Overlooking the rather boisterous first floor was a more quiet second floor dedicated to food and drink with a variety of private rooms and more public spaces.
Sitting at an open table overlooking the ground floor was an elegantly dressed young man. Quietly, he sipped his tea as his brown eyes watched the loud bickering below.
“They simply haven’t figured out the trick to gambling, have they?” he remarked quietly to himself.
Using martial arts techniques or enhanced perception to cheat was a gambling stable where he was from. If you weren’t caught, it wasn’t considered cheating. Thus, successful establishments had staff skilled in detecting such fraudulent behavior, and he suspected this place was no different. The question was thus—was he better than them? It wasn’t worth it to risk it for now, and really it would be a curiosity.
Though, he could easily acquire the means to invade Tian Qi City if he won. Apparently, the City Lord of this place was all but a god—and in many was, apparently, he was more capable.
Maybe gambling was worth the risk, but he’d need to see how feasible it was.
However the man being hauled off now missing a leg gave him pause.
“They simply haven’t figured out the trick to gambling, have they?” he remarked quietly to himself.
Using martial arts techniques or enhanced perception to cheat was a gambling stable where he was from. If you weren’t caught, it wasn’t considered cheating. Thus, successful establishments had staff skilled in detecting such fraudulent behavior, and he suspected this place was no different. The question was thus—was he better than them? It wasn’t worth it to risk it for now, and really it would be a curiosity.
Though, he could easily acquire the means to invade Tian Qi City if he won. Apparently, the City Lord of this place was all but a god—and in many was, apparently, he was more capable.
Maybe gambling was worth the risk, but he’d need to see how feasible it was.
However the man being hauled off now missing a leg gave him pause.
Ascending the stairs a bright robed individual came into view. Their white hanfu painted with a multitude of different medicinal plants, quite few talismans hanging both from their belt and their weimao that veiled their face for the moment. Besides the four tails trailing behind their figure making it obvious that they where a huli jing three ghost foxes followed closely behind them.
Pausing at the top of the stairs to look over the room if any of the people sparked their interest, their head slowly turned towards the elegant man that looked way more interesting than the rest of the patrons. Having decided their chatting target they hobbled over with a cane to the young man.
"May this one join you for a cup of tea?" Their voice was almost like a whisper but still clearly understandable. It seemed to echo as the ghost foxes seemed to have spoken with them. Brushing the veil aside with their free hand, a black and red face of a fox came into view, smiling at the young man.
Pausing at the top of the stairs to look over the room if any of the people sparked their interest, their head slowly turned towards the elegant man that looked way more interesting than the rest of the patrons. Having decided their chatting target they hobbled over with a cane to the young man.
"May this one join you for a cup of tea?" Their voice was almost like a whisper but still clearly understandable. It seemed to echo as the ghost foxes seemed to have spoken with them. Brushing the veil aside with their free hand, a black and red face of a fox came into view, smiling at the young man.
“Of course,” he responded, pouring a cup for the newcomer and setting it across from them.
Had he not already seen sights much stranger than the newcomer just that day alone, he may have had some pause. However, in that context, the newcomer was far more amicable than anyone else he had met.
“I’m Xiao Se,” he introduced himself, now looking over the other properly. “Do you visit here often? I’m afraid I’m quite new.”
The man was covered in a purple furred coat—though it smelled like corn, not like actual fur—and he wore a rather expensive looking crown.
Downstairs there was a rather lively scene. Dozens of ghosts crowded a table, each with a bamboo shaker in hand. From the introduction of the croupier, it seemed the Chengzhu was present, and the payout for any bets was much higher.
“It’s quite the spectacle,” he added.
Had he not already seen sights much stranger than the newcomer just that day alone, he may have had some pause. However, in that context, the newcomer was far more amicable than anyone else he had met.
“I’m Xiao Se,” he introduced himself, now looking over the other properly. “Do you visit here often? I’m afraid I’m quite new.”
The man was covered in a purple furred coat—though it smelled like corn, not like actual fur—and he wore a rather expensive looking crown.
