Xu Fengnian came to Liuxia City to kill, but arrived at Feihu City to seek someone. Because Xu Xiao had asked the Prince to deliver a message to that person. However, though Feihu City might not be considered large, it certainly wasn’t small either. Xu Fengnian, unfamiliar with the city and its people, faced an arduous task akin to finding a needle in the ocean.
The teahouse was nearly empty. Xu Fengnian noticed the inn attendant, who had apparently grown weary of watching the pretty women pass by the window, was now dozing off at the neighboring table, his head tilted sideways and a damp cloth covering his face to keep cool. Xu Fengnian was just wondering whether he should order another pot of tea before asking questions, when the fat innkeeper, ever observant, brought a fresh pot of tea and sat down with a smile. “Guests are blessings, and meeting is fate. This pot of tea is on me, no charge. The tea is early spring harvest from the former Nan Tang Kingdom, a rare treat I usually wouldn’t dream of drinking. I’ve only got about eight or nine taels left. If I keep it too long, it’ll go moldy. Seeing as you have such a kind face, shall we share a few cups together?”
The portly innkeeper spoke in a mix of colloquial and classical tones. Xu Fengnian quickly replied with courteous gratitude. The young girl Tao Manwu, though shy, was well-mannered and without needing prompting, dutifully moved a chair for the innkeeper. The innkeeper’s mood brightened even further. Pouring three cups of tea, he made sure to include the little girl. Tao Manwu glanced cautiously at Xu Fengnian, and only after his nod did she take the cup and sip delicately. The innkeeper, seeing her refined manner, realized this pair—adult and child—were not common folk who merely pretended to appreciate tea for show. Perhaps they were scholars from Longyao Province visiting relatives or traveling to study. The innkeeper, a seasoned businessman, understood the art of long-term investment. His inn doubled as a teahouse, and though barely surviving, it was sustained by wealthy regulars who valued appearances. Otherwise, his family would have long been reduced to begging. Feihu City had no shortage of ruffians. Any business opening its doors was sure to be targeted, not violently, but persistently. These petty thugs, trailing behind the King of Hell (Yan Wang, King of Hell), were a persistent nuisance. Treat them well, and they’d show no gratitude. Offend them, and they’d wreak havoc relentlessly. Who would dare seek justice? Even the The God of Wealth (Cai Shenye, God of Wealth) preached harmony over litigation. Who had the courage or resources to deal with cold-hearted officials? Not long ago, a teahouse owned by outsiders thrived, backed by a distant relative of a concubine of a sixth-rank border general. When they refused to pay the monthly tribute, dozens of hooligans loitered outside daily, scaring away customers. The owner, young and hot-headed, sought justice in court, but the locals merely sunbathed in public, perfectly legal. Eventually, the family fled the city, beaten by masked men.
The innkeeper took a sip of tea and chuckled, “From your accent, you’re not local?”
Xu Fengnian nodded, “I’m from Gusai Province, traveling for study, though really just to see the world. Without elders nagging, I heard of Feihu’s fame and sneaked over.”
The innkeeper laughed knowingly, “Ah, you’re a man of passion, indeed. Feihu has four peculiarities. One is that our courtesans are unusually loyal, a crude saying but true. There are at least seventy or eighty pleasure houses, all bottomless pits of gold. But you get what you pay for. Our ladies are worth every penny. We locals can hardly afford them. I went a few times in my youth, stubbornly clinging to face (mianzi, face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face face
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