Chapter 333

Yellow Crane Tower wasn’t just a single pavilion.

Starting from where the pavilion built on a hill could be seen, teahouses, restaurants, fabric shops, and other stores were already lined up in rows.

“All kinds of delicious smells…”

Woon-jeong flared his nostrils.

Though Sichuan wasn’t a small city either, it couldn’t compare to one of Central Plains’ top scenic spots. There were loads of things he hadn’t even seen in Sichuan.

Even after entering the main gate of Yellow Crane Tower, they had to walk quite a ways through a wide garden and climb a hill to reach the pavilion’s entrance.

There were scholars who had come out leisurely alone to enjoy the refined atmosphere, as well as groups who had come together. Young men and women could be seen wrapped in silk from head to toe, dressed up to the nines.

Children from wealthy families and beautiful women were also fully enjoying the cherry blossoms, sitting in pavilions by ponds.

“So many pretty people, both men and women!”

People passing by saw Woon-jeong wearing his Taoist cap and greeted him respectfully with clasped hands.

Woon-jeong also frantically clasped his hands in return greetings and gave blessings for them.

Jin Ja-gang had also changed into clean dark blue clothes earlier. Since he had no intention of hiding, he wore expensive rather than shabby clothes.

This way was actually more convenient for moving around. People might be wary of or look down on someone in dirty, shabby clothes, but they wouldn’t treat someone in fine clothes carelessly.

His pale complexion contrasted with the lustrous dark blue color of his clothes, making Jin Ja-gang look like a young master from a good family. His sharp yet calm eyes, containing deep weight within, stood out particularly.

Perhaps because of this, many women glanced at Jin Ja-gang as they passed by. When they met Jin Ja-gang’s eyes, they would cover their mouths and laugh.

Being such a famous scenic spot, there was a particularly free-spirited atmosphere.

The first floor of Yellow Crane Tower was a teahouse open for anyone to enjoy. Though the prices were incomparable to the teahouses below, just being on the first floor offered such good scenery that all of Wuchang could be seen below.

From the second floor came the slight scent of wine and food, suggesting they sold alcohol and cuisine.

At the first floor entrance, a neatly dressed server approached.

“Welcome. How may I help you?”

Woon-jeong asked.

“Could we go up to see the third floor?”

The server looked troubled.

“That would be difficult. The third floor requires advance reservations. If you’d like to drink, I can guide you to the second floor.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Yellow Crane Tower’s plaque, then presented his sword command. Below the plaque was a small Yangtze River Sword Sect emblem.

The server confirmed the sword command, returned it, and respectfully clasped his hands.

“Please follow me.”

Woon-jeong was both surprised and pleased that the sword command worked here too.

Jin Ja-gang and Woon-jeong were guided directly to the third floor.

The third floor was thoroughly controlled from the stairs. It was completely hidden by doors and curtains.

Moreover, sturdy warriors guarding the pavilion and a beautiful woman stood there.

The woman listened to the server’s explanation and frowned. After sending the server away, she greeted them politely and said.

“Please forgive my subordinate’s mistake. Not knowing the current situation, he seems to have improperly received an honored guest. Please forgive the discourtesy of making your precious visit uncomfortable.”

Jin Ja-gang nodded silently.

“We’ll prepare a wine table in this floor’s VIP room. Today, we’ll host you as an apology from our side, so please rest comfortably before leaving.”

This meant not to pay money.

Woon-jeong didn’t understand and asked.

“We came all the way to the third floor and now you want us to go back down? Why?”

The woman and warriors’ expressions became more troubled.

Woon-jeong just wanted to see the view from the third floor, so he asked with an innocent face.

“Then can I go out the window and climb on the roof tiles?”

“Th-that would be…”

That would be even more troublesome. The woman glanced at Jin Ja-gang. She seemed to want him to take Woon-jeong and go back down.

But Jin Ja-gang didn’t go down and spoke right there.

“They’re Zhuge family warriors. Taoist Woon-jeong’s words about this being Zhuge family territory are correct.”

Those blocking the way were Zhuge family warriors.

“Yellow Crane Tower is probably also under Zhuge family management. Since I’m not on good terms with the Zhuge family, if there are Zhuge family people inside, you can’t let us in.”

Only then understanding the reason, Woon-jeong’s face became embarrassed.

“Ah, I didn’t even know that. I’m sor…”

Woon-jeong started to apologize then stopped.

“That’s not right?”

“What do you mean?”

“The Zhuge family put a five thousand tael bounty on you. If Zhuge family people are here, shouldn’t you be more proactive instead?”

“That’s true too.”

The faces of the listening warriors and woman turned pale.

Woon-jeong thought a bit then said as if to himself.

“But bounties are martial world matters, so the Zhuge family would also want to avoid fighting at Yellow Crane Tower where many civilians gather.”

“That would be so.”

Jin Ja-gang agreed without much meaning. To Jin Ja-gang, it didn’t matter either way.

“Then, excuse us. Primordial Heavenly Venerate.”

Just as Woon-jeong was bowing and about to go down.

“Wait!”

A young man’s voice came from inside the third floor.

“Let them in.”

The woman asked in surprise.

“But…”

“But nothing, if they just leave like this, we’ll be acknowledging that bastard’s words looking down on us!”

“Understood.”

The door opened, and Jin Ja-gang and Woon-jeong were guided inside through a corridor made entirely of latticed doors.

Slide.

The door at the very end opened.

The room was extremely spacious with all windows wide open to the outside, creating an unobstructed view.

There, several young people were sitting and enjoying drinks – four men and five women.

When Jin Ja-gang entered, they all jumped up and looked at Jin Ja-gang with wary eyes. But some were also surprised.

“Poison Dragon?”

“Was Poison Dragon that young?”

“He’s completely different from the rumors?”

