The tavern was located slightly north of the city center. From two streets away, one could see the lanterns hanging by the entrance, their warm yellow light spilling from the wooden-framed windows, accompanied by the lively hum of voices.
Bo Er led the way. As the group rounded the corner, the full view of the tavern was revealed, and it was far larger than any in Bronze City.
The entire three-story building was a wooden structure with thick beams and pillars painted a deep brown. A carved wooden plaque hung over the lintel, its lettering gleaming under the hanging lights.
Half-man-tall clay pots stood on either side of the entrance, holding a few branches of unknown vines whose leaves swayed gently in the night breeze.
Pushing the door open, a fresh scent of vegetation washed over them, completely devoid of any smell of alcohol.
Lu Yuan swept his gaze around. Several potted green plants with broad, thick leaves were placed in the corners and beside the pillars, emitting a cool, sweet fragrance that completely suppressed the stale air of the tavern.
The taverns in Bronze City were always filled with a sour, acrid smell—a mixture of spilled alcohol and sweat that made staying for too long uncomfortable. There was none of that here; the air was so clean it made one feel as if they had walked into the wrong place.
The first-floor hall was bright and spacious, with over twenty tables, most of which were occupied. Patrons sat in groups of three to five, drinking and chatting. Though they spoke in loud voices, it wasn't rowdy. Their laughter and the clinking of glasses blended together into a comforting, lively bustle.
Bo Er, quick-eyed, immediately gestured toward a cluster of empty tables in the corner as soon as they entered.
“Over there, there's enough room.”
The group of over twenty surged over. The Nightwatchers took up three tables, with Haimeng and his two companions following closely behind. The one carrying the small drum leaned it against a table leg, while the one holding the pipe instruments placed his gear by his feet. Their movements were practiced, clearly indicating they were seasoned tavern performers.
As they sat down, Lu Yuan introduced Haimeng to Bo Er.
“Bo Er, this is Haimeng, a bard and a powerful transcendent who is highly skilled in music theory. His pathway is quite rare.” He tilted his head toward Haimeng. “Haimeng, this is Bo Er, a Nightwatcher, my brother and partner.”
Bo Er looked Haimeng up and down, his gaze lingering for a moment on the lute slung over his shoulder, before extending his hand. “Pleasure.”
Haimeng shook it with a smile. “The pleasure is mine. Any brother of Captain Lu is a friend of mine.”
Bo Er smirked, offering no reply as he turned to call a tavern keep over to order drinks.
The alcohol was served quickly, jar after jar placed on the tables. The cups were made of coarse earthenware, a size larger than the copper-plated ones used in Bronze City.
Lu Yuan poured a cup and brought it to his nose. The liquid was clear with a slight amber hue. It wasn't harsh on the palate, carrying a mild sweetness that slid smoothly down his throat, leaving a faint, botanical aftertaste.
It wasn't very strong and was quite easy to drink.
The group sat around drinking, chatting back and forth about their impressions of Oakwood City. Dunn and the other rookies had never traveled far from home, so everything here felt novel to them. Bo Er chimed in from time to time, keeping the conversation lively.
Holding his cup, Lu Yuan's gaze drifted casually toward the other side of the hall.
A large open space had been cleared out there, significantly larger than the area typically occupied by a few tavern tables. The floor was laid with thick, polished wooden planks that gleamed under the light.
Four or five women were dancing in the open space.
Their outfits were not revealing, consisting of a neat style resembling short coats paired with trousers, with wide sashes tied around their waists and thin veil masks covering their faces.
Their dance steps did not resemble ordinary dancing.
The movements were grand, and their steps were quick yet solid. Every turn carried a steady, grounded force. When they extended their arms, the arcs traced by their fingertips were clean and precise, exuding a certain heroic flair.
Lu Yuan watched for a few moments, feeling that a hidden pattern lay within their movements, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Haimeng seemed to notice his confusion.
“This is the Oakwood Dance, unique to Oakwood City.” Haimeng leaned back in his chair, his lute resting by his leg. He gestured toward the dancers with his cup, his tone casual and worldly. “Tradition says it was originally a war dance used to boost morale. Oakwood City has been peaceful for too long, so over years of evolution, the dance eventually became what you see now.”
Lu Yuan took another look.
Indeed, just as Haimeng said, there was an inspiring vigor in the way the women danced. The beat of their feet hitting the floor was steady and powerful, and their arms tensed with strength as they extended and retracted. There was none of the soft suppleness meant to please onlookers; it was entirely composed of rigid, inward-focused power.
Haimeng added, “Very few people can perform the Oakwood Dance. Though it looks like a performance, it's actually a form of deliberate training.” He took a sip of his drink and tilted his chin toward the women. “Don't let their appearance as dancers fool you; they are actually using this to temper themselves.”
Lu Yuan nodded in understanding.
Bo Er leaned over to take a look, offering a brief assessment: “Pretty spirited.”
With that, he went back to chugging his drink.
It was only when they were on their second cup that Haimeng finally brought up the clues regarding Ancient Music Theory.
He pulled the worn book out of his bag once more and placed it on the table, resting his palm gently on its spine.
“This book covers Ancient Music Theory, detailing a highly systematic progression from the basics to advanced concepts.” Haimeng took a sip of the sweet wine, his eyes falling on the book. “The author is a master from Far City who teaches Ancient Music Theory at the Polymath Tower there. He holds a decent rank and is considered quite proficient.”
