Chapter 35 (Second Update): Guard and Odd Job
Chapter 35 Guard and Odd Job
They were busy until nightfall, but all the lights that could be lit in Bazhenlou were on, especially the lights under the eaves, which were particularly bright, along with the lights from the surrounding herbal tea shops. Suddenly, there was a leisurely atmosphere reminiscent of picking chrysanthemums in the southern mountains, as if it were a paradise on earth.
"Wow, this is the Eight Treasures Pavilion at night!" He Qingque exclaimed.
Today I saw two different versions of the Bazhenlou Restaurant.
The process of the Bazhen Tower rising during the day was already incredibly awe-inspiring, but now, with its lights and lanterns lit at night, the Bazhen Tower seems to exude a different kind of charm—simple yet opulent, ancient yet refreshing.
At night, Bazhenlou offers a completely different kind of warmth.
Just like after a long day of hard work, the whole family gathers in the garden under the lamp for a lively family dinner.
He Qingque loved the atmosphere and every lamp in the Eight Treasures Pavilion.
“Each one is different!” He Qingque discovered the wonder.
He Ping looked in the direction of the sound, and sure enough, each lamp had a unique design.
“This one is called a glass lamp,” Ah Zhen said leisurely, leaning against the garden railing with her arms crossed. “It was a gift from a merchant from the Western Regions.”
"The Western Regions?" He Qingque asked in surprise.
He Ping was also curious.
Ah Zhen looked at the lamp and chuckled softly, "Surely the diners at Bazhen Restaurant aren't all from the Central Plains."
"Merchants from the Western Regions also come here for a meal?" He Qingque asked in surprise.
Ah Zhen shook her head, "No, he wants to buy the Bazhenlou restaurant."
"Ah!!!" He Qingque was shocked.
Ah Zhen laughed, "Of course Wang Su Mo wouldn't sell, but that merchant was persistent and followed Ba Zhen Lou for a long time. At that time, he hadn't married the old master yet, it was just Wang Su Mo himself. Oh, there was also a bird called Qing Que back then."
He Qingque: (｀Д)!!
"Qingque had been following Wang Sumo for a long time. Then one time it must have flown away and couldn't be found. Wang Sumo waited for a very long time, but in the end he couldn't wait any longer, so he had to leave on his Eight Treasures Pavilion. But he hung its house and its favorite food on a tree." Ah Zhen shrugged. "After that, Wang Sumo never kept any pets again."
But Miss Wang calls him He Qingque!
He Qingque couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
He Ping continued, "And what about that Western Region merchant later?"
He Ping's story was not finished.
Ah Zhen sighed, "The Western Region merchant is actually a very nice person. He really likes Bazhenlou. He has been following Bazhenlou for a long time and has seen many martial arts people eat there. When he was too busy, he even helped carry the plates. At first, he insisted on buying Bazhenlou, but later he seemed to gradually understand the significance of Bazhenlou in Wang Sumo's heart and in the hearts of martial arts people."
He Qingque: (⊙o⊙)…
He Ping: (⊙o⊙)…
See, the world is truly amazing.
Ah Zhen laughed and said, "Isn't it amazing? When that merchant from the Western Regions was about to return to the Western Regions, he was very reluctant to leave, so he gave this glass lamp to Wang Sumo. Wang Sumo has kept it in this position for many years, and it is still very beautiful."
Hmm, there's a story behind it.
He Qingque sighed, feeling that he had really met many people and experienced many things along the way at Bazhenlou.
"Actually," Ah Zhen said with a smile, He Ping and He Qingque both turned to look at her. After thinking for a moment, Ah Zhen spoke up, "Actually, that Western Region merchant was a girl disguised as a man."
ah? ? ?
He Qingque and He Ping were both stunned.
Ah Zhen crossed her arms and said, "Right? I also think she's courageous. She led a caravan from the Western Regions to this place all by herself, and then followed the Eight Treasures Restaurant for several months. She served dishes, chatted with Wang Sumo all night, and drank wine in the flower garden. She's an enviable girl!"
Ah Zhen looked at the glass lamp and sighed.
"Did she come back later?" He Qingque asked curiously.
He Ping looked at Ah Zhen, who must have been thinking of him when she remarked that the glass lamp was "an enviable girl".
Ah Zhen shrugged. "No way, the journey from the Western Regions to here is incredibly long! How many times in a lifetime can a person travel that route?"
He Qingque suddenly realized, "Oh, right."
Ah Zhen continued, "Maybe we'll meet again. Her name is Hanatao."
"How do you remember it so clearly?" He Ping asked.
