Section 58: Dragon Gate Inn
By Gu Zhenren
Updated: 2013-02-09
The Great Wilderness Country is one of the fifteen Island Countries of Xingzhou. It is vast in territory, sparsely populated, with 83 cities scattered throughout.
Unlike other Island Countries, there is no unified regime in the Great Wilderness Country. Instead, various Wanderer factions carve up the land and claim territory.
This is the birthplace of Xingzhou’s wanderers, where countless heroes have emerged, and innumerable extraordinary individuals have vanished.
It is one of the most chaotic and dangerous places in Xingzhou, yet also a land filled with opportunity and hope.
The Wanderer Assembly, held once every five years, causes great upheaval in Xingzhou. Countless renowned powerhouses and heroes from all corners of Xingzhou rush here.
Some seek to make a name for themselves, others to exchange skills, to settle old scores, to repay debts of gratitude, or to pay homage. They come with unique skills and diverse motivations, forming converging streams of people.
The desert offers solitude and endless desolation. Wind and sand cut like knives, and piles of scattered bones or clumps of withered trees and weeds are the most common sights in the Great Wilderness Country.
Suddenly, the dry, cracked earth begins to stir, followed by the sound of urgent hoofbeats approaching from afar.
Soon, a group of riders speeds past, kicking up a vast cloud of dust.
These individuals are all robust and fierce, wearing the same uniform and exuding an imposing aura.
“Damn this desert! When will it end? We’ve been traveling for three days and three nights, where is the Green Bull Grand Canyon?” complained the leading rider. He was none other than Poison Star, one of the most outstanding disciples from the Valley of Life and Death.
He and Medicine Star had interfered back then when Chu Yun and Bei Guangguang were fighting in the Endless Forest.
At this moment, his brow furrowed, feeling agitated, he looked towards the horizon. Beyond the desert, there was only more desert.
“Brother, please be patient. Three days and three nights have passed, so we can’t be far from the Dragon Gate now,” said Medicine Star, standing beside him.
“Dragon Gate?” Poison Star turned his head to look at his elder brother.
“Indeed. The Green Bull Grand Canyon is within the Dragon Gate. The Dragon Gate was once the Immortal Pouch of You Huang and is another World. The Dragon Gate opens once every five years, and every Wanderer Assembly is held in the Green Bull Grand Canyon within the Dragon Gate,” Medicine Star explained patiently.
In Xingzhou, there are the Three Sovereigns and Four Emperors. You Huang is one of the Three Sovereigns, known for his carefree nature, traveling the world with fairness, justice, and chivalry. He is the patriarch of all wanderers. It is due to his existence and charisma that he inspired many, leading to the gradual development of the current wanderer community.
“Dragon Gate…” Poison Star repeated the name a few times, then suddenly trembled, pointing forward, “That’s the Dragon Gate, isn’t it? I see it, I see it!”
As his mount galloped forward, Poison Star saw a magnificent structure slowly rising on the horizon, at the edge of his vision.
It was neither a building nor a tower, but a massive, golden, and opulent construction, almost a city in itself.
“That’s not the Dragon Gate, it’s the Dragon Gate Inn. We’ll be resting here for the next three days, waiting for the Dragon Gate to appear. Brothers, let’s push on, the Dragon Gate Inn is here!” Medicine Star exclaimed at the end, raising his voice.
“Ooh!” The elites of the Valley of Life and Death behind them cheered up, shouting in unison.
With a destination in sight, a new vitality surged through their weary bodies. They immediately spurred their horses, increasing their speed, and galloped towards the Dragon Gate Inn.
The desert sky was vast and empty, and the sun was setting over the long river.
As evening approached, they arrived at the Dragon Gate Inn.
After storing their mounts in their Immortal Pouches, the group, covered in dust, entered the inn’s lobby.
The lobby was extremely spacious, illuminated by Demon Soldier lanterns, making it very bright. The luxurious furnishings astonished the first-time visitor, Poison Star.
