There is an Inn
Owing to Wutong Jin Yuxuan’s complicated connection with Emei, Wutong Jin Yuxuan was often mistaken for being a branch of Emei. In reality, Wutong Jin Yuxuan’s disciplines were based off Buddhism’s Vajra discipline, not Emei’s disciplines. The sect’s reputation itself was built through Zi Wutong’s own efforts. Although Yu Feiyuan was gradually succeeding her teacher in terms of fame, people still remembered and feared her mentor’s skill with a great sword.
The pugilistic world had evolved without Ming Feizhen’s awareness while he was having fun in the capital, sending Shen Yiren off and continuing to build Shadow Guards. Due to his relationship with Wutong Jin Yuxuan, he underestimated their current standing. As Yu Feiyuan personally delivered his invitation to him, he was unaware that the other disciples had spread out to deliver invitations to every other corner. While he was engaging in the battle of wits with Feng Jiutian, the invitations had already reached the north and south, and the guests were already preparing to travel to Hangzhou.
There was a particular inn outside of Hangzhou that struggled financially; they even had trouble keeping up with trends. Because of Fiends’ Genesis’ rampage and Princess Jingan leaving Hangzhou, even fewer people dared to lodge outside the city. However, one might have had to check if fishes were climbing trees today. There were dozens, dozens of people lining up just to try their new alcoholic drink – Aromatic Bowl. Ever since the rumour that Hangzhou’s best drinker had endless praise for it, the demand for the drink exploded. That was the reason that one particular table stood out despite nobody daring to look directly in its direction.
The elder with a beard as white as his hair scarfed down food as if he had been starved for days, and he alternated between bites with mouthfuls of wine that coursed down his beard, too. Whilst attending to customers, the proprietor kept tabs on the particular table and immediately jogged over once he noticed the elder finished his alcohol.
“Elder, is there anything else you would like?”
The elder cracked a smile. “Give me another 1.5 kilos of beef and 1.5 litres of wine. I’m not paying if I’m not satisfied with the taste,” he answered, setting down his now-empty bowl of alcohol and licking his lips.
“Of course. Of course. It is this one’s honour to even host you.”
Nobody could understand why the proprietor’s attitude was the complete opposite of how he usually was. They also did not know that the elder arrived at the inn the day before and refused to pay after dining. When the proprietor threatened to report him to the magistrate, the elder cooly gave the proprietor a business idea, whereby the inn was to sell the overstocked alcohol using his strategy. To the proprietor’s pleasant surprise, the strategy worked a charm. What sort of businessman would offend the hen that laid the golden eggs?
The elder’s companion, who visually appeared to be getting on with age, on the other hand, looked incredibly young, healthy and elegant in comparison. “This old one heard the proprietor was skilled at concocting drinks not long after he arrived, but his poor attitude deterred potential customers from visiting. How did you get him to be more obedient than a model son?”
“Commoners are all the same. Who could smile if he was not making money? Who would we see in a positive light? You think it’s a joke when people say that money can make the world go round?”
Someone in his forties, accompanied by another person of roughly the same age, suddenly said, “That was enlightening. The knowledge you imparted could last this one several lifetimes.”
Seeing the two, the elder laughed. “Mr. Ling, you sure have no manners. You could at least pretend in the presence of your elders.”
Mr. Ling seated himself and then held his hands up in salute. “This one would never dare to give you attitude. It is this one’s honour to see you both.”
The elder’s companion smiled. “If we’re competing in being insensible, you have first place. You made a bet and then gave up your seat, causing a huge stir in the pugilistic world.”
The elder glared at his companion. “Hey, you want to pick a bone with me? Let’s step outside. Let’s see if you’ve mastered Sundering the Nine Heavens to be running your mouth. Young Bai, you referee so that I don’t kill this Song jerk.”
“Young Bai” scratched his head. “Elders, Yaoshi and this one are your juniors. We are not privy to the business side.”
Song Clan’s representative chuckled and then turned to Ling Yaoshi. “He’s so petty, getting angry over everything.”
“This old one is petty? Not to brag, but name someone more magnanimous than me anywhere in the world. How many blankets have you gifted Beggars’ Sect? I’ve gifted thirty thousand. How about you?”
Elder Jin was genuinely one of the richest people in the world, except his attitude only grew more and more unbearable with age, obstinately trying to win everything. Beggars’ Sect’s leader had made quite a living selling the blankets that Elder Jin gifted them in recent years.
“Our Song Clan cannot compete with you on wealth. We will opt to hold on to our blankets.”
“Heh, coward.” Elder Jin was all smug about the meaningless win. “By the way, everybody is here, so where is the person who assembled us?”
Ling Yaoshi, smiling, answered, “He has always been here.”
A man wearing a mantle sat down without making a sound. Though he kept his hoodie on, the four recognise him. In a low voice, he conveyed, “It is Ruxing’s pleasure to meet you four.”
The other thing Ming Feizhen was unaware of was that the White Princes leveraged the wedding invitation to use Hangzhou as a temporary meeting place. Hangzhou was the new location for them to discuss their plans.
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