188: Chapter 187: Down the River [Extra for 5000 Votes] 188: Chapter 187: Down the River [Extra for 5000 Votes] Hou Niao stood up, “Yinling’s Hou Niao, passing through Miao Gao by chance, a mission burdens me, so I dare not tarry; your kind intentions overwhelm me, I’m afraid I cannot reciprocate.
The mountains high, the waters long, let’s part with these words of farewell.”
With an elegant bow, he turned and left, and before the crowd could react, he was already out of the tavern, only his voice carrying from afar,
“Courtesy to the host, I shall pay for the wine; rudeness from the guest is declined, I hope for your understanding.”
The crowd exchanged looks of bewilderment, none had expected such an outcome.
Dugu Lan and Xiao Qiang didn’t expect that this man would truly offer no face at all, but they also vaguely realized their own impertinence; escorting a throng of flower chasers, no wonder he left without regard.
The only saving grace was that he intended for them to cover his tab, which wasn’t much money, but it was an acknowledgement that everyone was still friends.
This made them realize that their dealings with this man could no longer follow the pattern they were used to; extraordinary people do extraordinary things.
Their method of secretly stirring up conflicts between different parties and then observing both to woo the outstanding performers to their side might not be appropriate and would only push him further away.
The onlooking guests were equally dumbstruck.
Were not all the gentlemen who associated with the two women courteous and high-bred, engaging in witty banter and devoid of vulgarity?
With the intention to ridicule or even obstruct, these impulses all ceased after the man announced his name, causing everyone to hesitate to act rashly.
Su Qiutu the Butcher’s reputation had spread far and wide in recent days, and Miao Gao Town, being adjacent to Yinling, couldn’t possibly be ignorant of this.
The conflicts between humans and demons in Yinling never ceased for a day, but to wipe out an entire Demon Clan systematically was unprecedented in centuries.
Such a menacing figure was not one to befriend lightly, but at the very least, one should avoid becoming his adversary — why invite trouble upon oneself?
One of the youngest cultivators could not swallow his pride and publicly left his seat.
This was a clear disregard for the cultivation circle of Miao Gao Town.
He also had his own prestige, with even Tongxuan practitioners among his family elders – offending this man was not his concern.
He leaped out of the tavern and bellowed, “You depart without cause; do you see us as nothing?”
The street was long and bustling, but where to find a trace of that brash man?
This young cultivator’s bold step was the fullest expression of his courage; without the bolstering of the crowd, he wanted to give chase but found himself unable to take a single step forward.
Dugu Lan and Xiao Qiang exchanged a glance, full of regret for their hasty and careless invitation.
…As for Hou Niao, having just dined and dashed, he felt little; it wasn’t that he lacked manners but now, having received the Jade Scroll, he truly had an urge to give it a try!
The temptation mentioned by Yu Zhengxing was real, for any disciple of the Quanzhen Sect, using a Flying Sword was their ultimate dream, and how to generate Sword Consciousness was the most crucial goal of their cultivation.
How could they not be wildly tempted?
Those flower chasers, Hou Niao didn’t understand them, nor could he feign politeness.
Fearing a misunderstanding might provoke some hothead to emerge, when the situation called for it, would he unsheathe his sword or not?
Since Zhengxing spoke so passionately, it would seem unseemly to start killing before even leaving Miao Gao Town, better to leave abruptly.
Departing from Miao Gao Town for Anhe Country required no overland travel; the town was traversed by the Qingchuan River.
Simply boarding a boat and drifting down the current was most convenient.
Soon, reaching the Dragon Head Ferry outside the town, he stood in a pavilion at the ferry point, looking out towards the vast stretch of river.
Inside Shan Country, it was known as the Dragon River; upon entering Anhe Country, it became Qingchuan River – same difference.
Such a journey would bypass Liuyang City, and he had no interest in seeing those old acquaintances — the Daoist Lan Re, Chong Ling, Lan Ting…
He had one flaw: when on a mission, he had no interest in those messy matters, nor any serious business to attend to.
Dragon Head Ferry was a bustling crossing and an important water and land transport hub within Da Feng Plain, much of Miao Gao Town’s prosperity owed to it.
It was not only the lifeline of Miao Gao Town but also that of the entire Da Feng Plain.
The passenger ship he had booked wouldn’t set sail until early next morning, unable to return to the town, he had no choice but to make do with spending the night in the pavilion, which to him was a familiar occurrence he had long since grown accustomed to.
Watching the river view at dusk presented a sense of imagination, with boats of various sizes coming and going, and people bustling about busily, all toiling for their livelihoods without a hint of fatigue.
Just like him at this very moment.
…With a light sword at his belt, he stood alone in Miao Gao Pavilion.
The mountain ejected a moon above the rocks, the river embraced stars on its surface.
Rocks ran with the momentum of a grey tiger, trees took the shape of an aged dragon.
Where’s the flute-playing traveler, that flat boat crossing the river court?
Night passed without incident, and early the next day, he boarded the ship and set sail.
“I believe I booked a first-class cabin, not a deluxe one?”
After checking his name, the first mate led him to a cabin that wasn’t quite like the one he had reserved; on such large passenger ships, carrying hundreds of passengers, cabins were divided into five classes;
The lowest, E-class cabins, were the sailor’s quarters below the deck, where one would bunk with the sailors in communal sleeping areas, naturally without any amenities—the stench of sweat and grease, a mix of different people, but it was cheap, the first choice for those short on funds.
C-class cabins were ten-person cabins above the sailors’ quarters and on the same level as the deck, at least offering one’s own bed, suitable for the ordinary commoner.
B-class cabins were four-person cabins, essential for a middle-class family traveling, equipped with basic living amenities, private space, and no disturbances, located above the deck, enabling one to enjoy the view out the window.
A-class cabins were single-person cabins, self-explanatory in terms of who could afford them; Hou Niao had booked an A-class cabin, not because he wanted to show off, but for a cultivator, maintaining sufficient quiet was necessary.
One couldn’t comfortably cultivate in a space filled with many strangers, where the air was tainted with the odors of feet, sweat, body odor, and flatulence.
Perhaps some could do it, but he couldn’t.
The most prestigious cabins, of which there were only two, were referred to as deluxe cabins, which required more than just wealth but also considerable influence; these two cabins were on the highest deck of the passenger ship, fully equipped with everything one might need for living, even including dedicated servants.
This was where the first mate had brought him.
The first mate was very respectful, “It has been arranged for you, courtesy of two fairies from Miao Gao Town.
All expenses have been prepaid, and you can enjoy yourself to your heart’s content.”
Hou Niao had no response, it seemed that on others’ territory in Miao Gao Town, he couldn’t conceal his movements; this time, Dugu Lan and Xiao Qiang changed their strategy and didn’t even show their faces, just made arrangements from behind the scenes—paying the tavern bill, settling the ship’s passage.
As hosts, their level of hospitality left nothing to be said.
Truly inescapable, it seemed.
“Do you have any special requirements?”
Hou Niao was very straightforward, “Remove the staff, I don’t need meals delivered three times a day, and don’t come disturb me unless I summon you.”
The first mate wasn’t surprised at all and nodded in agreement; he could tell the guest’s status at a glance.
If a cultivator from the Miao Gao Town officialdom went out of their way to please, how could this person possibly be a mortal?
Such people were prestigious, capable, and less troublesome—a type of guest they actually preferred.
A bodyguard for free, who wouldn’t want that?