The Dawn of the New World Chapter 1451

Hao Xuan suddenly clapped his hands as if he had just gotten a great idea, "Oh I know! Why don't we pretend not to know each other in front of him? It can be like a secret between us, what do you think?"

Luz looked at him almost in awe, "That- is a GREAT idea friend Jin! No wonder I sensed something different about you!"

"Haha...yes, that must be it..."

"Okay, it is settled but you still need to work for others to prove your worth. The blacksmith is very hard man, he won't accept you so soon. You must show him you are good by working for others so when he asks them about you they will so good'er things!"

"I am fine with that. Where do we start? It would be better if you don't show yourself to them all, that way there will be fewer chances of our 'friendship' being discovered."

"Hmm...then we must go to the Longing Inn!" Luz gestured towards the largest building in the periphery.

From the entrance, only the third floor of the Inn could be seen. It was over half a district away but was still the tallest building Hao Xuan had seen in the city so far.

As they went deeper the peddlers and normal shops became fewer and fewer, replaced by quaint eateries and even a small park to lounge in. The sun began to set and the darkness crept in.

Hao Xuan was surprised at how quickly the hustle and bustle of the crowded streets gave way to the peacefully languid atmosphere of the central district as soon as it turned dark.

Most of the individuals here either had blue marks or green, while a rare few slaves went about their business without dilly-dallying.

Just behind the park was the Inn.

Its main entrance faced the park's back entrance while a welcoming sign hung from the second floor.

"Longing Inn, are you longing for a break?" Hao Xuan read the sign out loud.

There were a lot of people going in and out, both blue and green marks mixed together without any discrimination.

"The patrons come here too?" Hao Xuan questioned upon seeing the gaudily dressed aristocrats drinking and laughing.

"Of course. It's a great place to let loose and not just because the innkeeper can find you whatever you need," Luz merrily replied, he had obviously frequented this establishment.

"-Be it pleasure slaves, something to quench your thirst with, or just to find some good company, the Longing Inn has it all!"

"Sounds like you know a lot about it..."

"Ah...yes," he looked a little shy talking about it, "The innkeeper here took me in when I first arrived. If it wasn't for her kindness Luz would have perished in the slums before being able to meet Lady Yukio...although she hates me now."

"....The innkeeper hates you too? Are you sure you can trust her?"

'I'm starting to see a pattern...' Hao Xuan thought inwardly as he began to second guess his choices.

"Yes! You can always trust old Bertha! If it's one thing she is good at it's keeping secrets. That's why everyone respects her rules."

"And what rules are those?"

Before Luz could answer an intense voice came from the shadow of the sidestreet.

"Rule number one, once you enter the Inn everyone is equal. No slaves, no masters, no good or bad."

Hao Xuan turned towards the voice only to see a figure standing a few meters away in complete darkness. Normally he should have been able to see her even in the shadows but for some reason, her figure was shrouded in a fog.

'She is using a treasure to hide her presence!'

"Rule number TWO!" she shouted, "-Treat everyone with respect! No fighting, no showing off your backers or using them to take advantage of others."

Luz let out a weak chuckle while throwing his hands up, "H-Hey Bertha my old friend, Luz was just looking for you-"

She began walking forward.

"Rule number THREE! Breaking either of the first two rules means you are barred from entry, NO EXCEPTIONS! And last I checked, you were prohibited from coming even close to my Inn!"

She stepped out of the shadows to reveal herself completely.

Going by the name 'Old Bertha' Hao Xuan was expecting a big-boned older woman but from the looks of it she was only in her mid-thirties at most.

Sporting a tight-fitting masculine robe that completely covered her figure, her looks were nothing to call home about but that didn't mean she wasn't pretty. Or maybe it was because she had gone out of her way to present herself as a man that made her...more 'ladylike' qualities less obvious.

If she hadn't spoken up Hao Xuan could have easily confused her with a slightly feminine-looking man.

She sniffed the air, "I thought I smelled a rat outside, guess I wasn't wrong."

A saber hung from her waist which she quickly reached for, "Should I finish what I started all those years ago? Is today the day?"