Tavern and Paying the Bill

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Tavern and Paying the Bill

In the early morning, Lorist was training shirtless in the courtyard. He was practicing the Eighteen Forms of the Fierce Tiger, one of the three basic essential techniques of the Golden Water Sect from his past life. The name was crude, but it was a set of extremely lethal fist techniques. It was easy to learn, but difficult to master. This set of fist techniques was derived from imitating eighteen movements of a fierce tiger descending the mountain, hunting, encountering enemies, fighting, and ambushing. It could also be considered a form of Xing Yi Quan.

The other two basic essential techniques of the Golden Water Sect were the Eighteen Forms of the Golden Water Sword Art and the Eighteen Forms of Stepping on Waves. The former consisted of eighteen basic movements for practicing sword techniques, while the latter was both a movement technique and a footwork technique, emphasizing the close connection and coordinated movements between the heart, eyes, and body.

In his past life, Lorist heard his grandfather recount that the Golden Water Sect, a family heirloom, originated from the Five Elements Sect during the Southern Song Dynasty. An ancestor who was a military general found it too complex, so he took the elements of gold and water to create the Golden Water Sect. The intention was that offense should be like a sharp blade, irresistible, and defense like flowing water, endless. It wasn't until the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China era, when firearms and cannons became prevalent, that the ancestors of the Golden Water Sect reversed the meaning of gold and water, making defense like a mountain of gold, unshakeable, and offense like flowing water, cascading down like a waterfall.

Lorist was engrossed in the fist techniques, practicing the Eighteen Forms of the Fierce Tiger three times in a row until heat rose all over his body and sweat beaded on his forehead before he stopped. His skin was flushed red, and his joints popped loudly. The morning practice of this fist technique was truly exhilarating. Lorist then did some stretching exercises and prepared to rinse his body by the well.

Applause came from the courtyard entrance. Lorist looked up and saw Er clapping.

"What brings you here?" Lorist looked around and confirmed that Er was indeed alone.

Er knew what Lorist was looking for and said with annoyance, "That kid refused to come. He heard you were Black Iron rank and wouldn't learn swordplay from you. He even boasted that in a couple of years, when he reaches Black Iron, he'll be able to defeat you. He truly doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth, that brainless fellow."

"Heh heh," Lorist chuckled. He didn't mind what others thought. His promise to help Er teach someone swordplay was already a great favor. If the other party refused to come, it saved him trouble, and he was happy to be free.

"This place of yours is nice, just a bit too deserted. How about I find you a couple of personal maids, old brother? They can work during the day and warm your bed at night, ensuring you're served like a noble lord. Don't worry, I'll find you two beauties." Standing in the living room, Er surveyed Lorist's new residence and suddenly had the idea of giving Lorist two women.

"Forget it. The sword techniques I practice require a calm mind. If you bring two women to chatter beside me, how can I remain calm? Don't blame me if I make a mistake during a duel then." Lorist flatly refused Er's kind offer.

"We'll talk about that later. The duel is the priority now. By the way, what were you practicing in the courtyard just now? I felt like I saw a magical beast appear before my eyes," Er asked curiously.

"Ah, that's a method of physical training. My ancestors observed the combat methods of magical beasts and devised a set of movements to imitate them, used to improve the human body's coordination and reaction speed, and enhance combat power when fighting unarmed."

"Oh." Er stopped asking. Such training methods were generally family secrets. Even though he and Lorist were good friends, it wasn't convenient to inquire further.

"Why did you come to the academy so early in the morning? Is there something important?" Lorist asked.

