Chapter 127: Royal Palace Banquet
"Kyoto, the water is really deep."
In the evening, Jiang Lin sat at a seat in a small stall, watching the people coming and going.
This stall sells flatbreads, and the stall owner is an elderly couple.
Jiang Lin was eating his dumplings while weighing his pocket.
The few copper coins that were left would soon be gone after I finished eating.
Jiang Lin wandered around Kyoto for a whole day and only visited two markets. He didn't gain much from the trip, but he saw the arrogance and contrast of Kyoto.
In other places, there are more or less rules that cultivators cannot reveal themselves in front of others, but there are none of those in Kyoto.
Jiang Lin clearly saw two people arguing. One said that his Liu Yao was taught by Ma Yi himself, and the other said that he was a disciple of Tianshi Mansion.
Everyone thought the other party was bragging, but when they revealed their true colors, they found out that they were all genuine.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
As for the others, I can’t say that they are as good as gold everywhere, but they are not much different.
Jiang Lin was seen visiting a brothel in the middle of the day, spending 100,000 yuan just to wake up his favorite courtesan and ask her to sing a little song.
I also saw two Liba arguing with the stall owner in order to pay less.
At least in Kyoto, power and authority are combined.
There are so many practitioners serving as offerings here that more than 50% of them are authentic practitioners with backgrounds and traditions.
Elsewhere, this would be unthinkable.
"Bah…"
A bowl of hot dumplings sprinkled with spicy sauce was placed on Jiang Lin's table, and a figure followed and sat opposite Jiang Lin.
Jiang Lin did not make any move, and the visitor did not hide his aura, allowing Jiang Lin to investigate openly.
"The taste of this restaurant is pretty good, but the chili is not authentic. In order to save costs, the boss does not use the good chili from Sichuan."
The visitor slowly picked up the spoon, ate one, and then put it down.
Jiang Lin finished his dumplings, raised his head and looked across.
It was a man wearing a hydrangea hat, a theatrical costume, and a young man's makeup on his face.
He looked like an actor who had just come down from the stage and was eating without removing his makeup.
"If you don't like it, you can give it to me."
As Jiang Lin said this, he was about to raise his hand to take it.
"Eh."
The man raised his hand to stop her and said with a smile: "Master, how can you be so casual as a monk? When did I say that I didn't like it?"
"On the contrary, I like it very much. I like this kind of unorthodoxy."
As he said this, he picked up the bowl without even thinking it was hot, and drank the whole bowl of dumplings like a cow.
"I thought I was hungry enough, but I didn't expect you to be even hungrier than me."
Jiang Lin marveled and finished the last mouthful of soup in his bowl. Two bowls appeared on the table that were cleaner than those licked by a dog.
"It seems that the Taoist priest is not full?"
The young man asked with a smile, and the ink on his face also kept smiling, giving people an inexplicable sense of illusion.
It was as if this was not a real person but a wax figure.
“I’m really not full.”
Jiang Lin nodded honestly, looked at the young man in front of him, and said, "People say that all cultivation is limited to the three schools of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. But in addition to the three schools, there are also folk operas and 360 professions, all of which can be cultivated."
"I wonder what method you are practicing?"
"It's rare to see a theatre door that wears makeup all year round."
In spiritual practice, there is a saying that there are three thousand great ways and eight hundred side paths. These are just imaginary numbers. There are more than three thousand great ways and far more than eight hundred side paths.
The man in front of Jiang Lin was practicing a side sect, but he didn't know which one it was.
"You are too kind, Taoist priest. I am just an ordinary actor who wears makeup all year round, but that is because my audience is always there."
I smiled and bowed, saying, "I am Baihua, I greet Taoist Xuanying."
Jiang Lin narrowed his eyes and smiled, "I was wondering who summoned the three Night Wandering Gods to follow those three. It turned out to be you, my Lord."
"I'm not following those three, I'm just following my princess."
Baihua said with a smile: "Besides, it's not calling, it's pretending."
Jiang Lin also laughed and said, "Is this how you reveal your method?"
"I have only seen Nuo costumes to entertain gods in ancient books, but I never thought there are actually people who practice this."
Bai Hua smiled back and said, "No matter how rare my path is, it is still rare. It is just a minor path. Few people practice it because it is inherently low."
"Unlike the Taoist priest, who is so famous and powerful, there is only one person in the whole world. This is extremely rare."
Hearing this, Jiang Lin smiled and asked, "It seems that there is someone behind you?"
Bai Hua stood up and said with a smile: "I am indeed serving as a sacrifice, shamelessly taking a share of the salary. I have come here without any hostility."
As he said this, he gave a bitter smile and said, "Master, how about putting away the Divine Sky Righteous Dharma? Facing this kind of Dharma, I am really a little scared."
Ordinary people cannot see it, but Baihua can sense it very clearly.
From the moment I sat down, the energy around me became "heavy".
