Chapter 33 (Third Update): The Eight Treasures Pavilion rises!
Chapter 33 The Eight Treasures Pavilion rises!
The herbal tea shop on the official road is just ahead!
Wang Sumo could already see it in the distance; the herbal tea shop was still bustling with people. Passersby looking around, merchants finishing their herbal tea, horses replenishing their supplies, and carriages stopping to rest—all these created a lively and unique scene on the wide and flat official road.
He Ping recognized the previous proprietress, who was 'enthusiastically' greeting customers.
The proprietress must have heard the sound of the carriage and horses' hooves, because she turned her head to look this way.
But when I saw him, it was as if I searched my mind for a moment before I quickly realized who he was.
He Ping told the old manor lord something, then rode off ahead to make arrangements.
The proprietress came out to greet him with her arms around him. She glanced at him, then looked past him at the carriage behind him and the rider beside him. She didn't know if Wang Sumo was in the carriage, but she had just seen the curtain of the carriage door lifted for a moment and the person inside looked in their direction.
“Miss Zhen.” He Ping leaped off his horse.
Ah Zhen's gaze remained fixed on the carriage behind them, as she continued to scrutinize it while casually asking, "Why are you here again?"
He seemed impatient, but something didn't seem right. "Why are you..."
Wait, how does he know her name?!
Unless it is...
Ah Zhen wasn't annoyed; instead, a look of surprise appeared in her eyes. "Did that girl come back with you?"
"Yes, Miss Wang is in the carriage," He Ping replied truthfully.
Ah Zhen's eyes crinkled with a smile, like the bright morning glory at the end of July. Her arms, which had been crossed, relaxed slightly. She seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, then turned to look at a figure a little further away, who was standing with his back to everyone, sulking and silent. She reminded him, "Grandpa, Su Mo is back."
He Ping looked in the direction Ah Zhen was speaking.
Sure enough, the old man who had been sulking in the stable and ignoring everyone else suddenly turned around when he heard "Su Mo is back." As if he had suddenly found something to rely on, he sprang up from where he was and somehow got to the main road.
Good heavens!
It would have been better if he hadn't looked. The old man had originally gone to look at the carriage, but upon closer inspection, he suddenly saw an old man riding a horse, dressed in flowing white robes, who shouldn't have been there at all!
The old man was stunned for only a moment before he came to his senses—He, He Wenxue?
Suddenly, a tear welled up in the old man's eyes, but in that instant, it quickly turned into a light sneer, "Show-off!"
He Ping: "..."
He Ping suddenly realized that "Old Master" was referring to the old manor lord, and He Ping didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
But it's true that old friends who have known each other for decades, yet are also rivals, and haven't seen each other for decades might meet like this...
Old Master He was clearly surprised that after decades of not seeing someone, someone's eyes welled up with tears for a moment, and then suddenly uttered such a "show-off," which made him curious and amused.
But the other person spoke again, "At this age, still dressed in white, aren't you ashamed!"
Master He: "..."
He Ping was a little embarrassed, especially in front of so many younger people; but suddenly, the old manor lord also spoke up, and he didn't mince words, returning the favor, "It's been so many years since I last saw you, and you're still as unkempt and slovenly as ever."
Those who know each other best are the ones who know best how to attack the other party's weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
Lao Qu raised his voice, "That's still not as good as always showing off in your white clothes."
"Likewise," He Laozhuang replied without any politeness.
"Haven't been down the mountain in twenty years? How about a fight?" Sure enough, after the verbal battle, they'd definitely turn into a physical fight.
Old Master He also said directly, "Come on!"
In the short time it took for Wang Sumo to get off the carriage, the two had already finished exchanging pleasantries after not seeing each other for more than twenty years, and had already begun to move on to the next stage of free martial arts competition, without even asking each other where they were or what they were doing there.
Anyway, they've already started the fight.
Wang Sumo originally intended to get off the carriage directly, but this time, she simply sat down and leisurely rested her chin on her hand while reading.
He Lin was surprised, "Miss Wang?"
