Chapter 103: Parting Ways

Ge Sanwang could not help but swallow hard. The silver in his hand looked to be at least three taels—enough to support him for several months under normal circumstances.

Carefully taking the silver, Ge Sanwang tore his gaze away from the two beauties and smiled obsequiously. "My lord, Wuzang Kingdom is still quite a distance from here. After passing through our Wu City, you will enter the Mingling Kingdom. Beyond Mingling lies the Qiumu River, and crossing that brings you to the Dashan Kingdom. Wuzang Kingdom is located on the side of Dazhu Mountain, just behind Dashan. As for the exact distance, I’m afraid I cannot say for sure."

"Here are the travel permits for the three of you. Please, keep them safe."

"Very well!"

The youth in the green robe smiled gently and accepted the permits with a grace that lacked any of the usual arrogance found in martial artists, making Ge Sanwang feel as if he were bathed in a spring breeze.

Shortly after, the three of them stepped away from the city gate, gradually vanishing from Ge Sanwang’s sight.

"That is what a true martial arts hero should look like."

Tossing the silver in his hand, Ge Sanwang couldn't hide his joy. "I really made a killing this time. Not to mention anything else, just seeing those peerless beauties was worth it, let alone such a generous reward."

"However, if I were that young man with two such beauties by my side, I’d probably be even more generous—I’d have given at least five taels. As for his attitude, it was likely just a performance to appear humble. Heh, I wonder if that lad can actually win those two over. With looks and figures like that, if one could taste their charms, it would be pure ecstasy!"

Thinking this, Ge Sanwang felt the young man was a bit stingy. A sudden heat stirred in his belly, and he found himself wishing the sun would rise quickly so he could go home to his wife and satisfy his urges.

"With this much silver, she should finally be satisfied, right? There are those few positions I've been dreaming about for so long!"

Thinking of his plump, fair-skinned wife, a wicked fire ignited in Ge Sanwang’s heart, and he wished he could reach into the darkness and pull the sun out by force.

The trio was, of course, Hu San and his companions. Since leaving Wangjiang Pavilion, they had been traveling at high speed, finally reaching Wu City—one of the Thirty-Six Linked Cities—after completing the latter half of the Konghai Immortal Road.

Before the Baohua Inn, the largest in Wu City, the group stopped. Gong Sha, who carried herself with the dashing air of a female warrior, bowed slightly to Hu San and said with a charming smile, "Senior, I shall leave you here. This is the largest inn in Wu City and the most well-informed place in town. People from all walks of life gather here; it will certainly not be difficult for you to find someone heading to Wuzang Kingdom."

"Thanks to your help, I managed to escape from the Tianluo Stronghold, but this matter is of great importance. They will certainly not let me go easily. For the sake of safety, I shall take my leave first and not accompany you further."

After speaking, Gong Sha’s violet eyes flickered, and she added, "If you are not in a hurry, Senior, you could join Zitong and me to Su City. Once I handle my sect’s affairs there, I will be returning to Taisu Kingdom. Wuzang Kingdom is only separated from Taisu by a single mountain. You could easily head to Wuzang from there. What do you think?"

"Haha, thank you for your kindness, but I am used to traveling alone and wish to take in the scenery along the way. I won't cause you any trouble."

Hu San smiled dryly. He understood their underlying meaning; it seemed these two women were still deeply wary of him, maintaining a respectful distance.

Perhaps, in their eyes, he was just a capricious demon lord.

"In that case, we shall take our leave. Senior, until we meet again!"

The two women were indeed only offering out of courtesy. Hearing his refusal, they both let out a sigh of relief. Traveling with a mysterious person of such profound cultivation was truly immense pressure; even with their experience, they felt breathless. Not to mention the possibility that he was a fickle demon lord.

Before long, the slender silhouettes of the two women vanished from Hu San’s sight, whether they truly had business elsewhere or were simply avoiding him, he did not know.

Hu San, however, didn't care. Though the two women were beautiful, they were merely martial artists and not of his world; it was unlikely their paths would cross again.

"I'll rest for a bit, then find a guide and head straight for Wuzang!"

With a plan in mind, Hu San looked at the brightly lit inn and stepped inside.

The inn was massive, spanning three levels. The first two were restaurant areas, while the third was for guest rooms. Behind the inn were several private courtyards, likely for guests who required them.

