Chapter 4, Heaven Falcon Inn

Translator: StarReader

 

From the west gate pier, walking further into the county for about two hundred meters, one would arrive at Han Mountain Daoist Temple.

 

The temple gates stood grand and solemn, with red stone walls and black glazed tiles exuding an air of reverence. The bronze doors were majestic and imposing, while pilgrims came and went, burning incense and creating a misty and vibrant atmosphere—a bustling scene of prosperity.

 

The Han Mountain Daoist Temple had a history of over a thousand years but had never been particularly famous or well-known.

 

It wasn’t until the current abbot, Daoist Han Shan, took charge of the ancient temple twenty years ago and personally presided over its operations to promote immortal arts that Han Mountain became renowned and its reputation soared, with the incense offerings becoming increasingly abundant.

 

Su Chen had heard in Zhou Village how the fishermen spoke highly of this Daoist Han Shan, claiming he was all-powerful, able to walk on rivers and lakes, knowing all things under heaven, and his divination skills were uncanny, leaving no room for error—truly formidable.

 

Daoist Han Shan was widely regarded as an extraordinary sage, his fame spreading across thirteen counties in the entire Wu Region. Even the magistrate, a high-ranking official, had to personally visit the temple to pay him homage.

 

However, in recent years, Daoist Han Shan rarely stayed at Han Mountain Daoist Temple and instead traveled far and wide, meeting with eminent figures from all regions.

 

Ordinary people, unless they struck it rich, rarely got to see him. Usually, when visiting Han Mountain Daoist Temple, one could only pay respects to the five senior disciples and apprentices of the temple.

 

The legend of Daoist Han Shan filled Su Chen, a twelve-year-old boy just entering adolescence, with deep reverence and curiosity about the ancient Han Mountain Daoist Temple.

 

Over a decade ago, when Su Chen was born, the Temple Abbot, Daoist Han Shan, had diagnosed his illness and even given him his name.

 

Su Chen deeply revered and was curious about the Han Mountain Daoist Temple but had never had the chance to visit it up close.

 

Nowadays, Su Chen, dressed in patched-up clothes, dared not enter the ancient temple. He merely bowed respectfully from afar, offering a token gesture of gratitude. He thought to himself that if he ever became wealthy, he would come to burn some incense and pay his respects.

 

After passing by the Han Mountain Daoist Temple, Su Chen walked another two hundred meters and soon arrived at Gusu County City.

 

The main streets were even more bustling and lively than the west gate pier, with carriages of all sizes constantly flowing along the roads and crowds everywhere. It was nothing like Zhou Village, which was located in a remote and desolate area.

 

Along the main street were shops of various kinds: cloth stores, miscellaneous stores, pharmacies, money exchanges, pawnshops, blacksmiths, jewelry stores, restaurants, and post stations.

 

There was no lack of peddlers either, carrying baskets on poles as they hawked their goods along the streets, and street performers put on various acrobatic shows to beg for money at the gates of alleys. Compared to Zhou Village, which only had a few small miscellaneous stores and butcher shops, Gusu County City boasted numerous high-end establishments and street performances that Zhou Village lacked entirely.

 

Su Chen envied those who lived in the county city that passed by his home. He often fantasized about being able to live in such a bustling place one day. But it had always been just a pipe dream.

 

Now, he was forced to leave his home and come to Gusu County City to eke out a living, which left him feeling utterly defeated—gray hairs could have formed from the stress alone. Surviving in this prosperous place came with endless challenges, especially in regard to finding work to earn money for food and shelter or securing a place to sleep—two top priorities.

 

On his way to the county city, he had eaten only a cold, hard bread and traveled all day long. Exhausted and starving, his limbs ached from fatigue as he walked along the streets of the county city, inquiring at various shops if they needed help with odd jobs. He was willing to work for any store that would hire him, but none of them were looking for a twelve-year-old boy apprentice—each time, he struck out completely.

 

He had come to Gusu County City hoping for a fresh start, but the harsh realities left him deeply disheartened.

 

Su Chen was in low spirits as he walked along the street. He happened to pass by a large nobleman’s courtyard. Several fierce dogs suddenly rushed out from the yard and barked at Su Chen. He was terrified and bolted down the street. The dogs chased after him, and he dove into an alleyway. Unfortunately, he stepped into a smelly gutter, his calves trembling with fear.

