At midnight, bidding farewell to Duan Changzai, Lu Zheng returned to the inn alone, organized all the items he had purchased during the day, and then went to sleep.
The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, Lu Zheng did not leave the city immediately but first went to the Zhenji Pawnshop in the east of the city. According to Duan Changzai, this pawnshop was an established one in Yizhou Prefecture, known for fair prices, honest dealings, and a good reputation.
However, for a business involving thousands of coins, Lu Zheng still spent nearly an hour at the pawnshop, not leaving the city until close to noon.
Speaking of which, this trip to Yizhou City was quite fruitful. Aside from selling an ornament, the most important gain was meeting more cultivators.
Setting aside the two banshees and the experts from the Anomaly Suppression Bureau, just the old monk alone was obviously not someone to be trifled with. The true nature of this world revealed itself slightly to him under the assurance of safety.
Late afternoon, night had fallen. Lu Zheng rode his horse for most of the day and arrived at a ferry on the Lu River.
The Lu River runs across Yizhou, being one of the three major rivers in the region, several miles wide with unknown depths. By day, small boats and passenger ships ferry across, and some cargo ships also make some extra earnings.
Of course, all boating is done in daylight. With the sky now pitch black and the river currents surging at night, all boats have docked, and no one dares to sail at night.
So, Lu Zheng arrived at the ferry inn, dismounted, and knocked on the door to call for someone.
"Coming, coming!" the inn worker's grumbling voice approached from afar, "So late at night, who would still come? Quite bold, traveling in the wilderness at night without fear of ghosts."
The door opened, and upon seeing Lu Zheng, the inn worker was intimidated by his presence, a smile appearing on his face, "Sir, please come in! Let me take your horse!"
Lu Zheng nodded, handing the reins to the worker, and effortlessly picked up the goods from the horse's back in one hand, as if they weighed nothing. The worker's eyes twitched, realizing the person in front of him was skilled, and quickly led the horse away, fearing Lu Zheng would call him out on his earlier rude remarks.
Lu Zheng entered the inn and found that the inn's common room was still bustling, with people sitting in groups of three or two, drinking, eating, and chatting leisurely.
Lu Zheng's eyes flashed upon noticing about ten robust men gathered around two tables pushed together. There was no alcohol, but plenty of meat. The two leaders appeared stoutly imposing and calm yet capable.
"Xiong Feng Escort Agency?"
It was the same group from Xiong Feng Escort Agency he saw when leaving the city yesterday.
Only, the escort agency moved slower, and what took them two days equaled less than a day's ride for Lu Zheng.
Lu Zheng saw them, and they naturally saw Lu Zheng as well. Observing Lu Zheng's ease in carrying numerous items, the robust lead escort nodded, "A practitioner."
Lu Zheng nodded with a smile, acknowledging, then glanced around, seeing several scholars, traveling merchants, and various craftsmen in the common room, appearing unremarkable.
"Are you looking to stay, sir?" The innkeeper greeted with a smile, "Unfortunately, the guest rooms are full, only two upper rooms are left, and the price…" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NoveI-Fire.ɴet
"I'll take one," Lu Zheng replied coolly, not asking about the price at all.
"Yes, yes, yes, Xiaotangzi, take the guest to the western upper room on the third floor!" The innkeeper instructed an entering worker to lead the way.
Following Xiaotangzi to the third floor, entering the western upper room, the worker lit the lamp on the table. Lu Zheng glanced around the room, pouting slightly.
"Have you had dinner, sir? Would you like me to instruct the kitchen to make you a meal, or would you like to rest in the common room?" Xiaotangzi asked, nodding and bowing. "Or shall I bring you a basin of hot water for washing?"
"None of that is necessary," Lu Zheng shook his head, pulling out a few copper coins from his pouch and handing them to the worker, "Go now, and do not enter unless I call for you."
"Yes, yes, thank you, sir!" Xiaotangzi accepted the copper coins with a joyful smile, bowed, and retreated, closing the door behind him.
Don't be ridiculous, even instant noodles back home would better than what this inn offers! A hot bath and a cozy sleep on a straw mattress would be great, wouldn't it? After a day of riding, I could also go out for a beer and some skewers.
Lu Zheng placed his items by the bed, then secured the door latch from inside, walked to the table, and was about to blow out the lamp when he suddenly heard a sound of drumming and gongging outside.
The rhythm was lively, the tune festive.
Lu Zheng froze, playing such a tune in the dead of night? Ghost wedding? Here at this inn?
Lu Zheng's eyes lit up; he was no longer sleepy, nor thinking of going back. With a reverse grip, he untied a long strip bag, revealing a long rectangular wooden box.
This was the weapon box Carpenter Li from the county had crafted for him, holding a saber and a sword inside.
Grabbing the wooden box, Lu Zheng opened the door and stepped out.
He approached the third-floor railing and looked down, seeing everyone in the common room had stopped eating, all standing up, while several scholars and merchants retreated cautiously to the back. The escort agency members, however, had drawn their swords, braced for action.
Lu Zheng's eyes narrowed, listening as the music reached the entrance, "Strange, it's not ghostly Yin Qi; these entities… mixed with Incense Qi and Demon Qi, could it be…"
The music stopped, and a clear voice rang out, "Lu River God's Mansion, Prefect Luo Wensheng, greets everyone."
With a "creak," the inn's door swung open, and first came two burly men holding long spears, followed by a middle-aged man in a blue brocade robe, his face pale, with large eyes and thick lips, offering a polite bow to everyone inside the inn.
"Lu River God's Mansion?"
"Turns out to be someone from the Court, scared me half to death!"
"But why have people from Lu River God's Mansion suddenly come ashore? I remember the last appearance was during the flood five years ago?"
The escort agency members lowered their swords, the scholars and merchants ceased to be afraid, and Lu Zheng blinked, lowering the wooden box he was holding, also looking down at the mansion prefect with great interest.
"The River God's Mansion is seeking a son-in-law today. The groom is a scholar from the state capital, who has lost both parents since childhood, and is now joining the River God's Mansion. The guests are all creatures of the rivers and lakes, which might not be ideal, so by the River God's command, we invite the guests at the ferry to the Water Mansion for a banquet," Luo Wensheng said, bowing.
Is this... an invitation?
Moreover, compared to a mere invitation to a banquet, several seemingly destitute scholars had a gleam of envy in their eyes.
Lu River God, though the groom is joining the mansion, marrying the River God's daughter means lacking neither wealth nor extended life, and if one has some ability, entering the court as an official is not an impossibility.
Which destitute scholar is so fortunate to receive the favor of the River God's Mansion's young lady? Truly enviable!