The young Taoist in front of him had already spread the divine qi with just a few words. As long as he spoke the true words, he would be struck by five thunders.
"I dare not."
Jiang Lin smiled and shook his head.
"Master, you should know that my method is naturally restrained when it comes to someone like you. If I appear in front of you with bad intentions, it would be no different from seeking death."
Baihua smiled bitterly and said: "My method is just to entertain the gods by using incense and offerings, and to ask the gods to share one-third of the incense and wishes of the human world, and you..."
"Then let's talk business. You have been following me for a day. Do you want to perform a show of eating dumplings in front of me?"
Jiang Lin had no intention of dispersing the Shenxiao righteous energy at all.
The guy opposite is hiding something.
The method of Nuo makeup to entertain gods cannot be as humble as he said.
To be honest, among the side doors, this method is the one that is closest to the evil way.
In the end, the gods cannot do without the actors. They miss them if they don't see them for a day. So, who is the one in control, the gods or the actors?
Who is the master and who is the servant?
If you really think about it carefully, it is so bizarre and indescribable that it makes people feel cold.
"Of course there is something serious."
Baihua took out an invitation from his sleeve, which was painted with gold and silver and looked extremely luxurious.
"My master, please come into the house for a chat."
After thinking for a while, Baihua said, "All kinds of food, delicacies from the mountains and the sea, and exquisite dishes are available."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Lin spread out the invitation and took a look at it.
"So the princess I met today is the thousand-year-old daughter of the King of Qin?"
"He is also the only offspring of my master."
Baihua added, and when he saw Jiang Lin put away the invitation and stood up, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Among all practitioners, no matter whether they are from the righteous or evil path, few dare to deal with Master Black Law face to face like this.
He came here, but he was also very nervous.
"Not only are there a variety of flavors, my master also specially ordered a dish of West Lake vinegar fish for you, so that you can relieve your homesickness... Why are you sitting down again, Taoist priest?"
Baihua was stunned for a moment, watched Jiang Lin stand up, and then sat back down.
Jiang Lin looked at him seriously and said word by word: "No, West Lake Vinegar Fish."
…………
Soon, we arrived at Xijingfang, the Prince of Qin's Mansion.
Looking at the five large gold-plated characters "The Qin Palace Built by Imperial Order", Jiang Lin suddenly looked at Bai Hua standing aside.
"Brother Baihua, why does your master use Qin as his king's name?"
This title of king is not very auspicious for the Great Zhou.
Although the Great Zhou in this world does not match Jiang Lin’s impression, before the current Zhou Kingdom, this place was the territory of the Tang Kingdom.
The one who was involved in the Xuanwu Gate Incident was also the King of Qin.
Doesn’t His Majesty today have any taboos?
"The Taoist priest doesn't know something."
Baihua invited Jiang Lin into the palace and said as they walked: "The current emperor is wise and brave, and is a wise ruler." Jiang Lin suddenly realized: "So the current emperor is not afraid of these things?"
"Do not."
Bai Hua smiled inexplicably and said, "The King of Qin, the King of Zhao, and even the King of Qi and the King of Han are all in the capital, while the other two-character kings and the King of Song are in their fiefdoms outside."
Jiang Lin couldn't help but blink when he heard this, and muttered, "Take off your pants and fart."
"you do not say."
Baihua chuckled and did not continue the topic. He led Jiang Lin past the screen wall and into the main hall.
Inside the main hall, there was already a man waiting.
The man was wearing a linen Taoist robe, which showed his unruly nature. His casual attire did not seem like hospitality at all, but rather like he was entertaining his own juniors.
"This king, Zhou Shouchen, greets the Taoist priest."
The King of Qin came forward with a smile and was the first to bow. His magnanimity was impressive.
"Blessings and blessings are immeasurable."
Jiang Lin returned the greeting and said, "I am Jiang Xuanying, and I am honored to meet the King of Qin."
King Qin nodded, looked Jiang Lin up and down, and said with a smile: "Okay, I have seen countless people in my life, but it is the first time I have seen someone as unworldly as the Taoist priest."
"Your Majesty, you are too kind."
Jiang Lin smiled.
The King of Qin raised his hand and clapped three times.
"Stop talking nonsense. This prince said he would treat you to a meal, so it's a real meal. There is no other empty formalities. Taoist priest, please."
After saying this, someone behind the King of Qin brought up a table that was so big that ten people could hug it.
Each of the four people who were carrying the table had true Qi in their bodies and were practitioners who had entered the Tao.
But the King of Qin treated him like a servant.
This scene made Jiang Lin squint his eyes. It seemed that the secrets of these royal nobles were deeper than he thought.
Thinking in his mind, Jiang Lin sat down. After a moment, a group of beautiful girls came with various dishes.
Each of those maids was three times prettier than the courtesan that Jiang Lin had seen when he passed by the brothel before.
