Chaotic World Book-Chapter 263 - 258 Jin Merchant Qiao Family

Zhao Changhe couldn’t make out the innkeeper’s expression, nor could he tell if there was anything special about her words, but he didn’t press the matter. Instead, he simply smiled faintly, shook the menu, and asked, "It seems everything here involves grabbing this or that with hands. I’m not very interested. Since you have Jiangnan osmanthus wine, do you also have Jiangnan stir-fry?"

The innkeeper smiled and said, "Most people follow local customs and prefer to try local specialties when they’re in an exotic place. Who comes to the Northern Border looking for Jiangnan cuisine?"

Zhao Changhe replied, "Just asking, don’t you have it?"

The innkeeper’s eyes twinkled playfully, "If you must have it, it’s not unavailable, but there will be an extra charge."

"You mean because it’s rare it’s more expensive?"

"No, it means making it is more troublesome," the innkeeper said. "Different ingredients, utensils, condiments—no one usually asks for them, and if we keep them, they’ll spoil in a few days, so naturally, we don’t stock them. If you want a custom order, we’ll have to go out and buy them now, and of course, you’ll have to pay more for the expenses and labor. Don’t accuse us of fleecing you. Fair enough?"

Zhao Changhe stroked his palm and laughed, "Your argument is sound and indeed fair."

"Hey, San Niang," the patrons were disgruntled. "Why are you chatting nonstop with this kid since he came in? He’s not that handsome anyway, and while his build is decent, there are plenty more fish in the sea here!"

San Niang glared at the crowd, "Who I choose to talk to is my business, not yours."

Someone said, "Is it because he wants to eat Jiangnan dishes? We could order that too."

Zhao Changhe sighed inwardly. With all your fawning, it’s a wonder she doesn’t call you a bunch of sorry men. Why bother?

As expected, San Niang cheerfully responded, "Because he’s not flirting. So I’m just a bit more pure with him, that’s the etiquette of hospitality."

The patrons: "..."

Zhao Changhe tossed aside the menu: "Just bring a portion of the hand-torn lamb leg then, no need for extra trouble."

San Niang seemed somewhat disappointed, and asked perfunctorily, "Do you want someone to keep you company while you eat? Purely for conversation, of course."

Zhao Changhe could see her lack of enthusiasm, so he simply said, "I’m here to eat, your perfume interferes with my appetite."

"Pah." San Niang, having hit a dead end, sashayed off while muttering, "Serve the wine faster, what are you dawdling for!"

The patrons, seeing the equanimity restored, also lost their jealousy and began to happily chat amongst themselves again. One of them addressed Zhao Changhe, "Buddy, pretending not to be interested is a tactic that’s been tried by many over the years. It doesn’t work... and if you overdo it, you might even get a beating."

Zhao Changhe just smiled and didn’t respond.

As if everyone were like them, itching for San Niang. Seriously... Only someone with a figure and allure like Huangfu Qing could compete, but San Niang was a bit too coquettish, not as moderate as Huangfu Qing, and Huangfu Qing had nobility to boot. Huangfu Qing is the better choice!

In truth, with such a benchmark in mind, there really wasn’t much interest. Heaven knows if she’s somebody powerful’s forbidden woman that would cause trouble if meddled with.

Soon, the hand-torn lamb leg and osmanthus wine were served. Zhao Changhe casually gave the server a piece of broken silver, instructing him to take care of Wuzhui, then he focused on his meal, pondering.

His conversation with San Niang was all about probing each other. For instance, regarding the Jiangnan cuisine, whether the ingredients were available or not, as long as someone knew how to make it, it meant the chef was from Jiangnan, not hired locally. This showed that it was a small group composed of Great Xia people, specifically from Jiangnan, not just someone selling osmanthus wine here.

And San Niang was indicating that although someone could make it, people here don’t eat it, hinting there’s no steady supply of Jiangnan ingredients and discouraging any probing. At the same time, she was telling him that if he wanted something customized, he could pay extra for a fair transaction.

How could these patrons, with nothing but shapely waists in their heads, understand this?

Considering the suggestion from San Niang that it was a trade, it seemed unlikely that she was from Huangfu Yongxian’s people, the Demon Suppression Department, or a certain power from the grasslands. However, people from Ying Wu or the Four Symbols Sect might be plausible.

Yet neither possibility was entirely trustworthy. Without any Four Symbols Sect tokens, he was deemed an enemy in the eyes of its general members, only with a low priority. Bumping into them could lead to who knows what.

As for Ying Wu’s people, while they claimed to be neutral information traders, the individual attitudes of those in charge might differ. After being here for so long, it’s hard to know if biases haven’t developed, and without any relationship, who would dare to trust them?

But since his identity was not exposed, and he was in disguise, it should still be feasible to buy some non-sensitive information.

