Martial Saint through Reading

”Your family’s pickled beef tastes the best, ten more servings.”

”Yes, waiter, serve ten more servings.”

”I’m in a good mood today, serve each person present a portion.”

Xuan Chang picked up a large piece of meat and swallowed it whole, his gaze subtly sweeping over the young man in black at the front table.

”Alright, alright, the kitchen will prepare it right away.”

”...”

The tavern immediately became lively.

”Thank you, Lord Xuan.”

It seems not only the tavern’s shopkeeper and waiter knew Xuan Chang, but most of the diners recognized him as well.

Xuan Chang raised his cup and drank deeply, again glancing at the young man in black at the front.

Then, he tore off a piece of meat, grabbed another jug of full wine, and walked over to the front table.

”The table at the back is uncomfortable to sit at, this table is nice, by the window, spacious.” Xuan Chang said as he sat across from the young man in black.

The shopkeeper and the diners were secretly shocked, thinking to themselves that the young man in black lacked perception, and if he didn’t give up his seat, he might be in trouble.

However, even after Xuan Chang drank another jug, the young man in black remained unmoved, and Xuan Chang did nothing to him.

”Shopkeeper, more wine.”

Xuan Chang wiped the oil off his mouth and stopped gulping wine, just smiling as he looked at the young man in black.

The shopkeeper brought the wine, placed it on the table respectfully, then winked and gestured to the young man in black, seemingly reminding him to leave quickly.

The young man in black remained indifferent.

”Shopkeeper, pour the wine for this brother.”

It’s over for this man.

As soon as Xuan Chang said this, everyone thought the same.

The shopkeeper carefully poured the wine, but it was not poured quickly.

”Fussy!” Xuan Chang snatched the jug, ”Let me pour.”

Whoosh—

He directly filled the cup beside the young man in black, spilling wine all over the table.

The shopkeeper stood by, too scared to breathe.

”Come on, drink.” Xuan Chang raised his cup to toast the young man in black.

And this action directly made everyone in the tavern not dare to move, all staring intently at the young man in black.

Chu Ming slowly raised his eyes and glanced at Xuan Chang.

He raised his cup and drank together.

”Haha, I knew at first glance that brother was extraordinary, much braver than these cowards.” Xuan Chang said happily, ”Come, drink more.”

Cowards? Brave?

All the diners, including the shopkeeper, were visibly uncomfortable.

After all, you are Lord Xuan, the legitimate grandson of the National Guardian Realm of the Seven-Star Kingdom, a Fifth Realm expert—who would dare to be bold...

Everyone thought this and looked at the young man in black, either with admiration, disdain, or hope that Xuan Chang would slap him to death.

But, after five or six jugs, Xuan Chang seemed to drink even more freely.

”Brother... with your skills... ought... to find a good place?”

Xuan Chang was eating pickled beef, speaking unclearly, seemingly casual.

”Sure.” Chu Ming replied.

This unhesitant response surprised Xuan Chang.

The reason Xuan Chang chose to drink at Chu Ming’s table wasn’t because of favoritism but because he sensed the young man in black’s power.

Late-stage Bone Marrow Cleansing of the Fifth Realm, such strength is rare to see; Xuan Chang was also at this realm, which is why he came to drink.

However, experts of such strength usually have affiliations; he was just drinking merrily and casually asked, not expecting the young man in black to actually agree.

And Xuan Chang was a person who valued face highly...

”Haha, bold brother, let’s go to my mansion.” Xuan Chang stood up, leaving several ingots of silver.

”Let’s go.”

Chu Ming said nothing further and followed him directly.

Even before coming to the tavern, he had gauged Xuan Chang’s temperament outside, so he estimated his own strength was at the same realm as Xuan Chang’s late-stage Bone Marrow Cleansing, intending to get close to him.

The outcome went roughly according to plan; the first step was considered completed.

The next step was the second.

Xuan Chang appeared generous and carefree on the surface, yet was not truly so.

...

Xuan Chang’s mansion.

”Come, brother, drink this Seven-Star Wine, precious that only National Guardian Realm folks can afford.” Xuan Chang puffed his chest.

”Sure, drink.” The black-clad Chu Ming glanced at the so-called Seven-Star Wine, acted as if he noticed nothing, and drank as usual.

This wine was indeed rare but also very poisonous.

[Sword Gourd Spirit] probe found several kinds of quite potent rare poisons mixed in the wine; this amount would knock out someone at the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm.

The wine entered his stomach, and then was purified.

The poisons of the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm were still too weak for him.