Chapter 241: Fatty Ding (Subscriptions and Tips Appreciated)

"Creak..." The heavy front doors quickly closed and were bolted shut. Looking at everyone seated around the table, Fatty Ding folded his arms and paced back and forth, appearing troubled by something. Finally, unable to hold back any longer, Fatty Ding spoke up, "Ah, I really can't get used to seeing you all like this. It's safe here; wouldn't it be better to drop the disguises?"

Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances and smiled. A moment later, they all reverted to their true appearances. Seeing them restored to their natural looks, Fatty Ding nodded and smiled with satisfaction. "Excellent. That looks much more comfortable."

"Hehe, I completely agree," Tianming chimed in, nodding with a look of total agreement.

"Ha! But putting on makeup is quite fun, isn't that right, little baby Tianming?" Thief跖 teased Tianming with a playful grin.

Hearing Thief跖 throw her own words right back at him, Tianming quickly fired back, "You know, I think you actually look a lot more handsome when you're disguised."

"You little rascal." Thief跖 smiled wryly and shook his head; Tianming was simply a person who refused to take a loss.

After leaving Thief跖 speechless, Tianming wore a triumphant expression. He nudged the Goliath with his elbow and asked curiously, "Hey, big guy, how did you get here? I don't recall seeing you anywhere along the way."

"Hm? What business is it of yours?" The Goliath's face stiffened at the question, and he replied gruffly.

Seeing this, Thief跖 burst into laughter. "Him? He's far too conspicuous to be disguised. So..."

"So what? Well?" Prompted by curiosity, Tianming eagerly pressed for an answer.

"So, he sneaked into the city hidden inside a vegetable basket, hahaha..." Thief跖 roared with laughter.

"Hahaha..." Upon hearing this, Tianming finally understood why the Goliath had kept quiet about it, and he couldn't help bursting into gales of laughter.

"Humph, at least it's better than dressing up as some eccentric pretty boy," the Goliath retorted with a cold snort, having had his cover blown by Thief跖.

"Hahaha..." Watching the scene unfold, the others couldn't help laughing heartily as well. It had to be said that Tianming truly was a natural mood-maker.

Seeing the atmosphere warming up, Old Ban seized the opportunity and said, "Let me make some introductions."

"Ah, what kind of introductions do we need! I'll do it, I'll go first. We're all brothers and friends here. As for big old Fatty Ding, that's my name, and I'm the proprietor of this establishment. I'm specially stationed here to welcome you all and coordinate our subsequent operations." Fatty Ding waved a hand and spoke with hearty generosity.

"The butcher dismembering the ox with divine skill—I have long heard of the illustrious reputation of the House of Ding," Gie Nie said respectfully, cupping his fists.

"That's just the fame of my ancestors. To have Master Gie remember me is a tremendous honor for old Ding," Fatty Ding replied with a smile. Having corresponded with Old Ban through letters for a long time, he had recognized Gie Nie at a glance. Receiving praise from the Sword Saint himself gave Fatty Ding no small sense of pride.

"This is Shaoyu from the Xiang clan of Chu," Old Ban said, gesturing toward Shaoyu as he introduced him.

"The young master of the Xiang clan? Brothers throughout the pugilistic world hold you in the highest regard!" Fatty Ding exclaimed in admiration. Although the Xiang clan had somewhat declined of late, their prestige remained formidable, and they stood as one of the most steadfast factions among the anti-Qin forces.

"The lesser hermits hide in the wilderness, while the greater hermits hide in the bustling marketplace. Ying Zheng probably never dreamed that the Mohist School would open such a grand tavern right here in the heart of the noisy city to serve as a liaison outpost. True to the reputation of martial heroes, Senior Ding possesses extraordinary courage!" Shaoyu replied with a smile.

"Hehe... Oh, come now, everyone, let's dispense with the formalities. If you think well of me, just call me Fatty Ding," Fatty Ding said, patting his belly and laughing happily at Shaoyu's words.

Old Ban then turned to Xiao Xie and introduced him to Fatty Ding, saying, "This is the current Grand Master of our Mohist School whom I mentioned in my letters, Xiao Xie."

"I have long heard thunderous tales of the Master of the Tower to Ascend to Heaven, but seeing you in person today, Grand Master, I realize just how remarkably young you are!" Fatty Ding said with mild astonishment. Though Old Ban's letters had informed him that the new Grand Master was exceptionally young and also the owner of the Tower to Ascend to Heaven, seeing it with his own eyes still felt somewhat surreal. After all, building an enterprise as massive as the Tower to Ascend to Heaven at such a tender age was something ordinary people could never even imagine.

