Chapter 9, unable to extricate oneself from the obsession of storytelling

Hurry up, hurry up, I am still waiting to hear "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber"

Dear guest, you can simply call us the waitstaff. As for this braised tofu with meat, it is a signature dish of our restaurant, prepared with a new method and new seasonings, the taste is truly beyond description. Although the price is a bit high, even the emperor in the palace says it is delicious, and he feels unsatisfied if he doesn't have two plates every day

One by one, they took their seats, and before long, it was completely filled. Those who wished to enter could only wait for the next wave. How about a plate of stir-fried shredded pork with green peppers?

The other servants heard about it, and naturally, they went back to discuss it in the manor. Of course, as it is passed from mouth to mouth, some inaccuracies are inevitable, and a slight exaggeration is also to be expected

It is none other than Cheng Chuliang, one of the shareholders of the tavern, who kicked the Hu people out. If they do not pay, they will not be allowed to enter! Do they dare to complain? What a joke, the Great Tang has destroyed countless nations; which neighboring country has not been pressed to the ground and beaten by the Great Tang? Do these Hu people dare to make a sound in Chang'an of the Great Tang? It is simply like lighting a lamp in a toilet, seeking death!

This resentment cannot be swallowed, not only can Li Hui not swallow it, but all the young masters of Chang'an cannot swallow it either. The little birds no longer play, the Pingkang Alley is no longer visited, and the common women no longer tease. We must go to Cheng Chuliang to settle the score! Let us go now, immediately! Even those with broken arms and legs must support each other and go together

However, it is a good thing to enjoy reading. Although born into a family of military officials, having some knowledge is always appealing. In the future, when someone speaks of marriage, it will provide a bit more confidence, won't it

A month may not seem long, but it is sufficient for Li Yi to transcribe the content of the first ten chapters of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," and it is also enough to say that two months have passed.

After much effort, all the necessary etiquette was observed, and a group of young men rushed towards Cheng Chuliang's villa. Li Hui, with his keen eyesight, spotted Cheng Chuliang from a distance, shaking his head and holding a stack of unbound papers, which he referred to as a book, though that description was somewhat inaccurate; to be precise, it was a pile of paper.

"Wait a moment, wait a moment." Li Hui set down the items in his hands, patted a brother who was fiercely striking nearby, signaling everyone to stop. He raised a stack of paper in his hand and said, "These things are quite interesting!"

The restaurant is just a restaurant, anyway it is already mealtime. The guest cautiously sat down on the chair, placing both hands on the table. To be honest, this set of furniture known as table and chairs is much more comfortable than the couches in other restaurants. At least my back doesn't ache, my legs don't hurt, and sitting here feels particularly relaxing

It does not refer literally to the potential "technique of slaughtering dragon offspring," but rather to something esoteric and difficult to learn yet lacking in practicality. Moreover, emperors often regard themselves as the Son of Heaven. For instance, in Wu Cheng'en's "Journey to the West," how many dragons were killed? The emperors of the Ming Dynasty did not execute Wu Cheng'en, nor did they ban "Journey to the West"; on the contrary, it was widely promoted, and even read within the imperial palace.

Cheng Chuliang has recently become so engrossed in "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" that he cannot extricate himself; even a single day without reading it makes him feel less at ease, even as a dandy.

This does not exist because the term "Dragon Slayer" is taboo, originating from "Zhuangzi · Lie Yukou"

The young scions, who were currently beating up Cheng Chuliang to relieve their pent-up frustrations, gathered around...

Brothers, hurry up, I can't wait any longer

The gravel path in front of the door is lined with two horizontal stones, beneath which a gentle stream flows. Beside it stands a small artificial hill, and in front of the hill is a small windmill-like structure that spins round and round. Water flows down from the hill, and this small feature at the entrance has attracted many citizens of Chang'an, who stop to watch, as it is something they have never seen before

Other things such as resplendent gold and jade, flying eaves and painted corners, and misty waves need not be mentioned; let it be as extravagant as it can be

The young scions certainly did not have that many; Cheng Chuliang brought fewer than twenty people. Among them were already some individuals who appeared to be quite wealthy. Upon seeing a group of young men burst in, all dressed in fine clothes and riding spiritedly, some even carrying large swords on their backs, which were the latest trend, seemingly called Dragon-Slaying Swords, the name alone sounded quite domineering

