Xu Yueping said, "Please let your boss know that we're here to see Feng Yian."
The sleepy young man who had greeted them immediately became alert. "Our boss isn't here right now, but he gave instructions in advance. I'll go get Mr. Feng for you."
"This roe deer has tender meat. Should be enough to exchange for some good wine, right?" Xu Yueping offered the deer as payment.
Normally, the tavern wouldn't accept such a deal, but with the current food shortages, the young server nodded in agreement without hesitation.
"The owner here claims to be a 'Western Huoluonese,'" Xu Yueping said to Qin Ming. "Years ago, his father followed a great expert and rode a strange bird from the west to this land."
Some say that the expert had gone off to wander the world. Others claim he was killed by a Moon Worm while exploring a high-level fire spring deep in the mountains. His follower eventually settled here and opened a tavern.
"Mr. Feng should show up around noon," the young man said a moment later, then went off to summon someone to serve them.
Xu Yueping waved him off. "No need for music or dancing. Just bring food and wine. We're here to talk today."
The tavern was elegantly decorated, with all sorts of crystal lanterns hanging from the ceiling. But the sunstones inside them were small, casting a dim, dreamy glow.
Xu Yueping leaned over and said in a low voice, "It's still early. Qin, you wait here. I'm going to visit that old nobleman."
Qin Ming nodded, knowing he was off to try his luck again with the noble's household. There was no use trying to stop him. The tavern quieted down. Qin Ming took a small sip of the amber liquor in his glass. It wasn't spicy, but he still didn't enjoy the taste.
Time passed slowly. He watched the snow fall outside the window, people coming and going. It was a level of bustle and liveliness he rarely saw in the quiet Shuangshu Village.
Xu Yueping finally returned, brushing a few flakes of snow from his shoulders. He rubbed his hands together, took several swigs of wine, and said, "Definitely better than the stuff at home."
"Uncle Xu, are you alright?" Qin Ming asked.
"I'm fine," Xu Yueping replied. "When I visited, they received me warmly. Said they'd give you a chance when the time comes."
"Huh?" Qin Ming was surprised. It wasn't the rejection he'd expected. But after asking a few more questions, he was left speechless.
The warm reception had been from the house steward, not the noble himself. It was impossible to meet the noble directly. The steward wore a gentle smile, kept his tone proper, and said many had come recently seeking marriage. He'd arrange a time for outstanding young men to meet the noble.
"They were politely turning you down," Qin Ming said flatly.
Xu Yueping took another sip and said, "You can lift six hundred pounds. That's an outstanding achievement. I think they'll look at you differently."
"I assume you told them about my foundation?" Qin Ming asked. "They smiled, sure, but remained indifferent. That says it all. And as you mentioned, they came from afar, probably from a brilliant city. They've seen real talent."
Xu Yueping recalled rumors that the noble's daughter was said to be extremely gifted. He frowned. "You're already a marvel in this region, and even that's not good enough for them?"
Though he felt a bit defeated, the steward's polite demeanor had already given him a sense of foreboding. Still, he had hoped to seize the opportunity for Qin Ming and solve the patrol group's threats in the process.
Qin Ming's expression grew serious. "Uncle Xu, let's drop it. we shouldn't get too entangled with these mysterious nobles from distant lands."
Xu Yueping immediately sobered. Who knew whether the noble family was hiding or escaping danger? He nodded gravely. "You're right."
Noon came, a time when the night lightened a little, and faint outlines of mountains could be seen outside Yinteng Town.
Feng Yian appeared, accompanied by two patrollers. They stepped into the tavern through wind and snow, bringing a chill with them.
"Brother Xu! So sorry to keep you waiting this long. We just got back from patrolling," Feng Yian greeted cheerfully.
Seeing his sincere facade made Qin Ming feel pure disgust. He wanted nothing more than to punch this bearded man in the face. He had already learned from Xu Yueping that this patrol unit was notoriously irresponsible, barely showing up in the mountains except around the middle and end of each month.
Although the sun had long vanished from the sky and there was no longer a bright moon or starry night, people still used the old calendar terms, talking about the start or end of the month.
Most of the time, the patrollers spent their days lounging in taverns, restaurants, or even keeping mistresses in various towns.
Xu Yueping forced a smile. "Brother Feng, you're too kind. We know patrolling is hard work. We haven't waited long."
Feng Yian turned to Qin Ming and said, "Young lad, you're a fine young man with immense potential. I hope you'll consider joining our patrol team in the future." He patted Qin Ming's shoulder in a friendly way, then called over a server to request a private room. He then turned to the two patrollers behind him and said, "I'll chat with Brother Xu for a bit. You two accompany Qin. Order some drinks, maybe see what the restaurant next door has to offer."
He wanted to drop the act and speak to Xu Yueping alone. Sure enough, once inside the private room, his demeanor changed.
"Old Xu," he said, "you're not making this easy. Being too uptight will only make your life miserable. Don't forget, you've got a wife and kids. If a few wild beasts charge into your house from the mountains one night... that's just nature, isn't it?" He lightly slapped Xu Yueping's face with his palm.
He was no longer acting friendly; his smile had turned cold. It was a naked threat.
"I'll plant the Black Moon seeds as soon as I return," Xu Yueping said.
"You made me unhappy this time. What, you won't back down unless we kill someone in the mountains? We had to come all the way here for you, and when the captain heard, he was furious!" Feng Yian slapped Xu Yueping's face again, this time harder.
Fifteen minutes later, Feng Yian came downstairs from the private room wearing a smile.
"Let's go," Xu Yueping said to Qin Ming.
Feng Yian grinned. "Brother Xu thinks planting the Black Moon is urgent and wants to head back first. Qin, if you're not in a rush, stay for a drink."
Qin Ming politely declined. "No, I'll go with Uncle Xu. The wilderness isn't safe lately; it's better to travel in pairs."
As they disappeared through the tavern door, one of Feng Yian's subordinates muttered, "So what if that kid has a golden foundation? It's obvious he's siding with Xu Yueping. Why treat him so nicely?"
Feng Yian said, "True. It's hard to say how far he'll go. He's not one of us, but since we haven't turned against him yet, we might as well keep it civil, for now. Unless we're ready to kill him on the spot..."
"Uncle Xu!" Qin Ming had noticed a faint handprint on Xu Yueping's left cheek. He immediately understood that Xu Yueping had been humiliated in that private room.
He could feel the sting of that shame himself. Fury surged in his chest. He took a deep breath and said coldly, "Uncle Xu, they've committed evil again and again. I think even the heavens are losing patience; soon, they'll be struck down."