Eternal Heavenly Emperor

The next day, Chu Hao had just returned from the academy when he saw Uncle Yu beaming with excitement, his smile nearly reaching his ears.

"Uncle Yu, what's making you so happy?" he asked with a smile.

"Young master, guess!" Uncle Yu did not answer, instead reversing the question on him.

Uncle Yu was truly overjoyed. What kind of good news could make this loyal and meticulous old servant play guessing games?

Chu Hao thought for a moment and said, "Did someone make a reservation at Fortune Full Building?"

Uncle Yu immediately gave a thumbs up and said, "Young master is indeed clever, you guessed right! And it's not just anyone; it's Steward Wu from the City Lord's Mansion—Young master, the Lord of the City will visit our restaurant on the opening day!"

The old man was naturally delighted. The City Lord's Mansion, oh how lofty! Now that even the City Lord was gracing them with his presence, how could the restaurant's business not thrive?

Chu Hao was initially stunned; he had thought it was Tang Xin who had someone make the reservation, considering the young man was shy and reluctant to impose. He hadn't anticipated being wrong!

He and the City Lord were strangers; how had he suddenly received such a massive favor?

There was naturally only one reason!

Madam Yun!

"Keep this a secret for now, do not publicize it," Chu Hao said.

"Yes, young master!" Although Uncle Yu did not understand why such good news should not be publicized—as he could imagine the overwhelming crowd fighting to get into Fortune Full Building on the day—it was clear to him that he must comply with the young master's instructions.

Chu Hao sighed inwardly; he could only owe this favor now, as he was in no position to refuse it! Moreover, with the City Lord himself coming, those with ill intentions towards him would certainly be much more restrained.

In Eastern Cloud City, Chu Hao was absolutely safe, as the City Lord's authority did not extend beyond the city.

With only four days until the opening, he could foresee that the anticipation built by the initial publicity would peak at the moment of the City Lord's visit, and Fortune Full Building would see guests abound, lining up in long queues!

The issue of money was finally solved!

Chu Hao could now think about more things, such as going out to explore the world and perhaps killing a few ferocious beasts. With money, he could acquire a Sharp Sword and purchase a Sword Manual.

Among all the weapons, he still preferred the sword, deeply influenced by the belief that the sword is the king of weapons.

As for the sword, he could either buy a finished one or buy the materials and have it made. It was time to start paying attention to this, because ordinary swords were no good against ferocious beasts; you wouldn't want your sword to break before it even pierced the beast's hide!

This was a very likely occurrence!

Chu Hao had Uncle Yu periodically visit the auction house to pick up a catalogue, to see when the items he needed would be listed for auction.

Time flew by quickly, and in the blink of an eye, three days had passed, bringing the grand reopening of Fortune Full Building.

Even before noon, a large crowd had gathered outside the restaurant to watch the excitement.

From a publicity standpoint, Chu Hao had done a magnificent job, making almost every person in the city aware of Fortune Full Building. However, publicity was one thing; convincing people to willingly part with their gold and silver required a catalyst, something that could truly align their perception with the luxurious and high-quality ambiance of Fortune Full Building.

So, despite the large crowd of onlookers, not a single person entered to dine.

Chu Hao had intentionally taken a day off; he hadn't really wanted to come, but since he had already received news of the City Lord's personal visit, it would have been extremely rude not to be there to welcome him!

Uncle Yu stood by Chu Hao's side, knowing that the City Lord was visiting that day and thus he was not in the least bit anxious; instead, his face was glowing, looking jovially happy.

"My dear nephew, what's going on, why is it that up to this point not a single customer has arrived?" a middle-aged man walked in. Though his words sounded concerned, his face was filled with schadenfreude.

This was, of course, Chu Hao's miserly Uncle Liu Heng!

His visit today was not just to mock; he harbored even greater ambitions!

"Chu Hao, this really won't do!" he pointed at Chu Hao, criticising him mercilessly, "You should step down and let someone more capable take over. I'll take a loss, buy out the restaurant, and give you ten taels of silver each month. At least you won't have to worry about clothing and food!"

Uncle Yu was instantly furious. The restaurant, whose business previously wasn't exactly bustling but still had a surplus of about three hundred taels a month, would need at least thirty thousand taels to buy out, especially since Chu Hao had recently invested nearly three thousand taels in renovations!

Ten taels a month in "rent" and he wants to take over the restaurant? And who could guarantee how long such "rent" would be paid? The current Chu Family had neither power nor influence, not like before!

In his anger, he almost revealed the matter of the City Lord's visit today, but seeing Chu Hao's calm demeanor, he swallowed his words.

— Just wait until the Lord of the City arrives, then we'll see who slaps whose face!

Chu Hao chuckled softly and said indifferently, "If uncle plans to dine, then please pay upfront. Our staff inside will serve you. If you're not dining, then please make way quickly, as the presence of a barking dog might scare off some of the customers!"

