Chapter 310- The Caressing Inn stables

The Caressing Inn stables

Chu unceremoniously jostled his way to the forefront of the circling spectators. The angry tone emanated from the stiff lips of the teen who acted as the mouthpiece for their sitting leader. The young men standing beside the sofa also had lips curled up in disdain as if viewing unwanted trash.

Young Master Cleft raised his hand to silence the words and nearby snorts. From his straightened back while remaining on the sofa, his cold eyes covered the young teenager encircled by his companions.

"Young Master Willow, why have you shown your face here? Is it not enough that your Clan has shamed the name of the Ancient Houses for the last decade? Now you dare to mingle with us in entertainment? Shouldn't you be trying to hone your skills for the impending challenges or seeking capable Sersens?"

Young master Cleft spoke like a concerned elder brother. His words, however, initiated replies from the well-built teens standing behind the sofa.

"As the undisputed leader of the Ancient Houses, Young Master Cleft speaks words of wisdom. Clan Willow will surely lose their Hose this year if they do not attract a Sersen."

"Do you think Sersens grow on trees? Even if this is Frost City, most Sersens have either established their own mercenary party or drafted in by the Military or established noble houses. Besides, everyone knows that for this year's Ancient House challenge, the competitors will be going all out on House Willow. No Sersen in their right mind will want to risk their life for a declining clan."

"Young Master Willow should heed the words of Master Cleft. Last I heard he was a struggling scribe in the Alchemist Guild. In the upcoming battles, he will be useless. I also heard the old Sersen in their house has not fully recovered from the injuries inflicted years ago during the last challenge. There are about twenty noble houses this year who are challenging for the right to own an Ancient House. If not for there being a limit of five challengers per House, all of them would have chosen House Willow as their opponent."

Young Master Cleft raised his hand to silence the mutterings.

"Young Master Willow, all of us here know of your predicament. Instead of wasting away the little coins remaining in the coffers of your home, you should seek to invest in the merchant trade. This way, your family will still be able to hold your head up high and live within Frost City."

Amid the snickers and scoffs, Young Master Willow clasped his hand while bowing slightly.

"This young master thanks you for your words of advice. Tonight, however, I am not here to indulge myself but to try and win a few coins."

"Oh? Did young master Willow find a heroic fighter in the taverns? Young master Willow needs to be careful since a drunkard will boast unashamedly to increase their self-worth."

A broad-shouldered teen said while curling his lips. The burly servant standing behind him snorted in support. The fighters participating in tonight's arena were experienced adventurers or soldiers who sought the backing of a house. Some of them wanted to prove their worth so as to be selected for the service as guards.

There was an unwritten rule in Frost City where those who claimed the positions of noble houses and ancient houses would be responsible for training a sizable private force. In the event of an emergency or in a case where demon beasts threatened the city, these guards would serve as trained defenders.

Barring any sortie into the Pass for when a patriarch decided to risk his guards to promote a budding genius into a hopeful Sersen, guards under the service of the noble houses lived a risk-free life. For adventurers and mercenaries of commoner status, competing to catch the eye of a noble family in Frost City turned out to be stiff indeed.

"Young Master Dill need not worry. Even if my fighter loses in his bouts tonight, it will only serve to hone his experience. Recruiting ordinary guards, for now, is essential for my family."

Young Master Willow sighed while turning to glance at the person standing behind him. From his expression, the onlookers could surmise the difficulties he encountered in recruiting able-bodied guards. One look at the stubby faced, coal-haired young adventurer indicated how low young Willows had been forced to lower his standards.

"Hmph! You dare to waste time tonight by sending in this pig for slaughter by our wolves? Why should we allocate a spot for this waste?"

A noble sneered while standing behind the cushioned sofa. Before others could voice their rejection, laughter accompanied by the clapping of hands sounded from the fringes of the crowd.

"Ah, Wung Ji has arrived!"

Someone shouted as the young men stepped aside to open a pathway.

"So it's the young master of the Wung Clan. Rumor is that his father is in line for promotion this year in the Military. The Wung Clan is also making a bid to challenge the Ancient Houses. With a double success in acquiring ranks in both the Military and Nobility, Clan Wung has decided to demonstrate their might."

"Clan Wung has always remained satisfied with their status as nobles even though many say they possess the capabilities to claim an Ancient House."

Chu listened to the whispered conversations as he watched a tall young man walk into the open center. This young man seemed slightly older than the majority of teenagers and emitted an air of dignity. The young masters slowly expanded the inner circle as a show of respect. Young Master Wung passed young Master Willow as if passing a rock on a mountain pass before pausing in front of the sitting teen.

