"Heard about it? The imperial court has entered the fray, flooding the Jingxiang Region with top internal court experts to track down and surround the followers of the Five Poisons Cult, district by district..."
"Heard it. My seventh uncle is the Sect Leader of Juque Gate in Yueyang. He kept sending messages asking me to come back, saying the court is offering a big reward!"
"Oh? Li, you're actually the grandnephew of 'Bulldozer' Ding, the Sect Leader. My apologies, my apologies!"
"Laugh it off, laugh it off..."
As the year ended, the salted fish who had gone home for the New Year began trickling back to the inn in pairs and small groups. Dozens of them gathered in the inn, making merry over tea, gossiping, and chattering non-stop with the cheerful air of celebration.
Yang Ge sat behind the counter, holding a crooked-mouthed teapot, cracking sunflower seeds, sipping tea, and snacking with gusto, all without leaving his spot but still knowing everything under the heavens.
