“Alright, esteemed guest, please wait a moment. The food will be ready shortly—” The waiter smiled even more brightly and instructed a short fellow nearby to go feed the horses, while he himself went to the kitchen to order the dishes.
The two took their seats at an empty table, with the surrounding patrons glancing at them from time to time. In the world of martial arts, one must remember to keep wealth a secret. Just now, Shuai Chang’s display of a wealthy demeanor, coupled with his fair complexion and scholarly etiquette, marked him as someone not of their ilk, especially with a frail young pretty boy by his side. The strong men in the inn looked at him with the same predatory gaze a hunter gives a fat sheep exposed to arrows, and before them stood a lamb that not only did not flee but actively walked into its own trap.
The big men exchanged glances and lowered their heads to continue eating.
Chunyu Lan was sensitive to the gazes of others and quietly said to Shuai Chang, “Brother Fu, I always feel like someone is watching us.”
Shuai Chang smiled faintly and whispered, “A few self-important hunters are merely jumping into their own traps; there’s no need to be afraid.”
Although Chunyu Lan didn’t fully understand Shuai Chang’s words, he felt reassured and continued to eat and drink. By the end of the meal, he had consumed nearly half a jar of bamboo leaf wine and was slightly tipsy, swaying as he walked, relying on Shuai Chang for support to avoid falling.
The waiter noticed them getting up from the table and promptly approached, “Gentlemen, I’ll take you to your room. The hot water has already been prepared.”
The waiter led them to the room on the far right of the second floor. “This is Room One. There’s a cloth rope inside connected to a bell downstairs. If you need anything, just ring the bell, and I’ll come immediately.”
“Thank you,” Shuai Chang said, pulling out a small piece of silver from his sleeve to give to the waiter. “Just push the door open tomorrow at the hour of the rabbit; the room might be a bit messy, so please take care of it.”
The waiter’s eyes widened in surprise as he glanced at the rosy-cheeked Chunyu Lan and then back at Shuai Chang, nodding stiffly, “Alright, okay.” He clearly misunderstood Shuai Chang’s intention.
Shuai Chang made no effort to clarify and embraced Chunyu Lan as they entered the room. In the center stood a bathtub, surrounded by all the necessary bathing items.
“Husband, I feel so dizzy,” Chunyu Lan murmured, recalling Shuai Chang’s advice not to call him ‘Husband’ or ‘Brother Qingya’ in public. Now, in a private setting, he couldn’t help but lean against Shuai Chang’s chest and whisper.
Chunyu Lan emitted a faint fragrance that began to intensify. Shuai Chang laid him down on the bed and lowered the canopy to block the scent. He stood outside the canopy to comfort Chunyu Lan, “Laner, be good. Just take a nap, and I’ll be right here with you.”
Chunyu Lan hummed sweetly a couple of times, finally quieting down, whether asleep or not was uncertain.
Tonight was not suitable for those encounters, as they had several issues to deal with first.
At midnight, a bamboo pipe slid in through the window paper, exhaling wisps of green smoke. A moment later, a dagger slipped through the door crack, gently nudging the lock open.
Three big men entered quietly. One of them said, “Boss, can we take that beauty with us too?”
The boss scolded, “That’s a man! We are only here to rob!”
“But he’s far more beautiful than any woman I’ve seen! He’s definitely the pretty boy kept by that fat sheep. Boss, it’s been months since I’ve had any pleasure. Just let me!”
The boss hesitated and asked, “Second Brother, what do you think?”
The second brother slowly replied, “I haven’t had fun in a long time either. Third Brother, can we have him too?”
The third brother, eager to persuade his elder brothers, quickly said, “Sure! Let’s all enjoy the beauty together!”
“A mouth full of filthy words.” A cold voice interrupted, startling the three brothers.
“Y-You, who are you?” the third brother stammered.
“You don’t need to know who I am.” Shuai Chang flicked three silver leaves from his hand, silently and swiftly piercing them into the three men’s throats. Their faces filled with shock as they fell to the ground, defiant until the very end, oblivious that they had met their demise because they coveted someone connected to the leader of the martial arts world.
Shuai Chang lit a candle, approached the three brothers’ lifeless forms, and lifted their clothing to reveal tattoos of a tiger, leopard, and bear on their backs.
These three brothers were infamous robbers known in the martial world as the Three Evil Rolls. The eldest, Ling Hu, loved to rob for wealth, the second, Ling Bao, craved wealth and beauty, while the youngest, Ling Xiong, derived pleasure from robbing beautiful people.
Falling into Shuai Chang’s hands today was, indeed, a case of reaping what they sowed.
Before dawn, Shuai Chang carried the still-sleeping Chunyu Lan and left, riding beneath the stars.
The next morning, the waiter recalled Shuai Chang’s words and came to Room One on the second floor. He knocked tentatively at the door; after not hearing any response, he pushed the door open, only to be met by the sight of three corpses staring blankly, unable to die in peace.
The waiter let out a terrified “Ah!” and scrambled downstairs to find the innkeeper.
The innkeeper angrily scolded him, “Let me see! Let me see! What do you want to see? Hurry up and report this to the authorities!”
When the constables arrived, they were shocked to find the dead bodies lying side by side, revealing their back tattoos. “Wh-Which hero has vanquished these bandits for the sake of the people?”
Chapter 55: The Martial Arts Leader Is a Hypocrite 5
Chunyu Lan awoke amidst the jostling, leaning against a sturdy figure. The familiar scent relaxed him as he rubbed the back of his head against Shuai Chang’s chest.
Shuai Chang slowed his pace, asking, “Awake?”
“Husband, how long have I slept?”
The sun had risen high, and the scorching rays cast a bothersome heat over everyone. Yet Chunyu Lan felt a refreshing breeze, with no trace of heat on his body.
“Not long. It’s still before the hour of the snake. We’ll reach Zhan City by noon, and then you can rest well.”
Chunyu Lan’s fragrance seemed to be intensified by sweat. It was summer, the air scorching, and a thin layer of perspiration formed with every slight movement. Shuai Chang helped envelop him in a layer of cold air using his inner strength, not too cold but enough to block most of the heat.
“Mm, I can still hold on,” he admitted, even though his backside was already quite sore.
This was Chunyu Lan’s first time riding a horse and doing so for such an extended period. Shuai Chang could only try to cushion beneath him with soft fabric to prevent chafing.
Worried that Chunyu Lan wouldn’t be able to endure it, Shuai Chang deliberately slowed his pace. Before the hour of the horse, they caught sight of the majestic city gates of Zhan City.