Downstairs there was a rather lively scene. Dozens of ghosts crowded a table, each with a bamboo shaker in hand. From the introduction of the croupier, it seemed the Chengzhu was present, and the payout for any bets was much higher.
“It’s quite the spectacle,” he added.
"Thank you~" sitting down slowly they placed their cane next to them. The three foxes settled down beside the huli jing peaking curiously over the edge of the table, still speaking along side their owner. After having settled down they elegantly pinned back the veil of their hat, making the talismans at the edges rustle slightly.
"You may call me Yu Lianhua, it is a pleasure meeting you Xiao-gongzi." Sniffing for a moment at the cup before taking a sip they hummed slightly. "It is not my first time in the city, but I haven't been inside here before. Curiosity simply got the better of me this time~" Their voice trailed of a bit at the end, their ears slightly shifting underneath the hat out of curiosity at the smell of the corn. "I didn't expect such a well dressed young man to be here." "Especially not with fur smelling like corn. Bah!" The last part was spoken by the left most of the ghosts. Its comment earning a side eye by Yu Lianhua, who in response got out a fan from their sleeves and wacked the spirit on the head. "Excuse my nosy ancestor, in death he is no longer restrained by his manners." The ghost let out a hiss before slipping under the table out of sight.
Following Xiao Se's gaze to the scene downstairs, it seemed to catch the huli jings attention. Leaning a bit over to see better. "Quite so i have to say. I heard that the host is gracing us with his presence tonight~" Unfolding the fan they smiled at the ghosts below.
"You may call me Yu Lianhua, it is a pleasure meeting you Xiao-gongzi." Sniffing for a moment at the cup before taking a sip they hummed slightly. "It is not my first time in the city, but I haven't been inside here before. Curiosity simply got the better of me this time~" Their voice trailed of a bit at the end, their ears slightly shifting underneath the hat out of curiosity at the smell of the corn. "I didn't expect such a well dressed young man to be here." "Especially not with fur smelling like corn. Bah!" The last part was spoken by the left most of the ghosts. Its comment earning a side eye by Yu Lianhua, who in response got out a fan from their sleeves and wacked the spirit on the head. "Excuse my nosy ancestor, in death he is no longer restrained by his manners." The ghost let out a hiss before slipping under the table out of sight.
Following Xiao Se's gaze to the scene downstairs, it seemed to catch the huli jings attention. Leaning a bit over to see better. "Quite so i have to say. I heard that the host is gracing us with his presence tonight~" Unfolding the fan they smiled at the ghosts below.
Xiao Se was curious about the entourage, though he suspected it would be rude to ask outright, so he simply kept the curiosity at the back of his mind.
“Yu Lianhua—” he considered for a moment, “A lotus flower as gorgeous as fine jade?” A fitting name, he thought.
At the explanation, he gave a nod, taking a sip of the tea. “Mmm—from a cursory glance, it seems you could acquire just about anything here. Though there were far too many human body parts for my liking.” Which was, really an understatement.
The ancestors remark simply elicited an amused huff, “Would you prefer this coat be made from the hide of your brethren?” Waving it off, he continued, “The fur smells of corn because it’s not fur, it’s a fiber derived from corn and some other herbs. The alchemist who specializes in this particular type of fabric is extraordinarily talented.”
Though, it was actually a good time to ask. “I didn’t wish to be rude, however—they’re ghosts, and you’re not? I’ve been finding it difficult to tell who’s alive and who’s not since, apparently, a sufficiently cultivated ghost appears not much different from a living person.”
His gaze, likewise, fell to the commotion downstairs. “So it would seem. I was curious whether it was worthwhile to bet, though I don’t know if I can afford failure.”
“Yu Lianhua—” he considered for a moment, “A lotus flower as gorgeous as fine jade?” A fitting name, he thought.
At the explanation, he gave a nod, taking a sip of the tea. “Mmm—from a cursory glance, it seems you could acquire just about anything here. Though there were far too many human body parts for my liking.” Which was, really an understatement.
The ancestors remark simply elicited an amused huff, “Would you prefer this coat be made from the hide of your brethren?” Waving it off, he continued, “The fur smells of corn because it’s not fur, it’s a fiber derived from corn and some other herbs. The alchemist who specializes in this particular type of fabric is extraordinarily talented.”
