Chapter 297: “A Really ‘Simple and Honest’ Place”

Ji Yuan slightly cupped his hands as he spoke, returning Yan Fei's greeting.

Compared to the valiant young swordsman he once was, Yan Fei had clearly shed his youthful immaturity, now bearing a look of experience and more.

From Ji Yuan's perspective, even without seeing, he knew that the tassels were gone not just from Yan Fei's sword hilt, but likely from his heart as well.

Hearing Ji Yuan's words, Yan Fei showed no offense or feeling of being mocked; he simply smiled faintly.

"Sir, you see clearly," Yan Fei said. "Since we've met an old acquaintance far from home, let's not discuss anything that spoils the mood. Come, it's getting dark, and there isn't another decent town within a hundred li. Allow me to treat you to a drink in the city."

Having said this, Yan Fei stepped out of the pavilion. Ji Yuan followed him, pausing when they reached the bodies.

Noticing Ji Yuan stop, Yan Fei also paused ahead and turned to look at him.

"Mr. Ji, do you wish to collect and bury their bodies?"

Ji Yuan looked at Yan Fei and shook his head.

"They are neither kin nor friend, and they sought to kill me. As they themselves said, this place is full of wild beasts at night. Why trouble myself?"

Yan Fei had expected Ji Yuan to preach morality and try to persuade him to help bury the bodies. Hearing this, however, genuinely surprised him.

"Then what are you looking at, Sir?"

"Nothing much. Just looking at some lonely spirits. Let's go."

With that, Ji Yuan took the lead and continued walking forward.

From the nine bodies, some spirits had already partially emerged, while others were still half-within, all appearing dull and bewildered, not yet realizing they were dead.

No underworld official had come, nor had a local deity guided them. There was no one to see them off, and no family to carry their spirit tablets home.

These were truly solitary, wandering spirits. Since their resentment upon death wasn't deep, they wouldn't become powerful. Their connection to their physical bodies hadn't completely severed yet, and they still retained a trace of vital energy. Once the night wind blew, they would become true ghosts. If they remained confused, the morning light would be enough to cause them considerable suffering.

Yan Fei stood for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the corpses on the ground. After a thought, he knelt down instead and searched them, taking some silver and money before quickly catching up with Ji Yuan.

Watching Ji Yuan's white robe flutter in the wind as he walked calmly ahead, Yan Fei couldn't help but comment.

"Mr. Ji, your attire nowadays is far better than it was back then."

The last time Yan Fei had seen Ji Yuan was at an inn in Ning'an County. At that time, Ji Yuan had only just changed out of his tattered beggar's clothes, lacking any sense of classical aesthetics, and his appearance was still rather shabby.

Furthermore, he didn't possess his current dignified demeanor. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Ji Yuan of then and now were worlds apart.

Everyone enjoys compliments, and even Ji Yuan, hearing this, found it a rare pleasure. He looked at Yan Fei and smiled.

"Master Yan, you certainly know how to speak well! Tonight's drinks are on me!"

Although neither Ji Yuan nor Yan Fei deliberately hastened their steps, a mere five li was not far, and soon they were back within Nan'dao County city.

Rongyuan Inn was a reputable establishment in Nan'dao County, and this was where Ji Yuan and Yan Fei headed.

By the time they reached the inn, the sky had turned a dusky yellow. As Yan Fei and Ji Yuan approached, a waiter spotted them from afar and immediately came out with a welcoming smile.

"Ah, Master Yan, you're here! Long time no see! And who is this gentleman?"

"He's an old acquaintance from my hometown, Mr. Ji," Yan Fei introduced to Ji Yuan. "While Rongyuan Inn can't compare to the fancier places in larger cities, it's quite good for Nan'dao County. At least they don't water down their wine too much."

Yan Fei finished speaking to the waiter and then made the introduction to Ji Yuan. The waiter, listening nearby, remained all smiles and showed no embarrassment.

"Oh, Master Yan, what are you saying about 'watered down'?" the waiter exclaimed. "We at Rongyuan Inn never do anything against our conscience; we never water down our wine! Please, come right in!"

The waiter gestured them in at the entrance, warmly inviting them inside. After asking whether they preferred a private room or a regular table, he led them to an outward-facing spot on the second floor.

Besides a pot of local wine, they ordered four vegetarian dishes, four meat dishes, and a bowl of soup, a truly lavish spread.

After noting down their order, the waiter scurried away.

This particular spot on the second floor appeared to have no windows or solid walls. Other than low wooden railings that reached chest height when seated, there were only wooden pillars and some straw blinds.

In reality, however, there were wooden boards stored at the four corners of the second floor. If it became windy or rained, these boards could be put up around the perimeter, transforming the second floor into an enclosed indoor space.

This kind of design was rarely seen in Da Zhen; at least, Ji Yuan had hardly encountered it. But it was undeniably unique.

Currently, the waiter had rolled up and tied back several of the blinds near Ji Yuan's table, making the area exceptionally open and transparent. It felt very much like dining right by the railing, offering excellent views.

"Mr. Ji, how did you come to Zu Yue Nation? Ji Prefecture is quite far from here."

