Wei Shi Lan and Tianming ventured through the dark streets of Lake Valley. They passed the Market Square, even passed the Healing Hall, going over the arching bridge that led to a grander section of Lake Valley that Wei Shi Lan himself was surprised to see.
This street was decorated with red and yellow lights. Each building in this place was on the level of the Healing Pavilion, large, colorful and neat.
With how scanty the north of Lake Valley had been, here, the west was completely different, and people in luxurious garb were moving around.
It was clear though, from the clothes they wore and the dialect they spoke to each other as Wei Shi Lan passed them, they were not inhabitants of Lake Valley. Most of them at least.
They finally reached the Gambling Den. When they stopped in front, Wei Shi Lan raised his head with an amusing smile carved on his face.
’How unexpected, this carries the aura of the gambling dens in the Spirit Realm.’
Wei Shi Lan knew very well because he spent a lot of time in the Spirit Realm and he spent even more time in their Gambling Den and Flower Houses.
Although, at the time, he had a very specific goal in mind.
Shi Lan had a slightly nostalgic look on his face as he reminisced about those times.
Then Tianming called to him.
"Friend! What are you doing standing there! Come, let’s go in!"
Shi Lan looked at the man coldly but only a second later a warm laughter broke from his mouth.
"Haha, I was merely admiring the beauty, I have never been to such a grand place in my life!"
Tianming gave a smug scoff.
"I can see that, but it’s alright, I’ll teach you and show you around."
He gently caressed his mustache and beard.
"You see, Lake Valley is a Town of Fortune, it is why many merchants like to do business here, this town is built around a lake, you know that, and the essence of the lake is strong, bringing with it boundless luck and fortune."
Tianming tapped his chest, as if tapping something there in particular. His gaze shot forward at the entrance of the Gambling Den with intense hope in his eyes.
"Tonight, I feel like my luck is going to be its best!"
Shi Lan continued to stare at the man with an inscrutable look on his face.
"My friend, come! Let’s feast!"
He led Shi Lan into the gambling den, but before he could enter, the guards at the door recognized him and pushed him back, pointing their spears at him.
"Tianming! You shameless fellow! After running away, you dare come back here?!"
Tianming had staggered back and was supported by Shi Lan. That was how he did not fall from the push. He righted himself and glared at the guards.
"What nonsense! My wife paid you more than enough didn’t she? Stop bothering me! My luck is exceptional tonight, if I don’t make money, it will be because of you low lives!"
The guards at the door looked at each other and scoffed mockingly at Tianming.
The one on the right folded his hands.
"Enough of your gibberish, Tianming, turn around from this place this instant if you don’t want your leg cut off!"
Tianming shuddered at the threat.
He jabbed his hands at the guards, using his last resort.
"You bastards will be the reason why the Gambling Den will lose such a great customer like the Benevolent Healer himself!"
The moment the guards heard the name, they went stiff. And began muttering to themselves.
Meanwhile, Shi Lan glanced at Tianming with a raised brow. But he still had that nonchalant look on his face.
The guards’ disposition changed.
"Hehe, Respectable young man, we never knew you were the Benevolent Healer. We have heard great things about you! Please come in."
Shi Lan pointed to Tianming, speaking with a low monotone.
"If I’m entering, so is he."
The guards hesitated for a moment but alas agreed and allowed both of them inside. Immediately, one of the guards ran away from his post.
The Gambling Den did not look like a Gambling Den on the inside, instead it was a fine restaurant, with warm, glittering lights and wooden tables and chairs that seemed to reflect that light. In the center of the vast hall was a pool with pristine blue water.
Maidens walked around the place, carrying trays of food and drinks and serving the merchants and customers.
When Shi Lan and Tianming entered, there was nowhere for them to sit. Tianming searched around but found nowhere. He glanced at one scholar boy that was sitting with two girls and was about to turn to him when an excellent, elegant, grandiose lady in flowery, red dress walked up to them.
This woman had a beauty that captivated even Shi Lan and made his eyes shift a little.
’Ah, I see... it all makes sense now.’
The lady bowed to him lightly.
"Great Benevolent Healer, it’s a pleasure to have you here with us, if you don’t mind, there’s a VIP section, I can escort you there?"
Shi Lan studied the lady for a brief moment.
Her black hair, reflecting the warm golden light of the hall, and her dark eyes, hiding their intent behind respect and charm.
He scoffed to her face and muttered audibly.
"The pretentious glamor of traders..."
She flinched and recomposed herself, but her reaction did not slip Shi Lan’s watchful eyes.
Afterwards, Shi Lan and Tianming were escorted to the VIP section.
Shi Lan requested a lot of alcohol, and although Tianming wanted to hurry and head to the gambling den, the true gambling den, which was beneath this restaurant, Shi Lan cautioned him.
"Brother Tian, don’t you know it is heavily important that a man must fill his stomach, and ready his sense, this prestigious, Cicada Liquor, helps to awaken your mind! Take some, take some, brother Tian."
He poured more liquor into Tianming’s cup and the man swallowed it, and let out a sharp exhale.
"You’re right Brother Lan! I feel sharp, pour me some more!"
He stretched the cup, and Wei Shi Lan poured him more.
He gulped it all in one go, poured Wei Shi Lan and had some more himself.
A few hours later, there was a scattering of the white jug of the Cicada liquor around them. Tianming drowsily raised another cup and drank it.
Shi Lan had drunk quite a lot himself, but he was still studying Tianming expressionlessly.
He took another cup and drank it as Tianming drowsily gulped his, then he faced the man.
"Say... Brother Tian, tell me, are you perhaps not Xiao Fa and Xia Xia’s father? How did you meet Chang’e?"