For a man like the King of Qin, beauties are just objects that can be summoned at any time.
"We prepared hastily today and only have ninety-nine dishes. I am sorry for neglecting you, Master."
The King of Qin picked up a glass of wine and said with a smile.
"The King of Qin is too polite."
Jiang Lin smiled and picked up the chopsticks to indicate.
"Hahahaha!"
"Master, please don't be restrained, and don't be polite."
The King of Qin smiled and raised his sleeves, saying, "I am wearing this to meet the Taoist priest today, just to tell him that this is a friendly banquet, and everything is up to his will."
At the dinner table, especially when someone is treating you, Jiang Lin never knows what politeness means.
Not to mention, this meal could be said to be the most grand meal Jiang Lin had ever seen in his life.
If we don’t eat this, wouldn’t it be a waste of food?
As for the King of Qin’s purpose?
No matter what his purpose is, this family is wealthy and they don't need this meal.
Jiang Lin held the chopsticks and ate the food as voraciously as butterflies fluttering around.
At the table, King Qin and Baihua sat quietly, while Jiang Lin stood up from time to time to pick up food.
Manners? Etiquette?
what is that?
I, a country Taoist priest, don't understand those things.
Anyway, Jiang Lin enjoyed the meal very much.
The King of Qin drank a cup of wine with a smile on his face, and laughed, "I haven't seen such a good appetite for a long time. I want to eat more too."
"Mr. Baihua, please invite the princess over and have dinner with her."
"Yes."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Baihua hurriedly left the table.
Jiang Lin turned a deaf ear.
Not long after, a figure appeared from behind the main hall.
The girl was in her twenties, wearing a pink dress, without any makeup or hairpins, like a lotus emerging from clear water, naturally without any embellishment.
There's a bit of baby fat on her little face, which is unique to young girls, making her look more cute and naive.
As soon as Zhou Rou came in, she saw Jiang Lin, who had just filled a whole bowl of various dishes, eating heartily.
She was stunned at first, then she calmed herself down and came closer.
"Father."
"Well, daughter, sit down and eat something."
King Qin said with a smile: "Hurry up, otherwise, I'm afraid they will all be snatched away by the Taoist priest."
"Yes."
Zhou Rou hesitated for a moment, but still sat down next to King Qin, ate a few bites of vegetables, and then looked repeatedly at the Taoist priest who had no good eating manners.
The etiquette she had learned over the past decade or so told her that this was very rude and disgusting behavior.
But when she looked at the Taoist priest who had no manners at all, the word "generous" popped up in her mind.
He must have lived a very poor life in the past, right?
Zhou Rou suddenly felt a little pity.
Zhou Rou didn't eat anything during the meal, but she found that her father did have a big appetite.
Although he doesn't like meat, he actually ate half a pork elbow.
"I haven't felt this full in a long time."
King Qin patted his belly, laughed, looked at Jiang Lin, and said with a smile: "Master, would you like to have some tea?"
"It's fine to drink like a cow."
Jiang Lin smiled and stood up. After all, he had eaten such a good meal, he couldn't just walk away.
"What a coincidence, I also drink like a cow."
King Qin smiled and left the dinner table with Jiang Lin.
Naturally, a maid came over to clean up the leftovers, but Jiang Lin looked back, feeling a little regretful.
Even if you've been hungry for a day, you can't eat much by yourself, and there are ninety-nine dishes here.
Can you pack it up?
Jiang Lin really wanted to ask.
King Qin and Jiang Lin sat opposite each other, with Zhou Rou under his left hand and Baihua under his right hand.
"Taoist Master, please."
The King of Qin took a sip of tea, thought for a moment and said, "Well, Mingqian Longjing."
"Your Majesty is right."
Baihua took a sip of Pu'er and agreed with a smile: "It is indeed Mingqian Longjing."
Jiang Lin raised his hand and drank a glass of wine, just to get rid of the fat.
What is Longjing before the Qingming Festival? Isn’t it just a bitter soup?
Zhou Rou, who was standing by, was having a hard time trying to hold back her laughter.
King Qin poured another cup of tea for Jiang Lin and said with a smile: "Please invite the Taoist priest into the mansion. In addition to dinner, there are some small matters."
"I wonder if you would listen to what I have to say?"
"All ears."
Jiang Lin nodded. As the saying goes, one should be grateful to the person who has eaten his food. Whether to do something is one thing, but whether to listen or not is another.
Moreover, the King of Qin was well aware of this, and in his words, he put himself in a very low position.
If it were someone else, seeing such courtesy and humility, he would have bowed down in worship.
Jiang Lin didn't feel anything, mainly because he couldn't understand the hidden meaning of the words.
I only heard the King of Qin speak slowly.
"I wonder if the Taoist priest intends to return to secular life? This king intends to invite the Taoist priest to be his son-in-law."
(End of this chapter)
