Tea House

Tea House

The next day, the first rays of morning sunlight had just pierced the Night Sky. The village was still shrouded in a thin mist. Roosters crowed one after another, breaking the silence of the night and heralding the start of a new day.

Feng Yao rose early. At this time on ordinary days, he would have shouldered his basket, gathered his tools, and headed for the back mountain. But today, he merely silently tidied his room and tied the bundle he had packed yesterday onto his back. Standing at the doorway, he quietly looked over everything in the room, his gaze carrying a trace of reluctance. Perhaps he would not return to this place for a long time.

Though Feng Yao had come from the modern world and knew little about cultivation, he clearly understood what kind of path he was about to embark upon—a road filled with the unknown and challenges, yet also holding limitless possibilities.

After gazing silently for a while, Feng Yao turned and headed toward the village entrance. At this hour, the uncles and older men heading to market should already have gathered there.

Before long, Feng Yao saw those familiar faces. He walked over with a smile and greeted them one by one.

"Feng boy, you're here." A middle-aged man greeted him with a grin.

Feng Yao nodded. "Morning, Uncle."

"Feng boy, going to sell mountain goods with us again?" Another villager teased.

"Don't talk nonsense. Feng boy awakened Soul Power yesterday. With that bundle on his back, he must be heading to a Spirit Master academy." Someone beside him corrected.

The man's face brightened with gratification. He patted Feng Yao's shoulder. "Congratulations, congratulations. Feng boy is going places this time."

"Thank you for your kind words." Feng Yao smiled gratefully.

"Alright, get on. The village chief already spoke to me. I'm to take you into the city." The middle-aged man driving the cart waved him over.

"Thank you, Uncle." Feng Yao gave the man a slight smile, then lightly jumped onto the donkey cart.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Feng Yao sat on the donkey cart and looked into the distance, anticipation rising on his face. The cart slowly started forward, its wheels rolling over the yellow dirt road at the village entrance with creaking sounds.

Tingquan Village was not far from Nuoding City. In less than half an hour, Feng Yao arrived at the familiar Nuoding City with the others. After entering the city, he parted ways with the villagers.

Nuoding Academy's enrollment closes on Jingzhe Day. There are still a few days left, so I should find a way to earn some money in Nuoding City first, Feng Yao calculated silently.

Money might be nothing more than a number to most Spirit Masters, but Feng Yao knew very well that he desperately needed it right now. His Innate Soul Power was insufficient. If he wanted to achieve anything on the path of cultivation, he would inevitably need to spend vast amounts of time and resources. Money, at this stage, could help him grow quickly. It could even be said to be the key to "buying time."

With money, Feng Yao could enroll as an ordinary student without having to take on meaningless odd jobs just to make a living. More importantly, during this crucial period of growth, he could receive adequate nutrition and lay a solid foundation for his future cultivation.

With that in mind, Feng Yao did not hurry to register at Nuoding Academy. Instead, he decided to stroll around Nuoding City first and see whether there were any opportunities to make money.

Before long, his attention was caught by a particularly quiet and refined tea house. Its facade was antique and elegant, with bamboo curtains hanging at the entrance. He could faintly hear zither music and the murmured conversations of tea drinkers from within. Delighted, Feng Yao was just about to step inside when an attendant at the door stopped him.

"Where did this little beggar come from? Get lost, get lost!" The young attendant frowned, impatience written all over his face as he spoke without the slightest courtesy.

Feng Yao froze for a moment and lowered his head to look at his plain coarse-cloth clothes. A trace of helplessness appeared on his youthful face. Only then did he realize that, in his current state, he truly did not look like a Zither Master. He looked more like a homeless street child.

Helpless, Feng Yao slowly backed away beneath the young attendant's dismissive gaze. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the tea house's bamboo curtain and pondered silently. This tea house looks quite elegant. It's clearly a place that serves nobles. If I can perform inside, the tips will naturally be the highest.

Looks like I'll have to use a little strategy. Feng Yao's lips curled into a confident smile.

He did not go far. Instead, he found an open spot by the street and sat down on the ground. With a thought, the Seven-stringed Zither appeared in his hands. He gently brushed the strings, and with a slight flick of his fingers, a clear and elegant Zither Sound flowed forth like running water.