Wang Sumo sighed softly, "This scene couldn't be more familiar. I saw it in my dream, and in the end, the two of them even demolished my Eight Treasures Pavilion."
He Lin: ? ? ?
Wang Sumo knew he wouldn't understand, so she didn't explain further. She simply rested her chin on her hand and sighed softly, thinking to herself, "Thank goodness the Eight Treasures Pavilion hasn't been shut down yet. That's good. Now that we're at it, let's fight to our hearts' content. I don't have to worry about my Eight Treasures Pavilion being taken away by the old man from behind the mountain."
Wang Sumo waved to Ah Zhen from afar, then said to He Lin, "Forget it, let's not watch anymore. He Qingque, let's move our things over first."
“Okay~” He Lin always does these things efficiently and without delay.
Not far away, He Ping asked with great interest, "Aren't you afraid they'll smash up your herbal tea shop?"
Ah Zhen laughed, "What's there to be afraid of! We smash things a few times a year, so we just have to pay for it. But you, have you brought enough money?"
He Ping smiled and nodded, "That should be enough. If not, we can get more from nearby."
This is the official road connecting Licheng and Guangcheng. Licheng and Guangcheng are nearby, and larger towns all have Qingyun Manor's wound medicine shop, making it convenient to get silver from anywhere.
Qingyun Manor is still incredibly wealthy!
"That's true, with you here, we don't have to worry about people running away."
He Ping smiled with lowered eyes, and couldn't help but take another look at the other person.
"When masters spar, business is booming." Ah Zhen turned and called over a waiter, instructing him, "One small dish per table, the more expensive the better. Tell them that it's a duel between masters, and only those in our shop can witness it. But please be careful, and our shop will not be responsible for any accidents."
Okay, buddy, do as I say.
He Ping couldn't help but laugh, "I admire Ah Zhen's business acumen."
Ah Zhen looked at him and leaned closer, "Take all the money now, it won't be available again for a while."
After saying that, Ah Zhen turned around and went to help the shop assistant with his work.
He Ping was still replaying her words, "We have to accept this money first"...
He Lin helped unload all of Wang Sumo's belongings from the carriage, which was rented at the dock and would be returned tomorrow. The Eight Treasures Restaurant was located there. All of Wang's pots and pans, her pet fish, oh, and also scallions, a hammock, and the pig's trotters and chicken feet she had bought on the way were all unloaded.
He Qingque never shied away from these trivial matters.
Just as Ah Zhen finished serving the dishes and greeted the guests, Wang Sumo came over with a smile and said, "Sister Ah Zhen, can I borrow your kitchen to cook a few dishes later?"
Ah Zhen chuckled, "Your Bazhenlou is right next door, look, I've put that piece of land there for you, go upgrade your Bazhenlou!"
Wang Sumo smiled apologetically, "They're fighting! They're afraid the old man will tear it down!"
Ah Zhen was both amused and annoyed: "Someone's wishful thinking is really going to work out. You're afraid your Bazhen Building will be demolished, but I'm not afraid my kitchen will be demolished?"
Wang Sumo lamented, "If the Eight Treasures Pavilion hadn't been built, it probably wouldn't have been demolished, but your kitchen is right here, so it has to be demolished no matter what."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a deafening "boom" was heard nearby, a sound that shook the ears. It was exactly as if a Cloud Piercing Mountain Breaking Hand had struck the kitchen.
Wang Sumo: (⊙o⊙)…
Ah Zhen: Σ(⊙▽⊙"a
Wang Sumo was exasperated. Had it actually hit her? Oh no, Sister Zhen hadn't even reacted yet, and she was about to explode in anger!
Sure enough, after a moment of surprise and confusion, Ah Zhen visibly flew into a rage.
Wang Sumo, being perceptive, said, "Ah, Sister Zhen, I'll go to Shengbazhenlou right now to make braised pig's trotters and chicken feet. I'll go right now!"
Wang Sumo did not hesitate for a moment.
Ah Zhen's head was practically on fire, but Old Master Qu and Master He were having a great time fighting and didn't care about the stone hitting the kitchen. With a bang, the stone fell down and smashed the kitchen!
