Chapter 134: Tiger’s Sale at Tanfang!

Two months later!

Fifty li north of Chuyun City lay a small town named Tanfang.

The town wasn’t large, housing just over two thousand families. Yet, nearly ten thousand people were consistently active here, so it managed to barely sustain a sense of bustling vitality.

This prosperity was chiefly dictated by its geographical position.

Heading straight south fifty li from Tanfang brought one to Chuyun City. Traveling two hundred li west led to Chuhai City. To the east, three hundred li away lay Chuli City. And journeying five hundred li north reached Chu Zhong City.

Without going into excessive detail, merely the names of these cities made it clear—all these territories belonged to the Chu Clan.

As for Tanfang’s origins, they stretched far back. Rumors held that several hundred years prior, this place wasn’t a town. It was merely a forest, desolate and uninhabited. Like the rest of Suzhou, it featured endless woodlands where fierce birds and savage beasts roamed freely.

Later, gradually, people who found life elsewhere unsustainable fled here seeking livelihood. They began felling trees to produce charcoal, transporting it to sell in Chuyun City fifty li away. Slowly, its reputation spread, earning the name Tanfang (Charcoal House).

However, as time passed, the surrounding trees were completely depleted. With nothing left to turn into charcoal, charcoal burning and selling ceased. Yet, the name endured. Moreover, with increasing business exchanges among Mortals from nearby regions and the construction of roads, it transformed into a crucial thoroughfare. Many travelers and merchants passing through chose to rest and regroup here.

On this day, Tanfang town resumed its usual rhythm. Before the sun had fully risen, traveling merchants began their activities, signaling the start of another busy day.

“Depart at dawn!”

“Onward we go!”

Rumble rumble!

Whoa!

The clatter of countless wheels reverberated incessantly, mingled with shouts and hails. Amidst this clamor, Tanfang welcomed a new day.

…

Following the early morning din, the town lapsed once more into a brief tranquility. Near the town entrance, an eatery named Xingfu Inn swung open its doors amidst this quietude.

Its doors weren’t the hinged kind; instead, they were plank doors—composed of individual wooden slats roughly one foot wide and a thumb’s thickness, fitted together.

“Ah, when will such days finally end?”

A waiter removed one wooden plank from the doorframe, yawned, then cast a glance toward the distance and the deserted street. Tears welled in his eyes, which were red and swollen, his expression one of profound complaint.

“What are you whining about? Don’t wanna work? Then scram! Plenty of folks want a job at my place, sweetheart. Won’t miss you. Don’t wanna work? Get lost early!”

But the moment the waiter dared his complaint, a woman’s sharp, piercing voice lashed out from inside the inn, sounding deeply displeased.

“Yes, yes! Mistress is right, absolutely right!”

The waiter leaned the door plank against the wall, nodding submissively. He dared say nothing further.

Thunk!

After propping the plank, he lowered another one to the ground, beginning to remove a different panel.

“You fat woman! If you weren’t so hideous, I swear I’d have cursed you dead already! Pity your pretty daughter isn’t here!”

Leaning the next plank aside, the waiter seethed with resentment, the words escaping in a low, bitter mutter.

Within moments, he had taken down three door planks.

“Still dawdling?! Running a business means early to rise, late to bed! Lazybones, don’t even think of slacking off! If you offend guests again today, you’ll roll up your bedding and go. March straight back to that desolate hovel you came from! Don’t think that just ’cause your old man and I are some distant kin you can eat for free here! I ain’t running a charity hall!”

The mistress inside seemed to have caught his muttering. Her scolding voice rang out once more.

“Yes, yes, understood, understood!”

The waiter boy mumbled obediently, yet a flicker of ferocity surfaced on his face as he spat contemptuously toward the entrance.

“Huh?”

But just as the waiter turned back, his eyes seemed to dim for a moment. He thought he saw someone slowly approaching the town.

Thump!

The waiter paid little attention, casually glancing back before resuming his work on removing another door plank.

“Wrong!”

As he was about to pull down the next plank, something suddenly clicked. His head jerked sharply back toward the direction where he thought he’d seen the figure.

Now seeing the person clearly, his sleepy eyes widened like saucers in sheer disbelief.

The figure was a young man clad in a simple white robe. He was tall and lean, his skin sun-baked to a coppery bronze. While he seemed thin, no one would mistake it for weakness – particularly because he carried a massive tiger slung across his shoulders.

The tiger’s size was staggering, easily weighing four or five hundred catties. Though he shouldered the beast, the tiger’s wrist-thick tail dragged straight along the ground.

Rustle, rustle, rustle!

The ground by the inn, constantly trampled and rolled by traffic and carts, was already heavily rutted. As the tiger’s tail scraped over it, it kicked up a long plume of yellow dust.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The young man looked to be in his twenties, his features still youthful. Yet bearing the weight of such a predator seemed effortless to him; his footsteps were steady and firm.

“Hehe!”

The young man seemed to notice the gaping waiter. A faint smile touched his lips as he grinned at the boy.

Thump!

For some inexplicable reason, the waiter’s heart gave an odd lurch.

“You damn punk! Are you trying to get fired? If you don’t want the job, get lost! Taking forever just to open the damn door!”

Inside the inn, the hostess’s loud, scolding voice rang out again.

“Heh, little brother, not sure if you buy things like this here?”