Ah Zhen laughed, "I was here too! I was the one who hung the lamp that Hana Tao gave to Wang Su Mo!"
"The Eight Treasures Pavilion has so many stories!" He Qingque exclaimed.
"Do you see those lights?" Ah Zhen asked.
He Qingque and He Ping both nodded. Ah Zhen said gently, "Everyone who has traveled with Bazhenlou for a while will leave a lamp here when they leave. Whenever they welcome new friends or see off old friends, Bazhenlou will hold the Bazhen Banquet. The Bazhen Banquet is not a specific dish, but Wang Sumo will take out all these lamps, hang them up, and light them, as a sense of ritual."
"Wow~" He Qingque crossed her arms and began to count.
He Ping didn't count them, but suddenly looking at these lights, they seemed to have taken on a different meaning.
Ah Zhen said softly, "Everyone will encounter a period of confusion when they don't know where to go. Bazhenlou gave them a place to stay. When they figured out where to go, they packed their bags and embarked on another journey."
“No wonder only Miss Wang and Senior Qu were at the Eight Treasures Restaurant,” He Ping exclaimed. “So that’s how it is.”
Ah Zhen laughed and said, "The world is too big, and everyone's image of Bazhenlou is different."
"And what about Miss Zhen?" He Ping asked.
Ah Zhen glanced at him, but he didn't look away. Ah Zhen said generously, "I still have responsibilities to bear. Once I'm off those responsibilities, I'll come to Bazhen Restaurant. I can do odd jobs, and maybe I can learn a bit. With my intelligence and comprehension, I can become a sous chef."
He Ping couldn't help but laugh.
He Qingque asked in surprise, "Is...is that alright?"
Ah Zhen and He Ping both looked at He Lin. He Lin was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "I was just joking."
My heart skipped a beat again. Did I just blurt out what was on my mind?
No, no, he was raised by the old master and the current master. He has to stay in Qingyun Manor. He is destined to be the next master!
"He Qingque, come help!" Wang Sumo's voice came from the kitchen, and He Qingque immediately responded, "Coming!"
Ah Zhen and He Ping both laughed. He was going to fetch something; he was quite diligent in running errands.
"What else do you need to do?" Ah Zhen stepped forward and lifted the kitchen curtain. Wang Sumo replied, "Set up a table."
"Okay!" After lowering the curtain, He Ping helped Ah Zhen remove the tabletop from the wooden board. Then, they stood the table legs up on the ground in the flower garden, placed the tabletop on top, and fastened it in place. Now it was a sturdy eight-immortal table.
He Ping looked at it with new eyes, and suddenly, he seemed to have a completely different feeling about Bazhenlou than before.
"Where's the stool?" He Ping asked.
“Under the stairs.” After Ah Zhen finished speaking, He Ping went to get a stool. He Ping saw that the stools were also stacked and placed under the stairs without any sense of incongruity. The entire Bazhen Building was ingenious in its design and production. Xuanjimen really had a profound foundation.
The Eight Treasures Feast was finally set up in the flower garden, at a square eight-immortal table, for the old man, Master He, Ah Zhen, He Ping, He Lin, and Wang Sumo. Dunzi had gone to see "Xi Shi," so there were two empty seats at the eight-immortal table, but this was the first time the Eight Treasures Restaurant had had so many people.
"Won't you feel uncomfortable?" Wang Sumo asked the old man secretly.
"It's alright," Old Master Qu whispered to himself, "Anyway, a few people will be leaving tomorrow."
Wang Sumo sighed, "But won't we still need to hire a general laborer, raise a dog, and maybe even a sous chef in the future?"
The old man said in a low voice, "Since Old He is here, let him sit down first."
After the old man finished speaking, he realized something was wrong and added, "Let the dog choose with us later."
Wang Sumo couldn't help but laugh; they were already discussing it together.
Just as everyone arrived, He Lin and A Zhen brought out the last two main dishes: pig's trotters, chicken feet, and braised lamb chops.
"Haha~" The old man was clearly happy.
He was just talking to Wang Sumo when suddenly his eyes lit up. "This is... braised chicken with pig's trotters?" he exclaimed, and suddenly he was talking to Master He.
“Yes, old man, eat more. Master He specially ordered these dishes for you, including pig's trotters and chicken feet, which he brought all the way!” Wang Sumo put some on his plate. “Eat them while they’re hot, or they’ll get burnt when they’re cold.”
The old man readily accepted good advice.
Without hesitation, Master He picked up his chopsticks.
He Ping saw this but smiled without saying a word.
Take a bite from the old man: (￣～￣) Chew!
