Chapter 122: 109. Buddha’s True Words, One Sword Slices Tathagata (8K Big Chapter, Seeking Monthly Pass)_2
"My name is Luo Tai."
"The Jianghu has kindly given me the moniker Desert North Bear. I wonder what your name and title in the Jianghu are, Scholar?"
Seeing that Xu Xing didn’t want to say much, Desert North Bear Luo Tai wasn’t annoyed. Most experts had their own temperaments. He had taken the initiative to start a conversation precisely because he wanted to befriend Xu Xing, an expert.
After introducing himself, he looked at Xu Xing with anticipation, hoping Xu Xing wouldn’t refuse him and cause him to lose face.
"Me?"
Xu Xing paused for a moment, then said jokingly, "My surname is Chang, and my given name is Kun. My current title is too grand; you might not dare to hear it if I said it. You can just call me by my previous title—Heavenly Kun King."
His title in Reality at this time was Emperor Tiande. If future generations were to refer to him, this Grand Ancestor, they might call him Great Emperor Tiande. That title was too august to casually mention. His former title, King Xing Tian, was more suitable, but...it could easily make people think of Zhi Xing and Wen Xing. So, Xu Xing simply used his Third Brother’s moniker, Heavenly Kun King. As for the words ’Heavenly King,’ even if they hinted at usurpation, for Jianghu people who often defied prohibitions with their martial arts, such a title was generally acceptable, and no one would likely cause him trouble for it.
"Heavenly Kun King?"
Upon hearing this, Desert North Bear Luo Tai carefully searched his memory for all the renowned experts he had heard of from across the lands but found no one named "Heavenly Kun King."
Then, he sized up Xu Xing again. Seeing the heroic spirit radiating from his brow and estimating his age to be only about twenty, he instantly understood. This "Heavenly Kun King" title was probably just something the youth in a green robe had casually made up. The youth in a green robe was most likely a scion of a martial Aristocratic Family, venturing into the Jianghu for the first time. Thinking of this, Desert North Bear Luo Tai’s heart grew eager. Befriending these fledgling Aristocratic Young Masters, whether for future deception or genuine friendship, offered many benefits.
"Brother Chang, the inns in the Capital are all packed right now."
"I, your Big Brother, though not particularly talented, have a bit of standing in the Jianghu. I managed to rent a superior room at the Yunlai Inn. If Brother Chang doesn’t mind, I’ll give this room to you. As for me, I’ll stay in the firewood room. I’m rough-skinned and thick-hided, used to hardship anyway."
While they were chatting, Luo Tai learned that Xu Xing hadn’t yet found lodging in the Capital, so he immediately thumped his chest and offered his room to Xu Xing.
He wasn’t lying. He was used to roughing it, so sleeping in a firewood room versus a superior room made little difference to him.
For this Demon Slaying Conference, while some senior Innate Martial Artists of the Jianghu possessed the ability to slay demons, most of the grassroots Jianghu people who had flocked to the Capital were not primarily there for demon slaying. Instead, they planned to spend some time in the Capital, hoping to both enhance their reputations and make connections with the powerful and influential.
The Jianghu wasn’t just about fighting and killing; it was mostly about human relationships and worldly wisdom. With an Aristocratic Young Master like Xu Xing right here, why would Luo Tai look elsewhere? He could just focus on currying favor with Xu Xing. As long as Xu Xing remembered even a small part of his kindness, Luo Tai wouldn’t have to worry about his expenses for the next few years.
"Big Brother Luo...your chivalrous heart earns my admiration."
Seeing this, Xu Xing didn’t intend to refuse.
Luo Tai taking the initiative to help him cover his tracks was a good thing. The inn’s Guest Room register would list Luo Tai’s name, so even if the Old Monk sent people to investigate, they would only trace it back to Luo Tai. Why wouldn’t he be happy about that?
"However, I can’t just use Big Brother Luo’s room for free."
"Here is a gold ingot; consider it my rent. I’ll move out once I find a suitable room."
As he spoke, Xu Xing took a gold ingot from his Sleeve and pressed it into Luo Tai’s hand.
This gold ingot of his was a full Three Two in weight.
According to the gold-to-silver exchange rate of the Flame Dynasty, it was worth about thirty taels of silver.
This was quite a generous gesture.
Seeing the gold in his hand, Luo Tai felt that Xu Xing was a decent fellow, someone worth befriending. He smiled and said, "I’ve already paid the silver for this superior room; it’s rented until next month. That should be plenty of time, no matter how you look at it."
The "time" Luo Tai referred to was the duration of the Demon Slaying Conference, from its convocation to its conclusion. Based on his experience from previous years, such conferences typically lasted seven or eight days at most. Jianghu people tended to arrive and depart quickly, so once the Demon Slaying Conference ended, many inn rooms would become vacant, no longer being so difficult to find.
Shaoqing, the inn attendant brought Luo Tai’s meal.
"Eat, eat..."
"Brother Chang, don’t stand on ceremony with your Big Brother."
Luo Tai gestured towards the Braised Mutton.
They traded bites with their chopsticks and toasted each other with cups of wine.
Soon, both were full from the food and drink.
The table was a mess of empty plates and cups.
...
After checking into the Yunlai Inn, Xu Xing didn’t keep a low profile, as that might arouse suspicion.
He acted like a Young Master from an aristocratic family out for leisure, strolling around the Capital with Desert North Bear Luo Tai. They would either go to the Hua Feng Building to watch opera or to the Yi Hong Court to listen to music. Sometimes, upon hearing that a certain inn served delicious food, they would gather a few friends and go "check in" at that establishment.
Finally, after about ten days, the Demon Slaying Conference was convened by Guanyin Zen Master.
"Brother Chang, I’ve already asked someone to help you get a standing spot in the Purple Sea Pavilion at the Guanyin Temple. Let’s pack up and go see the heroes of the Jianghu together..."
"Opportunities for such excitement don’t come often."
"In the future, when we’re out in the Jianghu, if we just mention that we ’had a respected spot at the Demon Slaying Conference,’ people will look at us in a new light."
Luo Tai knocked on the door of Xu Xing’s Guest Room, walked in, placed an invitation on the Eight Immortals Table, and spoke.