At dusk, the three of them arrived in Cloud Ink Town with their two horses.
It was a small town, covering barely a hundred mu, but small as it was, it had everything it needed. They had only just entered when one scene after another filled their eyes, all neatly arranged.
Wooden houses stood in close-packed rows, cooking smoke drifting above them with the scent of food. The black flagstone streets were bathed in the gold of sunset, as though glowing olive oil coated the ground. Mills, smithies, flower shops, and even teahouses could all be found here.
What drew their attention most, however, was a tavern not far away.
It was a square, two-story building with a sloping roof. From outside, it looked shabby and worn, its wooden siding yellow in some patches and black in others. Perhaps rats had gnawed at it during the night. It hardly tempted anyone to step inside.
Yet the moment they entered, all three were enchanted by the scene within.
The walls bore a red-and-blue checkered pattern, and black and white cobblestones paved the floor. Purple guimo flowers grew between the pillars. One end of each brown bench faced a window, and the customers seated there either drank alone or gathered around the small round tables before the benches to chat, play finger-guessing games, roll dice, or play cards.
All manner of wine aromas filled the room, strong or mild, sweet or sharp, yet each remained clear and distinct. They immediately filled the newcomers' noses and mouths, freely releasing their inviting, intoxicating fragrance.
"Welcome, three Adas! What would you like?" A burly man in his forties approached them and spoke respectfully.
He had a bald patch on top of his head, broad features, a ruddy complexion, and a round belly. His clothes were