Volume Two: The Catalogue of Weapons Chapter 111: The Daylight Fades into the Wilderness

The long journey of over a hundred miles passed in the blink of an eye. Along the way, the horses galloped tirelessly, leaving everyone exhausted, except for Liu Xiaoyi, who cultivated day and night and remained spirited and unwearied.

“You’re truly a freak. Even Mashan is dozing off, yet you act as if nothing’s wrong,” Li Jue clicked his tongue. They hurried along, changing horses but not riders, finally reaching the gates of the Great Wasteland city by afternoon.

Only the finest steeds perished from exhaustion along the road, for such a wealthy patron spared no expense in purchasing the best horses from every carriage station, merely to draw the carts forward. This naturally attracted the attention of thieves and scoundrels, but without Liu Xiaoyi’s intervention, beams of golden light paved the way, creating an imposing spectacle that deterred any would-be troublemakers.

Cai Wu cheerfully emerged from a nearby inn just inside the city gate, holding a large bag filled with meat buns and braised beef. “Do you want to eat the buns first, or shall I start with the braised beef?”

“I’ve loved buns since I was a child. What’s the filling?” Shangguan Baozi finally stepped out of the carriage. The treasure basin was quietly sealed within a handbook, allowing him to carry it easily.

Cai Wu stuffed braised beef into his mouth with his hands, speaking with a mouthful, “The shopkeeper said it’s beef filling. I worried some of you wouldn’t like it, so I also bought some vegetarian ones. See, the colors on top of the buns are different.”

Liu Xiaoyi brought over a horse and grabbed a bun himself. Having eaten only dry rations all along, which were utterly tasteless, these simple meat buns now tasted like delicacies to everyone. “Did you buy anything to drink?”

Eating dry buns alone was a bit choking. Upon hearing this, Cai Wu slapped his forehead, put down the braised beef, and eagerly dashed back into the shop.

The Great Wasteland’s first city, facing the Southern Wasteland across a hundred miles, immediately revealed its exotic differences. Pedestrians on the street were dressed in styles vastly different from the Iron Dynasty, and regardless of age or gender, everyone carried weapons at their waist.

Here, Shangguan Baozi was half a native and confidently patted his chest to introduce, “The people of the Great Wasteland value martial prowess over literature. The chance of meeting a scholar on the street is like finding a gold bar. They’re usually reluctant to reason things out and prefer to settle disputes with their fists.”

As he spoke, a quarrel erupted nearby, quickly escalating into a fight. Instead of intervening, onlookers gathered and even cheered.

“The customs here are truly fierce. Let’s rest here for a bit, then continue onward.”

***

They had planned to leave once Cai Wu returned, but after waiting and waiting with no sign of him, they noticed chairs and tables flying out from the inn. Realizing something was wrong, they hurried the cart closer.

Peering in, they saw Cai Wu wielding a door panel like a great sword, fighting with another man. “I want a pound of wine! You’re so stingy! Ten or so jars of good wine aren’t worth worrying about!”

The other man was a black-faced fellow who clearly wasn’t ordinary by his attire, wielding a steel blade. He swung fiercely while speaking, “My master is hosting guests from all corners. Not a pound less will do! Be sensible and step aside—don’t cause trouble for the shop!”

The steel blade danced wildly, matching blows with Cai Wu. The inn was cramped, and the commotion made the shopkeeper grimace, raising his arms pleadingly, “Gentlemen, this is a small establishment. Please show mercy and stop fighting!”

A sword strike snapped a table leg, and a blade swipe overturned a bench. Neither man heeded the shopkeeper, clearing the floor of all furniture.

Liu Xiaoyi frowned but did not draw his sword. Instead, he summoned sword energy that swept over like a storm, commanding, “Stop fighting at once! What’s the use of this brawl?”

Cai Wu looked over, saw their leader, and forcefully sheathed his heavy sword, leaping back from the fray. The black-faced man, recognizing a formidable opponent, dared not act rashly and stepped forward with a bow, “Sir, I am a retainer of the local lord of Tudiu City. Is this wild man your servant?”

Though polite in words, his tone lacked any humility, clearly relying on his lord’s status and showing no fear toward Liu Xiaoyi.

“Oh? Just because you serve the lord means you can oppress the common folk and disrupt their livelihoods? Mashan, compensate the shopkeeper fully. We must not be discourteous!” Liu Xiaoyi narrowed his eyes, staring menacingly enough to make the man shudder.

Mashan took out a silver ingot and handed it to the shopkeeper. “Here you go. Is this enough to cover the damage?”

The shopkeeper hastily accepted it, bowing low with a grateful smile. “Thank you, sir. It’s more than enough. The furniture here isn’t worth much.” The tables and chairs were made of scrap wood, cheap and fragile.

Faced with such a tough customer, not only highly skilled but also generous, the two men were at a loss.

***

“Xiao Li, why does buying wine take so long? The boss is hurrying for it!”

The black-faced man seemed relieved at this voice and hurried to the door to usher in a young man. “Mr. Hu, it’s not that I’m slow. It’s just that this wild fellow insisted on buying wine and struggled with me, which caused the delay.” He pointed at Cai Wu, who responded with fresh curses.

Liu Xiaoyi glanced at the newcomer and quietly asked Shangguan Baozi, “You said scholars are rare here, but how come we just ran into one?”

“Well, this must be an exception, an exception,” Shangguan Baozi protested. “I’ve been away from the Great Wasteland for a while. Who knows what’s fashionable now? Maybe this scholarly look is in vogue lately!”

Mr. Hu was a round-faced, plump young man with a familiar appearance. He approached Liu Xiaoyi, closed his fan, and bowed respectfully. “Gentlemen, you are guests from afar. If it weren’t for urgent matters, Xiao Li wouldn’t have fought. Please forgive us.”

With his apology, the black-faced man also bowed his head in apology, showing great respect to Mr. Hu.

Liu Xiaoyi waved his hand, “We were also at fault. I have compensated the shopkeeper. Let’s consider this matter closed.” He was ready to leave, unwilling to stay longer, eager to find a place to eat and drink well.

“Wait! If you don’t mind, my master is hosting a banquet tonight for guests. Would you join us for some food and wine? I’d feel guilty letting you leave just like that,” Mr. Hu called after them, sincerely inviting.

Liu Xiaoyi asked, “May I inquire what occasion the lord is hosting?”

Mr. Hu lightly fanned himself and replied, “Aren’t you here because of the recruitment at the Heavenly Court? Tonight, my master is entertaining the knights who intend to participate. To be frank, if our lord’s retainers win, the Holy Sovereign in the Sacred Hall will have to give up a fine house in the Western Mountains!”