Breaking Army - Chapter 8

The heart of the Mingxiao Mansion manager leaped into his throat. The playboy who had been struck was none other than Ming Feiyi, the nephew of the City Lord. He was the most notorious dandy in Mingxiao City, a man of debauchery and idleness who was particularly fond of “fishing for beauty.” Whenever he saw a handsome man, he physically couldn’t look away.

People who could afford to dine at Mingxiao Mansion were usually rich or influential, so logically, Ming Feiyi shouldn’t be causing a scene here. However, it was simply because the man in blue was too beautiful. The manager had seen countless people in his life, yet none could match this youth’s looks. If Ming Feiyi had managed to restrain himself, it would have been an insult to his reputation as the city’s top playboy. Furthermore, the white-robed man who had intervened looked like a celestial being descended to earth. The manager felt like pulling out an almanac immediately to see what kind of day today was.

The manager pushed aside the servants sprawled over Ming Feiyi and helped the dizzy noble to his feet. Ming Feiyi raised a trembling hand, his words slurred as he hadn’t quite recovered, “You, you get me…”

“Young Master Ming, Young Master Ming,” the manager urged quickly, “Those two look like travelers, but as you know, anyone who can dine here must have deep pockets. Young Master, why don’t you consider the status and the occasion?”

Ming Feiyi shook his head to clear it, but his temper only grew hotter, “So what if they have status? Once they enter Mingxiao City, they have to answer to my uncle! A powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake, and I say what goes here!”

Hearing this analogy, the manager thought to himself that it was a good thing the City Lord wasn’t present, or his expression would have been quite a sight. He tried again, “Isn’t the City Lord currently troubled by a certain matter? If you cause trouble now and add to his stress, wouldn’t that be like adding fuel to the fire?”

His previous pleas hadn’t been half as effective as this single sentence. Ming Feiyi flinched, finally listening. The image of his uncle’s recent grim expression surfaced in his mind, and his legs couldn’t help but tremble. Seeing this, the manager breathed a sigh of relief, it seemed he had gotten through.

“You… well, this Young Master thinks you have a point. I won’t lower myself to the level of these outsiders.” Ming Feiyi raised his voice, allowing his servants to prop him up. He straightened his clothes and puffed out his chest, “It is because of my great generosity that I shall let this go today.”

As he spoke, his gaze lingered regretfully on the man in blue and Xiao Chen upstairs. He naturally felt unwilling to let such beauties go, thinking that once his uncle’s troubles passed, he would definitely…

“Ouch!”

“Young Master!”

Just as Ming Feiyi stepped over the threshold, his heel twisted, and he face-planted into the dirt once more. The servants scrambled around him in a chaotic and hilarious scene. No one noticed a single peanut rolling harmlessly away nearby, completely inconspicuous.

Xiao Chen picked up his chopsticks, plucked a peanut, and popped it into his mouth. He chewed slowly, thinking the taste was quite good, and it was a bit of a waste to throw one.

The sound of footsteps came from the wooden stairs. It was the youth in blue. He stopped before Xiao Chen’s table and bowed with clasped hands to show his gratitude. Xiao Chen gave a faint, neutral nod. The youth hesitated for a moment, then untied the bundle on his back. Just as Xiao Chen was wondering what he was doing, the boy pulled out paper, a brush, and ink.

…He actually carried writing materials with him.

It made sense, since he couldn’t speak, it was very inconvenient. However, Xiao Chen stopped him, “If you have something to say, you can use hand signs. I can understand them.”

A Star Lord had plenty of time, and Xiao Chen had read many of the books Xiang Zhi collected. Some were strange and some were serious, and they happened to include mortal sign languages. Of course, if the signs had changed over the eras and he couldn’t understand them, it wouldn’t be too late to let the boy write.

Cultivation had its perks. For instance, Rong Yuan couldn’t speak either, but communication with him was very convenient.

The blue-robed youth’s eyes lit up. His expression became more lively and spirited, making him even more beautiful. Even someone like Xiao Chen, who was immune to beauty, felt a slight skip in his heart. It was the natural reaction to seeing something aesthetically pleasing.

However, appreciation did not cloud his judgment. One had to remember that Xiao Chen’s mind was currently filled with a basket of suspicions.

The youth signed, “My name is Mu Qing. ‘Mu’ as in ancient wood, ‘Qing’ as in clear water. Thank you for your help.”

Xiao Chen replied, “No need for thanks, I am Xiao Chen. Even if I hadn’t stepped in, you could have handled it yourself. As long as you don’t think I was meddling.”

The boy shook his head vigorously and signed back quickly, “We are strangers. Others didn’t know if I could handle it or not. Your willingness to step in shows your noble character and righteousness. Many people were watching the excitement just now, but no one else came forward to help.”

If the crowd had been able to “hear” the youth’s words, they likely would have looked ashamed. Many among them had pitied him for his looks, but that pity was insignificant compared to the risk of offending the City Lord’s nephew. No one wanted to invite trouble.

His hands continued to move, weaving his language, “If you don’t mind, may I join your table? This meal is on me, as a token of my gratitude.”

Xiao Chen’s thoughts turned for a moment, then he gestured, “Please.”

Mu Qing sat down. Xiao Chen looked at the table and decided to add more dishes. Any food he ate was converted directly into spiritual power, so he could eat as much as was served. He had no idea what a normal human appetite was like. Mu Qing, who was paying, didn’t stop him, he just watched with a smile as Xiao Chen ordered enough food to cover the entire table.

