The Strife of Chaos Chapter 65: The Rose Tavern

The next day, Li Qiutong was roused at dawn by Ren Xingtian, ready to depart for the City of Chaos.

They rode their horses along a sparsely traveled path, Li Qiutong’s expression tinged with excitement. He had heard countless tales of the City of Chaos’s formidable reputation, but the affairs within the city had always kept him from visiting. Now, finally able to witness the legendary city himself, his spirits soared.

Ren Xingtian could only caution him, “Tong, don’t act like you did last time in Chang’an. The people here are ruthless, they’ll chew you up and spit out your bones. Remember, you’re new. No matter what, they’ll try to mess with you.”

“Understood. By the way, why don’t we swing by the territory of the Blades while we’re there?” Li Qiutong suggested.

Ren Xingtian hesitated, pondering for a moment before nodding. “Alright. I’ve only heard stories about them, but I’ve never seen the continent’s most infamous gang up close. It’ll be interesting to see how powerful they really are.”

The Blades, reigning over the City of Chaos, rivaled the alliances of major continental trade guilds. Their strength was undeniable, though internal strife among the guilds was not uncommon.

As Ren Xingtian had once said, the Blades engaged exclusively in illegal activities. Their black market was flooded with tainted goods from across the land—rare treasures, slaves, pets. There was nothing they couldn't procure. Moreover, the Blades had established a top-tier assassin organization, a sprawling mercenary group with agents throughout the continent, and were guarded by two Saint Martial masters. No one dared challenge their title as the continent’s foremost gang.

There was even a saying: “If Lü Bu does not rage, the Blades reign supreme.”

When the two finally entered the City of Chaos, Li Qiutong became more composed, adopting the demeanor befitting a Saint Martial master. From him emanated a subtle, invisible aura, causing nearby warriors to tremble inwardly. The pressure they felt stemmed from Li Qiutong’s Four Symbols Martial Essence, though he preferred to conceal his strength and often masked its presence.

“Tong, where did your old flame arrange to meet us?”

Li Qiutong recalled, “The letter said to meet at a small building in the Eastern District.”

“The Eastern District? That’s Lin family territory,” Ren Xingtian surmised. “Looks like she doesn’t want too many people to know about this meeting.”

Li Qiutong shrugged. “Why all the mystery? All we want is to borrow some money from her, and once we grow stronger, we’ll help them in return. Each gets what they need—simple as that.”

“Tong, the Lin family are renowned across the continent, and their wealth is vast. Every move they make stirs up waves. When the family head changed, nearly half of Eastern Martial Continent’s factions got involved. Compared to them, we’re but a flicker of flame,” Ren Xingtian explained solemnly.

Seeing Li Qiutong begin to understand, he continued, “For the Lin family to fund us is tantamount to raising a private army. Few wish to see a well-established family wield its own military force. In a sense, the Lin family’s abandonment of martial power is what enabled their growth.”

Hearing this, Li Qiutong realized the matter was far from simple.

“If the Lin family helps us, won’t they become the target of all? Will they really take that risk?” Li Qiutong’s confidence faltered. Though Lin Ai and he got along well, and his grandfather had ties with Hai Tianya, he doubted Lin Ai would risk so much for him.

Ren Xingtian kept his cards close. “Different times, different tactics. The world is on the brink of chaos; much will change. Besides, you’re on good terms with the Lin family’s lady. If we marry you off, we’ll be family. Whether they help or not will be up to you.”

Li Qiutong found the first part credible, but the latter left him imagining a herd of white creatures stampeding through his mind.

“I’ve only met Lin Ai once, hardly familiar. Besides, I already have someone I care for. Can we stop with these jokes?”

“Understood, understood,” Ren Xingtian laughed.

Li Qiutong could only sigh at Ren Xingtian’s grin. Ever since they learned of this, they never missed a chance to tease him. No matter how much he explained, that knowing smile always appeared.

When Li Qiutong looked up, they had arrived at the place mentioned in the letter: the Rose Tavern.

The tavern was tucked away in a small corner of the City of Chaos, unremarkable from the outside. The only feature catching the eye was the exquisitely carved roses on the doorposts.

“Fiery red roses, glorious as flame; beneath their skirts, thorns entwined. Wishing to keep the rose forever, alas, blood stains pale fingers.”

“What are you on about?” Li Qiutong looked at Ren Xingtian, confused.

“Nothing. Just moved, reciting a verse that’s popular in the martial world.”

