Chapter 92 - Stayed in My Room
“For the time being, I'd like to request Young Master to stay at Lan Fang Garden within the City Lord's Mansion. It's my private estate, tranquil and secluded, where no one will disturb us. I'll expedite the enhancement and activation of the Night's Fall Sword Array without delay.”
Fang Xiang maintained a friendly smile as she conveyed this.
Xun Yimu nodded in agreement, saying, “I've brought a few accomplished array masters along. Let them collaborate to see if we can expedite progress. I hope to prevent him from having the opportunity to employ that divine ability.”
Fang Xiang continued to smile warmly, adding, “Certainly. If Young Master has some free time, you may also consider attending the Tide-watching Sword-listening Conference or visiting the Sword Pavilion's Ice-Crowned Heights. I can accompany you and play the role of a gracious host.”
Xun Yimu wasn't particularly interested in these activities, but she played along, nodding her head in agreement. With Xuegang's attentive assistance, she raised her skirt and gracefully departed.
Fang Xiang watched the carriage outside the window gradually departing.
Her gaze once more fell upon the white paper resting on the table. Her expression softened, revealing a tender smile.
Over these past few years, the City Lord had been preoccupied with numerous responsibilities, yet during moments of respite, he couldn't help but reminisce.
Even when his daughter, Fang Jie, returned occasionally, she would gaze upon that piece of paper. It bore a face that bore a 70% resemblance to her own visage but was even more captivating. She might even ponder the possibility: if her daughter were betrothed to him… they could at least converse openly without the need for secrecy, free from the scrutiny of common folk.
Fang Xiang snapped back to reality and pinched her slightly flushed earlobes. Her beautiful and expressive face displayed a faint blush as she chastised herself inwardly for her thoughts.
But her heart was pounding.
She coughed lightly and extended her hand to tidy up the papers on the table. She murmured to herself, “Yueh, the guards reported that there was a commotion due to the abrupt queue disruption. Profound Yin Family's caravan has unexpectedly halted at the city gate, offering Soul Jewels compensation to everyone.”
“Yes.” A woman with a half-wooden mask emerged from the shadows. She half-knelt on the ground and bowed her head.
Fang Xiang's lips curled upward slightly. “The people of Profound Yin Family—do they truly have the time to concern themselves with the opinions of others?”
She straightened herself, her loose attire ruffled, revealing a glimpse of fair, ample bosom. She chuckled self-deprecatingly, “I highly doubt it.”
The gaze of the Night's Fall Sword City Lord seemed to penetrate all things as she gently commanded, “Provide me with a record of everyone who entered the city during that period, including their appearances and talisman information. It's crucial to sift out the false identities processed through legitimate channels.”
“Understood.” The hidden guard known as Yueh replied and swiftly vanished into the shadows.
Who could comprehend the customs and intricacies of Night's Fall Sword City better than her? This was her territory. Since her people had voluntarily stepped into the snare, she wouldn't allow others to seize the advantage.
Fang Xiang narrowed her eyes and playfully ran the tip of her tongue across her lips. She wore a sly grin akin to a fox's.
……
At this moment, Guo Fan, unaware of the “agreement” struck between the two women, was preparing to undertake a mission at the Secret Jewel Inn.
The Secret Jewel Inn, a prominent establishment often featured in legendary Wuxia novels and TV series.
Regardless of whether cultivators or individuals from the Pugilistic World were fond of it, players favored visits to the Secret Jewel Inn. It was also a place for serendipitous encounters. Each week, it underwent random refreshes, offering a variety of experiences.
This included the possibility of the special NPC who joined the Soul Haunt Ship reappearing at the inn. Cloud Travel Merchants were also known to set up unique shops, offering intriguing items.
However, the Secret Jewel Inn exclusively existed on maps of major cities. A small town like Darkwell Town lacked basic amenities and thus couldn't support a large inn.
Guo Fan surveyed the cultivators occupying the hall. Most of them were at the Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment stages, primarily young in age, forming small cliques. Besides them, there were also individuals from the mortal realm.
