Mythical Qin: I, Gao Yao, will never be a eunuch!

Chapter 1173 Chen Pingping's purpose is clearly not pure!

Chen Pingping felt a chill run down his spine—this person seemed to have no cultivation, but every step he took was in harmony with the rhythm of heaven and earth. This level of skill was far beyond that of ordinary martial artists.

"Are you the owner of Gao's Restaurant?" Chen Pingping asked, his smile still not reaching his eyes.

"It is indeed I, Gao Yao." The middle-aged man walked up to Chen Pingping and bowed slightly. "May I ask what brings Dean Chen here so late at night?"

The moment their eyes met, it was as if lightning flashed through the air. This was a silent contest between two powerful individuals, the first clash of wisdom and will.

Chen Pingping slowly began, “Boss Gao’s restaurants are all over the world, and his business is booming. Even His Majesty has heard of him. I’m just passing by today and have come to ask for a cup of tea.”

"You flatter me, Dean." Gao Yao smiled slightly and gestured for him to enter. "Tea has been prepared in the backyard. Please, Dean."

The two arrived at the backyard one after the other. The place was exquisitely decorated, with a small bridge over a flowing stream and swaying bamboo shadows, a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere outside. On the stone table, a pot of tea was steaming gently.

After Chen Pingping sat down, his gaze swept over the scenery in the courtyard, and he suddenly said, "Boss Gao's courtyard is quite unique, but I wonder how many people in the capital are fortunate enough to set foot here?"

"Dean, you flatter me." Gao Yao poured a cup of tea. "It's just doing some small business and making some friends."

"Small business?" Chen Pingping took the teacup but didn't drink it. "If the Gao Clan Chamber of Commerce is considered a small business, then there probably isn't any big business in the world."

At this point, both of them understood that the small talk was over and the real conversation was about to begin.

Gao Yao remained expressionless, simply saying, "Business is not about size, but about having a clear conscience. Dean Chen's late-night visit surely isn't to discuss my business acumen, is it?"

Chen Pingping put down his teacup, his eyes blazing: "Fan Xian is dead."

He stared intently at Gao Yao's face, trying to detect anything unusual. However, Gao Yao simply sighed softly: "I've heard about it. What a pity for such a talented person."

"Is it just a pity?" Chen Pingping pressed. "It seems that Boss Gao and Young Master Fan have met a few times."

"It was just a brief encounter." Gao Yao picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Young Master Fan has dined at this restaurant a few times and greatly admires my cooking skills. That's all."

Chen Pingping sneered inwardly. Intelligence from the Overwatch Council indicated that Fan Xian's contact with Gao Yao was far more than just a "few meetings." But since Gao Yao was downplaying the issue, he wasn't in a hurry to expose him.

"Does Boss Gao know that His Majesty is extremely furious about Fan Xian's death?" Chen Pingping changed direction.

"It is only right that Your Majesty shows compassion to your subjects," Gao Yao replied flawlessly.

Chen Pingping was silent for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject: "Boss Gao, what do you think is the best way for someone to blend into the crowd?"

Gao Yao looked up at Chen Pingping: "Dean's question reminds me of an old saying—'The greatest hermit lives in the city.'"

“Exactly.” Chen Pingping nodded. “But there are many ways to hide in the city. Some hide in taverns, some in teahouses, and some in…the kitchen of taverns.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the courtyard suddenly became heavy.

Gao Yao slowly put down his teacup, a gentle smile still on his face: "Dean, you flatter me. I'm just a cook, occasionally managing the business, how could I be talking about any 'seclusion'?"

"A cook?" Chen Pingping smiled slightly. "A cook who can build a nationwide business network in six years? A cook who can get banks all over the world to actively seek cooperation with him? A cook who can make even an eighth-rank martial artist disappear without a trace?"

Three questions in a row, each one like a knife.

Gao Yao's smile deepened: "Did the Dean come today to interrogate me, or to have a heart-to-heart talk?"

“No, not at all.” Chen Pingping looked directly at Gao Yao. “I just want to see how many people and things I don’t understand are hidden in this capital city.”

The two locked eyes again, this time the confrontation even more intense than before. An invisible aura surged through the courtyard, the bamboo grove swayed without wind, and the water in the teapot bubbled gently.

After a long silence, Chen Pingping was the first to withdraw his gaze: "Mr. Gao, there is no need to worry. Today, I am only visiting in a private capacity. Although the Censorate has the power to supervise the entire country, it will not make things difficult for law-abiding businessmen without reason."

Hearing Chen Pingping's words, Gao Yao looked disdainful. He thought, "They brought dozens of Black Riders here just to talk? How hypocritical!"

"Your Excellency is wise." Gao Yao poured himself another cup of tea. "All my business dealings are legal, and every transaction is documented."

Chen Pingping sneered inwardly, but said nothing more. He knew he wouldn't get any more information from Gao Yao today, but he was certain of one thing: this Gao Yao was definitely not simple.

"It's getting late, I'll take my leave." Chen Pingping gestured to his attendant to push him away.

Gao Yao rose to see him off: "Please take care, Dean. If you have time in the future, you are welcome to come and enjoy tea with me anytime."

As she saw him to the door, Chen Pingping suddenly turned back and said, "Boss Gao, Kyoto may seem calm on the surface, but there are undercurrents beneath. Businessmen are better off doing business quietly."

"Thank you for the reminder, Dean." Gao Yao bowed slightly. "I will keep it in mind."

As Gao Yao watched Chen Pingping's carriage disappear into the night, the smile on his face gradually faded. He turned back to the restaurant and instructed the waiter waiting at the door, "Notify everyone that from today onwards, all operations must be conducted with an additional layer of secrecy."

"Yes." The Black Knight accepted the order and left.

Gao Yao stood alone in the empty lobby, his gaze deep. Chen Pingping's visit was expected, but it came sooner than he had anticipated. It seemed the Overwatch Council had already gathered a considerable amount of information, but had not yet touched upon the core issues.

The moment Gao Yao stepped into the private room, the outside noise was shut out by the heavy, carved wooden door. This was the most secluded private room on the top floor of Gao's Restaurant. Outside the window was the bustling night view of Kyoto, with thousands of lights pouring down like a galaxy, reflecting the splendor and treacherous nature of this power center of the Qing Kingdom.

A lone lamp flickered on the rosewood table, casting shadows that stretched and shortened throughout the room.

"Your Majesty, it seems that Chen Pingping's intentions are not simple either!"

Her voice was soft, carrying a woman's unique gentleness, yet every word was clear. Lü Zhi wore a moon-white silk dress with pale blue cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs. She held a jade teapot, amber tea pouring from its spout into a Yue ware celadon cup on the table. Her movements were elegant and composed, as if they were not discussing power struggles, but rather a casual conversation between a married couple.

The aroma of tea rises gently; it is the finest pre-rain Longjing tea.

Gao Yao did not respond immediately. He walked slowly to the window, stood with his hands behind his back, and gazed into the depths of the night through the latticed window frame.

The sound of Chen Pingping's wheelchair still seemed to echo in his ears—the sound of that specially made wheelchair rolling over the bluestone pavement of the restaurant, so steady it was unsettling. The director of the Supervisory Council had come in person, ostensibly to express his gratitude for Fan Xian's matter, his words impeccable, yet every pause, every glance, concealed a probing edge.

"Oh? What do you mean?"