The blade must be pitch black, appearing to be without edge or point; it should look neither like metal nor iron, weighing at least over 100 pounds. The tip of the blade should be crescent-shaped, resembling the large sabers from beyond the pass; the back of the blade should be flat and thick, slightly adorned with a wavy serrated pattern, while the cutting edge must be smooth as usual. The blade should be 8 feet 6 inches long, and the grip should be 15 inches long. The junction between the blade and the grip must be cast in the shape of a dragon's head as a handguard, and the end of the grip should be shaped like a dragon's tail to accommodate a long tassel. As for the remaining details, there is no need to mention any inscriptions such as 'Treasure Blade Slaying Dragons, Commanding the Martial World'; money is not an issue, but if the craftsmanship is poor, one might end up with broken legs. The junction between the blade and the grip must be cast in the shape of a dragon's head as a handguard, and the end of the grip should be shaped like a dragon's tail to accommodate a long tassel. As for the remaining details, there is no need to mention any inscriptions such as 'Treasure Blade Slaying Dragons, Commanding the Martial World'; money is not an issue, but if the craftsmanship is poor, one might end up with broken legs.

The changes in their young master were observed by the household servants, who felt joy in their hearts. Naturally, when they were happy, they wanted to share this with others. Whether going out to buy something or chatting with the servants from the Wang residence, or exchanging a few words with the maids from the Wu residence, they would boast about their young master's progress.

A group of young rascals, who had been thoroughly beaten by their elders, approached with sinister smiles.

When it comes to the wealthy young masters, who doesn't have a bit of money? They immediately paid the fee in a flurry, and although the aroma of the dishes in the restaurant was incredibly enticing and the tables and chairs were quite novel, their desire to listen to the story still urged the young masters to prioritize finishing the book before having their meal

The crowd gathered at the entrance grew larger, yet most ordinary citizens hesitated to approach. After all, the exterior appeared truly resplendent, and the prices were likely not to be cheap. However, some individuals with a bit of savings walked in confidently under the eager gazes of the young women at the door, familiar with the process of waiting for the madam to introduce beautiful girls. Instead, they were greeted by a burly shop assistant.

The blacksmiths in the eastern and western markets suddenly received numerous orders, all of which were from the young masters within the city of Chang'an

Zhu Pingman studied dragon-slaying in Zhili Yi, a family of great wealth. After three years, his skills were perfected, yet he found no opportunity to apply his talents

The blacksmiths were very pleased, but upon hearing the request, they found themselves in a difficult position

Now this is good, the gentlemen passing by can hardly move, and those with female companions might even get a big walnut thrown at them. But you can't just stand there watching, can you? Then, a burly waiter, as strong as an ox, comes out and says, "Guest, would you like a pot of wine inside?" After that, even if you don't intend to go in, you can only brace yourself and enter. It's a joke; these waiters are all from the military, and their chests are more impressive than the four beauties standing at the entrance. Their fists are as big as sandbags, capable of killing a calf with a single punch. After he says, "Guest, would you like a pot of wine inside?" even if you don't plan to go in, you can only brace yourself and enter. It's a joke; these waiters are all from the military, and their chests are more impressive than the four beauties standing at the entrance. Their fists are as big as sandbags, capable of killing a calf with a single punch.

When Li Yi heard this news in the house he rented at Changlefang, he was somewhat taken aback. He did not expect that his "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" had not even officially begun to be narrated, yet hand-copied versions were already circulating in Chang'an. Although the spread was not yet extensive, this was unacceptable. He had planned to have these novels narrated by storytellers in the taverns, with one segment told each week. If it spread before the narration even started, it would certainly impact his business.

The esteemed guest's face flushed with embarrassment, well then, I am not running a brothel, but rather a respectable restaurant.

However, thanks to this incident, those young masters who originally only wanted to see the jokes of Cheng Chuliang and Li Hui are now increasingly looking forward to the opening of the Tian Shang Ren Jian restaurant. As for the food and drinks, that can be set aside for now; the storyteller that Cheng Chuliang mentioned is still someone worth seeing on that day.

Li Hui, whose face was bruised and swollen from the beating, was truly angry this time

There is no way, a robust young man, resembling a calf, shakes his head and sways with a scholarly demeanor, holding a book in his hand, while reciting phrases that are quite poetic. Although some of it is difficult to comprehend, it is evident that he is reading

Just as Li Hui had returned from strolling through Pingkang Fang (the famous red-light district of the Tang Dynasty), he passed by the door of Li Xiaogong's house, stealthily following the close attendants discussing topics among men. Li Xiaogong, having neither drunk wine nor eaten any side dishes, no longer paid attention to Hu Xuan. He stood up, opened the door, and caught the terrified Li Hui, giving him a beating. According to later accounts, the stick was as thick as his waist, and when the prince picked it up, he struck down with such force that it broke instantly, leaving Li Hui unable to survive the beating. Hu Xuan also ceased to pay attention, stood up, opened the door, and caught the terrified Li Hui, giving him a beating. According to later accounts, the stick was as thick as his waist, and when the prince picked it up, he struck down with such force that it broke instantly, leaving Li Hui unable to survive the beating.

