Blade - Unbound

"Uh... Aunt Guan, greetings."

Li Yan didn't know what else to say as he offered a respectful salute. Meanwhile, childhood memories surfaced in his mind.

The woman was the very same one who had gotten into a fistfight at his doorstep during the New Year celebrations all those years ago. Her opponent seemed to be from the Jing Family...

While Li Yan's thoughts wandered, the middle-aged Daoist nun calmly turned to Guan Wanche. "Let's go. What's past is past, and there's no need to bring it up again. Also, my Daoist title is Ziyuan."

Guan Wanche revealed a helpless look. "Why put yourself through this..."

Still, he waved his hand and sighed. "Fine, fine. Daoist Ziyuan, let's go."

With that, he led his men away on horseback.

Li Yan finally let out a sigh of relief. Standing nearby, Sha Lifei trembled with suppressed laughter. "This one's easy enough to deal with. The other two are the real nightmares. Little Yan, you'd better be careful not to get stabbed one day."

Li Yan shot him a flat look and snapped, "Too much talking."

Sha Lifei immediately shut his mouth. However, when he noticed Red Yaksha's puzzled expression, he couldn't resist whispering a few details about Li Yan's father's romantic exploits.

"Oh." Red Yaksha instantly understood. She didn't press further, instead looking thoughtfully at the departing Daoist nun. "I feel like I've seen that Daoist before..."

Li Yan was surprised. "You know her?"

Red Yaksha shook her head. "I often take jobs from the Taixuan Orthodox Sect, and have visited Mount Taibai several times. Two years ago, I helped disciples from the Queen Mother Courtyard track down a wandering corpse. We accidentally ventured deep into Mount Taibai and stumbled upon a secluded sect. We ended up working together to eventually suppress the wandering corpse.

"That small sect specialized in talisman arrows, with every single member an exceptional archer. According to the disciples of the Queen Mother Courtyard, the sect descended from the Divine Bow Battalion of the Great Xing Dynasty. They could compete with the divine archers of the Golden Horde of the Wolf Kingdom without falling behind.

"After the rise of the Great Xuan Dynasty, they retreated into the mountains and lived as recluses. Their methods resemble those of the Mount Mei Faith, but they focus even more heavily on talisman archery.

"That woman was among those archers."

Li Yan frowned. "Talisman archery?"

He suddenly remembered that Guan Wanche had indeed mentioned his younger sister going to Mount Taibai to cultivate the Dao. Judging by her appearance, she had already entered the Daoist path.

But if she was supposed to be cultivating in the mountains, why has she come to Chang'an? Is she planning to join the Military Surveillance Department?

The thought flashed through his mind and disappeared just as quickly.

Cultivation, martial arts, establishing himself in Chang'an, investigating clues...

He already had plenty to occupy his attention.

***

Although Chang'an's layout had changed significantly, and no longer possessed the glory of receiving tribute from every nation under heaven, its traditional structure remained unchanged. The east housed the nobility, the west housed the wealthy, the north was substantial, and the south was sparse.

Xingqing Palace lay in the northeastern district, where most government offices were concentrated. The western districts, meanwhile, were filled with merchants and wealthy families. Property prices in both areas were staggering.

The norm was expansive mansions and grand estates.

Although ordinary people were now technically allowed to purchase property there, anyone capable of establishing themselves in those districts was anything but ordinary.

"There are plenty of inns in Chang'an." As they led their horses through the streets, Sha Lifei continued his endless chatter. "At the bottom of the ladder, you've got Feather Inns and Caravan Lodges. One's for refugees trying to survive, and the other's for mule drivers and caravan hands. They're cheap, but Little Yan probably wouldn't want to stay there.

"Then you've got jianghu inns. Lots of martial artists stay there. Information flows constantly through those places, and people who pay their respects to the local underworld circles usually receive preferential treatment.

"Then there are regular inns, which are mostly filled with traveling merchants. The environment's decent, though the prices are higher.