Master He: (￣～￣) Chew!
The pig's trotters are soft and tender, and the rich flavor melts in your mouth after a couple of chews. Haha, these pig's trotters are stewed to perfection!
"Is it delicious, Grandpa?" Unexpectedly, the first person to ask was He Lin.
"Hmm~" The old man nodded in amazement at him.
The old man's expression said it all, and He Lin quickly picked up his chopsticks.
But just as he was about to start eating, he seemed to remember something and slowly withdrew his chopsticks. Qingyun Manor was very particular about rules, and here, he was the youngest, so he had to wait for the others to start eating.
He Ping noticed his restraint and picked up a piece of food for him with his chopsticks. His eyes lit up and he exclaimed, "Senior Brother!"
He Ping whispered, "This isn't Qingyun Manor, and it's not a place for drinking, so there's no need to be so formal."
He Lin was overjoyed, giving He Ping a grateful look before starting to cook with the pig's trotters, much to A Zhen's delight. "He really is a child, growing up so fast!"
He Ping laughed, "He's been a glutton since he was a child."
He Lin, who was standing to the side, was not annoyed, but simply nodded happily.
Braised pig's trotters and chicken feet are delicious, and the lamb chops are also very tasty! The taro is soft and sticky, making it even better!!
He Lin can eat a whole table of food all by himself.
Ah Zhen suddenly felt that it wasn't bad for He Ping to have such a little follower by his side; at least his days wouldn't be boring.
On second thought, she realized that she used to have a follower, but he had gone to see the "Xi Shi" from the next village, so she probably wouldn't have one soon.
But thinking that if an honest man like Dunzi could find a girl he truly loves and marry, maybe soon there would be a little Xi Shi or a little Dunzi, she was still very happy.
All good things must come to an end, and the same applies to places like Bazhenlou and herbal tea shops.
Each journey is a journey.
Beside him, the old man sighed, "When I was young, the first time I met Lao He, we beat up some bandits together. When our stomachs started growling, we realized we'd been starving all day. That meal was braised pig's trotters and chicken feet! I was so hungry, I ate several bowls of rice in one go. I still remember that taste! Lao He even paid the bill!"
Master He laughed and said, "Yes, that's why I remember it until now."
Everyone at the octagonal table burst into laughter, except for He Qingque, who couldn't help but laugh out loud, hiccup~
The old manor lord is so stingy!
When He Qingque suddenly realized what was happening, oh no! He burst out laughing!
He Qingque was terrified, (｀Д)!!
He Qingque looked to Wang Sumo for help. Wang Sumo reached out and picked up a dumpling. "Guess who made these dumplings?"
The old man and Master He's attention were instantly drawn to this. Miss Wang was coming to his rescue, so He Qingque quickly stepped forward to claim it, "I wrapped it, I wrapped it! Miss Wang taught me how to wrap it."
Ah Zhen also picked up a dumpling, examined it carefully, and said, "Su Mo, you really shouldn't take on apprentices so casually in the future. Even your dumplings are so ugly!"
He Qingque: (⊙o⊙)…
Ah Zhen put one in her mouth, took a small bite, and then exclaimed, "The taste is quite good! The filling must have been made by Su Mohe, right?"
He Qingque scratched her head.
He Ping also took a bite, "It's filled with mushrooms and pork, very delicious."
He Qingque was delighted, then pointed to the soup on the table and said, "This Three Delicacies Soup was taught to me by Miss Wang. It contains assorted mushrooms, cabbage, tofu, and also fresh shrimp and eggs!"
“Then I have to try it. He Lin can cook now.” Old Zhuang suddenly added, and He Lin suddenly became shy, scratching his head embarrassedly, “I think it’s alright…”
Wang Sumo looked at the old man and said, "I'll serve you a bowl."
The old man whispered, "No rush, let's wait until Lao He finishes drinking. I don't think that kid is very reliable."
Wang Sumo couldn't help but laugh, "I watched it being made and I've tasted it."
He Lin looked on expectantly. Old Master He put down his soup spoon and said gently, "Not bad."
He Lin immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
He Ping also started serving the soup.
Master He looked at Lao Qu and asked, "Do you still remember when the two of us chased after the notorious bandit Liu Hentian?"
Wang Sumo's eyes widened immediately.
She loves watching excitement and enjoys being in a lively atmosphere!
This is going to be interesting to hear again.
Moreover, the name Liu Hentian sounds too approachable and doesn't seem like that of a powerful bandit. At least Liu Aotian would be more fitting!
