250: Chapter 248 I still saw it on your face

A Low-Grade Spirit Stone slammed onto the table with a loud "thwack," bouncing twice before rolling to the edge of a plate and coming to a stop.

The black-clad leader stood before the table, looking down at Yun Ming from a height. His gaze fell upon the fox in Yun Ming's arms, and his lips curled into a slight smirk, revealing a row of uneven yellow teeth.

"I want this fox." His voice wasn't loud, but it was coarse, sounding like sandpaper grinding against stone. "The Spirit Stone is yours. Hand over the fox."

The waiter had approached Yun Ming's side at some unknown point, leaning over and speaking in a low, hurried voice as if afraid of being overheard. "Guest, this man is a kinsman of Hall Master Zhao of the Xuanming Hall. We can't afford to offend him. Please... just let him have the fox, don't get into a conflict with him..."

Yun Ming didn't look at him.

He glanced down at the Spirit Stone on the table, then looked up at the black-clad leader.

Then, he pulled the fox closer into his arms and gently stroked its head. The fox narrowed its eyes, letting out a low hum and rubbing its head against his palm.

"Not for sale," Yun Ming said. His voice wasn't loud; it was very calm, as if he were merely commenting on the nice weather.

The black-clad leader's expression darkened instantly.

His eyes narrowed into slits, a murderous glint flashing in his murky pupils. Behind him, several of his subordinates stepped forward, hands resting on their sword hilts, looking aggressive. The surrounding diners lowered their heads one after another, some even putting down their chopsticks, fearing they might be caught in the crossfire.

Just then, a voice came from behind the counter. "Oh my, what's going on here? Who has upset our Lord Zhao?"

A middle-aged man wearing a brocade robe walked out from behind the counter, smiling broadly and holding a folding fan. His Face was round, and he had a three-pointed beard, giving him a very amiable appearance. His cultivation wasn't low—he was at the Golden Core Middle Stage—and while his Aura was restrained, his steps were steady, marking him as an old Jianghu hand.

He walked between the two men, first cupping his hands toward the black-clad leader and saying with a smile, "Lord Zhao, please calm your anger. This guest is in Tianyuan City for the first time and doesn't know the rules. Please, be the bigger man and don't take it to heart."

He then turned to Yun Ming and said with a smile, "Guest, you might not know, but this restaurant is a property of the Shanhai Society. Our President Qian has been friends with Hall Master Zhao for many years, and Hall Master Zhao usually gives our Shanhai Society some Face. How about this: this meal is on the house, you let Lord Zhao have the fox, and I'll give you a jar of Hundred-Year Spirit Wine as an apology. Harmony brings wealth, after all."

The black-clad leader's expression softened slightly.

He naturally knew this was Shanhai Society territory and that President Qian did indeed have a friendship with his own Hall Master. He could cause trouble elsewhere, but here, he had to give the Shanhai Society some Face.

He didn't make another move but instead pulled over a chair and sat down opposite Yun Ming. Ah Yuan was so frightened by him that she stood up and hid behind Yun Ming.

"Fine if you won't sell it. Name a price." His tone brooked no argument. "Our Hall Master has recently been collecting rare treasures and exotic beasts. This fox has good features—nine tails, pure white with no blemishes—it's a rare High Grade specimen. Name a price; I can afford however many Spirit Stones it takes."

The fox in Yun Ming's arms suddenly bristled, its nine tails standing tall. It hissed at the black-clad leader, baring its teeth with eyes wide and round. Yun Ming reached out to press down on its head and stroked it; the fox lay back down, but its tails were still trembling slightly, clearly very angry.

Yun Ming smiled. It wasn't a mocking smile, nor was it an angry one; it was the kind of faint, amused smile one gives upon hearing something interesting.

"Any amount of Spirit Stones will do?" he asked.

The black-clad leader nodded. "Any amount. You name the price, and I won't haggle."

Yun Ming thought for a moment and pointed his index finger. "One billion. High-Grade Spirit Stones."

The hall fell silent for a heartbeat. Then came a wave of sharp intakes of breath. Someone's chopsticks dropped to the floor, someone else choked on their tea and couldn't stop coughing, and others stared with their mouths wide open. One billion High-Grade Spirit Stones. That was an astronomical figure. The entire Zifu Immortal Dynasty's annual tax revenue likely didn't even reach one billion High-Grade Spirit Stones. Even if it were a Nine-Tailed Qingqiu Fox, it wouldn't be worth that much. This was clearly a refusal to sell—he was playing with them.

The black-clad leader's Face was so dark it looked like it could drip water. His fists clenched until they cracked, and his veins bulged. He stared at Yun Ming with a gaze that looked like it wanted to devour him.

"Kid, do you have any idea who I am?" His voice was very low, squeezed out from the depths of his throat with a suppressed, explosive rage.

Yun Ming shrugged. "I know. I just heard—you're from the Xuanming Hall."

The black-clad leader slammed the table violently. With a loud bang, the plates on the table jumped, and soup splashed everywhere.

"Kid!" The black-clad leader stood up, leaning forward with his hands on the table until his Face was almost touching Yun Ming's. "Since you know, you still dare to play me? You clearly don't know how to write the word 'death'!"

Yun Ming didn't move. He sat in his chair, leaning back against the rest, looking at the distorted Face before him. The smile on his Face faded, and his eyes turned cold.

"I don't just know how to write the word 'death'," his voice was very calm, as still as a windless lake, "I also saw it on your Face."

