The first person they came across that did not flee on sight, was a haggard old man picking out weeds at the side of the road.
A look of uncertainty was shared between the travelers but seeing as they had no other choice, Zhang Wang stepped forward. "Is there an inn around here? Or somewhere we can stay? We're just traveling through the village and mean no harm."
"Travelers!" The old man barked, "This village hasn't seen no travelers for decades." He glared at the four of them, one eye completely misted over. "Only viscount's men come around these parts. And you won't find any kindness around here."
"The viscount?" Zhang Wang asked, head tilted with question.
The old man narrowed his eyes, as though testing to see if he could spot deception. "That's right. The viscount. The dirty old bastard holed up in Renlu. One begs to wonder what those Benevolent Song sect guys are doing," he spat.