"You are too kind. I have long heard tales of Fatty Ding's culinary mastery. It seems we are in for a wonderful treat over the coming days," Xiao Xie said with a smile.

"Hahaha! Other things aside, at Fatty Ding's place, fine food is always in abundance. I guarantee you'll all eat your fill!" Fatty Ding laughed heartily upon hearing Xiao Xie's praise. For a chef, being complimented on one's culinary skills was the most delightful thing in the world.

After Old Ban finished introducing everyone to Fatty Ding, the latter instructed his assistants to prepare tea. Exchanging glances, the group realized they were about to approach the main purpose of this gathering. One by one, they immediately recovered their solemn and serious demeanors, preparing to begin their very first deliberative council.

"Lately, the number of troops moving through the city has increased significantly compared to usual, and judging by their unit insignia, most of them are not local garrisons," Fatty Ding said slowly with a stern expression once the tea was poured.

"Are the Qin forces reinforcing their garrison in Sanhai?" Upon hearing Fatty Ding's words, Xue Nu immediately grasped his meaning.

"Yes, at least double, and the numbers keep growing. Moreover, just in the past three days, the official government guesthouse has been placed under the guard of heavily armored troops, and several nearby streets have been sealed off. Unauthorized personnel are not permitted to approach even during daylight," Fatty Ding nodded and said.

Shaoyu stroked his chin and guessed, "Could it be that some important figure is arriving?"

"Hmm? You don't suppose this 'important figure' refers to us, do you?" Tianming scratched his head and chuckled.

"I have lived in Sanhai for many years, and this is the first time I've ever seen such a massive display," Fatty Ding remarked with a hint of emotion.

"In my opinion, this important figure should have already arrived in Sanhai," Gao Jianli spoke up.

"Yes, I think so too," Fatty Ding nodded in agreement, then added, "And there is another strange matter."

"What else?" Xue Nu asked curiously.

"The Qin forces have blockaded the sea," Fatty Ding replied.

"Blockaded the sea?" Master Xu's brows furrowed tightly.

"Yes. All civilian vessels within the harbor are strictly forbidden from putting out to sea. However, official government ships are sailing in and out all day long, and they all appear heavily laden, seemingly transporting supplies to some unknown location," Fatty Ding continued.

"Grand Master, your Tower to Ascend to Heaven is well-connected. Have you received any intelligence?" Old Ban turned his head and asked Xiao Xie.

Seeing all eyes focused upon him, Xiao Xie spoke, "According to the intelligence I have gathered, the Qin forces are transporting supplies to the Mirage."

"The Mirage? What is the Mirage?" Xue Nu asked, her face filled with confusion.

"The Mirage is a massive maritime vessel constructed by the Qin State over a decade, combining the Yin-Yang arts of the Yin-Yang School with the formidable mechanical arts of the Gongshu family," Xiao Xie explained calmly.

"Grand Master, Ying Zheng spent a full decade building this Mirage—what on earth is his purpose?" Thief跖 asked curiously. A project that could drive Ying Zheng to spend ten years building likely had no simple objective, and Thief跖 already felt his hands itching with anticipation.

"As the very first emperor of this world, Ying Zheng has already unified the realm. Naturally, his next goal is to prolong his own life. The purpose of building the Mirage is to sail across the seas in search of the elixir of immortality," Xiao Xie slowly stated.

"The elixir of immortality?!" Upon hearing Xiao Xie's words, Duanmu Rong and the others couldn't help crying out in astonishment.

"Brother Xiao, is there really such a thing as an elixir of immortality in this world?" Tianming calmed his nerves slightly before asking Xiao Xie.

"How could there possibly be an elixir of immortality in this world? Every mortal must eventually face death, and even Ying Zheng is no exception!" Shaoyu said with a hint of disdain upon hearing Tianming's question.

"How do you know there isn't one? The world is so vast, what if it really does exist?" Tianming hastily retorted, then turned to Xiao Xie and said, "Brother Xiao, you know so many things—you must know whether the elixir of immortality exists in this world."

Seeing Xiao Xie's expression of a smile that wasn't quite a smile, Thief跖 felt his curiosity surge to unbearable limits and urged, "Grand Master, say something!"