Chapter 9: Time to Set Out (Please Add to Your Favorites)

Wang Liang was the kind of person who took advice to heart. Seeing the confidence on the waiter’s face, Wang Liang knew that people passing out after just four bowls of wine must be a common occurrence. He had no desire to sleep away several days and nights here, so he set down his wine bowl and asked, “Waiter, what’s on the other side of that mountain?”

“Yanggu County,” the waiter replied.

Wang Liang nodded when he heard this. It seemed he hadn’t yet left Henan Road. He seemed to recall having visited it in a dream, and as far as he remembered, there was nothing particularly famous about the place. He asked another question, “Is there anything Yanggu County is known for?”

The waiter shook his head. In truth, there was nothing much for Yanggu County to boast about. It was inland, the nearby hills were neither renowned mountains nor great rivers, and even the beauties of the place weren’t famed.

Seeing this response, Wang Liang changed the topic: “Is there anything nearby one should be wary of?”

“Oh yes, there are tigers in the mountains around here. Every day, only at noon, and with a party of at least thirty, do people dare to set out. But we’re old hands around here—everyone knows that as long as you stick to the main road and don’t provoke the lord of the mountain, there’s no real danger. What we fear are those who set out in the afternoon and end up lingering in the mountains after dark.”

“Tigers? Are they big?” Wang Liang’s curiosity was piqued at the mention of tigers.

The waiter pointed mysteriously to another table. “You see that old man and the youngster over there? They’ve come to hunt a tiger. They’ve been preparing here for three days and still aren’t ready.”

Wang Liang followed his gaze and spotted an old man and a youth. The old one looked to be about seventy, and the younger perhaps fifteen.

Most people might have scoffed at the waiter’s claim, but Wang Liang noticed something different. The old man’s right hand rested calmly on the table, motionless as if it were a prosthetic, and he ate and drank with his left hand, almost as if he were guarding his right. That alone suggested his right hand must possess some special skill—perhaps that was his trump card in tiger hunting.

The boy was more lively, eyes darting everywhere. From his movements, Wang Liang could tell he was nimble—perhaps not strong enough to fight a tiger, but likely able to escape if need be.

The waiter spoke up again, “That man you fought earlier is a hunter from the mountains. Unlike those two, he’ll be going into the mountains for game.”

As he spoke, the waiter shot Wang Liang a look, and Wang Liang instantly understood. “Going into the mountains to hunt when there are tigers about—aren’t they afraid of running into one?”

“There’s no use being afraid. If they want to eat, they have to go into the mountains. As long as they don’t go in at night, even if they come across a tiger, they usually manage to escape. And those fellows over there form the escort team. Ever since the tigers appeared, they’ve been stationed here. If a merchant caravan can’t muster enough people, they’ll join up. Don’t underestimate them, either—they’re quite capable. Each is as good as three men. Just those three alone can guarantee the safe passage of a wagon through Jingyang Ridge.”

As the waiter spoke, Wang Liang ate, quickly polishing off the large plate of meat before him. Just then, the sound of gongs rang out from outside the inn.

“Time to set off! Time to set off! It’s noon! Time to set off!”

Wang Liang couldn’t help but feel a bit speechless. How could anyone feel safe traveling under such circumstances?

Noticing Wang Liang’s expression, the waiter leaned in and whispered, “Sir, this is already the safest way. There shouldn’t be any big problems. If you want to go to Yanggu County, this is your best chance. If you wait any longer, you’ll have to try again tomorrow.”

Wang Liang was about to get up when he noticed the old man and the boy rising as well. The old man carefully tucked his right hand into his sleeve and said to the youth, “Let’s go. It’s about time. We’ll go kill that tiger, and its hide will be just the thing for your wedding.”

The youth nodded happily, following the old man with a proud expression.

For some reason, Wang Liang felt a wave of unease. He pulled out three copper coins and tossed them on the table. Before he could examine the patterns, the waiter’s hand swept past and the coins vanished into his sleeve.

“Thank you for your generosity, sir,” the waiter said politely. “In a moment, just walk along with the caravan’s wagon. It’s safest by the wagons.”

Wang Liang broke out in a cold sweat. He hesitated for a moment, but in the end he decided not to draw out another three coins for a divination. His coins weren’t specially reserved for fortune-telling, and losing a few didn’t matter. Besides, he was confident enough in his own ability to keep himself safe. Despite his unease, he trusted in his own strength.

So Wang Liang simply nodded to the waiter in thanks and left the inn.

As soon as he stepped outside, a gust of wind hit him, and he felt his mind clear. The world before his eyes seemed brighter and sharper.

He checked his own status and found a small buff had been added to his attributes.

[Three Bowls Just Right: For the next 24 hours, your mind will remain clear and your vision sharp, making it easier to detect hidden dangers. Note: During these 24 hours, you must not touch alcohol again, or you will trigger the drunken effect and fall into a stupor.]

This state seemed quite beneficial. Though he wasn’t sure what good a clear mind and bright eyes might serve, it seemed a positive thing for now.

It was a pity, he thought, that the wine wasn’t for sale. Otherwise, he’d have bought a flask or two to carry with him. Drinking three bowls before a fight could only help.

As he mused, Wang Liang made his way to the caravan. Two men stood outside, one banging a gong.

“Time to set off! It’s noon! Time to set off!”

The other was questioning everyone who wanted to join the group.

“What can you do? Will you ride or walk?”

When it was Wang Liang’s turn, he asked, “Is there a difference between riding and walking?”

“Of course.” The man was used to such questions and replied immediately. “These wagons are for goods. If you want to ride, you’ll have to pay. If you walk, there’s no fee, but as long as you don’t wander off, we’ll keep you safe. And see those clubs? If you’re willing to carry one and help us look more intimidating, we’ll even give you some food along the way.”

He pointed to a cart loaded with short, thick clubs, their surfaces polished from long use.

Wang Liang’s curiosity was piqued. He asked, “How long have the tigers been appearing around here?”