Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 424: Lingyuan City Li Family

The waiter at the door saw the guests approaching and immediately came forward, his face beaming with enthusiasm. "Dear guests, would you like to have a meal or stay the night?" His voice was shrill and flattering, his eyes glimmering with shrewdness. Xu Tian said, "We need both food and lodging. Please prepare three rooms for us." He pulled some Xuan coins from his pocket and handed them to the waiter.

The waiter took the black coin, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he quickly said: "Okay, please come in, guests. I will prepare food and rooms for you right away." He moved very quickly and turned around and ran into the inn.

The three of them walked into the inn and found a seat by the window. There weren't many people in the inn, with only a few tables of guests sitting sparsely, some talking in low voices, and some eating in silence. Xu Tian looked around and found that although the decoration of the inn was simple, it was clean and tidy. There were some calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls. Although they were not works of famous artists, they also added an elegant atmosphere to the inn. After a while, the waiter came over with the food, placed them on the table one by one, and said, "Dear guests, this is the signature dish of our inn, please try it." There was a smug look on his face, as if he was very confident in his own food.

Xu Tian and the others were already starving, and when they saw the food on the table, they began to devour it. While eating, Xu Tian suddenly remembered one of the purposes of his trip, so he beckoned over the waiter and asked, "Waiter, do you know where General Li Hua lives?" His voice was filled with anticipation, and his eyes were fixed on the waiter.

The waiter was stunned at first, a bewildered look on his face, clearly at a loss for what to do. After a moment, he seemed to suddenly remember something and said, "General Li? Oh, sir, are you talking about the general from the Li family? There aren't many families with the surname Li in Lingyuan City, but speaking of generals, there seems to be one." A hint of uncertainty flashed through his eyes, and he scratched his head, trying to recall.

Xu Tian nodded and said, "It should be him. Do you know which direction his home is?" There was a hint of urgency in his voice, and he leaned forward slightly, approaching the waiter.

The waiter thought for a moment and said, "I'm not sure of the exact location, but I heard that the Li family is on the east side of the city, near the oasis. If you want to go look for them and ask around, you should be able to find them." There was a hint of apology in his voice, as if he was sorry for not being able to provide more accurate information.

After Xu Tian got the news, he secretly thought: "After dinner, I will go to the Li family first. Maybe I can find some clues about Lin Feng."

After dinner, Xu Tian and the other two packed their belongings in their inn room. Chen Xin'er gently folded her clothes, her eyes occasionally drifting out the window, as if worried about Xu Tian, ​​who was about to leave alone for the Li family. Chen Yu carefully polished his sword, the subtle sound of metal clashing echoing through the room. His expression was focused yet tinged with anxiety.

Xu Tian stood up and brushed off the nonexistent dust on his body. Although his clothes were as clean as possible, he subconsciously adjusted his collar and cuffs. He glanced around the room, and seeing the concerned looks of his companions, a warm feeling welled up in his heart. He said, "Don't worry, I'm just going to check out the situation. I'll be back as soon as I have news." His voice was low and firm, carrying a reassuring power.

Chen Xin'er stepped forward, handed him a water bag, and whispered, "Brother Xu, be careful on your way. If you run into any trouble, don't try to be reckless." Her eyes were bright and spirited, filled with concern for Xu Tian. Xu Tian took the water bag, smiled, and nodded, "Don't worry, Xin'er, I know what to do."

Leaving the inn, Xu Tian took a deep breath of the slightly cool evening air, trying to calm his anticipation-fueled heart. He walked slowly along the cobblestone street. The shops on both sides of the street had already lit up dimly, and the light filtered through the windows and doors, casting patches of light and shadow on the ground. Occasionally, a few pedestrians hurried by, their footsteps particularly clear in the silent street.

As he walked closer, Xu Tian gradually approached the area where the Li family lived. The houses here were noticeably taller and more spacious, and the architectural style was more refined and ornate, highlighting the family's prominent status. Finally, the magnificent Li family mansion appeared before his eyes.

The Li family's main door was tightly shut, its vermilion panels appearing particularly solemn in the setting sun. Above the door, a plaque bore the inscription "Li Mansion," its golden inscription gleaming in the dim light. A pair of stone lions crouched majestically before the gate, their eyes wide open, as if scrutinizing anyone who approached.

Xu Tian stood at the door, looking up at the tightly closed gate, a mixture of emotions welling up in his heart. He recalled the war-torn days he had shared with General Li Hua, those moments of shared life and death flashing through his mind like a revolving lantern. He unconsciously clenched his hands, then slowly unclenched them, trying to ease the tension and excitement within him. After a moment, he took a deep breath, reached out his hand, and knocked on the Li family's door.

"Knock, knock, knock!" the knocks echoed in the silent air. A moment later, footsteps were heard from within, and then the door slowly opened. A middle-aged man who resembled a butler emerged, followed by two servants. The butler was slightly plump, with a round face and a carefully trimmed mustache, the tips of which curled slightly upward, giving him an air of shrewdness and competence. He wore a dark gray robe, seemingly of high quality, and a black belt around his waist, from which hung a bunch of keys. As he walked, the keys jingled against each other, making a crisp sound.

The butler stepped out of the doorway, his eyes narrowed slightly as he surveyed Xu Tian with a scrutinizing gaze. He saw Xu Tian dressed in a plain black cloth garment devoid of any ornamentation, and his boots were a bit worn. A subtle look of disdain immediately crossed his face. His mouth drooped slightly, his eyes gleaming with a hint of arrogance. He asked in a less-than-friendly tone, "Who are you looking for?"