But He Ping finally understood the phrase "collect the money first," because the diners who had been watching the commotion earlier quickly moved as far away as possible after seeing that the kitchen had collapsed. If they hadn't collected the money earlier, they wouldn't have been able to get it.
He Ping wanted to laugh again.
But Miss Wang, who usually loves watching excitement and never misses a moment of excitement, was now diligently preparing to ascend the Eight Treasures Pavilion. He Ping looked on in surprise as he saw Ah Zhen take a weapon resembling a bow and arrow from the ruins of the kitchen and come out with an angry expression.
But the bow and arrow are sharp at the front, while this weapon has something like a net at the front.
He Ping had never seen her in the martial arts world before. He Ping remembered that Miss Wang had said that if Miss Azhen stayed with Master Qu for too long, she would get angry and the two of them would quarrel.
He didn't understand before how, with the old man's skill, Miss Ah Zhen could make the two of them quarrel; the only way was to have some kind of barrier.
Seeing Ah Zhen aiming directly at the old man and the old manor lord with a bow and arrow-like weapon, He Ping had previously dismissed it, thinking that ordinary weapons would be no match for the two old men who had reached the pinnacle of their skills.
But when Ah Zhen shot the net from her bow and arrow, it instantly expanded near the old man and the old manor lord, forming a huge, intricately woven net of iron wires.
Just moments before, the barbed wire had expanded and stretched out like a giant blanket. But the moment it touched someone, it triggered some unknown mechanism, and with lightning speed, it contracted, like a net that enveloped and tightened around the person on the other side. The more they struggled, the tighter it became.
Mysterious Gate, a Net of Heaven and Earth?
He Ping looked at Ah Zhen to the side in surprise.
Although he had considered that Ah Zhen's background might be unusual, He Ping was still stunned when he suddenly saw the rumored inescapable net.
Ah Zhen seemed to have calmed down then, "Go ahead and fight, have fun and fight a little longer."
He Ping looked over and saw that the two old men, who had been so imposing just moments before, were now trapped in a "net of heaven and earth," struggling and squeezing together more and more.
Of course, it was mainly the old manor owner who was struggling.
Judging from the way the old man simply sat down on the ground inside the net, he was clearly someone who was often caught in such nets, so he simply stopped struggling and even said disdainfully to Master He, "Look, look! The more you struggle, the tighter it gets. How tight is it? Still moving! This is a net, if you move any longer we'll be stuck together! Who wants to be stuck together with you!"
Upon hearing the words "a net that can trap you from heaven and earth," Old Master He also quieted down.
Rarely, the two of them were finally able to quietly reminisce about the past within the "net of heaven and earth".
"Where's your Qingyun Sword? Use your Qingyun Sword to cut it open! Your Qingyun Sword can cut it open, I can't cut it open with my bare hands!" Old Master Qu began to give instructions.
Master He said softly, "He's given away."
The old man's eyes widened: "!!!"
The old man exclaimed, "Gone?!"
"Um."
The old man said irritably, "Then what do we do? We can't get out."
Master He dismissed it, saying, "Just have that girl from the Xuanji Sect untie it."
The old man wanted nothing more than to yell into his ear, "Go ahead! Everyone knows she's my mortal enemy!"
The words "mortal enemy" were so loud that Wang Sumo, standing in front of the Eight Treasures Pavilion, could hear them. He Lin was about to turn his head when Wang Sumo turned his head back, saying, "Don't look, don't cause trouble."
He Lin whispered, "The old master has been arrested."
"That's an inescapable net. Old Master He gave his Qingyun Sword to He Lingyun, so there's no way to break through it." Wang Sumo was used to this and wasn't particularly alarmed.
But He Lin panicked, "What should we do then!"
Wang Sumo pointed the way, "Isn't that your senior brother? What are you worried about with your senior brother there?"
He Lin paused for a moment, then said, "Oh, right!"
If only the eldest brother were here, he wouldn't be able to do anything with his mediocre skills. It would be better if he could help Miss Wang wash the pots. After he finishes washing the pots, we can eat in a little while!
Hehe, this is more important!