Old Qu was both amused and annoyed. "That rascal is a master of disguise. The closest we ever got to him was when he pretended to be a cook and made us a three-delicacy soup, but he put sleeping pills in it."
Judging from the old man's resentful expression, they really believed it at the time.
Moreover, after drinking the soup, they lost track of the person.
No wonder Master He suddenly brought it up.
He Lin looked at Wang Sumo with a pitiful expression. This was the soup that Miss Wang asked him to make, not the soup he wanted to make...
But Wang Sumo was already engrossed in listening to the excitement and didn't notice anything amiss.
"And then?" Wang Sumo wanted to hear what happened next.
Master He sighed softly, "This guy is arrogant. He fooled us both and even left a note. When we woke up and read it, it said, 'Amitabha, good, good!'"
The old man was furious. "It was him! He even left a sarcastic message."
Wang Sumo: (⊙o⊙)…
"So, was Liu Hentian caught afterward?" Wang Sumo asked curiously.
Old Master He said in a deep voice, "Later, we continued to pursue him for several months. He mingled at the docks, pretending to be a porter, and actually carried mud and sand shirtless; he also mingled in the homes of gentry and wealthy people as a gardener, tending flowers and grass, and was highly appreciated by his employers; another time, he infiltrated a Taoist temple, and because he was so talented, he learned the superior Taoist techniques in just a few days; and yet another time, he infiltrated the army, and we were about to catch him that time..."
Old Master He hesitated, then sighed softly.
Wang Sumo blinked again. "Then what?"
It's like listening to a story that abruptly ends halfway through.
Lao Qu sighed, "He really charged into battle, saved many people, and was seriously injured. People in the army said that if it weren't for him, they might not have survived crawling out of the pile of dead bodies when they were ambushed."
He Lin: (⊙o⊙)…
Old Master He continued, "Old Qu and I looked at Liu Hentian on his sickbed. He probably wouldn't be able to get out of bed for another two or three months. At that time, the soldiers in the army were very grateful to him. We looked at Liu Hentian, who was unconscious on his sickbed, and we didn't know what to do. So we withdrew first, thinking that we would go back and discuss it. But not long after we left, Liu Hentian slipped away."
Surroundings: (⊙o⊙)…
Wang Sumo asked in surprise, "Wasn't he seriously injured and unable to get out of bed?"
Old Qu scoffed, "A desperate man like him, living a life of constant danger, will not sit idly by and wait to die as long as he has a breath left."
"So, did he show up again later?" He Lin listened with great interest.
Master He shook his head. "Later, Lao Qu and I each had our own things to do, and we didn't go to see him together again. I think I heard news about him once before I went into seclusion."
Lao Qu shook his head, probably because he didn't know either.
It's been a long time; Liu Hentian should be around the same age as Master He and Master Qu.
Ah Zhen said, "Ten years ago, Liu Hentian appeared again. It seemed he was being chased by enemies and was fleeing everywhere, trying to buy his life with money. He was indeed generous and helped many petty thieves escape. Since then, there has been no news of Liu Hentian in the martial arts world, and no one knows whether he is dead or alive."
"Liu Hentian is a strange person. He committed a lot of murder and arson in the first half of his life; he didn't do anything heinous in the later period, but it seems that the whole martial arts world is chasing after him."
Wang Sumo asked curiously, "Grandpa, Master He, why did you suddenly go after Liu Hentian?"
Lao Qu: "We heard that he was nearby. He had a terrible reputation in the martial arts world, and everyone wanted to kill him. He could kill more than a hundred people and wipe out their entire families without even blinking an eye. Murder and robbery were commonplace for him. But he was very skilled, and there were few people in the martial arts world who could match him. So Lao He and I went there."
Master He: "We have indeed fought with him. We don't know where he learned from or whether he has formed his own school. But his swordsmanship is superb, and he can switch between palm power and swordsmanship with ease. With such talent, if he hadn't committed murder and arson, he should have achieved something in the martial arts world."
People in the martial arts world may cherish each other, but unfortunately, the other party has committed heinous crimes.
"With so many enemies chasing him, he should be dead. Otherwise, there would have been a lot of news about him all these years," sighed Master He.
"Little kid, what are you doing?" Ah Zhen asked He Qingque.
He Lin put down his pen. "Write them all down! Write all these stories and anecdotes of the martial arts world in a notebook, and tell them to my apprentice later."
Ah Zhen exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, you haven't even fully grown up yet, and you're already thinking about taking on apprentices."
He Lin wasn't annoyed. He just scratched the back of his head and said, "It's good to prepare first. As the manor lord said, 'He who does not plan for the future will have trouble in the present. Only by being prepared can we avoid trouble.'"