Upon a closer look, there were uniquely arranged tables and chairs set up in squares. Occasionally, a few beautiful young women could be seen serving dishes with smiles on their faces. Before a dish was even served, a man would raise his voice to sing the name of the dish, infused with the charm of Qin opera, creating a very captivating atmosphere

Without mentioning the extensive knowledge gained from reading, akin to the literary star descending to earth, at the very least, one should reach the level of being so absorbed in study during the day that one forgets to eat and sleep, and reading by the light of a lamp at night. As for the necessity of sleep, do scholars really need to sleep? When this reached the ears of the lady of the house, she naturally seized her son's ear and pointed in the direction of the Duke of Lu's residence, saying: "The second son of the Duke of Lu has already started studying, what are you still playing at? Hurry up and go study!" If he still disobeys, he is sure to receive a beating from his father. The lady of the house naturally seized her son's ear and pointed in the direction of the Duke of Lu's residence, saying: "The second son of the Duke of Lu has already started studying, what are you still playing at? Hurry up and go study!" If he still disobeys, he is sure to receive a beating from his father.

Cheng Chuliang is studying? The servants are somewhat surprised, as everyone knows he is the kind of person who has scared off all the teachers. His father, Duke Lu Guogong Cheng Yaojin, has gone to great lengths to make him study, often breaking his legs in the process. The household servants have witnessed this several times, each time with a stick as thick as an arm being broken into several pieces. Yet, Master Cheng Chuliang still limps away and runs off as usual

A blacksmith knelt down at that moment, tears streaming down his face: "Young master! I have no enmity or grievance with you, why must you break my legs? If you truly intend to break my legs, then just do it directly, do not make it so difficult for me!"

The Tian Shang Ren Jian Restaurant has finally welcomed the day of its official opening

What kind of dish is "Little Two, Tofu Stewed Meat"?

Not long after its opening, the entire establishment was already crowded with people. Some individuals from the Hu ethnic group, seeing the lively scene, also wished to enter, but they were stopped as soon as they reached the entrance

The Listening Room is a name given by Li Yi, which is essentially a large private room on the second floor. All ordinary tables and chairs have been removed, and a small platform has been built against the wall, featuring a lectern. On the lectern, there is a wooden gavel, and below it are rows of chairs arranged in a staggered manner, without any tables. The chairs are quite special, with a small platform on the right side, holding a small plate with a cup of tea, and the plate contains sun-dried melon seeds. Nearby, there are beautiful young ladies ready to serve tea at any time, providing attentive and meticulous service

The guest noticed a rather expensive dish name that he had never heard of before, and he looked curiously at the waiter beside him

The same events are also unfolding at other tables

Li Hui's luck was not so good; the news that Cheng Chuliang enjoyed reading did not reach his mother's ears, but it did reach his father's ears

Cheng Chuliang, feeling somewhat embarrassed, clasped his hands together and led his brothers straight towards the second floor to engage in battle

As soon as the lantern in the room was extinguished, a light remained on the stage. A storyteller stepped forward and struck the wooden block, bang!

Cheng Chuliang was energetically kicking the Hu people, while the young scions behind were still queuing to enter the restaurant, urging impatiently.

Esteemed guest, please come in

You, Cheng Chuliang, are a spoiled brat who eats dog feces. What are you reading books for when you have nothing to do? Everyone says that we share blessings and face difficulties together, but whoever reads is a fool. Why are you so eager to be a fool?

It is just that the servants at home looked at him with a somewhat strange expression

The total number of people that can be seated in a room is not many; a single room can accommodate only two hundred people.

I apologize, I apologize. Brothers, follow me. Today I will take you to experience what a true listening hall is like

The robust waiter pointed his finger at the small sign beside him: "Do you see? Hu people must pay one hundred gold to enter the Heavenly Realm. If you want to go to the second floor, you must pay one thousand gold. Our esteemed establishment is not a place where you smelly Hu people can just wander in without any discernment."

Of course, when arriving at someone else's doorstep, it is impossible to say that one is there to confront Cheng Chuliang. Each person respectfully presents their name cards, and the doorman announces their arrival. Upon meeting the elderly lady, a group of young and spirited gentlemen bows respectfully. It would be foolish not to show respect at the residence of the Duke of Lu; they are rascals, not fools.