Let's leave the old master to the eldest brother for now. He Qingque already knows how to adapt to local customs and listen to Miss Wang!
Sure enough, He Ping looked at Miss A-Zhen, "Miss A-Zhen..."
But before she could finish speaking, Ah Zhen interrupted, "It will automatically unwind after one incense stick's time. Don't worry about them. If you move them, they will tighten again and continue for another incense stick's time."
He Ping smiled, then took out a gold ingot from his sleeve and handed it to her.
Although Ah Zhen still had a "I'm not giving up" expression on her face, she was still surprised when she saw the gold ingot. Then she pointed to herself and looked at He Ping, as if to say, "This is for me."
He Ping nodded.
Ah Zhen took it, took another bite, and it really was hard on her teeth. It was such a big gold ingot. Ah Zhen exclaimed, "Are you the money bag of Qingyun Manor?"
He Ping cupped his hands in greeting, "You flatter me."
This time it was Ah Zhen's turn to laugh. Firstly, He Ping was indeed not annoying. Secondly, at this time, others would have been jumping up and down in a panic, but He Ping seemed to be able to tell that the one who had just made a fuss was their old master. The kitchen was kicked out because the old man and their old master were sparring.
"My inescapable net also has its costs, so this gold ingot is just barely enough." Ah Zhen reluctantly pressed a button on the bow and arrow.
He Ping didn't see it clearly. In just a moment, something like a magnet flashed by, and soon the net opened automatically, like an old fishing net that could be easily pulled away.
The old man knew the way like the back of his hand.
"Thank you, young lady." He Ping cupped his hands in thanks.
Old Master Qu and Master He pulled out the "fishing net" together. Old Master Qu looked at Ah Zhen, annoyed, crossed his arms, and remained silent.
As Ah Zhen pulled in the net, she said, "Old Master, please feel free to use it. He Ping has already paid with gold ingots, so you can keep using this net until it breaks."
Master He: "..."
Old Master Qu: "..."
Only He Ping was smiling with his head down. Ah Zhen was indeed very interesting.
Ah Zhen returned to Wang Su Mo's place, and Wang Su Mo wouldn't actually raise the Eight Treasures Tower; he just kept dawdling.
"Why aren't you promoted?" Sister Zhen's voice rang out from behind.
Wang Sumo laughed and said, "I reckon we'll have to fight again in a bit."
Ah Zhen pointed to the kitchen next to her and said calmly, "The net of heaven and earth has been cast, and that sucker from Qingyun Manor has paid for it; the kitchen bill is on your tab, since we're so familiar with each other, two hundred taels."
Wang Sumo couldn't help but laugh, "You should thank me. Last time you said you were tired of staying here and wanted to change places, but this time it's fine. You don't have any worries anymore, you can just call me directly."
"That's true, then I'll charge you ten taels."
Wang Sumo: (⊙o⊙)…
Wang Sumo turned to the waiter beside him, "Hey, Dunzi, get ready to move."
"Huh? Moving again!" Dunzi was clearly not as happy as last time.
Wang Sumo keenly observed: "Dunzi, something's up with you. You used to love moving places the most!"
Ah Zhen interjected, "Dunzi has been getting quite close to the Xi Shi girl from the nearby village lately~"
Wang Sumo chimed in, "I see!"
Dunzi actually blushed and said, "I, I'll go help."
Ah Zhen and Wang Sumo both laughed.
Ah Zhen also came over to help her pack up her things and casually asked, "Is Master He planning to stay at the Eight Treasures Pavilion?"
"Mm." Wang Sumo nodded.
Ah Zhen sighed, "Then we have to practice every day to loosen up our muscles and bones, right?"
The two turned around together, and sure enough, they started fighting again.
Ah Zhen: ╮（╯_╰）╭
Miss Wang: ╮（￣▽￣）╭
"They're probably still in high spirits right now. They've known each other for many years, but haven't seen each other for many years. I reckon they'll have a good fight." Wang Sumo said calmly.
Ah Zhen, with her keen observation, said, "Being beaten like this, it must have been more than many years since we last met, right?"
Wang Sumo couldn't help but laugh, "There are also some... grudges and affections."
