Chapter 1: The Inn

Chapter 1: The Inn

Several old glazed ceramic wine jars were placed on a dark countertop, emitting a pleasant aroma that wafted throughout the lobby. A silver Taiping coin was spinning on the counter.

The Innkeeper in a worn robe with a discolored green silk scarf on his head, stood behind the counter. He propped his chin on his right hand as he stared at the spinning Taiping coin in a daze. Upstodatee from n(0)/ve/lbIn/.(co/m

A waiter sat on a long bench against the wall and nodded off, his head bobbing up and down like a chicken slowly pecking at its food.

Suddenly, a man hobbled into the lobby.

The Innkeeper hurriedly reached out to stop the spinning Taiping coin on the countertop. He slowly removed his palm, revealing the words “peace to the world” that were engraved on the coin.

When the Innkeeper raised his head again, he had already plastered on his signature smile.

The man who entered looked to be in his forties, with a weathered face and scars all over. His left sleeve was void, and he was limping on his right leg.

However, this type of appearance was commonplace here. It neither frightened nor surprised anyone.

That was because this was The Inn.

Unlike ordinary inns, this “inn” was a rowdy place.

People from all walks of life—immortals and bumpkins alike—gathered here. Some patrons were rich and noble, dressed in lavish clothes, while others were criminals who could not see the light of day. There were also many mysterious figures around.

Facing the man, the Innkeeper asked, “Sir, what kind of services would you like today? Everything is negotiable, as long as the price is right.”

The limping man took out a brand-new cash note from his robe and slapped it on the counter in front of the Innkeeper. He said in a hoarse voice, “This cash note can be redeemed at any bank. It’s worth 1,000 Taiping coins.”

The Innkeeper glanced at the cash note and did not rush to speak.

The limping man continued, “Such a large sum of money is enough for most people to leave this industry, turn over a new leaf, and retire as a rich man.”

The Innkeeper nodded in agreement. “Sir, if you’d like to buy someone’s life, many people here are willing to take the gamble.”

The man shook his head and stressed. “I don’t want a hitman. I just want to keep someone safe from the hands of the Green Phoenix Guard.”

The man’s voice was not loud, but it was clear. The moment he uttered the words “Green Phoenix Guard,” the originally loud lobby turned silent. All the other “guests” paused in their movements, which showed how much of a notorious reputation the Green Phoenix Guard had.

The Innkeeper fiddled with the Taiping coin in his hand and explained, “In the Great Xuan Dynasty, the most terrifying thing to happen to office-bearers is not being dismissed from office. If they are dismissed, they can simply return home and enjoy their time with their wives and children. The most terrifying thing is to be arrested and interrogated by the Green Phoenix Guard.

“Once the Green Phoenix Guard is involved, it’s just a matter of time until someone dies and households are ruined. When someone falls into the Green Phoenix Guard’s hands, they often only have the chance to pray for a quick death. Most people are scared of death, but compared to being tortured by the Green Phoenix Guard, death is the greatest relief.”

The limping man remained silent.

The Innkeeper glanced at the uniform boots on the limping man’s feet and the blood stains on his clothes before he continued, “The Green Phoenix Guard have existed for two dynasties over the past 400 years and have a notorious reputation. Even the royal family, ministers, wealthy merchants, and master swordsmen are afraid of them. I’m afraid no one will dare take up your offer to protect someone from the Green Phoenix Guard. Do you understand what I’m saying, sir?”

The limping man sighed heavily. “I know, but this is The Inn.”

The Innkeeper laughed self-deprecatingly. “Well, we’re no longer what we used to be. The Inn and the Green Phoenix Guard don’t mess with each other’s business. If we cross the line, the Green Phoenix Guard will make life difficult for us. Do you understand what I’m saying now?”

The limping man fell silent and turned to scan the lobby.

