Volume 4: Shu Zhong - Orthodox and Heterodox Chapter 2: Once Acquainted on a Mountain

  Wu Gou's words made Madame Yanyan jump in fright, and she quickly looked around. Fortunately, although the upstairs was large with over a dozen tables, there were only four or five tables of guests at present, but none of them were Jianghu people. So she just gave Wu Gou a hateful glance without speaking out. Wu Gou knew he had misspoken, came to himself and also looked at his wife with shame.

  On the ninth, Lin Ming'er was even more shocked. Lin Ming'er had never thought that the name of this ordinary inn in a small town would be taken by the former leader of the Demon Sect decades ago. However, if Madame Yueyue's words were correct, then the term "Wait for the Moon" was so apt and elegant, it seemed that the leader of the Demon Sect must have been a versatile person with both literary and military talents.

  At the beginning of the ninth day, he thought to himself, no wonder his master had said that the demonic cult was everywhere, with hidden tracks and a presence all over the world. Indeed, it was not an exaggeration. He really hadn't expected to see traces from decades ago in this small town's inn, and yet the name was still taken by the leader of the demonic cult. The power of the demonic cult was truly not simple. He thought to himself again, having been with the three great elders of the demonic cult for nearly ten days now, how would he explain it to his master later?

  Lin Meng'er smiled and asked: "Auntie, Wu Gou, isn't this guest house a branch of your esteemed sect?"

  Wu Gou Long Lao feared that Chu Jiu and Lin Ming Er would misunderstand, so he hastily intervened to explain: "Chu Jiu young hero, Ming Er... Miss, please don't misunderstand. This inn is not a branch of our Holy Sect. It's just that our sect's leader was infatuated with the beautiful scenery here when he came from the west and forgot to return. He saw that this inn was quite interesting and casually gave it this name!"

  At the beginning of the ninth day, Lin Meng'er nodded slightly, and a middle-aged scholar appeared vaguely in front of her eyes. The scene of traveling around the world came, and she couldn't help but feel carefree and yearn for it.

  "Unbelievable, truly unbelievable. Twenty-nine years ago, this Qinglian Town was just a desolate and broken town in the wilderness, eighteen years ago it was barely inhabited, I never thought that now it would be so bustling and noisy!" Madame Wudao seemed to be lost in thought due to her return to her hometown, and after sitting down for a while, she let out another sigh.

  "It wasn't like that, back then the town only had this one 'Waiting for the Moon' inn. Now, I'm afraid this entire street is filled with inns. The world is unpredictable, and things change so quickly! Who would have thought that Zhu Hezi, who kills people like they're nothing, and slaughtered his own brothers and comrades-in-arms, former meritorious officials, and was involved in several major cases a few years ago that implicated countless innocent old ministers, without any justice, could actually bring peace to the country? It's truly strange!" Old Man Wu also chimed in.

  He and his wife are of one mind, and naturally they also think of the desolation twenty-nine years ago and eighteen years ago.

  Lin Meng'er naturally didn't know what the town looked like decades ago, so she had nothing to say. Moreover, they had just chatted a lot along the way and Lin Meng'er had just taken a big gulp of tea. Now hearing Wu Gou's words, the first half of the sentence wasn't very surprising, but after hearing the second half, Lin Meng'er almost spat out her tea!

  Just now, Wu Gou clearly scolded the current emperor, he actually called the current emperor "Zhu Hei Zi", it seems that only the demonic cult would dare to do so!

  Although Chu Jiu and Lin Ming'er grew up on Mount Diancang since childhood, they are now people in the Jianghu, who do not care about the government or the emperor. Whoever is the emperor has nothing to do with them. However, upon hearing the Demon Cult's elder scolding the current emperor, it seems that despite the grudge between the Demon Cult and the current old emperor, it still feels somewhat improper!

  Chu Jiu and Lin Ming'er were both thinking the same thing, just as they were about to speak, two more people came up from the stairs on the second floor. Chu Jiu and Lin Ming'er suddenly changed their expressions at the same time, exchanged a glance, and stopped talking again.

  Wu Gou and the old man saw that something was amiss between Lin Ping'er and someone else on the ninth day of the month. They immediately sensed it and followed their gaze, only to see two young men coming up the stairs from the second floor of the inn. One wore white clothes and had a slender figure, with a face as smooth as applied powder, eyes that sparkled like waves, and an expression that flowed like water. He was truly a handsome young man, like a jade tree swaying in the wind. The folding fan he held was clearly just for show.

  But Wu Gou, an old man who had been drifting in the rivers and lakes for decades, was very discerning of people. He naturally recognized at a glance that these two young masters were actually women in disguise. He turned his head to look at his wife, and Madame Yanyan was also smiling at him with the same understanding.

  The couple was puzzled, but they didn't understand why the ninth and Lin Mei'er's faces changed slightly. After all, the two of them had been stuck in the Tiankeng Dige for over a decade, and the younger generation in Jianghu didn't recognize them at all.

