Free Web NovelChapter 378: Chapter 378: Master Xuli
After a moment of hesitation, Steward Zhou finally made up his mind.
’It’s just taking a look. If this kid dares to deceive me, I have dozens of ways to make Ye Xuan regret ever opening his mouth.’
"Haha, do you think I, Steward Zhou, lack the courage to even take a look? I’d like to see just what it is you’re holding that could supposedly bring me a fatal disaster."
Steward Zhou sneered and stepped forward, his eyes filled with disdain as he casually glanced at the object Ye Xuan was holding.
One look, and his eyes flew wide in horror.
"This... this..."
His mouth fell open, his face a mask of terror.
The anger in his heart was instantly extinguished, as if doused by a bucket of cold water.
The disdainful curl of his lips vanished without a trace.
In that instant, his back broke out in a cold sweat.
In Ye Xuan’s hand was a Token. It was simple, even plain in design, but in Steward Zhou’s eyes, it was more terrifying than anything he had ever seen.
On the face of this Token was a single, simple word: "Artifact."
But this word, "Artifact," was the very symbol of their Artifact Refining Workshop.
He had once seen a similar Token in the possession of Master Xuli, the shopkeeper at the Central Marketplace. It seemed only core members of the Artifact Refining Workshop were qualified to own one.
And "core members" generally referred to individuals on the level of Master Lu Li’s own disciples.
’Could this boy be a new disciple of Master Lu Li?’
A shiver ran down Steward Zhou’s spine at the thought.
He was just a minor steward. He might have some standing outside the Imperial Capital, but if he offended a core member of the Artifact Refining Workshop, they could have him thrown out and ruined in a matter of minutes.
"Sir... Young Master... this... this..."
Cold sweat beaded on Steward Zhou’s forehead. He stammered, utterly at a loss for words.
"Steward Zhou, what’s wrong?"
Shao Jun couldn’t help but ask when he saw this.
Everyone else was rife with suspicion. What on earth was Ye Xuan holding? Why did Steward Zhou look like he had seen a ghost, trembling like a leaf in the wind?
"Steward Zhou, I wonder if you’re the one who can make the final call on today’s events," Ye Xuan said lightly.
Ye Xuan’s words struck Steward Zhou’s mind like a bolt of lightning.
"This... Master, please wait a moment. I’ll be right back."
After speaking, Steward Zhou turned and ran, disappearing into the crowd in the blink of an eye. He fled as if his life depended on it.
"Kid, what the hell did you show Steward Zhou?"
A sudden panic seized Captain Huang’s heart, and he demanded sharply.
"What I choose to show him is none of your business," Ye Xuan sneered.
"You..." Captain Huang was so furious he was speechless, his hair practically standing on end.
Steward Zhou’s behavior left Shao Jun completely at a loss.
"Zhou Tong, where is he? Take me to him, quickly."
Just then, an authoritative voice rang out. The crowd turned to see Steward Zhou, who had just left, running back breathlessly. Following behind him was a middle-aged man.
The man wore the robes of an Artifact Refiner. He had a square face and eyes as sharp and piercing as a hawk’s.
Gasps rippled through the crowd upon seeing this man.
"It’s Master Xuli from the Artifact Refining Workshop’s pavilion."
"What’s he doing here?"
"Master Xuli is the Shopkeeper of the Artifact Refining Workshop’s pavilion in the marketplace and a nominal disciple of Master Lu Li. He rarely makes public appearances. What could possibly be important enough to bring him here in person?"
Steward Zhou quickly led Xuli to the front of the Luo family’s shop, pointed at Ye Xuan, and said, "Master Xuli, he’s the one."
’Him?’
A flicker of doubt crossed Xuli’s otherwise urgent expression.
He had rushed over after Steward Zhou reported that someone with an Artifact Refining Workshop Token was in a confrontation with the Celestial Dragon Guard.
As far as he knew, anyone who possessed an Artifact Refining Workshop Token should be an Artifact Refiner from the workshop.
But his confusion grew when he saw Ye Xuan.
He knew every Artifact Refiner in the Artifact Refining Workshop, but he had never seen this young man before.
Despite his confusion, Xuli quickly approached Ye Xuan. "Sir, I heard you have a Token from our Artifact Refining Workshop. Might I...?"
Before Xuli could finish, Ye Xuan had already taken out the Token and presented it to him.
Upon seeing the Token’s design, Xuli couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath.
The Artifact Refining Workshop’s Tokens were, in fact, categorized. Others might not be able to tell the difference, but as a nominal disciple of Lu Li, how could he not know?
At first glance, Ye Xuan’s Token looked just like his own, but Xuli knew they were worlds apart.
His own Token was merely the standard issue for a nominal disciple of Master Lu Li. Ye Xuan’s Token, however, had a unique insignia next to the word "Artifact," which meant it had been personally bestowed by Master Lu Li himself.
’Could this boy be Master’s new personal disciple?’
A storm of shock raged in Xuli’s heart.
Although he was a disciple of Master Lu Li, he was only a nominal one.
To become a Direct Disciple of Master Lu Li, one had to be a Tier Five Martial Sect, whereas he was currently only a Tier Four Artifact Refiner.
He had only been appointed Shopkeeper of the Artifact Refining Workshop because he had a knack for business, and because many of the Direct Disciples were solely focused on their Artifact Refining studies and unwilling to manage worldly assets. That was the only reason he had been given this chance.
