Chu Mo glanced at Miao Yi Niang, "Is someone causing trouble here now?"

A look of confusion crossed Miao Yi Niang's face as she said, "It's been a long time since anyone's caused trouble here."

Xu Fufu looked at Chu Mo and chuckled, "Perhaps they came specifically for you!"

Chu Mo sneered, "If we're comparing, there are definitely more people in Yanhuang City who hate you than those who hate me!"

"Alright, you two stop bickering. I'll go check." Miao Yi Niang said as she stood up and walked toward the door.

"Since we've run into this, let's go see together. Who's so daring as to cause trouble on my turf?" Xu Fufu said.

"Oh, please, who in Yanhuang City knows this is your property?" Miao Yi Niang retorted.

Xu Fufu chuckled, "Let's call it, when seeing injustice on the road, unsheating the sword to help then." He shot a mischievous glance at Miao Yi Niang's abundant chest, "My sword is very good, do you want to try?"

"Get lost!" Miao Yi Niang kicked Xu Fufu's butt, abruptly kicking him out of the room.

Upon opening the door, the commotion downstairs became clearer. A young man was heard grumbling, "I've never seen a pub operate like this, blocking access to certain floors? Damn it, I have loads of money! Do you know who my father is? Do you still want to run this lousy tavern?"

"Well, who your noble father might be, we'll have to ask your mother, us outsiders wouldn't know right? My little tavern is doing pretty well, and I'd like to keep it going, so... do you have a differing opinion?" Miao Yi Niang cast a look at Chu Mo and Xu Fufu as she spoke, making her way downstairs.

The crowd making a racket was on the third floor.

Indeed, the most luxuriously decorated floor in the whole Gluttonous Pavilion is the third floor!

It consisted of various private rooms of different sizes, each elaborately decorated and oozing class. It exhibits high standards and taste without exuding unnecessary extravagance.

The wealthiest individuals in Yanhuang City favored this floor the most. Even many who have the eligibility to dine on the fourth floor would still prefer dining on the third floor.

The fourth floor's decoration, however, is more subdued and understated. If you lack sophistication, you wouldn't appreciate its beauty. Also, the overall atmosphere on the fourth floor is rather high-end, most people wouldn't go there casually, as it can feel overly formal.

The third floor, with its class and elegance, was more suitable for gatherings amongst friends and family.

Miao Yi Niang's remarks were quite subtle, those of lesser intellect might not even realize she was insulting them. The young man didn't notice, his eyes glazed over as he caught sight of the stunning beauty descending the staircase.

Miao Yi Niang frowned, clearly not pleased. She detested the desirous, greedy look in men's eyes, as if wanting to devour her. Although Xu Fufu seemed frivolous, often teasing her, he genuinely respected her.

"Are you the landlady here?" The young man saw Miao Yi Niang's clear distaste in her gaze, quickly composing himself and spoke in a cold tone.

He didn't come for a friendly visit!

Chu Mo and Xu Fufu who followed her downstairs exchanged glances, both understanding what the other was thinking.

"Indeed, you look like a person of status, isn't it quite demeaning to make a fuss here?" Miao Yi Niang answered calmly.

"Ha... A little tavern landlady is quite good at belittling others." said a rugged-looking young man in his thirties, who stood next to the young man, clad in a well-fitted outfit, clearly experienced in combat. "So, just because you think you have some sort of backing, you don't regard anyone else?"

Miao Yi Niang smiled lightly: "Your words are too harsh. Here, it's just a humble tavern. We're always open for business, welcoming any friends to dine here. But for those causing trouble… perhaps they best reconsider."

"Hahaha, it's my first time seeing someone more arrogant than me, especially a tavern landlady, interesting... Truly interesting!" The young man's face turned cold, "Zhang Mo, tell her who I am."

The rugged-faced youth coldly declared, "The son of the Prefect of Qingzhou, Zhang Chong, Zhang Qingyu."

Chu Mo and Xu Fufu tensed up at the mention of 'Prefect of Qingzhou', then exchanged glances, Xu Fufu mouthed silently, "Prince Xia Jing."

Qingzhou, as the closest state to Yanhuang City, was also the largest among the states of Great Xia. As the Prefect of Qingzhou, Zhang Chong naturally held great power and prestige as a high-ranking official. And this Zhang Chong was Prince Xia Jing's closest aide.

Xu Fufu grinned and winked at Chu Mo: See, I told you he came for you, didn't I?

Chu Mo found this somewhat frustrating. Although he knew revenge from Father and Son Xia Jing and Xia Jie was inevitable, he didn't expect it to come this fast. He had just returned to Yanhuang City, and they were already making their move. Yet, isn't such a method a bit crude?

At the same time, Chu Mo couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled. As the Prince of Great Xia, even if Xia Jing was brainless, he wouldn't choose this tactic to make trouble for him. For a person of Xia Jing's status, the best way to retaliate would be to make him disappear from the face of the earth!

Even Xia Jie, despite hating Chu Mo to his guts, would hardly resort to such a brainless method to stir up trouble.

"Did this son of the Prefect create this situation himself?" Chu Mo wondered.

