UGB Chapter 23 has so many
Chapter 23 has so many
Jiang Xun wandered around the streets for a while before finding an inn to stay in.
The inn was quite large, with three floors, and two big red lanterns hanging at the entrance, illuminating the golden signboard—Yuelai Inn.
He pushed open the door and went in. The innkeeper behind the counter smiled broadly and asked him if he wanted to stay at the inn or have a meal.
"Checking in at a hotel."
"Only the top-tier rooms are left, one tael of silver per night," the innkeeper said with a smile.
One or two.
That's enough to stay in Jiangzhou for half a month.
Jiang Xun hesitated for a moment. He had never stayed in an inn before, let alone a top-class room.
Having finally earned some money, why can't I stay in a nice place for one night?
Okay, I'll stay for one night.
"I'll take it." He took out an ounce from his purse.
The shopkeeper's eyes lit up. He quickly took the money, took a copper key from the wall, and led him upstairs.
The stairs were made of wood, creaking as you stepped on them, but they were polished to a shine.
The "Tianzi" room was located at the very back on the second floor. Jiang Xun was stunned for a moment when he pushed open the door.
It's huge.
A large, carved bed, covered with brocade quilts embroidered with mandarin ducks, and round, soft-looking pillows.
A desk by the window is set up with the Four Treasures of the Study: a brush holder, an inkstone, and a paperweight.
In the corner, there was a copper basin stand with a brand-new white cloth draped on it, neatly folded.
Opening the window, you can see the street below, bustling with people, and lanterns forming a fiery dragon.
Jiang Xun walked around the room, touched the bedpost, touched the pen holder on the desk, and then pushed open the window and peeked out.
The sounds of street vendors hawking their wares, laughing and talking, and horse-drawn carriages mingled together, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
He suddenly remembered his childhood, when he and his father squeezed into that dilapidated temple in Jiangzhou. It was drafty in winter and rainy in summer. The straw-covered floor creaked when he turned over.
My biggest wish back then was to have a house that didn't let in any drafts, and a bed that I could lie on straight so I wouldn't have to sleep with my legs tucked in.
There is now.
Not only did it have one, but it was also carved, had a brocade cover, and came with a copper basin and a white cloth.
He stood by the window for a while before slowly closing it, turning around and going downstairs.
Downstairs is the dining hall, with more than a dozen tables, and quite a few people were sitting there.
Some were drinking and playing drinking games, some were eating and smacking their lips, and a few scholars in long gowns were listening to a storyteller, all craning their necks.
Jiang found a table by the window and sat down. The waiter ran over and asked what he wanted to eat.
He flipped through the menu, but couldn't read many words, so he simply waved his hand and said, "Four dishes, all meat."
The waiter responded and jogged off to the kitchen.
Before the food even arrived, the storyteller began his tale.
He was an old man in his fifties, wearing a gray cloth robe that was washed until it was faded but still crisp. He held a folding fan in his hand, stood on the platform, and calmly glanced around.
Once the room quieted down, he struck the gavel with a sharp "snap," and the entire room fell silent.
"Gentlemen, today we're going to talk about something new—"
Someone started to jeer: "What are you saying?"
"Let me tell you about the recent excitement in Jiangning Prefecture!" The old man unfolded his folding fan and shook his head.
"What's all the commotion about?"
The old man closed his folding fan, cleared his throat, and spoke in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, yet everyone in the room could hear him.
"The first exciting event is the arena for the Sword God's successor!"
Jiang Xun paused, his chopsticks still in his hand.
"Sword God Lu Qingfeng, an invincible sword master ten years ago, left behind his legacy after his death."
He had an attendant named Huang who had been traveling around for the past few years to select a suitable candidate.
This time, the arena will be set up in our Jiangning Prefecture! Any young master under the age of thirty is welcome to participate!
If you win, you'll receive the Sword God's legacy!
Someone below exclaimed "Whoa!" and others whispered among themselves.
