pdf-ebookys Chapter 340 Wangshu Inn
Chapter 340 Wangshu Inn
The oars rocked gently, and the bamboo raft swayed and drifted away from the dock, slowly heading towards the waters amidst the layered mountains.
As its name suggests, Chenyu Valley has a clear, green water surface that is as clean and flawless as clear jade, and you can see the blue stones at the bottom of the water at a glance.
Azure waves rise above the clouds, their sound like silver ribbons splashing against the warships.
Passing through the Medicine Butterfly Valley, the water suddenly opens up, and the faint sound of reeds can be heard, like a melodious flute tune.
In the distance, the Wangshu Inn faintly appears at the horizon, which is also the destination of this small bamboo raft.
The bamboo raft was small, and besides the boatman, there was only a boy sitting at the bow looking into the distance, and a caravan of镖团 (bodyguards) escorting goods.
The caravan's cargo crates were already empty, and judging from the relaxed demeanor of the men as they chatted and laughed, they must have made a considerable profit on this trip.
As for the other passenger, he never spoke after boarding the raft, only gazing into the distance, lost in thought.
This naturally caught the attention of the youngest-looking bodyguard in the escort team.
"Hey boss, hello there. It's fate that we're traveling together. Come on, let's have some tea first."
Wearing a mythical beast hood and dressed in a black and red outfit, the young man approached the stranger with an overly friendly manner, offering him a cup of steaming tea and striking up a conversation with him.
Traveling all over the country, chance encounters are fate, and forming good relationships is the best thing to do; this has always been his habit as a镖师 (bodyguard/escort).
As for encountering those scheming fellows? Hey, mountain roads, waterways, and land routes—which road hasn't he traveled on when he was a镖师 (bodyguard/escort)?
The top bodyguard at Hutchison Whampoa is not someone to be underestimated.
The passenger turned around, accepted the tea, and thanked him. However, there was little surprise or wariness of a stranger approaching him; instead, there was a calm that seemed to come as expected.
After all, he was very familiar with this young lion dancer.
Jiaming is a镖师 (bodyguard/escort) of "Sword Box Escort Agency" and also the person in charge of "Weishui Dance Beast Team" in Liyue Harbor.
"Thank you very much. May I ask your name, young man?"
Mu Feng took a sip of tea, a perfectly measured smile on his face, neither too formal nor too distant.
Of course, this is asking a question you already know the answer to, and deliberately making things mysterious.
For the sake of the tarot card's prediction of the cardinal's judgment, Fontaine owes him a Frinina statuette for Souls' Day.
"Oh, look at me, I forgot to introduce myself, my apologies, I'm a bodyguard from the Hutchison Whampoa, just call me Jiaming."
At this moment, Jiaming was obviously unaware that his information had been completely exposed by the person in front of him. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head, laughed, and quickly tried to fill in the gaps in his self-introduction.
It's his fault, he was too hasty in striking up a conversation.
"Mu Feng, an ordinary traveler from Mount Sumeru."
Jiaming blinked, feeling like he'd heard the name somewhere before, but couldn't quite place it.
Fortunately, the young bodyguard put aside the slight sense of unease that had just arisen and continued chatting with the passengers in front of him.
"Oh, Brother Mufeng, how about it? Is it convenient for you to tell me what big deal you're going to do this time?"
Jiaming patted Mufeng on the shoulder familiarly, finished the rest of his tea, and asked casually with a grin.
"I wouldn't presume to do business with you; I'm just visiting relatives in Mondstadt."
Mu Feng remained calm and composed. "What? You're asking if he has any relatives in Mondstadt?" "Yes."
To my beloved brother, sister, friend, and Wendy, the five-star resident poet at the tavern, my friend, may the wind god deceive you.
"That's really unfortunate. I heard that the Dragon Plague has been quite severe in Mondstadt recently, and many caravans have suffered heavy losses."
"Hey, Brother Mufeng, for safety's sake, why don't you stay in Liyue a little longer?"
