Branch Shop Number One

The troublemakers, naturally, weren’t openly from the Chen family—at least not on the surface.

There were eleven or twelve of them, all dressed in grey short tunics embroidered with dragon and cloud patterns in gold thread on the chest. Their sleeves and pant legs were tightly bound with green cloth strips, a clear sign of attire suited for combat.

These men were tall and muscular, exuding a fierce aura. They weren’t the typical idle street ruffians who resorted to petty theft; they carried the bold, heroic demeanor of martial artists.

Martial artists, in this context, were those who didn’t follow the traditional path of cultivating spiritual qi for immortality. Instead, they used pills and spiritual herbs to temper their bodies, achieving strength beyond ordinary mortals.

To Su Qing, this sounded a lot like body refining.

Such martial artists were common in the immortal-mortal borderlands. After all, cultivating immortality was costly, requiring substantial wealth or sect backing. Without those, even starting was a challenge.

For martial artists, though, the entry barrier was lower. A few years of saving could buy a body-tempering potion to begin their path—far simpler and cheaper than immortal cultivation.

Moreover, martial artists could progress. Rumor had it that the best could reach the strength of Foundation Establishment, though their unsystematic methods capped them there. No martial artist had surpassed that level yet.

If given the chance, Su Qing would love to discuss body-tempering insights with them. Cultivation thrived on open-mindedness, and learning from others broadened perspectives.

But this wasn’t that chance. They weren’t here to exchange tips—they were here to cause trouble.

When Su Qing arrived at the shop’s entrance, Jiang Shuang was brandishing a large broom, fiercely swinging it to keep the group at bay.

Jia Song, small and wiry, hid behind her, shouting angrily, “Who are you people? We’re running a legitimate business! What’s it to you? Is there no law or reason anymore?”

Jiang Shuang spat, “I’ve already messaged the city guards! If you don’t leave, they’ll arrest you soon!”

Seeing Jiang Shuang and Jia Song unharmed, Su Qing relaxed slightly. But anger flared within her. She’d anticipated trouble from the Chen family, but expecting it was one thing—seeing her people bullied was another. She couldn’t stay calm.

Their shouts were futile against the group’s overwhelming presence. The shop’s renovation workers, more pragmatic, had stopped work at the sight of the aggressive crowd, dropping their tools and retreating.

The leader, a man with arms crossed, stood impatiently. His pose accentuated his bulging muscles, radiating intimidation.

With the dozen men dominating the scene, a small cleared space formed in front of the shop. Behind it, a crowd gathered, whispering and pointing as they watched the commotion.

“What’s going on?”

“No idea, but those are Thunderwind Hall people.”

“Thunderwind Hall? How did this little shop provoke them?”

The leader, Jiang Tao, boomed, “Where’s your boss? Stop dawdling! If they don’t show, don’t blame us for tearing this place down!”

Jia Song spotted Su Qing but didn’t call out, inwardly panicking. Jiang Shuang said she’d called for backup—why was Su Qing alone?

She was a Sword Sect student, sure, but with less than three years of cultivation, her slight frame and likely modest cultivation couldn’t match these brutes.

Jia Song averted his gaze, pretending not to see her.

Jiang Shuang, furious, shouted, “What if our boss doesn’t come? Or does? You want to fight?”

Su Qing stepped into the cleared space. A Thunderwind Hall lackey at the edge waved her off. “What’s this? Go watch from the side! Getting so close—looking for a fist?”

Ignoring him, Su Qing deftly sidestepped his attempt to grab her and walked straight to Jiang Tao. “Aren’t you looking for the boss? I’m the owner of this shop.”

Jiang Tao sized her up, surprised by her calm composure.

A young female cultivator, plainly dressed, with an innocent face, no weapon visible. To afford a prime city shop at her age, she likely excelled in business, not martial prowess.

As a martial artist, Jiang Tao cared only about her cultivation. Martial artists used true qi, not spiritual qi, making it hard to sense cultivation like immortals. But he had a unique Eagle Eye skill to gauge it. Running true qi to his eyes, he activated it discreetly.

