Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 2659  An Old Eatery

Hearing the boyʼs words, Lin Mu couldnʼt help but feel a bit strange. The standard of living between worlds was so different that it was almost surreal.

If Meng Bai had been in the Xiaofan world, he would be considered a once-in-a-lifetime genius, having reached the peak of the Core Condensation realm at the tender age of fifteen.

Sects would fight over him, and even if he chose not to join one, he could easily establish his own clan or organization without a second thought.

He would enjoy a life of luxury, and so would his descendants for seven generations.

ʼNo wonder some prefer to be the head of a snake rather than the tail of a dragon,ʼ Lin Mu thought to himself.

The two walked through the Back Commons while Meng Bai explained various aspects of it. Lin Mu absorbed all the information, getting a strange sense of nostalgia along with the new experience.

The boy was rather enthusiastic too, never having met someone who took an interest in the lives of commoners. To him, Lin Mu seemed like a top expert from some powerful clan or at least someone on the same level. The fact that he couldnʼt sense any qi fluctuations from him only solidified this belief.

After all, it took extreme proficiency in cultivation to suppress oneʼs aura to this extent.

More than that, Lin Muʼs demeanor was different. He was nonjudgmental, appreciative even, without a hint of prejudice against those of lower status. Meng Bai had never met an individual like this before.

Even among righteous cultivators, few carried themselves the way Lin Mu did.

A few minutes later, the two reached a building near the end of the narrow street. Wedged between two taller, more dilapidated structures, an alcove in the wall housed an old, weathered door.

The door, its once-rich lacquer now stripped away by time and neglect, hung loosely on rusted hinges, perpetually ajar. The wood was riddled with deep grooves and cracks, its surface marred by the touch of countless hands over the years. A faded cloth banner hung limply beside it, its original colors long since lost, displaying a barely legible name that had been washed away by rain and dust.

There was no signboard, no ornate decorations, nothing to indicate what lay beyond. The place looked like a forgotten relic of the past, a ghost of what it might have once been.

”Here we are,” Meng Bai said as he pushed the battered door open.

CREAK

The door let out a loud, groaning protest, shedding flakes of dust as it revealed the interior.

Having seen most of the street outside, Lin Mu hadnʼt expected much, but upon stepping inside, he was taken aback. Despite its worn exterior, the eateryʼs interior was surprisingly well-maintained.

Simple yet sturdy wooden tables and chairs were arranged neatly, their surfaces polished smooth by years of use. The air carried the mingling scents of fresh bread and a rich, savory broth that simmered in a pot behind the counter. The floor, though scuffed and aged, was kept remarkably clean, devoid of the grime that plagued the streets outside.

A long wooden counter dominated the far end of the room, behind which two people were busily working. Shelves lined the walls, stocked with an assortment of ceramic bowls, wooden cups, and a variety of condiments. Hanging from the rafters were bundles of dried herbs, their faint aroma adding to the homey atmosphere of the place.

A faded tapestry hung behind the counter, depicting a stylized view of Ram Orchard City. Though its threads had frayed over time, the intricate craftsmanship was still evident, suggesting that the establishment had been here for generations.

Around half the tables were occupied by locals, their rough-spun clothes and weary faces marking them as laborers and low-wage workers. Yet, despite their hardships, they chatted cheerfully, momentarily free from the burdens of daily life.

”Ah, Meng Bai, youʼre back early,” the man behind the counter greeted him with a knowing smile.

”Yeah, I finished ʼworkʼ fast,” Meng Bai replied with a smirk.

”You want the usual?” the woman standing next to the man asked before her gaze shifted to Lin Mu. ”And it looks like you brought a new face.”

”Yes, maʼam,” Meng Bai answered.

The man and woman studied Lin Mu with quiet curiosity. Though he wore simple clothing, its immaculate condition, combined with his composed demeanor and striking features, made it clear that he was no ordinary commoner.

”And what would you like, sir?” the woman asked respectfully. ”Pardon us, but we might not have anything worthy of your liking.” She bowed slightly, her voice laced with an apology.

”Thatʼs fine. Just get me whatever heʼs having,” Lin Mu replied casually.

With that settled, the two took a table in the corner, giving them a bit of privacy.

”Looks like youʼre a regular here,” Lin Mu noted, glancing at Meng Bai.

”Yeah, I help out Mr. Lan and his wife sometimes in exchange for food and a little pay,” Meng Bai explained. ”This is the cheapest place to get food on the street that isnʼt bad.”

”I see... It does smell good,” Lin Mu remarked, his keen senses picking up the nuanced layers of spices and slow-cooked ingredients.

While the food was made using common ingredients, he detected traces of low-grade spirit herbs infused within, adding subtle undertones of medicinal properties to the dishes. It was a clever way to enhance nutrition for those who could not afford true spirit food.

As Lin Mu waited, he caught the hushed conversation between the owners.

”Whom did Meng Bai bring?” the woman whispered.

”I canʼt tell... He doesnʼt seem to be from any clan in the city. He might be from a sect, though,” Mr. Lan mused.

”You donʼt think heʼs in trouble, do you?” Ms. Lan asked, concern flickering in her voice.

”Doesnʼt seem like it. If Meng Bai were in trouble, he would have already run away,” Mr. Lan reasoned. ”At the very least, the man doesnʼt seem dangerous... Less so than some of our usual patrons.”