The atmosphere around the octagonal table returned to a relaxed and pleasant mood after He Lin's words, and the matter of Liu Hentian was no longer discussed.
At the octagonal table sat He Qingque, with her childlike nature; Azhen, cheerful and unrestrained; He Ping, gentle yet perceptive; and two elderly gentlemen. Wang Sumo hadn't eaten with so many people in a long time.
Looking up at the lanterns hanging in the Eight Treasures Pavilion, I suddenly realized that it's actually quite nice to have more people around...
*
After the meal, Ah Zhen and He Ping went to the kitchen to wash the dishes, since Wang Sumo and He Qingque had cooked together, so they each had their own tasks.
Old Master Qu and Master He went for a walk and a chat around the area.
Having not seen each other for a long time, aside from getting into a fight, there are always things we don't want others to hear that we have to say in private.
After tidying up the octagonal table, Wang Sumo ground ink and pondered things seriously.
He Qingque asked curiously, "Miss Wang, what are you doing?"
Wang Sumo rested her chin on her hand and said, "Write a notice, a notice for the Bazhenlou Restaurant."
That's why I'm having a headache about how to write it.
He Qingque: (⊙o⊙)…
"What kind of notice is this?" He Qingque had never heard of such a notice before.
However, Qingyun Manor did indeed have a notice.
The notices posted halfway up the mountain usually inform people about the specific details of Qingyun Manor's recruitment of disciples.
Qingyun Manor recruits a batch of disciples every three years, so the selection time is announced a year in advance.
Many people come to the selection of disciples each time.
The second type of notice is inside the manor, usually not far from where everyone lives. Before an elder from another sect comes to teach or brings peers from other sects to spar, a notice will be posted on the notice board so that everyone can prepare in advance.
I wonder what Miss Wang's notice is for?
"Job Posting." After saying that, Wang Sumo dipped his pen in ink and began to write.
He Qingque became even more curious and leaned closer to take a look—a guard?
He Qingque was stunned, "The Eight Treasures Pavilion is hiring guards?"
With both the old master and the senior monk present, why does Bazhenlou still need to hire guards?
Then Wang Sumo wrote a few more words—"Odd-job worker".
He Qingque: (⊙o⊙)…
Isn't this a bit too big a leap?
But the key issue remains...
He Qingque said seriously, "With the old master and senior Qu here, Bazhenlou is as solid as a rock. Why would we need to hire guards? It would be more likely if we said it was the sous chef."
He Qingque also had her own judgment.
Wang Sumo sighed softly, "It's precisely because of the two of them that we need to hire guards."
He Qingque: (｀Д)!!
Wang Sumo waved his hand, and He Qingque approached. Wang Sumo whispered, "You saw it before, they started fighting at the drop of a hat, and they could even break through clouds and mountains. Today, they were forcibly restrained by Sister Zhen's Heavenly Net, but Sister Zhen will be leaving in two days. If they get up again, will Bazhen Tower be demolished?"
He Qingque: !!!
That's possible!
That won't do.
Wang Sumo nodded, "So, we need to hire a guard first. In critical moments, he can drive the Eight Treasures Pavilion away; when things aren't busy, he can also work as a handyman, washing dishes or something."
He Qingque: (⊙o⊙)…
That makes sense.
No age, height, or gender restrictions. Must be skilled in both persuasion (both verbal and physical), and possess the keen eye to quickly evacuate the Eight Treasures Pavilion from dangerous locations. Must be hardworking, honest, and trustworthy. Monthly salary negotiable.
Wang Sumo finally nodded in satisfaction.
The next morning, He Ping and He Qingque left. He Qingque was reluctant to part with them and waved to them from horseback. Wang Sumo was also a little reluctant to leave him.
But Qingyun Manor has something important to do.
Old Qu took Master He to familiarize himself with the Eight Treasures Restaurant, and the two went to discuss their division of labor.
Ah Zhen greets customers at the herbal tea shop.
Wang Sumo was playing Sudoku in a corner of the herbal tea shop when suddenly a figure appeared in front of her and placed a piece of paper in front of her. "Are you recruiting bodyguards?"
So fast? It seems herbal tea shops really do have a wide reach!
Wang Sumo looked up, and a familiar face came into view. "It's you?"
Bai Cen crossed his arms and exclaimed, "Oh, what a coincidence!"
[Author's Note]
The sesame seed cake fell, and the person chasing him jumped into the river. In the end, on a merchant ship, Miss Wang gave the spinach cake to the person who had it. Do you remember?
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