Chapter 3582: (˙o˙) "The All-Knowing Scholar" Visits Mount Hua (1)
In the private room on the second floor of the largest—and only—inn in Qingping Town at the foot of Mount Hua, the wealthy merchant Tao lounged in an elaborately carved armchair, dressed in a brocade robe. He toyed with a celadon wine cup as he watched the drizzle outside, feeling especially content.
The autumn rain had made the streets of this already quiet little town even emptier than usual.
The inn was just as deserted. There were hardly any traveling merchants or guests, so the waiters and the owner were dozing on the first floor.
That suited the three men staying there perfectly. They had a place to talk without worrying that outsiders might overhear.
Just then—
"Come on! Come on!"
"To our two brothers—bottoms up!"
In the private room on the second floor, Tao, who claimed to be a traveling merchant but was actually a "storyteller" for the newly emerged "All-Knowing Scholar" organization, raised his cup to the organization's two guards. The smile lines around his eyes deepened, and he looked thoroughly pleased with himself.
"This time..."
"It's all thanks to you two. Otherwise, Steward Lu's commendation wouldn't have come so quickly."
With that, Tao emptied his cup first.
"Think nothing of it!"
"Sir, you're too kind!"
"You did a great service this time. I heard Steward Lu was so impressed at the Xi'an Prefecture branch that he slapped the table in praise. Your promotion is just around the corner!"
Guard Kong downed his drink as well, his dark face flushing red.
"Exactly!"
"Sir, you'll probably be moving up before long!"
The other guard, surnamed Cao, hurriedly returned the toast. Then he sat down and leisurely picked up a piece of sauced beef, chewing it as his narrow eyes