Li Yi had long heard that the Tang Dynasty was renowned for its openness, with women casually wearing open-front skirts. To describe it, it is somewhat akin to the low-cut deep V outfits of later generations. Although it is unclear why those beautiful young women wearing open-front skirts would blush and secretly send flirtatious glances at themselves, some bolder ones would even whisper, "Your Highness, it's annoying to make us wear such clothes"

Later, Li Yi came to understand that during the early Tang Dynasty, in the Zhenguan period, the social customs were still quite conservative. It was not until the later period of Emperor Gaozong that society began to open up. However, it did not matter; since the clothes had been made at great expense, he might as well wear them, as no one was saying he could not wear them

With both hands tucked into the sleeves, the mind wandered to the images of the masters flying about in "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber." Raising a hand to perform the Seven Injuries Fist, and recalling the Nine Yang Divine Art, occasionally even mouthing a few lines, it truly felt quite immersive. Inspired by these thoughts, I turned around and returned to my room, eagerly picking up a handwritten copy of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" to read.

A shop assistant approached and handed over a beautifully crafted piece of paper, on which was written a series of words, those being the names of the dishes

However, the most captivating sight was the four youthful and beautiful young ladies standing at the entrance, dressed in the modified ru skirts designed by Li Yi.

Alas? How did you all come here... Woe!

In a moment, the young scions of Chang'an were in chaos, with the sounds of chickens flying and dogs barking, accompanied by the clamor of wind, rain, and sticks echoing in the ears

The eyes of the Hu people widened in shock, their hands trembling with anger, just as they were about to curse, when suddenly a kick came flying from behind, sending him flying to the side

Then, let's have one.

On Zhuque Street, a group of ruffians marched towards the Duke's residence with great momentum, causing even the patrolling warriors and the unsavory characters to fearfully avoid them

There are also a few individuals who, inappropriately, wish to reach out and touch the chest of the girl at the door, whether it is real or fake. The shop assistant approached and delivered a punch that struck the ground with a grunt, and those unruly individuals were directly taken away by the bad characters who rushed over with * pictures * and * books *.

Hi, this little rascal is really studying! He even copied a reading material by hand!

As for who leaked it, there is no need to mention it; the only person who has a handwritten copy is Cheng Chuliang. I originally intended to discuss this matter with Cheng Chuliang, but when I saw him, he had already been beaten to a pulp, and that handwritten copy had long been passed around to who knows where.

The person next to me who claimed to be a waiter, although incredibly strong in build, had a loud voice that was neither servile nor arrogant. Unlike the waiters in other restaurants who seemed to bend almost to the ground, I did not feel neglected at all. On the contrary, seeing the waiter dressed neatly in his attire evoked a sense of being part of the upper class within me, causing me to unconsciously straighten my back.

Li Huishen kicked twice and was immediately pushed out. Looking at the scattered papers on the ground, he said that he would tear them up clean today. He picked up a piece of paper and was about to start tearing it when he suddenly realized something was off. This is not the Confucian classics, poetry, or songs, is it?

Today, what I would like to discuss with you is the first chapter of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber"

What can be done? Is it really necessary to kill him? Fortunately, he has an older brother, Cheng Chumo, who, despite his youth, has already been following the Duke on various campaigns, accumulating numerous military achievements. At this moment, he is still in the northern desert, chasing the rebellious Turks, so there is no need to worry about the decline of the family.

As Cheng Chuliang was savoring the re-reading of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," he turned his head and saw the approaching young rascals, only to be knocked down to the ground and beaten up the next moment

Get lost, you are blocking my way, I am still waiting to listen to the storyteller!

Li Xiaogong was at home, enjoying a drink and some snacks, watching the dancer in his backyard twirling gracefully as she performed the Hu Xuan dance. He heard that his old friend's son had begun to strive diligently, devoted to his studies to the point of neglecting food and sleep. He felt a deep sense of joy in his heart, genuinely happy for his friend Duke Lu.

Access to the second floor requires a membership card. Of course, everyone does not understand what a membership card means, but the waiter provides a brief explanation, and it becomes clear. It essentially involves making a prepayment, which is equivalent to storing money in the restaurant. In the future, when dining, the amount will be directly deducted. If the balance is insufficient, one can simply add more funds. However, the initial card fee is relatively high, costing 500 per person.

The once noisy room has quieted down, and the sound insulation of the room is quite good, with not much noise coming from outside

Mr. He is an experienced innkeeper, but when he stepped into the newly renovated restaurant renamed "Heaven on Earth" a month later, he was still taken aback by the luxurious decor before him

Over there, the young rascals were having a great time fighting, while here, Li Hui, holding a stack of paper, surprisingly sat down on the steps beside him, imitating Cheng Chuliang's earlier demeanor, and began to watch with great interest.