Martial Arts: The Secret Villain Starting from Huashan

The sound of horse hooves echoed in the silent forest, with an unstoppable force and determination. When crossing the gurgling stream, water splashed everywhere, and the cool water droplets splashed on his clothes, bringing a hint of coolness.

But Xu Xingchen didn't care at all. He just held the reins tighter, allowing the horse to jump steadily over the water and continue moving forward. The mountains were undulating and the road was rugged, but the horse under Xu Xingchen was not afraid at all.

They climbed one mountain after another, and each climb was full of challenges and hardships, but it was also these experiences that made the tacit understanding between them even deeper at this moment.

On horseback, Xu Xingchen felt unprecedented freedom and joy, as if the whole world was at his feet. Also, he was on the road the whole time, except for riding on the official road where he could gallop.

However, such opportunities to gallop are not always available. In ancient times, there were no flat and wide roads like modern highways for people to gallop on, and most official roads were mountain roads.

The road was winding and bumpy, so except for occasionally galloping on the wider official road, Xu Xingchen could only maintain a steady pace on other mountain roads.

However, when Xu Xingchen rode into the territory of the Southern Song Dynasty, the situation was slightly different. The Southern Song court was relatively wealthy and focused on people's livelihood construction. Therefore, it hired a large number of people to build high-quality official roads.

Although these official roads are still mountain roads, they are much smoother and easier to walk on than other places. Riding a horse on such roads, Xu Xingchen can feel more comfortable and relaxed, as if even the horse's pace has become much lighter.

On this day, the sun was shining and the breeze was not dry. Xu Xingchen was riding a horse with shiny fur and a strong physique, heading towards his destination, Xiangyang City, although it was still some distance away from the big city.

At this moment, Xu Xingchen's attention was attracted by a quiet and warm small town in front of him.

This small town is nestled between mountains and rivers, with smoke rising from chimneys, contrasting beautifully with the green hills in the distance, like a moving ink painting. There are shops lining both sides of the town's streets, and although it is not large, it is very lively.

Various hawking sounds, laughter, and chatter interweave together to form a vivid symphony of the city.

"It looks like this is a good place to rest."

Seeing this, Xu Xingchen couldn't help but think to himself, and a smile appeared on his handsome face. He knew very well that after a long journey, the body needed proper rest and energy replenishment before it could continue to move forward, so Xu Xingchen made a decision in his heart.

"First, find an inn in this town to have a meal, stay overnight, take a comfortable hot bath and have a good rest, and then, rush to Xiangyang with full energy."

Thinking of this, Xu Xingchen gently patted the horse's neck to show encouragement. Then, he lightly squeezed the horse's belly with his legs. The horse seemed to understand its master's intention, and it spread its four hooves and walked slowly towards the small town with a brisk pace.

As the distance got closer, the outline of the town became clearer and clearer, and the air was filled with a faint aroma of food, which made Xu Xingchen's stomach growl. He knew that a delicious meal and a comfortable bed were waiting for him.

"Yelai Inn!"

These four words, like a gentle call across time and space, hang leisurely on the quaint wooden sign, swaying gently in the breeze, as if telling thousands of years of stories to passing travelers.

At this moment, the setting sun is as red as blood, dyeing the sky into a brilliant golden red, and covering this seemingly ordinary yet somewhat mysterious Yuelai Inn with a layer of warm glow.

Xu Xingchen turned over and dismounted, standing steadily in front of the door of this inn called [Yue Lai Inn]. There was both fatigue and expectation in his eyes, and when his sight touched the familiar and slightly teasing name of the store, the corners of his mouth could not help but slightly rise, outlining a knowing smile.

Why did Xu Xingchen find Yuelai Inn so funny? It turned out that in his memory, whether it was the martial arts TV series he stayed up late to watch in modern society before traveling through time, or the old martial arts novels he occasionally read.

This [Yue Lai Inn] has almost become a standard scene for all martial arts stories. Heroes from all walks of life meet here, and grudges and love unfold. It seems to be an invisible bond, connecting the dreams and fantasies in the hearts of every martial arts fan.

This also made Xu Xingchen feel an inexplicable sense of familiarity and a hint of subtle ridicule towards the name "Yue Lai Inn", he thought to himself.

"Could it be that this [Yue Lai Inn] is really a chain store in the martial arts world? No matter where I travel to, I can occasionally encounter its figure in this vast sea of ​​people. It is really amazing and makes me laugh."

Such thoughts circled in Xu Xingchen's mind, adding a bit of fun and incredible color to his originally slightly tiring journey. He looked up into the distance, his eyes flashing with curiosity and expectation about the unknown, and a faint smile inadvertently appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Forget it. Since fate has brought us here, why not enjoy it first? We've already come to this [Yue Lai Inn]."

Xu Xingchen thought to himself, and then decided to stay here for a night.

"Let's find a comfortable room first, have a good rest, taste some of the local specialties, and let our taste buds enjoy the journey. After that, we can spend a night at Yuelai Inn to recuperate and continue our journey to Xiangyang tomorrow morning!"

Just as Xu Xingchen was immersed in his own thoughts, a waiter who was dressed simply but neatly came up to him as soon as he saw Xu Xingchen, walked quickly in front of him, with a warm smile on his face.

"Young man, are you new here? Are you here to enjoy the food or stay at our inn? Although our Yuelai Inn is not as luxurious as those restaurants in big cities, it has a quiet environment and will surely leave you satisfied."

It was obvious that the waiter of this Yuelai Inn was not only experienced but also knowledgeable. He had sharp eyes and noticed the extraordinary temperament emanating from Xu Xingchen at a glance.

It is a unique charm that combines calmness and heroism, which makes people respect him involuntarily.

Therefore, when the waiter came forward, his face was filled with enthusiasm and a respectful smile, and he directly addressed Xu Xingchen as "Young Hero", as if he had already determined that the other party was a heroic figure who roamed the world and did justice for others.

Seeing this, Xu Xingchen was slightly surprised but also quite pleased. He smiled indifferently, with a gentle light flashing in his eyes, and then he expressed his needs to the waiter in front of him.

"Waiter, get me a room. It doesn't have to be too luxurious. A normal one will suffice. Also, please take good care of my horse. As for the food, keep it simple."

"Two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes are balanced, and you can add a bowl of hot white rice and a pot of wine."

Upon hearing this, the waiter nodded quickly and agreed, with the smile on his face becoming even brighter.

"Okay, young man, please come in! I'll go prepare a room and food for you right away, and I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

As he spoke, he stretched out his hands in an elegant gesture of invitation, leading Xu Xingchen into the inn. His thoughtfulness and meticulousness demonstrated the hospitality that Yuelai Inn has always adhered to.

Afterwards, Xu Xingchen reached out and patted the long gown he was wearing. A simple and sharp Hanming sword was hanging on his waist, and the scabbard was carved with delicate cloud patterns. He walked into the Yuelai Inn located in the center of the town without haste.

Although this town is not large in scale, it has its own unique flavor. There are shops lining both sides of the street, and it is bustling with people coming and going. Yuelai Inn, as the most famous place to eat and stay in the town, naturally attracts the favor of many passers-by and local residents.

At this time, it was afternoon, and the inn was bustling with people. The waiters were shuttling between the tables and chairs, busy greeting the guests, and the sounds of waiters could be heard one after another; the diners were talking and laughing loudly, or whispering.

Various sounds interweave together to form a vivid picture of the market. The air around is filled with the rich aroma of wine and the tempting smell of meat, which makes people salivate. It seems that even the taste buds are infected by this lively atmosphere and become unusually active.