East Pass

Spring chill still lingered. Old Man Wu sat panting on a grayish-yellow wooden chair, wrapped in a cotton-padded coat. The tavern banner on the roadside, raised high by the cold wind, wriggled twice like a loach before drooping feebly.

"Should be plenty of business today."

Yue Kingdom lay in the south, with a hot, humid climate, and snow was rare in winter. A heavy snowfall like last year's was even rarer. The snow had blocked all carts and horses along Gu Li Road, and Old Man Wu had received only three batches of guests throughout the entire winter. Now that spring had come and the snow was melting, with eight parts chill still in the air, it was the perfect time for drinking.

Old Man Wu lazily rubbed himself against the wooden chair. The broken chair beneath him creaked and groaned wildly. Squinting through the window, he saw a cloud of yellow dust rising from the distant path.

He hurriedly rose and limped to the doorway, calling out loudly:

"Meat—wine—! Lamb—meat—!"

When the cart and horses slowly approached and stopped before him, Old Man Wu hastily said:

"Gentlemen, this humble shop has meat and wine, as well as refreshing sour-and-spicy side dishes..."

But then the carriage curtain lifted, and two men in fur cloaks stepped down.

The leading man looked under seventeen. Dashing and spirited, he carried a long saber in hand. His face still held a trace of youthfulness as he smiled brightly at the tavern.

The man behind him looked twenty-five or twenty-six. A treasured sword hung at his waist, and his features were fairly handsome. His eyes shone sharply as he watched Old Man Wu with vigilance.

Looks like an elder has brought a junior out under his protection. This young man has some experience in the martial world and is wary enough. And judging by that treasured sword, they ought to be scions of two wealthy, powerful families. There's profit to be made today!

Old Man Wu immediately made up his mind. With a fawning smile, he said:

"Please come inside, both of you. Our shop's specialty, Snowflake Wine, is a delicacy famous along this road."

Having said so, he turned and shouted:

"Guests—!"

As soon as the two sat down at a table, two burly men came thumping down from upstairs. They bent at the waist with ingratiating smiles and stood behind Old Man Wu.

"A pot of Snowflake Wine, and bring us several dishes."

Wan Yuankai set down his long saber. Seeing the old man send someone off to prepare the food, he cheerfully explained to Li Tongya, "This Snowflake Wine is made by slicing lamb tenderloin thinly and simmering it to softness in excellent wine, then mincing it finely into a paste. Then lamb marrow and kidney fat are melted into oil in a pot and mixed into the meat paste. When drinking it, you soak the paste in warm wine."

Wan Yuankai swallowed and said in a low voice:

"I came here with my clan brother five years ago and ordered a pot of this Snowflake Wine. The moment I tasted it, I thought it heavenly, and I've never forgotten it since. At home, we go round and round with only those few ways of cooking food—I've long since gotten sick to death of them!"

Li Tongya had spent several days jolting along in a carriage, eating dry rations and drinking cold water every day. Hearing this, his appetite was greatly stirred, and he could not help looking forward to it.

The two had only chatted for a few moments when a burst of clamor came from outside. Several men in cotton-padded clothes entered, noisily took their seats, and shouted:

"Old Man Wu, bring out the wine!"

"Ah, you gentlemen are here."

Old Man Wu hurriedly went over with a smile, flattering them one by one.

"This spring chill is truly freezing. We brothers guarded East Pass all night, and our balls nearly froze off! The master let us off during the смена change, so we hurried up here to have a few drinks."

The broad-backed, thick-waisted brute at their head laughed loudly, then continued:

"Who knows what's happened these past few days? The road is being watched so strictly. Several aristocratic families from the prefecture have sent men onto the road, making things so tense that even the birds don't dare chirp!"

"Da Hu, you don't understand this. It happens once every few years. You'll get used to it! The several aristocratic families in the prefecture keep a tight grip on things, but it'll pass in a few days."

A voice rose from that table, speaking unhurriedly.

Wan Yuankai pricked up his ears and listened for a while, then said with a grin in a low voice, "This place is close to Crown Cloud Peak. I'd guess these men are retainers from the Xiao Family's mortal branch."

Li Tongya nodded. Xiao Yuansi's image immediately surfaced in his mind, and he could not help feeling a few degrees more favorably toward these men.

The waiter brought up a pot of hot wine, along with several side dishes and a bowl of snowy-white lamb paste.

Wan Yuankai hurriedly picked up a small spoon, gently scooped out some of the paste and placed it in a bowl. He lifted the wine pot and poured the wine into the bowl. As it soaked, an enticing fragrance of lamb immediately spread through the air.

Da Hu, the leading brute, sniffed. His eyes lit up as he praised:

"Smells wonderful—it's Snowflake Wine!"

Wan Yuankai did not pick up the man's thread of conversation. He clicked his tongue in satisfaction after taking a sip and gestured for Li Tongya to try it as well.

Li Tongya smiled helplessly, politely smiled back at the man, and began mixing his Snowflake Wine. Once it had soaked through, he took a light sip.

The rich fragrance of fine wine, the freshness of lamb, and a faint milky flavor surged over his tongue at once. Before he knew it, Li Tongya had finished the wine in his bowl. He smiled lightly. "The flavor truly is exquisite."

Seeing that Li Tongya and Wan Yuankai ignored him, the burly man pursed his lips awkwardly and muttered:

"Isn't it just a little filthy money..."

After casting an envious glance at the neighboring table, Da Hu swallowed, turned away, and continued chatting with his brothers.

Wan Yuankai had only taken a few drinks when another commotion rose outside. A group of people approached from afar, surrounding a young man dressed in magnificent robes and brocade furs as they entered the tavern.

"Clan Brother! Don't look down on this shabby tavern. Its Snowflake Wine is peerless along this road. East Pass is all barren mountains and wilderness, cold and desolate—this tavern is the only place to find a bit of diversion."

A richly dressed man was bending over and gesturing fawningly before the young man in splendid robes. He looked thirty-five or thirty-six, yet he stooped as he addressed the young man as clan brother, making for a rather absurd sight.

"Mm."

The young man in splendid robes had somewhat narrow eyes. A snow-white fox-fur cloak draped over him, and a golden Brocade Pouch hung at his waist. He was fairly handsome, but had the delicate skin and pampered look of one raised in luxury. Hearing this, he merely gave a soft response.

This is bad—the master's steward has come!

Da Hu's expression changed at once. He turned away and pretended not to recognize him, while the entire table of burly men lowered their heads, trembling so badly that none dared make a sound.

That young man in splendid robes is most likely a direct descendant of the main line. That steward usually acts so high and mighty, yet before this man, he's like a dog.

Da Hu secretly glanced at the group. With difficulty, he recognized two of them, both important figures among the Xiao Family's Clan Soldiers stationed at East Pass. Yet now they stood respectfully behind the steward, not daring to utter a word.

When the young man in splendid robes saw the state of the tavern, he frowned slightly. The middle-aged steward was so frightened that his heart quaked. With his head lowered, he did not dare say a word.

The middle-aged steward racked his brains for phrasing, only to hear the young man before him laugh as though in a dream. He was immediately frightened out of his wits.

This clan brother possesses a spirit aperture and has entered the Immortal Dao. He has always been arrogant and overbearing. He has been here as Town Guardian of East Pass for more than ten days, yet no one has ever seen him smile. Could it be that he's laughing from extreme rage?

Yet the young man in splendid robes politely cupped his hands, a kindly smile appearing on his face as he said softly:

"I never expected to encounter two fellow Daoists in such a remote little tavern!"