Chapter 425 - 202: The Person in the Well
Chapter 425: Chapter 202: The Person in the Well
Soon, the sound of footsteps approached from within.
The main gate opened a crack, and a young servant in a green uniform peered out, his expression slightly arrogant.
But when he saw Fang Shuwen and Miao Feichan, his arrogance instantly vanished. He asked cautiously:
"Who are you looking for?"
Fang Shuwen and Miao Feichan exchanged a glance before Fang Shuwen spoke, repeating what he had said earlier.
He finished with a smile:
"Don’t worry, we’ll only stay for one night and leave. We won’t be a bother."
"We have silver; we won’t be freeloading."
Hearing this, the young servant chuckled.
"You two probably haven’t heard about my master, Landlord Chen."
"As for silver, I doubt he would accept any from you."
"But as for lodging, I’ll have to go report this. If you would please wait a moment."
After speaking, without waiting to see if Fang Shuwen had anything else to say, he slammed the gate shut.
Miao Feichan thought for a moment and said to Fang Shuwen:
"It doesn’t seem like an act."
The expression on the young servant’s face was too telling. His initial arrogance came from being a servant in the house of the richest man around.
Upon seeing that they were strangers, he had switched to a cautious expression.
After hearing their request, his expression became a little smug again. Closing the gate to go make his report was all quite reasonable.
Fang Shuwen nodded.
"Let’s wait and see."
Miao Feichan hummed in agreement, her gaze sweeping over Fang Shuwen’s face.
Fang Shuwen noticed her strange look and asked, puzzled:
"What is it? Is there something on my face? No, that can’t be right. In a downpour this heavy, anything on it would have been washed away."
Miao Feichan shook her head slightly.
"It’s just that the way you handle yourself while traveling the Jianghu... you don’t act like someone in their teens."
"...What’s that supposed to mean?"
Fang Shuwen was speechless.
"How am I in my teens? The way you say it makes me sound like a kid who hasn’t grown up."
"Nineteen is still in your teens."
Miao Feichan shot him a sidelong glance.
Fang Shuwen was indignant.
"I’m already twenty, thank you very much..."
He almost laughed after saying it. ’When I add my past and present lives together, how could I only be twenty?’
Even before the words left his mouth, he felt it was a bit childish, as if he really cared about his age.
But he was used to putting up a front, acting his age so as not to stand out or seem abrupt.
For the past twenty years, he had always been this way.
It was only after his system activated and he set foot in the Jianghu that he began to reveal a little of his true nature.
This also led him to display a level of caution and tactical thinking that didn’t match his age.
After all, the Jianghu was fraught with danger. If you weren’t careful, no matter how high your Martial Arts skill, you could still end up being sold out.
With Fang Shuwen’s current level of Martial Arts, he wasn’t worried about overt opponents. However, Night Rain Tower and that group from the Northern Domain Martial World were different. They gave him a sinister feeling, and it was highly likely they would resort to acting from the shadows.
That being the case, he had to be even more careful.
Miao Feichan nodded repeatedly.
"Right, you’re twenty. You’re all grown up now."
"..."
Fang Shuwen rolled his eyes at her, not bothering to stoop to her level.
Footsteps soon sounded again—heavy and disorderly, not like those of someone who possessed Martial Arts.
Soon, the gate opened once more. This time, an old man appeared before them. His attire was much finer than the young servant’s. He gave Fang Shuwen and Miao Feichan a scrutinizing look.
"Where have you two come from?"
Fang Shuwen smiled.
"We’re Jianghu Guests, coming from the north and heading east."
"Don’t worry, old sir. We’ll only rest here for one night and leave first thing in the morning."
Upon hearing this, the old man’s expression changed instantly.
"So you are masters from the Jianghu! Quick, quick, open the gate! Please, young master and young mistress, come in."
In this world, the Jianghu held sway. A random wanderer from the Jianghu was far beyond what an ordinary commoner could afford to offend.
If they were polite, all was well. But if they weren’t, they could just kick the door in, slaughter everyone in the household, and still rest here for the night.
Of course, doing so would inevitably get them branded as part of the Demon Dao.
But that was a problem for later... The dead wouldn’t be coming back to life.
Therefore, when ordinary people encountered such a situation, the only sensible thing to do was to play along.
But as soon as the gate swung open, several gasps of shock rang out. The old man included, his face pale and his eyes wide.
"Wh-what is that?"
He pointed a trembling finger at Fang Dabao.
Fang Dabao was happily munching on a bamboo stalk. Hearing the exclamation, he turned his head to glance at the old man, but quickly lost interest and went back to gnawing on his bamboo...
Fang Shuwen quickly said:
"Everyone, don’t be afraid. His name is Fang Dabao, and he’s my mount."
"Rest assured, though he may be large, he’s under my control and won’t harm anyone."
How could the others possibly believe him? Only the old man managed to speak, his voice trembling:
"He... he really won’t harm anyone?"
"Don’t worry, old sir. He has a gentle temperament, just like his master. He won’t hurt people without reason."
After speaking, Fang Shuwen beckoned to Fang Dabao.
"Come here."
Fang Dabao grunted twice, seemingly displeased that Fang Shuwen had interrupted his meal.
Nevertheless, he came over to Fang Shuwen, who hugged his big head and gave him a good petting.
The old man watched, clicking his tongue in amazement.
"To think such an Exotic Beast exists!"
"For a strong warrior like yourself to tame such a divine creature, you must possess heaven-shattering abilities."
"Please, everyone, come in. I will inform the master at once. With honored guests at our door, we must provide the finest hospitality."
Fang Shuwen smiled at his words.
"Then I’ll have to trouble you, old sir. By the way, how should I address you?"
"This humble one is Chen Zhong. Everyone calls me Uncle Zhong."
Chen Zhong cautiously introduced himself, then led Fang Shuwen, Miao Feichan, and Fang Dabao into the residence.