Chapter 192 - 189: A Gathering of Martial Artists
Chapter 192: Chapter 189: A Gathering of Martial Artists
"The Martial Arts Sixth Realm?" Ye Xing asked, puzzled. "Given how precious an Eight Treasures Profound Spirit Pill is, it should be almost impossible for a Martial Artist at the Sixth Realm to get one, even if they sold everything they own. So how did Shi Bolang manage it?"
"Dumb luck," said Zhao Lin, a disciple from the Iron Sword Sect. "That Shi Bolang was originally a notorious bandit. During one of his heists, he stumbled upon a whole box of Eight Treasures Profound Spirit Pills. His cultivation leaped from the Fifth Realm straight to the Sixth Realm. But the news leaked, and now he’s being hunted by countless people from the martial world. Many of them are claiming to ’eliminate a great evil’ and ’uphold justice,’ heh heh, but we all know they’re just after the pills. As word continues to spread, more and more people are joining the hunt."
"Shi Bolang was badly wounded and escaped into Biluo Mountain. The mountain’s forests offer good cover, but the number of Martial Artists hunting him has grown, and none of them are weak. I estimate that in three days, tops, there will be no escape for him," said the Iron Sword Sect disciple, Tie Chen, in a low voice. "By the way, Brother Ye, my junior brother and I are planning to head to Biluo Mountain after we eat to try our luck. Do you want to come with us?"
The Iron Sword Sect disciple, Tie Chen, extended the invitation to Ye Xing.
"No, thank you. I’m just here for the excitement. I haven’t even decided if I’ll go to Biluo Mountain or not," Ye Xing said with a small smile, politely declining.
’The Eight Treasures Profound Spirit Pill is crucial to me, so I definitely have to go for it. But if I’m going to Biluo Mountain, I have to go alone. It would be too inconvenient and pointless to go with them; I can act without restraint if I’m by myself. If I don’t get the pill, that’s one thing. But if I do get lucky and obtain it, a huge crowd of Martial Artists will surely try to take it. These two from the Iron Sword Sect are only at the Martial Arts Fourth Realm. They wouldn’t be able to help at all; they’d just become a liability. It’s better for everyone this way.’
Ye Xing chatted with the two for a short while before a waiter from the Phoenix Cloud Inn finally rushed over.
"My apologies, sir! We’re swamped with customers today and can barely keep up. Please forgive the delay!" The waiter from the Phoenix Cloud Inn quickly took a cloth from his shoulder and wiped down Ye Xing’s table as he spoke apologetically.
"It’s fine. I’m not in a rush," Ye Xing said with a small smile.
"What can I get for you, sir?" the waiter from the Phoenix Cloud Inn asked enthusiastically.
"I’ll just have something simple," Ye Xing said right away. "A dish of greens, a plate of beef with green peppers, and a bowl of clear soup."
"You got it, sir! Won’t be a moment!" the waiter from the Phoenix Cloud Inn called out before speeding off toward the kitchen.
In no time, he was rushing back over with a wooden tray. On the tray sat a dish of greens, a plate of beef with green peppers, a bowl of clear soup, and a bowl of rice. The service was surprisingly quick.
"Your meal is here, sir!" The waiter placed the dishes on the table in front of Ye Xing.
Ye Xing immediately picked up his chopsticks and began to eat. He’d been traveling all morning and was genuinely hungry. The Phoenix Cloud Inn truly lived up to its fame—the food was excellent.
As he ate, he listened to the noisy discussions around him.
"Fourth, eat faster! At the rate you’re going, you’ll never be finished."
"What’s the rush? It’s not like Shi Bolang can get away. People from the martial world have blocked all the passes on Biluo Mountain. He couldn’t escape even if he sprouted wings."
"What do you know?! Sure, Shi Bolang can’t escape, but someone else will snatch his Eight Treasures Profound Spirit Pills! More and more Martial Artists are arriving. Just look—there are already four or five masters at the Martial Arts Sixth Realm in this very inn. We have to find Shi Bolang and take the pills as soon as possible."
...
"Hey, isn’t that Elder Feng from the Quicksand Gang? What’s he doing here too?"
...
"Elder Feng, what brings you here?"
"What? Are you suggesting I’m not allowed to come?"
"Haha, of course not, of course not! It’s just a bit surprising. You’re a master at the Martial Arts Seventh Realm, the Qi Condensation Stage. For you to join us..."
"That Shi Bolang is a notorious bandit. I simply wish to contribute my humble efforts to eliminating such a villain."
"Ah, yes, you’re right. What Elder Feng says is absolutely correct!"
...
"The Eight Treasures Profound Spirit Pill... If I could get my hands on it, I’d instantly break through to the Martial Arts Sixth Realm. I might even have a good shot at the Seventh Realm!"
"It’ll be tough. Didn’t you see that even Elder Feng is here? That Eight Treasures Profound Spirit Pill is fatally tempting to Martial Artists at the Seventh and Eighth Realms. Even someone at the Ninth Realm might make a move for it."
"Let’s go! Forget the food, we need to get into the mountains. Let’s move now, while there aren’t too many experts around!"
Amid the growing clamor, many Martial Artists in the inn left the Phoenix Cloud Inn and headed toward Biluo Mountain.
"Brother Ye, we’re done eating. Time to head into the mountains!" Having eaten and drunk their fill, the two martial brothers from the Iron Sword Sect, Tie Chen and Zhao Lin, turned to Ye Xing. "Are you sure you won’t come with us?"
They had been seated before Ye Xing, so they had already finished their meal while he was still only halfway through his.
"No, thank you," Ye Xing said with a small smile.
"In that case, we’ll head into the mountains first. Farewell!" Tie Chen and Zhao Lin of the Iron Sword Sect promptly stood up and gave Ye Xing a cupped-fist salute before also leaving the Phoenix Cloud Inn and heading toward Biluo Mountain.
At the entrance of the Phoenix Cloud Inn, guests came and went in an endless stream. Some were leaving, but just as many were arriving. After all, it was the peak lunch hour, and overall, the inn was still packed.
Two brawny men with Great Sabers slung over their shoulders strode into the Phoenix Cloud Inn. Their eyes swept across the room, and one of them frowned. "Second Brother, doesn’t look like there are any empty tables! Guess we’ll have to squeeze in with someone."
"Squeeze in? What for? Isn’t there a table right over there?"
...
Inside the inn, Ye Xing was sitting at his table, enjoying his meal.
Suddenly—
CLANG!
The tip of a Great Saber’s scabbard slammed onto the tabletop. The table shuddered, splashing soup everywhere.
"What’s the meaning of this?" Ye Xing frowned, looking up at the two brawny men standing before him.
The two brawny men glanced at Ye Xing with arrogance. "Doesn’t mean anything. Me and my brother are eating at this table."
"If you want to eat, then eat. I didn’t say you couldn’t sit here. There are three empty spots. Sit where you like," Ye Xing said calmly, then went back to his food.
"Who wants to share a table with you, kid?" the other brawny man snarled. "What my big brother meant was, this table is ours now. So why don’t you get the hell out of here!"