? What in the world is that?" Teng Qinghu asked blankly.

Zhuge Yun laughed: "Big Brother Qinghu, the 'Winter Tonic Golden Flower Feast' is one of the eight grand banquets of Moon-Gazing Tower. It consists of thirty-two dishes and is particularly suitable for consumption in winter. All the accompanying dishes and preparations are meticulously done; you can order some extra dishes if you wish, but they still won't compare to this set banquet prepared by their master chef."

"Thirty-two dishes? That sounds quite wasteful," Teng Qinghu laughed heartily.

Soon, the dishes began arriving one by one. Zhuge Yun, Teng Qingshan, and the other two drank wine and chatted casually.

"Miss Qing, your internal energy is profound, and yours is strong too," Teng Qingshan commented with an admiring smile.

"Brother Teng, why do you say that?" Zhuge Qing asked with a touch of confusion.

"It's this cold winter, and you're dressed as lightly as your brother. If you don't have deep internal energy, are you just asking for hardship?" Teng Qingshan teased. Zhuge Qing realized his meaning and couldn't help but smile until her eyes narrowed: "Brother Teng, you are mistaken. I am not profoundly strong in internal energy; it's because I'm wearing a Snow Silk Robe underneath!"

Zhuge Yun also sighed faintly: "My sister's meridians are delicate. Although she has practiced internal energy since childhood, her internal power is quite weak."

"Weak internal energy, but I have Big Brother to protect me," Zhuge Qing giggled happily.

Zhuge Yun gently patted his sister's head and smiled.

Seeing this scene, Teng Qingshan was reminded of his own sister, 'Qingyu,' whom he usually indulged by stroking her head: "It's been a few days since I left home; I wonder if Little Yu is missing me now..."

...

While Teng Qingshan and his group were dining and drinking upstairs, a group of people arrived on the first floor of Moon-Gazing Tower.

The leading man appeared to be in his late forties or early fifties. He wore a white fox fur coat trimmed with gold edges, and on his right hand, he wore a semi-transparent jade thumb ring. Even just standing there, he exuded an air of refinement. Beside him stood a young couple; the woman was holding a small child in her arms.

Behind this group were three tall guards.

"Master Li," the manager rushed forward to greet them.

"Are the arrangements for my banquet ready? Send them to the 'Purple Qi Ascends from the East' room. Yu'er, let's go up," Master Li commanded coolly.

"Master Li, the 'Purple Qi Ascends from the East' room is already occupied," the manager quickly reported.

"Hm?" Master Li frowned, his gaze sweeping towards the manager.

Having held a high position for many years, this single look from Master Li instilled apprehension in the manager, who hastily explained: "Master Li, you mustn't blame me. Not long ago, another group also requested entry to the 'Purple Qi Ascends from the East' room—it was Young Master Zhuge."

"Young Master Zhuge?" Master Li frowned.

This Master Li was considered quite an influential figure among the vast salt merchants of Yangzhou, possessing immense wealth and connections with numerous sects; he was certainly a big shot.

"It's the Young Sect Master," the manager whispered.

"Oh?" Master Li paused briefly.

Those engaged in commerce, no matter how wealthy, had to appease the major sects. Otherwise, a sect could dispatch just a few men and confiscate all their assets.

"So it is Young Master Zhuge. Yu'er, Feng'er, let us go up and pay our respects," Master Li said.

"The Young Sect Master?" The young couple, both internal energy masters themselves, had clearly overheard the conversation.

"Qingyu, isn't that the genius from our Guiyuan Sect?" the young man remarked. "Let's go pay him a visit."

The woman was indeed 'Li Qingyu,' and the man was her husband, 'Liu Rufeng.'

Long ago, Teng Family Village had accepted a major contract for 'Azure Cold Blades'—182 of them. Teng Qingshan and his father, Teng Yongfan, along with a group of clansmen, had escorted those 182 blades to the Yangzhou Commercial Association Hall in Yicheng.

The guard captain there, 'Qin San,' had once tried to withhold payment and later vented his anger on Teng Qingshan and the others, even sending men to instigate bandits to slaughter those 'ignorant' mountain villagers...

...

On the third floor of Moon-Gazing Tower.

Master Li, along with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, stood outside the door of the private room, the three guards positioned behind them. Master Li calmly instructed, "The three of you shall not enter." Then, he called out loudly, "Young Master Zhuge! Li Jun and my young daughter Qingyu have come to pay respects. We hope for an audience!"

