Becoming a Saint From the Iron Armor Skill

The moment this plate of steamed fish was placed on the table, a rich fragrance filled the air, utterly enticing. It was far beyond what any ordinary steamed fish could compare to. Without even taking a bite, everyone knew this was a genuine Spirit Fish.

The middle-aged shopkeeper stood by, bowing slightly, and said cautiously, "This Spirit Fish was caught from Jishui Lake this morning. It was still alive when it reached our restaurant. Our master chef then painstakingly prepared it to preserve its original essence, which is exceptionally nourishing for a Martial Artist’s qi and blood.

Please, sirs, have a taste."

Liu Yunfeng’s expression darkened slightly. He didn’t pick up his chopsticks. Mr. Mu, old and shrewd, also remained silent.

This Spirit Fish and the previous green carp were similar in size, and they looked nearly identical after being cooked. However, the aroma they gave off was worlds apart. One could easily tell the difference by scent alone.

How could a waiter at a major establishment like Drunken Immortal Tower mistake a real Spirit Fish for a fake one and serve the wrong dish?

Furthermore, this was Room A. Every dish on the table was a rare delicacy and incredibly valuable. From cooking to serving, everything was supposed to be meticulously prepared. It was even more unlikely for a mistake to happen here.

To cause such a blunder while knowing the Branch Chief Constable of the Ruyi Square Sub-Department was dining here... there had to be some ulterior motive.

Everyone present was an official from the City Guard Department. They were used to dealing with all sorts of characters in their daily duties. Each of them was sharp and perceptive, so of course they all realized something was wrong.

Chen Cheng frowned slightly. ’Drunken Immortal Tower’s behavior is so abnormal,’ he thought. ’It’s probably related to that Young Master Wang from earlier.’

Although he had been the one to organize this banquet, Liu Yunfeng had just been promoted to Branch Chief Constable. He was now the most powerful man in Ruyi District. How to handle this situation was up to him. It was a matter of showing proper respect to a superior.

Everyone else shared Chen Cheng’s thoughts. They remained silent and looked to Liu Yunfeng.

The room instantly fell quiet, so silent you could hear a pin drop.

The middle-aged shopkeeper had obviously realized the gravity of the situation. A chill ran down his spine, and he cursed his luck internally.

He had slighted officials from the City Guard Department—and not just any officials, but the Branch Chief Constable who directly oversaw the Ruyi Square Sub-Department. Even if the Drunken Immortal Tower had powerful backing, they were in for a rough time.

If something truly went wrong, he would have no way to explain himself to the owner. His time as shopkeeper would likely be over.

At this thought, the middle-aged shopkeeper shot a pleading look at Su Chenglin before bowing to Liu Yunfeng. "It is all my fault for being negligent. I beg for your forgiveness, Sir."

Liu Yunfeng’s expression turned frigid. "Shopkeeper," he said coldly, "did you really think that I and my colleagues from the City Guard Department wouldn’t be able to tell a real Spirit Fish from a fake? That you could just fool us as you please?"

The middle-aged shopkeeper shivered in fear and hastily replied, "I would never dare think such a thing! I am sincerely admitting my mistake. Please, Sir, forgive me."

At this moment, Su Chenglin spoke up. "Shopkeeper Qiu, the Drunken Immortal Tower has such a grand reputation, yet you managed to serve the wrong dish. As the shopkeeper, shouldn’t you provide a reasonable explanation?"

The street where the Drunken Immortal Tower was located was under Su Chenglin’s jurisdiction, and he had naturally received plenty of benefits from the restaurant over the years.

On the surface, his words were a reprimand, but they were actually meant to help Shopkeeper Qiu out of his predicament, giving him a chance to explain and save face.

Shopkeeper Qiu hurriedly explained, "This was indeed an oversight on our part. We only had one Spirit Fish in the restaurant today. After Master Li ordered it, I had it prepared well in advance.

However, that Young Master Wang sent someone over around noon, saying he also had an honored guest who wanted Spirit Fish. I urgently dispatched someone to our Drunken Immortal Tower branch in Lishui District to get another one. That fish just arrived and is being cooked now.

Young Master Wang’s party was very insistent, and the waiter delivering the food was probably afraid of getting on his bad side. He must have decided to send this Spirit Fish to Young Master Wang’s room, Room D, first.

As for the green carp from before, the waiter brought that on his own initiative, intending for you gentlemen to eat that first while the real Spirit Fish was being cooked. He planned to bring the Spirit Fish over once it was ready.

How could I dare to make you gentlemen wait? As soon as I found out, I rushed over to rectify the situation, which is how we avoided a major disaster.

That waiter doesn’t know what’s good for him, slighting you gentlemen like that. I’ll fire him immediately."

Shopkeeper Qiu’s explanation seemed to make some sense. It showed that he had no intention of being disrespectful, and in fact held the officials of the City Guard Department in high regard. It also shifted all the blame onto the hapless waiter.

"Mr. Liu, it was an unintentional mistake on Shopkeeper Qiu’s part. Perhaps we can let this matter go?" Su Chenglin suggested.

"Today’s gathering was Ah Cheng’s invitation; the rest of us are just his guests." Liu Yunfeng suddenly smiled. Since the Drunken Immortal Tower hadn’t intentionally tried to embarrass him, the new Branch Chief Constable, he couldn’t be bothered to pursue it. He turned to Chen Cheng and asked, "Ah Cheng, what do you think?"

Chen Cheng, being perceptive, understood. Shopkeeper Qiu from the Drunken Immortal Tower had seemingly blamed an ignorant waiter, but the truth was likely that the shopkeeper himself had orchestrated this whole fiasco. The restaurant didn’t want to offend Young Master Wang.

Meanwhile, Liu Yunfeng’s attitude made it clear that, as a newly appointed official, he didn’t want to be too ostentatious.

"Mr. Liu, it’s a rare occasion for all of us to get together. We should be drinking and celebrating," Chen Cheng said with a smile.

"Excellent! Drinking and celebrating it is!" Liu Yunfeng agreed, then immediately turned to Mu Zhenhai. "Elder Mu, let’s hurry and eat this Spirit Fish."

Mu Zhenhai shot him a look and grumbled playfully, "Yunfeng, this old man has just been waiting for you to say that!"

As everyone began to drink and eat, Shopkeeper Qiu cupped his hands in a farewell gesture and quickly fled as if escaping.

...

「Room D.」

"Brother Li, I’m counting on you to get Jiang Yun into the Inner City Martial Arts Hall. I’ll toast to you." Wang Cong had one arm wrapped around Jiang Yun’s waist, his hand roaming improperly, while his other hand raised a wine cup. His tone was full of fawning as he spoke to his cousin, Wang Li.

Held by Wang Cong, Jiang Yun felt a wave of disgust but dared not show it, forcing a smile.

She had originally wanted to join the Zheng Martial Arts Hall, but she failed the assessment. In the end, out of fear of the Wang Family’s power in Ruyi District, she had married Wang Cong and become his eighth concubine.