Fang Hao followed behind Mei Wenxiu as she brought him to a tavern inn, pushing open the door that rang a small bell. The inn had a bar and was very plainly decorated, with no images on the walls apart from a fireplace and the tables.
As they entered, Fang Hao noticed around three people eating and drinking at one table, while the other nine tables were unoccupied.
The patrons turned their heads to Fang Hao as the door made a bell-like sound, their eyes assessing him from head to toe before returning to their meals.
One of them even shot a curious glance in Wenxiu's direction, noticing her interaction with the newcomer.
''Do you not often have new people here?'' Fang Hao remained still, taking in his surroundings, before he proceeded to walk and settled into a corner.
He positioned himself with his back against the wall, observing as Mei Wenxiu made her way towards the bar.
''Not really. As you heard, we've recently relocated. Are you ready for that soup now?'' She asked, turning with a smile, and Fang Hao simply nodded.
''Perfect, I'll go prepare it for you,'' she affirmed before departing to the area behind the bar, leaving him alone.
"So she's the owner?" he wondered, looking at the other three at the table. They had daggers and swords on their belts, and their arms showed scars and cuts. Their clothes were a bit dirty, like they were mercenaries, guards, or hunters.
"I guess they have to hunt for food," Fang Hao thought, feeling more at ease now. He closed his eyes for a moment. It didn't take long before Wenxiu came back, carrying a hot bowl of soup.
"Here you go, enjoy. It's a pork soup with vegetables," she said, giving him a smile as he picked up the spoon.
"Thanks," he said softly. The delicious smell of the food made his mouth water. It had been a while since he could taste regular food again.
He dipped the spoon into the soup and brought it to his face, the smell making his mouth water even more—just wonderful.
Pausing, Fang Hao felt a bit uncomfortable as he noticed Wenxiu's gaze fixed on him.
"Excuse me, but we don't often see young men as handsome as you around these parts," she chuckled understanding hes glare.
Then, she inquired if Fang Hao would like something to drink, to which he nodded.
Gently blowing on the soup, he brought the spoon to his lips, poised to take a cautious sip. However, he stopped abruptly, his mind drifting into thoughts.
'Could this be poison?' Fang Hao's eyes narrowed briefly, but he soon calmed himself by touching the medallion his father had given him.
He knew it would protect him if the soup were poisoned. Nonetheless, he decided to wait for Wenxiu to return before making any conclusions.
Setting the soup spoon aside, Fang Hao reclined, resting against the seat and soaking in the ambiance. He gazed out the window, where the darkening sky painted the evening scene.
Upon Wenxiu's return with a jug of water, she noticed that he hadn't taken a taste of the soup, prompting a slight pout. "Don't you like my cooking?" she queried, settling herself on the opposite side.
"It's not that. I just remembered that I have a...restricted diet," he replied with a light tone after a pause, leaving her somewhat puzzled.
"Alright, since you won't be enjoying it, would you mind if I have it? Food is scarce around here," she proposed, and Fang Hao hastened to nod in agreement.
"Thank you," Wenxiu uttered softly. He watched as she delved into the meal, enjoying the soup and dipping bread into it. Observing her eat, a faint pang of regret brushed against him.
Watching her eat, he knew that the soup was safe. He felt his eye twitch slightly. His fingers brushed against the medallion hanging around his neck, and with a touch, it emitted a subtle, emerald glow. With a calm face, he reached for the glass of water.
Wenxiu completed her meal and glanced at Fang Hao. However, her attention was diverted as she noticed a glint, his hand reaching for the glass.
"Wait," she exclaimed in haste, swiftly grabbing the glass before rising from her seat. "Let me get you some wine. Since you didn't eat, I'll make it up to you," she rushed to the back of the inn.
Moments later, she reappeared holding two glasses and a bottle of wine. She poured the crimson liquid into each glass and gestured for him to lift his.
"I hope you enjoy your stay," she purred with a seductive smile, her blonde hair dancing around her. Fang Hao took hold of the glass, clinking it against hers to produce a gentle chime. Following her lead as she started drinking, he allowed a brief moment to pass before he gave it a sip, savoring the taste of the wine.
"This is actually my first time drinking wine," Fang Hao murmured audibly, making sure she could hear.
''Then drink more hehehe,'' she chuckled, pouring a few more times. They continued to share drinks, and he found himself engrossed in her storytelling. As the conversation progressed, they reached the point where she spoke about the beast.
''I had a lover, but he fell victim to the beast. The other villagers and I gathered what little we had left and relocated here, hoping to start anew,'' she said with a touch of sorrow in her voice.
Fang Hao shifted the topic, sharing stories while hiding certain details from his time at Cloudsour. His descriptions captivated her, causing a gleam of fascination in her eyes.
