The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 173 - 131 Invitation to Assist in a Fight

Chapter 173: Chapter 131 Invitation to Assist in a Fight

The first snow had not yet melted, and Vermilion Bird Street was clad in silver.

Despite the biting cold, the street was bustling with carriages and horses without end.

The sound of camel bells could be heard, signaling merchants from the Western Regions, burdened with packs, trudging along with rare and exotic items, all coming to the Divine State in search of profit...

On both sides of the celestial street, the walls of the old residential areas had long disappeared, replaced by rows of shops, teahouses, and taverns, while pedestrians wrapped in fur and felt hats were all bundled up tight.

As the central axis of Chang’an City, Vermilion Bird Street was always crowded, and with Winter Solstice behind them, the common folk, no longer busy with agriculture, were already starting to prepare for the New Year.

But for those from the pugilistic world, the situation was quite the opposite.

The hardworking people of Divine State, frugal throughout the year, had finally saved up a little money, and this was when they were most willing to spend it.

Consequently, from now until the Lantern Festival on Yuanxiao, was the best time for making money.

Some veteran figures of the pugilistic world even relied on the New Year period to make their fortune.

Almost the entire street was filled with people setting up stalls on the ground.

Li Yan pretended not to notice he was being followed, walked with his hands behind his back, and dived into the crowd, feigning interest in the hustle and bustle.

In his observation, he could see many tricks of the pugilistic world at play.

There were elders from the Gold Sect fortune-telling at their stalls, a sign saying "Match for Banxian," flipping through a Life Book with great fanfare, talking noisily, and bewildering country women into a stunned silence...

There was also a blind man, swinging a bamboo clapper, walking and knocking it while chanting, "Predict calamities and fortune, the destinies of the rich and humble"...

Then there were "Leezi Fishing" hucksters from the Skin Street, carrying bamboo poles adorned with all sorts of insects, shouting, "Humans consume grains and naturally breed worms within their bodies, my medicine will expel all such parasites..."

The surrounding commoners watched in amazement, little knowing that the "worms" were made from the intestines beside a turtle, strikingly realistic.

Of course, one could never miss those selling fake (stinking) medicines—fake amber, fake tiger bones, fake ginseng... everything looked abundant but nothing was genuine.

These tricks aimed to deceive those who coveted cheap bargains.

Naturally, there were even more people who set up their wares to read wild stories, sing rhythmic tales, and beat drums, creating a cacophony, a truly lively scene.

Li Yan walked while browsing, purposely squeezing his way through the thick of the crowd.

Those following behind him couldn’t help but disperse as well.

Only one clever figure closely followed Li Yan, approaching the vendor showcasing his Power Pill.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

As the gong rang out, Li Yan turned his head and walked away.

The follower hurriedly rose, only to be grabbed by the performer selling the pills, a copper gong right before him.

"Scram!"

The follower bellowed angrily.

The performer, unruffled, raised an eyebrow and said, "Brother, it’s tough for all of us out here, you’ve watched for a long while; surely you could give a little tip. Or were you thinking of freeloading?"

"Letting word get out would shame us, the people of Chang’an, right?"

With those words, stares from all around gathered.

Annoyed and angry, the follower casually threw a couple of coins into the gong but when he rushed out, Li Yan had already vanished.

Behind him, the performer shouted:

"Thanks for the tip, master!"

...

Yanshou Square was close to Guangde Square.

This area, located near the City God Temple and where the wealthy of the city’s northwest concentrated, naturally brimmed with top-notch teahouses and taverns.

During the Tang Dynasty times, despite the Royal’s reverence for Taoism, there were many Buddhist believers among the people. When welcoming the Buddhist relics to Chang’an, the affluent from the markets and squares all held open feasts, known as Uncovered Pavilion.

Such "Uncovered Pavilions" embodied inclusivity, without barriers, making no distinction between noble and humble, secular and monastic, wise and foolish, righteous and wicked—all were welcome.

Hosting such feasts was not a trivial expense.

Back then in Yanshou Square, the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Rites, Pei, Prince Wang Wuyi, and various palace masters and son-in-laws of nobility all joined hands, and the scale was such that it astonished the entire Chang’an City.

However, prosperity always fades in the end.

The noble and princes have all turned to dust, Buddhism and Taoism have suffered blows repeatedly, and their former grandeur is long lost.

On the former site of Princess Mansion, one teahouse and tavern after another were built, where once noble knights in fine attire had galloped, now occupied by common merchants of past lowly status.

Qingjiang Building specialized in Huaiyang cuisine.

"As the saying goes, men are insignificant away from home, and objects are precious away from their origins"—this establishment, set up far from home in Chang’an, was naturally not cheap.

"Taoist master, please come upstairs!"

Following the attendant’s call, Luo Mingzi swished his Daoist robe and made his way to the second floor, pushing open a window-facing private room and instantly laughed: "Hahaha, what’s this, found some money and decided to treat this poor Taoist to a delicacy?"

Li Yan quickly stood up, "I’ve seen the senior before."

"Ah, no need for formalities!"

Waving his hand, Luo Mingzi sat down and said with a smile, "I had things to attend to earlier, and you didn’t get welcomed properly when you arrived in Chang’an. This meal is on me."

As he spoke, he shook his head and sighed, "I’ve heard about what happened on Taibai Mountain. I knew that uncle master; he was not a vicious man. I don’t know why he would resort to using an Evil Technique to prolong his life..."

As the two conversed, there came a knock at the door, followed by the attendant bringing in a large platter of dishes, singing as he did:

"Huaiyang delicacies delight, fine food that compels one’s sigh. Crab Shumai Lion’s Head, Dried Tofu Silk, Tri-Section Duck, cured meats... Gentlemen, please enjoy."

After serving the dishes, he flicked his towel over his shoulder, looking to please, "Gentleman, our establishment has girls who can sing..."

"That won’t be necessary; we have things to discuss."

Li Yan dismissed with a wave of his hand, and after the attendant left, he stood up to fill Luo Mingzi’s cup with wine.

Luo Mingzi, thoughtful as he observed the table, said, "A lavish spread with no particular occasion—have you found yourself in some trouble?"

"I can’t hide anything from the senior."

Li Yan didn’t beat around the bush and relayed the entire matter to him.

"A duel, huh..."

Luo Mingzi gave a wry laugh, shaking his head, "You are a living Yin messenger, and by your looks, you’ve already obtained the inheritance. Even within the Mystical Sect, you are no less than any of the orthodox. Why get involved in such a matter?"

Li Yan replied earnestly, "The pugilistic world may be vast, but friends who can catch one’s eye are not so numerous. When it’s time to act, one must take action!"