Chapter 47: East Entrance

The biting chill of spring lingered. Old Wu, wrapped in a padded coat, sat panting on a faded yellow wooden chair. By the roadside, the wine flag, lifted high by the cold wind, writhed like a loach for a moment before limply falling back down.

"Today should bring good business," he thought.

The Kingdom of Yue, located in the south, had a warm and humid climate, and snow was uncommon in winter. Last year's heavy snowfall was particularly rare, having made the entire ancient Lidao impassable for carriages and horses. Old Wu had only received three groups of customers all winter. Now, with spring arriving and the snow melting, combined with a significant chill in the air, it was the perfect time for a drink.

Old Wu leaned back in his wooden chair, shifting lazily, causing the dilapidated chair beneath him to creak noisily. He squinted, seeing a cloud of yellow dust rise from a distant path through the window.

He quickly stood up, limped to the door, and called out loudly: "Meat—wine—, lamb—meat—!"

Seeing the carriage and horses slowly approach and stop, Old Wu quickly said: "Gentlemen, our humble shop offers rich wine, and our hot and sour side dishes are refreshing..."

Just then, the carriage curtain lifted, and two men, wrapped in fur cloaks, stepped out.

The man in the lead looked less than seventeen, full of youthful vigor, holding a long saber. His face still showed some naiveté, and he smiled as he gazed at the tavern. The man behind him appeared to be twenty-five or twenty-six, with a precious sword at his waist. His appearance was rather handsome, his eyes bright and piercing, and he watched Old Wu with vigilance.

"It seems like a junior being looked after by an elder," Old Wu thought. "This young man looks like he has some worldly experience; he's very wary. And looking at that precious sword, they must be sons from prominent aristocratic families. Today, I'll make a profit!"

Having made his assessment, Old Wu smiled obsequiously and said: "Please come in, gentlemen. Our special 'Snowflake Meat Wine' is a true delicacy on this road." After speaking, he turned and shouted: "Customers have arrived—!"

As the two sat down at a table, two burly men clattered down the stairs, bowing and smiling ingratiatingly, standing behind Old Wu.

"One pot of Snowflake Wine, and a few dishes," one of the newcomers ordered.

Wan Yuankai set down his long saber. Seeing Old Wu instruct someone to prepare the order, he cheerfully explained to Li Tongya: "Ah, this Snowflake Wine is made by thinly slicing the finest lamb loin, stewing it until tender in excellent wine, then finely chopping and grinding it into a paste. Then, lamb bone marrow and kidney fat are melted in a pot, mixed with the meat paste, and when served, it's steeped in warm wine."

Wan Yuankai swallowed, whispering: "My clan brother and I came here five years ago and ordered this Snowflake Wine. It was an immediate revelation, and I haven't stopped thinking about it since. At home, we only have a few ways to eat; it's gotten utterly boring!"

Li Tongya had been jostling in a carriage for several days, eating dry rations and drinking cold water daily. Hearing this, his appetite was piqued, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

As the two chatted for a bit, a clamor came from outside the door. Several men in padded coats walked in, boisterously sitting down and shouting: "Old Wu, bring the wine!"

"Ah, gentlemen, you're here!" Old Wu quickly went to greet them with a smile, flattering each of them.

"This spring chill is truly freezing! We brothers guarded the East Gate all night; we were practically frozen stiff! Taking advantage of the master allowing us off during the shift change, we quickly came up for a couple of drinks," the burly man, who was their leader, laughed heartily and continued: "I don't know what's been happening these past few days, but the road is heavily guarded. Several aristocratic families from the county have sent people to patrol the road, making it so quiet you can't hear a peep!"

A voice from that table spoke up slowly: "Dahu, you don't understand. This happens every few years; just get used to it! A few aristocratic families in the county are keeping a tight grip, but it'll pass in a few days."

Wan Yuankai listened with pricked ears for a while, then chuckled and whispered: "This place is near Guanyun Peak. I guess these are the Xiao family's worldly retainers."

Li Tongya nodded, and Xiao Yuansi's image immediately appeared in his mind. He couldn't help but feel a bit more favorably towards these men.

The waiter brought a pot of hot wine, along with a few side dishes and a bowl of snow-white lamb paste.

Wan Yuankai quickly picked up a small spoon, gently scooped some paste, placed it in his bowl, then took the wine pot and poured it directly into the bowl. As the paste steeped, an enticing aroma of lamb immediately filled the air.

Dahu, the leader, sniffed, his eyes lit up, and he praised: "What a wonderful aroma! It's Snowflake Wine!"

Wan Yuankai didn't pick up on the man's comment. He took a delicious sip, smacking his lips, and gestured for Li Tongya to try it too. Li Tongya smiled helplessly, then offered a polite smile to the man. He then prepared the Snowflake Wine, steeping it before taking a small sip.

The mellow aroma of the fine wine, the deliciousness of the lamb, and a subtle milky hint immediately burst onto his tongue. Unconsciously, Li Tongya finished the wine in his bowl, chuckling softly: "Indeed, it's wonderfully delicious."

The burly man saw that Li Tongya and Wan Yuankai were ignoring him. He pursed his lips in embarrassment and muttered lowly: "Just because they have a few stinking coins..." Dahu glanced enviously at the next table, swallowed, then turned his head and started chatting with his brothers among themselves.

Wan Yuankai had only taken a few sips when another clamor arose from outside the door. A group of people approached from a distance, surrounding a richly dressed young man in a brocade fur cloak as they entered the tavern.

"Clan brother! Don't let this rundown tavern fool you; this Snowflake Wine is absolutely unique on this road. This desolate wilderness at the East Gate is so bleak and quiet; only this tavern offers any kind of diversion." A lavishly dressed man was bowing and fawning, gesticulating in front of the richly dressed youth. The man appeared to be thirty-five or thirty-six, yet he bowed and called the richly dressed youth 'clan brother,' which looked rather comical.

"Mm," the richly dressed youth replied softly. He had somewhat narrow eyes, wore a snow-white fox fur cloak, and had a golden brocade pouch tied at his waist. He was quite handsome, with delicate skin that suggested a pampered and privileged upbringing.

"Oh no, how did the master's steward get here!" The burly man named Dahu's face instantly changed. He turned his head away, pretending not to know them. The entire table of burly men also lowered their heads, trembling and not daring to utter a single word.

"That richly dressed youth is most likely a direct descendant of the main clan," Dahu thought. "This steward, who usually acts so high and mighty, is behaving like a dog in front of him." Dahu secretly glanced at the group, managing to recognize two men. They were both important figures among the Xiao family's clan soldiers stationed at the East Gate, yet at this moment, they stood respectfully behind the steward, not daring to utter a sound.

When the richly dressed youth saw the tavern's environment, he frowned slightly, which terrified the middle-aged steward, who hung his head, not daring to speak a word. The middle-aged steward had been racking his brain for a long time for the right words, but then, as if in a dream, he heard the young man in front of him laugh, which instantly terrified him to his core.

"This clan brother possesses spiritual apertures and has entered the path of immortals. He has always been arrogant and overbearing. He's been guarding the East Gate for over ten days, and I haven't seen him smile once. Could this be a laugh of extreme anger?!"

Yet, the richly dressed youth politely cupped his hands, a kindly smile appearing on his face, and said softly: "I never imagined I'd meet two fellow cultivators in such a remote little shop!"