Chapter Four: The Calamity of the Broken Door

"Why such urgency?"

Xu Yuan's gaze was piercing; with a single glance, he saw that Old Liu was limping badly on his right leg. Had it not been for his son supporting him, this hurried dash might well have cost him half his life.

Compared to the agitated Old Liu, his son seemed somewhat apprehensive. "Father, slow down, slow down. Your legs aren't what they used to be."

As he spoke, he helped Old Liu to the table. When his eyes met Xu Yuan's, he immediately averted his gaze, not daring to look, keeping his head lowered.

"We're closed today. Go shut the door, and you two can head home to rest. Your wages will remain as usual."

Just as he sat beside the table, Old Liu immediately instructed the two workers who were still busy in the shop.

"Ah, how can I accept that? I merely came by to sit during my leisure, and now I'm disrupting your business?"

Xu Yuan shook his head slightly.

"How could you say such a thing, Mr. Xu? You barely visit once a year, and business is always there. Missing one day won’t matter." Old Liu sighed. "Without you, Liu's shop wouldn't even exist. Unfortunately, I've grown old. My son learned the trade but has no mind to carry on the shop..."

He shook his head and sighed, but the mood passed quickly. In a moment, he directed his son, "What are you dawdling for? Mr. Xu wants leek pastries—get to it!"

"Alright, I'll go buy some vegetables first."

Young Liu responded and dashed off like a rabbit.

Now that Liu’s shop was much diminished, even the cooking ingredients needed to be freshly gathered; at least he wouldn’t have to listen to the old man’s ramblings.

"Who are these two young gentlemen?" Old Liu’s slightly clouded eyes turned to Ji Wu and Ji Wen sitting at the table, a hint of surprise on his face.

"They’re Ji Yun’s children. I happened to meet them and brought them along for a meal," Xu Yuan replied casually.

"Oh, so they’re from the Ji Family Escort Agency. No wonder, at their age, they look spirited and already quite accomplished." Old Liu nodded; he had little acquaintance with the Ji Family Escort Agency.

But Mr. Xu’s circle was vast, from the lowliest to the former county magistrate—everyone addressed him as "sir." It was hardly unusual.

As they spoke, the two shop hands had already tidied up and, at Old Liu’s signal, closed the door. Suddenly, only a handful remained in the shop.

"Old Liu, what’s the matter with your leg? And why has the shop moved here?"

With no outsiders present, Xu Yuan stopped being polite and asked directly.

"Ah..." Old Liu sighed, his face tinged with bitterness, graying temples drooping by his ears, hesitating to speak.

"Why? Is there something you can’t say even to me?"

Xu Yuan raised his brows slightly.

"It’s just that the story is rather long..."

"Then take your time. No rush."

"Alright. Last year the previous county magistrate was promoted. The new magistrate heard of the fame of ‘Immortal’s Intoxication’ and visited Immortal’s Abode several times to taste it, praising its reputation..."

Old Liu had not finished when Ji Wu, who had been silent, seized the chance to interject, "Immortal’s Intoxication? Isn’t that the wine from Feihong Pavilion? My father recently hosted guests and specially bought several jars at a high price."

"Nonsense!"

At these words, Old Liu became quite agitated. "Immortal’s Intoxication was originally taught to Old Gao by Mr. Xu. With that wine, Old Gao slowly built up his business and opened Immortal’s Abode.

The new magistrate was unreasonable. Seeing the wine was truly extraordinary, he tried to buy the recipe at a high price. Old Gao refused, so he was framed and ruined, his family destroyed, and even the recipe was lost. Now Immortal’s Intoxication is the signature of Feihong Pavilion!"

Tears stained Old Liu’s clothes as he spoke. "This leg of mine was broken because of injustice done to Old Gao."

A magistrate who ruins families, a prefect who exterminates lineages.

In these times, a county magistrate was nothing short of a local emperor.

Whatever caught the magistrate’s eye, if money wouldn’t buy it, force would. What could anyone do?

Ultimately, both Old Liu and Old Gao were ordinary folk, with no titles or connections. Life and death lay entirely in the magistrate’s hands; even to cry out for justice, one had to lose a leg first.

"So Old Gao..."

Xu Yuan’s brow furrowed.

"He’s gone," Old Liu replied with a bitter smile. "Even Immortal’s Abode has become Feihong Pavilion, and several branches have opened. Children like these don’t even know Immortal’s Abode by name. In a few more years, all anyone will know is Feihong Pavilion in Qingshan County, with Immortal’s Intoxication as its specialty."

Xu Yuan’s brow finally knit tightly. "The place where I drank is gone?"

He spent a year in the heavens, only to descend for a single day.

Such intervals meant many things changed on earth.

Someone he just met might be gone the next time he visited. The more capable a person, the less likely they were to remain in one place for long.

On the other hand, small folk like Old Liu and Old Gao, with little skill or backing, could settle down with their livelihood, living quietly for decades if nothing went awry, even passing their modest business to their sons and grandsons...

Compared to befriending power-hungry nobles and officials, Xu Yuan preferred their company.

He’d teach them a bit of skill, earn a few hearty meals in return; their desires were modest, and when the mood struck, they could sit and chat.

His days in the mortal world were already few. To drink, eat, and find someone for a casual conversation was among his rare pleasures.

A day’s time—gone in the blink of an eye.

Now even this modest joy had been stolen by force.

Outrageous!

Xu Yuan’s voice was low and steady. "Do you know if the magistrate is at the county office?"

"I doubt he’s there," Old Liu had yet to reply when Ji Wen, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "This season, rain has been unpredictable and the river is rising, threatening to flood the fields. The new magistrate invited many village elders and local gentry to inspect the river, planning repairs and a new embankment. A few days ago, my father received an invitation."

A new official always seeks achievements.

This magistrate went straight for the river—no small task.

Relying solely on government funds was impossible; inevitably, the wealthy must contribute, the commoners must donate, all for the sake of the people. Ji Family Escort Agency, with its considerable assets, was naturally among the invitees.

Because of this, Ji Wen’s father had been cursing at the dinner table—Ji Wen remembered well.

"In that case, whose business is Feihong Pavilion?"

Xu Yuan asked again.

"It’s now run by the magistrate’s son-in-law," Old Liu replied at once.

"Do you know where his son-in-law lives?"

"I do."

Old Liu nodded repeatedly.

"Tell me then."

Xu Yuan listened closely, confirmed the location, and stood up, looking at the two youngsters. "You two wait here for your meal. I’ll be right back."

With that, Xu Yuan turned and left without hesitation.

Every grievance has its source, every debt its master.

It’s not that justice is absent, only that the time has not yet come.

Now, he had arrived.