With that, the two entered the somewhat cold tavern. Contrary to expectations, the interior was elegantly decorated. Though only a few patrons sat here and there, the atmosphere was not at all desolate. Especially the young lady at the front desk: her delicate features and soft pink lips instantly captivated Ren Xingtian.

“How may I help you two? Are you here to dine or stay the night?” she asked sweetly.

“How old are you, miss? Recently—ah!” Ren Xingtian, in the midst of his curiosity, was struck hard from behind.

Pushing Ren Xingtian aside, Li Qiutong approached the counter. “We’re here to meet someone.”

Hearing this, Huang Mei nodded and smiled. “Master Li, please follow me. The Green Shade Pavilion upstairs—someone is waiting for you.”

“Thank you.” Li Qiutong, helpless, dragged Ren Xingtian upstairs. At times, he truly wondered if Ren Xingtian had a split personality. When serious, he inspired awe; but once he let loose, not even ten Li Qiutongs could match his antics.

They quickly found the private room named Green Shade Pavilion.

Li Qiutong gently pushed open the wooden door. The familiar scene unfolded before him, just as it had a year ago in Jiangnan City. This time, however, his companion was not Duan Tian of the Vajra Sect, but Ren Xingtian of Mount Jietian. No longer the fledgling martial master of days past, he now stood as a genuine Saint Martial master.

As they entered, two gazes immediately converged on Li Qiutong. One was warm and comforting—Lin Ai, naturally. The other was sharp and probing, as if seeking to see through every inch of him.

Smiling at his old acquaintances, Li Qiutong greeted, “It’s been a long time, Miss Lin, Grandfather Long.”

Lin Ai rose to welcome him. “Brother Li, it truly has been a long time.”

Today, Lin Ai wore a black silk gown, her gaze steady and confident—a far cry from her once youthful and lively demeanor.

Noticing the Taoist behind Li Qiutong, Lin Ai asked curiously, “Brother Li, who is this?”

Knowing Ren Xingtian well, Li Qiutong quietly stepped aside to let him forward.

“Family Head Lin, this humble Taoist is named Ren Xingtian, of Mount Jietian. At the invitation of General Li, I currently serve as chief strategist at North Tong Pass. A pleasure to meet you; I hope for your guidance.” Ren Xingtian spoke with a broad smile.

Lin Ai bowed slightly. “Hello, Master Ren. I am Lin Ai.” Judging by Lin Ai’s calm demeanor, she clearly had no idea what Mount Jietian was, perhaps assuming it to be a common martial sect.

But her ignorance did not extend to the seasoned master seated behind her. In an instant, Long Tianya stood, his probing gaze shifting from Li Qiutong to Ren Xingtian.

“May I ask, Master Ren, which generation of Mount Jietian do you belong to, and who is your teacher? I’ve had some dealings with Mount Jietian in the past.”

Ren Xingtian looked up at Long Tianya, his expression turning solemn. “You must be Grandmaster Long, Hai Tianya. My senior spoke of you often. I believe you have reached the Three-Star Saint Martial realm?”

Long Tianya’s exterior betrayed little, but inside, waves of shock surged. He knew only one person from Mount Jietian: Yang Chan, the Third Saint Mother, one of its six saints. For this man to call Yang Chan his senior, his status must be extraordinary. Moreover, he had seen through Long Tianya’s true strength; few knew that Grandmaster Long had reached the Three-Star Saint Martial realm.

At once, Hai Tianya abandoned his earlier aloofness, speaking with respect. “Master Ren, you are truly unfathomable. Young Tong is thrice blessed to have your support.”

“Enough, Grandfather Hai. Thrice blessed or not, as long as he doesn’t lead me to ruin.” Li Qiutong, dragging Ren Xingtian along, moved inside and took a seat.

“Tong, mind your manners with the master.”

Li Qiutong could only sigh in resignation, unsure what else to say.

The four sat together. Long Tianya was first to ask, “Tong, have you really entered the Saint Martial realm?” It was a question that had weighed on his mind. A youth not yet twenty, with little guidance, had somehow crossed into the Saint Martial realm. Any Saint Martial master would find it hard to believe, having spent years of arduous cultivation themselves.

“I suppose I have,” Li Qiutong replied vaguely.

Long Tianya watched him for a while, unable to find anything remarkable. In terms of presence, he was no match for the Overlord. In terms of innocence, he fell short of Li Yuanba. Yet this youth had become a Saint Martial master, even before Overlord Zhao Wang.

Unable to make sense of it, Long Tianya shook his head. “Forget it, forget it; I’m old. The future belongs to you young people. Ai, you take over now.”