Chapter 41: Yue Buqun's Reputation

Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, Yun Zhong rummaged through his clothes for quite some time but failed to produce even half a tael of silver.

The expression on Yun Zhonghe’s face froze as well.

All signs indicated that the innkeeper’s sharp eyes had not deceived him.

These two were indeed trying to dine and dash.

“Stop pretending, damn it. If you’ve got no money, then get the hell out and don’t interfere with our business,” the server barked, unceremoniously issuing an eviction order. He wiped the spot where the two had been sitting with a cloth, his face full of annoyance.

Yun Zhonghe’s face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot. He was never known for his good temper. Just because he didn’t want trouble now didn’t mean he’d let others ride roughshod over him.

He withdrew his hand from his robes and placed it on the table.

The server was no fool; seeing they refused to leave, he knew they were about to cause trouble. He quietly took a few steps back and shouted in a shrill, penetrating voice, “Help! We’ve got diners refusing to pay!”

His cry was even sharper than the eunuchs of the imperial palace and carried straight through the air.

At his call, several burly, fierce-eyed thugs surged in from all sides of the inn, surrounding the two of them.

Yun Zhonghe paid these petty lackeys no mind. Unruffled, he poured himself a cup of tea and took a leisurely sip.

“Is this how your boss conducts business?” Yun Zhonghe set down his cup, drumming his fingers on the table with a crisp sound. “Who ever heard of making guests pay before their food has even arrived?”

At these words, the other patrons nodded in agreement; there was some reason in what he said.

But the server would have none of it, arguing shamelessly, “Look at you, dressed in rags—clearly here for a free meal. When it’s over, you’ll get a beating and we’ll be done with it.”

“In that case, let me grant your wish and give you a good, hearty meal,” he sneered, waving his hand. “Boys, get them!”

“I’d like to see who dares!” A’zi, seeing the mob closing in, finally lost all patience and slammed her hand on the table, rising to her feet.

The force of her presence was so overwhelming that none of the thugs dared move for a moment.

The server’s face darkened. “Cowards! Letting a woman scare you like that—useless! Get them, now!”

At his command, the thugs hesitated no more, clenching their fists and swinging for Yun Zhonghe’s head.

There was a faint whistling as their fists cut through the air.

Who would have thought these thugs actually had some martial training?

Facing such low-level opponents, Yun Zhonghe had no intention of lifting a finger.

Someone else would deal with them.

Just as a meaty fist was about to land on Yun Zhonghe’s head, A’zi’s delicate hand flashed out, blocking the blow.

No matter how hard the thug tried, he could not budge an inch further.

A’zi gave a sharp twist, and the man’s arm was instantly wrenched into a knot.

“Aaagh!” The agonized scream nearly lifted the roof off the inn.

The onlookers watched as the burly man fell to the ground, clutching his arm and writhing in pain, and they all drew in a sharp breath.

Their gazes turned to A’zi—who would have thought such a beautiful woman could be so ruthless?

Amid the screams, the server was consumed with rage. He looked at the remaining thugs and bellowed, “All of you, get them! Cause trouble in my inn and you’ll pay the price!”

Suppressing their fear, the thugs charged at A’zi.

No matter how formidable she was, she was still just a woman—there were many of them, surely they could deal with her.

Facing their assault, A’zi’s expression was icy, her moves merciless.

Cries of pain and the sound of breaking bones echoed through the inn.

In no time at all, the thugs lay sprawled across the floor, groaning in agony.

The only one left unscathed was the server himself, whose face was now pale as a sheet, all trace of arrogance gone.

His legs shook uncontrollably as he looked at A’zi, terror filling his eyes.

A’zi raised her head, and their gazes met. The force of her presence made the server shrink back, his steps retreating.

As she advanced on him, the server seemed to see death itself looming. His terror grew without limit.

“What do you want? Don’t come any closer! I’m warning you, this is the foot of Mount Hua. If you offend the Mount Hua Sect, you’ll regret it!”

A’zi’s face grew even colder at the threat—she hated nothing more.

With a flick of her wrist, a short blade appeared in her hand. Spinning it with effortless grace, she suddenly stabbed straight for the server’s eye.

“Wait!” Yun Zhonghe’s voice rang out just as the blade was about to strike.

The knife halted in midair, suspended, neither advancing nor retreating.

Seeing A’zi pause, the server thought his threat had worked and his face broke into a triumphant smirk. All his fear evaporated.

“See? You’re scared now, aren’t you—” But before he could finish, Yun Zhonghe interrupted him.

“Since Sect Leader Yue is here, why not show yourself instead of eavesdropping outside? It ill befits your status.”

At these words, everyone instinctively turned toward the doorway.

A middle-aged man entered, dressed in a pale blue robe, his hair bound with a coronet, his brows sharp, his eyes bright as stars. He held a three-foot longsword, his bearing commanding respect without anger.

It was none other than the head of Mount Hua Sect, Gentleman Sword Yue Buqun.

He paid the chaos in the inn no heed, his gaze fixed with gravity on Yun Zhonghe, who sat serenely sipping tea.

Yue Buqun had just arrived outside the inn when Yun Zhonghe sensed his presence—a clear sign of the latter’s profound martial cultivation.

“I’ve long heard of the Gentleman Sword’s reputation; meeting you today, I see it is truly extraordinary,” Yun Zhonghe said, breaking Yue Buqun’s train of thought.

Just as Yue was pondering his reply, the server cried out, “Master Yue, save me!”

Yue Buqun’s appearance gave the server a sense of limitless safety. Oblivious to danger, he shouted, “Master Yue is here! Surrender now and perhaps you’ll be spared!”

Crack!

The sound of breaking bones was followed instantly by a shriek that seemed to pierce the heavens.

“Utter a single sound, and I’ll kill you on the spot!” A’zi’s murderous glare made the server bite back his screams, enduring the pain as resentment burned in his eyes.

Yue Buqun glanced at the server—he already understood the whole sequence of events.

Yun Zhonghe, who had recently become a sensation in the martial world, had suddenly come to Mount Hua; Yue guessed he must have some scheme, which was why he had come in person to investigate.

Moreover, for the sake of his own reputation as the Gentleman Sword, he had to step in for the server’s sake.

“I am now fully apprised of the situation,” Yue Buqun declared. “The server was in the wrong, but you also caused damage and injured people. Let us let the matter rest here. What do you say?”

Yun Zhonghe raised his cup and took a sip. “Very well. For Sect Leader Yue’s sake, I will not pursue the matter further today.”

Seeing Yun Zhonghe agree so readily, a smile appeared on Yue Buqun’s face. He was secretly pleased—Yun Zhonghe’s concession proved the Mount Hua Sect still held considerable sway in the martial world.

But Yun Zhonghe’s next words sent Yue Buqun’s face dark as a storm cloud.