The noise outside the inn not only didn't stop but grew louder and louder as if eight or nine people were laughing and shouting loudly, calling out at the top of their lungs. From time to time came the sound of "crackling" firecrackers, and the pungent smell of saltpeter wafted through the windows into the room in waves.
The guests who were woken up gradually started to complain. Someone stomped out, asked loudly, cursed for a bit, and then slammed the door shut with a bang.
Downstairs in the main hall, a lamp flickered on, and the shopkeeper's apologetic voice came up through the wooden floorboards. Meng Yuhuai sat quietly in the pitch-dark room for a moment, furrowed his brow, and then quietly stepped out, gently closing the door behind him.
"Shopkeeper."
"Leader Meng? Just a moment, coming right up!"
The shopkeeper hurried up to the second floor, and before even reaching Meng Yuhuai, he began to apologize profusely, "Sorry, sorry, we've disturbed your rest. This really is..."
