The middle-aged steward's mind went blank as he raised his head, dazed, only to see two modestly dressed men, clad in very common fur cloaks, sitting across from each other in the shop, drinking. His arrogant cousin stood respectfully to the side.
"Taoist Fellow has good eyesight!"
Wan Yuankai gave him a look and praised, smiling as he said,
"Why not sit down and join us for a few drinks?"
"That's exactly what I had in mind!"
The splendidly dressed young man sat down on the rickety wooden stool without a care, and the stool immediately creaked and groaned as if about to fall apart, leaving the middle-aged steward astonished.
"'I am Xiao Yongling from the Xiao Family of Li Xia County under Green Pond's jurisdiction, and it's a pleasure to meet both Taoist Fellows."
Xiao Yongling politely smiled and thanked Li Tongya as he accepted the cup of wine passed to him, then spoke,
"May I ask who you two are?"