While he was pondering this, two more people entered. Zhao Changhe subconsciously glanced over, and his gaze turned colder.

They were the leaders of the caravan he encountered the other night, a middle-aged man and a young man.

San Niang approached Zhao Changhe again with a placating smile and asked, "Young man, new guests have arrived, and there are no other free tables except yours. Would you mind if someone joined your table?"

Zhao Changhe said, "San Niang, business here is really booming."

San Niang replied with a laugh, "The location is excellent. Travelers come off the road covered in dust, spot the tavern flag, and instantly they’re salivating for a drink."

Zhao Changhe nodded. The location was indeed excellent—it had drawn him there after all. "So tell me, if I refuse to share a table, would you drive me away or them?"

With a sigh, San Niang advised, "Why keep to yourself when you’re out and about? It’s better to make more friends—it opens up more paths."

The two men, listening to their conversation, seemed to grow impatient, taking positions on either side of Zhao Changhe. "Brother, we’re all guests from the Central Plains, why can’t we get along?"

So now all of a sudden you consider yourselves men of the Central Plains? When you were selling grain to the barbarians during the war, why didn’t you claim that back then?

Zhao Changhe knew he might glean valuable information by feigning civility and chatting with them. But no matter how he saw it, his disgust was overwhelming—he just couldn’t fake it any longer. He spoke coldly, "It’s one thing for San Niang to speak with me about such matters. If she asks, I might give in out of respect for her. But who granted you the right to step in and suggest I’ve stepped out of line? Now you’ve done it. I refuse to share the table. Sit with whomever you please."

"Not keen on toasting? Then brace for the penalty drink!" The young man’s eyes flashed fiercely as he suddenly swung his palm to slap.

All the patrons perked up again. The daily dramas in Yellow Sand Market were never dull.

With a "smack," it was the young man who had swung, yet astonishingly, it was his own face that took the slap, spinning on the spot like a top before coming to a stop, then covering his mouth to spit something out. In his hand lay a bloodstained tooth.

The crowd couldn’t fathom how Zhao Changhe had so swiftly returned the slap!

San Niang observed Zhao Changhe with a curious interest, as if deep in thought.

The middle-aged man erupted in rage, "Audacious!"

"Shing!" The sound of a sword being drawn as a stab aimed for Zhao Changhe’s back. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel-com

Zhao Changhe continued nonchalantly eating lamb and drinking, somehow twisting just enough that the blade passed beneath his rib. Then with an effortless squeeze, he clamped the man’s wrist under his arm, "crack," breaking the wrist with ease, eliciting a scream that filled the hall.

A collective gasp was heard from the audience as their view of Zhao Changhe shifted.

Setting aside his martial arts, the sheer strength was baffling—breaking someone’s wrist under an armpit, what kind of monstrous power was that?

People tried mimicking the armpit pinch instinctively, shaking their heads in defeat, feeling they could never achieve such a feat. What kind of divine strength was this?

Zhao Changhe released the man, stating indifferently, "Such trash dares to challenge..."

Fear and surprise filled the eyes of the two men as they hastily retreated towards the door, dropping a threat, "You’ll pay for this!"

Zhao Changhe picked up a pair of chopsticks, contemplating striking them down but eventually set them back down. These men might be heads of a merchant group and could have some useful information; it wasn’t time for killing just yet. Besides, provoking a retaliation from a thousand men would certainly disrupt business here.

With this in mind, Zhao Changhe turned to San Niang, who was gleefully watching the commotion, and said calmly, "San Niang, they’ve attacked your patron and you don’t have a word to say? Is it because they’ve given more money than me, or is it that you don’t protect your own guests?"

As if waking from a reverie, San Niang said with a smile, "Oh dear, brawls in the tavern are commonplace; I just didn’t catch on to the seriousness right away. I hope you can forgive this oversight."

Zhao Changhe continued, "So if they come back for revenge, will you protect your residents?"

Smiling warmly, San Niang replied, "Within these walls lies a haven, where no one dares to harm my patrons. Outside this place, though, I take no responsibility."

You didn’t mention a safe haven before, Zhao Changhe thought, but responded noncommittally, "Fair enough... Do you know them, San Niang?"

With an intriguing smile, San Niang asked, "What then? Are you considering taking matters into your own hands to root out the problem?"

"Is there a problem with that?"

"I’d advise you to take it easy. They have quite a few people..."

"So, who are they?"

"They’re from the Qiao Family of Jinzhong. Qiao Er is the head. That young man is probably out on his own for the first time; I don’t know him."

So they’re merchants from Jinzhong... Zhao Changhe racked his brains but couldn’t recall the Qiao Family being on the Chaotic World List. He asked, "What business do they run? Who’s in their family? Are you familiar with them?"

San Niang’s eyes held a hint of significance: "I have information, but it’ll cost you extra."

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