Ah Zhen hissed softly, "Then you need to find another bodyguard for Bazhenlou, someone who can keep both of them in check, otherwise it's not a solution for them to keep tearing down your Bazhenlou."
Wang Sumo: (⊙o⊙)…
That makes sense!
Wang Sumo sighed, "Then we'll put up the sign tomorrow and hire a bodyguard."
Ah Zhen sighed softly, "It's not easy to find someone who can keep two old men in check at the same time."
Wang Sumo paused, then said happily, "Add another dog!"
Ah Zhen was both amused and annoyed. Adding a dog would really make this Bazhenlou Restaurant lively in the future!
Wang Sumo urged, "Come on, Sister Zhen. Look, Dunzi doesn't want to leave. Just come with me. If Bazhenlou starts a herbal tea business, we can operate every day and even sell things like sour plum juice on the roadside."
Ah Zhen scoffed, "I'd rather keep my herbal tea shop. You can take your time finding your stuff, and I'll save my money! There are more suckers on the official road."
After Ah Zhen finished speaking, she looked back at He Ping, the number one sucker.
“I like money.” Ah Zhen clapped her hands. “Once I’ve saved enough money, I’ll come to Bazhenlou to find you.”
Wang Sumo: (⊙o⊙)…
Ah Zhen couldn't stand her expression, so she leaned closer to see what she was doing and asked, "What dish are you making?"
Wang Sumo generously showed it to her, "Braised pig's trotters and chicken feet. Master He said that the first meal he had with Lao Qu was braised pig's trotters and chicken feet. I thought we should reminisce a bit after such a long time apart?"
"It's kind of you, Lao Qu, to be so concerned about your Bazhenlou restaurant. It seems you really care about the old man," Ah Zhen remarked.
“That’s right,” Wang Sumo continued.
"What about these?" Ah Zhen asked curiously; she also liked the dishes Wang Sumo made.
Wang Sumo generously showed her, "Today, the Eight Treasures Restaurant is having a banquet. In addition to Lao Qu's braised pig's trotters and chicken feet, there is also Master He's braised mutton hot pot, Hero Hero's dumplings, and Little Green Sparrow's candied ginkgo nuts."
Some people didn't get enough last time and wanted to eat it again. He Qingque found out on the passenger ship that he couldn't do without his candied ginkgo nuts!
Ah Zhen was 'dissatisfied': "What about me and Dunzi?"
Such a large banquet wouldn't be complete without her and Dunzi, these two unofficial members.
"Isn't it dumplings? Master He also ordered dumplings, isn't that a coincidence?" Wang Sumo said softly. Ah Zhen also glanced back, but He Ping's attention had already returned to the two old men.
Ah Zhen chuckled, "You have quite a good appetite."
But then she noticed a few crucian carp in the bamboo basket next to her. Ah Zhen was sure that there weren't any here before. The old man had been insisting on fishing these past few days, and then there were crucian carp everywhere. After that, she would throw them back after catching them, and it finally stopped for the past two days. How come they've reappeared?
"What's going on with these crucian carp?" She clearly hadn't seen them before.
"Oh, I'm raising fish," Wang Sumo replied casually. Ah Zhen disdainfully nudged the six crucian carp in the bamboo basket with a small twig and exclaimed, "Freshly killed fish from Bazhenlou?"
"No, pet fish, ornamental fish." Wang Sumo moved the bamboo basket over, as if afraid she would kill half of them on the spot.
Ah Zhen was exasperated. "Old Master He, the old master, we were waiting to hire bodyguards, one dog, now it's six fish, Bazhen Restaurant is getting more and more lively."
Wang Sumo tugged at her sleeve, "Come on, let's go up to the Eight Treasures Pavilion."
"Aren't you afraid your Eight Treasures Pavilion will be destroyed?" Ah Zhen asked curiously.
Wang Sumo pointed to the distance, probably because they were all tired and couldn't fight anymore. Master He and Old Master Qu had already sat down on the ground and started chatting about life.
No wonder.