He relaxed. She was only at Qi Refining Layer 3—beneath him. With Thunderwind Technique at minor completion, his hall master said he matched Qi Refining Layer 5. A mere Layer 3 was no threat, especially with his men behind him.

Su Qing’s sharp senses caught him probing her cultivation.

After over two years of cultivation, she knew this was mildly offensive among cultivators—scanning someone’s level often signaled intent to kill or rob.

This man, a veteran of Tianque City, surely knew this. Would he dare so blatantly scan a random cultivator’s level on the street? They’d likely lose half their head to a sword.

His brazen act confirmed his ill intent.

Good.

She wanted it that way.

Su Qing countered, “Why are you staring at me like that? Planning something?”

“You’re just a young girl. What do I need to challenge you for?” Jiang Tao looked down at her. “Our hall master has a message: you’re young, starting a business in Tianque City. Got anyone backing you?”

Su Qing replied, “If I say I rely only on my own hands, no one else?”

Jiang Tao’s eyes gleamed meaningfully. “Then Thunderwind Hall can be your backing.”

Protection money. Su Qing understood but didn’t play along. Her smile faded, voice cold. “And if I say my backing is the Sword Sect?”

“Big words,” Jiang Tao sneered. He’d investigated her and knew she had no one behind her, emboldening him. “Think getting into the Sword Sect makes it your backing?”

“You don’t get it,” Su Qing said, meeting his gaze. “No more wasting time. I want to talk to the one behind you. Don’t deny it—I know I need to take you down first.”

Jiang Tao frowned deeply. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what you think.”

With a flash of spiritual qi at her wrist, Manqing Sword appeared like a fed beast unleashed. Standing before her, its massive blade seemed to swallow light itself, its presence alone a silent intimidation.

A spectator gasped, “Goodness, that girl wields such a huge sword? Can she even lift it?”

“If that’s how it is, you’ve brought this on yourself. Don’t cry foul when I win!” Jiang Tao, feeling underestimated, roared, clenching his fists, muscles bulging, and charged at Su Qing—

She didn’t retreat a step. Gripping Manqing Sword’s hilt with both hands, she moved like the wind, rushing straight at Jiang Tao. As his massive fist aimed for her abdomen, Jiang Shuang shouted, “Watch out!” and charged with her broom.

Before the fist landed, Jia Song winced, already feeling the pain. He looked around, frantic. “Where are the guards? Guards! Someone help! Don’t just watch!”

But their worry was unnecessary. Su Qing stepped up because she knew she could win.

Jiang Tao’s strength wasn’t below hers. Against a light sword user or other cultivators, he’d be a tough foe.

But as a fellow body cultivator, Su Qing’s lightning-tempered physique was tougher, her *Gale* swordsmanship faster, and she saw no reason her strength was inferior. She couldn’t fathom losing.

Sure enough, when Jiang Tao’s true qi-laden fist grazed her waist, something felt off. *Too hard.* How was this female cultivator built like a fortress? @Infinite Good Reads, Only at Jinjiang Literature City

His martial artist’s sixth sense screamed danger, chills running through him. Before he could blink, the massive sword was at his neck, pressing his shoulder down.

Su Qing raised a brow. “Yield?”

Jiang Tao, unwilling to submit, threw another punch. But before it landed, Su Qing twisted, gripping Manqing Sword tightly, and executed a 360-degree horizontal sweep, cleanly flipping him. The returning hilt struck his abdomen, slamming him to the ground.

The force sent Jiang Tao flying. Before he could react, his back hit the ground hard, his abdomen throbbing.

One move—just one!

“She took him down with one swing!” a spectator exclaimed.

Another explained, “What’s the fuss? That’s a heavy sword! Haven’t you heard? A heavy sword rarely strikes, but when it does, it’s like thunder!”

Seeing their leader fall, the other ten men roared with rage, charging with fists, swords, axes, and hooks, fueled by true qi.

In those fleeting seconds, Su Qing’s mind raced through options, choosing one that wouldn’t damage the ground.

Gripping the hilt, she spun, Manqing Sword whirling with her momentum like a whirlwind tearing through the group.

Ten breaths later, Su Qing stood with her sword planted before her. No one else remained standing.

