Dragon Gate Inn

The next day, the blazing sun rose into the sky.

Dragon Gate City buzzed with excitement. Many martial artists had already formed groups and were preparing to leave the pass for the desert.

Word had spread through the martial world that the Great White Upper Kingdom's treasure might emerge within the next two days.

Most of these martial artists had come for that very reason. Some were simply there to join the excitement, but none wanted to miss the treasure's emergence. Even if they could not obtain it, they wanted to broaden their horizons and see what the Desert Black Sandstorm, which appeared only once every sixty years, actually looked like.

North of this northwestern desert lay foreign nations such as Great Yuan, Jin, and Liao, while to the west lay the Great Song dynasty. Merchant caravans often crossed the desert to trade with Ming, so the procedures for leaving the pass were not complicated. Anyone who could prove their identity could cross the checkpoint.

Of course, once beyond the pass, they were responsible for their own lives and deaths. Ming bore no responsibility whatsoever.

But martial artists already lived their lives licking blood from a knife's edge. If they needed the authorities' help whenever something went wrong on their travels, they would be ashamed to call themselves people of the martial world.

Since they had dared to come join the excitement, why would they fear danger?

Thus, shortly after daybreak, martial artists began leaving the pass in a steady stream, heading toward the location where the martial world believed the Great White Upper Kingdom would emerge.

Among those groups, three figures mounted on tall, powerful horses slowly passed through the windblown sand. Snatches of conversation could be heard:

"Governor, another group of martial artists arrived last night and got into an armed brawl in the city. Quite a few died. According to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's investigation, most of the dead had fine, closely spaced wounds, but they were clearly killed by a sword. The attacker was most likely Black Stone's top assassin, Drizzle."

"Mm. Who were the dead?"

"Mostly members of martial-world gangs, along with elders and disciples from several sects."

"Then it was probably a contract killing. Leave them alone for now. We'll investigate after the treasure business is over."

"Yes."

On his tall horse, Yu Huatian wore the clothes of an ordinary martial artist, with a silver-white sword at his waist and white robes draped over him. Without his usual splendor and imposing air, he possessed a more carefree, graceful bearing, like a swordsman riding freely through the world.

Beside him were Zhao Tong, still carrying his double-headed spear on his back, and Ding Xiu, dressed as a warrior, with his long, slender Imperial Guard Saber hanging beside his saddle.

For ease of operation, Yu Huatian had chosen to act separately from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

He took Zhao Tong and Ding Xiu among the martial artists to act as opportunities arose, while Ma Jinliang and Ji Xueyong led the West Depot and Embroidered Uniform Guard experts outside the pass to await orders.

Looking at the groups of martial artists around them, Yu Huatian asked evenly, "Have you found any trace of the Sun Moon Holy Cult?"

Zhao Tong answered quietly, "Not yet, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard believes the people of the Sun Moon Holy Cult may have already left the pass."

Yu Huatian nodded slightly. Leaving the pass required proof of identity, but following the official procedures at Dragon Gate Pass was not the only way out. For martial artists, slipping across another stretch of the border was hardly difficult. Besides, this boundless desert made hiding a few people easy.

"Has the Bright Moon Cult still not appeared?"

Zhao Tong shook his head. "We haven't spotted them yet, but our men discovered that the Dragon Guard Mountain Villa's Heaven, Earth, and Mystic Three Great Spies have also arrived."

Yu Huatian's gaze stirred. "Duan Tianya, Guihai Yidao, and Shangguan Haitang?"

"Yes."

Zhao Tong nodded.

Yu Huatian narrowed his eyes, then shook his head. "The Iron Gallant Divine Marquis must have sent them. His Majesty said he would have the Dragon Guard Mountain Villa help us secure the treasure. But since they don't want to act alongside us, leave them be. They'll intervene at the crucial moment. Otherwise, they won't be able to account for themselves when they return."

"Yes."

Amid lively conversation, the crowd gradually ventured deeper into the desert.

Upon reaching a slightly raised dune, Yu Huatian slowed his horse and gazed at the distant stretch of yellow sand, which reflected a faint golden hue beneath the sunlight.

"Over the vast desert, a lone plume of smoke rises straight; above the long river, the setting sun hangs round!" Yu Huatian could not help sighing in admiration.

"Your literary talent is exceptional, Governor," Zhao Tong said respectfully.

Yu Huatian glanced at him and smiled faintly without speaking.

Just then, someone in the distance suddenly cried out, "We're here! That should be where the Great White Upper Kingdom's treasure is buried!"

The crowd erupted in excitement.

