"I have always liked traveling. Originally, I wanted to go to the East China Sea Bay to see the vast sea scenery. When I passed through Pingqiu County, I heard that the tiankeng scenery in Dali Mountain was beautiful, so I rushed here. This time, I think the trip was worthwhile." Shen Luo's eyebrows moved slightly, as if he thought of something. As he spoke, he raised his glass to salute the beautiful scenery outside the window and drank it all in one gulp.
When the green plum wine went down his throat, a peculiar wine flavor of slightly sour and sweet followed by a warm current spread across his tongue and throat, making him raise his eyebrows in surprise.
"Haha, you can't see anything during the day, but the moonlight in this tiankeng is absolutely stunning at night. It's just that it has been raining for a while now, and if it's covered by thick clouds at night, you won't be able to see anything." Ao Hong also poured himself a drink.
At this time, the food from the inn was served one after another, and Shen Luo started chatting and drinking with Ao Hong.
After three rounds of wine and five dishes, the two were chatting quite happily when they heard a flurry of footsteps at the door. They turned their heads at the same time and saw that the cotton curtain outside the door had been lifted and several people walked in.
These people were all wearing thick straw raincoats and bamboo hats on their heads. After entering the house, they took them off one by one and put them down against the wall next to the door.
The leader was a tall old man with a short beard. His eyes were bright and he looked energetic. The other two were young men with pale faces and looked sick. They looked almost the same in appearance and stature, and looked like twins.
In addition to these three people, there was also a petite woman, but her face was covered with a black veil, so her features could not be seen clearly.
Under their straw raincoats, the four men were all wearing brown short clothes, with thumb-thick hemp ropes wrapped around their waists. Their feet and legs were covered in mud, as if they had just walked through the mud in the mountains.
"Hey, Shopkeeper Chen, are there new customers in the store?" The short-bearded old man in the lead glanced at Shen Luo and the other man and said with a smile.
Judging from the tone, he seemed to be very familiar with the short and fat owner of the inn.
"Brother Lu, it's because of the popularity you brought after coming here. Otherwise, at this time of year in previous years, apart from you swallow hunters, who would be willing to come to this remote place?" said the short and fat shopkeeper with a smile.
"A person who picks swallows?" Shen Luo was slightly surprised.
He was not unfamiliar with this business, as he collected bird's nests and sold them. His family's pharmacy often dealt with bird's nest collectors.
"Haha, it's still the same as always. Warm up a few pots of wine, prepare a few dishes, and send them to the room. This hall is drafty on all sides, and it makes people feel creepy. It's so cold." The short-bearded old man greeted them and walked upstairs on his own.
The other three followed him upstairs.
However, the masked woman walking at the end glanced towards the window as she climbed the stairs. It was unclear whether she was looking at Shen Luo or Ao Hong.
"After hearing what that old man said, I really feel a little cold. Manager Chen, please help me heat up this pot of wine." Shen Luo said, wrapped his cloak around himself, and shouted to the manager.
"Okay." The waiter had already gone to the kitchen to help, so the shopkeeper came over by himself.
Shen Luo saw him approaching and asked casually: