The burly man, standing in the rain, slamd the door with a thunderous bang, his voice rough and bold. The innkeeper, fearing that he would get angry and barge in, had no choice but to retrieve the previously reserved room's rental agreent. After checking the na carefully, he opened the door with trembling hands.
As soon as the door opened, he raised his eyes and saw the tall and sturdy figure of the burly man, along with the centipede-like grotesque scar on the man's cheek—just as a clap of thunder burst in the skies outside.
The shopkeeper had already been nervous, and the thunderclap startled him so much that he let out a cry, his legs going weak as he almost fell backward.
Fortunately, he was steadied by the strong arm of the man, saving him from a fall. The shopkeeper raised his head and saw the leader, with his sowhat fierce face, giving him a smile, saying,
"Innkeeper, you should be careful; the ground is slippery in the rain. Don't fall."
The shopkeeper regained his composure and responded with a few hurried agreents, retreating two steps with a sowhat pale face, still showing signs of fright.
The burly man seed not to mind, allowing him to keep his distance. He removed his straw raincoat and hat, placing them in a corner of the inn. His gaze swept the ground floor, noticing just a sparse few diners, and felt a bit relieved.
He then saw Fei Yonglin with his back toward him, noticing the ticulously maintained short saber at the latter's waist. His gaze beca more focused, yet his expression remained unchanged as he turned to instruct his subordinates behind him.
One by one, his party went upstairs, presumably to distribute the rooms they had reserved in advance.
Fei Yonglin, with his back to these warriors who had braved the rain, seed to be casually playing with the cup in his hand. In reality, his nerves were taut, stealthily stealing glances at the newcors, who clearly possessed impressive martial skills. Despite being drenched, their stable strides seed unaffected, and each had a broad waist saber at their side.
Although Fei Yonglin only specialized in boxing, he recognized the sabers, knowing they were modified from the standard heavy blades used by the Qin Army. The blades were thick but the edges extrely thin, exceedingly good at cleaving with formidable power. Many martial artists, even if they didn't use such saber techniques, would carry one while traversing Jianghu to bolster their courage and awe.
This group, who had co through the rain, numbered no less than those from the Divine Martial Mansion. A glance revealed they were all brawny n with broad shoulders, obviously like the two from the Fei Family Martial Arts School, practicing External Kung Fu for bodily and blood vitality strengthening.
Fei Yonglin glanced over, but among this group of burly n, he spotted two who stood out as odd. The rain was intense, and even with hats and raincoats, one would undoubtedly be uncomforatble.
While the others naturally took off their drenched raincoats and hats upon entering, these two remained wrapped up tight, their figures markedly leaner compared to the big n around them.
One seed to be hurt, moving quite slowly, needing the support of the other to manage. As they ascended the stairs, a corner of a dark green garnt peeked out from below one's hat, stained by rainwater, appearing deeply saturated and sohow familiar.
Engrossed in thought, Fei Yonglin heard footsteps approaching from behind. Gathering his spirit, he dismissed how the others concerned him. Leaving Fufeng, his priorities were only two matters.
One was to escort Elder Liu to the Liangzhou wine gathering, and the other was to seize this pri opportunity to connect with the Divine Martial Mansion. Apart from these, all else should be set aside. He had no desire for complications and was content to focus inwardly, not stirring at all.
The footsteps from behind grew heavier. The burly man approached Fei Yonglin's table and greeted him with a smile,
"Brother, are you from Fufeng County?"
Fei Yonglin, already finding the voice sowhat familiar, was startled by the question. He cast aside his suspicion, remained composed and, without looking back, responded with a touch of aloofness,
"Fufeng? I've heard of it, but never been there. Brother, you must be mistaken."
The burly man stared at him for a mont before nodding slowly, saying,
"Perhaps I was mistaken."
Fei Yonglin did not resu the conversation, his right hand feeling for the hilt of the short saber at his waist.
Tian Zhide, who had just gone upstairs to wash up, ca back down in a fresh set of clothes. His gaze swept over the newly arrived Jianghu folks and said routinely,
"Junior brother, it's your turn to go up. Let know what you want to eat, and I'll have the shopkeeper send soone to prepare it. It's nearly evening, and having sothing to eat would be good."
Fei Yonglin acknowledged the suggestion and stood up, seeing the full figure of the man behind him for the first ti. He was slightly stunned, recognizing a familiar look on that martial face. The burly man, who had been on guard, also paused, his gaze softening. As Tian Zhide approached, he only saw the burly man's back and his preoccupied junior brother, furrowing his brow,
"Yonglin, what are you doing?"
Fei Yonglin snapped back to reality, suppressing the familiarity he felt. The burly man murmured twice with a peculiar look and, as Fei Yonglin passed by, suddenly spoke in a thick Fufeng accent,
"Fei Senior Brother? Big Senior Brother?"
Fei Yonglin's steps faltered slightly.
Tian Zhide's eyes widened as he saw the big man's expression relax, heard his laughter, and watched him hastily unwrap the bundle he was carrying on his back, revealing a dismantled short spear with a helical groove for assembly. Its blade was chillingly sharp, similar in style to the weapon Tian Zhide used.
......
Wang Anfeng, hearing so commotion outside, contemplated briefly before drawing back his Inner Strength. He got up, pushed open the door, and stepped out, carrying his Wooden Sword wrapped in a blue bag on his back—like toting a bamboo umbrella in this weather.
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