Tianyi Tower.
It was a famous inn in Jincheng, considered a century-old brand, and there were hardly any locals who hadn’t heard of Tianyi Tower.
Following the directions given by others, Shen Changqing made his way to Tianyi Tower.
Less than a quarter of an hour had passed.
From its appearance, the opulent decoration of the storefront, which was three or four stories high, ca into his view.
Above the entrance to the inn hung a horizontal banner bearing the large characters of Tianyi Tower.
Looking within, it seed crowded with guests. Even standing at the entrance, one could hear the noisy clamor from inside.
At this mont, a person who looked like a waiter ca out and greeted Shen Changqing, who was standing at the entrance, with a polite bow.
"May I ask if the guest wishes to dine or to stay? If you wish to stay, our Tianyi Tower has excellent rooms that should et your needs. If you’re here to dine, we also have a famous chef whose skills are considered unparalleled in Jincheng."
"I want to stay," Shen Changqing responded with a faint smile after glancing at the waiter.
Hearing this, the waiter’s enthusiasm grew a bit more.
"Guest, please co inside!"
After speaking, he took the lead.
"Guest, our Tianyi Tower has three types of superior rooms, each with a different price: one, five, and ten silver coins per day. Which one would you need?"
"The ordinary one will do."
"Right away!"
Tianyi Tower was divided into five levels. The bottom two levels were primarily for dining, and the top three were for accommodations.
Following the waiter to the third level, he skillfully opened a room situated towards the interior and then stood aside, looking at Shen Changqing.
"Guest, this room is a bit towards the inside, but it is spacious and well-lit. Usually, you can see the full view of the street below from the window. It is considered one of the few good rooms on the third floor."
Shen Changqing stepped inside, and his field of vision broadened significantly. The room was not small, and the layout was very comprehensive. For such a room, at the price of one silver coin a day, the rate was quite fair.
He approached the window. Upon opening it, the light inside the room instantly beca brighter, and through the window, he could clearly see the bustling scene of the street below.
"Not bad!" Shen Changqing nodded in satisfaction.
Then, he casually closed the window and sat down at the table.
「On the other side.」
The waiter also closed the door to the room and ca before Shen Changqing, bowing.
"Yu San of the Heavenly Inspection Guard greets Lord Shen of the Demon-Subduing Division!"
"You recognize ?" Shen Changqing asked, not overly surprised, but rather indifferently.
Hearing this, Yu San respectfully replied, "Lord Shen jests. We were notified of your mission to Jincheng, and the Heavenly Inspection Guard naturally received this information. We had your portrait even before your arrival, Lord Shen. The arrival of Lord Shen is genuinely welcod by all the Heavenly Inspection Guards in Jincheng."
"I am but a lowly Yellow Rank Demon Hunter," Shen Changqing said calmly. "There’s no need for the Heavenly Inspection Guard to be so earnest. My mission here is rely to collaborate with you in investigating the Eternal Alliance stronghold."
Yu San maintained a respectful deanor throughout.
"Lord Shen is being too modest. We are well aware of your deeds in Lin’an City. You were able to destroy an Eternal Alliance stronghold, slaying nurous Resentnt Level Monsters. Although you are a Yellow Rank Demon Hunter, in terms of strength, there are perhaps few Profound Rank Demon Hunters who could contend with you. With Lord Shen’s arrival, even if there truly is an Eternal Alliance stronghold in Jincheng, it is of no concern."
Yu San was quite flattering, but what he said was also the truth. An average Eternal Alliance stronghold, at most, would possess Demonfolk of the Innate rank or Resentnt Level Monsters. Given Shen Changqing’s strength, obliterating an Eternal Alliance stronghold was not impossible.
Unmoved by the flattery, Shen Changqing inwardly smiled. His expression, however, remained largely unchanged as he inquired, "Who is the Steward currently in charge of the Heavenly Inspection Guard in Jincheng?"
"The Steward is not at Tianyi Tower at the mont. However, the news of Lord Shen’s arrival must have been dispatched by now. It won’t be long before the Steward returns to discuss matters with you," Yu San answered truthfully.
"Hmm," Shen Changqing nodded, then looked at Yu San.
"There are more Demon Hunters than just currently in Jincheng, sothing you surely must be aware of. I require you to report to on ti, every day, the whereabouts of those other apprentice Demon Hunters. Besides that, my presence in Jincheng should not be leaked."
As a Yellow Rank Demon Hunter, he was entitled to obtain information about local apprentice Demon Hunters from the local Heavenly Inspection Guard. Similarly, if there were Profound Rank Demon Hunters present, they too could obtain information about Shen Changqing through the Heavenly Inspection Guard. This was the privilege high-rank Demon Hunters held over their lower-ranked peers. If both parties were of equal rank, such privileges would not exist.
"This subordinate understands," Yu San said as he clasped his fist to receive the order.
Imdiately, he stood up straight again.
