Qingxi County, the Wujian Inn.
It was midsummer. The night wind swept down the old street outside, swaying two lanterns that lit the ground a little over ten feet in front of the door.
After a day's work, the cooks and attendants filed out the door, each remembering to call back:
"Innkeeper, we're off!"
"There's food prepared in the kitchen. It should be enough for tonight. We'll come early tomorrow."
"Things haven't been peaceful out there lately, innkeeper. Close up early. There aren't many customers at night..."
Ye Xingge, dressed in a grayish-white robe, stood at the entrance and saw them off. Only when the cooks and attendants had gone did he turn back toward the main hall.
There were eight tables in the hall and a wine rack behind the counter. A plaque hung above it, bearing the four characters "A wandering hero in seclusion."
The stairs leading to the second floor had been wiped spotless, as had the tables, chairs, and benches. The whole place was clean and bright, and in every respect it looked like a respectable inn.
But why were there no customers?
Ye Xingge put his hands on his hips and sighed. He had no idea what had gone wrong.
He had lived in this world for nineteen years and practiced martial arts from childhood to secure a foothold in troubled times. By now, his name was well known, and even the county yamen often called on him for help. He had killed dozens of people.
But he had only killed bandits, not customers!
If they won't even stay here, how will they know how professional my service is?
Father and Mother went to the capital and left me to mind the inn. If they come back and I haven't earned a single coin, but I've still stuffed myself with chicken, duck, fish, and meat, how am I supposed to explain that...?
"Sigh..."
Ye Xingge glanced at the sky and figured he wasn't going to get any business today. He closed the front door, pulled a roll of bedding from beneath the counter, and figured he could have anything in his dreams.
But before he had finished making his bed, someone knocked at the door:
Bang, bang, bang-
"Huh?"
Ye Xingge instantly lost all desire to sleep. He turned to the door with a look like Sun Erniang's... no, like Boya meeting Ziqi, and hurriedly put the bedding away.
"Coming, coming! We're not closed, and we have whatever you need. Please come in, honored guest... huh?"
Clatter~
The moment he removed the door bar, the door was shoved open.
A red figure slipped into the hall and casually pulled the door shut behind her.
Click-
Ye Xingge frowned, thinking someone had come to rob him. He stepped back twice and took a closer look, only to find that the newcomer was a woman.
She wore a red dress and was quite tall, with a veiled hat on her head and a small leather whip in her hand. Her waist was slender, her hips rounded, and her figure excellent. She also had a very imposing presence.
After entering, she looked him up and down. Though the veil hid her face, he could sense a faint trace of disdain.
Hmm... like looking at a client who wasn't to her liking but whom she was still forced to service, or a prospective match on a blind date...
*?*
What's going on...?
Ye Xingge glanced at the little leather whip and reckoned he hadn't ordered any sort of intimate service. Sensing that the visitor seemed to have come with ill intent, he ventured:
"Miss, are you here for a meal, or to make a meal of me?"
The woman in red didn't react to the lame joke. After studying him for a moment, she strode into the hall, sat down by a square table, and casually tossed the whip onto it.
"Bring me a jar of Blue Flower Brew and slice me a jin of meat, without a speck of fat. Heat some water too."
Her words carried the aloof arrogance of someone sitting on his face and issuing orders.
Faced with this manner of hers, Ye Xingge felt a slight warmth in his heart.
After all, Blue Flower Brew was terribly expensive, with a huge profit margin. One jar would be enough to make up for all of today's losses.
"Right away! Please wait a moment, honored guest!"
The inn's meat and vegetables were prepared in advance, and Ye Xingge, who often killed people, was no slouch with a knife.
In less than half a quarter hour, the wine and meat were on the square table in the hall. Ye Xingge also thoughtfully brought pickled radish and peanuts as side dishes.
Then he stared in a daze!
The woman in red had removed her veiled hat and tossed it onto the table, revealing an oval face as white as frost and fine cream. Her fiery red lips were full and alluring.
But instead of using such a fine mouth for kissing, the young woman picked up her rice bowl like a starving ghost reborn and went:
"Nom nom nom nom~~..."
She looked quite graceful as she ate, but her speed was genuinely frightening. Ye Xingge was worried she might swallow him along with her food!
"Uh, heroine, take your time. There's no time limit at the inn..."
"Gulp, gulp, gulp~..."
"?"
Seeing the great heroine pick up the strong liquor and drink straight from the jar, Ye Xingge could only click his tongue inwardly.
No wonder she's so well developed. She eats and drinks so much-how could she not grow tall?
Who could afford to feed her if they married her...?
Still, for it all to go to her chest and none to her waist, she could be called exceptionally gifted...
He had only been marveling for a moment when the woman in red polished off the food. A faint flush of tipsiness colored her cheeks, and her whole presence softened somewhat. Clearly, she had been quite hungry.
Ye Xingge couldn't very well comment on how much the young woman could eat, so he smiled and said:
"Have you had enough, heroine? There's still rice in the kitchen. How about I go and-"
"No need."