After finalizing the agreement and explaining the details of the transaction, the limping man handed over the cash note equivalent to 1,000 Taiping coins to the Innkeeper. The Inn had a good reputation for doing business; even big deals worth tens of thousands of Taiping coins. Thus, the man was not worried about being scammed because The Inn would not ruin their reputation for a mere 1,000 Taiping coins.

The specific requirements of this deal were quite simple. Qi Xuansu was to rescue Li Hongwen, the magistrate of Fengtai County, from the county government office.

Li Hongwen was about to be arrested by the Green Phoenix Guard due to a major court case. He would likely not survive the journey to the Capital, much less the imprisonment.

Qi Xuansu had heard about this major court case. Two political factions were at odds with each other, and the situation was so confusing that it was difficult to determine who was in the right.

Furthermore, it was not difficult to guess the identity of this limping man. Judging from his appearance, Qi Xuansu guessed that the limping man was probably a close aide of the county magistrate, Li Hongwen. He had probably risked his life to flee and seek help at The Inn.

The limping man was relieved upon seeing the Innkeeper put away the contract and the cash note for 1,000 Taiping coins. Putting away his own copy of the contract, the limping man found an empty table nearby and sat down. Then he asked the Innkeeper for a small pot of wine.

As soon as the Innkeeper opened the big wine jar behind him, the aroma of wine immediately filled the room. The Innkeeper filled a small pot of wine without warming it[4] and delivered it to the limping man.

When the Innkeeper passed by Qi Xuansu, their eyes met for a moment. The Innkeeper’s gaze flickered with regret and helplessness, as if he were looking at a dying man.

Qi Xuansu did not care much about this. He kept his copy of the agreement in his sleeve pocket, walked back to his table, and hung his short sword at his waist. Then he stretched out his hand to press down on his bamboo hat, further covering his eyes so that people could only see his slim and chiseled chin. Lastly, he shook out his cloak to cover the sword at his waist.

The limping man took a big gulp of wine to calm his nerves and warned. “Brother Qi, I have told you all the details. Let me remind you again that this task is dangerous, so please be careful.”

Qi Xuansu, who was on his way out, paused in his footsteps, but he did not look back. “Thanks for the reminder.”

The limping man wanted to say something else, but he was afraid to scare off Qi Xuansu from this deal, so he kept silent in the end and drank away his sorrows. Soon, he passed out drunk on the table.

Since The Inn was built underground, Qi Xuansu had to walk into a long corridor that led above ground after leaving the lobby.

A row of torches lit up the long corridor, and it took about fifteen minutes to reach the exit.

The moment Qi Xuansu walked out of the corridor, he was greeted by a crossbow bolt that was aimed at his left leg. The intention of this was obvious, which was to incapacitate him, making it easier to capture him.

Qi Xuansu was able to dodge the bolt at the last moment. The bolt grazed his thigh and embedded itself deeply into the wall behind him. The black tail feathers of the bolt were still trembling from the strong impact.

This kind of crossbow bolt was familiar to him.

It was a standard weapon of the Green Phoenix Guard. The bolt head had blood grooves and barbs. If one was shot by this bolt and were to pull it out, a large piece of flesh would be torn off by the barbs. If the bolt was left in place, the barbs would cause constant bleeding. It was an extremely brutal weapon.

Qi Xuansu turned in that direction and saw a figure striding out of the shadows and stopping more than ten feet away from him.

The man held a pitch-black crossbow in his hand, so it was obvious that he was the one who had shot the bolt earlier.

Qi Xuansu sized up the man’s attire—a green, narrow-sleeved, long-breasted brocade robe with a black metal belt buckle representing a beast head at the waist and a pair of black square-tipped, upturned-toe military boots with white outsoles. It was undoubtedly the typical uniform of the Green Phoenix Guard.

1. Peace and blitheness. ☜

2. Peace to the world. ☜

3. Peace and contentment. ☜

4. Note that this is Chinese rice wine, which is often served warm. ☜