booth fee

Chu Liang’s worries turned out to be somewhat unnecessary. The outburst from the Princess Phoenix did not last long before a bluebird swooped down, alighting atop her pavilion.

This was a bluebird from the Boundless Palace at Tongtian Peak, whose arrival always signified a major gathering of the peak masters.

It was not yet the regular date for such a meeting. The sudden summons surely pertained to the matter of the “Demon God’s return.”

Chu Liang had already reported this news upon his return to the mountain, though at the time it had not spread, and the situation was not yet urgent. Now that the world was aware, the Shu Mountain Sect would naturally need to devise a response.

Since the loss of the Demon-Suppressing Tower, Shu Mountain had been in decline, and people no longer looked to them to save the world. Yet, from top to bottom, the sect persisted in their duty to protect the mortal realm, unwavering for thousands of years.

Such was the responsibility of the old sects.

But when the sky falls, it is the tallest who bear the brunt. The current storm gathered only at the upper echelons, and Chu Liang saw no reason to trouble himself over matters beyond his control.

Seeing that it was nearly noon, he set out for Red Cotton Peak.

Cultivation and making money—he intended to do both.

As the saying goes, one must seize with both hands, and both must be strong.

Red Cotton Peak was bustling. As soon as Chu Liang arrived, someone with keen eyes recognized him as the fruit tea vendor from yesterday.

A voice rang out: “Junior brother, did you make a lot of fruit tea today? I waited in line for ages yesterday and didn’t get any!”

“Don’t worry,” Chu Liang replied with a smile. “Not much.”

The man blinked, feeling a slight discord between Chu Liang’s smile and his words, then hurried over to follow him.

Chu Liang went to the same spot as yesterday, rolled out his small rug, and set up his sign.

“The first cup of fruit tea in spring.”

Immediately, several of yesterday’s unsuccessful customers, driven by curiosity, lined up once more.

In truth, few of those who had queued yesterday were still around today, but such is human nature—when people see a sudden queue, they grow curious about what is being sold. Scenes like this were rare in Red Cotton Market.

Soon, others explained: the smile of Fairy Jiang.

Before long, newcomers joined the fruit tea line.

The thirty jars of fruit tea Chu Liang brewed that day sold out quickly. A few people at the back of the line grumbled in disappointment.

Chu Liang could only rise and bow in apology. “Sorry, please come earlier tomorrow.”

Someone came up and asked, “Junior brother, I’ll pay double—can you sell to me directly next time, without queuing?”

“No,” Chu Liang shook his head with a smile.

If the rules he had established were broken for a few sword coins, the brand’s character would be lost.

It was not worth sacrificing the greater for the lesser.

However, as Chu Liang packed up his stall to leave, something unexpected happened.

...

A few figures approached, surrounding him.

“Hm?” He looked up to see a tall young disciple leading the group, wearing a grim expression and a false smile.

Their robes bore the mark of crossed swords—signifying the Hall of Justice.

---

Were these stewards from the Hall of Justice?

The Hall of Justice governed the laws of Shu Mountain, and their disciples often patrolled Red Cotton Market.

Chu Liang had always conducted himself honestly, so he wondered why they had sought him out.

“Junior brother, I’ve had my eye on you for two days now,” the tall disciple said, staring at Chu Liang. “You’ve been quite the sensation.”

Chu Liang replied calmly, “I’m just running a regular stall.”

“This isn’t regular—you haven’t paid your stall fee,” the young man laughed.

“Stall fee?” Chu Liang frowned. “Is a fee required in Red Cotton Market?”

“Not for the others. But you—organizing queues, occupying a large space, disrupting the market’s order—must report in advance and pay the stall fee,” the disciple said sternly.

“Is there such a rule?” Chu Liang mused.

“What, are you questioning the Hall of Justice?” The disciple narrowed his eyes.

Chu Liang glanced around. To lead a team from the Hall of Justice, he must possess a Golden Core cultivation. The others behind him likely matched Chu Liang’s own—mid to late Divine Will realm.

And the Hall of Justice had the authority to enforce the law at any time.

“No, I’m new here and unfamiliar with the rules,” Chu Liang smiled, his demeanor gentle. “How much is the fee?”

“The fee is usually ten percent,” the disciple sneered. “But since you’re paying after the fact, there’s a penalty. All the sword coins you earned these days must be handed over. Don’t even think about hiding any…”

Chu Liang nodded, “I earned forty-nine sword coins these days.”

