Status Raised, World Expanded

Chunjiang Restaurant was the finest restaurant in Cloudshine County. Its head chef had been specially invited from Yun Province Prefecture, and it was said that his monthly wages reached a full hundred taels—an astronomical sum beyond ordinary people's imagination.

As for Chunjiang Restaurant's ingredients, every single one was unique and precious. They were either shipped in from the provincial prefecture or rare mountain delicacies and wild game gathered from the surrounding hills.

Though it was Cloudshine's number-one establishment, Chunjiang Restaurant was not particularly large. It was merely a small two-story courtyard beside the river that ran through the city. Lanterns and colorful streamers lined the riverbank, and the night view from the restaurant's second floor was especially splendid.

The number of guests served each day was limited. Its patrons were either rich or noble, so there was naturally no need for it to be too large. If it were any bigger, the head chef would not be able to keep up.

Chunjiang Restaurant was packed every day. Even Worthy Elders and clerks within the city, or wealthy households from other counties, had to book their seats three months in advance.

Even so, guests still flocked to it like ducks, and they all followed the rules with utmost care.

There was no other reason why guests of every faction were willing to obey the rules: Chunjiang Restaurant's owner was a Registered Disciple of Vajra Gate—though of course, he had merely registered his name. In truth, he was simply paying homage to a powerful backer.

At first, he had actually been a "temporary escort runner" for the Soaring Dragon Escort Agency. After Yu Chunsheng took office, he had used half cunning seizure and half outright coercion to bring Chunjiang Restaurant into Vajra Gate's sphere of influence, and its owner had become a Registered Disciple of Vajra Gate.

But today, Chunjiang Restaurant had turned away every reservation, offending those rich and noble guests without hesitation, and had instead taken the initiative to invite the Soaring Dragon Escort Agency to hold a victory banquet.

"The escort agency usually goes to Jude Restaurant, but although Jude Restaurant is larger, its food really is a little worse than here. It can only rank second."

Xie Yuan sat on the second floor of Chunjiang Restaurant, admiring the river scenery beyond the building as he listened to Shen Longteng sigh beside him.

"Before today was even decided, Lao Wu contacted me in advance, saying I had not eaten his cooking in a long time. Come to think of it, ever since Yu Chunsheng took office, I really had never come here again... Still, Lao Wu has always been quick to spot an opportunity. Heh heh."

Xie Yuan turned back and smiled.

"And Chief Escort Leader was still willing to come? You weren't afraid... well."

"I told you already, Lao Wu is a businessman. He is best at following the wind and steering with the tide. Vajra Gate is gone; he certainly will not show filial devotion to Peng Jie. I do not blame him either. He is not a martial artist, and businessmen sometimes have no other choice."

Shen Longteng smiled faintly.

"Besides, Apothecary Yu and Zhen Yu are watching the kitchen, aren't they? Today's meal must be eaten."

Before Xie Yuan could speak, the plump middle-aged man standing beside the table wiped the sweat from his forehead and gave an awkward smile.

"Chief Escort Leader, you're calling me out. Ai yo, all these years, my body was with Vajra, but my heart was with the Dragon Gate. Every day, I prayed for the escort agency's royal army to march from the west and flatten Vajra Gate! Look at you—why did you only come now?"

"You're blaming me now?"

Shen Longteng burst into laughter. Pointing at Lao Wu, the owner of Chunjiang Restaurant, he gave him a sidelong glance.

"So today, you truly intend to return to good terms with the escort agency?"

"Return to the clan!"

Lao Wu spoke with righteous conviction.

"I have been waiting for this day for ages! Every day at home, I could not help imagining myself holding an escort banner and shouting the call!"

As he spoke, he rushed straight to the railing and shouted toward the surging river.

"Cloud Province Soaring Dragon, Soaring Dragon Cloud Province!"

After shouting, Lao Wu turned back around, the wrinkles on his face squeezed together by his grin.

"That felt good! Tell me, am I one of the escort agency now or not?"

"Lao Wu, I really don't know what to do with you!"

Shen Longteng laughed loudly and drained the wine in his bowl.

Lao Wu hurried over, snatched the wine jug from Xie Yuan's hand, and refilled Shen Longteng's bowl with a smile.

