Xiushui Town isn’t very big, with only two streets in total. Due to its proximity to Azure Dragon Temple, it used to be a stopping point for many martial artists coming to study or pay their respects.
But now, with the decline of Azure Dragon Temple, Xiushui Town has also become desolate.
Especially after Hei Yunzi and his bandits began causing trouble, the town became increasingly dilapidated.
As Zhao Ya walked into the town, aside from a herb and groceries store, the only other place open was a small tavern.
Zhao Ya walked slowly along the street, rhythmically tapping a gong.
Disguising himself as a traveling doctor had this advantage; he could wander through the streets and alleys without arousing suspicion.
As he walked, Zhao Ya observed the state of the town. Most of the houses were somewhat run-down. Although people weren’t in rags, few were well-dressed, showing that most residents here didn’t have a good life.
However, Zhao Ya also noticed that among these old houses, there were a few courtyards that appeared quite grand.
These must belong to the wealthy families in town.
The layout of the town was very simple. Zhao Ya got a clear view by just strolling along the main street.
Then he arrived at the entrance of the small tavern, tapped the gong lightly, and stepped inside.
This small tavern was partly buried underground, which made it better insulated but with poor lighting.
When Zhao Ya lifted the thick cotton curtain and stepped in, he was met with a dark room and a blast of smoky, boozy air that made it hard to breathe.
Yet Zhao Ya seemed unaffected by this, stomping his feet and muttering.
"It’s freezing, freezing! This damn weather could freeze a person’s nose off."
Hearing his complaints, the patrons drinking in the tavern laughed.
"What a rarity. Usually, you’d never see a traveling doctor after it starts snowing. Now it’s almost the end of the year, and you still dare to come out? Aren’t you afraid of freezing to death on the road?" a nearby patron chuckled.
Zhao Ya was prepared for this question. He chuckled bitterly and said, "What can I do? I got delayed by some matters in the autumn and missed the good times. Now I don’t even have money for dumplings during the New Year. I have to quickly make some money."
"This doctor is quite amusing. Old Yang, didn’t your wife always say you’re useless? Why don’t you let this doctor take a look at you?" someone teased.
A small-statured man with a disproportionately large head angrily retorted at the suggestion.
"You’re talking nonsense. I’m useless? Do you want me to call your wife over and have her beg for mercy?"
"Just joking, no need to get so worked up," the man awkwardly responded.
"Why don’t you make yourself the joke instead?" Old Yang was still agitated.
At this point, the tavern shopkeeper noticed the tense atmosphere and hurried out to smooth things over.
"Alright, Old Yang, Old Li, the two of you are always bickering when you meet. Just let it go."
He then turned to Zhao Ya, "What would you like, doctor?"
The tavern shopkeeper turned out to be unexpectedly young. Though his attire wasn’t extravagant, it was neat and tidy, leaving a good impression.
"Please give me a bowl of hot wine and two buns."
"No dishes?"
"Ah, I haven’t had any business all day. I’m short on money and can’t afford to order any dishes," Zhao Ya sighed, portraying an image of poverty and frustration with his sallow, made-up complexion.
The young shopkeeper didn’t show any disdain and simply nodded, "Alright, take a seat."
He turned and busied himself at the back.
At this point, the other patrons turned their attention back to their drinks. To them, this was just an unfortunate traveling doctor, hardly as important as their own drinks.
The patrons here were mostly ordinary folk and couldn’t afford lavish meals.
The wealthier ones might have a plate of sliced pig’s head for a treat.
Ordinary folks would just have some dried tofu or peanuts as snacks.
Zhao Ya chose a corner to sit in, his eyes unintentionally scanning each person in the room.
Most looked ordinary, except Old Yang who had been arguing earlier. He seemed unusual.
He had two dishes, one meat and one vegetarian, in front of him. While this might seem modest elsewhere, it was considered lavish here in the tavern.
Moreover, his drinking style was peculiar. He shielded the cup with his hand before bringing it to his lips and sipping little by little.
Zhao Ya silently observed.
The young tavern shopkeeper returned with a bowl of hot wine and two buns.
He also offered a small dish of pickles at no extra charge.
Zhao Ya thanked him profusely and began drinking slowly.
You couldn’t expect much from the alcohol in this small tavern. As soon as it entered the mouth, a bitter and spicy taste exploded.
But once swallowed, the stomach soon felt warm.
"How is it? How does my homemade wine taste?" the young shopkeeper asked with a smile.
Zhao Ya feigned enjoyment and gave a thumbs up.
"Good."
The young shopkeeper left with a smile.