Green jade stones, a Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure, were used as mere floor tiles here.
Purple Glaze Wood, valued at thousands of gold coins in the market, was lavishly used to craft nearly a hundred square tables, serving as dining tables arranged throughout the lobby.
The chopsticks were made of Ivory Stone, and the benches were constructed from Phoenix Feather Wood.
The staircases leading to the second, third, and fourth floors were made of Dragon Gall Wood. All these materials were priceless and extremely rare.
Yet, they were used extravagantly, hundreds or thousands of pounds, just to build an inn for people to rest.
“Hiss…” Poison Star couldn’t help but gasp as he stepped inside, “An inn like this? Is the owner not afraid of being robbed with such ostentatiousness?”
“Who would dare rob a King’s Demon Soldier?” Medicine Star chuckled and patted Poison Star’s shoulder. “This Dragon Gate Inn belongs to Wine King, it’s a spoils of war from the Dragon Gate World. For some reason, it doesn’t fear heavenly tribulations. This is your first time here, so observe and learn. Be cautious everywhere; this place is a mix of dragons and snakes. Follow me.”
Quite a few wanderers were already seated in the lobby, each appearing formidable. Some were burly, others bore menacing scars. Some spoke in low voices, their eyes glinting malevolently. Others engaged in loud drinking contests, exuding heroic spirit.
The arrival of the group from the Valley of Life and Death did not cause any stir. The patrons glanced at them and quickly lost interest.
The place was filled with powerful figures and eccentric individuals. Medicine Star and Poison Star, the most outstanding young generation from the Valley of Life and Death, were nothing special here.
Poison Star followed Medicine Star closely to the counter.
“Innkeeper, do you have any Lower Grade rooms left?” Medicine Star, the leader of the group from the Valley of Life and Death, cupped his hands and asked.
“Youngster, since you know that rooms are categorized into Supreme Grade, Upper Grade, Middle Grade, and Lower Grade, you must know the rules. I don’t need to spell them out, do I?” The innkeeper, tall and thin with a goatee, looked at Medicine Star and spoke slowly.
“Of course, I know. Supreme Grade rooms are for Lords, Upper Grade for Heroes, Middle Grade for Extraordinary Individuals, and Lower Grade for Talented Scholars. I am Medicine Star, the successor of the Valley of Life and Death, currently ranked 78th on the Talented Scholars list. Please verify,” he said.
“In that case, I’ll assign you a Lower Grade room. It’s 100 Tiangang Stone Coins per night. How many nights will you be staying? Regardless of the number of nights, you must pay half the deposit first,” said the innkeeper, stroking his beard.
“One night. Here is the deposit,” Medicine Star said, handing over a bag of stone coins.
The innkeeper weighed the bag, then squinted at Medicine Star, “Youngster, there are more than 50 Tiangang Stone Coins in this bag…”
“The remainder is for your generosity. You’ve worked hard here, this is just a small token of my appreciation, please accept it,” Medicine Star replied, cupping his hands.
“Hehehe, it seems you’re not new to this place. Alright, I’ll give you a room in the corner. Take your room tag and go.”
“Thank you, innkeeper. Farewell.”
The Lower Grade rooms were on the second floor. As the group ascended the stairs, Poison Star couldn’t help but exclaim, “These rooms are too expensive! And with so many of us, we only get one Lower Grade room. Are we supposed to squeeze in together?”
“You’ll understand when we get to the room,” Medicine Star said cryptically, a smile flickering in his eyes.
Using the room tag to open the door, Poison Star was dumbfounded by what he saw. The room’s interior was as large as a palace. It had deep courtyards, pavilions, terraces, rockeries, and bamboo groves—everything was present. Not only for their group, but even a thousand more people wouldn’t feel crowded.
