Chapter 36: Haunted
Chapter 36: Haunted
The bright moonlight spilled across the narrow alleys of Stone Bell City, while inside the tavern, melodious music played, like a night symphony. Through the window, one could see the roaring fire in the hearth, casting a warm glow. The wooden sign hanging above the entrance read ‘Golden Barley Tavern’.
Su Nan pushed open the door and walked in, the noise and bustle immediately washing over him. The air was thick with the scent of hormones and strong alcohol. Rough men were drinking and playing finger games, while flamboyantly dressed maids shuttled between tables with trays, their bare legs flashing in the light.
Su Nan, familiar with the place, found a table in a corner and sat down, pulling out a few silver coins and stuffing them into the bosom of a passing maid.
“The usual.”
The maid winked at him and brought him a mug of barley wine and some food.
The barley wine had a low alcohol content and no aroma. It was rough in taste, cloudy, and had a sour aftertaste. Even so, it was a rare luxury for the common people, and most would be content with just a single drink.
Su Nan rarely drank, but the few times he had, he had only tasted top-quality wines. The poor quality barley wine in the tavern was simply undrinkable for him.
The food was equally simple, cooked with the simplest methods. There were no spices like pepper, MSG, soy sauce, honey, or cream, just salt after boiling or roasting. In this world, sugar was a luxury, and spices were even more expensive, only appearing on the tables of nobles.