Dragon Gate Inn, Jin Xiangyu

Ganzhou, Dunhuang.

Heaven and Earth seemed to have their boundaries erased by an invisible giant hand, leaving only a scorched yellow expanse.

The merciless Gale kicked up billions of sand grains, howling as it swept across the dead, silent Gobi Desert, like a giant rasp fashioned from dry bones, repeatedly grinding everything within sight.

In the distance, the dun-colored sand dunes were like solidified, continuous monstrous waves, silently devouring any living creature that attempted to cross.

It was in this Desolate Land, where even vultures refused to linger, that an inn stood alone.

The Dragon Gate Inn!

The earth-yellow rammed earth walls were deeply grooved and riddled with holes by the wind and sand, like the crisscrossing wrinkles and hollow eye sockets on an old man's face.

The inn's windows were covered with thick, coarse paper, so layered with grease and dust that it no longer let light, nor view, pass through.

Two large red lanterns hung at the entrance, swaying back and forth in the wind, and from within, a few rough shouts of drinking games could be faintly heard.

Qiu Moyan, disguised as a man, sat with the Yang siblings in a spot closer to the inner courtyard door. The two children were bundled in oversized tattered clothes, only their frightened, uneasy eyes visible.

Qiu Moyan deliberately pulled the brim of her hat low, obscuring her overly delicate eyebrows and eyes.

She occasionally whispered reassurances to the frightened children, her gaze warily scanning the seemingly rough guests. Finally, her eyes would meet those of the young man sitting alone at a crooked table in the corner, exchanging silent signals in imperceptible ways.

The man appeared tired and travel-worn, but his back was straight, his eyes lowered yet sharp as a hawk's. He constantly monitored the activity in the hall, one hand subconsciously resting on the hilt of the sword hidden beneath the table.

This was none other than one of the Yang family disciples, renowned for his bravery and loyalty, the former Imperial Guard Instructor of Chaoge City, Zhou Huaian!

Xu Xianchun, Jia Ting, Lu Xiaochuan, Cao Tian, and others, disguised as merchants, occupied the central area of the hall.

Though their attire was somewhat presentable, it couldn't conceal the sinister aura and the scent of blood emanating from them.

Xu Xianchun outwardly acted jovial, engaging in drinking games with his subordinates, but his eyes were like poisoned hooks, missing no slight movement from the children near Qiu Moyan or Zhou Huaian.

Commander Xu of the frontier garrison, along with a few personal guards, sat irritably by the entrance, constantly brushing off the ever-present yellow sand from their clothes.

He clutched the Eastern Depot's Wanted Poster, now blurred by sweat and oil stains, his gaze drifting over Jin Xiangyu, then glancing warily at Xu Xianchun's group.

He knew the people they were looking for were here, and he knew that the "merchants" were tigers disguised as cats.

He had a duty, but he feared attracting trouble to himself even more.

The innkeeper, Jin Xiangyu, dressed in a red dress, leaned lazily behind the counter. Her red lips were like blood, and her slender fingers toyed with a copper coin. Her eyes roamed, seemingly keeping accounts, but in reality, constantly scanning every corner of the hall.

Jin Xiangyu's fingers, holding the copper coin, suddenly stopped. With a seductive glance towards the corner, she said, "Oh, sir, you've been nursing that bowl of Mutton Soup for half an incense stick's time. Is my soup not to your taste? Or perhaps... is something missing from this soup to warm the belly?"

She spoke with hidden meaning, her gaze boldly drawn to Zhou Huaian.

Zhou Huaian picked up his bowl and took a slow sip. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice, calm yet clear, cut through the noise: "The 'flavor' in the soup, Madam Innkeeper, is too strong. I fear I might not be able to handle it."

His gaze was steady, as if commenting on the soup, but every word was laden with hidden meaning. It was a response to the innkeeper's probing, and a warning: I know what's going on with your soup.

Xu Xianchun's hand, holding his wine bowl, paused. He casually glanced at Zhou Huaian, then swept his gaze over Qiu Moyan.

Cao Tian, beside him, chuckled. His voice, not too loud or too soft, was just enough for Zhou Huaian and Qiu Moyan to hear: "Tsk, brother, it's rare to see a handsome young man traveling alone these days. And even rarer to see one traveling with two burdens... ..."

He stared at the two children huddled beside Qiu Moyan.

Qiu Moyan's hand under the table instantly tightened around the hilt of the Short Blade Dagger, her knuckles turning white. However, her face showed no panic. She merely snorted coldly, imitating a rough male voice: "The world is in turmoil. It's better to take my nephews to visit relatives than to stay and wait for death."

She deliberately emphasized the word "nephews."

Jin Xiangyu covered her mouth with a light laugh and swayed her hips as she walked towards Commander Xu's table: "Oh, my dear Commander, your frown could kill flies! Are you unhappy with my service, or are you scared by that elusive fugitive?"

She extended a finger, painted with crimson nail polish, and lightly brushed over the Wanted Poster in the Commander's hand, her fingertip grazing the back of his hand: "Look at the person on this paper, with his oily hair and powdered face. How could he compare to the heroic and handsome gentlemen in my inn?"

Her gaze drifted back to Zhou Huaian, the "heroic and handsome" in her words clearly pointing to him.

This was a test, and an intentional redirection of trouble towards the one who caught her interest.

Commander Xu's face tightened, a mixture of shock, anger, and something else. He abruptly withdrew his hand, and with a show of bluster, he reprimanded, "Jin Xiangyu! Behave yourself! If an Imperial Fugitive is truly hiding in your inn, do you want this inn... to stay open?"

As he spoke, he stole a glance at Xu Xianchun.

Xu Xianchun put down his wine bowl and slowly stood up, a merchant's smooth smile plastered on his face: "Commander, please calm your anger. The innkeeper means well. However..."

His tone shifted, a hint of icy pressure seeping into his voice. His gaze, like a knife, scraped over Qiu Moyan: "Wanted criminals endanger the state. Everyone has the right to eliminate them. If their whereabouts are discovered, it is better to kill a thousand wrongly... hehe, than to let one escape."

Xu Xianchun's gaze finally locked onto Zhou Huaian, like a nail.

This was the final ultimatum before the confrontation, a naked threat.

The air in the entire inn seemed to freeze instantly.

The sound of sand beating against the windowpanes became even more jarring.

The sounds of drinking and games disappeared, leaving only the occasional crackle of charcoal in the brazier.

The two children trembled with fear, Qiu Moyan's body tensed, ready to spring at any moment.

Zhou Huaian's hand under the table whitened at the knuckles from the force, but a faint, almost mocking smile appeared on his face. He slowly took another sip of the Mutton Soup, as if Jia Ting's words were merely an insignificant gust of wind.

He responded to the overwhelming killing intent with a calmness that was almost infuriating.

Jin Xiangyu's eyes flickered between Xu Xianchun and Zhou Huaian. Her crimson-painted fingernails dug deeply into her palm, but her face maintained a charming smile: "Oh, Boss Xu, your words are so bloodthirsty, you'll scare my customers! Come, come, let's all be harmonious and prosper!"

She skillfully sidestepped, seemingly unintentionally blocking the line of sight between Xu Xianchun and Zhou Huaian. She twisted her waist slightly, diffusing some of the heavy murderous intent.

She was genuinely interested in this man, willing to put herself at risk.