Yu Huatian turned to look as well. Amid the barren desert stood several ruined structures, the most conspicuous of which were two stone steles leaning at angles on either side of the road.

The steles stood roughly twice a man's height. Weathered by wind and frost, their inscriptions had become illegible, leaving only the words "Dragon Gate" and "Flying Armor" faintly visible.

Zhao Tong said quietly, "According to rumor, the original inscription read, 'Flying Dragon Spiral Armor, the whirling dragon flies; the sea of sand reveals the divine gate.' The whirling dragon refers to the desert's black sandstorm, and the divine gate means the Great White Upper Kingdom's treasure. Supposedly, someone deduced the treasure's emergence from those two lines, but afterward, for some unknown reason, the news suddenly spread."

Yu Huatian nodded and asked, "Where have the people who left the pass earlier gathered?"

Zhao Tong replied, "There's a Dragon Gate Inn ten li from here, supposedly run by a few martial artists. The desert weather changes unpredictably. When passing caravans can't make it back to the pass, they stay at Dragon Gate Inn. But according to our men's inquiries, it's most likely a murderous den masquerading as an inn. Traveling merchants often disappear there."

"The martial artists who left earlier should all be resting at Dragon Gate Inn now, waiting for the black sandstorm."

"Dragon Gate Inn..."

Yu Huatian paused. Scenes involving Dragon Gate Inn from the original story surfaced in his mind. He vaguely felt he had grasped something, but could not bring it to mind.

After pondering for a moment, he looked up at the road between the two steles ahead. "To Dragon Gate Inn."

"Yes."

A bank of clouds stretched across the dark northwestern sky.

Beneath the sunlight, even the clouds seemed edged with a faint golden glow.

Below them lay an endless desert of yellow sand.

A solitary building stood amid that sandy expanse. Perhaps years of neglect had left it that way, or perhaps its owner had never intended to renovate it at all. The structure was dilapidated beyond measure. Even the sign hanging over the entrance to the central two-story building had begun rotting under the relentless wind and sand. It hung crookedly above the doorway, swaying gently in the wind with a creaking rattle, as though the slightest mishap might send it tumbling down.

It was noon now, and the sun scorched fiercely, yet martial artists in all manner of dress crowded around the inn. Some sat in circles, gulping wine and holding forth; others stripped to the waist and sparred beneath the sun, drawing occasional cheers from the onlookers.

The inn itself was equally lively. The clinking of cups and bowls carried through the door, interspersed with exuberant, booming calls:

"You've left that much? Planning to raise fish in it?"

"Come on, drink! Bottoms up..."

"High, high, high... fuck-"

A dilapidated Dragon Gate Inn had attracted so many martial artists because of a rumor whose truth remained uncertain.

Perhaps even the innkeeper had never imagined that this place would one day become so lively.

Faced with this bustling scene, one could not help marveling: this was the martial world!

Clop, clop-

Just then, crisp hoofbeats sounded in the distance. The martial artists around the inn glanced toward the noise, then looked away and resumed what they had been doing.

Martial artists had been arriving from the pass regularly over the past few days. Unless someone particularly famous appeared, there was nothing remarkable about it.

The newcomers were startled by the sight before them. They had known plenty of people had come, but had not expected so many.

Looking at the crowds outside, they also noticed straw spread beneath many stretches of the inn's eaves. Clearly, these people were spending their nights outdoors as well.

Seeing this, the newly arrived martial artists did not immediately enter the inn. Instead, they approached the crowd outside, intending to learn about Dragon Gate Inn's situation first.

But not everyone did so.

Under everyone's gaze, three figures on tall, powerful horses rode straight to the entrance. They stopped, tethered their mounts in the stable by the doorway, then walked toward the inn's main door, clearly intending to go straight inside.

The crowd stared in astonishment. Then a mocking look crept into the eyes of many martial artists gathered outside.

"So many people have a death wish these days!"

"How have greenhorns like that managed to stay alive this long?"

"Hm? Those three look familiar. Aren't they the ones who killed Tian Boguang and Mount Hua's senior disciple, Linghu Chong?"

"White robes, a sword, handsome face, and two guards beside him-one with a spear, one with a saber. It should be them!"

"It really is... but so what? Haven't they even looked at who's staying inside? Young people really have no fear of death."

"If I remember right, people from the Mount Hua Sect are in there too... heh, now we're in for a show!"

The crowd murmured among themselves, many wearing smiles of gleeful anticipation, as though they already knew what would happen next.

After all, this was not the first time.

Over the past few days, more and more people had left the pass. With Dragon Gate Inn the only destination in the area, every martial artist seeking the treasure had gathered here.

