Chapter 33 — Descending the Mountain
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 4 of 7
"Within a hundred li in every direction, this is the biggest and busiest place there is. The folk living in this city must number two or three hundred thousand at least, and the location is fine besides—merchants and travelers come and go in droves, so it's all the livelier."
As Zhang Qingyue listened, his heart filled with genuine admiration for Zeng.
"What's so remarkable about that?" said Zeng. "Watch." And with a sly grin he stealthily leaned in to Zhang Qingyue's ear and whispered, "Truth is, I've been here lots of times—always slipping down the mountain on the sly."
Zhang Qingyue was greatly startled. "You—you—"
"What's with that look on your face? What's the big deal? Ever since I learned the art of sword-flight, naturally I've had to practice often. Fly and fly and fly till I get here, and when I'm tired I drop down and stroll the streets—what's so astonishing about that?"
Zhang Qingyue was struck dumb.
Hearing the two of them murmuring away behind him, Qi Hao smiled faintly and said to Six Xueqi at his side, "Sixth Junior Sister, it's getting late. Tonight we'll put up here, and set out again tomorrow."
Six Xueqi's face was cold as frost and ice, wholly without expression; she gave only a faint nod.
Once inside the city, to avoid trouble they had early on changed out of their Canglan Gate disciple garb, and so aroused no particular suspicion—but Six Xueqi's peerless beauty caused no small stir, drawing many passersby to stop and stare. Zhang Qingyue stole a glance at her from the side; though her face showed nothing, a flicker of anger had crossed those bright eyes, and he could not help feeling anxious for the onlookers—if Heaven's Jade should leave its sheath, this ancient city of long history would likely lose half itself.
Yet Six Xueqi's forbearance was clearly far greater than Zhang Qingyue had reckoned; even after they had taken rooms at an inn called the Mountain-Sea Garden, she had made no move at all. Qi Hao was the most experienced of the four, and they had tacitly come to look to him as their head; it was he who stepped forward to arrange such matters as lodging, after which the innkeeper settled them in the finest rooms of the rear garden.
The Mountain-Sea Garden was a sizable establishment, and its rear garden held four separate courts. The four of them lodged in the West Court, one room apiece. After resting a while, Qi Hao called them all together and went to the tavern out front for supper.
The Mountain-Sea Garden had its own tavern, situated on the busiest street in He Yin City, but the VIP hall on the third floor was very quiet indeed; in that spacious hall fewer than ten tables were set, and perhaps five of them now had guests dining. Qi Hao called the waiter over and ordered several dishes; from his manner he clearly knew the place well—most likely a regular.
Zhang Qingyue thought as much to himself. Born of a farming family, he had never set foot in a sumptuous place like the Mountain-Sea Garden. Passing the second floor just now he had glimpsed a hall all gold and splendor, but on the third floor he found carved dragons and painted phoenixes, redwood beams, an antique elegance throughout—utterly unlike the second. He did not know, of course, that when men of the world attain wealth and station they come instead to pursue refinement and taste; for though some delight in gaudy luxury, it is common enough to affect elegance for the sake of being called a person of some cultivation.
The four of them sat at a small table by the window, and Zeng Shuyan, after a glance around the hall, said to Qi Hao, "Senior Brother Qi, the prices here can't be cheap, surely?"
Qi Hao smiled faintly. "This is the finest tavern in He Yin City—naturally it's not cheap. But our Canglan Gate has long enjoyed a name here; the owner would be only too glad to have us, and won't charge us much."