A barking thing? Isn't that a dog!

Liu Heng instantly became annoyed, not expecting that once his nephew's foolishness was cured, his mouth would be so sharp! He was about to explode but then thought that Chu Hao was just being obstinately stubborn and maybe was even crying inside!

With that thought, he sneered again and said, "Fine, today I'll play the part of a guest. I want to see what kind of expression you, little bastard, have when there are no guests!"

Chu Hao did not take his barking to heart and instead called inside, "My uncle is here today to help with the business. He's loaded, he'll definitely want the third floor!"

"Wait! Wait!" Liu Heng's face immediately turned ashen, and he almost jumped from anxiety.

Oh my god!

A table on the third floor costs a thousand taels of silver, it's a rip-off! Although he had scooped up most of the restaurant's profits over the years, his expenses were also high, supporting Liu Yang's martial arts training was like a bottomless pit!

And besides, he was a gambler, how much money could he have left?

A thousand taels of silver? That would be the death of him!

"First floor! First floor!" Liu Heng hastily insisted. Forget a thousand taels of silver, even ten taels of silver was painful enough for him! This little beast was too good at ripping people off, setting such high prices!

Several waiters suddenly burst into laughter; Liu Heng's appearance was quite comical.

Liu Heng's face turned as red as a pig's liver, and in his excitement, he almost shouted for the sake of his pride, "Lao Tzu wants to go to the third floor", but fortunately, he managed to hold it in. He was determined to eat enough later to minimize his losses.

Guided by a waiter, Liu Heng found a table on the first floor where he could see the entrance— he wanted to wait and enjoy watching the little bastard's helpless expression, which should whet his appetite.

"Chu Hao, I heard your family's restaurant is opening today, so I came specially to spoil it!" A while later, the second guest arrived.

Like Liu Heng, another unwelcome customer.

Ma Long!

He wasn't alone; next to him was a pretty beauty, none other than Lin Yuqi!

Chu Hao couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. A few days ago, Ma Long had sent his lackeys to trouble him, but he had smacked them down. Naturally, this guy wasn't willing to let it go and tried every means to regain his face.

Moreover, the City Lord's Mansion had issued a strict order not to create trouble! Since he couldn't lay a hand on Chu Hao directly, what could be more satisfying than coming today, drinking and having fun with Lin Yuqi, while enjoying the sight of his arch-enemy's helpless demeanor?

Look, your restaurant has no business at all, and it might close! Your fiancée is now my fiancée, sitting with me at dinner. You can only look on and even have to smile, because I am a guest! Swallowing your own blood with broken teeth, how frustrating is that?

What Ma Long would absolutely not know was that Lin Yuqi had actually been kicked out by him—of course, Lin Yuqi would never admit this point; she wouldn't lose face like that. She would definitely claim that Chu Hao had begged pitifully, but she paid him no mind.

Using Lin Yuqi to humiliate him? Cut, what nonsense! Even if he, Chu Hao, remained unmarried for life, he would never pine for a woman with a heart as venomous as a scorpion's!

"Good, welcome!" Chu Hao said calmly, there was a sucker willing to bring money right to his door, why would he push him away! He turned back to a waiter and said, "Young Master Ma from the Ma Family has arrived. Please, take him to the third floor!"

"Wait! Wait!" Ma Long, just like Liu Heng, urgently waved his hands!

Are you kidding me!

Who didn't know that the third floor charged a thousand taels of silver per table? Although he could definitely afford it, he wasn't about to be taken for a fool!

"First floor! First floor!" He hurriedly emphasized.

Several waiters immediately laughed again; was this guy Liu Heng's brother or what? Their reactions, expressions, and even actions were exactly the same!

On the other side, Liu Heng's face was burning red, unable to see his own expression, but watching Ma Long, he could imagine what his own demeanor had been—so embarrassing! Too embarrassing!

Chu Hao nonchalantly remarked, "I originally thought that Young Master Ma was so wealthy that neither the first nor the second floor could match his status. I didn't expect Young Master Ma to be such a… frugal person!"

From his lip movements, it was clear he had initially wanted to say "stingy"!

Ma Long felt a fire burning in his chest, to and fro. He really wanted to shout "Third floor," but doing so would cost him a thousand taels of silver, a price... too steep!

One simply can't waste money like that; his father would scold him terribly when he got home!

He could only puff and stew in his frustration, wondering why, though he came to laugh at Chu Hao, he ended up almost exploding in anger?

Lin Yuqi sighed silently; after his supposed foolishness was cured, Chu Hao really was something. Compared to him, Ma Long was just like a child throwing a tantrum! However, she had no way back; not only were things between her and Chu Hao water under the bridge, but she surely couldn't marry a fallen noble!

"Waiters, prepare a seat for Young Master Ma on the first floor!" Chu Hao turned back and spoke loudly to the waiters in the store, causing Ma Long's face to turn red again.