As he appears inside the room, he was greeted with the sight of three, large and intimidating men. With bushy beard and unkempt hair, they look more like a beggar than an officially sent debt collector.
"Who is this bitch?"
One of them ask, he brandished a Saber that gleams under the sun that get filtered by the window.
"Woah! Mighty fine, aren't ya? Don't worry missy, I play with you after we're done with this bitch"
The other with a Cleaver said as he banged the reception desk, but the girl didn't relent, instead, her gaze intensifies. She was about to say something, but Nanming cuts her off first.
"I'm having a good sleep after someday wandering around in the South"
Nanming said, once again assuming the personality of a disgruntled Jianghu dweller who is angry his sleep is being disturbed. Though his face clearly didn't convey the angry emotion quite well.
"And now some fuckass is running around their rotten mouth in my place"
Nanming said, registering the thug face of utter surprise, maybe because his voice didn't quite match his look.
"If you're so interested in running that good for nothing mouth that you use for both breathing and eating shit, go to the brothel besides, at least you'll be a nice pair with some fellow shit eater"
Nanming learns a lot being near Yi Ling if its in terms of vicious mockery, evidence by the thug face contorting into an ugly fury.
"What the fuck did you say? Oh I'm going to fucking ruin you!"
He said as he swings his saber towards Nanming face, yet Nanming himself is astonished by how wide, clumsy and slow his swings are, compared to Big Sis Lixian, he is like a snail in front of a lightning in terms of speed.
Nanming easily sidestepped the attack, moving just slightly off from the swing before he stood silently right beside the thug.
"Huh?"
And before he could respond, a swift scabbard hit his head so hard, his entire body got launched until he knocks on the door in a loud
THUMP
Before he slumped on the floor, the rest of the thug looked in shock and fear, evidence by the way they grip their weapon with shaking structure.
"Fuck off before what was left of your body, is a liquid shit you all been eating"
Nanming vocabulary for mockery is still limited to shit, but he thinks its good enough. Seeing the thug flee with their unconscious friend in tow, dropping their weapons in the process.
The girl though, her reaction is different from what Nanming had imagined, what he thought was a grateful reverence, was instead a furious frustration.
"What do you think you're doing? If you beat them up, the Golden Boar will just send someone rougher and uglier!"
"Uglier? No, you got it wrong, look at the way they carry and present themselves, they look like textbook example of vagrant, no?"
Nanming explained, and it seems that the girl understands his point given that her face of what was previously that of frustration, returns to her calculating and professional self.
"So you mean those aren't the actual debt collector?"
"Jianghu thug are notorious for scam like that"
Nanming knows because he reads a book about them, among other things Jianghu dwellers are known for. Was scam, elaborate scam and even more scam, the idiom Fish eyes mixed in with Pearls comes from that notorious trait of Jianghu dweller.
"Damn it! To think I almost give in to their scheme… thank you so much"
The girl begins bowing before she tried to rummage through her coin purse, but before she could bring out even a single coin, Nanming stop her.
"No need, I'm just doing what I wanted to do"
"…But I heard those of Jianghu will only do something if coppers or silver coins were involved"
"They also say Jianghu are filled with freaks, I am one of those freaks, freaks who just wanted to help"
Hearing Nanming words, the girl becomes even more grateful. Even going so far as to shake his hand, though reluctantly, Nanming accepts that gesture of gratitude.
"Thank you! Thank you so much! I'm sorry for being rude to you last night and earlier!"
"…"
It'd be inappropriate to deny her apology, Nanming thought, so he just nods along with her even when he himself didn't feel like she was being rude earlier.
"Alright Nanming, let's go!"
Jing-U said, his energetic voice and the clutters of his bag are the first to mark his appearance before his physical body does.
Hearing him, Nanming regards the girl and sends her his farewell.
"Thank you for welcoming us"
He said, Jing-U was already outside the inn, so Nanming hurried himself to catch up.
"Wait! Young Hero, who is your name?"
But the girl asks, tugging on Nanming sleeve as she did. Nanming stopped on track and looked back at the girl desperate and curious face.
"…Nanming of Jiangnam, and no, I'm not a Hero you think I am"
Nanming said, but the girl responded by shaking her head.
"Hero or not, you save my inn and my grandad memory, once again, thank you!"
The girl, having finally know who Nanming truly is, offer a smile, devoid of any mercantile empty and professional performance, it is a truly genuine smile.
"And my name is Chu Xin"
She said, Nanming nods and exits the inn to join Jing-U in the busy street of Kuxin Village. The sound of holler and chatter has become familiar with Nanming as he observes the passing persons going along with their respective path.
"Pity that we can't enjoy the beauty of this place, but we have matter to do"
"Agree"
Jing-U and Nanming then makes their way outside the village, once they are far enough away that the sound of the village has been drawn out by the droning melody of waterfall, Nanming finally asked.
"Did you know where the Golden Boar is?"
"Hmm, I know where he might be. Since Golden Boar is extremely wealthy, he had a lot of manor and houses across Hazhui"
Jing-U explained as both him and Nanming strides the path where they had come to the village yesterday.
