Chapter 163 - 112: Inn (3)
Now that he had it, there was no reason not to go searching.
Otherwise, if some accident really did happen and the Jiaowei zither fell into someone else’s hands, Jiang Ran would be quite upset.
One day, the two of them were traveling through the middle of nowhere when they saw dark clouds churning overhead. It looked like the weather was about to turn.
"This weather has been ridiculous lately. It’s scorching hot one minute, then suffocatingly muggy the next.
"And just when you finally hope for some rain, it has to come while we’re out on the road."
Jiang Ran glanced up at the sky and couldn’t help but grumble.
Ye Jingshuang just smiled.
"The heavens are unpredictable."
"That’s because there are no weather forecasts."
"???"
Ye Jingshuang was confused again. The longer she spent with Jiang Ran, the more she heard strange, unheard-of words coming from his mouth.
And whenever she tried to press him for details, Jiang Ran would just wave her off.
"Don’t worry about the details."
So Ye Jingshuang stopped dwelling on it.
Her gaze shifted, and she suddenly stopped short.
"Brother Jiang, look over there..."
Following her finger, Jiang Ran saw a small building in the distance.
’Out here in the middle of nowhere, right by the main road? How could a place like this exist here?’
The two exchanged a look, both sensing that something was off.
"Have you seen it before?"
Jiang Ran asked casually.
After all, they weren’t too far from Red Maple Mountain.
As Ye Jingshuang shook her head, the first drops of rain began to fall. They were as large as beans, a clear sign that the storm had been holding back its full strength.
Once it truly started, it would be a deluge.
Seeing this, Jiang Ran nodded.
"Riding in this weather is too dangerous."
"If this place is trouble, we’ll just have to take care of it."
"If not, we can stay the night... and get back on the road once the rain stops."
"But we still need to be careful. No sense in making a careless mistake."
"Right."
Ye Jingshuang nodded, having no objections.
’Jiang Ran’s martial arts are peerless, and my own Swordsmanship is decent enough. With that on our side, even if there’s something strange about this place, we don’t need to worry too much.’
The two of them immediately urged their horses forward.
The small building wasn’t far, and they arrived in moments.
In front of the building was a small courtyard where some chickens and ducks were kept.
They were currently cooped up in cages, shivering as they awaited the downpour.
Several horse-drawn carriages were scattered around the courtyard, but the horses themselves were nowhere to be seen.
They were likely stabled somewhere else.
In addition, a large skimmer was hanging on the wall of the building.
When traveling, if you came across a building without a proper inn sign but with a large skimmer hanging outside, it meant that it also functioned as an inn.
A place where you could pay for lodging, food, and drink.
Seeing this, Jiang Ran and Ye Jingshuang exchanged a look and dismounted.
As they were heading inside, a middle-aged man emerged from the doorway to greet them.
"Come in, quickly! I’ll take care of your mounts."
’Mounts’, in this case, meant their horses.
Jiang Ran thanked him, handed over the reins, and led Ye Jingshuang inside.
No sooner had they stepped inside than a deafening CRACK of thunder boomed. When they looked back, a torrential downpour had already begun.
Jiang Ran shook the water from his hands and glanced back at Ye Jingshuang.
"That was close."
Ye Jingshuang nodded and looked inside. The first floor served as a common hall.
It was filled with tables and chairs, where a few scattered guests sat drinking tea and wine, chatting idly.
Some were traveling merchants, others were Jianghu People carrying weapons.
The scene looked peaceful enough.
No one paid them much mind, sparing them only a passing glance before returning to their own business.
Behind the counter, a Shopkeeper was busy with his accounts.
Jiang Ran and Ye Jingshuang approached, and before they could even speak, the Shopkeeper looked up and said:
"Quite a few travelers on the road today. We’ve only got one room left upstairs..."
"What do you two say?"
Ye Jingshuang glanced at Jiang Ran, who simply smiled.
"That’ll be perfect."
’In truth, even if the inn had more rooms, I would have only asked for one.’
’It wasn’t because I have any improper designs on Ye Jingshuang.’
’It’s mainly that in a place like this, someone needs to stay vigilant.’
’One room, one bed. We can take turns sleeping. That’s the best way to handle this.’
"Excellent, excellent."
The Shopkeeper nodded at once. Just as he was about to say more, the middle-aged man from outside came back in, soaked to the bone.
The Shopkeeper waved him over.
"Old Wang, take them upstairs."
"Right."
Old Wang had a simple, honest face. He just gave his head a little shake and smiled at Jiang Ran and Ye Jingshuang.
"This way, you two."
As he spoke, he walked past them and headed for the second floor.
Jiang Ran studied the man. ’I didn’t notice it during that quick glance outside, but listening closely now... his breathing is faint, almost nonexistent, yet it holds a strange, rhythmic quality.’
’It’s as if he’s constantly circulating some profound Heart Method.’
’And yet his footsteps are heavy, like someone who knows no martial arts...’
’How very strange.’
The staircase was old and in disrepair, every step producing a loud CREAK.
In moments, the three of them reached the upper floor.
Old Wang led them to a room and said with a smile:
"This is your room.
"If you need anything, just give me a shout.
"Meals are included with your stay, but you can’t be picky. You eat what the kitchen’s making.
"If you want something else, you’ll have to pay for it in silver... oh, and drinks cost extra, too."
Jiang Ran nodded as he listened. Just then, the sound of hooves reached the inn’s entrance.
He glanced down and saw that a few of the faster riders had already entered.
A young man was shouting loudly:
"Goddammit, this hellish weather is going to be the death of me.
"Shopkeeper, where are you? Bring out your best wine and food! Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of silver for you."
Jiang Ran froze for a second. ’This man... he’s the young man from the forest, the one who set up the trap for Zhang Zhihua.’
’What’s he doing here?’
...
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