“I checked you out during your stay at Qingyun Manor these past few days, and there are no major problems. I’ve replaced some of the worn parts.” Ah Zhen was originally from the Tianji Sect, and her familiarity with Wang Sumo was also due to this Bazhen Tower.
"Sister Zhen, how can you be so kind~" Wang Sumo knew how to talk to everyone.
Ah Zhen watched from afar and sighed softly, "This is my master's life's work, so of course I have to take good care of it for him."
"How is Uncle-Master Yu Daozi?" Wang Sumo asked.
"He's been working on a new mechanism lately, so much so that he's neglecting to eat or sleep. Even if a meteorite were to fall on him from the sky, he wouldn't be distracted."
Wang Sumo smiled. She had seen Master Yu Daozi working tirelessly, and only a fanatic could succeed. This was especially true in the Xuanji Sect.
That's why Sister Zhen is working so hard to save money. The Xuanji Sect is different from other sects. Other sects fight tooth and nail to become the sect leader, everyone wants to be the leader. The Xuanji Sect is more eager for you to become the sect leader so they can do their research.
Moreover, all the elders and disciples of the Xuanji Sect are dedicated to their research and discussions, focusing entirely on their studies. The sect leader's job is to earn money to support the Xuanji Sect.
So many mouths to feed, research requires materials, and the doors need maintenance—everywhere costs money.
Which martial arts sect is easy to deal with?
Now, all the martial arts sects have their own agendas and have started making their own weapons, including hidden weapons. Although the hidden weapons of the Xuanji Sect are easy to use, they are too expensive. Although the hidden weapons they make themselves are not as good, they are at least usable.
Therefore, Xuanjimen's business is not as good as before, but it is still barely enough to make ends meet.
However, the additional materials required for design and forging would be a considerable expense.
Uncle-Master Yu Daozi lost the rock-paper-scissors game back then and had to grit his teeth and serve as the sect leader for fifteen years. In Sister Azhen's words, if Uncle-Master Yu Daozi were to manage the accounts, the entire Xuanji Sect would starve to death.
So all these things fell on Sister Zhen's shoulders.
Sister Zhen runs a herbal tea shop, but there's another business involved – all the business that comes to Xuanji Sect goes through Sister Zhen, who then distributes it to the various sects. Once the business is done, everyone in Xuanji Sect relies on Sister Zhen for their livelihood.
So people in the martial arts world thought that Xuanji Sect was mysterious and unpredictable, and assumed that they didn't want to show their faces. In fact, everyone was too busy, but when they took on a job, Sister Zhen would assign it to whoever was capable. In this way, things were surprisingly harmonious.
The martial arts world is also a huge makeshift organization; you can never imagine how much effort these sects put into surviving.
"You go ahead and get busy," Ah Zhen said, then turned back, opened the ledger, and added a few entries. If she could encounter a few more gullible suckers like He Ping who were willing to spend lavishly, she could retire early.
After finishing recording the accounts, Ah Zhen looked up again at He Ping, who was also intently watching the old man and taking the old man's place in the distance.
Good-looking things aren't funny; funny things aren't good-looking.
Rare and pleasing to the eye...
Ah Zhen suddenly felt very happy.
*
Beside her, He Qingque was so excited she was practically flapping her wings (if she were).
He stood beside Wang Sumo and witnessed the entire process of the Eight Treasures Pavilion rising little by little.
He Lin was stunned!
I have never seen such a shocking scene of "rising from the ground"—no, I should say, "rising from the box."
After Miss Wang twisted several mechanisms on the side of the huge wooden box in sequence, the heavy wooden box seemed to suddenly receive a command to rotate. At this time, the wooden box was not yet opened, but a "clanging" and twisting sound could be heard from inside.
"He Qingque, step back," Wang Sumo reminded him.
He Qingque, who was engrossed in watching, didn't hear anything at all. In the end, Wang Sumo reached out and pulled him back together.
While He Qingque was still in surprise, she saw the wooden box slowly open.
No one stepped forward to help; it slowly opened. Then the wooden planks inside folded, closed, changed direction, and overlapped little by little, like plants growing wildly.
