Hongbin Tower

Li Ye accepted Zhou Bao's invitation.

Because Zhou Bao was the only friend he had made in this world, he had to see his friend off.

The two descended the mountain.

At this time, the sky was just beginning to lighten, and the city gates had just opened.

People entered the city in an endless stream.

This was Li Ye's first time experiencing the prosperity of a city since coming to this world. It couldn't compare to the skyscrapers and dazzling neon lights of his past life, but it was still exceptionally lively.

The city walls of Licheng were tall, thick, and sturdy. Inside, blue bricks and green tiles, wooden houses, and small buildings were clustered together.

"This is the north of the city, a relatively affluent and prosperous area of Licheng. I heard there are many starving people in the south of the city, lying in rows along the streets waiting for alms."

Zhou Bao informed Li Ye about the situation in Licheng.

In fact, Li Ye already had some understanding of this city through the Holy Son's memories.

As the two walked, the sound of music drifted from ahead, with pipa, guqin, and the sweet laughter and playful chatter of women:

"Sir, come in and play."

"Farewell, sir, please come again."

The faint scent of rouge wafted through this street, and Li Ye immediately understood what kind of place it was.

Indeed, as they approached, they saw an ancient-style brothel.

On the corridor of the second floor of the brothel, a row of women dressed in eye-catching shades of pink, white, yellow, and orange greeted passersby, trying to attract customers.

These women had bright faces and radiant smiles, their sheer blouses partially revealing large swathes of snow-white skin.

Their skin was so fair and tender it looked like it could be squeezed for water.

Their figures varied; some were slender and graceful, others plump and alluring, and some were exquisitely proportioned...

Zhou Bao, standing beside Li Ye, was so captivated that his face turned red, and he could barely walk.

"Sir, would you like to come up and play? Ah, where did these two beggars come from?"

A woman in an orange dress was about to greet Zhou Bao and Li Ye when she noticed their attire. Her expression immediately changed, and she muttered about bad luck.

"Is the north of the city a place you can come to? If you're begging, you should go to the south of the city..."

A woman in white on the second floor reprimanded them.

Damn it, they turned out to be a group of venomous snakes who devoured people without spitting out bones.

Zhou Bao was furious when he saw the women, who moments before had been charming and affectionate, suddenly change their tune.

Suddenly, a scream echoed from a room in Yihongyuan: "He's... he's lost his yang! Mama, come quickly..."

The women on the second-floor corridor exchanged glances, then showed great interest and went to watch the commotion.

Zhou Bao asked doubtfully, "Brother Li Bai, what does it mean to 'lose one's yang'?"

This guy was no longer young, but due to the war-torn era, he probably hadn't touched a woman yet.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so flustered when he saw these women earlier.

Li Ye pondered for a moment and said, "It means he's crippled."

Zhou Bao was even more confused: "Wasn't that man in the woman's bed? How did he get crippled?"

"Who crippled him? Was it one of the women from Yihongyuan?"

Li Ye had seen the women here. Those without customers were all beautiful; he imagined those with customers would be even more so.

Indeed, beauties were never lacking in any era.

The two browsed the north of the city for a while and arrived in front of a restaurant.

"Hongbin Tower!"

Zhou Bao exclaimed.

He never expected Li Ye to bring him here.

Hongbin Tower was one of the most famous restaurants in Licheng. Those entering and leaving were all the city's gentry, maids from wealthy families coming to order food, officials from the government, or powerful figures from the martial arts world.

It was nearing noon, and a few distinguished guests were already entering Hongbin Tower. These guests were all luxuriously dressed and dignified.

Zhou Bao subconsciously glanced at his and Li Ye's tattered clothing.

"Brother Li Bai, this isn't a place we can come to. Let's go," Zhou Bao said timidly.

He noticed that the waiters at the entrance had already noticed them and seemed ready to drive them away.

"Don't worry about eating and drinking. I'm treating," Li Ye said.

Zhou Bao was the only friend Li Ye had made since arriving in this world, so his farewell banquet couldn't be subpar.

Li Ye decided to go all out.

"Damn it, chasing that Shadowless Bandit made me travel through mountains and rivers, I haven't slept for three days and nights, and I'm starving. Brother Zhou, let's fill our stomachs first before chasing that bastard."