Lu Yuan shifted his gaze from his cup to the book.
“Far City?”
“It's a city quite far from Oakwood City,” Haimeng explained. “There is also a Polymath Tower there. They are established all over the Empire, so it's not the same one as the one in Bronze City. The master in that tower has supposedly been teaching for many years and is quite accomplished in Ancient Music Theory. I happened to hear about it while traveling around recently.”
He slid the book toward Lu Yuan.
“Once you read this, you'll have a deeper understanding of Ancient Music Theory, which should help you decide whether it's worth seeking him out.”
Having said his piece, Haimeng turned his gaze back to the figures performing the Oakwood Dance, a trace of regret creeping into his tone.
“It's a pity I have no idea where my own master has run off to, otherwise I could have introduced him to you. The old man knows a bit of Ancient Music Theory too, but he constantly plays vanishing acts and roams all over the Empire. I never managed to master it myself, so I can't teach you much.”
Lu Yuan picked up the book and flipped through the first few pages. The paper was yellowed with curled edges, and the handwriting was neat but of varying ink densities. It was a handwritten manuscript.
“This is more than enough.” Lu Yuan closed the book and looked at Haimeng, his tone polite. “I didn't expect you to take my casual remark so seriously. I will remember this favor.”
Haimeng laughed. “Well, make sure you don't forget it then.”
Lu Yuan tucked the book into his robes.
His Ancient Music Theory had been stuck for so long, and he had been unable to find any way to advance it in Bronze City. On this trip to Oakwood City, his Medicinal Herbology and Pharmacology had improved, and now he had gained this lead.
This trip to Oakwood City was indeed highly rewarding.
For the rest of the evening, everyone drank at their own pace. Bo Er and a few of the brothers struck up a conversation with some local Oakwood City patrons at the adjacent table, while Dunn sat nearby, listening and occasionally chuckling.
Haimeng's two companions quietly ordered a jar of wine, leaning against the corner and drinking at their own leisure, appearing thoroughly accustomed to this lifestyle.
Lu Yuan only drank two cups and didn't order more.
The wine wasn't overly sweet and was low in alcohol, making it easy to drink, but he had no intention of letting his guard down too much in public.
When it was time to leave, Bo Er pulled out a few silver shields to settle the bill.
The cost was very low. The cost of living in Oakwood City was far cheaper than in Bronze City; the drinks for this entire large table only amounted to a few silver shields.
Lu Yuan's funds were recorded on his internal Nightwatchers voucher, so he didn't carry cash with him. Since Bo Er had covered this meal, he would just expense it back at the base—it wasn't the first time he had done so.
Haimeng bid Lu Yuan farewell at the entrance.
“I'll still be at the market tomorrow.” Haimeng slung his lute over his shoulder and waved to Lu Yuan. “Captain Lu, if you haven't left yet, come listen to a tune.”
“I'm leaving tomorrow,” Lu Yuan replied.
Haimeng was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. “Then I wish you a safe journey.”
He called out to his companions carrying the small drum and pipe instruments, and the three of them set off down the street with their gear, their figures soon vanishing into the warm yellow light.
Lu Yuan stood at the tavern entrance, watched their retreating backs for a moment, and turned around.
Bo Er approached him, a faint smell of alcohol on his breath. “I'm going to take the guys for another stroll. Are you heading back first?”
“Go ahead,” Lu Yuan nodded.
Bo Er acknowledged and led Dunn and the other brothers down the opposite end of the street. Their laughter drifted back on the night wind, growing fainter as they walked away.
None of them had a low tolerance for alcohol, and though they had drunk quite a bit, none were drunk. For those who had stepped onto transcendent pathways, this amount of alcohol was practically nothing.
Most importantly, this might be their last moment of leisure. Once they returned to Bronze City, these brothers who had followed him out would have to pick up their weapons again to battle the greater ghouls emerging from the deep abyss.
Whether they would still be alive then was another matter entirely.
Lu Yuan walked back to his quarters alone.
The night in Oakwood City was incredibly quiet. Only a few pedestrians strolled leisurely along the stone pathways. The occasional bark of a dog echoed from afar, alongside the sound of the wind whistling over the rooftops.
The knight who had been tailing him earlier was no longer following him, seemingly satisfied that Lu Yuan had no plans to leave today.
With the book on Ancient Music Theory tucked into his robes, his hand unconsciously pressed against his chest as he walked.
Returning to his lodging, he saw the light in the second-floor room was still on. A new knight was standing guard at the courtyard entrance; he nodded as Lu Yuan returned, asking no questions.
Lu Yuan closed the door and slid the bolt into place.
He took off his coat, draped it over the back of his chair, pulled out the book on Ancient Music Theory, and sat down at the table.
The flame on the lamp wick flickered, casting a warm yellow glow across the yellowed pages.
Lu Yuan flipped to the first page.
The book cut straight to the chase, starting directly with the origins of Ancient Music Theory.
Ancient Music Theory originated in ancient times. In that era, humanity had not yet developed systematic transcendent powers. When facing the eerie, sources of pollution, and giant beasts roaming the wilderness, they had almost no means of direct confrontation.
Through long years of dealing with these entities, the ancients discovered something: whether it was the eerie or the giant beasts of nature, each possessed its own language. The sounds they produced and the vibrations of their bodies were all transmitting information.
And music allowed humans to approach those existences while demonstrating their own harmlessness.
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