Chapter Twenty-Three: The Free Feast

Jiang Pingchuan looked around the noodle shop. It was quite large, with two floors. From the look of it, the first floor served common folk. Glancing at his own long robe, Jiang Pingchuan marveled at its mysterious quality—it remained spotless, no matter what.

“Sir, your noodles are here! A large bowl of spring noodles. Please enjoy!” The waiter brought over a steaming bowl with a bright, eager smile, setting it before Jiang Pingchuan. He nodded, picked up the chopsticks from the bamboo holder, and lifted the noodles, blowing on them to cool.

Whether it was because he was too hungry or because the noodles were truly delicious, he finished the bowl quickly and felt satisfyingly full. His stomach was content. But just as he was about to eat the last mouthful, he paused.

Suddenly, it occurred to him that people here were supposed to pay for their meals. He hadn’t a single coin to his name. Realizing this, he hesitated to eat that final bite.

He wanted to discuss the matter with the waiter, but the shop was still crowded, and he felt too embarrassed to speak up.

So he just held that last mouthful on his chopsticks, staring at it for a long, long time—so long that the shop gradually emptied. Finally, with only a few people left and the noodles now cold, Jiang Pingchuan ate the last bite, feeling a chill run through him. He stood and walked to the counter.

“Excuse me, waiter…”

“Yes, sir, what can I do for you?” The waiter leaned on the counter, smiling at Jiang Pingchuan.

“Well, I’m new here and didn’t bring any money with me. I’m truly sorry, I…”

“Oh, come on, you say you’re embarrassed? You’ve eaten a free meal, so you owe us an explanation. Look at you, dressed in fine robes, hardly looks like you can’t afford to pay. And now you want to skip out on the bill?”

The waiter’s tone grew mocking, his friendly face turning sarcastic. Jiang Pingchuan felt uncomfortable but couldn’t argue—he really had no money.

“I, uh…”

“Enough of that—no excuses! This isn’t the place for freeloaders. If you can’t pay, you’ll have to come with me to the authorities—”

“What’s all this noise? Come here, Xiao Wu—the Daoist Priest Wu is here!” A deep, anxious voice rang out from the doorway just as the waiter was hounding Jiang Pingchuan. The waiter replied hurriedly, gestured at Jiang Pingchuan, and dashed to the entrance.

Jiang Pingchuan saw a middle-aged man, richly dressed, bowing and making a welcoming gesture at the door. A Daoist priest in a yellow robe strode in.

The priest entered the noodle shop with an air of arrogance, chin raised as he surveyed the place. He stroked his mustache knowingly and nodded with a deep, meaningful hum.

“Manager Zhou, your shop is shrouded in dark energy. It’s likely that something inauspicious has set its sights here, and your young lady has probably been entangled by it as well,” the priest said gravely, frowning at the manager beside him. The manager grew visibly tense, but as he started to speak, the priest waved him off, telling him not to panic.

Only Jiang Pingchuan noticed the flicker of sly delight on the priest’s face upon seeing the manager’s anxiety. Jiang Pingchuan sensed that the Daoist priest was no true cultivator at all.

There was no trace of spiritual energy about him; he seemed to be just an ordinary man, one who perhaps had learned a few superficial tricks for warding off evil.

Watching Daoist Priest Wu sweep his horsetail whisk over the ceiling, it was hard to tell whether there really was a haunting or if the priest was simply putting on a show. To Jiang Pingchuan, it was clear this priest had never practiced the genuine Maoshan arts.

“Don’t worry, Manager Zhou. Take me to see your young lady first,” Daoist Priest Wu said with a confident smile, reassuring the nervous manager.

“Please, this way, Daoist Priest Wu,” Manager Zhou replied. As they turned to go inside, Manager Zhou noticed Jiang Pingchuan still at the counter and paused, glancing at the waiter.

“Xiao Wu, what’s going on here? Why is there still a customer?” he asked, pointing at Jiang Pingchuan. The waiter was startled.

“Manager, this fellow ate without paying!” Xiao Wu exclaimed angrily, glaring at Jiang Pingchuan. Jiang Pingchuan smiled awkwardly and was about to explain when Manager Zhou smacked the waiter on the head, leaving him confused.

“With everything that’s been happening lately, let’s just consider it a loss to ward off greater misfortune. Get him out and close the door,” Manager Zhou ordered sharply.

“Wait a moment, Manager Zhou. I came out today without bringing money, but I promise to repay you another day. I’ve studied some techniques to ward off evil since childhood, and I’ve heard much about Daoist Priest Wu. It seems your household is facing trouble; perhaps I could stay and see if I can help,” Jiang Pingchuan said. He’d intended to leave, but didn’t want to be thrown out as a freeloader.

Since the place was troubled, perhaps he could truly lend a hand and ease his own conscience.

“You know magic?” Xiao Wu exclaimed, running over to scrutinize Jiang Pingchuan. This well-dressed, scholarly-looking youth didn’t even have a Daoist robe or any tools; he seemed even less reliable than Priest Wu.

“Manager Zhou, Daoist Priest Wu, why not let me come along? The truth will be clear soon enough. If you think I’m deceiving you, you’re free to turn me over to the authorities,” Jiang Pingchuan said. He could tell from Manager Zhou’s hesitation that they were facing something difficult and would want all the help they could get.

“Priest Wu, what do you think?” Manager Zhou asked uncertainly. Daoist Priest Wu stroked his mustache, eyeing Jiang Pingchuan with a smile.

“Since this young man is eager to learn, let him come along,” he replied with a laugh, striding toward the back of the noodle shop.

“Very well, let him come,” Manager Zhou agreed, no longer hesitating. After all, an extra pair of hands was welcome. Jiang Pingchuan nodded, glancing shyly at Xiao Wu beside him.

Seeing the manager and priest disappear into the back, Jiang Pingchuan tried to summon his internal energy, hoping to use his special sight to view the courtyard’s true nature.

But he felt his abilities were still suppressed here. Perhaps there was some local law or rule at work, he thought, pushing the concern aside as he followed them.

Behind him, Xiao Wu experienced a sudden, inexplicable thump in his chest. Jiang Pingchuan sensed Xiao Wu’s discomfort and paused, but without turning, continued on toward the back.