Qin Ze went to the tavern he frequented.
It was probably the liveliest place in all of Snow City.
Even during the day, plenty of people came.
Workers coming off the night shift, soldiers on their rotation breaks, and merchants and travelers who had just arrived in Snow City that morning all came here to rest their feet.
Today, however, the tavern was deserted, with hardly anyone inside.
The bartender's eyes lit up when he saw Qin Ze. "Orange juice?"
Qin Ze grinned. "You still remember me?"
The bartender deftly took out two oranges and squeezed a glass of juice. "I've always had a good memory."
Qin Ze took a sip and said, "More like there aren't many suckers like me, so I left an impression."
The bartender said, "Not at all. Around here, the customer is God."
Qin Ze chatted with him for a bit, then asked casually, "Why's business getting worse and worse?"
The bartender sighed. "Snow City's been locked down lately for some kind of resource management. Fewer private merchant caravans are coming through, and on ordinary days, we only get soldiers on break. Naturally, business hasn't been great."
Qin Ze asked curiously, "Can't they manage resources without locking down the city?"
The bartender shook his head. "Who knows what those high-and-mighty councilors are thinking?"
The ban seemed to have come from the Pan-Continent Alliance Deliberative Council.
And as far as Qin Ze knew, the Grand Consul had the final say on that council.
Had the Grand Consul issued the ban?
As Qin Ze pondered the Grand Consul's intentions, a familiar, slightly raspy voice sounded beside him.
"Give me something to drink. Anything."
Qin Ze turned his head just as the other man looked over.
The moment their eyes met, both men froze.
"Old Xiao!"
"Qin Ze!"