Though, it was actually a good time to ask. “I didn’t wish to be rude, however—they’re ghosts, and you’re not? I’ve been finding it difficult to tell who’s alive and who’s not since, apparently, a sufficiently cultivated ghost appears not much different from a living person.”
His gaze, likewise, fell to the commotion downstairs. “So it would seem. I was curious whether it was worthwhile to bet, though I don’t know if I can afford failure.”
The explanation of why the fur smelled like corn gathered a collective whistle from the four foxes. "That is for sure an intriguing way of producing fabric." Letting out another hum.
Yu Lianhuas smile seemed to intensify inquiry, yet they didn't laugh. "I am just your average wandering huli jing. These three are the ghost of my ancestors, bound to my being. They can be quite bothersome at times~" After they had spoke once again in unison the three ancestor ghosts seemed to actively disagree with the statement. "You are bothersome wanbei!" Earning only a stare from the alive fox.
"For most it is their best chance to take, but with that chance there can be dire consequences. I have treated those who have lost limbs here before. It was never pretty~" The tails behind them flicked slightly, before returning to swaying gently again, arranged like the leaves of a lotus flower behind them.
Yu Lianhuas smile seemed to intensify inquiry, yet they didn't laugh. "I am just your average wandering huli jing. These three are the ghost of my ancestors, bound to my being. They can be quite bothersome at times~" After they had spoke once again in unison the three ancestor ghosts seemed to actively disagree with the statement. "You are bothersome wanbei!" Earning only a stare from the alive fox.
"For most it is their best chance to take, but with that chance there can be dire consequences. I have treated those who have lost limbs here before. It was never pretty~" The tails behind them flicked slightly, before returning to swaying gently again, arranged like the leaves of a lotus flower behind them.
“I don’t know the precise details, though I do know it requires a Grade 6 Alchemy Furnace, which adds to the cost,” he explained. “Either way, it keeps me warm when it’s chilly, and cool when it’s sweltering.”
Witnessing the argument, he covered his amusement with a sip of tea and the sleeves of his robe. “So no one has a choice, I take it. That makes things difficult.” He wasn’t an exorcist, so he wouldn’t know how that could happen, or how to stop it. Though he suspected the fox probably tried everything in his power to get rid of the attachments.
“That sounds less than wonderful. And I thought my damaged meridians were gruesome,” he said with dark amusement. “Well, I’m not completely hopeless. I can likely achieve my goals, someday, through my own effort. A dangerous shortcut is probably more harm than help. And with the host present, I suspect I can’t use any tricks…”
“So, you’re a physician?” he asked, curiously.
Witnessing the argument, he covered his amusement with a sip of tea and the sleeves of his robe. “So no one has a choice, I take it. That makes things difficult.” He wasn’t an exorcist, so he wouldn’t know how that could happen, or how to stop it. Though he suspected the fox probably tried everything in his power to get rid of the attachments.
“That sounds less than wonderful. And I thought my damaged meridians were gruesome,” he said with dark amusement. “Well, I’m not completely hopeless. I can likely achieve my goals, someday, through my own effort. A dangerous shortcut is probably more harm than help. And with the host present, I suspect I can’t use any tricks…”
“So, you’re a physician?” he asked, curiously.
"They are better than having no one of my tribe around for ages. But as you can see they are quite intrusive sometimes~" Waving their fan slightly to avert the negativity.
Glancing back at the young man it seemed that from their expression the fox raised an eyebrow, though it was a bit hard to tell with their fur. "I always recommend a slow recovery, shortcuts damage more than they do good. Short term or emergency situations only. With your assumption you are also correct." They let out a noise that sounded a bit similar to laughter, yet it was obvious that it was not that. It seemed to be a pleased or happy fox noise. "Damaged meridians how curious~"
Glancing back at the young man it seemed that from their expression the fox raised an eyebrow, though it was a bit hard to tell with their fur. "I always recommend a slow recovery, shortcuts damage more than they do good. Short term or emergency situations only. With your assumption you are also correct." They let out a noise that sounded a bit similar to laughter, yet it was obvious that it was not that. It seemed to be a pleased or happy fox noise. "Damaged meridians how curious~"
“I suppose you’re right,” he responded with a smile. Though he couldn’t help the intrusive thought—he hoped that, for Yu Lianhua’s sake, they were ace. Any romantic entanglements would be ruined by a series of vocal bystanders.
