Chapter 191 - 188: Sharing a Table
The Wind and Cloud Inn was bustling with life. Numerous Martial Artists were gathered in twos and threes, sitting around tables drinking wine and eating meat. The air was thick with the aroma of wine and meat, as several waiters weaved through the crowd, serving food and drinks.
The inn was packed, mostly with people of the martial world carrying sabers and swords. Their cultivation levels were mostly around the Fourth or Fifth Realm, though one could occasionally spot a few Martial Artists who had reached the Sixth Realm.
Nearly every table was full. Ye Xing scanned the room and found that the only open seats were at the table next to the Three Heroes of Xibei.
It was only partially full, as two people were already seated there.
The tables in the inn were all square and made of wood. With four sides, they could seat four people, or even eight in a pinch. Of course, the tables weren’t very large; seating four was already a bit of a squeeze, and eight would be extremely crowded. Typically, only two to four people sat at each one.
The two men at the table next to the Three Heroes of Xibei each wore an iron sword at his waist. From their dress, they appeared to be disciples from the same sect, and both were at the Martial Arts Fourth Realm of cultivation.
Since there were no other tables available in the inn, Ye Xing immediately walked over to that one.
"Friends," Ye Xing began, cupping his fist, "there are no other seats left in the inn. Would you mind if I sat here?"
The two disciples looked up at Ye Xing. The elder of the two nodded immediately and gestured for him to take a seat.
"Pardon the intrusion. Thank you," Ye Xing said with a slight smile and sat down.
When traveling in the martial world, being away from home meant adapting. In a crowded inn, it was common for people of the martial world to share tables. Generally, unless someone was particularly cold-hearted or arrogant, they would permit it. Sharing a table wasn’t a big deal; it just meant eating at the same table. It was just like on Earth, where people would squeeze together at the same table in crowded fast-food restaurants or noodle shops. It was a normal thing, and refusing was generally not done, as it would be both unreasonable and an easy way to make an enemy.
As fellow Martial Artists traveling the martial world, it was unwise to make too many enemies. Of course, this only applied when there wasn’t a vast disparity in strength; then, offending someone was of no consequence. For example, a Martial Artist in the First or Second Realm was nothing but a small fry to someone in the Fourth Realm. Similarly, a Fifth Realm Martial Artist was also just a small fry in the eyes of someone in the Eighth and Ninth Realms. The two men with iron swords were both at the Martial Arts Fourth Realm, as was Ye Xing. Since their cultivation levels were comparable, they naturally wouldn’t look down on him.
"I am Tie Chen, and this is my junior brother, Zhao Lin. We’re disciples of the Iron Sword Sect," said the man named Tie Chen, cupping his fist toward Ye Xing. "And how should we address you, brother?"
"I am Ye Xing. It’s a pleasure to meet you both," Ye Xing replied with a slight smile.
"Brother Ye Xing, you must be here for the Eight Treasures Profound Spirit Pill as well, right?" Tie Chen of the Iron Sword Sect asked, a knowing look in his eyes.
"Haha, you could say I’m just here to see what all the fuss is about," Ye Xing laughed. "What about you two?"
"Same here," Tie Chen from the Iron Sword Sect said in a low voice. "That Shi Bolang is at the Martial Arts Sixth Realm, while we’re only at the Fourth. The gap in our cultivation is massive. My junior brother and I are really just here to see the show and gain some experience in the martial world."
Zhao Lin of the Iron Sword Sect chimed in, "Well, Senior Brother, I wouldn’t be so sure. That Shi Bolang has been besieged repeatedly. He’s already seriously injured."