 

He ran several blocks until he hid in a secluded corner, finally shaking off the dogs.

 

Su Chen caught his breath and wanted to rest in the corner. However, he was shocked once again. The secluded corner where he was hiding turned out to be a beggar group. There were four or five ragged old and young beggars lying around, scratching fleas under the sun. Old bowls made of wood or clay were placed on the ground for begging rice and money.

 

In recent years, Gusu County had seen an increase in displaced people. Such beggar groups, with three or five members each, were everywhere in the county.

 

A youth with a strong, square face leaned casually against the corner of the brick wall. His messy hair resembled a bird’s nest, and in front of him was a delicate flower-patterned porcelain bowl. Clearly, he was the leader of this group of beggars.

 

“Little brother,” he said boldly, “are you looking to join my group?”

 

The young beggar noticed Su Chen invading his area and eyed him with a strange expression.

 

“No! I’m just passing by.”

 

Su Chen quickly waved his hands and shook his head.

 

“If not to join, then are you here to take over my territory? You asked for it! Spit him off!”

 

The beggar leader’s tone turned ruthless as he spat at Su Chen, his eyes filled with hatred.

 

Su Chen jumped back in surprise, dodging the spit.

 

He was irritated by the beggar’s spitting for no reason. It was fine to meet a ruffian before, but he didn’t expect that even the poor beggars in this county would push him around.

 

Su Chen hit the head of the stinky beggar with an angry kick, kicked over the clay bowl, and ran away.

 

“Ugh! My precious bowl is broken, brothers; catch this bastard and beat him to death!”

 

The young beggar saw that his most precious bowl was kicked away and broken into pieces in the corner of the wall. He couldn’t help but scream and curse.

 

Su Chen fled in panic.

 

It was almost evening when the beggars retreated and hurried to beg for food.

 

Su Chen was covered in mud, tired, and hungry as he walked in the streets of Gusu County City aimlessly.

 

He looked up at the setting sun.

 

The evening chill set in. With the thin garments offering little warmth, a pang of sorrow welled up in his heart and tears unshed. How unlucky he was; even drinking water felt like ice-cold misery. He had been busy all afternoon without finding any work, chased by fierce dogs and hustled by beggars—nothing but bad luck.

 

Finding work in the county city wouldn’t happen overnight; tonight there was no place to stay either. With darkness and freezing cold setting in, he might not survive until morning.

 

Su Chen tightened his clothes and pondered. Going without food for a day he could still endure, but the bitter cold of night was unbearable, easily leading to death on the streets.

 

Though Su Chen hesitated to trouble his brother Ah Chou—after all, Ah Chou was just a server and lived a hard life—it seemed there was no other option. He decided to seek shelter at Heaven Falcon Inn and ask Ah Chou for help, enduring this night’s frostbite. Once the sun rose tomorrow and things warmed up, he could figure out his next move.

 

Su Chen came to the intersection of West Gate Street and stopped outside the Heaven Falcon Inn, with its business. He saw Ah Chou, a server who was busy in the lobby of the inn. The rich aroma of wine and meat in the air made him drool.

 

Heaven Falcon Inn was owned by Heaven Falcon Group, one of the Five Major Groups in the Wu Region. It was well-known in Gusu County as a high-end restaurant, often visited by martial artists. The inn was luxuriously decorated and had three floors, each with a lobby and private rooms, and was often full of guests.

 

Today, Heaven Falcon Inn was particularly lively. The Owner Wang, the chefs; and more than a dozen waiters were busy preparing the twelfth lunar month banquet for the guests of the Heaven Falcon Group.

 

Hundreds of martial artists wearing brocade robes and swords on their waists gathered on different floors of the inn according to their status in the gang. They were toasting and clamoring.

 

Several old men wearing brocade robes and riding majestic horses appeared. Important figures of the Heaven Falcon Group had arrived. “Welcome, Protector Li and Leader Wang!”

 

“Manager Liu, you’re finally here! The feast is ready. Everyone’s been waiting for you, sir.”

 

Owner Wang came out in a hurry with several servers to attend to the robed elder, fussing and flattering over him endlessly.

 

Su Chen noticed that the Heaven Falcon Inn was packed with martial artists clad in the brocade robes of the Heaven Falcon Group, bustling about inside. His heart filled only with fear and astonishment.

