Hong'er had nothing to retort with and immediately called over the innkeeper, asking for a room. Upon hearing the word 'room,' Ye Xiu’s spirit instantly lifted, and he fixed his gaze lecherously upon Hong'er’s figure.

“I’m staying at this inn tonight, you can figure out what to do with yourself,” Hong'er said dismissively.

“What!” Ye Xiu, who had just been inwardly delighted, felt his mood plummet to the bottom. “You take the room, and where am I supposed to sleep? You want me to freeze to death in this weather!”

Hong'er spread her hands and shook her head, “It’s none of my business, that’s your problem, hehe.”

“You... you really are something, little missy.” Ye Xiu was stuck. He had originally intended to use his status as Sect Master to pressure her, but he knew Hong'er wouldn't fall for it. So, he forced a smile. “Miss, it’s not safe for a young lady to sleep alone; I can protect you.”

“Fine, follow me.” Hong'er gathered her bundle, and under the guidance of the innkeeper, she went straight to the second floor. Only when they reached the door of the room did she turn to Ye Xiu and say, “You can sleep right here by the door. That way, I’ll feel secure too; if anything happens, I just call out, and you’ll be here.”

“You... you are truly something.” Ye Xiu felt like biting her, but alas, he had no money on him. This situation was finished; he really would have to sleep outside the room. “I’ll endure this time, but just you wait for next time.”

Night arrived swiftly. Someone was shouting while patrolling outside. Ye Xiu, clutching his wooden sword, truly did lie down outside Hong'er’s door. Suddenly, a commotion from downstairs startled him awake. Damn it.

Who the hell was making noise this late at night? Ye Xiu grumbled as he walked to the edge of the second-floor hallway. What he saw made him pause: a large number of sword-wielding people had suddenly arrived downstairs, their brows furrowed in stern disapproval. Each one was tucked into a corner, and the atmosphere was incredibly tense.

“Hey! Innkeeper!” Ye Xiu quietly signaled to the patrolling inn attendant to come over and cursed, “What are all these people downstairs? Are they looking for trouble? Can’t a person get any sleep?”

“Oh, honored guest, you really don’t know the local customs. It’s a shame you carry a sword; don’t you know what these people are here for?” The innkeeper gave Ye Xiu a look of utter disdain. “The magistrate of Nanchang Pavilion has been widely recruiting retainers recently, and these swordsmen are all here for that purpose.”

“What benefits do retainers get? Can it feed you?” Ye Xiu had heard the term but didn't precisely know their function.

The innkeeper was first taken aback, then laughed, “Surely the great hero isn’t trying to trick me? Retainers get plenty of perks. If you become a retainer to the magistrate, your food, clothing, and lodging will naturally be taken care of. Those with strong abilities can even join the army and become...”

“Oh, I see, understood. Just like retainers who eat at an establishment.” Ye Xiu nodded, pondering deeply. Currently, he and Hong'er had no foothold in Huaiyin, and he didn't know the whereabouts of the young mistress Wan'er. It was like searching for a needle in the ocean, so perhaps finding a minor backer first would at least prevent him from sleeping outside a doorway.

“Hey! You stepped on my foot, do you want to die?” A brutish fellow with a saber shouted aggressively at a young man dressed in cyan. “Kid, you don't want to live, daring to provoke the Three-Cut Grandfather like you!”

“Your mouth stinks so badly, who would want to provoke you?” The young man wasn't any better, sporting an expression that begged for a beating. “Why get so fat?”

“Seeking death!” Saying this, the brute immediately brought his saber down towards the youth. The youth proved far more agile, executing a backward somersault to dodge the first strike.

“Clang!” With a loud sound, the youth blocked with his own weapon. The two were locked in a stalemate.

These moves were truly simple. Seeing these types of fighters, Ye Xiu’s first thought went to the excellent extra characters in TVB dramas—those sweeping leg kicks that could cost you your life.

“Waaah, yaaah, yaaah!” At this moment, the youth on the ground suddenly used brute force, twisting the saber right out of the brute’s hand. But just as he flipped back onto his feet, he suddenly pulled a needle from behind his back and flung it towards the brute, striking him in the abdomen.

The brute cried out in sharp pain, falling to the ground and cursing, “You little brat actually used a hidden weapon on this Grandfather? You really don't want to live.”

The youth retracted his sword, disdainfully spat a mouthful of saliva onto the brute’s face, and gloated, “What good is a hidden weapon? Grandpa excels in poison, hahahaha!”

“What! Ah!” Before the brute could react, he was already rolling on the floor in agony. Soon, his entire body seized up, and he lay still. “You despicable wretch!”

“Hahahaha! When you make a living out in the world, you need brains.” The youth with the sword began to laugh maniacally. The surrounding swordsmen glanced indifferently at the brute before returning to their spots. “Being able to advance and retreat is what makes a master.”

Dead? Ye Xiu was terrified by the scene. Damn it, in this era, you could kill people freely and then boast about it!

“Well done, brave warrior, truly skilled.” At this moment, a man dressed in slightly more refined clothing walked in through the main door. He clasped his hands in a gesture of respect to all the swordsmen present. “Tomorrow, I invite all of you brave warriors to gather at my residence. Wei would be honored to make your acquaintance; it would be a great joy in life. Tomorrow’s martial competition is open to all those capable of participating.”

“We salute the Magistrate.” All the swordsmen returned a deep bow. “Farewell, honored Magistrate.”

Could this be the Magistrate the innkeeper mentioned? He didn't look like a good person, but he clearly held some influence here. Perhaps he could become Ye Xiu’s backer.

He should try to compete as well. If he found a backer, maybe this Magistrate could help him find Chen Feng and Wan'er.

As dawn broke, Ye Xiu was woken by a clamor. When he sat up, he saw Hong'er humming right next to his ear.

“Hey, aren’t you getting up! It’s getting late.” Hong’er waved her sword loudly beside Ye Xiu. “What are we doing today? Where are we going to find people?”

“Go to hell, you sleep well, I was trying to sleep. If you want to find people, go find them yourself first.” Ye Xiu hadn’t slept well the previous night, and the floor was certainly hard enough. He was boiling with anger.

Seeing this, Hong'er showed no sympathy but directly shoved him upright. “Get up, get up! We still need to find sister. How can you be so lazy here? Are you still helping me or not? My father was truly mistaken about you.”

“...” Ye Xiu looked up, staring speechlessly at the tearful Hong'er. This girl’s acting skills were absolutely top-tier. “Alright, alright, I really can’t do anything about you. I’ll go look right now, my great lady, stop crying.”

“Okay! We absolutely have to find sister.” Hong'er chirped while pushing Ye Xiu downstairs. After they hastily ate some breakfast, they headed out onto the street.

The street was especially lively now, with many sword-carrying individuals heading in one direction. Hong'er became interested and shouted, “What excitement is happening today? Is there a martial contest? We absolutely have to go see!”