Chapter Forty: Chang'an City of the Tang Dynasty

After more than half a month of arduous travel, the four finally stood before the main gates of the Tang Empire’s capital—Chang’an.

Li Qiutong gazed excitedly at the endless stream of people coming and going.

Still queueing to enter the city, Ren Xingtian grabbed the distracted Li Qiutong and said, “Qiutong, can’t you show a little restraint? Don’t act like someone fresh from the countryside. Look at Ruiyun and Xuan—so composed. And you—do you look like someone who should be leading us?”

Li Qiutong replied innocently, “But I am from the countryside. This is my first time in such a huge city—is it so wrong to be a little excited?”

Ren Xingtian pressed a hand to his forehead and said helplessly, “We’re not even inside yet. Once we get in, you’d better try to keep it together.”

“Fine, fine,” Li Qiutong replied crossly.

Yet, when they finally entered Chang’an, Li Qiutong couldn’t help himself, exclaiming in awe at every turn, “Amazing!” and “How extraordinary!” His companions wanted to pretend they didn’t know him, but he kept grabbing passersby to ask questions, making Ren Xingtian feel as if he were chaperoning a child out to see the world for the first time.

But Li Qiutong could hardly be blamed. In terms of prosperity, Chang’an ranked at least among the top three cities on the entire continent. Whether it was the rows of towering buildings or the teeming, yet orderly streets, it was all a spectacle Li Qiutong had never witnessed before. The group could only struggle through the bustling thoroughfares.

“Big Brother, let’s find somewhere to stay first, then look for the people we need,” Yang Ruiyun suggested.

Patting Ren Xingtian’s shoulder, Li Qiutong gave a commanding nod. “Lead the way, Xingtian. This is a first for all of us.”

Ren Xingtian looked wordlessly at the three. He’d thought he’d be plotting grand schemes with them, putting to use all he’d learned over the past decade, but in the half month they’d traveled, his only role had been that of a guide. At first, Yang Ruiyun would at least discuss routes with him, but before long, all decisions about where to go and what to do had been left entirely to him.

“Aren’t strategists supposed to be treated with great respect? Why do I feel like a servant?” he grumbled inwardly, but could only steel himself and lead them to an inn. After all, his master had given him strict orders—don’t come back until Li Qiutong becomes the King of Mercenaries.

“This is it—the best hotel in Chang’an. Does it meet the standards of you three gentlemen?” Ren Xingtian introduced the place with exaggerated solemnity.

Li Qiutong looked up at the signboard. “Hailin Hotel—not bad. Let’s go with this. What do you all think?”

Yang Ruiyun and Deng Zhanxuan nodded in agreement.

On the surface, it was a harmonious scene, but Ren Xingtian hadn’t told them this was not just the best hotel in Chang’an, but the most expensive in the entire Tang Empire. High service and luxury always came at a high price.

“This time, I’ll finally make him bleed a little,” Ren Xingtian thought, striding into the hotel.

“Good day, gentlemen. How may I assist you?” The hostesses at the entrance, dressed in elegantly tailored Tang-style qipaos, with exquisite makeup and polite smiles, greeted them warmly.

Ren Xingtian considered for a moment, then smiled. “We’d like your most expensive private room, and then bring out all your finest dishes, starting from the most expensive.”

The hostess eyed this man in Taoist robes with some hesitation—it was hard to imagine him affording such extravagance.

Sensing her doubt, Ren Xingtian added, “What are you staring at? The three gentlemen behind me are renowned martial artists of the continent. If you fail to serve them well, you may end up offending great warriors.”

Seeing the three with their distinct auras walk in behind, the hostess dared not delay and promptly led them toward the finest room.

Once seated, Yuling, their private attendant, asked courteously, “Honored warriors, our premium dishes focus on refinement and flavor. Would you like to try a selection first and order more if you wish?”

Ren Xingtian was no fool; he heard the implication—she doubted they could pay. He replied, unimpressed, “Do we look like we’re short on money? Just bring out whatever’s best, and be quick about it.”

“Of course, please wait a moment.”

Li Qiutong turned to Ren Xingtian and asked, “Is this place very expensive?”

“Not at all, not at all—I used to come here all the time,” Ren Xingtian replied, perfectly calm.

“That’s good. I’m running low on funds. If we can’t pay, we’ll have a problem,” said Li Qiutong.

“Don’t worry, Big Brother. Didn’t Yan give us a bag of jade when we left? That stuff must be valuable—we can sell it somewhere and have plenty of money,” Yang Ruiyun reminded him.

“How much jade do you have?” Ren Xingtian asked curiously.

Li Qiutong nodded at Deng Zhanxuan, who pulled a modest cloth bag from his pack and placed it on the table.