At each fixed point, a tenon-and-mortise joint-like structure is inserted to automatically fit together.
This scene is absolutely stunning.
The sound of the wooden planks clattering and turning, along with the sound of gears rotating, creates a hissing sound as the iron chains are released and rotated. The release and rotation of the iron chains cause the wooden planks to be released one by one.
The outline of the entire Bazhenlou Restaurant gradually materialized before my eyes.
He Lin felt like he couldn't see enough!
What ingenious design it must be to allow these wooden blocks and iron chains to work together seamlessly, so that the two-story Bazhen Tower could rise up piece by piece, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.
Moreover, it's not that each plank has to wait for the previous plank to stop before it moves; rather, the planks and chains in several directions are moving simultaneously!
Oh my god!
He Lin suddenly realized that the true essence of the Eight Treasures Pavilion was here. If you were lucky enough to witness the process of the Eight Treasures Pavilion rising, you would know how shocking the scene was, so shocking that it would give you goosebumps!
He Lin was still filled with excitement.
Until the two-story Bazhen Tower gradually unfolded, what appeared before him was a flower garden structure that could be placed on the ground.
He Lin covered his mouth with his hand, completely at a loss for words to describe it.
This, this is the Eight Treasures Pavilion!!!
The two-story garden pavilion was almost identical to the one in the other. Even the eight horses that had been pulling the large wooden crates seemed to have blended perfectly into the path leading to the Eight Treasures Pavilion, as if the horses were drinking water and being fed grass in the garden.
Perfectly natural!
No wonder those who travel the world all want to see the splendor of Bazhenlou.
No wonder people say that you haven't truly experienced the world of martial arts if you haven't been to Bazhenlou.
You only realize how vast and wondrous the world is after you've seen it for yourself!
"How is it, Little Bluebird? This is the Eight Treasures Pavilion." Wang Sumo looked at him.
He Lin took a long time to come to his senses, and nodded blankly at Wang Sumo, "That's amazing! Miss Wang, may I go and have a look inside the Eight Treasures Pavilion?"
“Of course, let’s go.” Wang Sumo led the way, and He Lin quickly followed. The part where the flower garden connected to the ground was a staircase. Although it creaked when you stepped on it, that was the natural sound of the wood. He Lin found it both wonderful and novel.
This is the Eight Treasures Pavilion.
He Lin tried to recall which part of the grand process he had witnessed with the wooden planks beneath his feet, but at the time, he was too overwhelmed to make any connection.
The thought that the entire Bazhenlou restaurant rose from that wooden box still feels incredible!
Even after stepping onto the Eight Treasures Pavilion.
“This is the flower garden. When the weather isn’t too bad, you can put a large table here. See those ditches? When the Eight Treasures Pavilion was raised, Lao Qu would put flowers and plants on them to make it look like a real flower garden.”
"Wow~" He Lin seemed to be able to imagine it already.
But He Lin couldn't contain his excitement, "Miss Wang, where are those flowers and plants? I can come and put them there!"
He Qingque has a natural affinity for labor, especially for such a novel experience. He won't be able to see it once he returns from the Eight Treasures Pavilion.
He'll definitely tell his fellow disciples when he gets back. If he's still keeping flowers and plants in the Eight Treasures Pavilion, then there'll be even more to say.
Wang Sumo saw right through Xiao Qingque's thoughts. "See that over there? Usually, when the Eight Treasures Pavilion isn't up and they're not on the road, Lao Qu will open the canopy to let them sunbathe. If it rains too heavily, the canopy will be closed. Be careful, this is Lao Qu's treasure!"
Lao Qu has recently been researching how to grow flowers and grass. Although he has planted a lot and many of them have died, there are also many surviving single seedlings.
Old Qu treasured them like the most precious treasures, so once the Eight Treasures Pavilion was built, he would definitely put these precious seedlings in the flower garden!
Wang Sumo gave a reminder.
"Okay!" He Lin had already started walking downstairs, but as soon as he stepped on the ground, he heard a "creak" and quickly slowed down.
The Eight Treasures Pavilion is full of traps and mechanisms. If he carelessly steps on one and breaks it, it will be terrible if it can't be put back in place!