The black-clad leader's pupils constricted violently. His subordinates simultaneously drew their blades, the cold steel flashing in the candlelight. Yun Ming didn't look at them; his hand rested on the table, his fingers lightly tapping the surface—once, twice, thrice. An invisible pressure filled the air—not Spiritual Pressure, but killing intent. It was faint but very real, like a taut string that could snap at any moment.

The shopkeeper hurriedly stepped forward again. He spread his arms, standing between the two. The smile on his Face was failing, but he was still trying to hold on.

"Lord Zhao! Lord Zhao, please calm down! And guest, please, say no more!" His voice was a bit tight, but he struggled to maintain the peace. "Lord Zhao, you know that the Longevity Festival is almost here. His Highness the Crown Prince has issued a decree that all private dueling is strictly forbidden in and around Tianyuan City during the festival. Anyone who dares to cause trouble before the festival, regardless of who they are, will be severely punished without leniency. It would be difficult to explain to Hall Master Zhao as well."

The black-clad leader's fists tightened further, but his hands were trembling slightly—not from fear, but from restraint. He knew the shopkeeper was right. The Longevity Festival was the Zifu Immortal Dynasty's greatest holiday. Every year at this time, the Crown Prince would personally preside over the Heaven-Worshipping Ceremony, and the entire city would be under martial law. Anyone daring to cause trouble now would be crossing the Crown Prince and the entire Zifu Immortal Dynasty. He could ignore the Shanhai Society, but he could not ignore the Crown Prince. He stared at Yun Ming, his chest heaving violently, his breathing like that of an enraged bull.

"Fine." He gritted out a single word through his teeth. He stood up straight, withdrew his hands from the table, glanced at the spilled food and broken plates, and let out a cold snort. "Kid, consider yourself lucky today. However, Tianyuan City is only so big. We'll have plenty of opportunities."

With a wave of his hand, he led his subordinates and turned to go upstairs. Their footsteps thudded on the stairs, growing more distant until they disappeared into the second-floor corridor.

The hall fell silent again. A deathly silence. It took several breaths before people began to speak in low voices. Whispers buzzed like a swarm of disturbed bees.

"Who is that guy? Daring to challenge someone from the Zhao family?"

"Don't know, his Face is very unfamiliar. Probably his first time in Tianyuan City."

"Truly bold, daring to provoke the Zhao family. He must have a death wish."

"Say, what is Hall Master Zhao collecting rare treasures and exotic beasts for? He's been scouring the city lately and spending a lot of Spirit Stones."

"Who knows. We shouldn't pry into the business of the great lords."

Yun Ming ignored the chatter. He looked down at the mess on the table. The food was spilled, the plates were broken, and the tablecloth was soaked in soup. He wasn't in a good mood—not because of fear, but because he felt it was a waste. He hadn't eaten much of those dishes yet.

He sighed and stood up.

The shopkeeper hurriedly walked over to personally clear the table. While picking up the broken porcelain shards, he gave Yun Ming a conciliatory smile. "Guest, I am truly sorry. I didn't handle things well today and gave you a fright. Please sit for a moment; I'll have the kitchen prepare your meal again—the same dishes, the same portions, on the house."

Yun Ming glanced at him. "No need for it to be on the house. I'll pay what I owe."

The shopkeeper's smile deepened. He called a waiter over to finish cleaning the table and went to the kitchen himself to give instructions. Before long, a fresh set of dishes was served.

The shopkeeper stood by the table and didn't leave. He looked Yun Ming up and down with an inquisitive, curious, and scrutinizing gaze. This man had remained unfazed and composed in the Face of the Xuanming Hall's men; he either had a great background and powerful backer, or he truly wasn't afraid of death. If it was the former, there was no harm in making his acquaintance. If it was the latter—well, there was nothing to lose either. He'd just let him enjoy this one last meal.

"Enjoy your meal, guest." The shopkeeper cupped his hands and returned to the counter.

Yun Ming sat down again and picked up his chopsticks, taking a piece of the Vermilion Bird Spreads Wings. The meat was tender and the flavor was excellent, just like the previous plate. Ah Yuan also returned to her seat from behind Yun Ming, keeping her head down and not daring to look at the people around her. Her Face was still a bit pale; she had indeed been frightened just now. She picked up her chopsticks, took a small piece of tofu, put it in her mouth, chewed, and swallowed. Her hand was still trembling slightly.

Yun Ming glanced at her. "It's over now. Eat."

Ah Yuan nodded and took another piece of tofu, her hand steadier this time.

The fox jumped onto the table and lay at the corner, its nine tails hanging down and swaying gently. It narrowed its eyes, watching Yun Ming eat and occasionally licking its own paw, looking quite leisurely as if nothing had happened.

As Yun Ming ate, he thought about his living arrangements. He intended to stay in Tianyuan City for a while, so he needed a place of his own. Buying a house required a Yahang. Renting a house also required a Yahang. Tomorrow, he would go to Chengen Street to find Hou the Broker and see if there were any suitable residences. It couldn't be too remote; it should be close to the city center, preferably with an independent courtyard where he could grow Spirit Medicine and set up a Pill Furnace.

He picked up his spiritual tea, took a sip, and looked out the window. The sky was already dark, and the Spirit Lamps in the streets had all been lit, decorating the entire Tianyuan City like a brilliant starry river. Cultivators, merchants, and Spirit Beasts bustled to and fro, creating a lively scene. In the distance, the golden roofs of the Imperial Palace shimmered in the night, and the tip of the Heaven-Reaching Tower was lost in the darkness, with only the runes on its body still emitting a faint spiritual light.

Yun Ming put down his teacup and continued his meal. The days ahead were long; there was no rush.

He would just stay here for tonight.