Longevity, starting from traveling and telling stories

Chapter 163: Encountering an Old Acquaintance

Lost Town.

Ye Beixuan brought Ye Xiaobei into the town. The familiar streets came into view, and memories surged like a tide. He felt that time had flown by, as if it were a lifetime ago.

The streets are crisscrossed and bustling with people. The shops on both sides of the street are filled with a dazzling array of goods, the shelves are filled with merchandise, and the shouts of hawkers are heard one after another, attracting passers-by to stop and watch and choose.

In the center of town.

A towering building of extraordinary grandeur is particularly eye-catching, making people unconsciously want to stay their eyes here.

"Let's go!" Ye Beixuan called Ye Xiaobei softly and asked him to follow him.

Is this inn sold?

The two soon arrived at the town center and came to the door of the inn. Above the door hung a huge and imposing plaque with four large characters written in a flamboyant style that were particularly eye-catching - Beixi Inn.

Looking around, the inn building is elegant and well-proportioned, with blue bricks, red tiles, carved beams and painted buildings, showing luxury and rich connotation.

Slowly stepping in, you will find the spacious and bright lobby filled with mahogany tables and chairs, which are filled with people coming and going from all directions.

Looking around, various calligraphy and paintings were hung on the walls, and there was an eye-catching storytelling platform in front. On the counter not far away, a boy about fifteen years old was greeting customers. His eyes and eyebrows looked very much like Qin Ruoxi.

The young man also noticed Ye Beixuan and Ye Xiaobei at this moment, and his eyes immediately showed a professional smile and he came forward to greet them.

"Sir," the young man said, stepping forward and gesturing, "Are you staying here or just stopping by? The waiter is busy. If you have any requests, please tell me."

"Are you the boss here?" Ye Beixuan asked doubtfully. In fact, he wanted to ask, who are you? Who is Qin Ruoxi to you?

"Yes! I am the boss and storyteller here, Qin Shaoyou." Qin Shaoyou said enthusiastically, "Sir, please find a seat first and listen to my storytelling. I promise not to disappoint you."

"Why do I remember that the owner of this inn is Qin Ruoxi?" Ye Beixuan said tentatively.

The young man's face changed, but he immediately smiled and said, "No, I haven't. After my father passed away, I have been running this inn alone. There is no one named Qin Ruoxi, but there is a Qin Beixi, who is my eldest brother. He has already joined the army."

"Join the army?" Ye Beixuan touched his chin, as if he understood something. She joined the army on behalf of her brother. This girl is so brave.

Then he said, "Let's find a place to sit down first!"

Soon, the two found a relatively secluded and quiet place to sit down. At this time, the waiter came late with the menu.

Ye Beixuan didn't waste any words. He said there were plenty of big kidneys and wild yellow croakers on the ground.

"It's very expensive!" Ye Xiaobei reminded quietly: "Master, has Master's wife given us money yet?"

"No."

Ye Xiaobei muttered quietly, "Isn't he really going to dine and dash this time?"

Last time, a junior fellow student paid us, who will this time?

Soon, all the dishes were served. Ye Xiaobei ate in small bites, watching Ye Beixuan devour the food in no time, as if if he ate less, the beating he would receive would be less severe.

Bang! Just as the two were enjoying their delicious meal, the sound of a gavel echoed throughout the inn. Qin Shaoyou straightened his clothes and slowly unfolded the folding fan in his hand.

"Everyone, I'm the owner of this inn and a part-time storyteller. My name is Qin Shaoyou. Today we'll continue our story of the chivalrous knight."

Ye Beixuan was stunned. "Xia Ke Xing?" Wasn't this the story he had told himself? This young man was indeed Qin Ruoxi's younger brother.

The person on the stage was talking non-stop and the audience was listening attentively, but Ye Beixuan could see many of his own reflections in the speech.

Ye Xiaobei muttered softly again at this time: "Could this be another junior brother?"

Junior brother? Master, you big head ghost, according to seniority, I am higher than you.

"Good!" Some of the audience below the stage applauded enthusiastically.

Qin Shaoyou nodded with satisfaction. The story his sister had taught him was quite good, but it seemed like it had already been told. What should he do now? He was also in a dilemma at the moment, as he didn't know how to compile it.

After listening to the story, everyone enjoyed the inn's delicious food while chatting and laughing, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

suddenly.

A burst of orderly footsteps came towards him with a murderous aura. Ye Beixuan frowned. This was a group of people who often killed people.