Under the disciple’s cold gaze, Chu Liang calmly began to take out the coins.

Without a hint of protest.

“Hm?” The disciple was startled, somewhat surprised.

Chu Liang handed over fifty sword coins, saying serenely, “I’ll round it up—here are fifty coins. You may count them.”

Not only did he not conceal anything, he even added more.

“This…” The disciple hesitated as he accepted the coins.

Seeing him accept the payment, Chu Liang casually asked, “Senior brother, you look familiar. Have we met before?”

“Don’t try to get friendly. If you come again, you’ll pay the fee all the same,” the disciple said with a cold snort.

“I know, but I really think I’ve seen you. Which peak are you from? I think we’ve done a mission together.”

“I’m from Cloud Remote Peak,” the disciple said, pocketing the coins. “I’ve never seen you before.”

“Ah, Senior Brother Wang from Cloud Remote Peak!” Chu Liang slapped his forehead. “I knew I wasn’t mistaken—we’ve worked together!”

“Heh, my surname is Zhang,” the disciple replied, looking at Chu Liang as if he were a fool.

“Perhaps I was mistaken, haha.” Chu Liang chuckled, politely waved, and took his leave.

...

After he left, the disciple sneered, “Tch, he really is stupid—gave whatever was asked. If I’d known, I’d have demanded more.”

---

“Senior Brother Zhang, was that really appropriate?” another disciple from the Hall of Justice asked hesitantly. “Isn’t that just using the Hall’s name to extort money…”

“Oh, that kid has a feud with my junior brother—I only picked on him a bit. Who cares about a few sword coins? We’re entrusted with the law—have you ever seen me act unfairly?” Zhang waved it off and walked away.

Waiting nearby were three people: Shang Ziliang, wrapped in bandages, and his two henchmen.

“Senior Brother Zhang, why only ask for a few coins?” Shang Ziliang said anxiously. “Weren’t you supposed to rough him up and make him unwelcome in Red Cotton Market?”

“I thought he’d resist—then I’d have grounds to deal with him,” Zhang shrugged. “Who knew he’d be so compliant, believing everything I said and paying without a fuss? With all those eyes on us, how could I lay a hand on him?”

“Damn!” Shang Ziliang grumbled.

Last time, he and his two junior brothers schemed against Chu Liang on Treasure Pagoda Peak, only to be crushed by a falling giant lizard, leaving them severely injured.

If not for their cultivator’s physique, they might have died. Luckily, their peak master father healed them, and after a few days, they were mostly recovered. Yesterday, Shang Ziliang went out for some fresh air and wandered through Red Cotton Market.

Unexpectedly, he encountered that hateful Chu Liang again.

Had it not been for him, how would the three of them have ended up like this?

In his heart, he attributed all his pain to Chu Liang, seeing him as a thorn in his side. Especially when he saw Jiang Yuebai approach, smile gently at Chu Liang, and invigorate his fruit tea business…

That was Fairy Jiang.

Someone Shang Ziliang would never dare to dream of.

If only she would smile at him, he’d never bother competing for Xu Ziqing again.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

All these tangled emotions left Shang Ziliang glaring at Chu Liang’s flourishing business as if staring at a mortal enemy.

He wished he could punch him right then and there.

But in his current state—barely able to walk along the wall—he was in no condition to seek revenge. Fortunately, the Hall of Justice steward responsible for Red Cotton Market these days was his fellow senior brother from Cloud Remote Peak, with whom he had a good relationship.

Thus, Shang Ziliang sought out Zhang to help him teach Chu Liang a lesson. With the Hall’s authority, it would be easy to find an excuse and beat him up.

Yet, Chu Liang had been so accommodating.

Not only did he not resist, he seemed almost welcoming.

“Don’t worry,” Zhang said with a grin. “If he comes tomorrow, I’ll use a different method. Even if he’s stupid, surely he’ll lose patience after a few days. The moment he resists, I’ll teach him a lesson for you. If he doesn’t resist, I’ll pressure him until he never dares return to Red Cotton Market.”

“Excellent,” Shang Ziliang said with a hateful nod.

“But…” Henchman A, twisting his bandaged neck, spoke with difficulty, “I have a feeling it’s not that simple… He was too cooperative!”

“What’s not simple? He’s clearly a fool,” Zhang laughed. “He even waved at me.”

Henchman A looked to Henchman B. “What do you think?”

Henchman B gazed up at the sky and suddenly said, “I think we should go get something good to eat.”