Zhang Qingyu's father was known to be Prince Xia Jing's right-hand man, a well-known fact across Great Xia.

With Prince Xia Jing's fall from power, Zhang Chong's position was severely impacted, as his backing had crumbled. Whether he could retain his position as prefect was unsure.

So naturally, Zhang Qingyu would also hold a grudge against Chu Mo, blaming him for Prince Xia Jing's downfall, since that was what the rumours suggested.

Chu Mo surmised that Zhang Qingyu must have rushed over to stir up trouble upon hearing that Chu Mo was dining at the Gluttonous Pavilion.

Zhang Qingyu probably didn't expect to be stopped by the tavern staff before he could even reach Chu Mo!

Even though Zhang Qingyu, given his position, might just qualify to dine at the fifth floor, the problem was that the staff of the Gluttonous Pavilion didn't recognize this Prefect's son at all.

Understandably, Zhang Qingyu was furious. If he didn't have to maintain his dignity and still wanted to cause trouble for Chu Mo later, he would have smashed the place up already.

Miao Yi Niang, with her brilliant intelligence, instantly understood the situation. She signaled to Chu Mo and Xu Fufu to go back first and promised to handle the situation herself.

Her gesture, however, only served to fuel Zhang Qingyu's anger. He coldly stated, "Does the governor mean nothing in the eyes of a pub matron like you?"

Before Miao Yi Niang could respond, Xu Fufu descended the stairs to stand on the last step, positioning himself slightly higher than Zhang Qingyu. From his elevated position, he looked down at Zhang Qingyu and scoffed, "Indeed, the governor is a remarkable person, managing an extensive territory in our province."

Zhang Qingyu, having done his homework beforehand, knew who this refined young man was. A smile crept onto his face as he listened to Xu Fufu, even pretending not to notice the deliberate 'height strategy'.

However, Xu Fufu followed up with, "And what, exactly, is the governor's son?"

Zhang Qingyu's face immediately drained of color.

Xu Fufu casually cleaned his ears and said in a nonchalant manner, "This is Yanhuang City! Not Qingzhou! If you are planning on causing a scene, you should reconsider. Even your master is too scared to show his face, living like a shrinking turtle at home, so what are you playing at?"

"You... on what basis do you speak to me this way?" Zhang Qingyu desperately wanted to slap the young man standing on the staircase, but upon weighing the situation, he held back.

The status of this young man was far weightier than his as the governor's son. If he really were to act out, not even his father or Xia Jing could protect him.

"I have three words for you," Xu Fufu stared at Zhang Qingyu with icy eyes, "Get out!"

"That's actually only one word," Chu Mo reminded.

"Oh, I have two more words?" Xu Fufu curled his mouth, "Sorry about my math, let's add those two words then."

"Walk away!" he shouted.

A single menacing shout that made Zhang Qingyu shudder.

Xu Fufu shook his head in disappointment and turned to Chu Mo, "So pathetic...you see? Even such a coward tries to pick fights sometimes... really brings shame to his father."

Zhang Qingyu's face turned beet red, his blood rushing to his face. He furiously yelled at Chu Mo, "You bastard Chu...stop hiding behind women and your brother, I am here specifically to fight with you today!"

His derogatory remark made Miao Yi Niang and Xu Fufu livid.

As for Chu Mo—

Slap!

A loud smack erupted, and Zhang Qingyu spun more than a dozen times in place.

He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, which even contained several of his teeth. He then fell onto his backside, looking completely dazed. He had been stunned by Chu Mo's slap.

"Uncultured fool, dare you insult me like this again, and I'll take your life!" Chu Mo stood next to Miao Yi Niang, coldly watching Zhang Qingyu on the ground. He had always hated being called such names.

Everyone knew that Great General Fan Wudi had adopted a child named Chu Mo, who was an orphan.

Therefore, any comments about parents were taboo for Chu Mo. Anyone who dared to insult Chu Mo's parents, regardless of who they were, would face his wrath.

Zhang Qingyu, ignorant of this fact, believed he could freely insult and fight the adopted grandson of a general. What could possibly happen?

It was rumored that Prince Xia Jing had lost his actual power because of Chu Mo, but that was because people believed a princess was involved! Otherwise, why did the Emperor not react when Chu Mo was initially chased down?

Therefore, in his heart, Zhang Qingyu never placed Chu Mo in high regard. He didn't even consider that Chu Mo would not argue or retort. Instead, Chu Mo neatly slapped him senseless, even making him dumbfounded!

"How dare you openly attack the governor's son!"

"Arrest him!"

"Surrender now!"

The young man standing by Zhang Qingyu's side quietly ordered, "Kill on sight!"

The men hesitated momentarily, but they nevertheless charged toward Chu Mo!

Clang!

Clash!

They each drew their weapons, and their body radiated intense killing intent.

"Trying to kill me?" Chu Mo's eyes flashed coldly, and he stepped forward, moving Miao Yi Niang and Xu Fufu behind him, whispering, "Stay still!"

With that, he charged forward. His movements were swift like a ghost, throwing the men out of the window one after another.

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