Weren't they renowned swordsmen of the jianghu, not beggars?

Was it only because they were chasing this so-called Shadowless Bandit that they looked so disheveled?

A waiter, looking displeased and approaching to drive Li Ye and his companion away, suddenly stopped, his expression filled with surprise and uncertainty.

Zhou Bao was very sharp. He paused for a moment before understanding Li Ye's intention. He said, "Right, filling our stomachs is important. Although most of the gold ingots I had were used to pay off that guy, luckily I have one gold nugget left. Otherwise, we wouldn't even be able to afford a meal."

Li Ye said, "You should save your gold nugget to get a good weapon. I still have a few silver notes here."

"Waiter, what are you standing around for? Tell your boss to bring out all the good wine and dishes you have, all your aged liquors. The money won't be an issue."

Gold nuggets, silver notes?

Was it real or fake? Were these two bragging?

The waiter was stunned by their words. It wasn't until Li Ye's large hand landed on his shoulder that the intense pain jolted him back to reality.

A Body Temperer?

The waiter realized what was happening. With the saying "poverty in scholarship, wealth in martial arts," the waiter no longer doubted Li Ye and his companion's words.

"Alright, please come in, esteemed guests."

The waiter responded enthusiastically, leading Li Ye and Zhou Bao into the restaurant.

Hongbin Tower used the finest pillars and table wood, with an elegant environment. It truly lived up to its reputation as a place for the elite.

"Do the two guests prefer a private room upstairs, or...?"

The waiter inquired.

Zhou Bao looked at Li Ye, who pondered for a moment before saying, "Let's stay on the first floor. It's more lively."

The first floor was spacious. Due to the early hour, only five tables were occupied.

"Huh, why did this Little Li bring in two beggars?"

A middle-aged man, engrossed in eating a steamed perch, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Heh heh, Little Li is known for being a snob at Hongbin Tower. It's clear he hasn't brought in two beggars."

The middle-aged man's friend beside him said with a smile.

The middle-aged man nodded upon hearing this and then continued eating his fish.

Li Ye and Zhou Bao found a secluded spot and sat down.

Zhou Bao felt like he was dreaming. He never imagined he would one day sit in such a high-class restaurant to eat. It was worth dying for.

Zhou Bao admired Li Ye immensely.

Especially since Li Ye chose a window seat, which perfectly matched Zhou Bao's own thoughts. After eating, they could just jump out the window and escape, unseen and unheard. How convenient!

Li Ye took a sip of tea and asked, "Zhou Bao, what are your plans for the future?"

Zhou Bao sighed, "I'll take it one step at a time. If all else fails, I'm thinking of going out to sea and trying my luck in another dynasty."

Li Ye did not approve. "Going out to sea is risky. How about you open a restaurant like this?"

Zhou Bao was taken aback and gave a wry smile. "Brother Li Bai, please don't tease me. If I had that kind of ability, I wouldn't have ended up as a Corpse Incinerator."

As the two were talking, a waiter approached with a jar of fine wine.

"The wine is here..."

"Esteemed guests, this is our Hongbin Tower's aged wine, treasured for many years. Please enjoy."

Following that were steamed grouper, Braised Beef, a whole Roast Chicken, five pounds of roast lamb leg, and several side dishes that looked quite good.

Zhou Bao's mouth watered. He had never eaten three dishes in his life.

However, with so many dishes, it would cost at least thirty taels of silver, right? Things at this kind of restaurant were expensive.

"Brother Li Bai, after we finish eating and drinking, you jump out the window first, and I'll follow."

"After eating this, it won't have been a wasted life."

Zhou Bao leaned closer to Li Ye and whispered.

Just then, a voice called out, "I am Chen Hong. I appreciate meeting heroes of the jianghu, and I am the proprietor of this Hongbin Tower."

"I heard from the waiter that two friends from the jianghu have arrived. It is truly an honor for Hongbin Tower."

A plump middle-aged man appeared before Li Ye and Zhou Bao, saying with a smile.

What, the proprietor of Hongbin Tower?

Zhou Bao's heart trembled.

Oh my god, the proprietor himself has come! How are we supposed to jump out the window and escape now?

It's over, it's over