Chapter 41: This Young Master Tries To Eat

The Winesprings Inn was a decent tavern that did decent business. It was one that Chen Haoran was both familiar and unfamiliar with. During his gold spending spree, he had visited most other popular dining establishments save this one. The reason being that it was a Lan family property and brazenly bribing their customers was too bold even for them. At least it was at the time.

Chen Haoran kicked open the doors of the establishment. The doors, of remarkable quality, swung open and crashed into the walls rather than fly off their hinges. “I’ve always wanted to do that,” he cheerfully said.

The interior of the tavern was smaller than that of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion but it was still a respectable size. The dining area only extended to the first floor with the second-floor housing guest rooms. Already they were attracting attention from the filled tavern. Chen Haoran heard some shouts of recognition toward him and a few even raised their cups, perhaps thinking he was here to pick up the tab.

A pale-faced server rushed over. “Welcome to the Winesprings Inn sir.” The poor fellow didn’t sound too happy to see him.

“Table for two please,” Chen Haoran smiled.

The server briefly looked confused until Lan Fen walked in behind him. The man became several shades paler upon seeing her. She flexed her qi, revealing her five-layers of cultivation her presence crackled out like lightning over the dining floor. Whatever the server was going to say caught in his throat and he silently escorted them to a far table. Lan Fen stopped short and pointed to one in the tavern's center.

“I want that table,” she imperiously declared.

The group of men who had been in the middle of their meal looked at her slack-jawed. The server nervously twitched, “My apologies Miss Fen, that table is occupied.”

Chen Haoran strode over and dropped a sack of taels onto the table. “Gentlemen,” he said. “Let me pay for your drinks.”

“By all means!” one said, shooting up and offering his chair. He immediately grabbed the bag and left, followed by the boisterous scrambling of his companions.

“Clear this,” Chen Haoran ordered the server.

“Yes sir.” As he rushed to remove the plates Chen Haoran tossed him a tael.

“For your troubles,” he said, winking at the man. The server bowed and rushed off.

“That was a bit counter to our purpose for coming here,” Lan Fen said.

“You should always tip the help,” Chen Haoran cheerfully replied. It was his solidarity as a former service worker. Even across worlds, the industry sucked just the same.

“Do you not think it’s wasteful? That money could be put to better use.”

“I have plenty of money. Helping someone out barely affects me.”

“Is that what this is about then? Helping people?”

“I’m in a position where I could change someone's life with just a minuscule effort on my part. If I don’t do it when it’s easy for me then when will I?”

“There are many who would never do it at all.”

“More power to them then.” Chen Haoran leaned back on his chair. There was a purpose to these questions. “Is this about what happened that night?”

“You will not survive long with such an attitude.”

“I think not going around picking fights raises my odds of survival in the long term.”

“Not if you leave a trail of living enemies behind you.”

Chen Haoran rubbed the bridge of his nose. There was clearly a disconnect between the two of them on the issue. Trying to explain himself would no doubt be an exhausting and futile effort. “I’m not about to have a whole discussion about this in enemy territory Lan Fen,” he said. “Besides, I’m sure the big fish will show up soon. We should table this for later.”

“Are you perhaps talking about me?” Called a voice from behind.

Chen Haoran looked back to find a tanned black-haired youth walking over and seating himself at their table. He was dressed simply with no unnecessary frills or patterns. Across both arms wound black bones shaped into rings, matching the bone choker around his neck. Chen Haoaran reached out with his sense, Eighth-Layer.

“Who the fuck are you?” Chen Haoran asked, bewildered.

“Xia Jin,” he smiled. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Chen Haoran looked at Lan Fen but she shook her head.

“And the reason you here?” he asked Xia Jin.

“I am a man who loves making new friends wherever he goes!” he proudly said.

“And your actual reason?” Lan Fen sharply demanded.

Xia Jin seemed to deflate and smiled embarrassedly. “I heard you typically pay for people's food and drinks so I came to try my luck.” His stomach, as if to punctuate his statement, growled.

Chen Haoran considered the sheepish man, it probably wouldn’t be so bad to humor him. He needed to meet new people anyway. He waved the server over. “Is there anything you can’t eat?”

Xia Jin lit up with a bright smile. “I have yet to find anything in this world that I can’t!”

“We’ll have all the pork dishes you got then,” Chen Haoran said to the server.

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“Pork?” Lan Fen raised an eyebrow.

“Your fault,” he accused her. “I’ll never be the same again.”

“Then I will join you in your quest Brother Chen!” Xia Jin cheered.

“Who the hell is your brother?”

Despite clearly being here with ulterior motives the staff still served them quickly. Chen Haoran had to admire their professionalism, he was going to feel a bit bad about causing a scene here.

Xie Jin tore into the food with a gust that only the starving could have. Chen Haoran followed suit because he hated pork. Lan Fen was surprisingly not that much better of an eater. More like a soldier than a proper noble lady.

“How come a guy like you hasn’t eaten,” Chen Haoran asked between mouthfuls. “Is an Eighth-layer really that poor?”

Deep in his own plate, Xie Jin mumbled something unintelligible before swallowing. “I spent all my money to travel here for the Palace Exams,” he said, beating his chest.

“Do they not have them in the Southern region?”

“They’re about as common there as they are here. I just felt my odds of getting in were higher if I came to Clearsprings.” Xie Jin sighed. “Between you and Lan Yao though, I’m not liking my odds.”

Chen Haoran snorted, he was worried about the wrong people.

“By the way,” Xie Jin leaned in and whispered. “Is there a reason everyone seems to be talking about your lady friend here?”

It was true. The other diners were either openly staring or else stealing glances at Lan Fen and all of them were talking about it. It made sense, since the Lan family owned this place the people who regularly patronized it would recognize her on sight. Coming here was definitely a much better idea than going to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

“They talk like that because I have returned from the dead,” Lan Fen idly answered.

Xie Jin looked at him and Chen Haoran shrugged his shoulders in lieu of a response.

“Right…” he trailed off. “Will you also be participating in the Palace Exams?”

“I will be taking first place yes.”

Xie Jin’s smile turned sharp. “That’s a bold statement to make in front of me. I don’t even think you’re on the betting lists.”

“There’s betting?” Chen Haoran asked in disbelief. For an entrance exam?

“Of course, people are eager to speculate who will take first.” Xie Jin smirked. “And not to brag but I have some decent odds myself.”

“Didn’t you just come here though?” Chen Haoran questioned. “How could people know who you are?”

“I’ve been fighting in the arenas ever since I got here. Your fight that day actually took all the attention away from mine. You’ve got a lot of odds in your favor actually.”

Did he? When did he even say he would participate?

“I’m not participating,” Chen Haoran said.

“Why not?” Xie Jin asked him, startled.

He glanced at Lan Fen. “My path doesn’t lead there.”

“Chen-” Lan Fen began but was interrupted by Xie Jin jumping up from his seat.

“What bold words Brother Chen! You're a man of the world aren’t you!”

“When the hell did I become your brother?”

“Let me pour you a drink!” Xie Jin cheered.

The doors slammed open once again, startling Xie Jin mid-pour and causing him to spill alcohol over Chen Haoran’s hand. Four Lan family members rushed in, looking around until their server from before pointed out their table.

The leader of the group a white-haired girl of the Seventh-Layer stepped forward in disbelief. “Lan Fen?” Before she could step forward an alcohol bottle soared over and broke against her head. Her head snapped back, blood running from her head.

“How dare you embarrass me in front of my brother!” Xie Jin roared.

Chen Haoran sighed.

He supposed this was one way to escalate.

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