"We can check them one by one, but it'll take a year if we're unlucky"
"The inn would've already been bankrupt at that time"
Nanming said, though cynical it is realistic, no matter how skilled Chu Xin and her grandad are, they cannot weather the storm forever.
"Exactly, so I say we loiter around near a large enough town that has a merchant guild. Someone is bound to reveal his location since the Golden Boar is so famous"
"Alright then, and where is the nearest town?"
Nanming ask, and to that, Jing-U pulls out his map and began scouring the parchment with his index finger.
"The closest town that has a merchant guild is… Aha! Langsu! We just head down this path and head left at a cross"
And with that, Nanming and Jing-U travel the path they had trek the previous day. Fortunately, there are no longer any bandits or beasts that'll become a hurdle for their journey ahead.
.
.
.
Both Nanming and Jing-U walked pass the crossroad in which they turn left as written in Jing-U map, at first Nanming doubt that the path would actually lead to the town, given that the once a visible, trekkable footing were being overgrown and reclaimed by nature, leaving nothing remains that resembles a path nor road.
But his doubts were soon dispelled, for the unassuming path soon led them to a paved and cobbled road complete with actual wall and carriage roaming around. Some were simple, carved wooden carriages or carts, but then there is a gilded one that is being escorted by armed guards.
It's clear that this road will lead to Langsu, and the closer they get to the town, the more cart and merchants are around. Until the road becomes so packed that both Nanming and Jing-U were forced to walk on the side of the road, near the grass.
"That is Langsu"
Jing-U said, his finger point towards a wall of packed dirt with several wooden towers decorating the inside. But as they got closer towards the gate, the mass of carts, carriages and people are at a standstill.
"Wait"
Jing-U command, before he set his backpack to the ground and rummages its inside, before long, he procures a parchment with red and golden seal inscribed upon its yellowish surface.
"Alright, let's go Nanming"
After that, both him and Nanming approached the gate, and it soon became clear what is the cause of this jam.
"Official Imperial Papers issued by the Zhao imperial office is required if you wished to enter the town!"
An embroidered guard said, his armor of shining bronze, bearing the symbol of what Nanming presumed to be the Zhao dynasty symbol, a peacock. Quite a strange pick for an official imperial signage, but Nanming guesses that the usual five clawed dragon is reserved for the actual imperial family.
"Damn this era of sundering, you need to keep track of what paper is needed for which provinces"
A disgruntled merchant grumbled, loud enough for the passing Nanming to hear. But the merchant isn't the only one to protest and is certainly a part who keeps their annoyance a secret.
"What the hell is this?! I wasn't told a paper is needed to enter Langsu!"
A mad cart driver said, in his left hand was a wooden plaque with the ancient script inscribed, Nanming didn't know what it is though.
"The order was issued last month and is only in effect today! You have plenty of time to ask or buy one!"
One of the guards responded, he carries a war saber so it's clear that he is the leader of the guard stationed there.
"Isn't this plaque the same? They both come from the imperial office!"
The cart driver said as he practically shoved the wooden plaque to the guard face, causing the guard to become extremely irritated, but he kept his composure.
"The Tang dynasty is done for! What is the need of a plaque from a long-lost mandate holder?!"
That response was a mistake, for the cart driver soon protest, not because of the rejected plaque, but because of what he said, treachery.
"What did you say? I hope Heaven itself smite you and your family! To dare denounce the Tang imperial family of losing the mandate! Its you, western dog with the Orthodox Jianghu who caused the mandate to be lost!"
He said, with such fierceness that spit can be seen flying out from his mouth.
"Yeah! Western dog! Keep on sucking Old Shiyi cock you filth!"
One merchant chime in, but before anyone else could chirp and insult the guard, the cart driver had his right arm chopped off by a saber.
"Agh-!"
Bloodcurdling screams accompanied by actual blood spraying to the ground caused both mule, horse and people to become shocked and panicked. The cart driver who is still convulsing from the pain, was then had his neck caught with a man-catcher made of wood and steel.
The cart driver was then dragged to the ground, leaving his mule to panic and kicked his cart which caused whatever inside to spill to the ground. A sort of liquid was inside of his wares.
"Treacherous fool! Zhao dynasty is not to be trifled with!"
The guard leader said as he cleans his saber from the cart driver blood using his bare hand, he then walked to the cart driver while spinning his saber with one hand, before he positioned it right into the cart driver left leg.
"Normally, we would've decapitate you on the spot, but the Zhao family are merciful, they ordered for fools like you to be detained with minimal punishment"
He said, before he retreats his saber and put it back inside his sheath, somehow, that action is far more threatening than if he would just simply cut off the leg.
"Anyone else would like to test the Zhao family mercy?"
At his words, the previously furious and chirping crowd grow quiet and restless, like a foal that waits for its mother while starving.
"Apology for the disturbance, but you heard the captain. Paper is needed, stamped by the Zhao dynasty imperial office"
One of the guards approached Jing-U, to which he presents the paper that he clutched the entire time.