"With my attitude, you still sent Escort Leader Lu and Doctor Yu to keep watch... Ai, not to mention that I was loyal to the escort agency from the start—even if I had favored Vajra Gate, they are gone now. I'm not an idiot. Would I still go running toward Yu Chunsheng's Big White Hook?

"Besides, with such an outstanding man as Chief Escort Leader Xie here, even if I had wicked thoughts, wouldn't I fear that he'd chop me down with a single slash?"

Though Lao Wu said this aloud, he knew full well that he should not ask Shen Longteng to withdraw those men.

He turned and poured wine for Xie Yuan as well, his face blooming with a brilliant smile.

"Chief Escort Leader Xie! Ah, seeing you truly surpassed hearing of you. Not only are you formidable in strength, Chief Escort Leader Xie, you are also so handsome—just like some prince of a royal house. It inspires utter admiration. Chief Escort Leader Xie, this cup is for you. Thank you for rescuing Lao Wu from fire and water!"

Boss Wu truly gave Xie Yuan a few extra looks. His restaurant received only distinguished guests; even those who were not particularly good-looking dressed in the finest clothes and ornaments. He had seen much of the world, yet people as remarkable as Xie Yuan were rare indeed.

Moreover, Xie Yuan had practically wiped out Vajra Gate alone. His strength already placed him among the notable martial artists of Cloudshine County, and his potential was boundless. Boss Wu lavished him with flattery, only slightly less enthusiastically than he did Shen Longteng, and his sense of proportion was exquisite.

In less than half a day, Xie Yuan's already growing fame rose another level, reaching the point where he was known in every household throughout Cloudshine County. On the way to Chunjiang Restaurant, people often pointed at Xie Yuan and whispered among themselves, as though he were a celebrity.

Listening to Boss Wu's Seven Apertures Exquisite flattery, Xie Yuan's expression turned slightly peculiar. Since he had begun practicing martial arts, people had often praised him, but this was his first time encountering someone at Boss Wu's level.

It actually felt rather nice.

As for the possibility that Boss Wu was still working for Vajra Gate... a clever man like him would absolutely not continue exerting himself for Vajra Gate after its great tide had ebbed away.

Even if he truly had, aside from the people watching the kitchen, Xie Yuan also had Zheng Qingyang's antidote and the Nourishing Body Skill. He feared poison least of all, so he calmly savored Chunjiang Restaurant's delicacies.

"Everyone, let's toast Xiao Xie together!"

"Chief Escort Leader Xie, we owe everything today to you!"

"Xie Yuan, well done. If there really weren't enough seats... why not simply let you take the Chief Escort Leader's position?"

"...I couldn't possibly."

Shen Longteng's exceptional regard and praise, Boss Wu's bootlicking, and the repeated toasts from everyone at the banquet left Xie Yuan somewhat tipsy.

Aside from Wei Zhen, who could not come because he was recovering from his injuries, everyone else had returned to the escort agency and recovered from the poison within half a day. With the prescription Xie Yuan had brought back from Zheng Qingyang, Apothecary Yu had copied it exactly, and easing the poison was not difficult. The poison's effect of making the body go limp was extremely strong, but it left behind no lingering toxin. Half a day after leaving that place, it would ease on its own. It truly made one suspect Peng Yue had tortured the formula out of some flower-plucking bandit.

Chu Sheng, Zhao Xingyang, and Lu Zhenyu took turns pouring wine into Xie Yuan, to say nothing of all the escort masters. After this battle, though Xie Yuan had not yet reached the fourth refinement, his strength had vaguely become second only to Shen Longteng's. Beneath everyone's warm attitude was a measure of reverence. Even Zhao Xingyang and Chu Sheng no longer treated Xie Yuan as a junior, but regarded him as an equal.

Yet Xie Yuan was not someone who became swollen with pride. He remained respectful toward his seniors, which naturally made everyone appreciate him even more. Who would not like someone capable and well-mannered?

After three rounds of wine, Xie Yuan was somewhat drunk when he suddenly recalled something.

"Boss Wu, the dishes here truly are among the very best... I wonder if I could pack up a couple to bring back as a late-night snack?"

Xie Yuan asked with a smile.

Boss Wu slapped his plump chest, producing a dull thump.

"If Chief Escort Leader Xie enjoys them, it is Lao Wu's honor! Say no more, leave it to me! I'll have the kitchen cook up every ingredient. Everyone can take some home today!"

