Chapter 37: The Secret Technique of Heaven's Gate
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"What’s going on? Did General Qiong really kneel to that guy?”
“Heavens! Am I hallucinating? Or did General Qiong lose her mind in her sleep? Why would the renowned female star general kneel before a cripple? Why?”
“This is outrageous!”
“The only female star general in Great Xia kneeling to a cripple—has the world gone mad?!”
...
Almost every guest stared at the scene in disbelief.
Some even refused to trust their own eyes.
Tang Qiong silently bowed three times and offered a cup of tea with both hands.
Ye Tianci drank the tea, then placed a small booklet in Tang Qiong’s palm and said quietly, “This is the Jade Scripture, a secret Tianmen technique suitable for women to cultivate. I pass it to you on behalf of my master. Dedicate yourself to its study.”
“In seven days, I’ll come test you at the Tang family ancestral home.”
“At that time, I’ll help you become a martial arts grandmaster.”
Having spoken, Ye Tianci rose, descended from the ceremonial platform, took Lin Qingqian’s hand, and strode away.
All the guests remained behind, left dazed in the wind.
Downstairs, Lin Qingqian still hadn’t recovered from the shock. With astonishment, she asked, “Did I see that right just now? Tang Qiong, the only female star general in Great Xia, bowed and knelt to you?”
Ye Tianci smiled faintly. “Didn’t you hear Old Master Tang? I was accepting a disciple on behalf of my master.”
Lin Qingqian suddenly understood. “I heard it, sure, but seeing it is still hard to believe. And honestly, you were so impressive just now!”
“What was so impressive?”
“You know exactly what I mean,” she teased. “I’ve never seen anyone put on a show so naturally, so effortlessly. When you walked up to the platform and took your seat, my heart jumped into my throat!”
She looked at Ye Tianci with a trace of admiration.
Ye Tianci laughed. “No way! Pretending isn’t really my style.”
She rolled her eyes at him.
At that moment, Liang Xianrong hurried out of the hotel, respectfully saying, “Master Ye, the talisman you gave me was remarkable! I’m completely healed!”
“I’d like to invite you and Miss Lin to a meal.”
Ye Tianci waved him off. “No need for that, I prefer quiet places.”
Not wanting to miss his chance to curry favor, Liang Xianrong presented a purple card with both hands. “Master Ye, this is the supreme card for my family’s Purple Aura Pavilion. Please accept it!”
“In terms of both ingredients and ambiance, even the Longxiang Grand Hotel can’t compare to our Purple Aura Pavilion!”
Seeing his sincerity, Ye Tianci accepted the card.
“Patriarch Liang, I’ll accept your kindness, then.”
“Of course! By the way, Master Ye, I heard that you and Miss Lin’s family were expelled from the Lin family?”
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“Lin Changren was made general manager of my Eastern Grain Group entirely for your sake. I’ll give the order right now to terminate his contract and severely suppress the Lin family to get justice for you!”
Ye Tianci frowned. “Don’t punish others unjustly on my account. How is that any different from bullying the innocent?”
Liang Xianrong’s eyes darted, and he suddenly understood. “I see, Master Ye. You’re advising me that all actions must be justified!”
“If heaven intends to destroy someone, it first makes them arrogant. I’ll let Lin Changren abuse his power first, then deal with him for cause!”
Liang Xianrong looked as if he’d had an epiphany.
Ye Tianci simply smiled.
He and Lin Qingqian turned and got into the car, driving away from the Longxiang Grand Hotel.
On the hotel rooftop, the banner of Tianmen fluttered in the wind, highly conspicuous.
Lin Qingqian noticed it and pointed curiously. “Look, there’s a big flag on the hotel roof. It looks really unusual.”
Ye Tianci smiled lightly. “I see it. Shucheng… is about to change.”
“Yes, the sky’s overcast. Maybe there’ll be a storm,” Lin Qingqian said, gazing at the gloomy sky.
The red-flagged car slowly made its way toward the Liang family’s Purple Aura Pavilion.
Neither Lin Qingqian nor Ye Tianci had eaten yet. Since Liang Xianrong had given them the supreme card and boasted about the first-rate ingredients and atmosphere, the two naturally decided to give it a try.
After parking, they walked side by side into the Purple Aura Pavilion.
The interior was splendidly decorated, rivaling even the Longxiang Grand Hotel.
This was the most exclusive dining establishment in Shucheng, specializing in fine dining, so it was packed with guests.
The main hall on the first floor was crowded, but Ye Tianci preferred tranquility and wanted a private room.
A waitress glanced at Ye Tianci, noted his plain attire and his limp, and immediately looked at him with disdain, drawling, “All the private rooms are booked!”
Ye Tianci frowned, recognizing her as someone who looked down on others.
“Your Purple Aura Pavilion is so large—how could all the rooms be full?”
“Why not? Our reputation is huge! Every wealthy person in Shucheng loves to dine here!”
“And dressed like you are, you still want a private room? Can you even afford it?” she sneered, rolling her eyes.
Ye Tianci replied calmly, “Whether I can afford it or not is none of your concern. Just get me a room.”
“Sorry,” she said mockingly. “Our private rooms are as precious as the heiresses of noble families—not just anyone is qualified to use them!”
“People like you aren’t worthy of our private rooms!”
“If you want to eat, find a seat in some corner of the main hall. Otherwise, you can leave!”
Her attitude was harsh, not a trace of courtesy.
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The Purple Aura Pavilion was known for strict management; staff were trained not to judge guests by appearance.
But Ye Tianci’s clothes were too plain, and his limp too obvious. To this waitress, he looked like a drifter—perhaps a petty thief who’d come into some money and wanted to splurge.
Lin Qingqian tugged at his sleeve. “Forget it, we can just eat in the main hall.”
Ye Tianci’s gaze sharpened. “We can, but this is a matter of principle.”
The waitress’s name tag read: Zhang Yan.
“Is this how you treat customers at the Purple Aura Pavilion?” Ye Tianci asked coldly, glancing at her name tag.
Zhang Yan snorted and rolled her eyes. “Customers here are never poor. Only the wealthy dine with us, so of course we treat them well.”
“As for you, the word ‘customer’ doesn’t seem to apply.”
“So?” Ye Tianci narrowed his eyes.
Zhang Yan folded her arms. “So, if you want to eat, find a spot in the main hall. If not, leave. Stop whining!”
Ye Tianci’s lips curled into a slight smile. “In that case, call your boss over.”
“Pfft!” Zhang Yan’s expression grew even more contemptuous. “You want us to call the boss for you? Who do you think you are?”
“Have you looked in a mirror? Dressed like a beggar and a cripple at that, you—”
Smack!
Ye Tianci’s slap landed crisply across Zhang Yan’s face.
Crash!
Zhang Yan toppled over two tables and hit the ground.
The commotion drew the attention of diners and staff alike, who hurried over.
Zhang Yan scrambled up, wiped her bleeding mouth, and immediately pointed at Ye Tianci, cursing, “You damn cripple! How dare you hit me? Manager Wei!”
“Manager Wei! Someone hit me! Someone’s causing trouble at the Purple Aura Pavilion!”
At her shout, a burly, broad-shouldered, bald man strode over with his men.
His face was fierce, his gaze intimidating—clearly no easy character.
“Who’s making trouble here?” His voice was icy as his eyes fell on Ye Tianci.