Chapter Twenty-Two: This Young Man Is Quite Down-to-Earth

“Brother Kejin, why don’t we just stay at the inn?”
...
The young man addressed as Kejin was also frowning, swatting away mosquitoes with his sleeve from time to time. He glanced at the village inn across the way, visibly tempted, but still hesitated.
“Forget it, Brother Huaiyuan. Let’s try to endure a bit longer. I really can’t get used to these rustic village inns.”
“But...”
Lei Huaiyuan was reluctant, muttering, “At least there wouldn’t be so many mosquitoes.”
...
“Then why don’t you just go?”
Just as the two were caught in indecision, a mocking voice suddenly rang out behind them.
“A village inn, meant for peasants and bumpkins, isn’t that exactly what you two prefer?”
A handsome youth, dressed in luxurious silk robes and holding a folding fan, emerged from the darkness. His lips curled in a sneer, his face practically begging for a beating.
Both men frowned. “Sun Bo’an, it’s you again?”
“And why shouldn’t it be me?”
Sun Bo’an wore the same infuriating expression, pointing up at the Mountain Temple of Seeking Immortals. “Tomorrow, as the sun rises and the purple aura fills the east, I shall cast the very first divination.”
“Hmph.” The pair snorted in disdain.
This fellow, relying on his father’s status as the county lord of Fang Prefecture, was insufferably arrogant even at the best of times. Who would have thought that even coming to the mountain to seek a divination, they’d have to put up with his nonsense?
The one called Kejin suppressed his anger and addressed Sun Bo’an with as much civility as he could muster, gesturing to the youth at his side. “Huaiyuan is here on a scholarly tour to appreciate the learning and culture of Fangling; Young Master Sun, perhaps you should restrain yourself a little.”
The implication was clear: You’re making a disgrace of Fang Prefecture’s scholars.
“So what?” Sun Bo’an showed no intention of yielding.
If anything, his rage intensified. “Dugu Ao, let me tell you, stop pretending to be so virtuous!”
By rights, the two had studied together under the same master, but Sun Bo’an could not abide this Dugu Ao at all. Time and again, their teacher would hold up Dugu Kejin’s scholarly achievements as a model, making Sun Bo’an feel like nothing more than his shadow.
“So, weren’t you just about to stay at the inn? Why don’t you?”
He glanced mockingly at the dim, flickering lamp in the darkness. “The great scholar of Fang Prefecture, Dugu Ao, sharing a bed board with country bumpkins—I’d like to see how you bring honor to our literary circles.”
“You—!”
Dugu Ao was so furious, he was nearly speechless. “When did I ever say I was going to stay there?!” he raged inwardly.
“Eh—!”
Lei Ji, at his side, waved his hand to calm Dugu Ao, entirely unbothered by Sun Bo’an’s taunts.
“No need for anger, Brother Kejin. Bo’an means well, in his way.”
Having calmed Dugu Ao, Lei Huaiyuan turned to Sun Bo’an. “But, Young Master Sun, you’re not entirely correct.”
Sun Bo’an arrogantly snapped open his fan—only to start swatting at mosquitoes instead.
“Oh? And how so?”
Lei Ji replied, “I’ve traveled widely, studying in more than ten prefectures. Whether my learning has improved, I can’t say, but I have learned one thing. Do you want to hear it, Young Master Sun?”
“Oh?” Sun Bo’an raised an eyebrow. “And what’s that?”
“If comfort is at hand, don’t choose hardship. Otherwise, you’re only cheating yourself.”
He pointed at the village inn. “Besides, during the capital’s great examinations, do you think the imperial examiners care whether you’ve stayed in a village inn or suffered a loss of status?”
“You—” Sun Bo’an’s eyes widened. “What are you getting at?”
He hadn’t noticed before, but this Lei Ji could be rather sharp-tongued.
“Nothing,” Lei Ji’s face had grown cold.
“Just a word of advice, Young Master Sun—no need to always put on airs as the county lord’s son. Or you may find yourself struck by lightning!”
With that, he pulled Dugu Ao along toward Wu Ning’s house.
“This inn—I’m staying no matter what!”
Sun Bo’an was left behind, so furious his face was almost purple, clenching his teeth in rage.

“Damn it! If you weren’t a guest from out of town, I’d have broken your legs by now!”
...
——————————