Soon, several soldiers in armor appeared at the door of the inn. They walked in with expressionless faces. When Qin Shaoyou saw them, he immediately greeted them with a smile on his face.

"General," Qin Shaoyou said with a big smile, "What would you like to eat?"

"Are you the owner of this shop?" The leading mercenary glanced at the roster in his hand and said, "The war between Great Zhou and Northern Liang is intense right now. You should be enlisting by the time you reach the age. Why haven't you reported yet?"

"Reporting to the military commander, the county magistrate took pity on my family and allowed my elder brother to enlist in the army, so I stayed here."

Qin Shaoyou stuffed silver into the hands of the soldiers and mercenaries as he spoke.

However, several mercenaries took the money and refused to buy it. They shook their heads and said firmly, "This is what Jiedushi Zhang said. All men over the age of fourteen must enlist. This is the rule. Even the county magistrate has no right to interfere."

"The war is intense now. Even if there is only one person left in your family, you can't refuse."

Ye Beixuan frowned. This was clearly a difficult situation. Generally speaking, if someone in the family had already joined the army and there was only one person left in the family, one would not have to join the army.

This is clearly using the tense war situation as a pretext to oppress the people. It seems that this so-called governor must have been bribed by the inn's competitors.

After all, he is only a fifteen-year-old child. Although he is mature for his age, he still doesn't know how to deal with the situation when the silver fails.

Just when Qin Shaoyou was at a loss, a gentle voice came: "Where is Jiedushi Zhang now?"

Several soldiers looked in the direction of the voice and suddenly saw a bearded scholar approaching. His brows furrowed and he said in a rather stern tone, "Do you think you can question our Jiedushi?"

"You appear to be forty years old. What's your name? Where are you from? Are you on the enlistment roster?"

Seeing this, Qin Shaoyou immediately pulled Ye Beixuan aside and whispered, "I know you have good intentions. I'll treat you to this meal, but I don't want to get you into trouble."

"Jiedushi Zhang is recruiting soldiers in our town recently. I'm afraid I can't escape."

Just as the two were muttering, an unhappy voice came from the side.

"Are you done mumbling?" the mercenary said impatiently, "Qin Shaoyou, you must report back tomorrow. If you don't, you will be charged with treason."

After saying that, they walked away with their noses turned up without caring about the other party's reaction.

"Ah," Qin Shaoyou sighed after seeing the mercenaries leave, "It seems that this inn is going to close."

Qin Shaoyou shook his head dejectedly and turned away.

"Master, you don't have money to give, so you're just standing up for him!" Ye Xiaobei's voice came from the side, "I finally understand how those heroes in the storybooks got their money."

"What nonsense are you talking about? Is your master that kind of person?" Ye Beixuan pinched Ye Xiaobei's cheek unhappily.

You are! You are! Bargaining for twenty taels.

While Ye Xiaobei was still muttering, Ye Beixuan had already gone to the counter to inquire about the room.

"Let's go!" Ye Beixuan called out to Ye Xiaobei.

"Oh" Ye Xiaobei replied in a panic.

After saying that, the two of them slowly went to the room to rest.

It was getting dark.

Ye Beixuan was waiting for Ye Xiaobei to finish his practice and go to sleep. He waited and waited, but he was still practicing. This disciple was really a scroll, a scroll king, no exaggeration, so he knocked him out with one finger.

"Rolling every day is bad for your health. Get some rest, silly disciple."

After saying that, Ye Beixuan opened the door and disappeared into the darkness.

Yihongyuan.

In the Yihong Courtyard, there are bright lights, wine and women, melodious music, and dancers dancing in light gauze and talking with smiles.

Jiedushi Zhang was sitting in a private room, holding a white jade wine glass in his hand. He stared at the glass and gently shook the little wine in it. A slight blush of drunkenness appeared on his face.

Then he drank it all in one gulp.

Zhou Liufu, who was sitting opposite him, had a flattering smile on his face. When he saw that he had finished his drink, he hurried forward to show his courtesy and poured wine for him.

"It is truly an honor for our family that Sir Zhang has accepted my invitation today. I will make sure you enjoy yourself today." Zhou Liufu said with a smile, but there was a hint of calculation in his eyes.

Zhang Jiedushi showed a hint of joking and said calmly, "Mr. Zhou, you're too polite. However, although this wine is good, it's difficult to handle. After all, Qin Shaoyou has the protection of the county magistrate. Although I am of higher rank than him, I can't help but give you some face. Otherwise, who will cooperate with me in the future?"

Zhou Liufu's expression changed slightly when he heard this, but as he was well versed in the ways of the world, he quickly put on his smile again.

