The largest inn in Dao Fu Town was called Xiang Man Lou, and it was said that their roast duck was quite famous.

Zhan Zhao and Xiao Si Zi walked along, chatting and laughing about their experiences eating roast duck. Despite his young age, Xiao Si Zi was quite the gourmet. This was largely thanks to Gongsun, who doted on him and constantly came up with ways to make delicious food for him. As a result, even at such a young age, he was already a little foodie. As for Zhan Zhao, there was no need to mention—good food was one of his greatest joys in life.

The atmosphere between the two was pleasant, and they were starting to feel hungry. They eagerly approached the entrance of Xiang Man Lou, only to sense that something was off.

What was strange?

It wasn’t the smell of blood or any signs of a fight. Instead, the enormous inn was completely empty. Outside, a few curious bystanders, including some staff members, were peeking inside.

This didn’t make sense. It was mealtime, and the place should have been bustling with customers.

Zhan Zhao leaned in behind one of the workers and curiously looked inside along with him. Xiao Si Zi also peered in.

Yet, the first floor was completely empty. It was unclear what they were all looking at.

The worker sensed someone behind him and turned around, seeing two faces—one big, one small—both with wide, curious eyes.

“What are you looking at?” Zhan Zhao asked the worker, puzzled. “Is Xiang Man Lou not open for business?”

“We are… but…” The worker nodded blankly.

Zhan Zhao and Xiao Si Zi exchanged a glance before stepping inside. They were looking for Bai Yutang and Zhao Pu.

“Hey!”

The worker quickly stopped Zhan Zhao. “Sir, you shouldn’t bring a child in there. There’s a fight going on inside.”

Zhan Zhao paused. “Who’s fighting?”

“It’s terrifying! They’re flying around!” The worker gestured dramatically. “All the tables and chairs upstairs have collapsed. One of them is in black, and the other is in white.”

Zhan Zhao and Xiao Si Zi exchanged another glance—could it be that Zhao Pu and Bai Yutang were fighting?

Zhan Zhao thought to himself, This is bad! He didn’t bother with the stairs; instead, he leaped straight up to the second floor and called out, “Peace above all else!”

…

On the second floor, all the tables and chairs had indeed collapsed—except for one in the center, which remained untouched.

Zhan Zhao was an expert and immediately recognized that the destruction was caused by internal energy.

However, there was no sign of a tense battle. The central table was perfectly intact, and sitting across from each other were Zhao Pu and Bai Yutang, each holding a wine cup. They turned their heads to look at Zhan Zhao on the balcony railing.

Beside them, Ouyang was holding chopsticks, Ziying had a rice bowl, and Zheyin was holding a ladle. All three of them were staring at Zhan Zhao.

Zhan Zhao blinked—so, there was no fight?

“Zhan Zhan.”

Zhan Zhao turned to see Xiao Si Zi poking his shoulder. “Your slipper is about to fall off!”

Zhan Zhao glanced down and saw that one of Xiao Si Zi’s wooden slippers was hanging by a thread. He quickly reached out, caught it, and then jumped over the railing, securing the slipper on Xiao Si Zi’s foot before walking to the table. “The workers downstairs said you two were fighting.”

Bai Yutang and Zhao Pu were momentarily stunned before exchanging a glance, seemingly understanding the confusion.

Ouyang laughed. “No fight. They were comparing blades.”

Bai Yutang poured Zhan Zhao a cup of wine and gestured for him to sit.

Zhan Zhao took a seat and placed Xiao Si Zi beside him. Ziying casually pulled Xiao Si Zi over and started feeding him, clearly fond of children.

Zhan Zhao understood now—both Zhao Pu and Bai Yutang were skilled in blade techniques. The infamous Yun Zhong Dao and Xinting Hou were both considered legendary figures in the world of blades, so it was natural for them to spar when they met. It fit their personalities.

Surveying the nearly destroyed second floor, Zhan Zhao grumbled, “You two better remember to pay for this.”

Zhao Pu smiled. “Of course.”

After drinking a sip of wine, Zhan Zhao noticed that Zhao Pu and Bai Yutang seemed to be getting along well. Feeling reassured, he asked, “What are you asking Bai Yutang about?”

“Have you ever heard of the Blade Demon?” Zhao Pu asked.

Zhan Zhao, who had just picked up his chopsticks, froze. He set them down. “So that’s what this is about… Does this have something to do with why you suddenly came to Dao Fu Town?”

“A little.” Zhao Pu took a sip of wine.

Xiao Si Zi, meanwhile, had been curiously eyeing Zhao Pu’s cup. Zhao Pu grinned and offered it to him. “Want to try?”

“Hey!” Ziying quickly snatched the cup away. “He’s just a kid! You can’t give him wine!”

“A little taste won’t kill him.” Zhao Pu smirked. “Didn’t you sneak a sip when you were a kid? Otherwise, how would you have learned to drink?”

Ziying pouted.

Zhao Pu teasingly coaxed Xiao Si Zi, “Just a tiny sip. Don’t tell your dad, and it’ll be fine.”

Xiao Si Zi beamed, took the cup, and had a taste—only to immediately stick out his tongue. “Bitter!”

Everyone laughed at his reaction.

Zhan Zhao sipped his own wine and glanced at Bai Yutang. The corners of Bai Yutang’s mouth were slightly upturned—he seemed to be in a good mood.

Zhao Pu, having finished teasing Xiao Si Zi, returned to serious matters. “Recently, something strange happened near my military camp…”