Chapter 46: The Reason for the Crowds

Good Fortune Inn.

Shen Han looked up at the name of the inn, it was somewhat old-fashioned.

People were coming and going, quite a number in the inn.

Upon closer observation, most of the guests staying at this inn were dressed in the style of the Great Wei.

It seemed they all came here from the Great Wei.

"Sir, are you here for a meal or staying overnight?"

The runner at the door saw Shen Han coming in and immediately approached with a smile.

"Lodging. What’s the price?"

Upon hearing Shen Han ask about the price, the runner took out a plaque.

"Our rooms are charged based on size. Since you’re alone, just a small room will do.

Staying one night in a small room is only fifty taels."

The runner smiled broadly, but this price was clearly one that only a shady inn would charge.

"You said... how much?"

Seeing the surprise on Shen Han’s face, the runner quickly smiled and explained:

"It’s your first time in Good Fortune Town, right? It’s normal not to understand the lodging prices.

Those who come to stay at Good Fortune Inn are naturally here for the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that are about to emerge.

You should know, running a business here involves paying tribute to the Qianyang Imperial Court, and it’s not something that can be settled with just a few hundred or a thousand taels.

If we charge less, we wouldn’t even make enough to pay the court.

Fifty taels may sound expensive, but any treasure you pick up here could be worth thousands."

The runner continued to smile as he explained.

His words contained a lot of information.

So many people came here just for the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures about to arise.

No wonder so many masters from the Great Wei have arrived.

"Here’s the deal, if you book a room today, I’ll give you three questions for free.

Usually, it’s three taels for a question, which is already the best rate."

Kneading his pack...

It wasn’t that he was reluctant to spend fifty taels, but he simply didn’t have that much on him.

All counted up, he barely had thirty-six taels.

"Forget it, it’s still too expensive..."

Shen Han said, preparing to leave.

The runner still smiled widely:

"Our Good Fortune Town has a curfew every night. If you want to find a place for the night, you might have to walk ten miles or more.

It’s not peaceful around here at night."

There was a hint of intimidation in those words, but Shen Han truly didn’t have fifty taels.

Just as he was about to leave the inn, a piece of silver was thrown on the table.

"I’ll pay for him, let him stay."

The speaker was a woman, her voice cold.

Upon hearing this, Shen Han turned his head to see a woman beside him dressed in a light green Immortal Robe, with an immortal-like aura, very pleasing to the eye.

Her voice was cold, but her appearance was gentle.

Shen Han inadvertently glanced a few more times, then quickly retracted his gaze, realizing his offense.

In the time Shen Han was dazed, the woman had already headed upstairs.

Seeing she didn’t want to chat more, Shen Han didn’t pursue to disturb her.

Fifty taels seemed like a lot, but to those masters, it was just half a meal’s expense.

Shen Han knew better than to measure others’ spending with his financial situation.

Maybe to that woman, it was just a casual gesture.

"Sir, you truly have good fortune, with such a benefactor assisting you, your treasure hunt will surely be fruitful."

The runner continued with a courteous smile, speaking flattering words.

He couldn’t help but feel a bit envious inside.

’It’s nice to be handsome, even women outside help pay the room fee.’

The runner lamented not having better looks himself, otherwise, he wouldn’t be stuck as a runner.

Regaining his composure, Shen Han pulled on the runner, asking him to fulfill his previous promise.

He had agreed to give him three answers.

Sitting in the inn’s lobby, Shen Han asked several questions in succession, and in the end, still had to part with five taels of silver.

Originally, it would’ve been six taels, but seeing Shen Han’s reluctance, he finally accepted just five.

Through this series of questions, Shen Han finally understood why this remote town had so many people.

Qianyang is an ancient country, historically older than big countries like Wei, Qi, and Yan.

But at some point, the talents of Qianyang Country dwindled and its national strength declined.

The once prosperous land was no longer defendable.

Over time, it was gradually encroached upon by the Great Wei Country.

The current Qianyang has only a ring of barren land.

About seven years ago, rumors of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures near Good Fortune Town began to spread.

Since then, more and more people have come here to train.

It’s said some have indeed found Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, but these are just rumors, and there’s no evidence.

The Qianyang Country’s Imperial Court saw a business opportunity in the influx of people and thus started their venture.

This Good Fortune Inn is actually the business of the Qianyang Country’s Imperial Court.

Back in his room, Shen Han sat on the edge of the bed.

He still pondered the runner’s words in his mind.

In Shen Han’s view, the rumors of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were likely just a hoax.

Just a way to lure people over and allow Good Fortune Town to earn some money.

After some thought, Shen Han decided not to delve further into this matter.

After all, his main goal coming here was the Advanced Cultivation Technique.

The Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were not the Divine Object he should pursue.

The sky darkened gradually, and Shen Han lay down to rest, hoping for a good state to seek the technique the next day.

The bed at a fifty-tael-a-night inn wasn’t all that comfortable to sleep on.

Thinking of those fifty taels, Shen Han’s mind again pictured the woman he had just seen.

In a light green Immortal Robe, her exquisite face exuded some warmth.

Compared to Liu Xilan, her gentle face had shed its greenness, gaining a touch of maturity.

The woman was probably a bit older than him.

But in the Martial Path, training strengthened the body, and a woman with some care could preserve her looks well.

Judging age by appearance was difficult.

Shen Han could only infer from experience, sensing her composed demeanor, sure she wasn’t a young girl.

Should say, she was a mature woman.

As this term crossed his mind, Shen Han quickly shook his head.

What was he thinking... She was a Fairy who helped him, he shouldn’t fantasize about her...

Unable to sleep, Shen Han simply sat up.

He took out a map from his bundle.

Senior sister Liu Xilan had said, the Advanced Cultivation Technique was on a tombstone in a mass grave.

He should first find out where this mass grave was.

Flipping the map, it didn’t mark the mass grave at all.

Posthouse, pavilion, lake, valley...

The map clearly marked paths to these landmarks.

But no trace of the mass grave...

Frowning, Shen Han pondered for a moment.

Just because the map didn’t mark the mass grave didn’t mean it didn’t exist.

Mass graves were often considered ominous, unlucky.

Not marking it was understandable.