"Pa, pa, pa!" He clapped his hands vigorously, and immediately a graceful woman entered the room. It was none other than the most beautiful courtesan of the Yihong Courtyard, Hu Meir. Her eyebrows were as picturesque as a painting, her eyes as charming as silk, and she wore a light veil that was barely visible, her lotus steps carrying a charming aura.

Jiedushi Zhang's playful look suddenly froze, and he stared at her intently, even forgetting that he was holding the wine glass and almost dropped it.

"Who is this..." Jiedushi Zhang looked at her intently, his tone slightly puzzled.

Zhou Liufu was secretly delighted when he saw this, and quickly stepped forward to introduce her, "This is the courtesan of Yihong Courtyard, Miss Hu Meir. She has never received a guest before, but since you are coming today, I have prepared something specially for you."

Mei'er smiled sweetly, walked gracefully to the side of Zhang Jiedushi, gently filled his glass, and said in a charming tone, "Sir, please drink."

Zhang Jiedushi touched Hu Meir's soft little hand, took the wine glass and drank it all, laughing: "Good wine, good wine! The wine is good, and the people are even better, hahahahahaha."

"Mei'er, the master is tired. Please help him go to the room to rest!" Zhou Liufu spoke immediately when he saw the fish was hooked.

As expected, Hu Mei'er gently took Zhang Jiedushi's arm and said softly, "Sir, may I help you to your room to rest for a while?"

Zhang Jiedushi was already completely captivated by this moment, and said in a drunken tone, "Okay, okay, Miss Mei'er, lead the way."

Hu Meir smiled slightly, a hint of cunning flashed in her eyes. She glanced at Zhou Liufu and walked into the private room with Jiedushi Zhang.

Zhou Liufu looked at the backs of the two men, a smug smile appearing on the corner of his mouth. Qin Shaoyou, let’s see how you, a little brat, will take this time.

Ye Beixuan was being harassed by a girl named Xiaoman in the hall. He was looking around for something when he suddenly saw the door of a private room open. A familiar figure walked out, supporting a drunk and wealthy-looking man. Behind him was a middle-aged man with a big belly and calculating eyes.

His eyes were sharp and he recognized the woman at a glance.

Hmm? This woman? Hu Mei'er? Then the Zhang Jiedushi I'm looking for should be them.

Ye Beixuan stood there, shook his head gently, and chuckled softly, "Hu Mei'er, ah Hu Mei'er, you actually ran here to find a husband again, you deserve to be divorced."

He laughed secretly in his heart. It would be easier to do things if he had an acquaintance. He was afraid of her before, but now he could easily control her.

"Oh! Sir, please stop looking. That is the most beautiful girl in our Yihong Courtyard. It is not the turn of ordinary people." Xiaoman, who was covered in rouge and powder and exuded a pungent smell, said.

"Where did they go?"

"They! They must have gone to Sister Mei'er's boudoir."

"Oh! The boudoir."

Ye Beixuan definitely knew what they were going there for, but it was obvious that this Jiedushi was physically exhausted. Could he withstand the demon Hu Meir?

"Sir, do you like me? If not, there are other girls here. I can change them for you."

"My boudoir is on the third floor. If Sister Mei'er comes to receive guests later, she will have to lock the door. We won't be able to enter the third floor and will have to go to other private rooms."

"It's you, take me to your boudoir." Ye Beixuan said anxiously, hurry up! I can't wait any longer.

The girl was stunned and asked in a puzzled tone, "So urgent? Aren't you going to have some fun or something?"

"Hurry up, I'm more anxious than you. Why bother playing romance? Let's just compete in speed." Ye Beixuan said as he pushed her up to the third floor.

The environment on the third floor is relatively quiet and elegant. There are only three rooms. Hu Meir is in the innermost one, and Ye Beixuan is in the outermost one.

Compared to the bright lights and feasting on the first floor, this place is more poetic and picturesque. It seems that this fox still has not changed his bad habits and only loves scholars.

You say you love scholars, that's all, but why do you come to this place? Are there any good people here? Everyone has had their fun, so who doesn't remember who?
Soon, Ye Beixuan was taken to Xiaoman's room, which was decorated quite decently and not far from Hu Meir's room.

"I didn't expect you to be on the third floor too." Ye Beixuan said after looking at Xiaoman's room.

She didn't expect that the room where the person who was going to receive her happened to be not far from hers.

