Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 2642  Disturbance At The Shop

Upon hearing her grandfatherʼs words, Dou Qiʼs expression shifted.

”Grandpa! I told you, I donʼt want to marry right now,” Dou Qi pouted, her cheeks puffed slightly in protest.

”Alright, alright, I wonʼt nag you anymore,” Doumen chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender.

”Though, there is something else,” Dou Qi added, her tone growing serious.

”What is it?” Doumen asked, his brows furrowing.

”Thereʼs been a rather peculiar customer… Heʼs been here for seven days straight and hasnʼt left the book house,” Dou Qi reported.

”Seven days?” The old manʼs surprise was evident. ”Donʼt tell me heʼs freeloading, is he?” Doumen narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

”No, no,” Dou Qi quickly shook her head. ”Heʼs already bought over fifty pots of tea,” she explained.

”Fifty pots? At least heʼs a paying customer,” Doumen muttered, his tone softening.

It wasnʼt common to see someone linger in the book house for an entire week. They had regular patrons who visited daily, some even staying for over twelve hours at a time, sipping tea and reading. However, someone staying for seven consecutive days was unusual.

After all, the book house wasnʼt known for its rare or valuable texts. Its appeal lay in the quality of its tea rather than its modest collection of books, which could be found in most other shops or libraries. For someone to dedicate so much time here was highly unexpected.

”Is he searching for something specific?” Doumen wondered aloud. ”Maybe something he canʼt find elsewhere?”

”Itʼs possible. The last time I checked, he was engrossed in geography books and maps,” Dou Qi replied.

”Hmm… Where is he now?” Doumen asked, glancing at the empty first floor.

”Heʼs upstairs,” Dou Qi informed him.

”Iʼll go have a look myself,” Doumen decided, heading up the stairs.

When he reached the second floor, he scanned the room but didnʼt immediately see Lin Mu. Peering through the shelves, he finally spotted him at the far end of the room, standing by the travelogue section.

Lin Mu had several books in hand and was in the process of returning them to the shelves. He seemed to sense Doumenʼs presence and turned around.

”Did you find what you were looking for?” Doumen asked, his tone polite. ”Though I doubt we have anything rare or extraordinary here.”

”Sorry?” Lin Mu asked, a bit puzzled.

”Youʼre not here searching for rare texts?” Doumen clarified.

”Oh, no,” Lin Mu replied with a small smile. ”Iʼve just been reading whatever caught my interest. Iʼm new to this city—and this world—so Iʼm trying to learn as much as I can.”

”I see. I hope my humble shop has been helpful to you,” the old man said warmly.

”Oh, so youʼre Doumen?” Lin Mu finally connected the dots.

”Haha, indeed,” the old man replied with a nod. ”I must thank you for being such a good customer. I think weʼve sold more tea to you alone than to all our customers combined in the past two weeks!” he joked with a hearty laugh.

”Your tea is truly exceptional,” Lin Mu praised. ”Would it be possible to purchase some to take with me?”

”Ah, Iʼm sorry, but we only sell brewed tea here,” Doumen explained apologetically. ”Weʼre a small operation, and all our tea comes from our family farm. We only grow enough to serve the tea brewed fresh in the shop.”

”Thatʼs fine,” Lin Mu said, unfazed.

From observing the shop, Lin Mu could tell that Doumenʼs book house was a modest operation. Other than Dou Qi and Doumen, there didnʼt seem to be anyone else running the place. Dou Qi handled the tea, manned the counter, and even served as a waitress—all by herself.

CRASH!

SHATTER!

The sound of something breaking echoed from downstairs, cutting through their conversation.

”AH! Leave me be, you fiends!” Dou Qiʼs frantic voice rang out, filled with distress.

”Whatʼs happening?” Lin Mu asked, startled.

The old manʼs face darkened with fury.

”Damn those bastards! Theyʼre back again?” Doumen shouted, rushing downstairs.

Lin Mu followed quickly, extending his Immortal sense to assess the situation below.

On the first floor, Dou Qi was being held by a man dressed in blue and yellow robes. His sleeves and shoulders bore intricate designs, and on his back, a symbol of a river winding around an axe was prominently displayed.

Six other men accompanied him. Three were clad in servant attire, while the remaining three wore robes bearing the symbol of a branch curving over a pond, clearly signifying a clan.

”Haha! You canʼt escape this time, Dou Qi!” one of the men sneered. ”Weʼve brought Young Master Chiji Ou with us!”

He had a smug, self-satisfied grin as he spoke.

”So this is the woman you mentioned, Teng Yi?” Chiji Ou, the man in blue and yellow, said, his eyes raking over Dou Qi. ”I must say, sheʼs quite the delicate flower.”

His sleazy smile grew wider as he ran his hand down Dou Qiʼs back.

”You should just submit and serve Young Master Chiji Ou,” one of the other men jeered, egging him on.

”Never!” Dou Qi cried, her voice trembling as tears welled in her eyes.

”YOU BASTARDS! LEAVE MY GRANDDAUGHTER ALONE!” Doumen roared as he charged forward, his fury palpable.

With a clenched fist, he swung at Chiji Ou, aiming to free Dou Qi.

”Hmph! Know your place!” Chiji Ou scoffed, casually flicking his hand.

A whip of water materialized and lashed out, striking Doumen with enough force to send him flying across the room.

”Grandpa!” Dou Qi screamed, her voice breaking as she watched her grandfather collapse to the ground.

Chiji Ouʼs grip was far too strong.

Feeling desperate she bit down on the manʼs hand, making him cry in pain.

”ARGH! You bitch!” Feeling furious at the transgression, Chiji Ou swung his hand, slapping the woman.

Thud

But instead of a crisp slapping sound, a dull thud was heard.

”ARRGH! Who?” Chiji Ou felt like his hand had hit a steel wall instead.

Dou Qi looked through the gaps in her arms that were in a defensive position and saw the long term customer standing there.