Chapter 102: Balin County

It was a warm winter afternoon when the merchant ship docked at the Baling County pier.

As Fang Yue stepped off the ship, the feeling of solid ground beneath his feet was remarkably comforting. He had spent more than two days and two nights on the turbulent sea; although his physical constitution as a martial artist spared him from seasickness, he still felt a sense of security only upon reaching land. Baling County’s pier was fairly large and reasonably prosperous, though it paled in comparison to White Spring Port, the greatest harbor in Yun Prefecture.

"Sir, are you from out of town? Stay at our Fugui Inn! It’s only eighty wen a day, and we provide breakfast."

Fang Yue had only taken a few steps when he was approached by an inn tout.

"Where is your inn?"

"It’s not far from the pier; just a few steps away."

"Fine, lead the way. By the way, while at this pier, have you seen two young women—one in white and one in green—boarding a ship?"

"Haven't seen them, sir. Would you like me to keep an eye out for you?"

"Never mind, no need."

...

Inside a room at the Fugui Inn, Fang Yue set down his luggage and surveyed the space. The decor was simple, consisting only of a basic bed, table, and chairs. Located near the pier, the inn catered primarily to travelers passing through. Baling County served as a gateway to the sea for the various prefectures in northern Yun Prefecture, and most martial artists from the north who wished to venture into the world had to pass through this location.

Fang Yue was in no hurry to act. He planned to first gather information on the various sects and martial arts halls in northern Yun Prefecture. Large sects and schools were strictly regulated, with complicated hierarchies and large numbers of people; obtaining an innate-level martial art from them would be difficult and time-consuming. Therefore, Fang Yue had no intention of approaching the major organizations, focusing instead on small, declining schools that had once produced innate masters.

...

Fang Yue—
Merit: 42,696 points
Supernatural Abilities: Deduction, Insight, Soul Capture
Techniques: Dragon-Turtle Breath Regulation (1st Layer)
Martial Arts: Enlightenment Gong (4th Layer), Fire Iron Body (2nd Layer), Flaming Palm (2nd Layer), Basic Fist Technique (1st Layer), Basic Blade Technique (1st Layer), Basic Sword Technique (1st Layer), Basic Movement Technique (1st Layer)

Fang Yue’s management of Fish Head Town had allowed its thousands of residents to live in peace and prosperity despite the government’s negligence, earning him a significant amount of merit. Even now, it continued to provide a steady stream of points. As long as Fish Head Town existed and its residents relied on his protection, he would keep reaping the rewards.

"Eliminating the Ghost Bride earned me over three thousand points, and with the contributions from the residents, I now have over forty thousand. I have plenty of merit to deduce innate-level techniques," Fang Yue thought, gazing out the window.

Deducing the fourth layer of Enlightenment Gong had cost over three thousand points. He estimated that deducing the fifth layer to reach the Innate Realm would likely require between ten thousand and thirty thousand points.

"With the fourth layer of Enlightenment Gong, I have reached the absolute peak of the Post-Natal Realm. Combined with the second layer of Flaming Palm, my strength is now equivalent to half an innate master. If I utilize my trump cards, I could potentially hold my own against an average innate expert. With the large stash of silver notes I carry, joining one of those declining small sects and planning carefully, it is not impossible to learn an innate martial art in a short time. Of course, I must first clarify the power dynamics of the sects and schools in northern Yun Prefecture."

After settling his itinerary, Fang Yue had the inn attendant bring hot water, bathed, and changed his clothes. Previously, he had dressed as a scholar in green robes, but since he would be dealing with martial artists in Baling County, he switched into a light-white brocade robe with a long sword at his waist, giving him the appearance of an elegant young nobleman.

...

Fang Yue went downstairs to the main hall, chose a secluded spot, and ordered a table of food and wine. As the waiter served the dishes, Fang Yue ate slowly, observing the other patrons. The inn was quite busy for dinner hour, and he noticed several tables where guests carried blades or swords—a rare sight back in Ping'an County.

A middle-aged man wearing only a thin, tattered shirt in the biting cold walked into the hall. His eyes darted quickly across the room, and upon spotting Fang Yue in his brocade robes, his eyes lit up. He walked over without hesitation and sat down at Fang Yue's table.

"Waiter! Waiter! Bring me wine, the best you have!" the man shouted, slapping the table.

The waiter rolled his eyes when he saw him. "Drunken Li, you haven't paid for your drinks from last time, the time before that, or the time before that. Where would you get the money to drink now?"

Drunken Li pointed at Fang Yue. "He’s paying."

The waiter looked at Fang Yue, who replied, "Put it on my tab."

Drunken Li slapped the table excitedly. "Generous! Did you hear that? Put it on his tab! Bring me your best Daughter Red!"

The waiter looked at Fang Yue again, who nodded. Seeing that someone was footing the bill, the waiter had nothing more to say and soon brought a jar of wine and two bowls.

Drunken Li, however, ignored the bowls. He broke the seal, lifted the jar with one hand, and gulped down several mouthfuls. "Refreshing! Waiter, bring another set of bowls and chopsticks, and add a few more hot dishes!"

By the time he set the jar down, his eyes were hazy. He turned to his benefactor: "You’re from out of town, aren't you? Looking to become an apprentice, challenge a master, recruit bodyguards, or perhaps take a martial arts heroine as a concubine? Whatever it is, you’ve come to the right person. When it comes to local news, no one is better informed than Drunken Li."

Fang Yue asked curiously, "Why would a martial arts heroine be willing to become someone's concubine?"

Drunken Li gave him a look that suggested he knew exactly what a young man would ask first. "What's wrong with being a concubine in a wealthy household? Silk and satin, fine food and drink, servants to attend to you at home, and carriages when you go out—isn't that better than killing and fighting in the Jianghu?"

Fang Yue thought to himself that having servants and carriages implied that the "wealthy household" still needed to have significant status and wealth. He was merely curious, but that wasn't his primary concern. Just as he was about to ask Drunken Li about the martial arts landscape of northern Yun Prefecture, a commotion broke out nearby.

A group of disciples from one sect had entered and spotted members of a rival sect. Old grudges flared instantly. The two groups began to argue, brandishing their weapons, turning the lobby into a chaotic mess.

Drunken Li scoffed, "Don't pay them any mind. Every place has its own rules; they wouldn't dare start a fight here."

Sure enough, after hurling insults at each other for a while, both groups sat down at separate tables to eat and drink. Fang Yue, who had been waiting for the spectacle, was left quite stunned.