Snow, wind, and warmth mingled.
Ated laughed heartily, stepped forward, and embraced the balding, bear-like Great Han hard before introducing him to everyone.
"This is no Witcher, but an esteemed Blessed Knight."
"A Blessed Knight, a champion of the Holy See!"
The gazes of everyone in the tavern visibly cooled.
Although the Holy See and the Witchers were partners of a sort, the Witchers did not have a particularly good impression of the Holy See.
No one liked plunging through boiling water and fire for others, doing the most dangerous work while the glory went to someone else.
Inside the tavern, another burly, powerfully built Witcher covered in thick hair stood up with his cup raised and sneered.
"So, one of those respectable people from the Holy See. Why have you come to this crude haunt of Witchers?"
The fire roared in the tavern's hearth. Outside, the wind and snow howled past, making the wooden door creak and groan.
Ated's face instantly turned snow-white. He had overlooked the Witchers' poor opinion of the Holy See.
He looked apologetically at Jiang Yang.
"Sorry, Jiang Yang. Wright and Monchi were both mistreated by the Holy See. Their grievances aren't directed at you."
Jiang Yang smiled faintly.
"No matter."
Then he looked at the two Witchers who had stood up, extended his right hand, and beckoned with a finger, laughing.
"If you're unhappy, don't just express it with your mouths. Come on, let me see how powerful your resentment is!"
The mocking gesture and tone enraged the two Great Han, and they attacked in fury.
Two heavy thuds soon rang out in the tavern.
Jiang Yang loosened the muscles and joints he had just used, sat down at the balding Great Han's seat, and picked up an untouched cup of ale to drink.