Autumn rain whispered down, and all things lay bleak and desolate.
Near Villain Town, cicadas shrilled without cease and butterflies flecked the air. Several pythons coiled in mud pits, gently flicking emerald-green tongues. Southern Borderlands Poison Gu were everywhere.
A figure in white robes and a bamboo hat walked into the town.
On either side of the locust trees, a dozen filthy severed heads hung like rotten wild fruit, waiting for vultures to peck at them.
A weathered tavern stood a hundred feet away.
Water Skimmer had made a point of warning him that, in all of Villain Town, only the tavern forbade killing.
Jia Huan strolled over as though crossing a peaceful courtyard and pushed open the tavern door.
He took the nearest seat and slapped the Saber Case onto the table.
"A pot of hot wine and a plate of beef!"
A sinister chill filled the room. Nine hideous patrons stared unblinkingly at the white-robed man. One had only half a face, with demonic mist swirling in one eye.
Presently, the hunchbacked proprietor brought over the food and wine and held out his palm.
"Ten taels of gold."
Jia Huan laughed instead.
"Thirty copper coins' worth, and you're charging me ten taels of gold?"
The hunchbacked proprietor smiled.
"Have you forgotten where you are? One tael of gold for the food and wine, plus a performance of Yang Guifei's Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Robe Dance. That's Yang Yuhuan's dance from the High Tang. Nine taels of gold isn't expensive, is it?"
No sooner had he finished than a faded middle-aged beauty began twisting her flabby body behind the counter.
Jia Huan simply took out a list.
"I'm looking for people!"
The hunchbacked proprietor ignored it, keeping his palm extended as he said coldly,
"Ten taels of gold. Pay