“What’s this about, Brother Huaiyuan?”
Dugu Ao, dragged along by Lei Ji, glanced back several times, worried.
“Brother Huaiyuan told me not to quarrel with him, but he couldn’t restrain himself either.”
...
“Ah, it’s nothing!” Lei Ji shrugged it off.
“I’m just a passing scholar—who knows when I’ll move on? But you’re different, Brother Kejin. You both live in Fang Prefecture, and Sun Bo’an is the county lord’s son. Best not make an enemy of him.”
Dugu Ao was touched by the gesture, feeling a sudden warmth in his heart. He hadn’t wanted to stay at the village inn, but now he had no choice but to accompany Lei Ji into this ordeal.
Shaking his head with a wry smile, he sighed, “Brother Huaiyuan is a man of principle—what can I do but accompany you into the lion’s den!”
He struck a pose of righteous heroism, as if marching off to certain death.
“Well, let’s see just how dreadful this inn can really be!”
“Heh,” Lei Ji chuckled, not holding out much hope. “We’ll know as soon as we go in.”
But they didn’t even get the chance to enter.
As soon as they reached the gate, four or five burly men burst out and surrounded them, leaving the two quaking in their boots. Was this some sort of den of thieves?
The leader wore a beaming, almost roguish smile. “Heh heh, are you gentlemen here to stay the night?”
Behind him was another, surprisingly good-looking and fair-skinned, though he hardly looked like a decent sort.
“Please, please, gentlemen! Come inside, come inside!”
There was also a fat man. “Our inn just opened yesterday, brand new rooms, fresh bedding, and excellent food prepared!”
“Hurry, come in, come in!”
...
“There’s, um, no need for food,”
Dugu Ao and Lei Ji felt a chill of dread—what on earth was this place?
“We’ll just take a room, thanks, no need for a meal.”
“Don’t say that!” The fat man looked heartbroken, grabbing the leader. “Gentlemen, you don’t know—this is the best cook in all of Xiashan’ao! His food is delicious!”
“No, no, really...” The two waved their hands frantically, not daring to eat.
“Hm?”
Just as they debated whether to enter, the leading youth, now closer, peered at them intently and made a small sound of surprise.
“Gentlemen, you look familiar!”
“Hmm?”
“Didn’t you come to Xiashan’ao a couple of months ago? Didn’t you buy a couple bowls of rice wine at the roadside to quench your thirst?”
“Eh...?”
The two exchanged glances. Yes—when they last came to Changluo Mountain, it was two months ago, and they had indeed bought some wine.
“Might I ask, young man, do you remember us?”
“Remember? Of course!” Wu Ning slapped his thigh, pointing to his own broad face. “I’m the one who sold you that wine—have you forgotten?”
Wu Ning’s memory wasn’t quite photographic, but there was no way he’d forget something like that from two months ago. These two scholars were the very ones he’d overcharged by the roadside that day.
“Oh!”
Dugu Ao remembered now. With that, Wu Ning’s face did seem familiar.
His heart eased instantly, and he no longer worried about any dark dealings. “So it’s you, young man!”
He turned to Lei Ji. “Don’t you remember, Huaiyuan? The honest fellow with a soup stall by the roadside.”

“I remember, I remember.”
Lei Ji laughed heartily, the weight lifted from his mind. He even clapped Wu Ning on the shoulder. “So it’s you! We were worried this might be a den of thieves!”
“How could it be?!” Wu Ning exaggerated his tone. “This is a newly opened, honest inn—fair prices, no cheating!”
“Indeed!” Lei Ji nodded. “Just as it should be.”
He turned to Dugu Ao. “Well? Did we pick the right place? This young man is honest and sincere; tonight we can sleep in peace.”
The others listened:
Wu Li: “...”
Wu Qi: “...”
Tiger: “...”
They exchanged glances in utter speechlessness.
How did these two see honesty and sincerity in Wu Old Ninth? Were they blind?
Wu Ning, however, relished the praise and stepped aside to let them pass.
“Gentlemen, please come in! Just for those words, you get half off tonight!”
He held up five fingers. “Only fifty coins a night—a real bargain.”
“...”
“...”
Dugu Ao and Lei Ji immediately regretted their decision and nearly turned to leave.
They’d just finished praising him, and now he was fleecing them?
Fifty coins a night? Was he mad for money?
.
——————————

A quick note about supporting characters.
I implore the esteemed patrons of the “Supporting Role” thread—when you’re naming characters, could you at least try for a little plausibility? I’m not asking for brilliance, but at least something with a touch of antiquity.
Names like Lori, Wu Depraved, Yin Shi...
Even Duan Dingding has turned up.
Who? Come forward, I promise I won’t beat you to death.
What is this, a comedy troupe time-traveling to the Tang Dynasty?
It’s rare to see a handful of decent, well-rounded characters, but then I look at the martial roles...
All right, let’s be clear: in “Ao Tang,” there aren’t many military roles—very few, in fact. Except for a few famous historical figures, any supporting fighters are just that—supporting, with little screen time.
Mostly, they’ll be saying “Charge!” or “Kill!”
And then, “Aargh...” (tragic scream)
That’s it.
...
Most of the martial types will be bandits, mountain brigands, or wandering swordsmen.
What’s needed most are scholars or city folk, preferably surnamed Wu. I need a lot of supporting characters with the surname Wu.
Note: supporting characters, not extras—the kind that stick with Wu Ning all the way to the end.
If you really can’t think of a good, era-appropriate name, message me in the group and I’ll help you come up with one.
If you don’t want to bother leaving a detailed post, then don’t set too many restrictions—like personality, background, or preferences. The more you narrow it down, the less likely the character will fit into the world of Cangshan, and I might not be able to use it.
Cangshan prefers the kind who just give a name, even leave the gender up to me—those are the real comrades.