Celestial Tea House.

Liu Zixuan stood at the entrance, gazing at the ancient building with a peculiar smile, murmuring, "I didn't expect that my first visit here would be as someone's guest!"

The tea house had three floors, resembling a tower; the higher you go, the smaller the space, but the more luxurious the décor.

The first floor was a hall with six tables arranged lengthwise and six widthwise, and a small stage that wasn't very big stood at the front. At the moment, two men in long robes were performing a comedy, with sparse guests leisurely drinking tea and listening to the performance.

"Mr. Liu, Master Jin is waiting for you in the Yiqin Pavilion on the second floor," the man who appeared with Master Jin earlier said as he approached.

Liu Zixuan nodded and went up the stairs with him. The second floor was comparatively quieter, consisting of eight small private rooms.

They were named after "qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting" from north to south, and "plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum" from south to north, exuding a strong classical air of Star Sea.

Entering the Yiqin Pavilion, a wooden table sat in the middle-left position, with Master Jin at the head and Fan Xingkong to the left.

Directly opposite was a rather beautiful lattice window, through which one could see the view downstairs and still hear the comedy performance.

"Please sit, young Liu," Master Jin slightly inclined his body and smiled.

Just as Liu Zixuan sat down, the man pulled down the window's curtain, cutting off the sound of the performance below. At that moment, a beautiful woman in a white gown entered, carrying a guqin.

She nodded slightly at everyone before sitting against the wall.

"What tune does Master Jin want to hear today?" the beautiful woman in white asked.

Master Jin laughed and said, "Play 'Plains Sand Falling Geese' for me."

Liu Zixuan smiled, "Master Jin, it seems you have a special meaning today. As stated in the Celestial Sound Pavilion Zither Tablature about 'Plains Sand Falling Geese': It represents the clear and serene autumn skies, with distant clouds and far-reaching cries of geese, reflecting the ambition of the far-flying wild goose. It illustrates the broad-mindedness of a gentleman."

A glimmer of surprise crossed Master Jin's eyes, "I didn't expect young Liu to have such research into this tablature as well!"

The piece actually conveys a very simple meaning, emphasizing broad-mindedness. But for Master Jin, it implied two meanings.

Either it suggested he was broad-minded, as a lofty figure, sitting calmly to talk with Liu Zixuan and Fan Xingkong.

Or it urged Liu Zixuan and Fan Xingkong to be open-minded, to each take a step back!

However, Liu Zixuan did not think Master Jin would be so kind-hearted, but rather that through this piece, he was telling Liu Zixuan, I'm giving you enough respect in our talk, don't embarrass me!

Liu Zixuan chuckled awkwardly, "I've only heard a bit before."

"Tea!" Master Jin took out three cups, poured a cup for Liu Zixuan, another for Fan Xingkong, but when it came to his own, the teapot ran dry.

Master Jin chuckled awkwardly, casting a peculiar glance at the two of them before placing the teapot on the table.

Liu Zixuan's eyes swiveled a couple of times, "Now that the music's begun and the tea's been poured, shall we start our discussion?"

Master Jin glanced admiringly at Liu Zixuan, then said, "Young Liu, what I spoke to you about earlier, I've also mentioned to Xingkong on the way, and he agreed."

"Then can we write off the previous matters?" Liu Zixuan looked playfully at Fan Xingkong.

Fan Xingkong paused, evidently filled with resentment and anger.

"I'm definitely doing this for Master Jin's sake this time. Otherwise, how could I swallow this insult? In just two days, I lost almost ten million! How many years has it been since I faced such a loss?" Fan Xingkong said in a deep voice.

"That only means you lack the capability!" Liu Zixuan shrugged and mocked with a smile, "But since I see you suffering so much to endure it, I don't mind, as long as you never step into Si Ju Road again, nor interfere in any matters on Si Ju Road. I'll consider you a fart and let you go!"

"You!" Fan Xingkong was immediately enraged by Liu Zixuan's words.

Weren't they sitting down to talk amicably? Why did it feel like they were pleading with Liu Zixuan to let it slide!

Master Jin quickly smiled and said, "Though young Liu's words are harsh, they're truthful. If you lost, blame your incompetence; you should learn from young Liu on this point."

"A man must accept his losses graciously!"

"You're right, Master Jin!" Fan Xingkong took a deep breath and forced a smile, "Liu Zixuan, I'll step back and go with what you just said!"

"All right then." Liu Zixuan opened his hands, "Does that mean our talk is over?"

"Your matter with Xingkong, we'll consider it done. It wasn't a big deal anyway. Lost money can be earned back; there's no need to keep fighting!"

Master Jin smiled, pointing at the three cups in front of them, "Now, let's discuss the remaining matters!"

"Are there any remaining matters?" Liu Zixuan asked knowingly.

"Master Jin invited you for tea; we can't be the only ones drinking it while he gets none!"

Fan Xingkong said as he picked up his cup, "Today, Master Jin invited us to give us face and allow us to coexist peacefully. But you must know what kind of status Master Jin holds in the entire Celestial Capital!"

"And then?" Liu Zixuan asked unhurriedly.

"And then... I was brought up by Master Jin, and now that I'm doing well, it's all thanks to him. You're just new here in Celestial Capital. Why not follow my lead and be under Master Jin, with him supporting us both."

Saying this, Fan Xingkong picked up Liu Zixuan's teacup as well. "You're on Si Ju Road, I'm on my street, and together we'll make money with Master Jin."

Having said that, he poured half of his full cup of tea into Master Jin's empty cup, and immediately followed by trying to pour the tea from Liu Zixuan's cup.

But at that moment, Liu Zixuan acted.

Suddenly, he grabbed Fan Xingkong's hand.

Fan Xingkong's face changed instantly, turning to ask, "What do you mean?"

Liu Zixuan seized the cup from his hand and drank the tea all in one go, "This cup of tea isn't even enough to quench my thirst, split it with Master Jin? Doesn't that make me a bit foolish?"

This was a game that didn't need to come to blows.

The three teacups symbolized the assets that the three of them would gain in the future, meaning that Master Jin set up this scheme to have Liu Zixuan become his subordinate, and then half of what he earns would go to Master Jin, and so would it for Fan Xingkong.

That way, Master Jin could earn money from the two without doing anything, while they would be left with only half!

Would Liu Zixuan let such a good deal happen?

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.