Now that the woman in red had eaten and drunk her fill, she was no longer so unapproachable. She glanced at Ye Xingge and tapped her fingers lightly on the table.
"Come here."
"Oh?"
Ye Xingge sat down beside her and poured her some wine.
"Do you have instructions for me, heroine? This inn offers every kind of service, though some cost extra..."
The woman frowned slightly, displeasure showing in her peach-blossom eyes.
"You're on the verge of death, and you still have the mind to be glib?"
Ye Xingge's hand paused as he poured.
"You haven't come to murder and rob me, have you, heroine?"
"Hmph."
The woman in red picked up her wine bowl and took a sip. "You have three days left to live at most! I came today intending to take you as my disciple and help you through this calamity..."
A disciple?
Ye Xingge blinked, finding this even more outrageous than murder and robbery.
"Heroine, haven't you had too much to drink?"
"I'm discussing serious business with you."
The woman in red set down her wine bowl, picked up the little leather whip from the table, and slapped it down in front of Ye Xingge.
"You know the twelve divine weapons of the martial world, don't you? This is one of them. It has already recognized you as its master, but it has also brought disaster upon you.
"As for me, you should have heard of me: Hongyu of the Mountains and Rivers Association, known in the martial world as 'Mantanghong,' ranked nineteenth under heaven. You only need to call me Master, and your bloody calamity will be resolved as easily as a blade through bamboo..."
Blah, blah, blah...
Ye Xingge watched the utterly serious woman in red introduce herself, his eyes full of bewilderment.
He had long heard of Mantanghong, the second-generation leader of the Mountains and Rivers Association, a powerful martial-world organization. With martial arts that reached the heavens and beauty like a flower, as well as deep loyalty and concern for all under heaven, she had always been his second choice for a wife.
As for his first choice, that was naturally Mantanghong's master, the extraordinary woman of her generation, Cloud and Rain Tower...
And the young woman in red before him...
To verify her story, Ye Xingge first examined the little leather whip carefully. It was yellowish brown throughout, made of an unknown material but exquisitely crafted. It might sell for a hundred copper coins or so...
Then he looked at her bearing. Her face and figure certainly met the standard, but her breathing didn't seem to suggest she possessed inner power. With her curves in front and behind, she looked more like a great beauty than a martial artist...
What's going on?
Has she drunk too much and entered an "all Great Yan belongs to me" state of mind?
Ye Xingge had wanted to ask about the young woman's condition, but she had already finished the food and drink, and the sunk cost was too high. After some thought, he feigned surprise instead.
"So it's Sect Leader Hong of the Mountains and Rivers Association. I've long admired your great name!"
Hongyu raised a hand slightly. "No need for formalities. You should know the standing my Mountains and Rivers Association holds in the martial world..."
"Your reputation is like thunder in my ears!"
Ye Xingge cut her off. "But I'm dull and untalented, truly unworthy of being the young master of the Mountains and Rivers Association. You've eaten your fill, heroine, so how about settling the bill and looking elsewhere? There's a medical clinic at the street corner..."
Smack!
The woman in red tapped the tabletop, her gaze darkening slightly.
"You don't believe me?!"
"How could I not believe you?"
Ye Xingge said politely, "Even a master and disciple must keep clear accounts. The wine bill comes to two hundred and seventy copper coins..."
Hongyu held her head high and puffed out her chest, utterly self-assured.
"As the chief of the illustrious Mountains and Rivers Association, why would I carry loose silver when I go out? Don't worry. Become my disciple first, and in a few days I'll give you a red envelope with several thousand taels of silver as a greeting gift..."
"..."
Ye Xingge moved his lips, wanting to retort but not knowing what to say.
Several thousand taels, no less?
Why don't you just make me crown prince while you're at it?
After holding it in for a moment, he decided to test her story. He picked up the little leather whip from the table and gave it a light flick.
Crack~
The whip struck the woman in red across her lower back. She jolted and immediately sprang up, staring at him in disbelief.
"You dare hit me?!"
Ye Xingge had only been testing her skills, and the result was obvious.
The illustrious leader of the Mountains and Rivers Association couldn't dodge a blow, and didn't even hit him back. Wasn't that complete nonsense?
After all, this was a world where one cry of "Sword, come!" would have three thousand swordsmen cursing on the spot!
The real Mantanghong could probably slap the Wujian Inn into two inns, one to the east and one to the west...
Realizing he might have been taken for a free meal, Ye Xingge naturally looked displeased. After some thought, he picked up a chopstick, clenched it in his hand, and threw a punch to the side.
Crack-
The punch set off a sharp crack throughout his body, and the bamboo chopstick snapped in his palm. Ye Xingge's eyes turned slightly cold.
"If you were joking, miss, I'll naturally apologize, and I'll accept a few lashes from you. But if you're planning to eat and run, you've come to the wrong place. I know more than a little about fighting, and I also have some friendship with the county magistrate..."
