"My humble name is Qin Ren, hailing from the Freecloud Manor of Yun Province," Qin Ren said with a carefree smile. Even though he was technically on the run, appearances still mattered. What's the point of having a background if no one's around to admire it?
Zhuo Feifan's eyes widened in astonishment. "Forgive me for asking, but... how does Young Lord Qin address the Master of Freecloud Manor, the Lord of the Southern Martial Alliance—Grandmaster Qin Xiaoyao?"
Qin Ren's grin widened. "That would be my father. I'm the third son in the family."
Zhuo Feifan immediately straightened his robe and dropped into a deep, formal bow. "So it's the Third Young Master of Freecloud Manor! What an honor to have you grace my humble establishment. If you would allow it, I would be delighted to serve you personally during your stay."
Qin Ren chuckled, opened his folding fan with a dramatic flick, and said, "Now that sounds far too polite, Brother Zhuo. We've hit it off from the start—why not drop the formalities and share a few drinks like brothers, hmm?"
He reached out and pulled Zhuo Feifan down beside him with an easy laugh. "Come now, Brother Zhuo, let's enjoy this wine together!"
Zhuo Feifan looked flattered beyond words. "I-I wouldn't dare! You're a man of stature, a renowned name in the martial world. If there's anything I can do, I would never refuse!"
The table was soon laid with exquisite dishes and fine wine. Qin Ren and Zhuo Feifan drank heartily, trading toasts and compliments. Zhuo Feifan sang Qin Ren's praises until he was practically a demigod descended from the heavens. Qin Ren, unfazed, accepted every flattery with the calm of a seasoned aristocrat, occasionally tossing back a compliment or two, nearly moving Zhuo Feifan to tears with gratitude.
After a few rounds of wine, Zhuo Feifan casually asked, "May I ask what brings Third Young Master to this small southern town?"
Qin Ren replied with a nostalgic sigh. "I'm on my way to Ironhowl Fortress. Haven't seen my uncle in seven years—I've missed him dearly."
Zhuo Feifan knew exactly who he meant—Ironhand Tie Kongshan, Lord of the Northern Alliance. His eyes sparkled with admiration. "Third Young Master, your family connections are truly remarkable. What fortune it must be to have such powerful kin!"
Qin Ren smirked. "Oh, that's nothing. Look at you, Brother Zhuo—so young, yet already running such a prosperous business. Clearly, you're no ordinary man yourself."
The two laughed and clinked their cups, letting the topic rest.
They drank for over an hour and a half. By the time the dishes were cleaned off the table, Zhuo Feifan was thoroughly tipsy, swaying with drunken joy. Qin Ren, thanks to his profound inner strength, remained perfectly sober.
Outside, the sky had darkened. The heavy rain had softened to a gentle drizzle, whispering against the roof. Zhuo Feifan insisted on personally escorting Qin Ren to the last available Imperial Suite. Unable to refuse, Qin Ren let him tag along—though by the end, it was Qin Ren who had to support the staggering Zhuo Feifan.
Once inside the opulent suite, Zhuo Feifan slurred out a few more compliments, poured one last cup of tea, and finally prepared to leave. But just before stepping out, he turned back with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Third Young Master... this long night... all alone... doesn't it feel... a bit chilly?"
Qin Ren shrugged. "You get used to it."
Zhuo Feifan leaned in with an exaggerated wink. "Would the Young Master... perhaps... not mind... someone to... warm the sheets tonight?"
Here it comes, Qin Ren thought. This guy's finally showing his true colors. Trying to play matchmaker, huh?
But Third Young Master Qin was no ordinary guest. The women he'd entertained—Xiao Xiangyue, Liu Piaopiao, Lianzhu Luo'er, Qin Nier—were all peerless beauties, each a goddess in her own right. Compared to them, ordinary charm held little appeal. Besides, tonight, he already had his eyes set on a rare bloom.
"I appreciate the kind gesture, Brother Zhuo," Qin Ren said with a smirk. "But I've had a long day on the road. Just need some proper rest. I won't forget your good intentions though."
Zhuo Feifan grinned drunkenly. "Come now... we're brothers... what's with the thanks? If rest is what you need, I'll take my leave... Good night, Young Master…"
He stumbled off, nearly tripping over his own feet as he exited.