Wiping her (unsweaty) brow symbolically, she turned to the stunned renovation workers, speaking kindly. “All settled. It’s hot today, so I’ll have tea sent to cool off. Rest, drink, then get back to work—but follow the blueprints exactly. Understood?”

Her politeness and care, paired with her demonstrated prowess and the towering sword, were now terrifying. A worker who’d considered cutting corners shivered, resolving to follow the plans meticulously, abandoning any sly thoughts.

They lacked a martial artist’s resilience. One poke from that sword would probably make them puke their guts out.

Jiang Shuang, relieved, lowered her broom and ran to Su Qing. She glanced at the fallen men, then at Su Qing, then back, speechless.

Jia Song, quicker, gushed, “Boss, you’re incredible! A hero of youth, sword dominating all, shaking the heavens!”

Confirming they were unharmed, Su Qing told them to resume work while she handled the aftermath.

Crouching beside Jiang Tao, she asked, “Ready to take me now?”

…

Meeting the Chen family was out of the question, but the Thunderwind Hall master was accessible.

Su Qing had no intention of entering their headquarters, so the meeting was set at an ordinary restaurant.

The Thunderwind Hall master, at roughly Qi Refining Great Perfection, was a formidable figure among common folk. Yet he remained composed and discreet—a shrewd, seasoned man.

With smart people, Su Qing preferred candor, knowing she couldn’t outwit them. She had two goals: confirm the Chen family was behind this and ask Thunderwind Hall to stay out of it.

“I know you’re not out to harm me, just following orders,” Su Qing said, sitting without touching the food or drink, looking at the hall master. “Is it who I think it is?”

She dipped her finger in wine, wrote “Chen,” and let it evaporate, leaving no trace.

“Miss, you’re sharp. You know who it is,” the hall master replied.

A veteran of the streets, he didn’t underestimate Su Qing despite her youth and low cultivation. A nobody with such swordsmanship, trained in the Sword Sect, had clearly worked hard.

A clever, diligent young woman from the world’s top sect had a bright future. But that was the future—she was still weak, not yet worthy of his full respect.

Su Qing knew Thunderwind Hall wouldn’t side with her against the Chen family. She wasn’t greedy, only saying, “I don’t ask you to stand with me. Thunderwind Hall’s influence is vast, and you’re busy. Surely, you can’t oversee every detail?”

She was asking them to turn a blind eye, let things slide.

She didn’t want enmity with Thunderwind Hall. The Chen family was enough trouble—adding them would be disastrous. Even if they posed no real threat, just looming at her shop’s door would kill her business.

The hall master understood but neither agreed nor refused. “That’d be hard to justify. It could hurt Thunderwind Hall’s reputation.”

Su Qing upped the ante. “What if I can connect with the Song family?”

The Song family?

She’d learned the Chen family was tied to them. The hall master grew serious. “If you can reach the Song family, you’ll call the shots.”

The Song family’s influence in Tianque City was clear. They shared a knowing smile, agreeing: she’d get time to deal with the Song family.

Could she pull it off?

The hall master stayed neutral. If she succeeded, she’d be a rising figure in Tianque City, and stepping aside now would build goodwill. If she failed, he’d help the Chen family settle scores later.

Honestly, Tianque City had been stagnant too long. A new player stirring things up wasn’t bad.

He raised a cup to Su Qing. “To your success.”

She didn’t drink, only smiling. “Thank you for the kind words.” @Infinite Good Reads, Only at Jinjiang Literature City

Whether she could do it, Su Qing wasn’t certain. She’d try.

She felt confident. Wasn’t there a saying? No eternal enemies, only eternal interests.

With greater interests at play, these petty conflicts were nothing.

And a bigger interest was right before them. She didn’t believe the Song family wouldn’t bite.

…

After the Thunderwind Hall incident, the shop underwent over a month of renovations, stocking, and promotion. Honey Spirit Tea Branch Number One finally opened.

Opening day was packed.

Larger and better-designed than the Sword Mountain shop, it introduced four new specialty drinks. Even Sword Sect students came to support.

The queue stretched out of the alley, drawing Tianque City’s inner-city tabloid to cover the event. The shop earned rave reviews, stealing the spotlight.

Some people couldn’t sit still.