“In the Dragon Gate Inn, every room is supported by spatial cultivation methods, creating a separate dimension. Lower Grade rooms are considered small, like a garden. Upper Grade rooms are larger than a city of ten thousand people, with even more luxurious amenities. The Vital Energy is incredibly abundant, almost visible to the naked eye, making it a top-tier environment for Demonic creatures to cultivate,” Medicine Star said, patting his brother’s shoulder.
“Incredible!” Poison Star was speechless for a long time, his mouth agape.
After settling in, they left the room, closed the door, and headed back to the lobby.
“Brother, are we really only staying one night? Why did you give the innkeeper extra stone coins and choose a room in the corner?” Poison Star asked again.
Just as Medicine Star was about to answer, a roar reached their ears.
“I want this room! Get out!”
“On what grounds?”
“On the grounds that my fist is harder than yours!” With that, he attacked directly, and a fight broke out on the second floor.
Boom, boom, boom…
After a brief but intense battle, the original occupant of the room was thrown out covered in dust, and the challenger successfully claimed the room.
Poison Star watched in stunned silence. The Dragon Gate Inn was exceptionally sturdy, and the fierce battle left no trace.
The lobby remained noisy and boisterous, with only a few people paying attention to the fight. The rest had grown accustomed to such incidents.
The evicted occupant, resigned to his fate, returned to the innkeeper, paid more stone coins, and requested another Lower Grade room.
“Now do you understand? Why I bribed the innkeeper for a room in the corner. And why we only paid a deposit for one night – to prevent losing it if we’re kicked out. If we’re evicted, the deposit is forfeited. We’ll be staying for three nights, but we’ll pay each night’s rent separately,” Medicine Star explained.
“This is outrageous!” Poison Star exclaimed, then suddenly asked, “Do the challengers have to pay for the room?”
“Of course not,” Medicine Star laughed heartily.
“Highway robbery, complete and utter highway robbery,” Poison Star gritted his teeth, utterly speechless.
“This is the way of the wanderer world. Everything is decided by ability. Come, let’s eat something in the lobby, then go back and rest. For the next three days, it will be a mix of all sorts of people, so it’s best to keep a low profile,” Medicine Star said.
Poison Star’s eyes flickered. “We brought our own food. Let’s not eat in the lobby and just rest in our room.”
“That won’t do either. Do you think these wanderers are fools? Staying holed up in your room shows weakness and invites trouble. Besides, the drinks and dishes at the Dragon Gate Inn can only be enjoyed in the lobby. Once you taste them, you’ll never forget it.”
“Stir-fried Dragon Liver, Boiled Phoenix Bamboo Shoots, Dragon-Tiger Feast, Hundred-Year Ginseng Tendril Soup, and Monkey Wine!” Moments later, seeing the dishes before him, Poison Star’s jaw nearly dropped in shock.
“Among Alchemists, there’s a special group called Culinary Alchemists. Taking pills can lead to resistance, but eating food does not. These dishes either enhance physical abilities or refine the soul. We can only afford to eat this once. If we eat again, we won’t have enough money,” Medicine Star said with a gentle smile.
(Dragon Gate Inn, please don’t blame me for my peculiar taste. I’ve loved this name since I was young; it’s a personal fascination. This chapter is a prelude, and a climax requires a buildup. The events in the Dragon Gate Inn will be a minor climax, and the Green Bull Grand Canyon will be a major climax. Unlike previous minor skirmishes, this time nearly all the elites of Xingzhou will gather. Lords, Kings, and the most outstanding of the younger generation will converge. It will be a true spectacle. Furthermore, a significant part of the book’s setting will be revealed.)
(Regarding the ‘Heart Transformation’ part of the Grand Dao Transformation Method, it’s not a bug but a foreshadowing. Please read on patiently.)
(Finally, thanks to aliceli, 綉週週, 翠华居士, Wei Luhui, 笑脸亦醉, xgyallah, 定宗李晨, 宇智波√佐助, and 冥枫魂 for their monthly ticket support. Thanks to 涡轮大飞虫 for the perfect review score. Let us together witness Chu Yun’s journey to the pinnacle.)
