Linzi's pleasure quarters boasted four renowned establishments, all held in equal esteem.
The world-famous Three-Scent Pavilion also maintained a branch in Linzi.
Yet even that establishment failed to rank among the top four, considered merely a second-tier venue for diversion.
Xu Xiangqian had arranged for Jiang Wang to meet Li Longchuan at the Red Sleeve Dance, one of the four great houses.
Here, settlement was made with Dao Essence Stones!
In other words, most who frequented such places were extraordinary cultivators.
Following the familiar Xu Xiangqian, Jiang Wang painfully noted each expense—all of which he would have to reimburse Chongxuan Sheng.
Now commanding his own territory, he had countless expenses and could not afford to suffer such losses.
The two took their seats in a private room, and graceful attendants came forth to serve tea.
They served a supreme-quality tea.
The tea's steam swirled, misting in midair to form the outline of a woman cradling a pipa.
This tea was named "Mist Maiden's Pipa."
Before even tasting it, one already felt saliva gather at the lips and teeth, the tea's fragrance permeating, its resonance lingering.
Xu Xiangqian took a name card and handed it casually to one attendant: "Go to the Marquis of City Demolition's estate and invite Young Master Li Longchuan. Tell him I'm waiting for him."
The attendant bowed and departed.
Xu Xiangqian then instructed the remaining attendant: "Now go fetch a skilled performer. To drink this tea, one must listen to a pipa piece."
Jiang Wang clicked his tongue in admiration.
This high-foreheaded Confucian scholar could brawl in the streets and alleys, yet also move deftly among refined pleasures.
He praised accordingly: "Brother Xu truly knows how to enjoy life!"
Xu Xiangqian merely grinned mischievously, instantly shattering the atmosphere: "I heard the Old Matriarch of the Li family is in Linzi these days. If Red Sleeve Dance pays him a visit now, he'll be in for quite a time."
Jiang Wang was stunned.
He had assumed Xu Xiangqian sent Red Sleeve Dance to summon Li Longchuan for discretion, not anticipating this malicious humor.
It was entirely in Xu Xiangqian's style!
Before long, the sound of a pipa rose.
Xu Xiangqian lifted his cup of Mist Maiden's Pipa and gestured for Jiang Wang to proceed.
Jiang Wang knew nothing of such customs, so he followed suit.
With just a tap of the lid, the mist maiden cradling her pipa vanished entirely into the tea.
He took a light sip. The tea's flavor circled his teeth, lingering despite several turns, feeling supremely wondrous, yet impossible to discern its true essence. It made one eager to investigate further, senses gathering at lips and teeth. Suddenly, the tea's flavor rolled down his throat!
Clang! Clang!
He could not tell whether a pipa sounded in his throat, or whether his ears heard the pipa's notes.
Perhaps it was both, internal and external in perfect harmony.
It left his eyes relaxed, ears open, spirit pleasantly eased.
In all his life drinking tea, Jiang Wang had never experienced such a sensation!
He nearly blurted praise for the fine tea, but restrained himself, knowing a sound would be untimely and disturb the melody.
He simply let his mind relax, savoring the experience freely.
Tea notes, pipa notes, fell like pearls and jade, arriving in succession. The sound was ethereal, the fragrance likewise.
Unknowingly, the pipa piece concluded, and the cup of Mist Maiden's Pipa was drained.
Only then did Xu Xiangqian sigh: "Of the Eight-Tone Teas, Red Sleeve Dance alone offers three. This Mist Maiden's Pipa is my favorite!"
"Truly fine tea!"
Jiang Wang found himself at a loss for words, offering only such praise.
The two chatted idly about all manner of things. Xu Xiangqian had traveled extensively, and Jiang Wang had traversed tens of thousands of miles, so conversation flowed easily.
Naturally, the topic turned to the Blessed Kingdom, to that colossal turtle beast, to the prodigiously talented Yin Guan, and to the now-renowned Hell's Gate...
They could only sigh together.
Had such a person been born in a nation like Jing-Qin-Qi, he would surely have shone brilliantly, avoiding such hardships.
A peerless genius walking on knife's edge always evoked melancholy.
As they spoke, a voice suddenly came from beyond the door: "Where's Old Tall? It's rare to see you spend freely—I came as fast as I could!"