That won't do, he loves this Eight Treasures Pavilion too much!
When He Lin finally found the flowers and plants that Miss Wang had mentioned, he realized they all had wheels, making them easy to push over. Just as he was about to move the plants up, Wang Sumo directed from the garden, "No need to move them out. See that gap? Push them over, align them with the joint, and push them in."
He Lin was stunned!
Wow, so that's what the groove is for! The bottom of the groove can be folded up. After folding it up, you can simply push these wheeled carts filled with flowers and plants inside, and they'll fit perfectly into the groove, as if they were originally part of the flower garden.
"Wow~" He Lin was incredibly excited that he had completed it himself.
Once back up the steps to the garden, the Eight Treasures Pavilion seemed to have gained an indescribable vitality. He Lin chuckled, "Miss Wang, I just remembered the flowers and plants I've been growing in the garden! When I get back, the hibiscus will definitely be in full bloom."
One of the meanings of travel is seeing the scenery of other places and then thinking about the scenery of your own home.
That's right for He Lin.
He Lin grinned from ear to ear, then looked around and asked again, "Where are the tables here?"
He remembered that Miss Wang had said that a table could be set up in the flower garden.
Wang Sumo led him to a vertical wooden wall. "Look."
He Lin was stunned!
This is so interesting! It turns out that this entire wall is hiding small square tables in the flower garden. They are built-in and foldable. When needed, you can simply take them down, place them in the flower garden, and fasten them with a clip.
When the Eight Treasures Pavilion needs to be put away, fold them back and put them back in. As long as they can be accurately inserted back in, the tables and chairs can be put back into the wooden box along with the wooden planks.
Wonderful, wonderful!
He Lin seemed to suddenly develop a strong interest in these things.
"The first floor is the kitchen, and diners who come to Bazhenlou on weekdays are not allowed to go in." But Miss Wang took him in for a tour, which means he is not an ordinary diner!
He Qingque happily took the bait.
"Wow~" He Qingque had never seen such a simple and elegant yet fully functional kitchen before. Compared to the chaotic scene in the kitchen of Qingyun Manor, the kitchen of Bazhenlou was pleasing to the eye at first glance; and because it was not cluttered, the kitchen seemed very spacious!
But then I thought about it again, the entire first floor of Bazhenlou is a kitchen and storage area, so it's not small.
"Miss Wang, is the recessed area here the same as the flower garden outside, where you push it in with wheels and it fits perfectly?" He Qingque was already able to apply what she had learned to other situations.
“That’s right!” Wang Sumo beamed as she spoke of the kitchen. “The Eight Treasures Pavilion needs to be put away. There can’t be anything in the kitchen on the first floor. The bottles and jars of seasonings, as well as the bowls, chopsticks, and plates, will be moved in on a special trolley, just like the ones where we put the plants earlier. Once they’re locked in place, you can just pick them up and use them. The same goes for the pots and pans. Just remember to put them back in the slots. Once, I kept forgetting to put them in, and a piece of wood got stuck and broke. Luckily, it can still be repaired.”
He Lin breathed a sigh of relief; this was something that couldn't be taken lightly.
After touring the kitchen, Wang Sumo lifted the curtain and went directly up the stairs from the garden to the second-floor attic. Although it was called an attic, it was actually supported by four pillars and had openwork around the edges. Wang Sumo stepped forward and lowered the curtain. This saved a lot of space; otherwise, a large wooden box couldn't have produced such a large Eight Treasures Pavilion.
He Lin leaned on the second-floor railing and looked down, seemingly feeling relaxed and at ease.
He Lin suddenly felt a pang of reluctance when he remembered that he would be leaving the next day; but then he thought of the pig's trotters, chicken feet, mutton, pork, eggs and other things he had bought on the way, and suddenly he was happy again.
Miss Wang said that we'll be having the Eight Treasures Feast at the Eight Treasures Restaurant tonight!
[Author's Note]
I really wish there was a model of it! It's my dream of the Eight Treasures Restaurant~ *sobs* [clasped hands][clasped hands][clasped hands]
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