"Sigh, don't even mention it. It wasn't early in the morning. Last night, I brought a barrel of mead and some roasted meat to Fatty Shi. As a result, Fatty Shi hid the mead I brought. He took out a barrel of fruit wine and said it was freshly brewed for me to drink. Was that even wine? It was sour and astringent when I first tasted it, and it had a strong kick. Seeing how solicitous Fatty Shi was, I couldn't refuse, so I drank a few more glasses and got drunk. I woke up this morning with a splitting headache. I had to chug a stomach full of cold water to clear my head a bit, and I still feel a bit drowsy. Fatty Shi disappeared early this morning, leaving only a piece of parchment saying we should all meet at the Red Raven Tavern tonight to discuss the odds for the academy duel." Er was full of resentment when he mentioned last night.

Lorist felt like laughing when he heard this. He remembered that when they took over the Yellow Ribbon Academy, Fatty Shi discovered a large patch of berry bushes in a corner of the academy. However, the berries were so sour and astringent that they were spared from the students' ravages. Fatty Shi, however, treated them like treasures, picked all the berries, and brewed fruit wine himself. It was just that his brewing skills were poor, and the fruit wine he made was awful. Lorist had spat out the mouthful he tasted last time. He couldn't help but admire Er for managing to drink several glasses.

"...Originally, I wanted to invite you to drink with us last night, but Fatty Shi said you were busy settling into your new home these past couple of days and had gone to bed early, so we didn't want to disturb you..." Er was still complaining...

Damn that fatso. He's clearly afraid I'll come looking for him to settle accounts. He only gave me eight large silver coins for those seven hefty books and still owes me three gold coins. He doesn't even dare to see me. These past two days, he's only sent messages through others and hasn't shown his face, all because he's afraid I'll deal with him. I'll go to his office tomorrow and get those seven books back. I won't let that money-grubbing fatty off the hook easily, Lorist resolved.

"Oh, right. When I came yesterday, Louise asked if you still wanted to keep that guest room. The private commission you took before going to the Ruins Archipelago has been fully settled, and it's time to collect the payment. Also, your luggage and clothes have been washed and dried, and they're all packed now. Lastly, Louise asked you not to forget the promise you made to her." Er remembered the message the future owner of the Red Raven Tavern had asked him to relay to Lorist last night.

"The promise I made to Big Sister Louise? What was it? I can't remember. Er, do you know?" Lorist thought for a long time but couldn't recall what it was, so he turned to ask Er.

"How would I know? You can ask at the tavern tonight and find out. If you can't remember now, don't think about it. My head is killing me. Locke, lend me your sofa so I can sleep for a bit." Er couldn't hold on any longer, seeming like he could fall asleep on the sofa.

In the evening, the Red Raven Tavern was brightly lit by candles, bustling with noise and exceptionally lively.

Lorist, holding a large mug of Blackberry Mead, leaned against a corner of the counter, whispering with the tavern owner, Garilando.

"...You completed all nineteen commissions. The total reward is one hundred and thirty-nine Gold Fude, thirteen large silver coins, and four small silver coins. The tavern's five percent commission is seven Gold Fude. After deducting your guest room rent and consumption, which is five large silver coins and three small silver coins, the copper coins are negligible. So, you'll receive one hundred and thirty-two Gold Fude, eight large silver coins, and one small silver coin. Oh, and don't forget Er's eighteen gold coins. Little Locke, do you want to leave it at the counter for now or take it with you?" Garilando asked Lorist.

"Leave it at the counter for now. Look at them, they're all gathered together making a racket, and they probably won't stop until they're drunk. You'll have to arrange rooms for them later. All expenses tonight will be deducted from my account, to avoid Er trying to default on the payment tomorrow morning." Lorist pointed to a corner of the tavern where Er's brothers and academy friends were sitting around three tables. Since they were drinking mead that didn't cost them anything, Fatty Shi was the most boisterous.

"Hmm, alright. Have you discussed the matter of the odds for the duel?" Garilando asked.