It had been previously mentioned that the strength of individuals from the mortal realm in the Obsidian Tribes had increased in tandem with the Xianxia backdrop. Before reaching the Core Forming Stage, martial practitioners could use their martial arts to contend with cultivators. However, when facing the upper echelons of the martial arts world, they would likely be outclassed. Those experts could handle cultivators with just a few spells.
The majority of Night's Fall Sword City's population consisted of ordinary people. Cultivators had congregated in the city for the Tide-watching Sword-listening Conference.
The inn's division between the two sides remained conspicuous. The left side was predominantly occupied by Immortal Cultivators, while the right side featured a Vigilante-like dress code.
However, in Guo Fan's perspective, the distinctions between the two sides held little significance. They were all newcomers. After all, individuals of status and power had heeded the gatekeeper's advice and chosen to stay at the Livingbow Residence. Why would they come to the Secret Jewel Inn?
Exceptionally, individuals like him, on the run, and Luo Shun, who encouraged people to awaken from their apathy, were outliers.
Guo Fan entered the inn without drawing much attention. During the Tide-watching Sword-listening Conference period, the Secret Jewel Inn was filled to capacity, and a few people trailed in after him. At most, they received a brief glance from someone before shifting their gaze elsewhere.
Luo Shun, standing alongside them, diligently suppressed his Qi. No one within the inn could discern that the adorable Void Refining Stage cultivator concealed his true identity.
The Lady Boss appeared to be around thirty years old, her hair fashioned into an elegant bun. Her complexion was fair, adorned with a mole at the corner of her mouth. She boasted a well-proportioned figure and wore a long red dress with a lotus motif. Leaning against the counter, she held a cigarette, exuding an air of elegance and allure. She was the focal point of everyone's attention.
In the present moment, she was attending to a group of cultivators seeking accommodations. She nonchalantly examined her light red fingernails and slowly remarked, “Gentlemen, as I've already mentioned, we have no vacant rooms left. The only option is the shared lodgings on the first floor, so please cease your insistence. Your current actions are causing me great inconvenience.”
One of the youthful cultivators expressed dissatisfaction, “If you don't have any rooms available, can't you at least offer an ordinary room instead of immediately directing us to shared accommodations? Do you expect us to share a space with those mortals?”
The others echoed in agreement.
The Lady Boss chuckled and cast a smiling gaze upon the Immortal Cultivator. “Might I inquire about your cultivation level?”
The young Immortal Cultivator responded with pride, “I'm at the Building Foundation Stage…”
The Lady Boss's smile remained unchanged as she swiftly interjected, “I'm sorry, but occupants of our standard rooms are all Core Forming Stage warriors.”
The Immortal Cultivator's expression instantly froze, and he offered a sheepish smile, saying with dejection, “Well then, shall we share a room?”
Rolling her eyes, the Lady Boss made a note for them and gestured with her lips, “This way, head to the rear. You should consider yourselves fortunate to secure one of the last few available beds.”
Luo Shun furrowed his brow and inquired, “With the Tide-watching Sword-listening Conference in full swing, a swarm of immortal cultivators have poured in. Even the inn is fully occupied. It appears… Oh, young brother Xia Shui, what's your plan?”
He watched with puzzlement as Guo Fan walked directly to the counter and called out, “Ling, do you still remember the bean paste cake from back then?”
The Lady Boss was taken aback, observing Guo Fan's unfamiliar face. Yet, upon sniffing the air, her expression transformed to one of astonishment. “Why are you here?”
[Character: Tan Ling (Three Star)]
[Gender: Female]
[Title: Jade Faced Fox, Thousand Charming Beauty]
[Level: Demon Spirit - Second Level Nascent Soul]
[Status: Normal]
Among hundreds of acquaintances, one was the Lady Boss of Night's Fall Sword City's Secret Jewel Inn, the Fox Demon Tan Ling.
Guo Fan nodded. Facing a friendly NPC like Huo Bai made things considerably simpler. He smiled and explained, “I'm here for the Sword Pavilion's General Assembly and also to visit you. Initially, I intended to stay at the inn with my friends, but it seems…”
Tan Ling extended her hand to grasp his and blinked her beautiful eyes with a smile. “What's the fuss about? Why don't you stay in my room?”
…Wait, isn't this friendship not right?
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