Chapter 309- A noble arrives

A noble arrives

The owner who claimed the grounds of the Caressing Inn certainly placed some thought into its restructuring. Chu didn't know the history of the building but the design suited the present occupiers. The two smiling ladies walked a few steps ahead of him while leading him. Their shiny hair bounced over the thin and revealing clothing that slipped over the slow-moving pendulum swinging hips.

Chu summoned his willpower to focus his eyes away from the scenery and to the decorated walkway that disappeared from the flower-lined border when he arrived at the arched wooden doorway. On entering, they strolled across a short passageway with a large room on either side for a change of clothing or depositing of weapons. Pails entered into one while they waited to store his sword and dagger.

"Very considerate. We did see a few finely dressed fellows walking through the gates. This place is ideal during winter for visitors to change into suitable and more comfortable attire."

Chu remarked on seeing his burly companion exit while holding onto a marked wooden token. His eyes glanced at the adjacent room where three men exited in lose fitting gowns. Apparently this group of visitors did not intend to spend time socializing.

The escorts led him down the short hallway and into a large open hall. Iron braziers lined the walls next to the open windows shedding light into the wide assembly. Oil lamps hung from the thick stone pillars to provide a pale and foggy setting. Thin curtains draped away from the fires and accompanied flowery decorations placed in large vases.

A faint melody floated across the fragrant fog in the ceiling as it descended into his ears.

The shapely escort performed a small bow and greeting on entering. She had skillfully guided them away from the hall entrance to avoid blocking her companions escorting other guests.

"Young Master, we welcome you again. Our Carressing Inn offers a wide range of entertainment and relaxation. Our Great Hall is ideal for mingling with the distinguished members of our city. For a more private setting to discuss and share your thoughts, we provide smaller rooms to entertain you and your friends. In addition, the second floor contains rooms for guests who decide to spend the night."

"Wonderful, wonderful, what a great place to find friends who share the same thoughts and then have a quiet place to discuss them. One can then retire here for the night instead of making that arduous journey back home. This Young Master Will is very impressed."

Chu nodded as he causally mentioned his name. He stepped towards the girl while ensuring she viewed his expression of a wolf staring at a little lamb. With one hand embracing her, he leaned forward to whisper into her ear.

"Then again, it may also be more tiring for me to spend the night here, right? Perhaps the Caressing Inn can provide someone to ease my fatigue?"

With a lewd chuckle, he stepped back while surveying the room.

"Come then, let us mingle."

***

The majority of guests fit the profile of young masters from noble and merchant families out to have a good time. Chu also spotted a few older more experienced heads among the crowd. Young girls meandered their way across the various groups while serving wine and bread.

It didn't take long for the news of his arrival to trickle among the guests.

"Young Master, should we try to approach some of these fellows?"

Pails whispered when their two escorts excused themselves for a moment. Presently the two of them stood alone before a table filled with fruits and sliced bread.

"No need for us to make the first move. Over the past few days, our reputation has spread to every corner of the city. It only takes one rock to begin a landslide. Do you know what makes us so enticing to others here?"

Chu asked while popping a grape into his stuffed mouth.

"Enticing?"

"Very enticing. You are looking at a young spendthrift noble, very far from home. Understand now? The young masters present will be looking for a rich lackey while the older heads only see the piles of free gold, ready for the taking. Given the shrewdness of nobles, we are very lucky they didn't overrun us yet... oh, here comes our rock to begin the landslide. I wonder if its the one prepared."

Chu said as he focused on searching the food table.

"Greetings, young master. This one is known as Young Master Saxs. My companions and I belong to a few of the merchant families residing in Frost City."

"Greeting young master Saxs. This little one is known as Young Master Will from Seastone City. A pleasure to meet you."

"Ah, so it is Young Master Will. Your reputation certainly precedes you. Congratulations on acquiring your mansion in the noble quarters. My father also holds the position as a vice-guild master in the Merchant Guild."

The lean curly-haired man said as his eyes secretly roved across the teen. From his position, there was nothing little about Young Master Will.

Chu coughed on viewing his expression.

"Oh? So it seems mister Quin still has a bit of merchant blood in him, haha. No matter, it saved me sending another chest to further sway his mind tomorrow."

The casual words initiated a splutter as Young Master Saxs tried to compose himself. Ths teen standing before him truly treated gold like spit. Somehow, his old man discovered that this spendthrift might be visiting the Caressing Inn tonight. On securing that information, he sent him down to try and rope in this goldmine for easy pickings. As such, young master Saxs didn't try too hard in hiding his prideful nature.

