Chapter 663

Chapter 48 – Drunkard Street

As dusk fell in the small town, few dared to casually approach such secluded alleys, especially those that emitted terrifying “boom boom boom” sounds from within. Hence, the commotion caused by this brief skirmish did not attract much attention.

Even if someone had heard or seen something, they would quickly distance themselves to avoid being caught up in any misfortune.

Above the sky, the outline of the crescent moon emerged, but the sun’s light had yet to completely vanish beyond the horizon. Thick clouds loomed over the crimson twilight, like fish swimming in the depths of the sea, occasionally flipping their golden scales.

“Once we cross this alley, we’ll arrive at Drunkard Street, the most notorious street in town. At night, aside from there, you’ll hardly see anyone else around town; if you do, they’re definitely not good people…”

On the cluttered path between buildings, the red-haired woman walked ahead with model-like confidence, her ponytail swinging back and forth.

“Of course, I’m not saying everyone there is a good person, most aren’t, but at least there are local thugs watching over things. Many travelers and merchants often go there to drink in the evenings, and the town relies on them for survival, so no one dares to cause trouble… though fights happen frequently, as long as no one dies.”

As she spoke, her boots made crisp “click click” sounds echoing down the narrow path. Following behind her was a teenage girl and a younger girl, both wearing similar light-colored robes, their heads wrapped in scarves and faces covered by veils.

Though their appearances couldn’t be discerned, their large, sparkling eyes were enough to stir imagination.

The teenager held a large skewer of roasted meat in each hand, occasionally lowering her head to lift her veil and take a bite. Yet, for some reason, she didn’t seem very happy, her delicate brows slightly furrowed as she stared at the woman’s back, her eyes shimmering with thought.

The little girl beside her appeared more nervous, constantly looking at the woman then glancing back, her shoulders involuntarily tensing. She also held a skewer of roasted meat but hadn’t eaten much, her other hand clutching the teenager’s robe hem, her eyes filled with fear and worry.

“In recent years, I’ve stayed in the East Continent with Master, so I’m unaware of many changes in the West Continent… Information here is quite sealed off, and even private channels are scarce. Cities here are far less prosperous than in the West, except for Nogahai Harbor. Other places resemble desolate, remote villages…”

“There’s no law and order, no public toilets. Many places considered major cities don’t even have streetlights. It’s even worse here…”

The woman sighed deeply, “Life is better in the West—sunny days, fresh air, and so many handsome young noblemen. They’re polite, inviting you to dance… Unlike here, where all you find are ugly drunkards. I have to beat people up every day, my temper is getting worse, and lately, I feel my complexion has deteriorated due to the constant wind and sand…”

After turning a corner out of the narrow path, the alley became slightly wider but even dirtier and messier. A pungent stench hit us, like a mix of vomit and alcohol, causing my eyebrows to furrow tighter.

“Sister, sister, look at that person…”

The little girl tugged at my robe, pointing to a corner by the wall where a dirty man sat, his face covered in pus-filled sores, his clothes stained with blood, holding an unfinished bottle of alcohol, eyes closed as if he had passed out.

“Tsk, drunkard…”

I pursed my lips, spat lightly, and covered my nose.

“Betty is a bit scared of him…”

“Further ahead, you’ll see more people like this.” The woman said without turning back, “Watch your step, kids. You might accidentally step on vomit, excrement, or something even nastier…”

“What could be worse?”

“Huh.”

The woman chuckled but didn’t elaborate, only gesturing toward her ear, indicating we should listen. I paused for a moment, then focused and heard faint sounds of a man breathing heavily and a woman moaning comfortably from behind a mud-brick building.

“Ugh…”

My face turned hot, and I couldn’t help but mutter, “Wild dogs,” flicking a wooden skewer which flew and stuck into the cart frame with a dull thud. Afterward, a couple hurriedly emerged from behind the cart, both looking disheveled, the man not even having pulled up his pants.

Disgusting place…

Disgusting woman…

Why tell me this?

And…

“Did you guys, before, go to the west, to a lizard nest, and kill many lizards?”

I asked. The woman glanced back at me, seemingly puzzled, then smiled and nodded, “Come to think of it, that did happen… about two months ago. How about it, did you go there too?”

“You were four people.”

“Now it’s just the two of us here.”

“… Why?”

“Some unpleasant things happened… It’s complicated, and this isn’t the place to talk. Let’s find somewhere later…”

”

The room where we can talk in detail, you can ask him directly.”

