Chapter 247: The Arrival of Li Si

"What?" Zimu and the others exclaimed in shock upon hearing Zhang Liang's words. Copying the *Analects* ten times meant writing over a hundred thousand characters. Doing so would take them at least half a month. Furthermore, they still had their regular studies; they would likely have to dedicate all their free time over the next month entirely to this task.

"What do you mean by 'what'? If ten times is too few, let's make it twenty!" Zhang Liang said with a smile.

"No, ten is plenty! No, ten is plenty! Third Master, Master Xiao, Zimu will take his leave now!" Upon hearing Zhang Liang's words, Zimu felt as though his world was collapsing. He hurriedly shook his head, bowed respectfully to Xiao Xie and the others, and then bolted with his group. If they didn't leave now, they would end up sacrificing two months' worth of leisure time.

"Hahaha, serves you right for trying to bully others!" Tianming laughed gloatingly as he watched Zimu and his companions flee in a flustered and disheveled state.

Seeing this, Xiao Xie chuckled and said, "Alright, Tianming. Next time they dare to bully you again, just tell Zifang. He'll make them copy the *Analects* a few more times, and I guarantee they won't have any time left to pick on you."

"Awesome! From now on, whenever they dare to bully anyone, I'll go straight to the Third Master!" Tianming said happily upon hearing Xiao Xie's words.

Zhang Liang smiled helplessly at Tianming's triumphant expression, realizing he would likely have a lot of headaches in the future.

"Shi Lan, let's go together. It just so happens I'm craving Chef Ding's cooking," Xiao Xie said to Shi Lan, who was standing beside Tianming. With that, he turned and walked out of the Sage's Grotto.

"Mm." Shi Lan nodded gently and followed Xiao Xie and the others out.

"Chef Ding, we have customers!" As soon as Xiao Xie stepped through the doors of the Youjian Inn, he called out loudly.

"If it isn't Young Master Xiao!" Hearing Xiao Xie's voice, Chef Ding hurriedly rushed out from the back kitchen with a look of feigned surprise. Because there were other guests in the inn, Chef Ding treated Xiao Xie with the attitude due to a distinguished VIP rather than an old acquaintance.

"I heard you've created a few new dishes, so I specifically came over to try them," Xiao Xie smiled and said.

"Very well, please follow me to the private room on the second floor!" Chef Ding said with a smile, leading Xiao Xie and his group upstairs.

Shi Lan, who had returned alongside Xiao Xie, cast a glance at Xiao Xie's retreating figure before turning to go help in the back kitchen.

Up in the second-floor private room, exquisite dishes were soon brought out by Shi Lan. Once all the food was served, Xiao Xie said to her, "Why don't you sit down and have a bite with us?"

"Huh?" Hearing these words, Shi Lan looked at Xiao Xie in utter astonishment.

Not only Shi Lan, but even Chef Ding, Murong Feng, and Murong Huang were profoundly surprised, unable to comprehend why Xiao Xie would show such consideration to a humble waiter.

"Don't just stand there, sit down and eat!" Xiao Xie greeted the somewhat stunned Shi Lan. Then, his brows furrowing slightly, he turned to Chef Ding and said, "Chef Ding, we have a guest outside. Go and receive them."

"Understood!" Chef Ding had no idea why Xiao Xie said this, but since Xiao Xie had spoken, a person of great importance must have arrived outside. He hurried out of the private room.

"Young master has invited you to eat with us, so you should just sit down," Murong Huang said with a smile to the slightly nervous Shi Lan.

Hearing Murong Huang's words and looking at Xiao Xie's gentle, smiling face, Shi Lan finally took a seat.

Just as Chef Ding descended to the first floor, he heard the sound of clanking armor followed by neat, rhythmic footsteps. Then, he saw a middle-aged man wearing a blue robe and sporting a thin mustache walk into the inn.

"To think the Prime Minister himself would grace our humble establishment—what a rare honor!" Upon seeing the visitor, Chef Ding's expression shifted slightly before he replaced it with a radiant smile.

"Manager Ding, I heard that the master of the Ascending Heavens Tower, Young Master Xiao, is here. Is that true?" Li Si glanced at Chef Ding and asked.

Chef Ding rubbed his hands together and chuckled, "The Prime Minister is truly well-informed. Young Master Xiao is currently dining in the private room on the second floor."

"Then I must trouble Manager Ding to lead the way," Li Si said indifferently.

"This way, Prime Minister, please." Smiling, Chef Ding guided Li Si toward the private room where Xiao Xie was located.