"Young Master Will is magnanimous in his actions. I wonder if the young master might join our esteemed group for a little banter tonight?"

Before Chu could reply, a burly young man in his late teens walked in front of him.

"Greetings Young Master Will. This one is the young master from the noble Roogar Clan. I come on behalf of the Young Master of the Ancient Cleft Clan. He wonders if you would care to join us in celebration tonight?"

The burly teen said.

Chu noticed the visible shocked face of Young Master Saxs as he followed the eyes of the newcomer. One could vaguely notice Young master Cleft commanded the largest group of teens and young men in the hall. Glancing back at the jealous face on Saxs, he knew he had caught a big fish.

Puffing out his chest, he clasped his hand towards the brawny figure.

"A member of the Ancient House of Clan Cleft? Young Master Roogar has piqued my interest. My apologies, Young Master Saxs, but this stranger to Frost City would like to hear more about the Ancient Houses. Please, lead the way."

Chu stifled his laughter while struggling to keep a prideful straight face. Glancing back at the retreating figure of young master Saxs, he then scoffed within his mind.

'Who do you think sent the message for your old man to get you down here? Who do you think also buys the fermented mellons that propelled both merchant Quin and your old man to vice-guild master status?'

He followed the burly teen towards a large single group that occupied about a third of the large hall. The little individual pockets of chatting males along with their female escorts opened a pathway. Chu felt the attraction of numerous eyes while the conversations died to a whisper. Roogar paused his steps and then clasped his hands in a bow before retreating to the side.

"Young Master Cleft, this one has completed your task."

Chu stood in the dim lighting with his servant behind him. In this corner, a tall and handsome teen sat comfortably on a cushioned sofa. Sharp blue eyes scanned him from above a square-faced jaw. A mass of sun-bleached hair cascaded behind his firm shoulders. He raised a steady hand to acknowledge the burly teen all while keeping his gaze locked on the plump boy.

Two young ladies sat on either side with the one on the right dressed in a thin, revealing garment. Even without having to act like a lecherous young master, his eyes seemed attracted to her. Her fair skin and sweeping black hair which spilled behind her lithe body and pooled on the cushion complemented her gentle face. Tearing his gaze, his eyes scanned the teens and servants standing beside the sofa until focusing on the teen in the middle.

Chu realized he now stood alone with Pails at the center of a semicircle. The wealth and power behind these nobles would cause anyone of the same age to shiver in fear. To Chu, however, all these teens less than twenty were yet children.

"This young master Will of Seastone City humbly greets the Young Master of the Ancient Cleft Clan. Even in Seastone City, the commoners share tales of the Ancient Clans."

Chu so flattered. The average man in the Empire was too busy trying to make ends meet rather than to gossip about nobles in the far off Frost City. After the slight bow, he kept his eyes on the young master while making a crooked smile. After what seemed like days, the older teen replied with a slight nod.

A wiry teen standing beside the sofa then stepped out.

"Young Master Cleft welcomes you to our gathering. We have all heard of the exploits of Young Master Will from Seastone City. You will find most of the families living within the noble quarters being represented here. Feel free to mingle and share your thoughts. Master Roogar, introduce our guest to our friends present."

Chu blinked before issuing a quick bow to leave.

'What the heck is this? Did I just appear before the Emperor himself? These children really know how to play.'

He did not forget to note that the girl sitting to the left and occupying the slow-moving hand of young Cleft was one of his previous escorts.

Chu chatted amicably with his newfound companions. Some of these teens possessed an arrogant character while a few actually seemed like decent fellows. Young Master Roogar returned not long later while he gossiped about the news coming from the North Pass.

"Young Master Will, our leader asks that you accompany us. Tonight, the Caressing Inn holds one of their nightly entertainments to showcase up and coming fighters. Us young masters use it to settle any disputes and as a means to earn extra coins."

The words created a buzz among his peers.

"Ah, thank heavens I walked with extra coins."

"Luckily, I got one of our best guards to escort me tonight. Haha, looks like I might also win enough to spend the night."

Chu followed young Roogar amidst the chatter. From the response of the group, he determined that most of the higher standing nobles knew about the stable fight.

On coming closer to the sofa, however, angry words of chastisement floated towards his ears.

"Young Master Willow! You dare to show your face among us?!"

****