With skepticism, Ren Xingtian opened the bag—and witnessed a sight he’d never forget: a bag brimming with glass-grade jadeite, at least thirty fist-sized pieces. Each one was as clear as glass, lustrous and flawless, of the highest quality.

“Where did you get these? On the market, icy jadeite is already the most expensive, and only large trading houses carry it at all. These are all glass-grade jadeite—rarely seen in a decade—and there are at least thirty pieces here. Do you know how much this is worth?” He gingerly scooped up a handful, his eyes shining with greed.

Yang Ruiyun was surprised. “Is it really so precious? I just remember some rich girls using it as jewelry—it should fetch a few thousand Song yuan, right?”

Ren Xingtian looked at him with disdain. “A few thousand? That’s for the most ordinary jade. A hundred pieces wouldn’t buy even one of these.”

“So, we’re rich now?”

Ren Xingtian nodded. “Very rich.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Eat—let’s eat our fill!” Li Qiutong exclaimed with delight.

Ren Xingtian wasn’t sure if he should be happy or disappointed—happy because they suddenly had so much wealth, which would speed up their plans; disappointed because his scheme to trick Li Qiutong was now utterly ruined.

When the table was soon piled high with dishes, Ren Xingtian could only stare and sigh.

“Oh well—since we’re rich now, let’s make up for all my suffering these past weeks with a feast,” he consoled himself, and finally let loose.

“Hey, waiter—bring that hostess from earlier,” Ren Xingtian called out.

“Do you mean Yuling?”

“Yes, yes, bring her. And bring your best wine as well.”

Li Qiutong looked at him in confusion. “Why are you calling her over?”

“Just to soothe my wounded soul,” Ren Xingtian replied.

Yang Ruiyun looked at him, exasperated. “Xingtian, control yourself. We’re all here.”

Before long, the hostess returned. The hotel’s service was indeed excellent.

“Sir, how may I help you?”

Ren Xingtian pulled out the chair next to him and smiled. “Come, have a drink with us,” he said, offering her a bottle.

Though Yuling was reluctant, here, the customer was king. Drinking with guests was a common enough occurrence—sometimes things went even further, though she hoped these men had no such intentions. Familiar with the routine, she poured wine for the four.

When she reached Li Qiutong, he waved her off. “I don’t drink. You all go ahead.”

“Qiutong, why not? Don’t tell me you can’t hold your liquor,” Ren Xingtian mocked.

“He’s not bad at drinking—he simply has no tolerance at all,” Yang Ruiyun pointed out.

“Hey, can you be less blunt, Little Brother? I have my pride too!” Li Qiutong protested.

Their banter made Yuling laugh. She’d expected them to be cold, inscrutable experts, but they were nothing like the aloof martial artists she’d imagined.

“How could you give the top suite to someone else? Don’t you know Her Highness, the Princess, comes here every week at this time to enjoy the view? Get those people out, now!” A harsh voice rang through the suite.

Li Qiutong glanced toward the door. “What’s going on out there?”

Yuling suddenly realized. “Why would Her Highness be here now? She usually comes in the evening…”

Ren Xingtian had also guessed something. “What’s wrong, Yuling?”

Faced with their puzzled looks, Yuling explained, “Hailin Hotel has three top-tier suites. Her Highness, Princess Jingning, loves the atmosphere of this one and regularly visits to enjoy the scenery. We usually prepare in advance, but with your arrival today, we let you dine here. Now, Her Highness has unexpectedly come early.” She hesitated, then suggested, “You four should leave through the back door—we’ll handle it. You must not offend the Princess.”

Hearing this, Li Qiutong thought it nothing serious. “No worries, Little Brother, let’s go see. It’s just a room, after all.” With that, he stood and strode outside, Yang Ruiyun following.

Yuling tried to say more, but Ren Xingtian stopped her. “It’s fine, let them go. At worst, I’m still here.”

“Aren’t you their guide?” she asked, exasperated.

Ren Xingtian’s face darkened.

Once outside, Li Qiutong and Yang Ruiyun saw a guard in military uniform pointing a sword at one of the hotel staff. Behind him sat a girl, dazzlingly beautiful and dressed in finery, sipping tea as if none of this concerned her. Beside her stood another guard, eyes almost closed.

Yang Ruiyun released a burst of martial energy, knocking the sword from the guard’s hand. Coldly, he said, “Threatening ordinary people isn’t how a warrior should act.”

The guard, far from restraining himself, retorted even more arrogantly, “Do you know who we are? You’re looking for trouble in the wrong place, kid.”

Yang Ruiyun was not someone to take insults lightly and was about to teach the man a lesson when a girl’s voice cut him off: “So you’re the ones occupying my suite? The Lin family’s standards are slipping, letting people like you in.” The speaker was the tea-drinking girl—the Princess herself.