 

He had heard from Zhou Village’s fishermen that this group’s martial artists were well-connected and influential in both official and underworld circles. They often bullied the Zhou Village fishers, employing even harsher tactics than constable law enforcement to instill fear in the community.

 

Engaging them was not advisable; a single misstep could lead to being beaten to a pulp.

 

Su Chen held immense reverence for these martial artists and usually avoided coming to the Heaven Falcon Inn alone.

 

Within the inn, Su Chen only felt at ease around Ah Chou, the young server.

 

Ah Chou was of the same age, with a bluish birthmark on his cheek, giving him an ugly appearance. He had few friends at the Heaven Falcon Inn and in the county city, often pushed around by the older servers.

 

However, Su Chen knew that although Ah Chou looked ugly, he had a kind heart, so the two became good brothers. Every time he came to the county city, he would look for Ah Chou to play.

 

“Brother Chen, why are you here?”

 

Ah Chou was wiping the chairs and cleaning up the leftovers on the table. When he saw Su Chen appear outside the inn, he was surprised and wanted to run out to greet Su Chen.

 

Suddenly, a big hand fell from the sky, grabbed Ah Chou’s ear and pulled it hard, and the furious voice of the Owner Wang came from behind, “Ah Chou, you lazy punk, you are always shirking off work. Why don’t you go and clean up the table?”

 

“Ow, my ear, my ear! Owner Wang, please let me go!”

 

Ah Chou screamed like a pig to the slaughter and begged for mercy.

 

Many wealthy customers enjoying their meat and wine laughed and clapped on the table at this scene.

 

Su Chen did not approach Heaven Falcon Inn. He just waved to Ah Chou from a distance and gestured for him to go ahead. He then hid in the street corner across from the inn, waiting for the inn to close at night.

 

Ah Chou, as the lowly kitchen boy, was kept busy all day, serving the guests with tea and wine. It wouldn’t be until late at night when the inn closed that he’d finally have a moment to himself.

 

Su Chen glanced up at the sky; it was already evening.

 

He figured that once night fell, these martial artists would finish their meals and leave.

 

Not familiar with other parts of the city, Su Chen worried about getting lost. Rather than wander around after dark, he stayed put by the street corner, enduring his hunger.

 

Working as a server at the Heaven Falcon Inn wasn’t easy for Ah Chou. He had to bring dishes and serve food to the guests, but if he was even a little slow, the owner would yell at him.

 

Some of the martial artists were hot-tempered too. If the server brought their order even a bit slower than expected, they’d slap them hard across the face, leaving them dazed and confused.

 

Su Chen crouched in the corner, watching from afar. He felt deeply sorry for Ah Chou. It was so pitiful to work as a server, being both busy and exhausted, while also enduring everyone’s insults and beatings.

 

He lived in Zhou Village, a water village where life was hard and humble. Although he often went hungry, with no food for dinner after having something for lunch, he had never been treated with such insults and beatings.

 

In his youth, his parents were busy fishing in the big lake, leaving him to roam freely in the fields and small streams, catching fish, climbing trees to gather birds’ nests, and picking wild vegetables to feed himself. He was used to being independent, without anyone to watch over him.

 

Su Chen sighed deeply, unsure whether he felt pity for Ah Chou or for his own future self.

 

If he found a job as a server or laborer in the county city, he might end up living a life like Ah Chou’s—constantly bullied and mistreated every day.

 

As the sun set and night fell, darkness descended upon Heaven Falcon Inn. The men from the Heaven Falcon Group, stuffed after their meal, staggered out drunk, bidding farewell to each other with formal salutations before leaving. Only then did the inn close for the night.

 

Ah Chou’s face bore several bruises, his ear swollen and red—clearly he had been beaten by the owner and the Heaven Falcon Group’s men. Yet, despite this, he wore an air of excitement as the inn finally closed for the night.

 

Those guests were eating and drinking with abandon, leaving a lot of uneaten dishes.

 

The leftovers, which couldn’t be finished, were given away by Owner Wang in a rare gesture of kindness to the cooks and servers to take home to their families.

 

Even Ah Chou, the lowest-ranking server, got his share.