Xiao Man sighed and said, "I used to be a courtesan, but I retired because I'm old. There happened to be two rooms here, and my mother took pity on me, so she didn't kick me out. I've always wanted to find an honest man to marry, but in our line of work, it's hard to find an honest man. When I save enough money, I'll go home and live alone in my old age."

Ye Beixuan was silent. He couldn't really say for sure about this matter. Everyone has their own choices, and they are all for the sake of living.

"Do you want to take a shower?" Xiao Man said softly, "From the moment you came in, I felt that you were different from others, so I chose to receive you."

"Do you think I'm an honest man?" Ye Beixuan said softly.

No way! Just because I have a beard, I'm an honest man? I don't care about my face because of my beard? Next time, I'll change it to an old man.

Xiaoman shook her head and said softly, "No, it's hard to describe this feeling. Anyway, I have a good impression of you."

Ye Beixuan shook his head and said, "No need to wash, just listen."

Xiaoman was startled, then pricked up her ears. It turned out to be the voices of Hu Mei'er and Zhang Jiedushi working next door. She said as if it was normal, "Is this your first time in such an occasion?"

"No." Ye Beixuan shook his head and said, "I'm just telling you that the battle over there will be over soon."

Upon hearing this, Xiaoman covered her mouth and smiled. Sure enough, there was a slight groan, and then there was no sound from the other end.

"You guessed it right."

"I have something more accurate." Ye Beixuan chuckled.

"what else."

"It will start again soon." Hu Mei'er is a member of the fox clan. How dare you say no, man? I will immediately use my secret method to squeeze out your potential.

Sure enough, that rustling sound seemed to have started again. Xiaoman pricked up her ears, her eyes filled with disbelief, and said, "This man seems very powerful."

"It won't take long. It will be over soon."

Sure enough, just as he finished speaking, another muffled groan was heard from the other side! The battle was over.

"Let's start!" Ye Beixuan hugged Xiaoman and quickly came to the bed.

"Huh? So fast."

Before she could react, she passed out, a smile on her lips, and fell asleep.

the other side.

At this time, Hu Meir was in a dilemma and was about to use the secret technique again, but Jiedushi Zhang was lying there like a dead dog. Hu Meir had to give up. If she used the secret technique forcibly, he would die on the spot.

With a sigh, Hu Meir opened the door with a look of disdain and melancholy on her face. It seemed that this person was not the one I was looking for.

Just as she was about to open the door to the third floor, she suddenly saw a bearded scholar walking towards her. She felt a sense of familiarity and goodwill. Could he be the person I was waiting for?
Ye Beixuan came over with a smile and said, "Miss Mei'er, you are really in a refined mood."

Hu Mei'er's face changed drastically when she heard this. "Cultivator? Are you here to arrest me? But I didn't kill anyone!"
"Don't be nervous, it's me." Ye Beixuan transformed himself and turned back into that extraordinarily handsome man.

"Sir?" Hu Mei'er's voice was filled with joy. No wonder she had a good impression of him. But then she showed a look of fear and said, "Sir, Mei'er swears that she has not harmed anyone's life."

Ye Beixuan waved his hand and said, "I'm not here to see you."

It was such a coincidence that he met her, otherwise he would have used Yun Shang's token to bully her. But now he thought of a very interesting way.

"You're not looking for me?" Hu Mei'er asked doubtfully, "Then who are you looking for?"

"I'm looking for him." Ye Beixuan said, pointing to her boudoir.

"Sir, please tell me what you want me to do. I promise to do it." Hu Mei'er bowed and said.

"Well, just follow my instructions." Ye Beixuan whispered in her ear for a while, and Hu Meir nodded continuously.

"Mei'er understands. Then Mei'er will stay here tonight and seduce him!"

Ye Beixuan said, "And the girl next to me was called by me. She fainted because of me. I'll give her some money to compensate her later. I'll leave first."

"So you guys like this too! If you're okay with it, Mei'er can also accompany you."

"Hmm?" Ye Beixuan frowned, and his whole body exuded a strong aura.

Hu Mei'er immediately lowered her head in fear and said repeatedly, "Mei'er will never dare to do that again."

Looking at Ye Beixuan's back, Hu Mei'er finally woke up from the shock she had just experienced. She murmured to herself, "How terrifying."

He immediately glanced at the room, then turned back in disgust.

Until the next day.

Qin Shaoyou took an iron sword and prepared to report to the recruitment office.

He wiped the sword carefully and turned to leave.

It is said that this sword was made by my sister according to the sword held by her mysterious brother-in-law. I hope it can help me find my sister!

(End of this chapter)