Chapter 574: Guess, Guess Again!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
His words were splendid!
The innkeeper was utterly taken aback by those casually inane words.
'Guess? F*ck your guess! I have this strange feeling that my inn is going to be demolished just by the virtue of your words.'
'Who do you think it is in front of you? That's Dugu Chou! The legend, the living legend, Dugu Chou!'
He was certain that his inn would soon welcome the first blood spilled since Dugu Chou's reemergence!
Still, life was never as one expected. Not only was Dugu Chou not angry, he answered with an amused smile, "I have already guessed it."
"Great. Let us have a drink later?" The middle-aged man replied with a grin.
Dugu Chou nodded. "Very well."
The innkeeper was baffled upon watching the scene.
What was going on?
Guess? I have already guessed it...
This was a myth right out of legend indeed. He even talked so differently…
After the initial stupor, the innkeeper was suddenly enlightened, feeling a realization sprout in him. The middle-aged man was most probably another intimidating figure among legends as well. Otherwise, how could he have such a conversation with Dugu Chou, who was akin to a living immortal?
…
About an hour after the middle-aged man had checked in, there was an old man whose hair and beard was all white checking in to the inn. Upon moving his belongings to his room, he stalked towards the popular room door and knocked.
The door opened, and the grey-dressed Dugu Chou showed himself.
"You are?"
"Guess." The white-haired elder said with a grin.
The innkeeper downstairs broke out in cold sweat that cascaded down his head. What a terrifying day!
He heard Dugu Chou reply, "I really can't guess."
The elder was still grinning as he answered, "Do you want to have a drink and talk later tonight? I have the world's best wine."
"Oh? You do, do you? Well, I can guess who you are now," Dugu Chou replied.
The elderly chortled and said, "Why does it matter whether you guess it or not? See you tonight."
After getting an affirmation, the white-haired elder went back to his room without a second word.
The innkeeper was speechless.
…
It was two hours later when another person checked in to the inn.
This person was haggard. It was like he was completely tattered and was barely alive. He was all skin and bones; if it were not for the skin on his arms when he stretched them out, the innkeeper would have thought that he was looking at a walking skeleton.
He staggered into his room but only stayed for a short while before coming to Dugu Chou's door and knocked on it.
Another one?
The innkeeper pondered; if he were Dugu Chou, would he would be infuriated for being disturbed continuously?
Again, against all expectations, Dugu Chou appeared by the door, still as serene as prior, completely unruffled.
"Who are you?"
"Guess?"
The same conversation was repeated.
The innkeeper thought, 'F*cking hell… I'm starting to think that this legendary expert Dugu Chou must be an impostor.'
'He has been teased this way thrice in one afternoon!'
'If it were me, I'd be furious if I don't go outright crazy. I would pull out my sword and finish this insanity.'
'Guess, f*ck your guess!'
All said and done, Dugu Chou was truly a mild-tempered man; he wasn't angry at all. He answered faintly, "I can't guess it."
The walking skeleton replied, "How about I tell your fortune later? I'll do it for free!"
Dugu Chou thought about it and answered, "I can guess who you are now. Let's have a drink tonight? You want to give me a life, but I'm ashamed to receive it. Let me buy you a drink so your fortune-telling isn't considered free then!"
The two men earlier had taken the initiative to invite him for a drink, but this skeletal man was invited by Dugu Chou instead!
The innkeeper's immediate response was that if this person was not moved to tears, he had to be at least surprised.
Yet the skeleton-like person did not show such a reaction. He answered in a nonchalant tone, "Okay. We'll drink tonight. I will tell your fortune after we drink."
…
On the same day, Yun Yang almost went insane reading Shui Wuyin's incessant messages.
There was no other reason other than the fact that the volume of messages was too much to bear.
Of course, there were a few that he was exceptionally interested in.
"It has been confirmed that the Unrivaled Expert from five hundred years ago, Dugu Chou, has entered Tiantang City and is currently staying at…"
"Someone has checked into the inn, even though everyone has shunned the inn that Dugu Chou is staying at."
"Another person…"
"Another person…"
"The Four Seasons Tower remains quiet for now."
"The assassin organizations are preparing themselves for action. They may act anytime…"
"The frequency of people coming in and out of the crown prince's residence has suddenly increased, to the point where it is rather noticeable…"
…
Dugu Chou had actually arrived!
Yun Yang was largely surprised by this turn of events.
Just as Dugu Chou himself had predicted, Yun Yang had not even considered that he would actually emerge from his self-imposed absence. It had been more than five hundred years since Dugu Chou's last official appearance. It was exactly this reason that Yun Yang had spread the rumor to divert attention.
Now that Dugu Chou had actually reappeared in the worldly realm at such a juncture, would his released rumor become true news?
Was this simply a lucky coincidence?
This was rather surprising.
…
"Dugu Chou is confirmed to have appeared at a small inn in Tiantang City. If it had really been him who struck the other day, it would actually be possible for him to crush Elder Yan in a single strike… He, who had left the martial world for five hundred years, must have a cultivation base that has advanced to an overwhelming level. Still, it's only a possibility…"
"How long more before the school's relief troops arrive?"
"Go take a look at Dugu Chou's intentions. Remember, only take a look from afar. Don't cause any trouble."
"Certainly."
…
On that night, the innkeeper was caring enough to put a brazier under a small table for the cold weather. There was also a brazier each around the table in all four directions, coal burning inside.
The small inn looked warm and cozy.
Four people took a side each, each of them calm and collected.
"I have roamed the martial world for almost my entire life now, it's actually my first time seeing such a sight and gathering. What a worthwhile trip this has been," the white-bearded elder spoke first with a smile.
"That's right. If it weren't for Senior Dugu who made a reappearance so unexpectedly without any disguise, I'm afraid such an opportunity to gather would not have happened in this lifetime."
The middle-aged man wore a black robe and smiled faintly, saying, "Actually, there are some things in life that can happen once and it'd be more than enough. Besides, we'll probably be staying here for quite a few days. Life itself is unpredictable."
The skeleton-like person chuckled and said, "Who knows if it's predictable or not. The so-called rarity is only because every beginning is difficult. After the first time, the second time won't be too far away."
The white-haired elder actually wore a lewd smile and said, "Your words actually make me think of women…"
Before he finished, all four of them erupted in laughter.
Even Dugu Chou almost teared up from his guffaws.
The innkeeper was cooking as he eavesdropped. He pressed his lips together discreetly, grinning lecherously in tacit understanding.