The music began like drops of morning dew, crisp and pure. Then it gradually became lingering and melodious, like a mountain breeze sweeping through a bamboo grove, carrying an indescribable air of elegance and tranquility. Feng Yao's fingers danced lightly across the strings, each note seeming to come alive as they intertwined in the air to form a moving painting.

Passersby on the street were gradually drawn in by the music and stopped one after another. Some whispered their praise, while others listened in silence. Some even took out several Copper Soul Coins and gently placed them before Feng Yao. The music seemed to tell a distant tale, drawing people helplessly into its spell.

Not far away, the tea drinkers within the tea house also faintly heard the melodious sound. Some lifted the bamboo curtains and peered outside. Others put down their tea cups and listened closely. Even the young attendant who had driven Feng Yao away earlier could not help showing surprise, a trace of regret flashing through his eyes.

Feng Yao's music did not stop. Instead, it became ever more graceful and moving. He knew that his opportunity had arrived.

Sure enough, not long afterward, a richly dressed middle-aged man emerged from the tea house. He slowly walked over to Feng Yao and listened quietly for a while. Only after Feng Yao's fingers gently fell and the final note faded into the air did he speak. "At an age when you have only just awakened your Martial Soul, your zither skills are already extraordinary. May I ask which master taught you? What is your name?"

Feng Yao raised his head, a smile flashing in his eyes. He shook his head slightly and replied humbly, "Thank you for your praise, Senior. This junior is Feng Yao. It is a family skill, and I have no master. It is not worth mentioning."

The middle-aged man silently sized Feng Yao up. His gaze rested briefly on the bundle beside him, and a flicker of understanding passed through his eyes.

"It seems young friend Feng wishes to find work here with me." The middle-aged man smiled warmly, his tone carrying a measure of appreciation.

Feng Yao did not feel embarrassed at being exposed so directly. Instead, he smiled calmly. "Senior truly has sharp eyes. I wonder whether you think these modest skills of mine are worthy?"

The middle-aged man looked somewhat surprised by Feng Yao's answer. He had not expected a child to respond so calmly and naturally. He nodded, his tone growing more approving. "Of course. Your zither is very special, and your skill is far superior to the Zither Masters in my tea house. How about this? I will give you one hundred gold coins a month. You only need to come to my tea house and perform one piece each day. All tips from the guests will belong to you."

Hearing this, surprise flashed through Feng Yao's eyes as well. He had not expected this shopkeeper to be not only shrewd but also well versed in business. By using a form of scarcity marketing, he could maximize profits without affecting the livelihoods of the other Zither Masters. It truly killed two birds with one stone.

"What? Not satisfied?" Seeing Feng Yao fall silent, the middle-aged man asked with a light laugh.

"No, no. I am very satisfied." Feng Yao hurriedly shook his head, then bowed slightly to the middle-aged man. "Thank you for taking me in, Senior. May I ask how I should address you?"

"No need for such courtesy. My surname is Ning. Just call me Shopkeeper Ning." The middle-aged man replied warmly.

Ning... No wonder his eye is so sharp. Feng Yao was secretly startled, and realization flashed through his eyes. He vaguely guessed Shopkeeper Ning's identity and the force behind him.

"Come, young friend," Shopkeeper Ning said softly, his tone carrying warmth.

Feng Yao recovered himself slightly, put away his Seven-stringed Zither, and rose to follow Shopkeeper Ning into the tea house. The young attendant stood bowed off to the side, his face full of embarrassment and regret, but he did not dare utter another word.

Once inside, Shopkeeper Ning casually instructed a maid beside him, "Take our young friend to wash up."

"Yes." The maid bowed respectfully, then turned to Feng Yao and said gently, "Young master, please come with me."

"Thank you, Shopkeeper Ning." Feng Yao smiled politely and thanked him, then left with the maid.

Walking behind the maid, Feng Yao's lips curved into a faint smile. He knew that he had taken his first step firmly forward.

After washing up, Feng Yao changed into the clothes Shopkeeper Ning had prepared for him. He wore an elegant pale-green robe, with a belt embroidered with cloud patterns around his waist. Delicate dark designs adorned the cuffs and collar, lending him both a noble air and a fresh, refined charm. At that moment, he no longer looked like a student who had come from a village to study. Instead, he resembled the young master of a noble household, every movement carrying calm grace and elegance.

