Elder Lü Yan's mild words had barely fallen when a faint aura unique to a Golden Core expert spread across the third floor of the Hundred Flavors House like invisible ripples.
The somewhat noisy floor immediately grew much quieter.
Anyone who could dine here had at least some discernment. The Flowing Cloud Sword Sect was a resounding name throughout the lands around Ancient Gaze City.
A sect elder had appeared in person. His words sounded polite, but however one heard the word "misunderstanding," it carried a hint of coming to demand an accounting.
Besides, a Golden Core expert was already an extraordinary figure in Ancient Gaze City. This was a rare spectacle, and quite a few diners set down their chopsticks, casting furtive glances their way.
Under everyone's gaze, Si Chen set down his teacup, raised his head, and studied Lü Yan very seriously before correcting him:
"It wasn't a misunderstanding."
Without waiting for Lü Yan to react, he pointed at Zhao Qinghe, who stood to one side, and said matter-of-factly, "He attacked me with his sword first."
Zhao Qinghe's face instantly flushed red. His lips moved as he tried to say something, but one glance from Lü Yan made him swallow his words. Only his fists quietly clenched.
As though he had not noticed their little exchange, Si Chen pointed at the nervous disciples behind them.
"Then all of them attacked me with their swords together."
As his gaze swept over those disciples, they instinctively lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.
Si Chen recalled what had happened and felt that some things simply needed to be explained clearly.
So he gathered his words, trying to make this old man, who appeared to be their elder, understand that the matter had already reached a perfectly satisfactory conclusion.
"In the end, I asked him whether he still wanted to attack me. He said no."
He paused, then offered his conclusion. "So our grievance was settled."
The third floor grew so quiet that the street vendors' cries outside the windows could be heard.
In Si Chen's own understanding, his account clearly laid out cause and effect, perfectly explaining the beginning, end, and outcome of the incident.
But to everyone else, especially Lü Yan and the onlookers around them, it sounded entirely different.
How was this an explanation?
He had plainly recounted Zhao Qinghe and the others' humiliation, defeat, and eventual surrender in the calmest possible tone, even adding a hint of "I already gave you your chance."
The warmth Lü Yan had been struggling to maintain finally began to slip.
As a Golden Core expert and an elder of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, where had he ever gone without being treated with respect?
When had a junior in the Foundation Establishment Realm ever "set the record straight" for him like this?
This was no longer mere disrespect. He was treating the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect as though it were nothing!
But Lü Yan was, after all, an old monster who had weathered mighty winds and waves. Though anger surged inside him, his expression remained mild.
Suppressing his temper, he tried probing instead. "You speak frankly, young friend. This old man misspoke. May I ask where you studied? To have taught such an... outstanding disciple, your esteemed master must be truly extraordinary."
He still wanted to sound out the young man's background first.
"I'm a rogue cultivator. I have no master," Si Chen answered just as bluntly.
A rogue cultivator?
Lü Yan's eyes flickered.
Even now, he won't name his affiliations? Could he really have stumbled into some heaven-sent stroke of luck and inherited the legacy of a departed elder?
A young rogue cultivator with no roots or backing, carrying a great treasure and possessing terrifying talent...
In that instant, an idea rose in Lü Yan's mind.
If I could recruit him into the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, not only would the sect gain a disciple with limitless potential, but I would also earn great merit!
Perhaps I might even have a chance to obtain his secrets...
As for that little unpleasantness earlier, what did it amount to in the face of tangible benefits?
A smile returned to Lü Yan's face, looking somewhat more sincere this time. "So you are self-taught, young friend. All the more remarkable!"
"But making your way alone is inevitably difficult. Our Flowing Cloud Sword Sect enjoys a modest reputation here, and we cherish talent above all."
"With your gifts, if you are willing to join, I can personally recommend you. You will certainly receive special training, and the great path to the Golden Core will be within reach before long. What do you think, young friend?"
He felt that the terms he offered were generous enough that any rogue cultivator would find them difficult to refuse.
"No."
Si Chen refused without the slightest hesitation.
If he wanted to join a sect, he would find one himself rather than be recruited like this.
Besides, he did not much like the look in the old man's eyes. Something else lurked beneath that smile.
Having been rebuffed repeatedly, a cold gleam flashed through Lü Yan's eyes, but he laughed aloud as though he did not care at all. "Everyone has their own aspirations. Such things cannot be forced. I have yet to ask your esteemed name, young friend. Our meeting today is a stroke of fate."
He needed to confirm the name, whether to investigate afterward or... make other plans.
Si Chen glanced at him and felt that this man really did ask a lot of questions.
But considering that he was already far enough from home, giving his name seemed harmless. There were so many people surnamed Si in the world; his was hardly the only family.
"Si Chen," he said.
Si Chen? Lü Yan quickly ran through the prominent lineages and factions surnamed Si in the surrounding regions. Finding none that matched this youth, he shed his last trace of misgiving.
It seems he truly is nothing more than a lucky rogue cultivator.
Just then, a waiter approached with steaming dishes, trembling with apprehension.
An enticing aroma wafted through the air.
Si Chen's attention was immediately drawn over. To him, savoring good food was the most important thing at the moment.
The spirit beast meat had been stewed until tender, and the jade-green spirit vegetables looked so fresh and succulent that the sight alone whetted his appetite.
He picked up his chopsticks and looked at Lü Yan, who was still standing beside the table. Why hasn't this man left yet?
So he reminded him, "I'm going to eat now."
The meaning could not have been clearer-you can leave now. Don't get in the way of my meal.
But to Lü Yan, this was nothing less than utter contempt and arrogance! He was a Golden Core expert, yet in his presence, this Foundation Establishment brat was thinking only about eating?!
The smile finally vanished completely from Lü Yan's face. He gave Si Chen a long, searching look.
"Very well, young friend Si Chen. Enjoy your meal."
"We... shall meet again."
Those last few words were laden with meaning.
With that, he swept his sleeve and turned to leave. Zhao Qinghe and the others hurried after him, not daring to linger another moment in that suffocating atmosphere.
Disappointed that no fight had broken out, the surrounding diners withdrew their gazes, and the restaurant gradually returned to its earlier bustle.
Si Chen paid no further attention to anything else and focused on enjoying the food before him. The meat was fresh and tender, rich with spiritual energy, and tasted quite good indeed.
He ate without a distracting thought, unaware that the name "Si Chen," along with his attitude toward the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect that day, was already spreading quietly through Ancient Gaze City like a gust of wind, carried by those who had taken an interest.
Meanwhile, below the restaurant, Lü Yan stepped into the street. The smile on his face instantly disappeared, replaced by icy gloom.
Out of one final measure of caution, he gave a disciple behind him a quiet order:
"Investigate. I want to know exactly where this Si Chen comes from."
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