Chapter 148 – The courtyard gate is open


In a secluded corner of Qingxuan Town.

This place was usually deserted, but today it was exceptionally lively.

People gathered in layers, both inside and out, their eyes mostly filled with ridicule as they looked at the ordinary tavern before them.

The tavern had two floors, looking no different from any other. Outside was a courtyard enclosed by a fence, spacious enough with flowers, grass, and a pond.

What drew the most attention was the plaque hanging on the tightly shut courtyard gate, inscribed with four flamboyant characters: “Longevity Tavern.”

Many people looked up disdainfully, pointing at the plaque and itching to make a move.

“Hey, I didn’t believe it when I first heard, but this tavern is really named ‘Longevity.’ How arrogant! Does the owner even know this is the Black Fiend Region?”

“Haha, with so many Daoist Friends here today, none of us in the Black Fiend Region are simple characters. Surely, many will cause trouble for the tavern.”

“Exactly. In the Black Fiend Region, you need skills to back up your arrogance. If you don’t have the skills, you’ll be devoured without a trace!”

“Let’s wait and see. Haven’t you noticed that no one has made a move yet? Everyone’s being cautious. But who said the tavern was opening today? Why is the gate still closed?”

“Closed or not, more and more people are coming to watch. This Longevity Tavern will open today, whether it wants to or not!”

“Gentlemen, I’ll be the bookmaker today. How about a bet?”

As they spoke, a fat man suddenly sneered loudly.

At his words, the surroundings fell silent, and many looked at the fat man as if he were an idiot.

Betting in this situation? Unless something unexpected happens, this tavern is going to be crushed to dust.

How could the bookmaker not lose everything?

With so many people here, could this fat man afford to lose…

“Are you all afraid?” The fat man’s eyes flashed as he patted his chest arrogantly, “Don’t worry, I, Shane Peng, have plenty of Spirit Stones!”

Immediately, the crowd’s expressions changed, and they glared at Shane with unfriendly eyes!

Goodness, did he just say they were afraid??

Come on, everyone here in the Black Fiend Region is tough. What would they be afraid of??

The only reason many hesitated was that the odds would be extremely low!

How much could they earn this way?

But then again, even if they couldn’t earn much, making this annoying fat man lose everything would be worth it!

So, many people moved towards Shane and started placing bets.

The scene became heated.

Shane’s face was full of laughter, but his eyes were filled with madness and cunning!

In the Black Fiend Region, there wasn’t a single normal person.

However, quite a few people remained unmoved, watching coldly with their arms crossed, though their impatience was becoming more apparent.

“Oh? It’s really named Longevity? How audacious.”

Meanwhile, amidst the large crowd, Evelyn Zuo fanned herself with a folding fan, her eyes filled with interest as she looked at the tavern.

Behind her, her maid was flushed with shame and anger!

Due to the crowd, many lecherous hands had brushed against various parts of her body.

“Hehe, you weak scholar, I fancy your maid. Name your price!”

At this moment, a burly man nearby sniffed the lingering fragrance on his hand and laughed lewdly.

Evelyn’s brows furrowed slightly as she turned to look at the burly man, saying calmly, “What if I don’t sell?”

“Hmm?”

The burly man’s brows knitted in surprise. He slowly lowered his hand and stared at Evelyn, “Say that again.”

At the same time, four or five men slowly surrounded Evelyn and her maid, their faces fierce and menacing.

It looked like a fight could break out at any moment.

The commotion drew the attention of many, and numerous onlookers turned their gazes.

Such incidents were not surprising in the Black Fiend Region, where countless similar events occurred daily.

Evelyn’s face remained expressionless. She didn’t reply but a glint flashed deep in her eyes!

Suddenly, a purple shadow shot out from her chest!

The burly man and his companions’ faces changed, not expecting this seemingly weak scholar to be more ruthless than them, striking without hesitation!

Their expressions turned grim, and they unleashed their powerful auras to counterattack,

But the purple shadow was incredibly fast, sweeping past their heads in an instant…

The five men’s faces froze, their eyes filled with terror as they looked at Evelyn, before collapsing lifelessly to the ground with a ‘thud.’

For a moment, the area outside the tavern fell slightly silent, even those placing bets turned to look.

They saw the scene.

Five corpses lay on the ground, their faces frozen in fear, with a fine hole in each of their foreheads, blood still flowing.

The crowd was slightly surprised but not overly affected.

However, their gazes towards the instigator were now tinged with caution.

They all sighed inwardly, the Black Fiend Region was indeed the Black Fiend Region, even a seemingly weak scholar turned out to be a ruthless character.

The maid felt vindicated, standing respectfully behind Evelyn, head bowed in silence.

Evelyn’s eyes flickered. She knew that such a method wouldn’t intimidate these hardened individuals, but she didn’t care. Intimidating them wasn’t her goal today.

She looked at the tavern, murmuring to herself, “If you don’t open the door soon, I might just break in…”

………

“Senior Brother, what’s going on outside? Why are there so many people?”

Inside the tavern, Leonard Lin felt the commotion outside and asked in shock while wiping down a table.

Christopher Tong tossed a rag over his shoulder, laughing, “You don’t get it. Today is the opening of our Longevity Tavern. These people are definitely here to support the master.”

The two were dressed in coarse cloth, wearing hats, and with the iconic rag, they looked every bit like waiters.

Leonard paused his wiping, his face full of admiration, nodding in awe, “So that’s it. As expected of the master, he has such influence wherever he goes.”

At this moment, a Cyan Cloth man appeared behind them, speaking softly, “Christopher, are you slacking off?”

Who else could the Cyan Cloth man be but Ambrose Lu?

Hiss—

Leonard and Christopher were startled, quickly turning and bowing, “Master…”

Christopher’s face turned pale. He had just taken a short break and was caught by the master, too unlucky…

Seeing their fearful expressions, Ambrose smiled, turned, and lay down on a rocking chair behind the counter. Taking a sip from a gourd, he said, “Go open the courtyard gate. The tavern opens today.”

Seeing that Ambrose wasn’t blaming them, Christopher breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled, “Got it.”

With that, the two bowed respectfully and Christopher dragged Leonard outside.

With a sudden creak,

The crowd’s spirits lifted,

The courtyard gate of the Longevity Tavern slowly opened under their gaze.

Two waiters in coarse cloth appeared before them.

………


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