Chapter 109: The Ancient Mulberry’s Dark Shop (2)

Kong Sheng spurred his horse ahead, with Mu Changfeng and the others close behind.

They traveled along a country dirt road flanked by once-fertile rice paddies, now long abandoned. The fields were dusted with a thin layer of white frost, the ground cracked and barren. Scattered dry, yellowed straw lay overturned, and a few lone, crooked trees stood desolately, their withered branches occasionally hosting a few black crows, whose harsh cries pierced the cold air.

At the edge of the paddies lay several hamlets—some dilapidated and deserted, showing no sign of life, others reduced to mere ruins. The further north they rode, the grimmer the scene became.

As Kong Sheng rode on, his heart brimmed with poignant sorrow. Even before entering Henan province, the land already displayed such desolation and emptiness; what awaited beyond was easy to imagine.

Li Xuan’s expression was equally grim. This place marked the boundary between the prosperous and peaceful Jiangnan and the war-torn Henan—a cruel purgatory beyond, a paradise just behind. As a princess of the Li Tang royal family, she felt a deep, aching sorrow.

In the span of a single cup of tea, the ancient Mulberry Town came into view. Once a vital crossroads for Xuyi, Hongze, and Sihong, and a bustling commercial hub connecting north and south of the Yangtze, it now lay abandoned and decayed, its former glory vanished.

The thriving prosperity of old was now but a memory. Most shops were shuttered, and the residential areas were deserted. The streets were nearly empty; the few townsfolk seen hurried by with pale faces and vacant eyes. Along the way, Kong Sheng and his group spotted only one inn still open.

Two young men, looking like inn clerks, lounged lazily at the doorway, drawing circles on the ground with a small pile of stones nearby—seemingly playing a dull game.

Hearing the sound of hooves, the two looked up in surprise. When they saw Kong Sheng and the others leading their horses, they hesitated for a moment before rising with broad smiles to greet them. “Are you gentlemen looking to stay the night?”

Mu Changfeng nodded slowly. “Certainly. Brother, do you have any rooms available? Prepare… prepare five rooms for us.”

The clerk smiled brightly, nodding repeatedly. “Yes, yes, sir. Please dismount. Though our inn is modest, the rooms are clean and tidy—we won’t disappoint you. Liuzi, take the horses. I’ll show these guests to their rooms.”

Of course, there were rooms, as no guests had stayed for a long time. But as for cleanliness, that was doubtful. With no visitors, the two clerks had long neglected even basic tidying—the rooms were hardly pristine.

The other clerk sighed in agreement and went to take Kong Sheng’s white horse. Suddenly, the horse, named Chasing Wind, let out a sharp neigh and raised its forelegs, startling the clerk, who quickly jumped back.

“What a magnificent steed!” Liuzi exclaimed, clapping his hands. “This white horse has not a single flawed hair, with strong hooves and a graceful build—truly a rare and exceptional beast!”

Wu Xianwujie sneered inwardly, thinking, “What does a mere clerk know? He only admires the horse’s looks.”

Kong Sheng frowned, suddenly striking Chasing Wind’s neck. “You beast, why are you making a fuss for no reason?”

Chasing Wind snorted in discontent and lowered its head.

Mu Changfeng’s eyes darkened with seriousness as he scrutinized the clerk leading them to the rooms, then cast a subtle smile toward Liuzi, who was leading the horses to the back yard.

After securing five rooms, Kong Sheng assigned the innermost one to Li Xuan. By placing her at the far end and the four of them outside, any sudden movement on her part would not escape the watchful eyes of Kong Sheng and Mu Changfeng. At least, a midnight escape was impossible.

Just as Kong Sheng removed his cloak, intending to rest briefly, the door opened, and Mu Changfeng entered quietly, lowering his voice: “Young master, something’s off. These two clerks have shifty eyes and carry a certain underworld aura. I suspect this is a crooked inn. We must be very cautious.”

Kong Sheng pondered silently for a moment before replying, “Mu, I noticed it too. When we entered, an old woman in the neighboring general store peered through the door crack, her face showing fear and panic.”

“But this place is desolate. This inn is the only lodging in the town. We cannot sleep out in the open. After several days of urgent travel, we’re exhausted. If we don’t rest tonight, we won’t endure.”

Kong Sheng smiled faintly. “We carry no riches; they’re not fools and may not target us. Besides, with our skills, what harm can a crooked inn do?”

“If we don’t touch their food and maintain basic vigilance, we should be safe enough.”

“Very well, young master, rest. Wu Xianwujie and I will take turns standing guard. With the three of us protecting you, you can sleep soundly.” Mu Changfeng nodded and left the room without further words.

Mu Changfeng, a seasoned swordsman of the martial world, was sharp-eyed and experienced. He recognized immediately that the clerks were suspicious and suspected the inn was a trap. He had intended to advise leaving, but given their exhausted state and no alternatives, they had to risk staying.

Watching Mu Changfeng’s tall figure retreat, Kong Sheng sighed in resignation. He was a shrewd man, with the wisdom of two lifetimes—how could he not see the danger? Yet the group was too weary; despite the risks, they had no choice but to stay.

Kong Sheng believed that since none of them carried much valuable luggage, they were unlikely targets. What he did not realize was that Chasing Wind alone was priceless—a striking white horse that attracted attention wherever it went.

Mu Changfeng descended the stairs slowly, cradling his sword adorned with a red tassel. The two clerks whispered to each other in the main hall, their expressions shifting slightly as they saw him approach with the weapon.

“Liuzi” chuckled as he greeted him, “Would you care for some food and drink, sir?”

Mu Changfeng shook his head calmly, his expression cold and detached. “No, I enjoy the view here. I couldn’t sleep in my room, so I came out to get some fresh air.”

With that, he kicked a small stool into the air. It arced through space and landed with a bang at the doorway. Mu Changfeng then floated over and sat down, still clutching his sword as he closed his eyes to rest.

The two clerks exchanged glances, each reading a hint of shock in the other’s eyes.

Just as Mu Changfeng suspected, these men—and the inn’s hidden owner—were not to be trusted. They hadn’t always run a crooked inn, but after many changes, this establishment had become the sole den of vice in Mulberry Town.

They were no fools, though. They understood Mu Changfeng’s act as a clear warning. Both had some insight and quickly realized Mu Changfeng was a formidable martial artist, no ordinary person.

Among the five travelers, aside from the slender, scholarly Kong Sheng and Li Xuan, Mu Changfeng was not to be trifled with, while the robust Wu Xianwujie brothers were also strong. To take them down would require drugs or poison—two men alone were insufficient.

The night settled heavily over the inn, tension simmering beneath the surface.