  On the ninth day, although Lin Bi'er's experience in Jianghu was insufficient, from the moment she saw her master sister dressed as a man on the second day, she knew that there must be such a handsome young man in the world. It must be a disguise. Lin Bi'er had a delicate heart, and when she saw this white-clad gentleman, she naturally wanted to take a closer look. After taking a look, she naturally understood that the two gentlemen who came upstairs were actually women.

  What's more, these two people have met before and are quite familiar with each other!

  These two people were none other than the new leader of the Five Poisons Sect, Bai Zhuyue, and her companion Xiao Qing, who had gone to Mount Cangyan to provoke a fight earlier in the month. How could Lin Meng'er not recognize them?

  On the ninth day, he saw that the five poison envoys were not there, and Ding Hehua was nowhere to be seen. It seemed that they had returned to the Ten Thousand Great Mountain Range and did not come to Shu. He found it strange in his heart, but didn't know that Bai Zhuye had just taken over as the leader of the Five Poison Sect, and had caused a big commotion on Mount Diancang last month. Now, for no reason at all, he came to this remote Emei Mountain town?

  Lin Meng'er also found it interesting, and on the ninth day of the new year, she exchanged a glance with Bai Zhuye. Both of their eyes were filled with goodwill towards each other, without any hint of hostility. On that day, Bai Zhuye gave face to Gu Baiyun and did not move against Chen Xin, a disciple of the Nanhai Sword Sect. Instead, he secretly escorted him back to Nanhai, and then specially went up the mountain to inform them of this favor. This friendship between the two was something they both understood.

  However, Chu Jiu and Lin Meng'er had forgotten that their faces had also undergone changes at the hands of Wan Dao Furen. Not to mention Bai Zhu Ye, who had only caught a glimpse of them on that day, even Xiao Qing, who had grown up with them day and night on the mountain, and Si Qi Zi, probably couldn't recognize the thin, dark youth in front of him as Chu Jiu, who used to smile like the winter sun. Nor could they recognize the slightly worried and surprised handsome youth as Lin Meng'er, the little elf from Diancang Mountain.

  So, just now the two of them would simultaneously change color, Huan Xi, Bai Zhu Ye, and Xiao Qing only took a slight glance at the surrounding crowd, seeing that there were no dazzling figures from the Jianghu, they all sat down, exactly four zhang away, sitting at the table by the window directly opposite Chunjiu and Lin Meng'er!

  Old Wu Hook and Curved Knife Madam indeed seemed to have been to this "Wait for the Moon Inn", as soon as they came out, they called the shopkeeper, ordered a few snacks from the signboard of "Wait for the Moon Inn", which were also unique Emei snacks: "Meat Bun Guzhong", "Tofu Brain" and "Emei Braised Duck".

  "E'mei Braised Duck" is made with a special secret recipe, and the braised duck has a reddish-brown color. The meat is tender and juicy, with a smoky flavor that is irresistible with wine. "Meat-filled glutinous rice cake" is made with fine glutinous rice flour, mixed with diced cured meat and seasoned with spices such as Sichuan pepper and salt, then roasted in a pot until crispy and fragrant. The dish has a complex flavor profile, with the crunch of the rice cake, the spiciness of the pepper, and the savory flavor of the meat. What's more remarkable is that even though it's already deep autumn, the glutinous rice flour is freshly made, while last year's cured meat still retains its flavor.

  As for "Tofu Brain", it's not actually tofu, but rather a dish made with bone broth and various seasonings simmered together, then topped with crispy fried shallots and other flavorings. The result is a rich and savory flavor that is quintessentially Sichuan, leaving a lasting aftertaste that lingers on the palate.

  Four people waited until the dishes were served, and a fragrant aroma wafted from the steamed bamboo shoots. The wine was poured, and everyone's appetite opened up, starting to eat eagerly. Wu Gou Long Lao clapped his hands, removed the red cloth seal from the wine jar, filled himself a full cup, and whispered: "Xiao Jiu Shao Xia, would you like some?"

  Chu Jiu smiled and said, "Uncle Wu Hook is laughing at me, I'm not good at drinking." Old Man Wu Hook smiled and said, "This bamboo leaf green is a few years old vintage, it's a pity if you don't drink it!" He didn't force him, but started to pour himself a drink.

  On the ninth day, he thought of the rumors about the demonic sect on Mount Diancang and asked in a low voice: "Madam, isn't it said that people from your sect don't eat meat or drink wine?" He had recently been with Wu Gou and Madame Wan Dao, and saw that they were intelligent and brave, with extraordinary conversation skills. Especially when he thought of the Silver Gun Elder, he felt deep emotions towards himself and his fellow disciple, taking care of them every step of the way. Therefore, the words "demonic sect" became too embarrassing to say out loud, so he replaced it with the two words "your sect".

  In fact, in the Diancang Sect and other famous sects in Jianghu, it was not just a rumor that the demonic cultists were all evil people who killed and set fires, drank human blood and ate human flesh. These rumors, however, were something that Jiujiu couldn't bring himself to ask about no matter what.

