Please, Young Master, Slay the Demon!
Chapter 532 - 5 Absolutely Not [Request for Monthly Votes!]_1

Chapter 532: Chapter 5 Absolutely Not [Request for Monthly Votes!]_1

After observing the general situation, Chu Liang decided to take his leave. Jiang Yuebai and the others were waiting for him outside. As the knife seemed impossible to retrieve in a short while, they had no chance of having a meal there, so he did not need to stay and cause further commotion.

Before leaving, Official Chen held Chu Liang and advised him, "Master Chef Xue just mentioned his concerns, it is preferred not to spread the news about the missing famous knife."

He briefly explained that Xue Yipin was worried that this missing knife could affect the business of famous chefs everywhere.

Even without the treasure blade, the dishes still have to be cooked.

However, this knife is somewhat a symbol of famous chefs. Most of the time, if you don’t mention changing knives, many people won’t notice changes in the dishes; but if news of changing the knife is leaked, some will think the dishes have changed.

Master Chef Xue’s point is, while the Regent Residence will strive to find it, if it can’t be found, it would be better to let the knife quietly disappear.

Chu Liang nodded, showing his understanding, and then left the room.

The Shu Mountain group waiting downstairs naturally asked what happened. Chu Liang just sighed, "There was a strange case, we will have to go eat somewhere else."

Although Jiang Yuebai was somewhat disappointed, luckily there were many alternatives in his notebook. So, they went directly to the inner city, winding their way to the Imperial City.

There was an inconspicuous two-story building, neither its facade nor its name were large, but the words on it were imposing: "Imperial City Tavern."

This tavern was a place where the imperial chefs made extra money. Usually, there were about ten imperial chefs on duty in the Imperial City, ready to serve at any time. But when there were no royal banquets, two chefs were enough to make a table’s worth of dishes, the rest were mostly idle.

They discussed amongst themselves and decided to open a tavern outside the Imperial City, and the idle chefs could come out and practice their skills. It was also nearby, so if there was a sudden banquet in the palace, it was convenient to rush back.

Because of the reputation of the imperial chefs, the business of the Imperial City Tavern was still booming every day. The chefs were so busy that they had to raise their prices to deter half of their customers. The Emperor was aware of it and did not mind the chefs earning extra money on the side.

They arrived at mealtime and had to wait a while before a private room became available.

The private rooms here were simple and elegant, looking quite modest. However, once the menu was opened, it was not modest at all.

Ling Ao remained silent, Xu Ziyang frowned, and even Jiang Yuebai casually said, "It’s so expensive."

"We don’t come here often, just order whatever you want," Chu Liang said with a smile.

He looked at the fine dishes on the menu and randomly selected seven or eight that seemed appealing. There is no such luxury on Shu Mountain, so it’s okay to indulge a bit when they finally get to venture out.

Ling Ao sighed, "This meal is ridiculously expensive..."

"Don’t worry, I’m paying", Chu Liang laughed.

"You’re becoming more and more extravagant," Ling Ao said. "I’m afraid I won’t dare to be friends with you soon."

Chu Liang laughed and replied, "I don’t choose friends based on money..."

The four of them thoroughly enjoyed the luxurious banquet. They tasted these royal recipes one by one, and the flavours were indeed extraordinary.

In the middle of the meal, Xu Ziyang suddenly said, "We should have invited our Master. He is usually frugal, saving resources for my fellow brothers, I’m sure he has never eaten things like these."

Chu Liang, looking at this good disciple who thinks of his master at this moment, suddenly thought of Empress Feng.

Thankfully, she didn’t need him to worry about her.

The Master usually lives lavishly, as if she wishes to spend all the resources of her descendants. She must have enjoyed all of these too.

He waved his hand and called the servant, "Make another portion of these dishes, we’ll take some back for Junior Uncle Master Wang."

"This..." Xu Ziyang seemed to want to say something.

Chu Liang directly gave him a reassuring look.

Given his current fortune, neither eating nor drinking would make him poor. As long as he didn’t make reckless investments, he couldn’t talk about being wasteful.

They had had their fill and were content to return to their residence in Emperor Qiu’s place.

Chu Liang looked back and suddenly said, "You guys go ahead, I am going to find that Junior Brother Liu from earlier, I have something to ask him."

"What’s the question?" Jiang Yuebai asked curiously.

"I’ll tell you later," Chu Liang gave a mysterious smile.

The other three found it strange, but seeing that Chu Liang did not want to elaborate, they left first.

...

Earlier, in the knife box of the famous chef, Chu Liang had faintly smelled a powder fragrance and found it rather familiar. After some thinking, he realized it was the same as the fragrance he had smelled on Liu Yunzheng during the day.

The scent was somewhat unique and probably rare.

During the daytime conversation, Liu Yunzheng had mentioned his father was a general in the City Patrol, his residence was not far from the Imperial City, so it was easy to find. Chu Liang promptly went there and made his identity known.

In a short while, Liu Yunzheng came hurrying out to meet him.

"Senior Brother Chu!" He quickly stepped out from the entrance of his residence and personally welcomed Chu Liang in, instructing the doorman, "Next time Senior Brother Chu comes, he can go straight in without needing to announce."

"You’re too polite, Junior Brother Liu," Chu Liang replied with a smile.