Inside the room.

Teng Qingshan and his companions were enjoying their meal.

"Li Jun, who is that?" Teng Qinghu asked doubtfully.

"Hm? Li Jun? That salt merchant Li Jun?" Zhuge Yun paused, then chuckled. "Big Brother Teng, Big Brother Qinghu, it seems the 'Purple Qi Ascends from the East' room we occupy was reserved by that Master Li. Let's grant him a meeting. We should give him some face after all."

"Come in!" Zhuge Yun called out loudly.

With a creak, the door opened.

Master Li led his daughter and son-in-law inside.

"Greetings to the Young Sect Master!" Master Li bowed with a smile.

"Master Li, this is too much. We have taken the room you reserved; how can we accept such a grand salute from you?" Zhuge Yun said intentionally.

"It is my honor to host the Young Sect Master; I requested this room hoping to host you," Master Li smiled faintly. "Allow me to introduce. This is my son-in-law, Liu Rufeng, a core disciple of Green Lake Island. As for Qingyu, the Young Sect Master already knows her."

"Senior Sister Qingyu, of course, I know her; she is in our Guiyuan Sect. Liu Rufeng? Ah, I heard Senior Sister married. It must be this Liu Rufeng," Zhuge Yun glanced at Liu Rufeng. "Oh, a core disciple of Green Lake Island. Very impressive."

Liu Rufeng smiled and cupped his hands: "In all of Yangzhou Prefecture, who has not heard of the genius Young Master Zhuge's name?"

"Master Li, we are about to resume our meal," Zhuge Yun stated.

"Then we shall not disturb you further. Please continue, Young Sect Master," Master Li said with a smile, then led his daughter and son-in-law away, closing the door to the private room.

Silence returned to the room.

"Hmph. Senior Sister Qingyu married a disciple of Green Lake Island," Zhuge Yun muttered to himself.

Teng Qingshan frowned, thinking to himself: That Master Li. I feel like I've seen him somewhere before! The last time Teng Qingshan saw Li Qingyu and her father, Master Li, was when he was ten. It was only a brief encounter for Master Li. And Li Qingyu back then was just a budding young girl; now she is a married woman, and her demeanor and appearance have changed considerably.

"Hm? It's him! Master Li of Jiangning Prefecture!" Teng Qingshan's eyes suddenly lit up; he finally remembered.

With a whoosh, Teng Qingshan stood up.

"Qingshan, what is it?" Teng Qinghu was startled.

"Qinghu, do you remember when we delivered the Azure Cold Blades to Yicheng? That Master Li, and that rich young lady they called 'Yu'er'?" Teng Qingshan's expression turned cold, and he walked straight toward the door. Teng Qinghu stared blankly for a moment, then his eyes widened roundly.

"It was them!" Teng Qinghu exploded into action and rushed out after him.

"What's wrong?" Zhuge Yun and Zhuge Qing were momentarily stunned but rose to their feet as well.

Stepping out of the room, Teng Qingshan listened intently and instantly pinpointed a private room to the south.

When the bandits tried to ambush and slaughter Teng Qingshan and his group back then, although no one from the Teng Family Village died thanks to Teng Qingshan, one man lost an eye, another had his thigh shattered and was permanently bedridden, and a third had his arm severed.

Those three clansmen were renowned strong fighters who had followed the hunting party.

They had been crippled just like that!

Teng Qingshan had never forgotten that grudge!

If Teng Qingshan hadn't been there, perhaps all thirty-plus members of the Teng Family Village would have been massacred. At the time, Teng Qingshan suppressed his urge for revenge for the sake of his clansmen, but he had resolved then and there: when the opportunity arose in the future, he would certainly kill that Qin San!

Teng Qingshan walked over and kicked the door open with one foot.

"Bang!" The door burst inward.

"Who is it!" Master Li's displeased shout rang out, and the three guards immediately stood up.

"Oh, it's a friend of the Young Sect Master," a smile appeared on Master Li's face. "Please, come in quickly."

Teng Qingshan stood at the doorway, sweeping his cold gaze into the room, instantly locking onto one of the three guards. Teng Qingshan remembered clearly: among those three guards, one named 'Qin Da' had spoken up for them back then. And the one standing next to him was precisely Qin San!

"You are Qin San, aren't you!" Teng Qingshan looked at him coldly.