Chapter 269 - 265: The Latest Wind and Cloud List Rankings
Chapter 269: Chapter 265: The Latest Wind and Cloud List Rankings
Ning’an City was a city in the northern reaches of Red Sun Province. As a border city, to leave it was to all but leave the province’s territory.
At dusk, as the sun set in the west, its golden light gradually receded and the sky began to darken.
On the streets of Ning’an City, vendors began packing up their stalls, ready to head home for dinner and a night’s rest.
Pedestrians bustled back and forth in an endless stream. Among them were the figures of Martial Artists, some with Treasure Swords at their hips, others shouldering Great Sabers or carrying long spears.
"Sir, could you tell me how to get to an inn?" Ye Xing asked an old man on the roadside. ’It’s getting late. I need to find an inn for the night and set out again tomorrow. This is my first time in Ning’an City, so I’m not very familiar with the area.’
"Oh, an inn is that way!" The old man pointed ahead. "Just go straight, Young Hero. Turn at the next intersection and keep heading right. You’ll be pretty much there after two more intersections. You can always ask someone else when you get closer."
"Okay, thank you, sir!" Ye Xing said.
Just then, the reek of alcohol wafted over from beside him.
"Looking for... for an inn, are you? A... a sleeping inn?" A man with a paper fan tucked into his waist and a wine flask in his hand sidled over. He took a drink as he spoke. "I can take you. I’m... I’m also heading... to that sleeping inn!"
"Yes, I’d be grateful," Ye Xing replied, cupping his hands.
’The man reeked of alcohol and stumbled as he walked; he was clearly drunk. Still, even if he is, as long as he’s a local who knows the way, he should be able to find an inn in this half-sober state, right?’
However, Ye Xing quickly came to regret it.
Led by the reeking drunkard, the two of them wound through a couple of streets and finally arrived at the entrance of the "sleeping inn" he had mentioned.
’Broadly speaking, this really was a goddamn ’inn’ where you could sleep.’
Two large red lanterns hung high above the entrance, where a plaque bore two large words—Yihong Courtyard!
"Oh, Master Zhang, it’s been too long!"
"Landlord Huang, hurry upstairs! Miss Qian’Er is waiting for you!"
"Haha, Miss Qian’Er is a beauty, to be sure, but she lacks the mature charm of Mrs. Wang."
"Oh, you flatter me! I’m well past my prime."
"Gentlemen, come on in and take a look!"
"Oh, Young Master Zhao is here too! Hurry in and have a seat!"
At the entrance to the Yihong Courtyard, several women in revealing, gaudy outfits and caked in makeup waved silk handkerchiefs, calling out with all their might to attract customers.
"This Yihong Courtyard is the inn you were talking about?" Ye Xing asked, completely exasperated.
"That’s right! Heh heh... heh, this... this... is the sleeping inn! Lots of the girls inside are great. You can sleep, you can play—what’s not to love!" the drunkard said, his eyes glinting lecherously. He took another long swig of wine, GULP, GULP, then pulled out the paper fan from his belt. Striking what he clearly thought was a dashing pose, he staggered into the Yihong Courtyard.
"Young Master Lang, you’ve arrived! Girls, Young Master Lang is one of our most valued patrons, so be sure to treat him well!" the madam, Mrs. Wang, called out from the doorway. Her gaze then shifted to Ye Xing, and she giggled in a syrupy voice. "Well now, aren’t you a handsome one. Must be your first time here, hmm? What are you just standing there for? Come on in! I’ll have some girls join you for a drink and show you a good time."
A vein throbbed on Ye Xing’s temple. "Could you tell me where an inn is?" he asked.
"Oh, what a funny young master you are. This *is* an inn! You can eat, sleep, drink, play with the girls—take your pick! Come on in and have a seat," the madam, Mrs. Wang, said, waving her handkerchief and giggling behind her hand.
"Cut the crap," Ye Xing said, pulling a Gold Coin from his pouch and flashing it in front of the madam. "Take me to a real inn, and this is yours."
One Gold Coin was worth a hundred Silver Coins, which was equivalent to ten thousand copper coins. It was a substantial amount of money—enough for a common person to live on for over half a year.
The moment the madam saw the Gold Coin, her eyes lit up. She snatched it with lightning speed and said with boundless enthusiasm, "Right, right, right! This way, Young Master. I’ll take you there myself. It’s not far, just up ahead!"
The madam, Mrs. Wang, immediately started leading the way, her plump hips swaying as she walked ahead of Ye Xing.
After two or three hundred paces, they entered a small alley and finally arrived before the Wind and Cloud Inn.
The Wind and Cloud Inn was a major power, with branches in countless cities across all the countries of the Martial Arts Continent. So, of course, Ning’an City in Red Sun Province would have one too.
It was now evening, the sky dimly lit. Inside the inn, guests sat at square tables eating dinner. The hall was a boisterous scene, filled with the chaotic din of people eating, drinking, and chatting.
"Welcome, sir! We have a table over here!"
A waiter greeted him enthusiastically, led Ye Xing to an empty table, and gave it a quick wipe with a cloth. Tossing the cloth over his shoulder, he smiled. "What can I get for you, sir?"
"I’ll have a plate of stir-fried pork with bamboo shoots, a side of green vegetables, a bowl of tomato and egg soup, and a bowl of rice," Ye Xing said.
"Right away, sir! It’ll be out in just a moment," the waiter replied before hurrying off to the kitchen.
This Wind and Cloud Inn was three stories tall. The third floor housed premium guest rooms and was also where the inn sold information. The second floor consisted entirely of guest rooms, while the first floor was, of course, the dining hall—the liveliest and noisiest part of the establishment.
The air was thick with the aroma of wine and meat. At the many square tables, Martial Artists of the martial world ate, drank, and chatted about everything under the sun. Some spoke in booming voices, others in hushed whispers, all gathered in small groups and talking idly.
"Younger Brother Liu, have you heard? The new rankings for the Wind and Cloud List are out. Our Red Sun Province has seven top experts on it this year."
"Seven experts? That many? I remember there were only five last year."
"Huh? How is seven a lot? Brother Zheng, why does Second Brother Liu think that’s a large number? Red Sun Province is one of the thirteen provinces of the Southern Tang Country, after all. The Wind and Cloud List has one hundred and eight names on it, so on average, each province should have about eight, right?"
"Haha, Younger Brother Wu, that’s where you’re mistaken. While the Wind and Cloud List does have one hundred and eight experts, many of them are concentrated in the Golden Scale Imperial City. Not many are actually scattered throughout the provinces. For our Red Sun Province to have seven experts on the list already puts us in the upper-middle ranks. Of course, these seven are just the ones we know about. Who knows if there aren’t one or two more living in seclusion in some mountain valley."
"Experts on the Wind and Cloud List are all capable of trading blows with Innate Realm masters! Brother Zhao, hurry up and tell us who the seven experts from our Chiyang City are! Is anyone in the top thirty?"