Qin Ren watched him go, then softly closed the heavy door.
What he didn't see was the transformation that followed. As soon as Zhuo Feifan turned the corner, his drunken gait vanished. In a blur, he dashed across the rooftop like smoke, leaping gracefully up to the balcony of a suite directly opposite Qin Ren's. He rapped lightly on the window.
With a creak, the window opened, revealing a pale-faced, extravagantly dressed middle-aged man who glared at Zhuo Feifan. "What the hell do you want at this hour? Too ashamed to use the front door?"
Zhuo Feifan's eyes were clear now, his posture sharp. He bowed with crisp precision. "Chief Steward Wang, I have urgent news for the Boss. I must speak with him at once. As for avoiding the front door... I have my reasons."
Steward Wang stared him down for a long moment before finally opening the balcony door. "Fine. Wait in the parlor."
Zhuo Feifan slipped inside and took a seat in the luxurious drawing room, eyes following the steward until he disappeared into another chamber.
After a short wait, Wang returned. "The Boss will see you."
Zhuo Feifan bowed again and followed, head bowed, hands clenched loosely at his sides.
This suite was the largest in the entire inn, a study in indulgent luxury. The bed alone—covered in swan velvet and inlaid with white jade—was worth more than a hundred gold coins. Sitting on it was a young man with sharp, refined features, dressed in a golden silk robe embroidered with three-clawed dragons.
On either side of him knelt two stunning women clad only in gauzy bandeaus—one massaging his shoulders, the other pressing his legs. Their practiced hands moved with expert grace.
The young master lay with half-closed eyes, his fingers idly kneading the women's chests, a look of utter bliss on his face.
Zhuo Feifan knelt immediately at the edge of the room. "Forgive the intrusion, Boss. I have news—urgent and possibly valuable."
The young master smiled lazily. "No need for all that, Feifan. Get up. And hey... good taste. These girls you sent? Exquisite."
"Thank you, Boss." Zhuo Feifan rose, but kept his eyes lowered.
"What's so urgent at this hour?"
"A guest checked into my inn today—someone who might greatly interest you."
"Oh?" The young man opened his eyes, intrigued. "Someone worthy of your attention must be special indeed. Who is he?"
"He calls himself Qin Ren—Third Young Master of Freecloud Manor."
The Boss's eyes lit up. "You're certain that's who he is?"
"He spends lavishly, speaks like a true noble. I don't believe he's faking. Besides, not just anyone would dare impersonate someone from the Qin family. I've arranged for him to stay in the Imperial Suite across from yours."
"Good. I've been trying to build ties with the Qin clan for years. That damn Sword Saint Qin Feng still won't give me the time of day. But if Qin Ren came to us willingly... this could be our chance."
He paused. "What's he like? Any vices?"
"Qin Feng favors the sword. Qin Lei, the saber. And old Qin Xiaoyao? Freedom above all. The whole clan is a nightmare to win over. But Qin Ren..." Zhuo Feifan smirked. "He's a lecher. No doubt about it. I offered him a girl—he refused, sure. But his eyes betrayed him. Lustful. Shallow. He's strong, but clearly a spoiled hedonist."
"Hmm. A rake, then. But is such a man really worth recruiting?"
Zhuo Feifan nodded. "With the Qin family, if you win over one, you get them all. Win Qin Ren, and the whole clan might follow. And with the Qins... Ironhowl Fortress falls into your hands. You'll have both the north and the south behind you."
"Well said. I like how your mind works, Feifan."
"All thanks to your guidance, Boss."
"Very well. Tomorrow, I'll pay this Qin Ren a visit myself. Make sure he doesn't leave."
"Consider it done."
"Oh—and find some top-tier beauties. If he's lustful, let's give him something he can't resist…"
The entire room burst into depraved laughter.
Meanwhile, across the hall, Qin Ren had made himself quite at home. He flipped through the inn's "literary collection"—a stack of spicy erotic novels—while sipping delicate Snowpetal Blossom Tea. He was just imagining certain scenarios when a knock came at the door.
He waited until the seventh knock before answering lazily, "Who's knocking on this noble's door at such an hour?"
A greasy voice responded, "Master Qin! It's me, Cui Handsome! That task you requested… it's all been taken care of!"