He looked too delicate, the complete opposite of what they’d heard.

One of them spoke to Jin Ja-gang with hostility.

“Do you think we’re cowering and avoiding just one Poison Dragon like you!”

It was a Zhuge family youth in his twenties.

To the Zhuge family, Jin Ja-gang was an enemy. The Zhuge family youth’s face was full of indignation.

“A bastard who deserves to be chewed up and spit out… We were trying to send you off nicely since this is an important occasion, but you dare mock us?”

Woon-jeong stepped forward to mediate.

“I pestered Poison Dragon because I wanted to see Yellow Crane Tower’s famous scenery. We had no intention of inconveniencing you all.”

“Qingcheng Sect?”

“Yes. I’m called Woon-jeong.”

The youth sneered.

“Those who abandoned their home mountain are shameless too. I wondered what you were doing, turns out you’re clinging to the world’s greatest killer and public enemy of the martial world.”

As the saying goes, the interfering sister-in-law is more hateful than the beating mother-in-law. Though they hated Jin Ja-gang, seeing Qingcheng Sect, which had been a major pillar of the orthodox sects, together with Jin Ja-gang made the youths angrier.

“How can Qingcheng Sect abandon the Martial Alliance and act like that? Really…”

“Mmm, there were unavoidable circumstances… please understand.”

“Understand? Do you think traveling with an unorthodox sect member is understandable?”

“Well, that’s…”

When Woon-jeong became flustered by the sudden flood of criticism, other youths joined in.

“Qingcheng Sect has fallen too.”

“After rejecting the Martial Alliance, did you finally become demonic heretics?”

“No. That’s not it… Oh my… Primordial Heavenly Venerate.”

The youths ignored Woon-jeong’s protests.

“Acting like a Taoist talking about Primordial Heavenly Venerate, ptui.”

“I won’t even piss toward Sichuan from now on. May your organs rot away.”

“Birds of a feather flock together they say. Clinging to Poison Dragon? I’ll watch how well Qingcheng Sect does!”

“We were fooled from the start. Even in Sichuan, you wavered between orthodox and unorthodox, acting like bats even among demonic cults.”

Woon-jeong’s head bowed lower.

“Sigh, Primordial Heavenly Venerate, Supreme Elderly Lord, Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerate. I’m sorry. But please don’t curse our Qingcheng. That’s… too harsh.”

Even the young ladies joined in.

“They used to say Qingcheng Sect’s Taoists were strict but had clear judgment and were righteous. Now that’s also old news.”

“Clinging to unorthodox sects to survive even after giving up your gall bladder. Are you begging for your lives?”

“It’s not begging for lives or anything like that, anyway I’m sorry.”

Woon-jeong closed his eyes with a troubled expression. But once started, the harsh words didn’t know when to stop.

“I’ll go up to Qingcheng Mountain soon and dump shit all over it. Perfect for Qingcheng Sect acting like Taoists with thick faces.”

“What? That’s a bit…”

“Why? Wasn’t clinging to unorthodox sects and leeching off them enough, so you came all the way to Wuhan?”

“That’s not it.”

“Ah, I heard the sect leader or some Taoist had an affair with an unorthodox sect woman?”

Woon-jeong opened his eyes and stared at the youths.

“Primordial Heavenly Venerate. Excuse me.”

“By clinging to unorthodox sects and following behind Poison Dragon, Qingcheng Sect won’t last long and will disappear. I guarantee it.”

“Excuse me, Primordial Heavenly Venerate?”

“What sacred site of Taoism? You’re just a filthy demon spirit.”

Woon-jeong shouted.

“Primordial Heavenly Venerate!”

The youths looked at Woon-jeong.

“Do you have something to say?”

Woon-jeong huffed angrily.

“No, listening and listening, you’re strange people?”

“What did you say?”

“I apologized out of courtesy, you know? Not because I was actually sorry?”

“What? Out of courtesy?”

“I was trying to stop Poison Dragon from killing people again, but what? Qingcheng Sect is shameless and fallen? A demon spirit and whatnot? No, since I stayed quiet, you completely take people for fools.”

When Woon-jeong replied fiercely, the youths became even angrier.

“Even with ten mouths, Qingcheng Sect would have nothing to say!”

Jin Ja-gang looked back at Woon-jeong. What he’d muttered in his sleep after drinking last time apparently wasn’t a joke or groundless worry.

Jin Ja-gang asked Woon-jeong.

“Did you always think that way inside?”

At Jin Ja-gang’s words, Woon-jeong pouted while looking elsewhere.

“If it wasn’t just for Poison Dragon, I wouldn’t have suffered such humiliation, you know? Since you cause so much trouble, I have to clean up after you.”

Woon-jeong was serious.

Though it was hard to call it proper cleanup, it was true that he had continuously tried to help Jin Ja-gang, whether due to his master Bok-cheon’s orders or not.

“That’s true.”

“See?”

But the youths felt differently.

The words about stopping him from killing people were enough to hurt the youths’ pride. The youths grabbed their sword hilts and the Zhuge family youth also gritted his teeth.

“How dare you threaten us?”

Jin Ja-gang spoke to them.

“You called me when I was leaving, but after calling someone who was leaving, asking if I threatened you – what’s that about?”

“If it weren’t for the sword command, we wouldn’t have let you in here!”

“The emblem was left on the plaque.”

The Zhuge family youth shouted toward the outside.

“Bring the plaque!”

Soon two warriors from outside brought the plaque that had been hanging at Yellow Crane Tower. In the corner of the plaque was the Yangtze River Sword Sect emblem.

“I can’t believe this thing was still left!”

The Zhuge family youth struck down the plaque with his palm.

Bang!

The middle of the plaque crumpled and broke in half. The warriors who had brought the plaque looked troubled.