"En, I'm taking twenty percent anyway. Fatty Shi and those people from his academy are taking ten percent. After deducting expenses and bribes, Er and the others can still earn thirty percent. I hope we can make a fortune this time. I want to buy a building just in case. To be honest, Old Gar, this time the academy duel has been pushed to the forefront by that old geezer, Dean Levens. You know I don't like being in the spotlight. But this time, I really have no choice. I've been completely cornered by that old geezer. My heart feels a bit cold. I don't know if that old geezer will continue to use me in the future. If it really comes to that, I'll just resign and leave the academy. I graduated a long time ago anyway. Having a building to collect rent from would be a fallback..." Lorist was a bit drunk and, for some reason, started telling Garilando what was buried deep in his heart.

"If you really feel you can't stay in the academy, then come out. Little Locke, with your abilities, you can live very well as a mercenary, free and unfettered. Why bother looking at other people's faces? Like that trip to the Ruins Archipelago, the reward, after deducting the principal, should have earned you over sixty Gold Fude, right? Just one trip like that a year is enough. Or you could find a few good friends and form a mercenary squad. Once it develops, you can establish a mercenary group," Garilando also thought it was a bit excessive for Dawnlight Academy to push Lorist to compete in the tournament this time, and he urged Lorist to resign from the academy and become a mercenary, or even establish a mercenary group in the future.

Lorist chuckled wryly. Old Gar was truly persistent about establishing a mercenary group. Since his nephew Er had no hope, he set his sights on Lorist: "Heh heh, Old Gar, you can't say that. While being a mercenary offers more freedom, living outdoors, constantly traveling, and risking your life every day isn't easy. It's not as comfortable as holding a position in the academy. You know I'm a double Gold instructor at the academy, but do you know how much salary the academy pays me? Thirty Gold Fude. Our academy's instructor Krudd only gets twenty gold coins a month. I have the highest monthly salary in the academy. Although I've been schemed against this time, I can only accept it. After all, as an academy instructor, I enjoy generous treatment, and I can't abandon my post at the last minute. So, Old Gar, you ask me to resign from the academy, can I easily make that decision?"

"Damn it, you earn more in a year than I do running this tavern. The academy truly treats you well! That salary makes even me want to join the academy." Garilando, uncharacteristically, swore. He had just said that Lorist earned over sixty Gold Fude in half a year at the Ruins Archipelago, thinking he had made a fortune. Who knew that Lorist could earn so many gold coins in just two months of teaching peacefully at the academy? It seemed Lorist wouldn't take his advice to resign and become a mercenary.

"Oh, right, Old Gar, I heard from Er that you proposed to Big Sister Louise? I just got back and haven't congratulated you yet. I'll definitely give you a generous gift on your wedding day. But Old Gar, what made you suddenly change your mind? Didn't you want to remain single your whole life?" Lorist asked Garilando.

"It's nothing. I suddenly felt that spending my whole life alone was also quite boring. Besides, Louise has been working at the tavern for ten years. That little girl back then is now twenty-eight. Her parents have passed away, and she doesn't want to go back to live with her brother and sister-in-law, so she planned to stay at the tavern for the rest of her life. When I thought about it, why don't the two of us just get together and live? I proposed this to Louise, and she agreed. Speaking of Louise, I remembered she had something to discuss with you. She's waiting for you in the second-floor guest room you booked. Go ahead, it's good news." Garilando winked at Lorist with a lewd expression.

"Old Gar, what's with that expression?" Lorist downed his mug of mead in one gulp, placed the mug on the counter, and turned towards the stairs.

Actually, Old Gar doesn't know that I didn't spend much principal. This trip to the Ruins Archipelago earned me over one hundred and twenty Gold Fude. Those magical beasts were all killed and skinned by me, not bought from others. Does Old Gar think I can't handle high-level magical beasts? Hmm, which guest room was it? I need to think. And what exactly does Big Sister Louise want to see me about? I don't remember... Lorist mumbled to himself as he went upstairs and then stood there, trying to recall which guest room he had booked.

It's this one. Lorist finally remembered. He touched his face to clear his head, then walked over and knocked on the door.

Upon entering the room, Lorist discovered that waiting for him was not just Big Sister Louise, but also a round-faced, well-endowed girl.

