Chapter Seventeen: The Lion Pavilion

With a sigh at Wang Yi’s misfortune, Wang Liang paid no further mind to the events at Jingyang Ridge. His only task was to survive here for ten days—the longer, the better. There was no requirement for him to hunt down the tigers on Jingyang Ridge; survival was all that mattered. That much alone told Wang Liang that finding a safe place and lying low was the path to passing this trial.

Naturally, with such clarity, there was no reason for Wang Liang to return to the demon-haunted hills and court death. He glanced back at Jingyang Ridge and the lifeless, unavenged Wang Yi, then turned away as if nothing had happened.

After walking for seven or eight minutes, Wang Liang saw that his bronze steed had recovered and could be summoned once more. He called the horse forth and rode off at speed in the direction of Yanggu County. Jingyang Ridge was about thirty li from Yanggu—a key route in and out of the county. On ordinary days, merchant caravans would depart at noon, pass through Jingyang Ridge by late afternoon, and with a brisk pace, most could reach Yanggu before nightfall.

Riding all the way, Wang Liang arrived at this modest county town by the end of the afternoon. Yanggu County comprised little more than a dozen main streets, with the county office at its heart. Beyond lay Zishi Street, stretching eight hundred meters long and fifty wide, encompassing fifty-six mu of land.

Entering the town from the southwest corner, Wang Liang’s eyes were drawn at once to a grand tavern. The building, constructed in Song dynasty style, had two stories, five bays across, and three rooms deep. Its blue bricks and gray tiles, upturned eaves, and carved beams lent it a majestic air. At the entrance stood a pair of stone lions, fierce and red-eyed, manes bristling and fangs bared.

Even from a distance, Wang Liang sensed the building radiated a stabilizing aura, as if holding something sinister in check. Drawing closer, he saw above the doors three bold words: “Lion Pavilion.”

Standing before the tavern, Wang Liang felt a lightness come over him, as if some evil air had been swept clean from his body. He had scarcely lingered a moment before a waiter bustled out with a smile. “Honored guest, why not come in and rest? We have the finest food and wine.”

“No need,” Wang Liang replied. “I’ve already had wine near Jingyang Ridge today. Best not to drink any more.”

The waiter understood at once—Wang Liang had tasted the famed “Three Bowls Pass Not” wine. After that potent brew, anyone who touched another drop would collapse on the spot. Some guests never believed it, and drank themselves to death, dragged out cold and stiff.

Such self-awareness was rare among travelers, and the waiter’s smile grew even warmer. “No matter, sir! Besides wine, we have other fine fare—our donkey meat is a house specialty. We also offer lodging. I daresay you haven’t yet found a place to stay?”

Lowering his voice, the waiter added mysteriously, “You’d do well to lodge with us. As you can see, this is one of the three safest places in all Yanggu County.”

“One of the three safest?”

“That’s right. I assure you, at night there’s no place safer save the county office and the City God’s Temple. Do you know why? Because here, we suppress evil spirits.”

The waiter’s boast reminded Wang Liang that this was a world of demons and monsters. By day, he might not worry, but he had no wish to be attacked by fiends at night. The dangers of Jingyang Ridge were fresh in his mind—though he trusted his strength against some devils, he had no desire to live among them.

So Wang Liang nodded. “Very well, give me an upper room.”

At once, the waiter ushered him into the Lion Pavilion. As he moved to take Wang Liang’s bronze steed, the horse vanished into thin air. The sight left the waiter gaping in astonishment. Watching Wang Liang’s retreating figure, he whispered in awe, “A man of great skill?”

Wang Liang did not hear this. He was already passing between the stone lions. Comparing them to those at his own residence, he found these, though smaller, far surpassed his in every other respect. Clearly, there were true experts in this world.

Wang Liang’s mind spun with calculations. This time, he would not wander aimlessly. First, he would seek out shops selling furnishings and talismans. He had noticed on his journey that every door and table here was crafted with a hint of spiritual energy, clearly designed to ward off demons and evil spirits.

As Wang Liang considered this, the clerk sitting at the entrance muttered to himself. “That’s a true master.”

To the clerk’s trained eye, Wang Liang’s gaze had lingered only on the tavern’s feng shui arrangements—each one meant to suppress evil—missing nary a detail. Were it not for his own part in the building’s design, the clerk would never have noticed so much himself. This realization filled him with quiet alarm.

He took a closer look at Wang Liang—and was startled to see him shrouded in a purple aura. Such an omen was far from ordinary.

Swallowing hard, the clerk beckoned to a passing waiter. “Go fetch the manager. Tell him an important figure has arrived.”

The waiter, quick-witted, hurried upstairs at once. Meanwhile, the clerk stepped out from behind his desk and greeted Wang Liang. “Honored guest, you wish to lodge here? We have excellent upper rooms on the second floor—the windows open wide, offering a fine view.”

Wang Liang looked up. “Isn’t the second floor your dining hall?”

“Oh, that’s the third floor. Don’t worry, the third floor is usually closed to the public. Only distinguished guests are invited there, and even then, just a room or two. If you seek a peaceful night, the second floor is the best. We have sixteen rooms—small, perhaps, but absolutely safe after dark.”

Absolutely safe? The clerk’s words gave Wang Liang a measure of confidence.

“Very well. When traveling, safety comes first. Give me your best upper room.”

The clerk beamed. “Certainly! I’ll arrange the Heaven Number One Suite for you—it’s the largest and best room we have.”

At that moment, a prosperous-looking merchant emerged from inside. Seeing the clerk and Wang Liang in conversation, he quickly approached.

“Honored guest, I am the manager of Lion Pavilion. It is our great fortune that you choose to stay with us. Please, let us reserve the Heaven Number One Suite for you.”