As Hu San entered, a wave of heat mixed with the smell of wine rushed to meet him. The vast hall on the first floor was packed with square tables, each surrounded by four benches, nearly all of which were occupied.

Deep in the hall, near the spiral staircase leading to the upper floors, stood a curved counter where rows of old wine jars sealed with mud were displayed.

A middle-aged scholar in rough linen clothes was hunched over the counter, clicking away on an abacus, while three or four sleepy-eyed attendants with towels draped over their shoulders stood nearby.

Even though it was deep into the night, business was booming. Burly men with their shirts open were slumped over tables, drinking heavily, the air filled with noise and shouting.

Judging by the weapons placed near them, Hu San deduced that these were mostly martial arts wanderers—either just returning from the Qilian Mountains, looking to enter them to seek fortune, or traveling merchants.

The moment he entered, the room fell silent. All eyes turned toward him, filled with suspicion, fear, curiosity, and caution.

However, once they noted his appearance, his attire, and the long blade at his side, the noise resumed. Most went back to their business, as a roaming young swordsman like Hu San was not an uncommon sight.

"Welcome, young master! Our shop is famous in Wu City. Our 'Black-Bone Stewed Chicken' is the best in the region—even the masters from the Tianluo Stronghold come here two or three times a month. Our Osmanthus Wine is renowned throughout the Thirty-Six Linked Cities. We also have the largest and most luxurious rooms, and we can satisfy any request you might have. Will you be staying for a meal or for the night?"

The commotion alerted the accountant, who nudged an attendant. The man shook off his sleepiness, tossed his towel over his shoulder, and scurried over, rattling off his pitch.

"I'll stay the night. But I prefer quiet and don't like being disturbed. Is there an empty private courtyard?"

Hu San looked around and, with a subtle flick of his sleeve, produced a piece of silver weighing five or six taels.

"Yes, yes! That is more than enough for several days. Any other requests, sir?"

The attendant had been hesitant, but his attitude changed instantly upon seeing the silver.

"Indeed. I've been traveling through the night and am quite hungry."

Hu San smiled and handed the silver to the attendant, whose expression was a mix of emotions. "Prepare a jar of Osmanthus Wine, two Black-Bone Stewed Chickens, and some side dishes and rice to be brought to the courtyard. This is your tip."

"And this," he added, pulling out a fifty-tael ingot, "is for the room and the food. Keep the remaining balance on my account and settle it at the end."

The accountant, having hurried over, eagerly accepted the large ingot, wincing at the generous tip the attendant had received. If he had known this guest was so wealthy, he would have greeted him personally.

"Yes, yes! Right this way, young master."

The attendant, Xiao Liu, nodded repeatedly, stuffing the silver away for fear the manager might snatch it. He led the way without delay.

Hu San nodded and followed Xiao Liu out of a side door, down a small path, and into a dark, quiet courtyard.

As soon as Hu San left, the hall quieted down again as the martial artists exchanged glances. A burly man at a table against the wall smiled and whispered, "Looks like another greenhorn, but a very wealthy one at that."

"Boss, should we make a move tonight?" asked a thin man in black, running his tongue over his lips and making a throat-slitting gesture.

The men at the table stopped drinking, their eyes glinting with malice as they waited for the leader's command.

The burly man glanced at the other tables before sneering, "Not yet. The kid has a mysterious background. It’s not worth risking trouble with someone dangerous just for a bit of coin. We’ll wait and gather more information. By the looks of it, many others here are getting restless."

"That just saves us the trouble of testing the waters."

"But Boss, what if they get to him first?"

"Heh, in my Black Snake Gang's territory, no one takes anything without my permission."

A sharp light flashed in the fat man's eyes. He gestured toward a few other tables and whispered, "Tell the men to get ready. Keep an eye on 'Jinx' Liu Laoqian and 'Leopard' Zheng Tong. Those two have been getting bold lately, as if they've found some high backing. They won't care about our gang. If they break the rules and strike first, it will give me the perfect excuse to finish them off—and it will save me from having to explain anything to the Alliance Leader."

"Don't worry, Boss, those two are dead men. They somehow got their hands on two women—they are truly stunning. You'll have to enjoy them yourself, and let the brothers have a taste, too."

The Black Snake Gang erupted in lecherous laughter, while other factions in the hall were busy plotting their own schemes.

Hu San’s arrival had stirred the already turbulent waters. The surface calm was gone, and a massive storm began to brew.