  "Forty years ago, our Holy Sect's sacred fire was introduced from the Western Land to the Central Plains. There used to be such a rule. However, after we defeated the enemy and drove out the Tartars to reclaim the Central Plains, considering practical matters, our fourth master abolished this rule decades ago! Our disciples have also benefited greatly!" The Curved Blade Lady didn't know who the white-clothed or green-clothed girl was earlier, but seeing that Chu Jiu spoke in a deliberately soft voice, she too spoke softly.

  "Yes, yes, the human body is made of flesh and blood. If you only eat vegetarian food, where will you get the energy to practice martial arts or travel the world? If I had to be like those masters in Shaolin Temple, or the nuns from Emei Sect, who have been vegetarians for years, I would go crazy!" Lin Meng'er was savoring this "Emei Braised Duck" and couldn't stop praising it. She spoke loudly, but the crowd on the second floor were all engrossed in their own conversations and didn't notice her.

  "It's possible, but, Nangong Qianqiu, some people might be willing to live a simple life, eating vegetarian food for years on end. Maybe it's to pray for blessings or atone for their sins!" Madame Wan Dao suddenly looked at Lin Meng'er with a warm gaze, as if looking at her own junior, while saying this and handing her another piece of "meat-filled rice cake". The words seemed to have an underlying meaning, and Chu Jiu and Lin Meng'er also felt a slight unease in their hearts, but couldn't quite understand it for the time being.

  On the ninth day, Xiaoxiao smiled and asked: "I suppose you are the fourth generation leader of the noble family, also known as the Wine Immortal?" Lin Ming'er also agreed with this, but unexpectedly, Madame Wan shook her head and said: "It's not for that reason. Speaking of our leader, more than 40 years ago, he was the most legendary figure in the Jianghu, I'm afraid it would take three days and three nights to finish telling his stories!"

  Lin Meng'er took the wine jug and poured a bowl of wine for Chu Jiu. Chu Jiu was startled and asked, "Sister, what do you want to do?" Lin Meng'er smiled and said, "Elder Master, Father often says that wine is not an ordinary thing. Brother, you should try it too!" Chu Jiu sighed and reluctantly took a sip. Indeed, the Emei bamboo leaf green wine was different from other wines in the world, and its taste was unlike the wine that Er Shixiong had brought back to Chu Jiu and Lu Lun when they returned to "Shenmang Mountain Villa".

  On the other side, Bai Zhu Ye and Xiao Qing had also ordered a table of good dishes. As they ate, it seemed that they too had been traveling for days and were somewhat hungry. Chu Jiu and Lin Meng Er only suddenly realized that the two of them hadn't paid excessive attention to their master siblings, and then thought to themselves that after being re-dressed by Madame Wan Dao, their appearances were now quite different from how they looked on Mount Dian Cang. After understanding this, the two of them felt a sense of relief and also began to feel at ease drinking wine and eating dishes.

  "Thud... thud..."

  On the stairs leading up to the inn, a heavy footsteps suddenly sounded, accompanied by several people talking and chatting. The voices were not in Mandarin, but rather in some other dialect. Chiu Chiu had just gone upstairs earlier and knew that the staircase was made of high-quality elm wood, sturdy and durable. However, this sound of footsteps was not caused by the weight of the person, but rather seemed to be emitted from within their body itself. As they stepped on the stairs, Chiu Chiu felt the entire second floor vibrate slightly with each step. The wine in his cup rippled slightly, indicating that the newcomer had profound internal energy, yet somehow gave off an air of pretentiousness, making him unlikable.

  What surprised Jiu the most was that there were nearly ten people going upstairs at the same time as the footsteps, including one person with light and agile footsteps, showing good internal strength and agility.

  And there was another person, who didn't hear the slightest sound of footsteps until the last two steps of the stairs. This person's lightness skill and internal energy were extremely high, and it was likely that he was the same person who had seen a few days ago, Dugu Xiongxin, the "Frost Wind Broken Palm" of the Kongtong Sect, who surpassed both Heng E and Wu Dang's Fei Sha Dao Ren, and naturally far exceeded "Red Practice Palm" Cheng Man.

  Such a high-ranking person, no less than Seventh Uncle, Master, and Grandmaster, actually appeared in this remote small town behind Emei Mountain. Who could he be?

  At the beginning of the ninth watch, Lin Meng'er and Xiao Qing were already frowning slightly, barely holding back their anger. As for Bai Zhu Ye, although she seemed calm, her hand was also trembling slightly as she picked up dishes. She knew that with so many people arriving at once, they must be powerful martial artists from the Jianghu world. In her heart, she didn't know whether they had come for her and Lin Meng'er, or if it was good fortune or bad luck.

  On the ninth day, looking at each other again, Wu Gou and Wan Dao's wife were still ignoring each other, calmly drinking wine and eating dishes.

  It seems that all things in the world have nothing to do with these two Taoist elders.