Chapter 2290: Two Stubborn Guys

It has nothing to do with you.

Tao Qian had an expression of not wanting to talk to you; no matter what Zuo Jue said, he only replied, "It has nothing to do with you."

I'll ask you one last time: are you leaving or not?

It has nothing to do with you.

I've given you face.

Zuo Jue wasn't exactly good-tempered; he was quickly provoked, grabbed Tao Qian, and walked toward a nearby alley.

In Zuo Jue's hands, Tao Qian truly had little strength to resist.

In the deserted alley, Zuo Jue gave Tao Qian a sound beating, then, feeling relieved, walked out and headed straight for the tavern.

Shī xiōng, Tao Qian was kneeling at the door refusing to leave, so I gave him a beating.

Upon entering the rear courtyard, Zuo Jue broke into a grin.

As for that, Ye Zhangqing didn't care; whether Tao Qian lived or died was none of his business, they had no relation.

Immediately, Zuo Jue wasn't polite either; he first bowed to Bai Hua Xianzi and the other girls, then plopped down beside Ye Zhangqing.

He casually picked up the spiritual fruit on the table and began eating it.

Being able to follow Ye Zhangqing's side was truly great for Zuo Jue, far more comfortable than in the Sect.

In the Sect, every day was nothing but cultivation; there was no excitement like being beside one's Shī xiōng.

Not long after, Hongyue walked into the courtyard, speaking with a somewhat complex expression.

Young Master Ye, Tao Qian has come again.

Huh???

Hearing that, Ye Zhangqing showed no reaction, but Zuo Jue jumped up, furrowed his brows, and snapped angrily.

Is this dog sick? Shī xiōng, wait a moment, I'll go check.

Cursing, he just walked out of the small courtyard.

Upon looking outside the shop, sure enough, the bruised and swollen Tao Qian was kneeling outside again, in the same posture as before.

Seeing this, Zuo Jue flew into a rage, strode up to Tao Qian, looked down at him, and said.

Was the earlier lesson not enough?

It has nothing to do with you.

I've really given you face; come on, let's go again.

Saying that, Zuo Jue again grabbed Tao Qian and headed toward the previous alley; this time Tao Qian didn't even struggle.

Another lesson, Zuo Jue satisfiedly clapped his hands and returned to the shop.

But not long after, Hongyue said Tao Qian had come again; Zuo Jue, fuming, strode with flared beard and glaring eyes to the shop's exterior, and sure enough, at a glance he saw Tao Qian kneeling there.

I just don't believe it.

Gritting his teeth, he snapped, stepped forward and grabbed Tao Qian—what kind of person is Zuo Jue? If he can't even handle a sycophant, that would be a laughingstock for his Shī xiōng.

Zuo Jue's temper flared, and Tao Qian obviously got worked up as well.

Zuo Jue gave him a beating; Tao Qian swallowed his healing pill, and once he could move, he came back outside to kneel.

This continued for three days straight; the two went back and forth in that alley more than ten times.

Even the surrounding cultivators began to sympathize with Tao Qian, after all, he was truly beaten badly.

Some people quietly blamed Zuo Jue.

As the saying goes, words can be fearsome; if it were someone else, they might not dare to continue striking.

But who is Zuo Jue? Is he someone who cares about his reputation? Obviously not.

No matter what the people around him said, Zuo Jue paid no heed; the only thing that gave him a headache was Tao Qian.

Originally he had planned to just kill him and be done with it; given Zuo Jue's nature, he could certainly do such a thing.

But as the beating went on, seeing Tao Qian's stubbornness, Zuo Jue felt a little reluctant.

Well, they came again to that familiar alley; seeing Tao Qian with a resigned expression, he simply closed his eyes and left himself to Zuo Jue's strike.

Zuo Jue frowned tightly, his tone also somewhat helpless.

What exactly do you want to do?

I want to follow Young Master Ye.

Huh???

This time, Tao Qian finally answered Zuo Jue's words; but upon hearing it, Zuo Jue burst out laughing in anger.

Who do you think you are? My Shī xiōng isn't someone you can just follow; you coward, even staying by his side would only bring shame.

Tao Qian doesn't deserve to follow the Shī xiōng; he's a waste from a dead woman's body—don't sully the Shī xiōng's reputation.

As for that, Tao Qian didn't argue, but he had made up his mind: he must follow Ye Zhangqing left and right.

After the Ma Hong incident, frankly speaking, Tao Qian didn't even care about death.

Having said all that, Tao Qian directly lifted his gaze to look at Zuo Jue and said.

Do you want to fight or not? If not, I'm leaving.

You....................

Hearing that, Zuo Jue grit his teeth silently; this damned thing.

For a full seven days, Zuo Jue couldn't even say what he felt; this Tao Qian, aside from being a sycophant, was actually quite a man in other respects.

This even made Zuo Jue feel a grudging admiration.

So that day, Ye Zhangqing was busy in the rear courtyard's Fire Room; tomorrow would be the opening day of the tavern.

Zuo Jue walked in with a complex expression, standing aside somewhat at a loss, looking troubled, stammering, appearing as if he wanted to say something but didn't know how to start.

What's wrong? Just speak if you have something to say.

Seeing that this guy had something on his mind, Ye Zhangqing curiously asked.

Under questioning, Zuo Jue then hesitantly spoke.

"Shī xiōng, I want to tell you something."

"Just say it."

"This Zuo Jue is showing this expression for the first time; before, wasn't he always rash and reckless? Why is he so bashful today?"

He looked curiously at Zuo Jue, and then Zuo Jue spoke.

"Shī xiōng, why not... why not take in that guy?"

"Huh???"

"It's Tao Qian; I can tell he's sincere."

Zuo Jue spoke up for Tao Qian, which surprised Ye Zhangqing—beating someone up and yet developing feelings?

However, after a slight hesitation, Ye Zhangqing nodded, letting Zuo Jue bring the person in.

It had already been seven days straight; every day Tao Qian knelt outside the shop, except when Zuo Jue was dealing with him.

In the end, Zuo Jue couldn't hold out any longer.

Not long after, Tao Qian was brought to Yuàn zhōng by Zuo Jue; Ye Zhangqing was still busy, he didn't disturb him, quietly standing in Yuàn zhōng waiting, not even sitting.

He waited until Ye Zhangqing finished, then Tao Qian suddenly dropped to his knees and said in a low voice.

"I hope you will accept me, sir; I, Tao Qian, am willing to be an ox or a horse."

"Why must you be like this?"

"I want to become stronger."

"A simple answer, his eyes full of resolve, clearly different from before—could this be a transformation born of deep sorrow?"

This time, Ye Zhangqing did not refuse again, accepted Tao Qian, and temporarily let him stay in the rear courtyard of the tavern to help.

As for this, Tao Qian naturally had no objection and immediately nodded in agreement.

The next day, the Canteen opened for business; because of the earlier Tao Qian incident, the Canteen had also accumulated a crowd, which was an unexpected delight.

Just as Ye Zhangqing had expected, when the crowd arrived at the shop and asked about the price, they were instantly stunned.

Some even wanted to curse, 'How is this any different from robbery? This price is truly outrageous.'

It's just simple food, yet the price rivals that of elixirs— isn't this gouging people?

Some loose cultivators immediately said they couldn't afford it and turned to leave.

This price makes them ache just thinking about it— with that money, wouldn't it be better spent on Xiūliàn rather than a meal here?