I'll Put Someone Who Understands in Your Place! (Please Subscribe and Vote with Monthly Tickets)

The owner had still been craning his neck defiantly, ready to argue, but the moment he heard "Heavenly Strategy Dynasty," he wilted. "Please calm down, honored guests. Our establishment has failed to serve you properly. This meal is on the house, and so is last night's lodging."

Only after hearing the owner back down did the couple sit down with their noses in the air and order the most expensive dishes.

Li Chen frowned slightly. He had just looked at the menu, and the prices were clearly fair.

Since Li Chen often ate out, he certainly knew what things cost.

Stranger still, although the two wore Heavenly Strategy-style clothing, something was off about their accents and mannerisms.

Just then, several travel-worn people who looked like merchants suddenly surrounded the couple.

Leading them was the merchant Qian Zaili, whose party had just been released from a prison in the neighboring Huijia Kingdom. They had been eating here when they heard the couple pressing their advantage without mercy, so they came over.

The couple continued blustering that they were citizens of the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty. Who were these ruffians, daring to cause trouble?

They had thought that would scare Qian Zaili into leaving, but he smiled, displayed the Heavenly Strategy Trade Pass at his waist, and said:

"I hear you two are Heavenly Strategy citizens? I am the shopkeeper of the Qian Trading Company. May I ask which prefecture you come from?"

The couple's expressions changed. "Wh-what business is that of yours? Does being a merchant make you better than everyone else?"

Qian Zaili remained unruffled. After all, he was a man who had been thrown into prison by a king. He pulled out a Heavenly Strategy Customs Permit bearing a vermilion seal, slapped it on the table, and said:

"You keep