Yan Fei's impression of Ji Yuan was still from twelve years ago. He thought Ji Yuan might be a high-ranking master of the mystic arts, but honestly, he wasn't entirely sure of his true abilities.

"Just traveling around, getting to know new places, and forming connections with new friends."

"Then, Sir, you've certainly traveled far!"

"Perhaps..."

Ji Yuan didn't elaborate on this topic and instead looked at Yan Fei.

"However, finding you here, Master Yan, is quite a surprise to me. Since our parting in Ning'an County, I've only met three of the nine young heroes from back then, and you are the third."

"Oh? And who were the first two?"

The dishes hadn't arrived yet. Yan Fei set out two bowls and poured tea for both Ji Yuan and himself. Even he felt curious upon hearing Ji Yuan's words.

Ji Yuan took a sip of water to clear his throat and replied.

"The first was Master Du Heng, and the second was Master Lu Chengfeng. Both have faced hardships and gained their own insights; perhaps in the future, both will truly deserve the title 'Master Swordsman'. By the way, Master Yan, why are you here?"

Yan Fei quietly listened, holding his bowl and sipping tea, only setting them down to answer when Ji Yuan posed the question.

"Just honing my sword."

He didn't claim to be performing heroic deeds, only "honing his sword." Ji Yuan watched him without speaking. Yan Fei surely hadn't told the full truth, but at least what he said wasn't false.

Indeed, as Yan Fei implied, though he appeared somewhat weathered, a sharpness was subtly discernible to Ji Yuan, perhaps unnoticeable to ordinary people.

"Master Yan, Mr. Ji, your dishes are here! This is freshly braised horse meat; it tastes best right out of the pot."

The waiter carried a tray with a large, steaming bowl of meat and a small pot of wine. He first set down the dish, then arranged the wine, offering a special remark.

"And this pot of aged wine, Master Yan, please take a look! The seal hasn't even been broken; absolutely no watering down! Please enjoy yourselves, I'll go bring your other dishes!"

Horses were not cheap anywhere; even inferior ones wouldn't be slaughtered casually. Ji Yuan looked at the fragrant horse meat, thinking either it wasn't fresh or someone had met with misfortune.

As soon as the waiter left, Yan Fei broke the seal on the wine pot and poured wine for both Ji Yuan and himself, using the same bowls they had just finished their tea from.

"Sir, you've met Du Heng and Lu Chengfeng. Do you know how my martial arts compare to theirs – who is stronger, who is weaker?"

Ji Yuan had no need to be evasive. He first tasted the wine, then replied.

"In terms of martial arts, Lu Chengfeng is far beneath you. As for Du Heng, I cannot say who among you two is stronger or weaker."

This answer somewhat surprised Yan Fei. Du Heng had lost an arm back then; he hadn't expected him to be stronger than Lu Chengfeng.

Soon, all the dishes had arrived, and the two men ate, drank, and chatted intermittently.

Ji Yuan now learned that Yan Fei had left Da Zhen eight years ago, eventually making his way to Zu Yue Nation, where he had made a name for himself as "Flying Swordsman."

Yan Fei, in turn, only now learned that many things had happened in Da Zhen over the years, such as the emperor's death.

"So, Emperor Yuande has passed away? What is the new emperor's reign title?"

Being from Da Zhen, no matter how stoic Yan Fei was, he showed a flicker of surprise upon hearing of the emperor's demise.

"I'm not sure about that. When I left Da Zhen, His Highness Prince Jin had not yet ascended the throne, though the national funeral was quite grand."

"What good is grandeur after death?"

"Indeed, Master Yan, you're absolutely right. The old emperor, even at the point of death, was no different from an ordinary farmer. When he clutched Prince Jin's neck to give his final instructions, he revealed both a yearning for life and a fear of death."

Yan Fei took another piece of horse meat, chewed it, and subconsciously asked,

"Sir, how do you know such details?"

"Yes, I was right there, watching."

Ji Yuan's teasing remark made Yan Fei pause slightly before he let out a wry chuckle and shook his head.

As dusk settled and the two men ate and drank, a woman's scream echoed from afar.

"Ah—"

To Ji Yuan, the scream sounded somewhat theatrical, as if deliberately exaggerated. He had just turned to look in the direction of the sound when Yan Fei spoke.

"Yuanqi Inn. It's a honey trap."

"Oh..."

Ji Yuan was somewhat speechless. What a truly "simple and honest" place.

"Ah—!"

The scream sounded again. Ji Yuan's brows furrowed, and he immediately stood up.

"Mr. Ji, you don't need to concern yourself. Such incidents are common here. It's a way for those blinded by lust to learn a lesson and remember it."

"This scream is different."

Ji Yuan looked at him, and after saying this, he leaped over the railing, touched the eave with his foot, and glided away like a swift swallow.

"What excellent light-foot martial arts!"

Yan Fei stared blankly at Ji Yuan's retreating figure. After a surprised exclamation of praise, he too stood up, tossed a silver ingot onto the table, and quickly employed his light-foot technique to pursue Ji Yuan.