Ergou shook his head and smacked his lips. "That really was good wine."
After speaking, he grinned at Wang Xian, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, then rose and headed outside as well.
"Honored guests, do come by often when you have the time..."
Wang Xian struggled up from his stool and hurried to the tavern entrance to see them off.
Leaning against the doorframe, his chest hurt so badly that he kept sucking in breaths, yet he still called out with a smile, "Take care, no need for us to see you off—we're open for business every day—"
At that moment, the middle-aged man suddenly seemed like a different person.
Not only did he fail to reply, he did not even turn his head.
One of his men led over a horse and helped him mount. The group rode away at a gallop, the clatter of hooves fading farther and farther down the morning street before finally vanishing into the thin mist.
Du Yulin came out and stood beside Wang Xian. Seeing the state he was in, she sighed.
She asked softly, "Are you really hurt?"
Wang Xian clutched his chest and bared his teeth as he drew in a sharp breath. "What else would it be? That palm strike was no joke. If I hadn't blocked it, you'd be the one lying on the ground right now."
"Pah!"
Du Yulin spat at him, though a faint warmth flickered in her eyes.
She ordered, "Have Old Wang cook up two bowls of noodles. After we eat, I'll take you shopping!"
"Shopping?" Wang Xian froze. "But my injury..."
"Less nonsense."
Du Yulin turned and headed for the back kitchen, her voice drifting back. "Azure Dragon Town may be small, but it still has a few cloth shops. I'll get you