"Excellent!"

The crowd roared in response, laughing as they praised Boss Wu's generosity.

Shen Longteng smiled with narrowed eyes. He suddenly beckoned, and after Boss Wu leaned close, he spoke in a low voice.

"Lao Wu, I heard that the Outer Sect Master of Yunshan Sword Sect has eaten here before?"

Boss Wu rapidly blinked his narrowed eyes a few times, then nodded.

"Can you get in touch with him? If I need someone to make an introduction..."

Shen Longteng asked.

Without asking further questions, Boss Wu nodded heavily.

"No problem."

"As expected of our escort agency's Registered Escort Runner."

Shen Longteng smiled and patted Boss Wu's shoulder.

Boss Wu immediately beamed with joy. Shen Longteng had asked him to handle something and acknowledged him aloud; only then had he truly let bygones be bygones, and Lao Wu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Xie Yuan was seated right beside them. Hearing their conversation, which they had not hidden from him, he fell into thought.

"Yunshan Sword Sect? Cloud Province's foremost sect... Why does Chief Escort Leader want to contact them?"

Before long, however, Xie Yuan learned the answer.

The banquet ended, and everyone left Chunjiang Restaurant amid Boss Wu's warm farewells before returning to the escort agency.

Shen Longteng called Xie Yuan aside alone and handed him a brocade box as long as an arm.

"This is Demon Tiger Bone, a true tiger demon's bone. Its effects of strengthening the bones and nourishing the blood are useful even for my realm. You are currently tempering your bones, so take this."

Looking at the thick, faintly glowing bone inside the box, Xie Yuan did not stand on ceremony. He accepted it with solemn care.

This item might not be quite equal to an earthly treasure, but it was not far off, especially at his current stage. Consuming it could almost let him break through to the fourth refinement immediately.

Though precious, Xie Yuan had earned it through his contributions. If he declined, Shen Longteng would likely be the one unable to rest easy.

Sure enough, Shen Longteng nodded in satisfaction before saying,

"Xie Yuan, sooner or later, you will leave the escort agency, won't you?"

"...Why does Chief Escort Leader say that?"

"Heh heh, there is no need to hide it, and it is nothing. With your talent, the escort agency will soon be unable to provide you with much. This pond is too small; in the end, it cannot contain a young dragon like you. Sooner or later, you should venture into a broader world."

With his hands clasped behind his back, Shen Longteng spoke calmly.

Xie Yuan fell silent for a moment, then answered frankly.

"According to my plans, once I approach the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm, I may travel and seek my fortune, or enter a master's school and seek what comes after."

Though Shen Longteng was in the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm, he himself had broken through by a fortunate chance, and his progress afterward had somewhat stagnated.

If Xie Yuan wanted to obtain a systematic path forward, he could not find it in the escort agency. Although he had his own methods and channels, by then, in terms of the four requirements for cultivation—wealth, companions, methods, and land—the escort agency would not truly be of much help to him. At that time, remaining with the escort agency would be inferior to venturing out into the world.

Xie Yuan had considered this long ago. He simply had not expected Shen Longteng to see it so clearly as well.

Shen Longteng was very satisfied by Xie Yuan's honesty, and appreciation and regret showed in his eyes.

"It is only a pity that the escort agency is too small, and not a proper sect. Otherwise, it would not be impossible to devote all our strength to supporting a prodigy like you and have you lead the sect to another level... But the escort agency must ultimately do business. Its way of survival differs from that of a sect.

"But if you were willing to remain, given your contributions to the escort agency, it would be only right to hand the escort agency over to you. My several children have no future in martial arts, so in the future, I will simply let them live as ordinary wealthy folk. Yet you ultimately will not put down roots here, and I do not think Xingyang will either. In the end, it would be best to let Zhenyu take charge.

"Heh heh, I have wandered too far. Since you possess the aspirations of a great swan, even if the escort agency cannot help you soar through the clouds, we should still do our utmost to firmly pave your road. I heard that Lao Wu runs his business well and even has dealings with people from Yunshan Sword Sect, so I went to ask today.

"Xie Yuan, you heard it as well. If you are interested, simply have Lao Wu make the introduction. Yunshan Sword Sect is Cloud Province's foremost sect; it even has many grandmasters. Only by standing atop Yunshan Mountain can you look down upon the magnificent martial world."