Their conversation fluctuated between profound and lighthearted, creating a dynamic atmosphere.
For Fang Hao, this was his first interaction with another human besides his family, and he felt remarkably at ease, enjoying every moment as his laugh spread through the inn.
Then, in a playful tone, he remarked, ''You never asked if I got gold, you know.'' He took a sip of wine as her expression momentarily froze. Turning her gaze towards him, their eyes locked as she inquired, ''Do you have gold, Jun?''
He chuckled, finding genuine enjoyment in her company. She brought a refreshing air to their conversation, and her lively presence was invigorating.
As they talked and relaxed, Fang Hao's mind wandered back to memories of Natasha and his life on Earth.
He couldn't help but notice the similarities between the mortals in this world and the humans from older generation.
It made human interaction fascinating, unlike the time he spent in modern Earth, where technology had caused humans to forget these basic, profound aspects of life.
He found their lives both fascinating and relaxing, pondering where this path would ultimately lead.
Was Cultivation really the answer? He shook his head, casting aside his thoughts for the moment, uncertain of the truth residing in his heart.
As the conversation continued to flow, Fang Hao's mind became absorbed in the exchange, momentarily losing track of his earlier contemplations.
If someone checked Fang Hao mind they would find a pocket of memories missing, they got deleted.
Shaking his head, their conversation continued to unfold until the darkness had fully descended. The other three patrons had already departed long ago.
"I will show you to your room. It's upstairs. Follow me," she said with a hint of sadness. She finished her wine in a single gulp as the late hour approached. With a playful wink, she stood up and stretched before guiding him through the inn.
Ascending the slightly creaky wooden stairs, she arrived at a door. Using a key, she unlocked the door and motioned for Fang Hao to step inside. As he entered, his gaze swept across the simple room.
A plain bed occupied one corner, its view from the window encompassing the village below. A few scattered houses still emitted the glow of candles, while the rest remained shrouded in the inky darkness.
The door clicked shut behind him as Wenxiu followed Fang Hao into the room. His attention was quickly seized by the sight that unfolded. She began to remove her clothes, each piece of clothing falling to the floor.
Eventually, she stood before him, utterly naked, her figure illuminated by a subtle, dim light. Taking a small step toward him, she extended her hand, gently resting it against his chest.
"How about you help this girl out, Young Hero?" she teased with a laugh, her words causing Fang Hao to grow slightly wary. As he looked at her alluring figure, he couldn't deny that she was incredibly attractive.
Her captivating form stirred something within him, a warmth that spread from his lower part. Yet his attention was diverted by a particular detail—a small necklace resting against her skin.
"What's this?" he inquired, his fingers lightly brushing against the pendant. His touch prompted her to place her own hand atop his, holding it gently.
"This is a gift from my mother, something very dear to me," she explained, her voice carrying a sense of reverence as she carefully removed his hand from the pendant. Her gaze conveyed the profound significance it held.
"It's quite beautiful," Fang Hao commented, and she nodded in agreement. However, her attempt to guide him towards the bed was met with his gentle resistance. Instead, he gently pushed her, causing her to fall onto the bed.
"Oh, I do enjoy it when men take control," she purred seductively, inviting him further. She lay on the bed.
Fang Hao's gaze lingered on her alluring figure, and he found himself contemplating the situation. A mixture of desire and lust welled up within him, and he eventually succumbed to the temptation, deciding to embrace the moment.
Fang Hao was on the verge of joining her when he suddenly halted. He spoke with a gentle tone: "I'll be with you in just a moment." With that, he turned away and swiftly retrieved eight flags from his spatial ring. He quickly arranged and connected them around the room.
"What's this?" Wenxiu's mood shifted, her curiosity giving way to mild annoyance as she observed Fang Hao's actions that she couldn't comprehend.
Not effected by her question, Fang Hao continued his task without answering. He efficiently set up a formation for defense, and a second one positioning eight flags around the room. His concentration remained unbroken as he placed a ninth flag, upon which he placed two spiritual stones and a flower.
Wenxiu's eyes narrowed further, her curiosity and unease growing as she watched Fang Hao's actions. The tension in the room mounted as the lines drawn by the flags began to interconnect.
Soon, a dome-shaped formation materialized, enveloping them in a formation. Gradually, a mist emerged from the formation, slowly spreading and encompassing the entire top floor of the inn.
"So, Wenxiu, is that your true name?" Fang Hao's voice remained steady, his arms crossed as he regarded her intently.
"How about we have a little chat? I'll give you two chances to speak—the first for a tale you'd like me to believe, and the second for the truth." Pausing for a moment, he continued in a more serious tone.
''Should you fail both, your life will be ended. You may choose to put on a robe if you prefer, but I must admit, I find your naked body pretty pleasing."