He tried to wash away his thoughts by pouring himself another cup of tea.
With a hand, he waved it off, “Someone wanted me dead, so I suppose I survived out of spite. I plan to continue surviving out of spite, mind you.”
One would need a very fine-tuned spiritual sense to accurately deduce his condition, but a skilled physician likely wouldn’t find it too difficult.
His meridians were damaged and unable to circulate qi, and he suffered from some kind of anemia as a result. He could use more exercise, that much was clear. Otherwise, he would have once have been a Middle Stage Core Formation Cultivator—and while his golden core and qi reserves still existed, it stagnated due to a disturbing amount of wicked yin qi that had been injected into him at the time of assassination. The use of any technique that required the circulation of qi would most likely kill him violently, either immediately or soon after.
Two choices seemed to exist for him to recover: he could learn a technique to create more meridians which would take some time—and he’d still need to contend with the yin qi—or an earth immortal could completely cripple his cultivation, rebuild his meridians, and allow him to start over from scratch. Either way, neither were simple.
He tried to wash away his thoughts by pouring himself another cup of tea.
With a hand, he waved it off, “Someone wanted me dead, so I suppose I survived out of spite. I plan to continue surviving out of spite, mind you.”
One would need a very fine-tuned spiritual sense to accurately deduce his condition, but a skilled physician likely wouldn’t find it too difficult.
His meridians were damaged and unable to circulate qi, and he suffered from some kind of anemia as a result. He could use more exercise, that much was clear. Otherwise, he would have once have been a Middle Stage Core Formation Cultivator—and while his golden core and qi reserves still existed, it stagnated due to a disturbing amount of wicked yin qi that had been injected into him at the time of assassination. The use of any technique that required the circulation of qi would most likely kill him violently, either immediately or soon after.
Two choices seemed to exist for him to recover: he could learn a technique to create more meridians which would take some time—and he’d still need to contend with the yin qi—or an earth immortal could completely cripple his cultivation, rebuild his meridians, and allow him to start over from scratch. Either way, neither were simple.
Flicking their fan closed again, they grinned at the young man. "That is a good way to stay alive Xiao-gongzi. Spite is more powerful than most people realize~"
Now observing Xiao Se even closer with their amber eyes that seemed to pierce through him. They seemed to glow slightly in the dim light. The ghost foxes had move closer to him as well now peaking out under the table beside him. Seemingly sniffing him curiously.
"Well, you where obviously already quite far for your age. A shame that your meridians got destroyed. You should obviously at least to some more stretches in the morning and the evening, you are not getting any further while sitting around. I sadly am not yet strong enough to heal someone with as severe of an affliction as you possess~" A frown appeared on their face and the ghost retreated to their side of the table once again, seeming to bicker inaudibly about something.
Now observing Xiao Se even closer with their amber eyes that seemed to pierce through him. They seemed to glow slightly in the dim light. The ghost foxes had move closer to him as well now peaking out under the table beside him. Seemingly sniffing him curiously.
"Well, you where obviously already quite far for your age. A shame that your meridians got destroyed. You should obviously at least to some more stretches in the morning and the evening, you are not getting any further while sitting around. I sadly am not yet strong enough to heal someone with as severe of an affliction as you possess~" A frown appeared on their face and the ghost retreated to their side of the table once again, seeming to bicker inaudibly about something.
“Considering this city was probably created entirely from resentment, I guess that’s more literal than I thought,” he responded with a dry wit.
It wasn’t as if Xiao Se has anything to hide—well, no, he had a lot to hide, but his health wasn’t one of those things.
“Mmm… my flame was snuffed when I was about 17, so it’s been—four years, roughly.” At the advice he laughed, “You’re the second person to tell me that. The first person to say that had his daughter chase me around with a spear claiming it was exercise.” Huffing, he shook his head.