Led by the maid, Feng Yao arrived before an elegant table. A cup of clear tea sat atop it, its fragrance curling through the air and complementing the surrounding zither music. Understanding the cue, Feng Yao summoned his Seven-stringed Zither onto the table with a thought. He gently brushed the strings, and with a slight flick of his fingers, music poured forth like flowing water.

The zither music rang out once more within the tea house. This time, Feng Yao's melody was more distant and profound, as though it possessed a magical power that brought the entire tea house into a tranquil realm. It flowed like a clear spring, brushed like a mountain wind, and fell like moonlight. Every note seemed to tell a faraway story. The tea drinkers put down their cups one after another, closed their eyes, and immersed themselves in the beautiful melody, as though they had forgotten the clamor of the mortal world.

Shopkeeper Ning stood not far away, his gaze sweeping across the enraptured tea drinkers. A glint flashed through his eyes as he murmured, "Relying solely on zither skill and a Martial Soul without even a Spirit Ring attached, he can make people fall into such a state of intoxication so quickly... In the entire Heaven Dou Empire, I fear only that lady of Moon Xuan can accomplish this."

His gaze fell upon Feng Yao again, growing more contemplative. He knew that the person he had encountered today might be more than merely a young man with exceptional zither skills.

The music gradually faded, yet the tea house remained silent. Only after a moment did the tea drinkers awaken as if from a dream. They began applauding and praising him, and countless people offered tips. Feng Yao smiled faintly, put away his Seven-stringed Zither, and nodded slightly to the crowd in acknowledgment.

This was a world of Martial Souls, but it was also a world ruled by nobles. Music, as an indispensable part of noble life, was both a symbol of status and an inheritance of noble culture. And with his innate talent for the zither, Feng Yao seemed to hold an invitation into the world of the nobility.

Before long, Shopkeeper Ning had a maid present Feng Yao's earnings from that day on a tray. Gold Soul Coins lay neatly arranged across it, glittering brightly—there appeared to be around a hundred. Feng Yao looked at the wealth before him without changing expression, though a flicker of surprise passed through the depths of his eyes. He had not expected that one single piece could bring such generous earnings. Still, carrying more than a hundred gold coins was truly inconvenient for a child.

At the same time, Shopkeeper Ning was silently observing Feng Yao. Having been in business for many years, he had encountered all kinds of people, but Feng Yao was the most unique child he had ever seen. Born into humble circumstances, yet possessing astonishing zither skills; faced with such a huge sum of money, he could remain so calm, with even a trace of worry on his face. This maturity and wisdom beyond his age raised Shopkeeper Ning's estimation of Feng Yao even further.

At this moment, Feng Yao raised his head and said to Shopkeeper Ning, "Shopkeeper Ning, please keep this money here for now. It would not be convenient for me to carry it around."

Shopkeeper Ning smiled and nodded. "Very well. If you need money, you may withdraw it from the tea house counter at any time. Once the amount is sufficient, I will send someone to the bank to convert it into a card for you, making it easier to carry. Also, if you have nowhere to stay for the time being, you may live here temporarily. There is no need to be restrained."

"Then thank you, Shopkeeper Ning." Feng Yao bowed slightly, his voice filled with sincere gratitude.

"No need for such courtesy. For some time to come, the business of my tea house will depend on little Feng." Shopkeeper Ning smiled and patted Feng Yao's shoulder.

As a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stationed outside to conduct business, Shopkeeper Ning knew very well that Feng Yao would not remain here for long. Though, from his observation, Feng Yao's talent was likely not particularly high, with Feng Yao's Martial Soul and zither skills alone, he was destined to hold a place among Heaven Dou's noble circles in the future.

Sure enough, only a few days later, Feng Yao's name had spread throughout Nuoding City. The distinctive tone of the Seven-stringed Zither perfectly complemented Feng Yao's superb technique, intoxicating countless tea drinkers. Even Nuoding City's nobles came upon hearing of him, all to listen to this young Zither Master perform in person. Before receiving even his first month's salary, Feng Yao had already made a fortune from tips alone in just a few days. If he had not been so young, people would likely have already come to his door to ask him to take them as disciples and teach them the zither.

Time passed like a galloping white horse. As Jingzhe Day drew near, Feng Yao rose early, withdrew all the earnings he had accumulated over the past few days from the counter, and headed toward Nuoding Academy.