novelraw Chapter 133: Clamor
Chapter 133: Clamor
The Silent Moon Seers warned Wuyi's grandmother that the boy might really be the cause of the end of Yuanjing if they did not make amends and try to fix the situation, instead of continuing to attempt to get rid of him..
When Wuyi's grandmother returned, she went directly to her father-in-law, who took her to the clan patriarch. Hearing all the details, especially the warning from the Silent Moon Seers, he immediately convened a meeting of the core elders. The meeting concluded with the decision that since Tianxing's faction had initiated the error, they would be the ones to make amends.
Migxu's faction had already done enough by consulting the Silent Moon Seers.
"Jingdu, Master," Zhi called out, breaking Guan's reverie.
"Shall I locate an inn for us?" The thought of an inn lifted Guan's spirits. Good inns were like miniature luxury houses, albeit a bit more rustic. Guan's face broke into a smile.
"Find the finest one," he instructed. Zhi grinned, spurred his horse, and galloped toward the descending sun. A drink and perhaps some company for the night crossed Guan's mind briefly. He thought of Lady Sei back in Shuizhen, who was clearly smitten with him. She was both beautiful and witty, and as the daughter of a high-ranking official in the kingdom, she was quite the catch.
He shrugged off the thought.
The inn known as the Twin Dragons was an establishment built upon the remnants of an old outpost. It resembled a fortress, complete with its own defensive wall, separate from Jingdu's town fortifications. A tower stood at the northeast corner, a relic from its past. Adjacent to the tower was a grand structure, its white plaster walls contrasted by sturdy black beams.
A thatched roof adorned with costly metal around the chimneys crowned the building. Windows opened onto porches that lined the front and sunlit side, while four newly constructed chimneys rose majestically from the roof. It was as if a fragment of luxury had been transported to the countryside. Jingdu was a significant town, and the Twin Dragons was its most esteemed inn.
Zhi returned to hold Guan's horse. "The inn looks comfortable, Master," he said, grinning from ear to ear.
Serving a great young master had its perks, especially in areas as remote as this. They could still enjoy some luxury and rest.
A slender, well-dressed man approached them. His fine woolen hood was lined with silk and adorned with silver embroidery and a fur trim.
He bowed deeply. "I am Liang Jineng, Master. At your service. I won't claim my inn to be modest—it's the best on this road. But I do enjoy hosting noble masters such as yourself."
Guan was surprised to see a commoner as elegantly dressed and as forthright as this one—surprised, but pleased. He returned the bow, deeply.
"I am Yuanjing Guan," he said. "Being a noble doesn't necessarily make one wealthy, Master Liang Jineng. May I inquire—?" Master Liang Jineng offered a reserved smile.
"A private chamber for a gold Liang. If your attendants share the room, it will cost two more jade coins." He arched an eyebrow. "I can offer a more economical option, but it would be in a communal area."
Guan quickly reviewed his financial situation. He checked his storage bag—seventy gold Liangs, a few silvers, and a dozen heavy jade coins. Among them, two phoenix coins, each worth twenty gold liangs. Not a fortune, but sufficient for a comfortable night on the road. When he had left the clan, he was well-provided for, but he had been traveling for a long time.
Since the distance was far, he had decided to travel light and with a minimum number of attendants. "Zhi will handle the arrangements. I'd prefer a room for all of us. With a window, if it's not too much to ask?"
"Fresh linens, a window, well water, and stables for three horses. The pack horse will cost an additional half a jade coin," Liang Jineng said, shrugging as if such trivial sums were beneath him. And they probably were.
The Twin Dragons Inn was at least a third the size of the grand fortress of ShuiZhen and was likely worth—Guan tried to do the math in his head, wished for his old tutor, and finally arrived at a figure that seemed implausibly high.
"I'm honored you came to greet me personally," Guan said, bowing again. Liang Jineng grinned widely. A lesson Guan had learned—men enjoy respect and flattery as much as women.
"We have a troupe of musicians tonight, Young Lord—hoping to perform at the king's fort someday. Would you honor us by joining for dinner in the common room? It's not a grand hall, but it's decent. We'd be privileged to have you sit with us." Flattery works both ways, Guan mused. "We shall join you for dinner and music," he said, bowing slightly.
Soon, the inn master assigned them the best rooms in the inn.
Guan was Qi adept but he was tired from the long journey. Laying on the plush bed, he immediately fell asleep. But the sleep did not last long; he was roused from his slumber by the clamor of agitated voices echoing in the courtyard.
The tone of anger carried a unique resonance, particularly when it signals impending conflict.
Zhi stood beside his bed, clutching a hefty blade. Guan gave his attendant a confused look.
"I'm uncertain of their identities, Master. They appear to be nobles from another kingdom." Attendants seldom spoke ill of nobles; it was generally unwise. Zhi simply shrugged in lieu of further explanation.
Guan swung his legs off the bed, donning a tunic, and slipped into his trousers. His upper body was soon snugly fitted into his traditional tunic, securely fastened.
Below in the courtyard, one voice dominated the cacophony—accented but commanding, refined, and punctuated by laughter that rang like chimes.
Guan approached his window and flung it open. A dozen armored Qi warriors occupied the courtyard. At least two were genuine high-level cultivators of the Qi master stage, their Qi armor better than Guan's own. Their attendants were similarly well-equipped, suggesting they might also hold noble titles. All bore the same emblem—a crimson peony set against a golden backdrop. None were familiar to Guan.