The manager came over personally, “You two, that young man just now…” The manager skipped the descriptors since they were hard to say politely. They all knew who he meant anyway. He simply said, “That young master is Young Master Ming Feiyi, the nephew of the City Lord. The City Lord has been very busy lately, so this matter should be considered over. I see you are both from out of town. In the future, please be careful.”

The manager couldn’t bear to see them in trouble and had come to warn them, his face practically screaming “you two should run away.” Xiao Chen accepted his kindness and swirled his wine cup, “The family name is Ming, meaning clarity, and his name is Feiyi, which should mean righteous. Yet he discarded the clarity and is left with ‘unrighteous.’ Should we say this name suits him, or that it doesn’t?”

The manager broke into a cold sweat and whispered urgently, “Shh! Young Master, watch your words!”

Mu Qing signed, “If even the truth cannot be spoken, they are being far too arrogant.”

The manager couldn’t understand the signs, but Xiao Chen laughed, “Well said!”

The manager felt he had done his duty and left. Mu Qing’s eating manners were very proper. Every movement was refined, showing he had an excellent upbringing. The jade pendant hanging at his waist was also of high quality, suggesting he was a son of a wealthy family.

When the waiter brought more dishes to the table, he saw that many plates were already empty. He looked at Xiao Chen in shock. This man didn’t look fat, his waist was even slender, so where did all that food go? Did he not gain weight? He actually managed to finish it all while maintaining an elegant manner, he was truly a miraculous person.

Compared to the waiter’s surprise, Mu Qing was very calm, as if it were perfectly natural for one person to eat a whole table of food. He only tasted a few bites before putting down his chopsticks and signing, “I am traveling away from home for experience. Based on what the manager said, Brother Xiao isn’t a local either. Are you also traveling?”

Xiao Chen nodded, “You could say that.”

“May I ask where Brother Xiao is staying?”

Xiao Chen blinked, “How do you know I’ve already found a place?”

Mu Qing gave a shallow smile, “Since you are out for experience but don’t have a bundle with you, it must be at your lodgings.”

Ah, mortals carry bundles when they travel. Xiao Chen’s earring shifted slightly. That was his luggage, but he couldn’t tell a mortal that. He turned the question around, “Have you not found a place yet? Where are you planning to go?”

Mu Qing signed, “I was originally going to the Xiangfeng Inn.”

“What a coincidence,” Xiao Chen said with a straight face, lying effortlessly, “I am staying there as well.”

Mu Qing looked delighted, and his hand movements quickened, “What fate! Since we are both traveling, would it be possible to journey with Brother Xiao for a while? Even if it’s just touring Mingxiao City together, I won’t disturb you.”

Xiao Chen wasn’t in a hurry to agree. He refilled his own cup with wine and said leisurely, “Touring Mingxiao City. You heard what the manager said, and yet you want to stay in the city instead of leaving quickly?”

Mu Qing was composed and confident, “I see that Brother Xiao is not afraid and seems intent on staying, so naturally, I am not afraid either.”

This time, Xiao Chen truly laughed. He reached out and poured a full cup for Mu Qing, “A kindred spirit indeed. Very well, while in Mingxiao City, we shall travel together. Coming to the mortal world and making a friend or two makes the trip worthwhile.”

Mu Qing accepted the cup with both hands and tapped it against Xiao Chen’s. The sound was crisp. Xiao Chen tilted his head and drained the wine in one gulp. When he set the cup down, he saw Mu Qing holding the wine to his face. He didn’t drink it immediately, but gave it a gentle sniff first.

His little habits were quite interesting. Xiao Chen watched with amusement, “What? Have you never had wine before?”

At seventeen or eighteen, he was a youth, but didn’t mortal stories say many people were married by thirteen or fourteen? Mortal weddings had nuptial wine, which was also wine. But for someone who had never drunk before, a bottle of “One Pot of Spring” might be too strong. Xiao Chen didn’t force him, “If you can’t drink, put it down. Replacing wine with tea is the same.”

Mu Qing shook his head. After a pause, he raised the cup and actually downed it in one go. He swallowed the wine with a furrowed brow, and the harshness clearly hit him hard. He lowered his head and coughed twice. Xiao Chen couldn’t stop him in time and clicked his tongue softly, “You child…”

Mu Qing looked up, his cheeks already flushed with a deep red. If one were to describe a “stunning appearance,” this was it. Just as Xiao Chen was about to ask if he was okay, the boy swayed and slumped directly onto the table.

Xiao Chen: “…”

“Mu Qing? Mu Qing?”

No response. He was… drunk just like that? Xiao Chen looked at the wine in his hand. “One Pot of Spring” hadn’t shown him a hundred scenes, and it probably didn’t show Mu Qing any either, because the boy didn’t even have time to see them before he passed out.

Down in one cup. He had actually met a “one-cup-wonder.”

Xiao Chen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. In the end, he was the one who had to pay, and he had to take the boy back to the inn to rest. He couldn’t just leave Mu Qing alone outside. Mu Qing had taken one cup of the wine, and the rest went into Xiao Chen’s stomach without leaving a hint of intoxication. He hoisted the boy up and asked for directions while paying the bill, “Which way to the Xiangfeng Inn?”

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