"Wait outside the door." Arriving at the entrance of Xiao Xie's room, Li Si instructed the four soldiers accompanying him. Hundreds of guards were already stationed around the perimeter of the Youjian Inn, and he did not believe meeting Xiao Xie posed any danger. Bringing soldiers inside would only show disrespect to Xiao Xie, and he certainly did not want to leave a bad impression during their first encounter—especially since this concerned the task Emperor Ying Zheng had entrusted to him.

"Young Master Xiao, I have heard of your great name for a long time. Meeting you today, you truly are a youth of extraordinary talent!" Following Chef Ding into the room, Li Si immediately recognized Xiao Xie. After all, in the room, Murong Feng and Murong Huang were dressed as maidservants, while Shi Lan was dressed as a waiter. Only Xiao Xie, clad in a white robe and possessing an otherworldly demeanor, matched the identity of the master of the Ascending Heavens Tower.

"Lord Li certainly knows how to pick his timing," Xiao Xie said with a hint of sarcasm.

"My apologies for interrupting Young Master Xiao's meal. However, ever since receiving the command from His Majesty the Emperor, I have constantly sought Young Master Xiao's whereabouts. Upon hearing news that you had appeared at the Youjian Inn, I rushed over immediately. Please forgive me for disturbing your leisure," Li Si said apologetically, catching the displeasure in Xiao Xie's tone.

"Whatever command Ying Zheng gave you, just spit it out directly. There's no need to beat around the bush," Xiao Xie said, taking a sip of soup and cutting straight to the point.

Xiao Xie's bluntness caught Li Si somewhat off guard. In particular, Xiao Xie addressed Ying Zheng directly by name rather than as "His Majesty the Emperor" right to his face, making Li Si realize that this man was every bit as wildly arrogant as the rumors suggested.

"His Majesty's intention is to hope that Young Master Xiao can contribute the manufacturing method for the paper you produce. Of course, His Majesty is prepared to offer Young Master Xiao corresponding compensation," Li Si said, cupping his hands toward Xiao Xie.

"Hmph. Go back and tell Ying Zheng that it is impossible for me to hand over the paper-making method. However, if he wants white paper, he may purchase it from my Ascending Heavens Tower," Xiao Xie took a bite of bear paw and replied in an unyielding tone.

Li Si's expression darkened slightly as he warned, "I shall report Young Master Xiao's proposal to His Majesty. However, if His Majesty does not consent, I am afraid that later..."

Though Li Si did not finish his sentence, everyone present could clearly hear the underlying threat in his voice.

"If Ying Zheng dares to resort to open robbery, then the State of Qin will no longer belong to the Ying family. Do you believe me?" Xiao Xie raised his head to look at Li Si, a playful yet chilling smile on his face.

"You—how dare you utter such treasonous words!" Li Si was genuinely terrified by Xiao Xie's statement. For Xiao Xie to speak like this right in front of him—did he intend to silence him? Otherwise, how could he dare say such things before a Prime Minister of Qin? Wasn't he afraid that Li Si would report this to the Emperor? If he did, the Emperor would surely dispatch troops to flatten the Ascending Heavens Tower to the ground!

As Xiao Xie's words fell, the hands of Murong Feng and Murong Huang instinctively rested upon the soft swords at their waists. At the slightest sign of trouble, they would strike with lightning speed and execute Li Si on the spot.

Shi Lan and Chef Ding were also dumbfounded. Did Xiao Xie even realize what he was doing? To say such words right in front of Li Si—was he ready to abandon the Ascending Heavens Tower entirely?

Feeling the undisguised killing intent emanating from Murong Feng and Murong Huang, a cold sweat broke out across Li Si's back. He had originally assumed that even if negotiations failed, Xiao Xie wouldn't dare lay a hand on him, considering his prominent status and the vast enterprises Xiao Xie owned here.

In his calculations, Xiao Xie wouldn't make things difficult for a Prime Minister, because killing him would mean incurring Ying Zheng's wrath without escape. Yet who could have predicted that Xiao Xie would completely disregard the rules, dropping such rebellious remarks the moment they met? Li Si felt as though half of his foot had already stepped through the gates of the netherworld!

"Li Si, take this message back to Ying Zheng: while I have no intention of making an enemy of him, if he fails to recognize what is good for him, I wouldn't mind sitting on that imperial throne myself." Looking at Li Si's pale and ugly expression, Xiao Xie delivered yet another earth-shattering statement.