"Hey… hey, brother, wait for me," Wang Gu called out, rushing after Lian.
Lian didn't turn back.
He continued walking down the stairs.
"Oh, come on, don't be like that. Let me show you around the sect. You haven't been here that long, right? What if you get lost?" Wang Gu said, placing his hands over Lian's shoulders.
"He's annoying," Lian thought, "but he seems to know a lot. It might be beneficial to get to know him better."
Lian stopped in his tracks.
"Ackk... fine, I will listen to what you have to say.
"Come along then, I know a spot where we can eat," Gu said, stirring Lian by his neck, an irritatingly lazy grin plastered across his face.
Lian hesitated for a moment but let himself get stirred away.
"Ah… what the hell. Might as well. I'm sure no one here is willing to share information anyway. It's always nice to make connections wherever you can."
The two descended the stairs, leaving the massive gates of the training grounds behind. As they walked deeper into the sect, the scenery began to change.
They stepped onto a white stone road, and the surroundings transformed completely.
Stalls—lots and lots of them—lined the path. Inns stood proudly among them, banners hanging overhead.
Steam Bun Parlour.
Dragon Fire Noodle House.
Phoenix Perking Duck.
Just to name a few.
The shops were sleek and well-kept, all looking brand new. Clearly, a great deal of care had gone into maintaining them.
"Ha… so vendors are allowed inside the sect?" Lian asked, his eyes drifting from stall to stall.
"Yeah," Wang Gu replied. "They're affiliated with Heaven's Gate. The sect permitted them to sell inside. There are even small villages scattered throughout the grounds."
As he spoke, Wang Gu took a sharp corner into a narrow, hidden alleyway.
"Mm… you don't say…" Lian muttered, momentarily distracted, before quickening his pace to catch up.
They walked for a while, and the farther they went, the more deteriorated the surroundings became.
"Where are you taking me?" Lian asked as they passed through a section where most of the buildings were old and seemed poorly kept. Thin dogs barked weakly as they made their way through the narrow paths.
"We're almost there," Wang Gu said, spotting a building further ahead.
As they drew closer, a waft of savoury pork washed over them.
"Gruuuuu—"
Wang Gu's stomach growled loudly, and he began to drool.
"Ha… guess I was hungrier than I thought." Wang Gu laughed.
They walked closer, and Lian finally got a better look.
The inn was shabby, old, weathered, and clearly neglected. One of its doors hung crookedly on its hinges, barely holding on. Above it, a sign read:
Yuan Bao Steamed Buns
Even that sign hung askew, swaying slightly.
"What the hell is going on here?" Lian thought.
The smell pouring from inside was surprisingly fragrant. Since he had begun cultivating, eating food had long fallen out of his priorities. Magic beast meat and food pills were usually enough—pure sustenance, nothing more.
What's more, the place didn't even look like a proper shop from the outside.
"Mr. Yuan, I'm back!" Wang Gu called out as he shoved the door open and barged inside.
Though hesitant, Lian followed after him.
Inside were around ten tables, and the place was bustling. A young girl moved back and forth, delivering plates to customers.
People sat in groups, drinking and laughing joyously.
It was surprisingly clean. Though simple, the tiled floor gleamed from excessive polishing, and the tables—while old—had been wiped clean and patched together as carefully as possible.
"Young Master Wang, you've come!"
An old man rushed to greet Wang Gu at the door. He had a short grey beard and matching hair, with a white cloth tied around his head. He bowed the moment he reached Wang Gu.
"Old man, this is Bo Lian." Wang Gu said.
"You even brought a guest today—mmm! My, oh my… Chichi Young Master Wang has finally brought a friend, what a joyous day it is!" the old man yelled across the small shop.
"What, really?" a feminine elderly voice called from the kitchen.
"I'm so proud! Tell him I'll make his favourite right away!"
"Come, come—this way…" the old man said, guiding them toward a table.
"I'll be right back," he added before turning away.
How odd… Lian thought.
The old man returned moments later, balancing plates in both hands. Behind him followed a young girl, carefully holding a large platter with both arms.
The old man laid the dishes out in front of them—an array of food. Steamed buns, Peking duck, chow mein, and many other dishes, accompanied by neatly prepared side plates.
"Hello, Young Master," the girl said softly.
She looked to be around their age, with long dark hair and flawless pale skin.
"Hello, Yuan Yu. It's good to see you again," Wang Gu replied.
"How is the shop lady?" he asked, already digging into the food, his body melting into absolute bliss the moment he took a bite.
"She's fine. She wanted to see you, but she's very busy today," Yuan Yu replied, blushing slightly.
She turned and gave Lian a small wave before hurrying back toward the kitchen.
Soon, only Lian and Wang Gu remained at the table.
Lian picked up a steamed bun and brought it to his mouth.
The moment he bit down, an explosion of flavour filled his senses. The pork filling was rich and savoury, carrying a subtle sweetness. The bun itself was soft, warm and impossibly fluffy.
As Lian chewed, a single tear slid down his cheek without him realising it.
The two of them began stuffing their faces, the sizable spread shrinking plate by plate.
"Ahhhhh…" Wang Gu exhaled deeply, his stomach fully stuffed.
"Yeah… I really feasted today," he said, leaning back in his chair.
Admit it or not, Lian felt the same.
It was the best meal of his life.
After the food settled, the two boys stood up.
"Thank you, owner. See you soon," Wang Gu said as he walked out of the shop.
"See you soon, and thank you again for what you did for us!" the old man called from the back of the kitchen.
The boys stepped back onto the street.
Suddenly out of nowhere, Wang Gu leapt onto a nearby rooftop and rushed forward.
Lian blinked—then followed moments later.
They jumped from roof to roof until Wang Gu abruptly came to a halt.
"What's up with this nutjob?" Lian thought, watching Wang Gu crouch down and knock against the roof tiles.
Bang!
Bang bang!
"What are you doing?" Lian asked, but Wang didn't respond. He kept knocking against the tiles then—
"Yes! Found it," Wang Gu said.
He pulled several tiles loose and retrieved a large gourd hidden beneath the roof. It was filled to the brim with sweet wine.
Thud.
He set it down on the roof, uncorked it, and took a long swig before wiping his mouth.
"Now," he said, extending the gourd toward Lian,
"We can talk."