"And what's the second exciting thing?" someone shouted.
The old man smiled, leaned forward, and lowered his voice, yet his voice was still clear enough for everyone to hear.
"This second exciting event is quite mysterious—I've heard there's news of a treasure map in Jiangning Prefecture."
"A treasure map?"
"What treasure map?"
An uproar erupted below.
The old man unfolded his folding fan and fanned himself slowly twice.
Have any of you heard of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion?
Some people nodded, some shook their heads, and some stood there listening, holding their wine glasses in a daze.
The old man didn't keep them in suspense and continued:
"Tianji Pavilion was the most mysterious institution of the previous dynasty, dedicated to serving the Dasheng royal family."
After His Majesty raised his army, the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion was destroyed, and its members either died or scattered. But there is one thing that has never been found—”
He paused, then tapped the gavel again.
"That's the treasure map!"
"But that 'Zhou Tian Xing Chen Tu'?" a middle-aged merchant dressed in silk suddenly exclaimed, his jade thumb ring tapping crisply on the edge of the table.
"Well done, this boss is knowledgeable, it is indeed the 'Zhou Tian Xing Chen Tu'!" The old man patted his gavel and made an approving sound.
The crowd cast surprised glances at the merchant, who instinctively puffed out his chest, his face beaming with undisguised smugness.
"What treasures are hidden in the 'Zhou Tian Xing Chen Tu'?" another diner asked.
"Legend has it that the Great Sheng Dynasty has a secret treasure containing the wealth accumulated by the previous dynasty over hundreds of years, including countless gold, silver, treasures, and divine weapons. Only a treasure map can lead to its location."
However, this map was lost during the war, and no one knows where it is.
But recently, rumors have been circulating in Jiangning Prefecture that someone has seen a clue about this map!
There was a lot of discussion below, a buzzing sound like a pot of porridge.
Someone asked loudly, "What does that picture look like?"
The old man shook his head and spread his hands: "Who knows? If we knew what it looked like, someone would have already gone looking for it. Why would we be here talking about it?"
Then someone asked, "Is the treasure map story real or fake?"
The old man shook his head again, but his smile was meaningful: "Who can tell what's true and what's false?"
Anyway, a lot of martial arts practitioners have come to Jiangning Prefecture recently, all because of this matter. Even the Imperial Guards have been alerted; do you think this is a small matter?
Upon hearing the words "Golden Feather Guard," everyone fell silent instantly.
This is the largest secret service agency in the dynasty, with informants all over the country. It acts first and reports later, with the special permission of the emperor.
It is said that they are spies of the Golden Feather Guard in all walks of life—teahouses, taverns, caravans, escort agencies, and even street vendors and laborers.
If someone says something they shouldn't, they could go to jail or even lose their head; nobody wants to get into trouble.
For a moment, the teahouse was so quiet that only the gurgling sound of the teapot could be heard.
Jiang Xun didn't care about the Golden Feather Guard; he just felt that what the storyteller said was exactly the same as what Li Che had told him before.
It seems that Li Che is indeed very well-informed.
Seemingly out of fear of the Golden Feather Guard, no one dared to mention the treasure map again.
Someone coughed, changing the subject: "So... which martial arts masters have come?"
The old man cleared his throat again, this time lowering his voice even further, yet ensuring that everyone in the room could hear him clearly:
"The Great Han Dynasty in the north sent people over; the Golden Silkworm Sect in the south also showed up; and it is said that the Tang Family Fortress in Sichuan in the west has also arrived."
And the Sea Sand Gang from the East China Sea—I heard their leader came in person, bringing over a dozen ships.
He paused, then counted on his fingers:
"Not to mention the Central Plains—the Xingxiu Sect, Yucang Sect, Baoyue Manor, Tiejian Sect, Canglei Pavilion, Lingyun Sect, Qingxia Sect, Shendao Sect... almost every sect with a name has sent people."
Someone gasped, "So many?"