He knew full well that while he might seem impressive and powerful as the Shopkeeper of the workshop’s pavilion in the eyes of most families and powers in the Imperial Capital, he was nothing compared to Master Lu Li’s Direct Disciples.
Therefore, after seeing the Token Ye Xuan produced, Xuli had only one thought: ’I must get on this young man’s good side. I absolutely cannot afford to offend him in the slightest.’
’Even if he isn’t Master’s personal disciple, anyone who can obtain Master’s personal Token must have an extraordinary status.’
"I am Xuli, Shopkeeper of the Artifact Refining Workshop’s pavilion in the marketplace. It is a pleasure to meet you, Young Master. May I ask your name?"
Xuli’s tone was respectful but not without its own dignity, striking a perfect balance of being neither servile nor overbearing.
"Xuan Ye," Ye Xuan said coolly. Xuli’s attitude had earned his approval.
"So it’s Young Master Ye." Xuli declared, "I am not yet aware of the details of your situation, Young Master Ye, but rest assured, no one in the Imperial Capital can throw their weight around at the expense of our Artifact Refining Workshop. If you will trust me, please allow me to handle this."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xuli spun around and demanded sharply of the steward, "Zhou Tong, what is going on here?"
Meeting Xuli’s severe gaze, Zhou Tong’s heart leaped into his throat. He hurriedly recounted everything that had happened, not daring to add or subtract a single detail.
’So that’s what happened.’
After hearing Zhou Tong’s explanation, Xuli’s gaze turned vicious.
"Captain Shao, you’re quite the impressive figure, aren’t you? Daring to take someone from my Artifact Refining Workshop to the Celestial Prison. I wonder who gave you the audacity? Was it Commander Jia, or Commander Sun? I, Xuli, may be a nobody, but I demand justice today. Since when can the Celestial Dragon Guard bully the people of the Artifact Refining Workshop as they please?"
Xuli’s voice was firm and powerful, echoing through the street.
Xuli’s attitude toward Ye Xuan from the moment he arrived had left everyone dumbfounded.
"No, no, Master Xuli! It’s a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding!"
Shao Jun had sensed things were going south long ago. The moment Xuli spoke, cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He rushed to explain, "This was a conflict between the City Construction Department and this young man. I was merely acting as a mediator. Master Xuli, please, you mustn’t misunderstand."
"A misunderstanding?" Xuli said coldly. "Did I hear wrong when Zhou Tong said you were preparing to take Young Master Ye and the Luo family away? Or did Zhou Tong misspeak?"
"No, you’re not mistaken. It was me who was mistaken." Internally, Shao Jun was cursing Huang Zhong’s entire lineage. He hurriedly explained to Xuli, "This young man said the Luo family’s shop is the property of the Artifact Refining Workshop, so I didn’t dare make a move! See? I even brought Steward Zhou over to confirm, didn’t I?"
"The Luo family’s shop? This is clearly a property of my Artifact Refining Workshop! You’re a captain of the Celestial Dragon Guard. Are you blind?" Xuli snapped.
Of course, he knew perfectly well that the Luo family’s shop had nothing to do with the Artifact Refining Workshop.
But at a time like this, even if it were a cesspit, he would have to declare it the property of the Artifact Refining Workshop.
"Yes, yes, I was blind! To not even recognize a property of the Artifact Refining Workshop... I deserve to be cursed, truly."
The once-imposing captain of the Celestial Dragon Guard now wore a miserable expression, looking as pathetic as could be. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
"And you, Captain Huang," Xuli said, turning his cold gaze on Huang Zhong. "You’re quite the big shot yourself. Since when does the City Construction Department have the authority to demolish one of my Artifact Refining Workshop’s properties without our consent?"
As the man in charge of the Artifact Refining Workshop’s marketplace pavilion, Xuli was no fool. He knew perfectly well that Huang Zhong from the City Construction Department was the root of this entire affair.
"Master Xuli, I..."
Huang Zhong stood with his mouth agape, looking as if he were about to cry. He never imagined that Master Xuli from the Artifact Refining Workshop would personally come and stand up for the Luo family. Seeing Xuli’s furious expression, he knew he was in deep, deep trouble.
How could a mere captain from the City Construction Department’s Law Enforcement Team possibly withstand the wrath of the Artifact Refining Workshop?
At this critical moment, he could only shoot a pleading look at Qin Yu.
’This was all Qin Yu’s doing! If it weren’t for him, I never would have gotten involved in this mess!’
"Master Xuli, as far as I know, this shop clearly belongs to the Luo family, doesn’t it? When did it become the property of the Artifact Refining Workshop? Furthermore, the City Construction Department is responsible for the Imperial Capital’s urban planning. Demolishing shops falls within their duties."
Qin Yu had no choice but to step forward and speak on Huang Zhong’s behalf.
He was seething with fury. He had been on the verge of wiping out Ye Xuan and the Luo family in one fell swoop, only for the Artifact Refining Workshop to interfere.
"Ah, so it’s the young master of the Qin family. No wonder you’re so confident. A great and powerful family, truly extraordinary." Xuli sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "So, according to Young Master Qin, should the Artifact Refining Workshop report all our shops and assets to the Qin family from now on? Just so you can deign to tell us what is and isn’t our property?"