The voice carried both heroism and sharpness—it was Li Longchuan, naturally.
Yet Jiang Wang could not fathom why he called Xu Xiangqian "Old Tall."
With the voice, Li Longchuan, brow bound with a jade band and strikingly martial, strode into the room laughing.
Xu Xiangqian scowled: "Don't call me that! Remove that jade headband and your forehead wouldn't be much lower than mine!"
So that was what "Old Tall" meant!
Jiang Wang nearly laughed aloud, barely suppressing it, and greeted Li Longchuan: "Brother Li, it's been a long time!"
Seeing Jiang Wang present, Li Longchuan smiled as well: "The reputation of the Green Goat Town's baron precedes him in Linzi—I've heard it often!"
Back in the Heavenly Secret Realm, due to Xu Xiangqian's connections, they had gotten along well enough. Though Li Longchuan's family background and strength were both extraordinary, he bore no arrogance.
At that time, Jiang Wang had been a peak Heaven-Piercing realm cultivator seeking divine ability seeds. Now he had a divine ability guaranteed, proven his strength repeatedly on the Yang Kingdom battlefield, and earned merit in the banner-seizing campaign. Li Longchuan would certainly not underestimate him.
A mere title of baron at eighteen was sufficient to secure his place among Qi's nobility.
The reason Chongxuan Sheng had Jiang Wang deliver the gift in his stead was precisely because Jiang Wang now carried considerable weight.
Jiang Wang's personal appearance made the gift all the more significant.
"Don't embarrass me. It was the soldiers who fought hard. I merely claimed credit from heaven!"
While the two exchanged pleasantries, Xu Xiangqian urged: "Come, come—take the seat of honor!"
Chongxuan Zun's formal move against Chongxuan Sheng had already spread like wildfire through Linzi's noble circles.
As a scion of a top-tier noble house, Li Longchuan could not possibly be unaware. In fact, the moment he saw Jiang Wang, he knew Chongxuan Sheng had returned.
He had no desire to entangle himself in this matter. Whether Chongxuan Sheng, Jiang Wang, or the opposing Chongxuan Zun and Wang Yiwu—none were easy to provoke.
But with Xu Xiangqian's warm welcome, he could not simply turn and leave.
He merely smiled and took the seat of honor without false modesty, then teased: "I wondered why this Pixiu of an Old Tall was being so lavish today—turns out he's fleecing Brother Jiang!"
Xu Xiangqian simply gazed at him with a smile, offering no retort.
Li Longchuan asked in puzzlement: "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Xu Xiangqian chuckled: "Checking whether the Old Matriarch had you spanked!"
Li Longchuan's face darkened immediately: "You scheming Xu! I thought it was an innocent slip—you were plotting all along!"
Indeed, when he left, that old matriarch had scolded him soundly. He had begged mercy by saying a distinguished disciple of Qingya Academy needed his help, and only then escaped.
Thinking back, his teeth itched with anger.
Xu Xiangqian burst into laughter.
Their mutual ribbing and sharp words, utterly unrestricted, truly demonstrated their close friendship.
Jiang Wang smiled candidly: "Truth is, I'm the one learning from you two. These famous Linzi establishments, the Eight-Tone Teas—this is truly my first time experiencing them!"
He made no attempt to hide his unfamiliarity with such luxury.
Li Longchuan laughed as well: "Since you're in Linzi, you must taste all the Eight-Tone Teas! I've imposed on Brother Jiang today—tomorrow I'll host at Begonia Spring!"
Begonia Spring was also among the four great houses.
The people of Qi loved their tea dishes and tea-infused cuisine—they were deeply enamored with tea.
The Eight-Tone Teas, as supreme-quality brews, complemented the fame of the four great houses in some measure.
Yet Li Longchuan's words also meant: "We exchange courtesies, but never owe each other." Social visits were welcome, but for any great favor, the acquaintance was not yet deep enough.
Scions of prestigious houses like Li Longchuan received thorough education from childhood.
The notion of instant brotherhood leading to reckless loyalty was not nonexistent, but exceedingly rare. They had many considerations—their families brought them honor, and they must consider what they could return to their families.
Among the unlettered and untamed, however, heroes acting on whim were more common.
Neither was superior or inferior—merely different ways of considering the world.