Mu Yu Tower

The True Person Lü Yuanhua had once cultivated in seclusion in the mountains. Five years ago, he had brought his disciple Xin Chengying to Suxu City to treat Marquis Wu's illness, displaying all manner of magical powers along the way.

He had thus won the faith and reverence of Marquis Wu, the high officials and nobles, and the common people. He had been granted the title of Master Mingwei Daling. He was practically the state preceptor of Wu Hou State...

Now his power reached across Wu Hou State, and through the Daoist Huang Liang, he took part in its affairs of state. Nobles and high officials alike flocked to the True Person's door, calling themselves his disciples.

Yet the True Person Lü Yuanhua had too shallow a foundation, with only Xin Chengying as his disciple.

For the past two years, he had therefore thrown his doors wide open, recruiting Daoists and adepts from all quarters in hopes of building that foundation...

Unfortunately, for all Lü Yuanhua's power, those he attracted were merely people hungry for fame and fortune. How could he recruit a genuinely accomplished Daoist?

That was probably why Tang Changsheng's arrival had sent him into such raptures!

Of course, that last part was only Tang Changsheng's own guess.

Master Chengyang and his ilk strutted about with their noses in the air. They would never admit they were a collection of misshapen gourds, none of them fit for much...

Walking down the street with them, Tang Changsheng experienced for the first time the swaggering tyranny of men who cleared a street just by passing through it.

The six or seven of them walked abreast, almost blocking the entire street.

Passersby cast sidelong glances at their Daoist robes. Some kept well clear; others bowed beside the road.

Even carriages that plainly belonged to the rich and powerful pulled aside to let them pass.

A moment ago, a vendor pushing a wheelbarrow had failed to dodge in time and bumped into one of the Daoists. The man had promptly sent him sprawling with a kick.

The wheelbarrow tipped onto its side, scattering fruit and other goods across the ground. The others merely roared with laughter and walked straight past!

Tang Changsheng sighed inwardly. Better to stop than fill a vessel to the brim. A blade honed too sharp cannot keep its edge for long. No one can guard a hall filled with gold and jade. Pride in wealth and rank brings ruin upon oneself!

The True Person Lü Yuanhua might possess profound cultivation, but the people he had recruited were far too overbearing. One day, they would likely be the reason he fell into disgrace!

The General's Temple had once been a major sect, with strict rules of every kind. Even though Tang Changsheng was its sole remaining member, he had received the formal education of a sect master.

He therefore thought little of Lü Yuanhua's conduct!

At this point, Tang Changsheng began to believe that Lü Yuanhua and his disciple really had been Rogue Cultivators!

Only upstarts who had risen too quickly, without time to acquire any depth, would be so lacking in rules...

As it turned out, the True Person Lü Yuanhua had cultivated in the mountains for decades and had only recently emerged. His supernatural abilities had caught the eye of the local Marquis Wu, who had granted him an enormous residence to use as a Daoist temple.

The marquis had even brought Lü Yuanhua into his inner circle and given him access to the marquis's residence.

Now the True Person Lü Yuanhua was a man of immense influence throughout Wu Hou State!

Unfortunately, he had only just left the mountains and had few capable people under him—only his one disciple, Xin Chengying...

So he had opened his doors to wandering Daoists from every region. For a time, visitors had thronged his gate, and several dozen Daoists had joined him.

But most were frauds and charlatans. Not one was genuinely useful.

Then Xin Chengying had happened upon Tang Changsheng in the street and seen him appear out of thin air. Knowing Tang Changsheng must possess Daoist arts, he had warmly invited him over.

Later, Tang Changsheng had gained insight the moment he heard Lü Yuanhua expound the teachings, even lighting up the Celestial Heart Sea of Consciousness.

This had delighted Lü Yuanhua all the more. Once he had established that Tang Changsheng seemed to be an unaffiliated Daoist with no background, he had even considered taking him as a disciple.

That was why Tang Changsheng now enjoyed the extraordinary privilege of a courtyard all to himself and four young Daoist attendants.

Becoming Lü Yuanhua's disciple would be like a carp leaping through the Dragon Gate. He would not only learn superior Daoist arts; more importantly, he would gain wealth and influence at once and live in splendor...

When word got out, who knew how many of the Daoists in the outer courtyard who lived off others had turned red-eyed with envy!

None of this was complicated. With so many people talking along the way, Tang Changsheng had asked a few indirect questions and quickly pieced together the whole story!

But how could swallows and sparrows know the ambitions of a great swan? He was hardly someone who sought power and riches!

As he grumbled inwardly, a wooden tower came into view. It stood about three stories high, with carved beams and painted rafters. Wind chimes hung from the upturned eaves of every floor, their notes carrying on the breeze.

"We're here. This is the famous Mu Yu Tower!" Master Chengyang smiled. "It's the most renowned restaurant in this city—perhaps even in all of Wu Hou State!

"The great immortal Yun Muyu once drank here and inscribed a poem. His handwriting remains to this day. After the True Person Yun Muyu ascended, the tower's reputation soared."

Tang Changsheng did not much like Master Chengyang, but he had to admit the man had the looks and bearing for it. He would make an excellent tour guide—or a procurer.

Even Tang Changsheng felt a flicker of interest after hearing the story of Mu Yu Tower.

"Then may we go and have a look?" he asked.

The Daoists all smiled. "That's precisely why we invited you here today, fellow Daoist. After you..."

As they spoke, a furtive gleam flickered in their eyes.

Mu Yu Tower might be famous, but it was still a restaurant, just as Yellow Crane Tower and Prince Teng's Pavilion had originally been restaurants.

When the proprietor saw Master Chengyang and the other Daoists arrive, his heart sank. Still, he had no choice but to greet them with a broad smile and attend to them eagerly.

Tang Changsheng grew faintly suspicious but gave nothing away. Smiling, he said, "In that case, let's go and see it!"

They soon reached the third floor, and his spirits lifted at once. Mu Yu Tower stood close to the city's edge on high ground. From the third floor, he could see the broad waters of the lake beyond, dotted with fishing boats.

A breeze blew in from the lake, clearing his mind. After a few cups of wine had warmed his ears, such a breeze would feel even more refreshing!

"Look here, fellow Daoist!" Master Chengyang and the others said with smiles, pointing to a section of wall behind a green gauze screen. "This is where the True Person Yun Muyu wrote his poem!"

Tang Changsheng remained wary. These men were certainly up to something. But surely they could not have hidden an ambush behind a gauze screen?

The notion was absurd. He gave a soundless laugh and strode over.

There was indeed no ambush behind the screen. On the snow-white plaster wall, only a few lines of writing stood in dark ink.