“Do you know who I am?”

“Do I? Haha… I guess not.”

…As expected.

Hmph, hateful woman.

I didn’t want to follow her from the beginning. Who knew if this was some kind of trap. After our earlier confrontation, I’ve been hesitating. Mainly because there’s a little burden tagging along with me. If anything really happens, I’ll definitely be restricted in my actions… But for some reason, I still followed her here.

Impulse overpowered reason, and I couldn’t hold back.

Even though I find this woman detestable, she doesn’t seem to be lying to me.

What she said should be true.

Moreover, there are things that can’t be faked, like when she mentioned Mr. Ryan is also her teacher. During our previous fight, she indeed used sword techniques that felt familiar to me. I’m certain about this. Furthermore, before he left West Continent, he told me he was looking for his teacher…

This woman might have already figured out my identity.

Although this is our first meeting, if that guy is really her friend, both being disciples of Sword Saint Master, it’s almost certain they would act together in East Continent… He probably mentioned me to this woman. After the shocking encounter, she must have confirmed my identity through the descriptions given by the other party, which is why she brought me here to meet him…

So then.

“What is he doing here?”

We walked through the streets filled with sewage and dazzling lights, where drunkards staggered everywhere. The strong smell of alcohol mixed with strange odors, constantly assaulting our noses. Even the little girl couldn’t take it anymore, covering her mouth and refusing to speak, silently following me.

That guy isn’t a drunkard, so why is he here…

And from what the woman said earlier, it seems they’ve stayed here for several days…

I thought they had something to handle here, but the woman’s next words surprised me: “Living in debauchery, what else can one do here? Flirting and chatting about feelings?”

I suddenly stopped.

“You…”

Could this woman really be deceiving me?

Is she here to capture me… Is she with Angel?! What does she plan to do… How could that guy possibly indulge in such debauchery, I haven’t even seen him drink much… No, that’s not right.

“What happened?”

“Hah—”

The woman also stopped, looking up at the dim sky, her lips slightly open as she sighed softly, as if in sorrow: “Go see for yourself.”

She pointed to a nearby building with a signboard outside: “There, that place. I really don’t want to go in again, the people and smell inside make me want to vomit…”

Although she said this, she quickened her pace towards it. I stood there for a moment, then pulled Betty and ran after her.

This building doesn’t even have a wooden door or any sign. The entrance is a half-circular archway. People keep coming in and out. The signboard girl wears revealing clothes and doesn’t get angry even when someone gropes her chest, instead giving a flirtatious look. When we entered, she looked at Betty strangely but didn’t say much, still smiling brightly.

Inside the archway is a small courtyard with some old tables. It’s only nightfall, yet many people are already sitting here drinking. Some are even drunk, banging on the tables and shouting loudly. The atmosphere is chaotic and noisy, the stench growing stronger. Betty has never been to such a place and feels more nervous, tightly gripping my robe, not letting go for a step.

“Don’t be afraid, don’t look around. We will leave soon.”

I reached out to pat her head, and the little girl nodded gently.

The woman led us through the courtyard. Many eyes followed us, accompanied by whistles and lewd laughter. I frowned, ignoring them. Following the woman to the inner building, we pushed open the louvered door. Upon entering, the first thing I felt was stifling heat, then the stench of alcohol and sweat, almost unbearable. I almost turned around to leave.

But I held back…

The tavern was dimly lit. Drunks were sprawled everywhere, some at the bar, others in corners. They were either shouting or cursing. Someone walked over with a smile, reaching to grab the waist of a red-haired woman, but she ignored him, smacking him away so hard he fell onto another drunk, and they started wrestling on the ground. Onlookers cheered them on. We continued forward, searching through the crowd for a familiar figure.

“Hey beauty, want to have a drink?”

“These breasts, truly remarkable! I wonder what it feels like…”

“Plus two smaller ones, ha! I like it… Tonight is all yours! Hey—”

Unrestrained teasing came from all directions. I barely suppressed my anger, thinking if anyone dares to touch me, I’ll make sure they won’t recognize their own mother… At that moment, a loud curse echoed from not far away.

“Damn, do you know who I am—”

Bang!

With the curse, a table near the bar in the tavern hall was overturned. Several people standing around the table quickly stood up. One of the burly men lifted a cup, ready to pour it on the man in front of him wearing a cloak.

In the flicker of the light, I saw a strand of silver hair float out from under the loose hood of the cloaked man.