Chapter 21 Immortal tavern

Chapter 21

After weaving through the labyrinth of roads, the paths eventually converged and unveiled the public square. Flocks of pigeons gathered everywhere; their numbers delighted foreigners as they huddled around the birds, and either fed them crumbs of bread, or grains. A sea of people, of all ages and ethnicities, filled the square. Most were adventurers and hunters from other parts of the kingdom.

Shin Jiao had an astounded expression, his eyes are beaming with joy as he scrutinize the different structures. The town was a maze of narrow winding streets. The streets were like veins, paved with dark red stones. The sound of the smiths, beating swords and breastplates into shape, was the consistent and dull pounding that let you know the town was alive.

"This is like the fantasy games that I used to play when I was a kid."

All of a sudden Shin Jiao stopped, in front of him lays a tall European building from an old era and a big signage is plastered on the wall that says, Tavern.

He excitedly entered the tavern with a glint of curiosity in his eyes.

The strong aroma of wine assaulted his senses. Which almost dazzled him, as the natural energy within his body almost began to boil. Shin Jiao was following a group of cultivators, as he walk in, a scene where men and some women just sat and quietly enjoys the aroma and taste of the wine in their cups and not the usual boisterous and loud tavern in the story that he knows, greeted his eyes. And he noticed that only the waitresses busied themselves serving, going to and fro.

After the group he was following was able to get their rooms, he approached the bar counter where a man that looks like in his 30s and acts as a bartender and the receptionist at the same time. He just followed what the group did and asked.

"Hi, do you have a room available?"

The person behind the counter gave Shin Jiao a glance and upon seeing that there are no spiritual fluctuations in his body, he just shook his head.

"Young lad, we don't accept mortals in this tavern. This is an Immortal's Tavern"

Some people in the crowd also noticed Shin Jiao and snickered.

"Che, a mere mortal trying to mingle with cultivators, how audacious."

A good looking young man, wearing a red robe with black outline, walks towards the counter. Shin Jiao actually recognized this type of robe. The youth is a member of the Li clan.

"Mortal be gone from here. Thrash like you aren't welcome in this place."

With a domineering voice he waved his hand controlling a wisp of force that hit Shin Jiao. But contrary to the youth's expectation, the mortal didn't even budge and just stood in place looking at him innocently.

"Good Sir, we have no enmity between us, why do you do such a thing?"

Shin Jiao although a little offended, but since the youth in front of him has a far lower cultivation than himself, he just politely asked.

Shock can be seen in the young man's face. He could not believe that a mere mortal can resist his spirit refining peak level spiritual force. And he was a little taken aback and didn't know what to do next.

Since the youth did not reply, Shin Jiao just smiled and took out a level 2 demon core. In his opinion, a level 2 demon core is enough to convince the guy in the counter.

"I want a room mister, I will pay you with this level 2 demon core. How long can I stay?"

Shin Jiao said as he turned to face the man behind the counter, disregarding the now more stupefied youth.

Upon seeing the demon core on the youth's hand the man had his eyes lit up. But a cunning glint flashed from them.

"Aye, dear customer of course we accept demon cores. With a level 2 core, you can stay for 2 days with complimentary breakfast."

The man's attitude suddenly change and a bright smile can now be seen on his face. But the people around them had an incredulous expression. They know that the bartender is scamming the youth who looks like a country bumpkin.

"Oh… Okay, thank you."

The man pass him a key and Shin Jiao took the key to his room. Then he gave the man the demon core. As he turns around and was about to take a step.

"Wait a minute!"

The youth shouted and immediately blocked his way.

Eyeing Shin Jiao while he planned a scheme thinking that since Shin Jiao is a mortal he could not have hunted that demon beast core. So the youth wanted to take advantage of the situation and maybe he can grab Shin Jiao's treasures. Actually, it's not only him that has this design in mind. After seeing a level 2 demon core, all the cultivators had their eyes on Shin Jiao scanning him and making sure that he really is a mortal.

"I think you are a thief! A mere mortal cannot hunt a level 2 demon core. I think you grab it from some poor cultivator. As a member of the Li clan I should punish you."

After the people heard the youth, they were annoyed and speechless at the youth's shamelessness. But since he is a member of the Li clan, they didn't say a word.

Shin Jiao showed an obvious irritated face, but he still reigned in his temper.

"I'm not a thief, and I did not steal from others."

"Hah! That's what a thief would say. I say you're a thief so you're a thief! What can you do? Ha ha ha."

Shin Jiao is now gritting his teeth in anger. Being called a thief actually is not the reason why he is angry, it's the shamelessness of the youth that angered him.

"Call me a thief one more time…"Shin Jiao said with his eyes in a small slit. His voice is cold like a warning of an impending doom.

'He he. If this mortal made a move against me, then I can use that excuse to kill him.'

The youth didn't take heed of that warning and a seemingly perfect plan is running within his mind.

"Oh, really… Then I'll say again YOU'RE A THIE… uhmp…"

But before he can finish his words, his figure was sent shooting out like a cannon ball outside the through the tavern wall. Now everyone inside was stupefied and didn't know what happened even until Shin Jiao left to his room.

"That young lad just invited a big trouble for himself."

An old man wearing a snow white robe watched Shin Jiao with a curious but regretful gaze. Then he just shook his head.

"What do you mean Elder Vinny? I think it's just right for that guy from the Li clan to be thrashed like that."

The youth besides him innocently asked and expressed his opinion.

"Well, anyway that kid is a little weird, he clearly is a mortal but how come he is very strong. Maybe it's his innate body… Young master we have to go now and buy something in town first then go back to the clan."

As Shin Jiao opened the door a whiff of dried old wood greeted him. The room was small but not claustrophobic. A single bed, a table, and a chair, all made from wood, is the only décor filling the room.

Though his hideout in the forest is more comfortable than the room, but the feeling of returning to civilization overcame him, making him sleep like a log.