Young Master Wung smiled while acknowledging the crowd with a slight bow. He then turned towards the teen sitting on the sofa.

"Haha, Young Master Cleft, you look as dashing as always. I wonder which girl will count their luck tonight in accompanying you."

"Elder brother Wung must be joking. Everyone present knows that once you arrive, all those girls in the Caressing Inn will grasp at your feet."

Young Master Cleft laughed while standing up and clasping his hands at the hawkish-looking young man. Waving his hand, a few servants quickly arrived with another cushioned sofa. Young Master Wung smiled while naturally sitting down on the prepared seat. His companions filed in to stand behind him. Surveying the crowd, his face drew a look of surprise as if seeing Young Master Willow for the first time.

"Ah, so it is Young Master Willow. I now remember clapping on hearing the previous discussion."

He turned to Young Master Cleft who had reseated himself and then to the crowd.

"One must understand that a noble house is like a rock on the hilltop. Nobody knows when, but it will surely crumble. The decline of House Willow is something we must all bear in mind and also not a laughing matter. Since this is the last year that Clan Willow will live among the Ancient Houses, how about all these younger brothers give me face and let him compete in tonight's matches?"

Young Master Cleft nodded before turning to Young Master Willow.

"Very well. Due to the elder brother's words, you can participate in the bouts. Don't blame me, however, if most of the brothers decide to challenge your fighter because they find him easy pickings."

Before young Master Willow could reply, Wung Ji raised his hand.

"I know tonight would have been a free-for-all but why don't we arrange the usual one-on-one battles? Not only are they more enjoyable but they are better for placing bets."

"Agreed, we shall do as Elder Brother suggests. Come, prepare your fighters, and let us meet at the stables for glory, wealth, and women!"

***

Chu walked under the large shed that would have been the stables for the Caressing Inn. Torches hung from the rough wooden posts as they illuminated the large fighting ring encircled by a crude short fence. Hewn planks covered the raised benches positioned around the ring like an amphitheater.

Under the guidance of a young master, Chu found himself ushered into a bench in the second row. The first circle of benches was reserved for members of the Ancient Houses and the more prominent noble houses. Because of his status as Young Master Will from Seastone City, his seating position was not too bad. With Pails sitting beside him, he twisted his neck under the pretense of an excited newcomer.

Across the dirt ring, he spotted Young Master Cleft chatting with the slightly older young Master Wung. As per the rules, a young master was allowed only one fighter to accompany him. Even so, most of the nobles tonight did not have any men sitting beside them in readied gear. Sweeping his eyes to the left of the ring, he spotted young master Willow.

The young teen sat on a bench in the first row with his fighter decked out in the faded armor accustomed to adventurers. While the servants of the Inn hurried about to assist the needs of the assembling guests, Chu listened to the nearby excited conversations. From the glimmer in their eyes and shifting bodies, this form of entertainment seemed to be well-received by these young noble masters.

"The fighter accompanying Young Master Cleft is the one who participated during the last bout a few months back. I saw him win against his larger opponent convincingly. My coins are on him if he enters the ring."

"Who says he will enter the ring tonight? That fellow besides young master Wung also looks intimidating but nobody here has any grievance to settle so as to issue a challenge. Even a friendly bout will end in losses. No, my money is on anyone who decides to challenge Young Master Willow."

"Ah, you're right! That newbie fighter he has doesn't look a day older than me. Somehow that stubby-looking beard ticks me off. I'm sure he never fought against a well-trained soldier or former mercenary. No wonder Master Willow said he hasn't any hope of winning. Once he steps into the ring, it's easy money!"

On seeing everyone seated, Young Master Cleft raised his hand. Chu noticed his actions only because he was looking at him at the time.

A bell, however, sounded which drew all eyes to the center of the ring. The man lowered his hand holding the bell and cleared his throat.

"Welcome young masters! The rules remain the same. Tonight, the ring is prepared for one-on-one battles. Private bets between the challengers are allowed before the fights while bets can be placed through our servants standing on the aisles."

The man waved his hand to indicate the white-robed men standing ready to serve.

"As for the rules in the ring, the victor is decided when the opponent concedes or is incapacitated. Grudges cannot be held in life-and-death matches, so please refrain if you are unable to handle the loss of your fighter. Let the first challenge begin!"

With the introduction over, the stables turned quiet. One could feel the bated breaths as everyone waited in anticipation.

A shuffle behind the seats of young master Wung attracted the crowd.

Young Master Roogar stood up and clasped his closed fist onto his chest.

"I challenge Young Master Willow while staking a thousand silver coins!"

****