It was past the midpoint of Hai Hour, in Funan County, Immortality Mountain.
Two fine horses came from the south and made their way onto the county's main street at an unhurried pace.
Holding the reins, Ren Ye looked around and discovered a night market down a side street on the left, with quite a few townspeople strolling about.
He asked in surprise, "It's already past the midpoint of Hai Hour. Doesn't the Southern Border have a curfew?"
"Heh, the Southern Border has always been a fierce, unruly place. With mountain bandits everywhere, who could a curfew possibly restrain? Great Qian's decrees probably don't work here." After this quiet remark, Big Fat Dragon turned and asked, "Funan County isn't exactly big, but it isn't small either. Where are we supposed to find that recluse in the middle of the night?"
Ren Ye considered briefly. "When in doubt, head to an inn."
Big Fat Dragon's eyes lit up. "Haha, you really are clever, brother."
"Stick with me, and you're guaranteed to get rich," Ren Ye joked.
"Haha, all right. Let's go ask around at the biggest inn here," Big Fat Dragon replied with a laugh.
With that, they rode on. After asking two passersby for directions, they arrived at Wangbei Tower, the largest inn in Funan County.
As they entered, a shifty-eyed waiter approached. "Would you gentlemen like a late-night meal or a room?"
"Brother, we've come to ask you about someone," Ren Ye replied with a smile.
The waiter paused, then immediately waved his hands. "Haha, I just help the proprietor run his business. I don't know anything. You gentlemen should try asking elsewhere."
With war and unrest plaguing the area, the waiter didn't dare say much. After politely refusing, he started to turn back.
Ren Ye glanced at Big