Zhao Ya drank half the bowl, then tore the two buns into pieces, soaking them in the remaining wine.
Then, along with that plate of pickles, he gulped down the wine and buns slurping loudly.
After finishing, Zhao Ya wiped the sweat from his forehead and took a long, satisfied breath.
By this time, the number of drinkers in the tavern had dwindled.
Most people came here just for a couple of drinks, and once done, they hurried off to tend to their own matters, not having much time to linger around.
But Old Yang was still there. Although he had already downed an entire pot of wine and his eyes were glazed, he refused to leave but instead slapped the table, saying,
"Another pot!"
The young shopkeeper frowned, "Enough, Old Yang. You’ve had plenty today."
"So what, I’m happy to drink. How’s that your business?" Old Yang slurred.
Seeing this, the young shopkeeper could only helplessly pick up a pot of wine and bring it over.
Zhao Ya observed this entire scene carefully.
Without showing any expression, he took out a silver bean from his bosom and placed it on the table.
In the area beyond the world, since there was no governmental presence, copper coins were not circulated.
Therefore, ordinary people most commonly used these small silver beans as currency.
After paying, Zhao Ya turned around and stepped out of the small tavern.
Taking a deep breath of the cold air outside, Zhao Ya, pretending to be overpowered by alcohol, staggered away to a distance.
Only after turning a street corner did Zhao Ya’s eyes snap back to clarity.
He knew he had come to the right place this time.
With a stroke of luck, he might even find traces of Hei Yunzi today.
Zhao Ya circled around Xiushui Town again. Despite the incessant beating of the gong, on such a cold day, ordinary people stayed indoors rather than visiting a traveling doctor.
So it was no surprise that Zhao Ya returned empty-handed.
As the sun sank westward, Zhao Ya feigned a look of disappointment and left in frustration.
Not until he had gone some distance and confirmed that no one was following or watching did Zhao Ya slip into the mountain forest, find a sheltered spot, and hide, waiting for darkness.
Meanwhile, inside that small tavern in Xiushui Town, the young shopkeeper looked at the thoroughly drunken Old Yang with a hint of disdain on his face.
But he did not chase Old Yang away because he knew there was nowhere for Old Yang to go at this moment.
Old Yang did have a home, even a very beautiful wife at home.
But right now, that home did not belong to him; it belonged to another man.
This matter was only recent, so not many people in Xiushui Town knew, except for this young shopkeeper who had seen it a few times since taking over the small tavern recently.
But such affairs were not his to interfere with, nor could he manage them.
Furthermore, since his wife got together with another man, Old Yang’s living standards had soared.
In the past, Old Yang wouldn’t dare to order dishes with his drink; at most, he’d stand in front of the counter, ask for a bowl of the cheapest poor-quality wine, and drink it with coarse salt.
But now, he dared to sit down and order a couple of small dishes.
The young shopkeeper didn’t know whether he envied or pitied Old Yang.
By now, darkness had entirely fallen, and there were no longer any pedestrians on the street.
Ordinarily, by this time, the small tavern would have closed.
In the past, a few wealthy families in town might have come by for a couple of dishes, but now with Hei Yunzi’s marauding bandits, those wealthy families had been scared away.
Ordinary folks couldn’t afford to order dishes.
But today was an exception because Old Yang wouldn’t leave, so the young shopkeeper couldn’t either.
Just as he was waiting in boredom, footsteps suddenly appeared outside the door.
And then, the cotton door curtain was lifted, and a man and a woman walked in from outside.
The woman wore a red jacket, looking a bit rustic but with fair skin and a charming appearance.
The man was tall and strong, exuding a fierce aura.
At the sight of these two, the young shopkeeper was startled.
Because he recognized them.
The woman was Old Yang’s wife.
And the man was the one who ousted Old Yang from his home and seized his wife.
After entering, the two of them didn’t even glance at the drunken Old Yang but went straight to a clean table and sat down.
Then the man said in a deep voice, "Bring your best wine and make several specialty dishes."
Mrs. Yang giggled without any sense of shame and said to the young shopkeeper, "Bring me a bowl of noodles first. After a whole day of commotion, I’m starving."
The man chuckled, as if glowing with pride.
"How about it, isn’t he better than that useless man!"
"Much better, that one’s just like a rabbit, wilting after a couple of hops." The woman unabashedly said, full of eager anticipation.
"Mister, when will you take me away? I’ve long had enough of this rundown town."
"Don’t worry, tonight I’ll go back first, explain the situation to our boss, and in a couple of days I’ll come back to take you away."