In moments, the tiger-bearing young man arrived at the front of the Happiness Inn. Wearing a gentle smile, he tapped the tiger carcass on his shoulders and asked the question.

“You little wretch! Can’t you hear me calling?! Damn you! I’ll give you a beating!”

The hostess’s voice bellowed once more, edged with fury. The sound indicated she was storming out in anger.

Snap!

Suddenly, a feather duster smacked hard against the open door planks (he had managed to remove four so far). A stout, middle-aged woman burst through the entrance, her face flushed with rage.

“You little brat, you…”

“Hehe! Patron, you’re quite early! We haven’t officially opened for business yet. But if it suits you, why not step inside to rest for a moment? Have some tea or… Our humble shop may not boast much, but our cakes and tea are unparalleled within a hundred miles! Top-grade teas include Bi Yue, Oolong, Qing Zao…”

The hostess’s tirade cut off mid-sentence as she registered the unexpected guest at her doorway. Stalling briefly, her expression instantly transformed into a beaming smile as she smoothly transitioned.

“Heh, esteemed hostess, was just wondering if your establishment buys tigers?”

Seeing the hostess emerge didn’t phase the young man at all. His calm demeanor remained undisturbed, the faint smile still present as he posed his question.

“Huh?”

Hearing the young man’s words, the landlady’s smile vanished instantly. She began to scrutinize him carefully.

After looking him over, she noticed his handsome features and slender, tall build. Seeing the enormous tiger slung over his shoulder gave her a slight start, though merely a slight one.

Learning he wasn’t a paying customer instantly soured her mood—his good looks meant nothing to her. Her welcoming face darkened, a cold expression settling in. She asked curtly, “Hmph? What brings you here so early? This shop doesn’t give credit!”

“Hehe, landlady,” replied the young man, his faint smile unchanged. “I killed this tiger in the forest up ahead.” He gestured to the massive beast. “Seeing your place open, I came to ask: do you buy tigers? Hoping to exchange it for a few silver pieces.”

“Oh!” grunted the plump landlady. She studied the dead tiger again, her face unreadable.

In the Divine Wind Continent, tales of killing tigers were far from extraordinary. With Cultivators soaring through the skies every few days, even a dragon slain might barely raise an eyebrow.

After a moment’s examination, she frowned, seemingly dissatisfied. “Well, this tiger’s dead already—makes it worthless. And look at this body!” She pointed dismissively. “Must be ten years old, maybe more. Too old! The meat’s tough, unpleasant. No customer wants that.” She paused, giving him a pitying glance. “If you’re desperate to sell, I suppose I could do a kindness… five taels of broken silver. For charity’s sake.”

“This…” The nearby waiter couldn’t hide a quiet gasp. He threw a conflicted look at the landlady. But catching her menacing glare, he swallowed his words.

“Landlady, look,” the young man offered, still calm. “I’m preparing to visit relatives in Chuyun City and may need funds to stay awhile. Please reconsider. This tiger weighs at least four hundred catties.” He gestured at the striped hide. “Meat might be cheap, yes, but the pelt alone is valuable. Ten taels? Would that work?”

“Hmph! Take five or leave it!” she snapped, impatience flashing in her eyes. “Not one cent more! If you won’t sell, get this carrion out of my doorway! Blocking customers!” A sly threat crept into her voice. “I’m taking pity only because you’re young, struggling to survive. But if I report this…? Hunting a tiger privately?” She leaned forward, smirking. “Let the authorities know, boy, and they’ll flay you alive!”

“This…” The young man hesitated, a shadow crossing his face. Finally, he sighed in resignation. “Alright. Five taels it is, then.” His voice dipped low as he muttered the amount—so low it echoed faintly with a strange cadence.

Five taels… sounding somewhat like ‘unscrupulous’.

“Hm?” The stout landlady seemed to catch the odd echo, her brow wrinkling.

Thud!

Without further argument, the young man heaved the carcass off his shoulder. The massive tiger crashed heavily onto the ground, landing with a dull thump.

“Wait here. I’ll fetch your silver.” The plump landlady noted the youth’s displeasure but ignored it. A glimmer of smugness flickered in her eyes before she turned and waddled inside.

“Ahem!” The waiter watched the exchange, his expression deeply troubled. Yet he dared say nothing.

“Hehe.” The young man merely glanced at him, offering a quiet chuckle.

“Here! Take it and be gone!” After a moment, the landlady lumbered back out, thrusting the five small silver pieces into the young man’s hand.

“My thanks.” Accepting the five taels, the young man offered a curt word of gratitude. Without another sound, he turned and strode away into the street.

Soon, his figure dissolved into the dusty haze beyond.

“Hmph! Bargaining like a merchant at his age?” the rotund landlady sneered once he was out of earshot, her face twisted in disdain. “Doesn’t even know his place!”

“You practically robbed him…” mumbled the waiter, unable to suppress his indignation.

“What was that?!” she snapped, turning her glare on him. “Stop dawdling and get that carcass to the kitchen! Now!”

“Yes, yes! Right away!” The waiter lowered his head hastily, scrambling into action. He bent down, gripping the tiger’s legs to haul it away.

“What?!”

But when he tried to drag it… he froze, shocked to his core. The beast was immovable. Unnaturally, terrifyingly heavy…