Seeing Lorist enter, Big Sister Louise said happily, "Little Locke, this is the girl from the same village I told you about, Molly. She'll be working as a maid at the tavern from now on. Today is her first time, so be gentle, don't be too rough."

Lorist was half-sober instantly. He suddenly remembered what Big Sister Louise had told him the day he returned. It seemed he hadn't refused, and Big Sister Louise had taken it as his tacit consent. Damn it, now I have no choice but to accept. Otherwise, Big Sister Louise would think he was going back on his word or was stingy with two gold coins.

"Um, h-hello..." Lorist greeted the girl with a blushing face. The girl looked Lorist up and down shamelessly before smiling and nodding, clearly satisfied with Lorist, who was about to become her first man.

Big Sister Louise clapped her hands and said, "Alright, I won't disturb your good time. The bathwater is ready. Molly, take good care of Little Locke. Don't forget what you learned in the temple, use it all to satisfy Little Locke. He'll reward you if he's happy."

Big Sister Louise left. The round-faced Molly generously invited Lorist to soak in the bathtub first. Then she stripped herself bare. Just as she was about to get into the bathtub, she seemed to remember something. She rummaged through the clothes on the table, found a test tube, pulled it out, and downed the red liquid inside.

"What did you drink?" Lorist asked.

"It's that Mithralla Divine Fluid," Molly replied.

Oh, Lorist understood when she said that.

Mithralla, the Goddess of Desire and Joy. She was the youngest daughter of the Sun God, the God of Light, the God of War Higua, and the Blood Moon Goddess Sufina. She was known for her willfulness and indulgence. Legend had it that she had a paradise filled with handsome men and beautiful women who indulged in pleasure and lived carefree lives. All who believed in her would enter this paradise after death to gain eternal joy.

To alleviate the worries of her female followers regarding their desires, Goddess Mithralla specifically invented the Mithralla Divine Fluid for them. By drinking the divine fluid, female followers could engage in pleasurable activities with men without worrying about getting pregnant. If a female follower wished to marry and become a virtuous wife and loving mother, she could purchase another potion from the temple. After drinking it, she would abstain from desire for three months and regain her ability to bear children.

However, the Mithralla Divine Fluid was ineffective for women who had already given birth. With this potion, also known as the Water of Desire, Goddess Mithralla gained a large number of followers. Her temples also made a fortune by selling these two potions, becoming one of the wealthiest temples in Galintea.

"Why did you decide to work as a maid at the tavern?" Lorist lay on the bed, hands behind his head, watching the girl's soft body envelop his hardness.

"Hiss... It hurts." The girl let out a long moan and froze. After a while, she slowly began to move rhythmically.

"I, I want to earn, earn twenty gold coins, and then, in our village, buy, buy ten, ten acres of land, that will be, enough for my, my dowry..."

The girl's broken replies seemed to awaken her body, her movements quickening. She let out a joyful moan without knowing why.

Lorist could no longer hold back. It had been nearly a year since his last encounter with the Eldest Miss, and he hadn't been with a woman since. The girl on top of him ignited his desire. With a roar, he embraced her, flipped her over, and began a fierce conquest...

The next morning, the sun high in the sky, Lorist descended the stairs feeling refreshed and in good spirits. He ordered a lavish breakfast. They had been going at it until almost dawn last night, so he needed to replenish himself. Then, Old Gal brought the bill from last night...

Damn it, Er, you'll pay for this...

Yesterday evening, Er heard Lorist was footing the bill, so he switched from mead to fruit wine, ordering two bottles for everyone...

Damn it, Fatty Shi, you've gone too far...

This morning, Fatty Shi ate breakfast and also packed two bottles of fruit wine and a barrel of mead...

No way? Telman is an honest man...

Last night, Telman got drunk and booked the tavern maids Jumili and Sarah for the whole night...

Alright, I won't pretend to be rich and pay for others anymore. Lorist declared