At nightfall.
It was the inn's busiest time. Every table in the main hall was occupied, and the waiters were so busy they were sweating buckets and had nearly shouted themselves hoarse.
The old innkeeper couldn't understand it. This was just an out-of-the-way inn in Phoenix City.
A place that was usually deserted—how had it suddenly become so lively?
Suddenly, a scar-faced man strode inside.
The big man grinned at a waiter. "Hey, have you seen a girlish young man?"
The waiter froze at the question. He really hadn't seen any girlish young man.
Just as he was about to turn and ask the innkeeper, a purple-faced man chuckled. "Wang Laoliu, what's a bandit like you doing asking around in an inn? Don't tell me you're planning to rob people in Phoenix City?"
The scar-faced man merely laughed. "Phoenix Academy and White Cloud Mountain have both put the word out. Anyone who spots that girlish young man named Wang Xian... will be handsomely rewarded."
The purple-faced man stiffened, as if something had just occurred to him.
He blurted out, "Now that's a fine chance to make a fortune."
While the two men whispered to each other, a little girl of seven or eight slipped out of the kitchen.
She wore a flowery dress, but it couldn't hide the adorable childishness in her face.
Looking at the two men, she asked softly, "Are you two here to find Wang Xian?"
The scar-faced man's expression darkened. He asked in a low voice, "How did you know?"
The little girl shook her head and giggled. "There's a fellow who seems to be nearly dead drunk. I went around, waited until he wasn't paying attention, and sneaked a sip of his wine."
The scar-faced man laughed at that. "Sounds like that fellow's about to