Chapter Ninety-Five: The Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion

If Wanli Qingming’s words had been spoken three years ago, they would have been an outrageous fallacy.

Because Jin Mailang not only came here every day, but was also always punctual.

Three years ago, when “Dynasty” had just launched, the situation was exactly as Zhong Shuman described: even without PvP, the player death rate was alarmingly high. Jin Mailang had painfully experienced starving to death three times because he was a novice then.

Back then, surviving as a newcomer was infinitely more difficult than it is now—ten thousand times harder. Not to mention going out into the wild to level up without medicine or equipment; even accepting mundane village tasks like “washing clothes and cleaning toilets” meant queuing in lines as spectacular as the Spring Festival train stations in major cities.

Those first players, like Tao Yao, who entered the game still persist today. Most who continue their “Dynasty” careers have become formidable lords ruling their domains, and Jin Mailang is among them.

But unlike other famed masters, though his initial struggle was harsh, it was also the most cherished time—the most fulfilling and satisfying. Many veteran players have shared such experiences:

The first time they seized a boss, the first time they obtained a rare item, the first time they completed a difficult quest, the first time they avenged themselves on an enemy... Those memories, that feeling, the comrades who fought side by side—all these combined form the irresistible charm that attracts millions to “Dynasty Chronicles.”

Now, of course, Jin Mailang could never starve again. Those bittersweet days were gone, yet he often dined at the Happy Grove, partly to reminisce.

Back then, the total money in his bag couldn’t even buy a single meat bun here, so he could only wander downstairs at Happy Grove during the weary noon hours after scavenging scraps all morning. Even if he couldn’t afford the delicacies upstairs, at least he could look.

His wish was simple: to one day, after achieving fame and fortune, come here alone and feast, truly enjoy life.

That wish had long since been fulfilled. Today, it was no longer a wish, for the entire Happy Grove building belonged to him. Whenever he pleased, whatever he desired, the chefs would prepare it carefully.

These chefs were hired by him—masters in their own right. They could cook dishes from all corners, and today’s menu featured authentic Sichuan cuisine: husband-and-wife lung slices, preserved vegetable braised pork, spicy boiled fish, mouthwatering chicken... not a dish was amiss. Yet Jin Mailang always felt the flavor fell short of the humble meat bun sold downstairs back then. Why? He couldn’t say.

Just then, the NPC shopkeeper personally placed a tray of food on the eight-immortal table.

“Master of the manor, please enjoy.”

Jin Mailang’s eyes lit up; the dish was a steaming hot meat bun. But his expression quickly darkened.

“What’s this? I didn’t order this.”

The shopkeeper pointed outside and said slowly, “That table out there ordered it and asked me to invite you to enjoy it.”

Jin Mailang looked up and saw Zhang He and Zhong Shuman. He was slightly surprised.

But when he saw Fat Mantis, his eyes flashed with caution.

Zhang He naturally noticed Jin Mailang too. Although Wanli Qingming had warned them to prepare mentally, actually meeting face to face still caught Zhang He off guard. He’d never seen a sect leader look like Jin Mailang.

Jin Mailang was truly tall and sturdy, with rough features.

Many players subconsciously imagined bandits as ferocious and brutal, and Jin Mailang’s appearance fit that stereotype perfectly—totally opposite to the suave Qi Shiqi.

Yet he was indeed the lord of the Famous Sword Manor. At least, the silk robe he wore was not something ordinary players could buy. The two imposing players behind him, carrying pearl-adorned long swords, clearly were no mere followers.

Most surprising was one of the attendants approaching. Everyone assumed he would treat Zhang He and company with hostility, but instead, he waved at the shopkeeper.

“Charge this table’s bill to our manor.”

Even Zhang He felt a chill. He realized Jin Mailang was not easily dealt with. In fact, Jin Mailang didn’t need him to handle matters—this mission was likely impossible.

After instructing the shopkeeper, the attendant turned and took three steps before suddenly gasping sharply. His sword flashed out like a silver thread, flying straight toward Fat Mantis’s eyes. The spinning strike was swift and fierce, leaving no room to defend.

Yet Fat Mantis seemed well acquainted with the attendant’s moves. Instead of retreating, he advanced, seizing the silver thread with a pair of chopsticks before it arrived, striking the opponent’s ribs.

The exchange was so fast that, had Zhang He and Zhong Shuman not been sitting nearby, it would have been hard to follow.

Suddenly, from across the table, Jin Mailang lightly pressed his hand. The wooden chopsticks on the table shot up like arrows and flew toward Fat Mantis.

Both wielded chopsticks, but Fat Mantis used two to counterattack, while Jin Mailang used only one, striking first.

With a soft “snap,” Fat Mantis’s entire arm seemed crushed under a thousand-pound weight, his body tilting sideways in the chair, unable to move. His wrist’s tiger mouth was swollen red immediately.

Damage: -209!

The technique was exactly like the “chopstick strike” at the Peony Pavilion, but Jin Mailang’s internal skill was evidently at least two levels above Baima Gongzi. He only pressed lightly—no palm push.

That wasn’t the end. The attendant’s sword strike continued, still deadly.

The blade suddenly flashed, aiming at Zhang He’s throat, so close it was impossible to dodge. Zhong Shuman almost gasped. She hadn’t expected the Famous Sword Manor to strike so quickly and unpredictably.

What she didn’t expect came next. As the sword tip neared Zhang He’s throat, there was a sharp sound, and the sword retracted.

The attendant had sheathed his sword with astonishing speed.

He looked coldly at the clutching Fat Mantis and said, “This isn’t XiejI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.