Chapter 953: Chapter 266: The Daring Lady Faces the Northwest Fiends, The Chivalrous Hero Stands Tall and Free (Part 4)
The street was filled not only with the clopping of horses’ hooves but also the steady footsteps of camel caravans.
Moreover, there was no shortage of caravans from various countries, each with differing skin tones and colorful attire, bringing airs of diverse regions. Amidst the crowd, there were more than a few talented individuals, with eyes as sharp as torches or possessing extraordinary auras, exuding the distinctive carefree and heroic spirit of Jianghu people in their gestures.
Guo Xiangyu, naturally vigilant, drew slightly closer to Shi Feiyang and lowered her voice with a concerned expression, saying, "Hero Shi, the crowd here is intricate and mixed, you must be especially careful."
Upon hearing this, Shi Feiyang’s lips curled into a confident smile, saying, "Miss Guo, rest assured. I, Shi Feiyang, have never feared any evil force in my life. Although Jianghu is perilous, I shall uphold justice and face it with composure."
He finished speaking, with his head held high and chest out, he stepped into the inn.
Inside, the shopkeeper saw a customer enter and quickly greeted him with a welcoming smile.
Shi Feiyang said in a loud voice, "Shopkeeper, give us a table full of fine dishes. On this freezing snowy day, we need something to warm us up. Also, bring a pot of good wine, so everyone can warm their bodies."
Though he usually abstained from alcohol, today he wished to use the wine’s vigor to ward off the cold.
Standing by, Guo Xiangyu, indeed as she claimed, attended to him like a dutiful maid.
Her movements were gentle, first pouring wine for Shi Feiyang, as if the wine jug had acquired life in her hand, the wine flowed smoothly into the cup like silk. Then, she thoughtfully picked dishes for Shi Feiyang, each one selected just right.
She also frequently offered tea and poured water for Shi Feiyang, managing everything meticulously.
Inside the inn, the candle flames flickered, casting shadows that danced upon everyone’s faces.
Xie Wen looked on with a smile in his eyes, a smile filled with deep meaning, as though he saw through many of the world’s secrets.
He shook his head slightly, chuckling softly, "Young Master, today with Miss Guo’s attentive care, others watching might become envious, wishing nothing more than to take her place."
To prevent his true identity from being exposed, Xie Wen deliberately changed the address, no longer referring to him as "Grand Squad Leader," but respectfully calling him "Young Master," a tone carrying both reverence and the familiarity of old friends.
Shi Xiong joined in the fun, smiling broadly, and occasionally pulling faces at Shi Feiyang, squinting and making funny expressions, resembling a mischievous child. He chuckled as he said, "Young Master, you’re truly fortunate to have Miss Guo, such a fine lady, attentively serve you."
Hearing the two speak in such a manner, Guo Xiangyu’s previously fair cheeks instantly blushed, likening to blooming peach flowers in spring, radiant and alluring.
She lightly bit her lip, her gaze revealing a hint of shyness mixed with a touch of playful reproach.
She slightly turned her head aside, avoiding everyone’s gaze, softly scolding, "Hero Xie, Brother Shi, how can you tease me like this? I’m merely doing my bit in return for Young Master Shi’s lifesaving grace. You’re making jokes like this, it makes me rather embarrassed."
Her voice gentle and melodious, like a stream flowing in the mountains, yet holding a straightforwardness unique to Jianghu women.
Hearing this, Shi Feiyang couldn’t help but smile, his smile warming like the spring sun.
He waved his hand, saying, "You two, stop making fun of Miss Guo. Miss Guo is kind-hearted and chivalrous, working so hard is indeed our honor. Let’s enjoy our food and drink well, gathering our strength; the path of Jianghu ahead is fraught with dangers and challenges waiting for us."
Having said that, he raised his wine cup, tilting back his head to drink it all down, feeling the pungent wine flow down his throat, transforming into a warm stream that dispelled some of the cold surrounding him.
Meanwhile, outside the inn, the cold wind still roared, rattling the doors and windows.
Inside, however, warmth abounded, with the candle flames flickering as the crowd gathered around a table, laughter and conversation flowing without end. This small inn, in the chilly winter night, seemed to become a warm haven in Jianghu, sheltering these chivalrous travelers.
After dinner, Shi Feiyang following his usual practice, confident in his immeasurable wealth, chose to lodge in a small loft on the third floor.
Guo Xiangyu continued bustling around, almost replacing the Little Scholar Shi Xiong, carefully checking for safety hazards in the loft, personally fetching water from the waiter upstairs for Shi Feiyang to bathe and change, then cleaning Shi Feiyang’s dirty clothes, completely resembling a lively maid.
Before bed, Shi Feiyang instructed Xie Wen and Shi Xiong to pay extra attention to Guo Xiangyu’s safety.
Since Xie Wen and Shi Xiong resided in the neighboring room next to Guo Xiangyu.
That night, the cold wind seemed to pour down like myriad arrows, sweeping through the inn, its sharp sound resembling ghostly cries from the Nine Nether Hell, tearing at the night’s tranquility, heralding the arrival of a storm of bloodshed.
Four shadows, like specters quietly crawling from the depths of darkness, landed silently upon the rooftop of the Yuelai Inn.
With bodies as light as feathers, they merged into the night as dark as ink, blending seamlessly, hard to distinguish.
Not until they stood still, borrowing the faint moonlight, did they gradually reveal the sinister figures of four middle-aged scholars.
With eyes as piercing as eagles and hawks, their gaze fierce and greedy, exuding a chill that was both terrifying and hungry. In this dim light, they appeared especially eerie. Each donned robes in green, white, gray, and black.
Those colors, seemingly cursed, deepened in this murderous ambiance, adding a few more notes of eerie aura.
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