Now fresh out of tea, he averted his gaze, choosing to look downstairs. “I’m aware. It would take an immortal to fix this. I was given a manual that might help me, but that was only a few days ago. Even then, he estimated somewhere between 3 to 5 years worth of consistent effort.”
It wasn’t as if Xiao Se has anything to hide—well, no, he had a lot to hide, but his health wasn’t one of those things.
“Mmm… my flame was snuffed when I was about 17, so it’s been—four years, roughly.” At the advice he laughed, “You’re the second person to tell me that. The first person to say that had his daughter chase me around with a spear claiming it was exercise.” Huffing, he shook his head.
Now fresh out of tea, he averted his gaze, choosing to look downstairs. “I’m aware. It would take an immortal to fix this. I was given a manual that might help me, but that was only a few days ago. Even then, he estimated somewhere between 3 to 5 years worth of consistent effort.”
"I would say that four years aren't long but for a human that cant cultivate that is a lot of time.~" The fox hummed at the thought.
At the story of the girl with the spear Yu Lianhua let out a short chuckle. "Sometimes you need to get a bit creative on how you exercise, young one." The thought of a girl chasing the fancy young man around was a way to hilarious thing to imagine. The ghost foxes next to them weren't as calm as they where and had started cackling heavily.
The fox let out a long sigh, swirling the tea in their cup around. "If immortals weren't as illusive as they are it would be a lot easier. Still 3 to 5 years is probably the best shot you have at recovery. One of the fastest ones without those immortals anyways~" They leaned back on their right hand, now joining to watch the buzzling downstairs once again. "If I was 700 years older I could help you kid."
At the story of the girl with the spear Yu Lianhua let out a short chuckle. "Sometimes you need to get a bit creative on how you exercise, young one." The thought of a girl chasing the fancy young man around was a way to hilarious thing to imagine. The ghost foxes next to them weren't as calm as they where and had started cackling heavily.
The fox let out a long sigh, swirling the tea in their cup around. "If immortals weren't as illusive as they are it would be a lot easier. Still 3 to 5 years is probably the best shot you have at recovery. One of the fastest ones without those immortals anyways~" They leaned back on their right hand, now joining to watch the buzzling downstairs once again. "If I was 700 years older I could help you kid."
He shrugged, “I made the best of it. I own an inn, you know.” The inn was falling apart and bleeding money, but no one had to know that.
Thinking of Sikong Qianluo, he groaned and shook his head, “Running from her isn’t simple, either. She’s the daughter of the current Spear Deity, and she’s somewhere in Foundation Establishment.” He eyed the foxes, though he couldn’t exactly blame them for their amusement. After all, the entirety of Xueyue City laughed at him whenever they caught the girl enthusiastically trying to murder him.
“I don’t necessarily want to owe an immortal a debt, so 3-5 years is reasonable. As long as nothing happens to Tian Qi City beforehand,” he noted.
At their apology, he waved it off, “No need to apologize. Even if you were capable, it’d probably cost some of your cultivation. I wouldn’t ask that.”
Reaching into his sleeve, he brought out his own fan, and opened it with an elegant snap before slowly fanning himself. “Do you know how to leave this place? I’m in no hurry, but I’m sure if I overstay my welcome my injury will get worse.”
Thinking of Sikong Qianluo, he groaned and shook his head, “Running from her isn’t simple, either. She’s the daughter of the current Spear Deity, and she’s somewhere in Foundation Establishment.” He eyed the foxes, though he couldn’t exactly blame them for their amusement. After all, the entirety of Xueyue City laughed at him whenever they caught the girl enthusiastically trying to murder him.
“I don’t necessarily want to owe an immortal a debt, so 3-5 years is reasonable. As long as nothing happens to Tian Qi City beforehand,” he noted.
At their apology, he waved it off, “No need to apologize. Even if you were capable, it’d probably cost some of your cultivation. I wouldn’t ask that.”
Reaching into his sleeve, he brought out his own fan, and opened it with an elegant snap before slowly fanning himself. “Do you know how to leave this place? I’m in no hurry, but I’m sure if I overstay my welcome my injury will get worse.”