 

He used a large lotus leaf to wrap all the leftovers, along with a big clump of uneaten rice and scraps of delicious meat. Then, he called over Su Chen, who had been hiding behind a corner of the Heaven Falcon Inn to keep the biting cold wind at bay, and they excitedly returned together to the backyard of the Heaven Falcon Inn.

 

The back of Heaven Falcon Inn was large, serving as the place where the cooks and servers worked, cooking meals, washing vegetables, and doing other chores.

 

In one corner of the yard stood a woodshed piled with straw and firewood, which was Ah Chou’s residence.

 

Su Chen noticed that Ah Chou had a bruised face and felt very guilty, saying to him, “Ah Chou, I caused you trouble! Because of me, you got beaten by Owner Wang.”

 

“Don’t say that. We are brothers. If you hadn’t come, I would have been beaten by the owner over something else. Come on, Brother Chen! It’s a rare occasion for you to come to the county city. I’ll treat you to a delicious meal today! There’s half a stewed pork trotter and half a carp! These are all carefully cooked by our chef, which is completely different from our own boiled fish. He used several tablespoons of vegetable oil, pure white salt, and more than ten spices and stir-fried them in a pot over high heat. The aroma is very tempting!”

 

Ah Chou spoke with glee as he placed his pouch of food excitedly on the ground.

 

Su Chen smelled the strong aroma and gulped hard. He came from Zhou Village, a fishing village where lake fish and river shrimp were regular. The Heaven Falcon Inn’s fish and shrimp mostly came from Zhou Village fishermen. However, the fish cooked at home was completely different from the inn’s fried fish.

 

At home, they simply boiled the fish in a clay pot until done, then lifted it out to eat. The taste was pale and light, yet very fresh and pungent. If they could toss in some salt, vegetable leaves, and a little oil into the pot, with the aroma of oil and salt wafting through, that would have been considered quite luxurious for Zhou Village’s fishermen.

 

Cooking like the chef at Heaven Falcon Inn, with large spoons of oil, handfuls of salt, and more than ten unknown seasonings in a metal pan to stir-fry and red-burn the carp, resulting in a dish that was flavorful in color, aroma, and taste—was something Zhou Village fishermen could never imagine.

 

Su Chen had never tasted such delicious food in his life. Ah Chou often mentioned it to him.

 

“Please don’t insist, Ah Chou! Just go ahead and eat. After you’re done, I’ll just have the last bite of rice and a drop of sauce to savor the flavor.”

 

Su Chen felt envious in his heart but still declined politely.

 

He had come to Ah Chou for a place to stay for a few nights to escape the cold, and having a small portion of food to keep from starving was already putting him in debt. He couldn’t possibly take advantage of Ah Chou’s hospitality like this.

 

“Don’t hold back! I work at the Heaven Falcon Inn, and every day I get to eat such delicious food. You’re my guest here; please go ahead and eat first. I’ll have what’s left.”

 

Ah Chou grew anxious and quickly pushed the food toward Su Chen, as if not letting him eat would be an insult.

 

In reality, Ah Chou was just a lowly server at the inn, with no status whatsoever. The scraps and leftovers from guests’ meals were all taken by the senior servers and chefs. By the time his turn came, there was almost nothing left.

 

Normally, he didn’t even get a drop of soup or a morsel of meat broth to satisfy his cravings. He would just stare longingly as the tasty leftovers were all taken by the senior staff.

 

Only on days like today, when Heaven Falcon Group held their end-of-the-year banquet, would there be so much leftover food that everyone could have their fill, allowing him an occasional share—a rare treat happening just once or twice a year.

 

“You first!”

 

“No, no, Brother Chen, you go first.”

 

The two youths pushed and declined, their noses twitching at the aroma of the fragrant pork, half a portion of carp, and large bowl of rice. They were both starving, yet neither wanted to take the first bite.

 

In the end, they decided to split it evenly, avoiding further argument.

 

Su Chen and Ah Chou quickly devoured these “delicious dishes” with great satisfaction, eating their fill. Such spicy and flavorful food was enough to make them savor the meal for months.

 

Gusu County City was dark at night, with only the brothels and gambling houses staying open all night, offering no other evening entertainment.

 

Su Chen and Ah Chou, having eaten and drunk their fill, settled into the firewood shed to chat, exchanging tales of the various amusing incidents in Gusu County City and Zhou Village.