The guard received the paper with minimal complain, he then examined it for a good minute before he grumbled.
"Hmm, this stamp is outdated"
The guard said, and of course Jing-U would've been angry and confused at that.
"Impossible!"
But the guard then take another good look at the paper and begrudgingly handed it back to Jing-U.
"Bah, it happens. Those paper pushers and eunuch are as incompetent as a mutt"
The guard then waved his hand, and two guards carrying a spear soon approached them.
"Welcome to Langsu, obey the earth in which you stand and hold the sky that shelters you"
After the short proverb of the guard, both Jing-U and Nanming were then welcomed by the arriving guards.
This causes both to receive the scrutinizing and contemptuous gaze of those that were stuck in front of the gate.
After they pass the gate, the guards bid both Nanming and Jing-U farewell. Jing-U, after stuffing the paper back into his bag without much care, then fully embrace and enjoy the view of the large town.
"Ahh, Langsu… Once this town is a hub between the East and the West before Ginkgo Stone Port took over"
He remarks before he shifts his attention to Nanming.
"Alright, now that we're here. Should we stick to the plan and head over to the Merchant guild or should we rest first?"
He offers Nanming to choose, Nanming would've personally like for them to get down to business, but he fears Jing-U was tired from the walk here.
"Are you tired?"
"M-Me? No, that's a light jog, I walked far longer than that"
Though his voice were filled with vigor and confidence, Nanming can't shake up the feeling that he is indeed tired and is just putting up a strong farce.
"Let's get some rest first, who knows, maybe the inn will provide information all the same"
"Oh yeah, with them having folks from all around the corner with their own stories. Such a Jianghu way of thinking"
Jing-U smiles as he said that and jab Nanming shoulder, was he though? Nanming thought, perhaps this Jianghu stuff is easy for him to play pretend with, considering how everyone think he is the part of them.
"Let's walk around then, find a cheap inn for us to stay and eat from"
Both then scour the busy streets, pass many street vendors who hollers and offer their wares and products to both Nanming and Jing-U. After a while, they reach a particularly crowded inn.
And as they entered, the stench of sweat, cheap alcohol and something stinky hit both in full force, their noses protesting from such stench to the point that their stomach was having something to say.
And it's not just the noise that's overwhelming, the cacophony of drinking, shouting and laughing is as apparent as the latter, one would assume this place was a scene of a massacre based off its sound alone.
"…"
Jing-U remained silent, evidence that he had seen something far worse than this, given how neutral and ordinary the look of his eyes were. He then walks to the nearest vacant table, but of course, disturbance was bound to arrive.
"Heh? Who is this fine shit?"
A drunkard remark when Nanming passed by him, a signal smoke for the rest of the inn to shift their attention to him.
What was once a rowdy inn was replaced by an equally deafening silence, judgmental sight and lecherous gaze bore through Nanming, and his lack of reaction certainly fuels the flame of curiosity ever fiercer.
"She's flat, not my taste"
A man argues, before he went back to drinking. His mate though, had something to say about that.
"The fuck 'ere you talkin' about? Flat breast 's like flat plain, sure ere's nothing to see, but the skies remain clear!"
"Hah! Tell me you like male without telling me!"
And soon enough, the place went rowdy once more. Nanming had thought that the commotion would devolves into something uglier, but it's not. Looking at Jing-U form that is poised to launch a strike, it's clear that he, too, anticipates the worst.
Knowing that the coast is clear, he soon reached for the vacant table and sat there, followed closely by Nanming. And before long, a clerk pass by.
"May I take your order young man?"
Jing-U glances towards the menu box and quickly made his choice.
"Give me an ale, a stew and a steamed bao please"
The clerk noted the order, before he shifted his attention to Nanming, who he had clear nervousness for. Either from his ethereal beauty, or the fact that he hugs his sword in a way that it's plain to see.
"And you? Young, err"
"Young male, I take what he wants but change the ale for a tea please"
Nanming quickly answers, and the clerk swiftly noted before he takes his leave as fast as possible, though the sound of his frantic steps were soon drawn out by the inn innate rowdiness.
"I knew you're a tea person"
Jing-U remarks, his easy smiles that were just earlier being overtaken by fierce poise return.
"What gives it away?"
Nanming responded, he is grateful that no blood must be drawn today, at least in this inn.
"You're calm, aloof yet dangerous. Like a snake, you know, the first time I met you, I thought you were an assassin"
Jing-U said, and as the clerk returned with a pair of stew and a large steamed bao, he paused his speech. Nodding to the clerk in a gesture to thank him yet he didn't offer any tips. And the clerk is smart enough not to act out of line, especially when someone is brandishing their sword near him.
"You know the saying, poised and aloof like a snake atop a swaying branch"
Jing-U said a proverb before he indulges on the warm meal, scooping the savory stew towards a ripped part of bao and eating it that way. Nanming mimic his way, and it did taste good, the stale bao absorbed the savory flavor of the stew.
And soon, Nanming was lost in the act of eating.