Liu Yunzheng appeared much healthier, and with the help of the Treasure Medicine, his meridians were fully repaired. There should be no major effect on tomorrow’s fight.

Therefore, he was very grateful to Chu Liang.

"I came to ask Junior Brother Liu about something." Chu Liang inquired, "I smelt a rather unique fragrance on you during the day. I was curious and wanted to ask if it came from the Hundred Flower Building?"

"Fragrance?" At this moment, Liu Yunzheng had already freshened up, and naturally, the scent was no longer present. After a moment of recollection, he said, "I suppose that’s the unique scent of Yunshang’s powdered fragrance. I didn’t pay much attention, but now that you’ve mentioned it, her perfume does have a unique scent."

"It’s unique to Lady Yunshang?" Chu Liang asked again.

"At least I haven’t smelled it elsewhere." Liu Yunzheng was also somewhat puzzled as to why Chu Liang, a man, would be curious about the scent of powder.

"Then, apart from you, would anyone else have got the scent on them?" Chu Liang asked again.

Liu Yunzheng’s expression became slightly serious, "Senior Brother Chu, Yunshang may be a brothel woman, but she has always maintained her purity, only establishing a relationship with me."

"I see." Chu Liang nodded.

"She didn’t choose to fall into the dust willingly, but her father was punished and died when she was a child, her mother is seriously ill, and her younger brother still needs to go to school..." Liu Yunzheng sighed.

"It’s truly touching." Chu Liang agreed.

Liu Yunzheng continued, "So, Senior Brother Chu, if you have any thoughts about Yunshang, I advise you to forget them. She and I have vowed to be together forever, and besides me, she would never consider anyone else."

"You can rest assured on that score, I absolutely won’t." Chu Liang quickly shook his head.

After chatting for a few more moments, he got up and said goodbye, "I won’t disturb your rest any longer, Junior Brother Liu. Conserve your energy and aim for victory tomorrow."

"I will be grateful for your auspicious words, Senior Brother Chu." Liu Yunzheng saw him out of the residence before stopping.

...

After leaving Liu’s residence, Chu Liang headed to the Hundred Flower Building. The city of Yu was brightly lit at night, its long streets like a river of stars. A building circled by blooming flowers looked extraordinarily luxurious.

This was one of the famous brothels in town, the Hundred Flower Building.

Across the street was a store selling rouge and powder, and there was also a line of people waiting outside. Having this shop across from the brothel seemed like a smart location.

Upon stepping in, Chu Liang saw song and dance performances in the main hall. Immediately, a procures came over, "Oh, this gentleman is a new face. It is your first time visiting us, huh? What kind of girl do you like? Shall I introduce you to a couple?"

"I am here for Lady Yunshang." Chu Liang plainly stated.

"Yunshang?" the procures laughed, "She’s one of the top courtesans of our establishment and isn’t easily..."

Before she could finish, Chu Liang tossed her a bag as a tip.

Upon catching and opening the bag, the procures found it full of Spirit Stone Coins which were far more valuable than gold and silver and easily exchangeable in Yu.

Her smile immediately bloomed like a wild chrysanthemum: "Lady Yunshang is currently available. I’ll take you to her right away."

She took Chu Liang to a room on the third floor and went in to speak softly. Moments later, she emerged beaming, "Lady Yunshang is waiting for you inside. Please head right in, sir."

Chu Liang entered the room to find a gentle woman sitting at a table behind a screen. Her striking appearance and vulnerability were quite touching.

"I heard it’s the gentleman’s first time here. How did you find out about me?" Yunshang asked softly.

"Through a friend." Chu Liang did not waste time on small talk. He sat down, ready to dive into the main topic.

This answer led to a puzzled look from Yunshang.

Now, Chu Liang asked, "Lady Yunshang, your perfume has a unique scent, where did you buy that powder?"

"You have a sharp nose, sir." Yunshang giggled, "This perfume was mixed especially for me by the master of the Aroma Square across the street. I’m the only person who uses this specific scent."

"Oh, I see..." Chu Liang cast a glance in the direction of the shop across the street, casually asking, "It mustn’t have come cheap, right?"

"In this line of work, the goal is to please the men, darlings, so it’s only natural we make some efforts to beautify ourselves." Yunshang elegantly remarked.

"So Lady Yunshang, how many men have you been close with in your line of work?" Chu Liang asked suddenly.

"Hmm?" Yunshang paused for a moment, bursting into laughter, "Are you joking, sir? We chatt with our clients about refined subjects, nothing more or less..."

With a swift movement, Chu Liang placed a heavy bag on the table.

Yunshang opened it to see, her reaction was the same as procures’s before. Her gaze at Chu Liang instantly warmed up.

"I’ve had only three." Yunshang confessed. "The first was naïve and inexperienced, he was a bit ignorant and got cheated. The second was passionate, but we didn’t get along well. The third one... that’d be you, sir. I hope that you are..."

Alright then.

Giving the standard answer, aren’t we?

Without saying much, Chu Liang slid another bag across the table, "I would appreciate your honesty, lady."

Yunshang looked at it, paused and quickly answered, "Seventeen."

"Then, who came to see you last night?" Chu Liang passed another bag.

The three heavy bags of Spirit Stone coins on the table finally confirmed Chu Liang as a good friend in Yunshang’s eyes.

She readily replied, "Only Iron Head Zhao from the Sword Casting Sect came last night."