Seeing his amateurish stance, Hongyu showed a look of disdain.
But after glaring at Ye Xingge for a moment, she actually calmed down and obediently sat back on the bench.
"You really won't live past three days. I'm saving your life. Don't miss the chance over a few scraps of silver... hey, hey?"
Ye Xingge was no clay Buddha. Seeing the woman in red spout nonsense for all she was worth to avoid paying, he grabbed her wrist and headed outside.
"Come on. We'll settle this at the county yamen."
"Hey?! How dare you, you little brat... hey, hey~"
Hongyu looked every bit the mature, heroic woman, but she really didn't have much martial power. She was dragged all the way to the door, and only when neither threats nor promises worked did she give in. She turned and blocked his way.
"All right, all right, you win! I'll pay. Will you listen to the rest of what I have to say first?"
Ye Xingge held out his hand. "As long as you pay the wine bill, never mind taking me as a disciple-even if you said you were here for a blind date, I could chat with you half the night. If you don't pay, we're going to see the magistrate. There's no room for discussion."
"..."
The task the old ancestor had assigned Hongyu really was a blind date!
But as a formidable woman ranked among the top twenty under heaven, how could she take a fancy to this little innkeeper before her?
Seeing how unyielding the brat was, Hongyu could only grit her teeth inwardly.
"I actually came this time to recruit you as a live-in son-in-law. Do you want a wife? My junior sister is unmarried, virtuous, and kind..."
Huh?
Seeing that this woman would say anything for a free meal, Ye Xingge was at a loss. He pulled the red jade pendant from her waist.
"I don't want a wife, much less a divine weapon. I only want payment for the meal. I'll hold the jade pendant as collateral. Whenever you bring the money, I'll return it to its rightful owner!"
"Hey? Give that back to me..."
Click-
Before she could finish, Ye Xingge opened the door, chased the woman in red outside, and put the bar back in place.
"Hey? Open the door! Otherwise, even if you beg me, I won't help you..."
Bang, bang, bang-
Ye Xingge's scalp tingled, but he couldn't be bothered to deal with her anymore. He turned and silently tidied the tables and chairs, then went back to the kitchen to wash the bowls and chopsticks.
Splash, splash~
After he had been cleaning up for a while, the knocking stopped.
But before long, hoofbeats suddenly sounded outside the inn.
Clop, clop, clop...
He looked up and saw firelight racing past beyond the courtyard wall, accompanied by the clanking of armor. It seemed a large contingent of soldiers had passed by.
The realm was now divided in three, and roaming bandits were common in the martial world. Even Qingxi County, though situated on the outskirts of the capital, was not particularly peaceful.
Ye Xingge frowned inwardly and went to the main hall to take a look. Who would have thought that once again, from outside the door came:
Bang, bang, bang-
A rapid pounding on the door!
Ye Xingge thought the woman in red had been waiting outside and immediately said in a low voice:
"You still haven't left? If you keep making trouble, I'll..."
Before he could finish, a middle-aged voice, sounding deeply hurt, came from outside the door:
"Xingge, that wasn't very nice! I watched you grow up. All I did was drink a couple of bowls of your wine. How does that make me a pest?"
"Huh? Chief Constable Wang?"
Ye Xingge froze, then hurried toward the door:
"Uncle Wang, what brings you here? I just ran into a stinking beggar who ate and drank for free and still wanted more for nothing. That's why I spoke so rudely. Come in and sit down, Uncle Wang..."
The door opened to reveal a constable in dark blue, an official saber at his waist, a mustache above his lip, and several sheets of paper tucked under his arm. His name was Wang Shouyin, and he was the chief constable at the Qingxi County yamen. As soon as he came in, he sighed:
"Things have been chaotic lately, all kinds of people about. Today there was even a bandit who wanted to enter the capital and assassinate the king. I nearly ran my legs off..."
Ye Xingge poured him a bowl of fine wine:
"Something like that happened? Who would be so bold?"
"Yang Tuyan from the great desert, a remnant of the rebel army. He showed himself over at Shangjin Ferry today..."
Wang Shouyin picked up the bowl and took two glugging gulps, then wiped his mouth with his sleeve:
"But that's not why I came today. I'm here to tell you some good news!"
"Oh?"
Ye Xingge topped up his wine and asked in surprise:
"You came all this way to bring good news, Uncle Wang?"
Wang Shouyin raised an eyebrow. "What, you're saying I only come around to mooch food and drink?"
"No, it's just that an officer of the law doesn't come knocking without a reason. What good news did you bring, Uncle Wang?"
"You've heard of the head of the Mountains and Rivers Association, right? That fierce woman bandit ranked nineteenth under heaven, known in the jianghu as 'Mantanghong'..."
"..."
Ye Xingge's expression stiffened slightly, and he looked up at Old Wang:
"Uh... I've long heard of her. Has... has she been caught?"
"Not yet, but it won't be long..."