"The troublesome part is that some government runners are complete scoundrels. They regularly show up looking for free meals and extortion money. Without connections, it's hard to keep them in check."

Li Yan thought for a moment before shaking his head. "We didn't come to Chang'an just to pass through. We'll inevitably have dealings with the people of the martial world. Let's stay at a jianghu establishment. It'll also be a good place to gather information."

Red Yaksha suddenly spoke up. "If it's a jianghu inn, I know one. The owner and I are acquaintances. It should save you a lot of trouble."

"That's great. Sister Hong, where is it?"

"Yong'an Street."

***

When they saw the signboard of Phoenix Arrival Inn, Sha Lifei immediately grinned. "Wait, it's this place?"

The couplet hanging at the entrance read: The Phoenix Flies Bringing Glad Tidings; Friends Gather in Full Houses to Share Deep Bonds.

"I've seen this chain before on the Qin-Chu Ancient Road. When we were escorting that dead man back home, they wouldn't even let us inside. I knew it back then! The owner had to be a woman. Sister Hong, was I right?"

"You were." Red Yaksha smiled. "She's from Fengxiang, where her family was once one of the major households. Later they fell into ruin, but she rebuilt her fortunes in Chang'an. She's quite capable, and gets along well with me. Her name is Feng Feiyan."

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard thoughtfully. "The phoenix gathered at Mount Qi and flew over Yong, where the Zhou Dynasty rose. That's a heavy name to bear. For a woman to establish herself in Chang'an means she's definitely no ordinary person."

Sha Lifei laughed. "All I know is that her Old Qin wine is exceptional."

Red Yaksha nodded. "That's true. After all, she's from Fengxiang. Over there, no banquet is complete without alcohol. Even the mice can drink a couple of taels."

"Hahaha!"

As they approached the inn, music drifted out from within.

The sound of a three-stringed lute echoed through the building and at the same time, a powerful elderly voice sang, "My head rests upon the Yellow River, my face toward the heavens! The small river sings, the great river answers! One mighty roar has echoed for five thousand years!"

"Honored guests, you–" The inn attendant hurried out to greet them. The moment he recognized Red Yaksha, his face lit up. "Heroine Hong!"

He immediately rushed forward to take their horses.

"Heroine Hong, your timing couldn't be better. The boss was just talking about you..."

As he spoke, his eyes drifted toward Li Yan and the others. Sha Lifei immediately recalled unpleasant memories. He couldn't help but snap, "You people have some kind of problem? The attendant at your branch on the Qin-Chu Ancient Road kept staring at people too."

The attendant bowed repeatedly. "Honored Guest, that was my younger brother."

Sha Lifei was rendered speechless.

Red Yaksha burst out laughing in response. "Take us to see Boss Feng. I would like to introduce a few fellow cultivators."

"Of course, Heroine Hong." The attendant eagerly summoned someone to take the horses before speaking again. "Leave the horses to us. We'll make sure they're fed so well they'll get fat!"

Once they entered the inn, Red Yaksha's demeanor changed instantly. Her warmth disappeared as she became the cold, distant Red Yaksha known throughout the jianghu.

The main hall was sparsely occupied. There were a few wandering performers carrying instruments as well as martial artists with fierce expressions and bulging temples. Though they appeared to be drinking or chatting casually, their eyes subtly drifted toward the newcomers as they silently speculated about their backgrounds.

Li Yan's group ignored them.

Following the attendant upstairs, they arrived at a room overlooking the street on the eastern side where the attendant knocked and introduced, "Boss, Heroine Hong has arrived!"

Once they entered, Li Yan could tell that the room was elegantly furnished. Antique shelves displayed porcelain goods as bookcases lined the walls.

Near the window stood a long couch where a woman in green robes reclined leisurely, gently swirling a wine flask while gazing outside. Her fair neck formed a graceful curve.

Li Ya's nose twitched in surprise. He had no idea what sort of incense was burning in this room, but it somehow erased every trace of unpleasant odors and lingering miasma.

Hearing the knock, the woman turned around.

She looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties, though she had clearly maintained herself well. She possessed an oval face, eyes that seemed to naturally smile, and a blend of charm and heroism.

With a graceful movement, she rose from the couch.

A smile filled her eyes. "Sister Hong! I was just thinking your assignment should be finished by now. With the snowstorm arriving, I knew you'd come to Chang'an for a drink.

"And these gentlemen are...?"

Red Yaksha smiled as well. "Haha, naturally. Allow me to introduce them. This is Li Yan, one of Xianyang's rising talents in the Daoist world. This is Daoist Wang Daoxuan. And this... is Sha Lifei..."

After the introductions, Feng Feiyan smiled warmly. "If they're friends brought by Sister Hong, then they're surely all heroes. Stay here without worry. If you need anything, just let me know."

Then she turned to Red Yaksha. "Since you've come, stay and have a few drinks with me."

Li Yan and the others were all perceptive individuals. They could immediately tell that Boss Feng had private matters to discuss with Red Yaksha. After expressing their thanks, they followed the attendant toward the rear courtyard.

Yong'an Street was not a commercial district. Land prices were relatively cheap, and the inn occupied a considerable area.

Behind the main building stood a row of small courtyards. It appeared that portions of the original street had been walled off and converted into private residences.

"Right here, gentlemen." The attendant unlocked a gate while explaining, "This courtyard doesn't face the street, so it's nice and quiet at night."

The gate opened, allowing Li Yan to look inside.

The courtyard wasn't large. There was a main house that stood in the center, flanked by two side rooms. There was also a kitchen and a latrine. Beneath an old tree sat a water well. Though small, the place was exceptionally clean. There wasn't the slightest unpleasant smell.

Li Yan immediately liked it, and couldn't help but praise, "Not bad."

"As long as you're satisfied." The attendant handed over the keys and explained, "If you'd like food or wine, simply let us know and someone will bring it over. You can heat your own water here from the well."

With that, he withdrew and closed the gate behind him.

"This place is excellent!" Wang Daoxuan smiled. "The last time I came here, I was so poor my pockets rattled. I stayed in a caravan lodge and suffered miserably."

Li Yan shook his head. "No matter how nice it is, it's still temporary. I need a place to cultivate both martial arts and the mystic arts while you need room to set up your Patriarch Altar. Too many people around is ultimately inconvenient."

Next, he looked at Wang Daoxuan. "Daoist, come with me to the City God Temple. I need to obtain my Dao Permit. While we're there, we can also pay a visit to Daoist Luo."

Sha Lifei grinned. "You two go ahead. The City God Temple's incense is too heavy for me. Every time I go there, I feel uncomfortable and can't even speak properly. I'll take the opportunity to look around and visit some property brokers. Let's see if there are any suitable residences for sale."

The plan decided, they left word with the attendant for Red Yaksha and departed the inn separately. After walking only a short distance, Li Yan suddenly felt something. His head snapped in the direction of the feeling.

On the second floor of the inn, Boss Feng stood by a window holding her wine flask and watching them leave. Seeing that Li Yan had noticed her, the elegant woman smiled faintly and raised her flask in greeting.

What a strange woman...

Li Yan nodded politely before turning away and disappearing into the crowd.

Back at the window, Feng Feiyan turned around and smiled. "Sister Hong, your young friend seems quite skilled despite his age."

Red Yaksha took a sip of wine and shook her head. "He's from the Daoist world. Don't get any ideas. They aren't the sort who kill people for money."

"Hahaha..." Feng Feiyan covered her mouth and laughed. "Whatever are you thinking, Sister Hong? I'm simply happy for you. You've finally made some friends. If trouble comes knocking, you'll have people to lend a hand."

Red Yaksha sighed softly. "I'm getting old after all. I nearly lost my life this time. If not for their help, I wouldn't have survived."

Feng Feiyan nodded as her eyes shifted slightly. "Something major has happened recently. Have you heard?"

"What happened?"

"Near the ruins of Haojing, the ancient capital of the Zhou Dynasty..."

They dug up something extraordinary..."