"Lord Shen, please settle in here for now. If there’s anything you need, feel free to order. Jincheng’s local customs and people are quite nice. You’ve been in the Capital City for a long ti and probably haven’t visited the Great Wilderness Prefecture before. You can take this opportunity to experience it."
"I will."
"I shall take my leave!"
The waiter withdrew from the room, closing the door behind him.
Shen Changqing went to the window, opened the shutters he had earlier closed, and then sat back down at the table.
About half a quarter of an hour passed.
The door was knocked on once again.
Yu San returned, carrying a tray with a pot of hot water on it and so other snacks.
"My lord, these are so special snacks complintary to every guest who stays in our establishnt. You may try them. Also, this pot of hot water is for you to make tea and quench your thirst. Should you need a refill, you may call out at any ti."
"Alright."
Shen Changqing watched as Yu San placed the items on the table and then respectfully withdrew, the opened door closing once more.
He picked up the pot of hot water. There also happened to be so tea leaves placed on the table, so he simply brewed himself a pot of tea.
A fragrance that wasn’t too strong wafted through the air as Shen Changqing took a small sip. After the tea entered his stomach, he imdiately circulated his True Qi to digest it, silently feeling for anything amiss.
No poison!
Having confird this, Shen Changqing finally drank with ease, his mind beginning to process various matters.
Although they are all part of the Heavenly Inspection Guard, the Heavenly Inspection Guard of Jincheng is undoubtedly better than that of Lin’an City. Tianyi Tower may be well-known, but it has existed for a long ti; the most dangerous places are often the safest. For the Heavenly Inspection Guard to use this as their foundation and still stand unwavering to this day, I believe they have many thods at their disposal. Moreover—Tianyi Tower might not be the only stronghold of the Heavenly Inspection Guard in Jincheng.
Without comparison, there would be no harm felt. The disparity between the Heavenly Inspection Guard of Lin’an City and Jincheng is considerable. But that’s to be expected. Jincheng, located in the Great Wilderness Prefecture, is not geographically part of the Wilderness Domain, but it’s very close to it. Incidents of Demon Evil causing trouble occur frequently, which is vastly different from Lin’an City’s location in Guangyuan Prefecture. It can be said that if the Heavenly Inspection Guard of Jincheng didn’t have sufficient thods, they would have been annihilated by Demon Evil countless tis by now.
More importantly, apart from Demon Evil, the Great Wilderness Prefecture is near the border of Great Qin, and the position Jincheng currently occupies is quite awkward. Due to the boundary, the Barbarian Clan often breaks in, and military disasters occur almost every year. Shen Changqing had thoroughly brushed up on this information before he left the Demon-Subduing Division. He did have so understanding of the Barbarian Clan, considering them rely an uncivilized group of Barbarians. But as for whether he had ever seen the Barbarian Clan, Shen Changqing could only shake his head. After all, he had always stayed in the heartland of Great Qin, where the Barbarians and Great Qin were in enmity, so there would be no trading between them, and therefore, no presence of Barbarians in the heartland of Great Qin. If the Barbarian Clan were to appear in the heartland of Great Qin, the gravity of the situation would be all too clear.
Having stayed in the room for a while, Shen Changqing went downstairs and walked outside.
This was his first ti in the Great Wilderness Prefecture. Upon his arrival, he had followed Xu Yi and the others to that tavern, silently observing their movents. After the eting, Shen Changqing had headed to Tianyi Tower to et with the Heavenly Inspection Guard.
Just as Yu San had said, this being his first ti in Jincheng, he was indeed very curious about its local customs and people, which were completely different from those in the Capital City. While the mission was important, necessary enjoynt was also indispensable. If there was no joy at all, what was the point of slaying Demon Evil?
Slaying Demon Evil is simply to ensure a peaceful place in the future, to live the life I prefer. If life remains troubled after slaying Demon Evil, then there’s no point.
Walking down the street, Shen Changqing observed the surroundings, pondering.
Jincheng was big, at least much bigger than Lin’an City.
After spending two to four hours, he eventually stopped.
Ahead, many people had stopped to watch. Shen Changqing squeezed through the crowd, just in ti to see nurous scantily clad won, their faces painted with makeup, waving colorful handkerchiefs and beckoning to patrons.
"Dear custor, co and play."
"We have everything in Wanhua Building. Why not co in and relax?"
The won smiled coquettishly and moved gracefully toward a man, expertly latching onto his arm with a familiar and affectionate manner. The man imdiately blushed, trying to extricate himself, but he seed unable to resist the soft allure. Eventually, under the half-encouragent, half-coercion of the woman, he entered Wanhua Building.
Watching those won pull in custors one by one, Shen Changqing was sowhat speechless. He had thought there might be sothing interesting to attract such a crowd, but it turned out they were just a gathering of old lechers.
Whether in his past life or this one, Shen Changqing had little interest in such things.
Just as he was about to turn and leave, one of the won’s eyes brightened. She swiftly approached and took Shen Changqing’s arm, a smooth touch washing over him.
"Young master, don’t go!"
User Comments
0 comments from readers