Even though the innkeeper had set an outrageous price of two taels of silver a night, plenty of wealthy patrons still chose to stay. But Dragon Gate Inn was only so large, with a limited number of rooms. It could not accommodate everyone.

Under such circumstances, strength naturally reigned supreme.

The stronger one was, the more entitled one was to stay inside. Over the past few days, quite a few martial artists who had already taken rooms had been driven outside by stronger newcomers.

By now, the guests qualified to stay inside had largely been settled. Almost all belonged to major martial sects or were prominent figures in the martial world.

Anyone who went inside to fight for a room would inevitably offend one of those parties. Only a fool would do such a thing. Otherwise, did anyone really think they were all mad, choosing to sleep outside rather than stay in a perfectly good inn?

Yet these three were heading inside without even assessing the situation. To the onlookers, they were clearly three reckless greenhorns who had no idea what death looked like. Many were already preparing to enjoy the spectacle.

"Governor, something seems wrong."

Hearing the gleeful comments around them, Zhao Tong frowned slightly and spoke in a low voice.

"I know. Come."

Although Yu Huatian did not know Dragon Gate Inn's rules, the scene outside and the crowd's expectant looks gave him a rough idea.

Clearly, the inn was already full, and those staying inside were no ordinary people. The spectators gathered outside were presumably those unqualified to stay there.

Sure enough, everywhere in this world had its hierarchies.

In officialdom, power reigned supreme; in the martial world, the strong ruled!

But now that he had come this far, how could he possibly crowd together with these filthy, stinking fellows and sleep outside?

He wanted to conceal his identity, not subject himself to abuse.

His expression calm, Yu Huatian walked straight to the inn and knocked on its battered door.

Knock, knock, knock-

At the knocking, the shouting and cheering inside abruptly ceased. Silence fell over the inn, both inside and out.

Then an irritated curse suddenly rang out from within:

"Damn it! What are you knocking for? Don't you know the inn's full? Get outside, dig yourself a hole, and sleep in it!"

"Hahahaha..."

A roar of laughter followed.

A cold glint flashed through Zhao Tong's eyes as he looked at Yu Huatian. "Governor?"

Yu Huatian remained calm. "Keep knocking."

Zhao Tong knocked again. This time, another voice answered awkwardly, "Honored guest, the inn truly has no rooms left. Could you bear the inconvenience and make do outside? If you need food or drink, I can prepare some for you..."

"Innkeeper, why waste your breath on him? Open the door and let me see what sort of trash has turned up this time, with so little sense!"

"That's right! Open up and let's see which blind fool it is. My words don't count for anything now, is that it?"

Listening to the uproar inside, Yu Huatian said expressionlessly, "Break down the door!"

This time, before Zhao Tong could act, Ding Xiu, who had long since run out of patience, drew his saber in a flash and slashed diagonally across the tightly shut door.

Crash-boom!

The already battered door burst apart, sending splinters flying.

Dead silence fell instantly.

Through the empty doorway, those outside could now see what lay within.

In a moderately sized common room, martial artists in various outfits sat around tables. Most enjoyed some measure of renown in the martial world; some were even sect leaders or martial experts whose fame dominated their regions.

But now every gaze had shifted to the entrance. Some still held dice cups or wine bowls, yet they looked as though a freezing spell had struck them. They stared at the three figures in the doorway, their eyes filled with fury, surprise, or bewildered suspicion...

No one had expected these three to dare smash down the door under such circumstances. Just what mighty figures had arrived?

"That kid..."

"Fine skills. Shame his eyesight's so poor..."

A moment later, the people outside recovered and immediately crowded closer, excitement and anticipation lighting their eyes.

Now there really was a show to watch!

Smack-

Inside the inn's main hall, someone slammed a hand on a table and sprang to his feet.

They had initially wanted to see whether some martial-world overlord or towering master had arrived, someone so brazen that he dared smash down the door despite knowing the inn housed major powers of the martial world.

But when they saw only three barely grown young men, all unfamiliar faces and clearly no renowned seniors, anger immediately flared among them.

A bearded man near the entrance hurled his dice cup to the floor and strode toward the door as he spoke:

"I thought some senior master had arrived. Turns out it's just a few greenhorns. Are you fucking deaf? I told you to get lost! You even dared break down the door..."

Swish-

Before he could finish, a fierce blade flashed once more in the dim doorway.

The others inside had intended merely to watch, with no thought of intervening. They never expected a silver dragon to burst forth, sweeping a cold crescent of light through the room.

Once again, dead silence fell.

-

A quiet plea for support.

(End of chapter)