Jiaming clicked his tongue. Recently, quite a few镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) in the镖局 (escort agency) had taken on cargo orders to Mondstadt for the high Mora rewards, but most of them did not end well.
They either ended up with bruises and swelling, or they had to pay out of pocket for the goods.
"That's not necessary. As a qualified traveler, I do have some self-defense skills."
Mu Feng smiled and shook his head, politely declining Jia Ming's offer. Leaving aside the fact that he had already helped many disgruntled treasure-hunting groups become clueless along the way, there was also the chip in his arms that was currently emitting a pale green glow…
"Blind Spot," "I Thought It Was a Speed Bump," "Then Go Talk to the Grass Dragon King's Reverse Scale," "We're All Trying So Hard to Live," "I've Tryed So Hard, How Are You Still Alive?"
However, since the dragon scourge is still raging in Mondstadt, that means...
That scoundrel is either still lying in some cave, fast asleep, or miserably fishing for Paimon on Eagle Beach.
Well, in that case, he didn't arrive too late.
Seeing that he couldn't persuade the other party, Jiaming could only shake his head and sigh, while secretly considering whether he should contact Qiqi and Dr. Bai in advance to reserve a ward or something.
The bamboo raft drifted downstream and soon came to rest at the small dock next to the Wangshu Inn.
As dusk approached, the afterglow of the setting sun melted into the waters of Dihua Isle, casting a pale golden silhouette.
Ancient trees reach for the sky and coil around the small stone peak. The Wangshu Inn is built against the trees, with painted beams and carved pillars. Wooden steps wind up the mountain, and the waterwheel creaks, splashing water droplets that reflect the flying eaves.
"See you later, Brother Mufeng. Remember to visit Qiaoying Manor next time you have the chance, and have some morning tea. It'll be on me!"
Jiaming smiled and waved, then, along with the other members of the escort team, carried a pile of empty boxes toward Liyue Harbor.
Mu Feng waved goodbye as well, and only after the group disappeared into the reeds did he turn around and enter the Wangshu Inn.
As darkness fell, the lamps in the inn lit up like a shower of stars, and steam rose from the kitchen, filling the entire platform with heat.
For a moment, the clinking of cups and plates and the boisterous sounds of toasts echoed among the mottled branches and leaves of the ancient tree.
"Welcome, guest. Would you like to dine or stay overnight?"
A mature and elegant woman, dressed in a well-fitting cheongsam, placed her hands in front of her abdomen and bowed slightly, with a polite smile on her face.
Phil Gaudette, the owner of Wangshu Inn.
"Madam, a single room for one night, please."
Mu Feng's expression remained unchanged, but he secretly became more vigilant. Don't be fooled by the fact that this proprietress seemed harmless; in reality, she was quite cunning.
Wangshu Inn is located on the main road between Mondstadt and Liyue, where people of all kinds mingle and information flows frequently.
Behind this is the secret operation of the Liyue Seven Stars, and this Filgott is the chosen leader of this place.
Mu Feng glanced out the window, where he could vaguely see a figure wearing a straw hat and holding a fishing rod by the water.
Wangshu Inn doesn't keep idle people, and Liyue people don't deceive Liyue people.
"Guest, you mean the boss, not the boss's wife."
Seemingly noticing Mu Feng's gaze, Phil Goddette narrowed her eyes slightly, her expression somewhat subtle.
That direction is... Jiang Xue? Interesting.
Mu Feng's expression hardened. The change in the proprietress's gaze naturally did not escape his notice; it had aroused her suspicion.
With such keen observation skills, he truly deserves to be the spokesperson for the Seven Stars.
We must dispel their suspicions as soon as possible, otherwise, if we get entangled with Qixing or Yelan, it will be difficult to escape.
As for now, it's not the time to stay in Liyue any longer.
However, just as Mu Feng was thinking about how to escape, a commotion and noise suddenly came from behind him.
……