Qing Zhu sat right down, and only then did Lin Yun take the time to study her carefully.

She was beautiful. Qing Zhu was truly beautiful—not the breathtaking kind, but a beauty that was captivating. However, Lin Yun’s mind wasn’t focused on her appearance.

After observing her for a moment, Lin Yun was surprised to find that he couldn’t see through her strength. To him, Qing Zhu appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary person with no cultivation whatsoever.

’But is that possible?’ Lin Yun’s intuition told him that Qing Zhu was definitely a Martial Artist, and one no weaker than himself.

There were only two explanations for his inability to gauge her strength. First, the gap between their power was simply too vast. Second, Qing Zhu had learned an advanced technique that allowed her to conceal her true strength.

Between the two, Lin Yun leaned toward the latter. If Qing Zhu truly had a Primordial Ocean Realm cultivation at her age, he would have to completely re-evaluate the Qing Zhu Tavern.

Since he couldn’t figure her out, Lin Yun had no intention of asking. No one would ask such a personal question upon a first meeting.

"You’re quite interesting. I’m Qing Zhu, the owner of this place," Qing Zhu said to Lin Yun, her expression as tranquil as still water.

Hearing this, Lin Yun replied, "Lin Shan. Just a traveler passing through."

"Then, Young Master Lin, would you care to elaborate on why my Cyan Wine isn’t suitable for you?" Qing Zhu continued.

He smiled faintly. "Miss Qing Zhu, your Cyan Wine is indeed a rare vintage. But do you think a man with blood on his hands can find peace in a cup of wine? If he indulges in such pleasures, even a fierce tiger will lose its fangs and claws. After that, all that awaits is death."

Lin Yun spoke casually. As he finished, he drained the last of the wine from his cup.

"A pity. Such fine wine, and they only give one bottle per table," Lin Yun sighed.

"If Young Master Lin enjoys it, then of course I won’t be stingy."

As the two were chatting, a maid brought over three more carafes of Cyan Wine. This was a first for the Qing Zhu Tavern; it was also the first time Qing Zhu had ever dined with a customer.

From the bamboo pavilion, many of the dining customers saw Qing Zhu. Some recognized Wangcai and his two friends, but it was clear the three were just there to fill the seats. Qing Zhu’s gaze remained fixed on the unfamiliar young man.

"Who is that guy? Getting Miss Qing Zhu to personally dine with him... I don’t recognize him from anywhere in the Capital City."

"I’ve never seen him either. He’s probably not from the Capital City."

Their eyes, as they looked at Lin Yun, were filled with deep envy. Having Qing Zhu—one of the Capital City’s two great beauties—personally attend to him was enough to make any man burn with jealousy.

Lin Yun paid their stares no mind. Ever since getting together with Lu Bingning, he’d become immune to such looks.

Qing Zhu was even more composed than Lin Yun, continuing to chat with him idly, ignoring the stares from Wangcai’s group and everyone else.

After a while, Qing Zhu extended an invitation to Lin Yun. "Young Master Lin, since you aren’t from the Capital City, you must be staying at an inn. If you wouldn’t mind, you’re welcome to stay here at the Qing Zhu Tavern. I wonder, would you grant me that honor?"

The moment she said this, a look of profound envy appeared on Wangcai’s face. The look he gave Lin Yun practically screamed, ’You lucky bastard! You actually got a personal invitation from Miss Qing Zhu!’

Completely ignoring Wangcai’s gaze, Lin Yun found that after their conversation, he had grown quite curious about this woman. He suspected she wasn’t from Yanhuang Country. He couldn’t fathom her depth at all, which showed that there was more to Qing Zhu than met the eye.

He didn’t know what Qing Zhu was thinking, but Lin Yun was sure of one thing: she wouldn’t have invited him for no reason. There had to be an ulterior motive. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Lin Yun didn’t believe for a second that he was so charming a beautiful woman would just approach him out of the blue. He’d bet his life that Qing Zhu had some kind of ulterior motive.

Still, Lin Yun had no intention of refusing. For one, he was curious about Qing Zhu. For another, he genuinely liked the atmosphere of the Qing Zhu Tavern. And besides, with such a beautiful woman for company, who would possibly say no?

A sly grin spread across his face as Lin Yun replied, "Since Miss Qing Zhu is inviting, it would be impolite of me to refuse."

"You’re too kind, Young Master Lin. The honor is all mine."

In the course of a single meal, Lin Yun had managed to charm one of the Capital City’s two great beauties. Wangcai and Li Ji were impressed beyond words; both felt a sudden urge to beg Lin Yun to be their master.

Qing Zhu was highly efficient. While they were all still eating, she had already arranged for Lin Yun’s accommodations: a place behind the Bamboo Courtyard, right next to her own living quarters.

"My thanks, Miss Qing Zhu." After the meal, Lin Yun went to the room Qing Zhu had prepared for him. It was a small, private bamboo courtyard with a bamboo house inside.

Lin Yun was very pleased with the environment.

Seeing that Lin Yun was now staying at the Qing Zhu Tavern, Wangcai and Li Ji flat-out refused to leave that night. Even Chen Xin insisted on staying.

The three of them shamelessly pestered him until Lin Yun, helpless, finally had to give in to their thick-skinned persistence.

"Young Master Lin, I want you to be my master!" Wangcai declared as soon as they entered the bamboo house.

Hearing this, Lin Yun was completely baffled. ’His master? Master of what?’

"Young Master Lin, you’ve only been in the Capital City for a few days and you’ve already caught the eye of Miss Qing Zhu, one of the two great beauties! Young Master Lin, you have to teach me! My whole life’s happiness depends on you!" Wangcai whined pathetically.

At this, Lin Yun smacked Wangcai on the back of the head, utterly speechless at his friend’s train of thought. ’All this guy ever thinks about is chasing girls.’

"So that’s why," Lin Yun said, looking at Wangcai and Li Ji with a helpless sigh. "You two stayed behind for this?"

Hearing this, both of them lowered their heads in embarrassment. Their expressions were a tacit admission.

He was utterly speechless. ’Qing Zhu was the one who approached me, not the other way around. And I seriously doubt she’s taken a fancy to me. She must have some other motive for doing all this.’

But Lin Yun didn’t bother explaining this to them. It would have been pointless.

He quickly shooed the two of them out. Suddenly, only Chen Xin remained in the room. Looking at her, Lin Yun asked, "What? You want me to be your master, too?"

"No, I was just... I was just afraid you’d be bewitched by that vixen," Chen Xin said, her face flushing slightly.

’What is with these people? A vixen...’ Lin Yun was on the verge of losing it. ’These three are unbelievable. Each one’s imagination is wilder than the last.’

"Chen Xin, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing." Naturally, Lin Yun couldn’t just physically throw her out. It took a great deal of coaxing, but he finally persuaded Chen Xin to leave.

Once all three were gone, Lin Yun shook his head with a helpless, bitter smile. He felt utterly defeated by them.

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