Chapter 1408

I had originally planned to go up and say hello, but before I could even move, Yun Xiantai froze—what did this old coot just say?

He glanced suspiciously at Hong Zun nearby; hearing that, Hong Zun said awkwardly.

He seems to be inviting Ye Zhangqing to join his tavern.

Huh???

Is this old coot trying to poach me?

Zhao the shopkeeper hadn't realized just how big a hornet's nest his words had stirred.

Before, the crowd's reaction might not have been this intense, but after the Viper incident, everyone has been watching Ye Zhangqing closely.

We feared something like this might happen again, and now someone is openly trying to poach right in front of them?

For a moment, everyone's gaze fell on Zhao the shopkeeper, their eyes flashing with hostility.

However, Zhao the shopkeeper was so focused on Ye Zhangqing that he didn't notice at first.

At this moment, his eyes were solely on Ye Zhangqing; he didn't realize it, but Ye Zhangqing truly felt it.

Sensing that the crowd's looks were off, before he could speak, an angry shout rang out.

Old coot, if you've got the guts, say that again.

With that voice, Yun Xiantai strode over, his eyes practically blazing.

How brazen this old coot is, daring to poach someone right in front of them all—if they weren't here, would he dare to just abduct them outright?

A mere Great Emperor Realm cultivator acting so recklessly—he's practically a Viper number two.

Yun Xiantai's eyes burned with fury; Zhao the shopkeeper, seeing this, hadn't yet reacted—he hadn't provoked him at all.

He casually asked.

You are.............

I'm your father.

Seeing Zhao the shopkeeper still dare to put on an innocent look, Yun Xiantai slapped him straight away.

Seeing that, although Zhao the shopkeeper still didn't understand what was happening, the slap landed on his face—he couldn't tolerate it and immediately roared.

Impudent.

Immediately his Great Emperor aura erupted, but facing Yun Xiantai's slap, his aura offered almost no resistance and was shattered outright.

Emperor Sovereign.............

Only then did Zhao the shopkeeper feel Yun Xiantai's aura, his face draining of color—but it was too late.

The next second, Zhao the shopkeeper was lifted into the air, flung backward, sent flying by Yun Xiantai's slap.

This.............

Beside them, He the cook and Li the steward saw their boss go flying like that, and they too stood stunned on the spot.

Yet Yun Xiantai was still unsatisfied, thinking back on the hardships of this journey, all the way from Haotu Shijie to the Tianwu Realm.

After finally finding Ye Zhangqing, we've barely had a few meals together, and now someone jumps out trying to poach him—enough is enough.

The more he thought, the angrier he got; Yun Xiantai stepped toward Zhao the shopkeeper, but Ye Zhangqing, quick-eyed and quick-handed, grabbed him.

Ancestor.

Ye Zhangqing moved to block him, and Yun Xiantai halted his steps, though he still gave He the cook and Li the steward a hostile glance.

Under Yun Xiantai's gaze, the two broke out in cold sweat, heads lowered, daring not to meet his eyes.

Not far off, Zhao the shopkeeper had blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, shakily rising to his feet, looking at Yun Xiantai with apprehension.

Out of the blue, he got slapped and sent flying—and the attacker was an Emperor Sovereign, and he hadn't provoked him at all.

Still, outmatched in strength, even after being slapped, Zhao the shopkeeper could only lower his head and say.

Senior, I don't recall offending you anywhere.

You don't remember? Repeat what you just said.

Just now? I................

He racked his brain trying to recall what he'd just said, but drew a blank; seeing this, Yun Xiantai prompted him.

You wanted to poach my corner?

I... I didn't, no, it's a misunderstanding, senior.

Hearing that, Zhao the shopkeeper snapped back to attention, gazing at Ye Zhangqing with a complex expression.

Just now he was trying to recruit Ye Zhangqing, with no other motive—he was simply amazed by Ye Zhangqing's skill.

How could that be related to poaching someone?

A misunderstanding? I saw it with my own eyes—you're telling me it's a misunderstanding?

Senior, I had no such intention; I was merely impressed by Young Ye's cooking, so upon seeing it I felt moved—I................

I tried to hire a cook, and out of nowhere I got slapped—what kind of thing is this?

Just as Zhao the shopkeeper was astonished, a spatial rift suddenly appeared in the courtyard, and two middle-aged men strode out.

Lin steward, Zhang steward?

Seeing them, Zhao the shopkeeper called out at once, clearly recognizing the two.

Both are stewards of the Food Heaven sect, and both have Emperor Sovereign Realm cultivation.

Seeing Emperor Sovereign experts from the Food Realm appear, Yun Xiantai and the others showed no change in expression, merely observing the two indifferently.

Then the Lin steward stepped forward and smiled at Yun Xiantai.

Fellow Daoist, is there any shortcoming in our Food Realm's hospitality?

Since everyone entered the Food Realm, the two Lin stewards have been covertly monitoring them; there's no way around it—the pressure from three Emperor Sovereigns is immense, so naturally one cannot feel at ease.

As for others, they're basically useless; only these two can personally take action.

Just now, when Yun Xiantai suddenly attacked, the two had no choice but to reveal themselves—but unless absolutely necessary, they clearly did not wish to become enemies with the group.

Hearing the Lin family's offering say that, Yun Xiantai said lightly.

"This old bastard is poaching people right in front of me—do you think he should be beaten or not?"

Huh???

Upon hearing that, the Zhang family's offering who had come together with the Lin family's offering turned his head and gave Zhao the manager a cold glance, his eyes full of warning.

They've been scared out of their wits here all day, and you dare come poaching people? You have a death wish!

After receiving a fierce glare from the Zhang family's offering, Zhao the manager opened his mouth but couldn't say anything, not knowing what to say.

He didn't mean anything else.

And upon hearing that, the Lin family's offering also replied with a smiling face.

"Manager Zhao probably just misspoke; fellow cultivator, don't lower yourself to his level."

They had already beaten him, and there were no real consequences; moreover, Ye Zhangqing beside them also said it was fine and that he wouldn't join the Hall of Hundred Flavors.

Only then did Yun Xiantai agree to stop.

Seeing that Yun Xiantai wasn't clinging on stubbornly, the two from the Lin family's offering finally breathed a sigh of relief.

If a fight broke out, facing three Emperor Sovereigns from the other side, plus so many Emperor realm cultivators and Great Saints, they didn't think they had any chance of winning.

At this moment, Manager Zhao also looked aggrieved; Cook He and Manager Li came to their senses and hurried forward to support her.

Looking at the somewhat miserable Manager Zhao, Ye Zhangqing stepped forward a bit embarrassed and said.

"Sorry, Manager Zhao; because something happened earlier, the ancestors are now a bit tense."

If it had been before, Yun Xiantai's reaction wouldn't have been so great, but after experiencing the Viper incident, everyone's a bit jumpy; even the slightest disturbance makes them unable to help exploding with rage.