The Black Tavern (黑店)

Ladies and gentlemen, have a drink or two.

To keep you warm in this kind of freezing weather.

Each of us have a different destiny.

I never worry about being poor,

but I do worry about an empty stomach.

Today we have a chance to gather here,

I'd like to do a small favour for you.

Are you interested to see something priceless?

If you do.

Please listen to my story.

Yesterday I hit the road after a few drinks, then...

suddenly it's dusk, and I couldn't find a shelter.

I saw a tree by the road, and I... climbed up.

I sat on the branch all night, luckily I didn't fall.

I was resting but I could hear the sounds of a cart.

A retired official is heading home, with a full load.

To fix a wheel, the servants moved a big chest down.

The old master checked the items inside.

On the tree I saw everything and screamed, "Oh, dear!"

What did you see?

I had never seen any of those all my life.

Corals, agate, diamond phoenix,

emerald papaya, jade hibiscus,

cat's eye stones the size of a fist.

Stacks of pearls, golden dragon... each item priceless.

I was stunned.

This rich man is heading south, he's easy to rob.

Freeze.

Get out!

Hurry!

Damn it! Come on!

Faster!

Run! Move aside.

Thank you for your help, hero.

My pleasure... where are you heading to, mister?

We're heading to Shepherd's Gulley.

I'm going that way too.

Great, then me and my daughter

would feel very safe on the road.

If you don't mind, I'd be traveling with you.

Back to the cart.

Hero, please.

Please.

"Gao Family Inn"

Doggie, get me some hot water.

I've just brought you fresh water a while ago.

Skunk, let me give you something smelly.

You're teasing him again?

He started it.

Are you sure? With the way you look?

Go to hell.

There's no sign of anyone outside,

why bother making the buns?

It's snowing.

It's expected.

I doubt we'd have any business in this kind of weather.

It's about time you learnt something about our business

This is the perfect weather to make some cash.

Listen... I think we have guests.

Allow me... it's warm inside, welcome.

Please.

Please have a seat.

You've company?

No. Do you sell steamed buns?

Yes.

Buns made with human flesh.

You must be kidding, sir. Human flesh?

Would be ajoke if Gao Family Inn didn't sell those.

What do you mean?

What are you trying to say?

How can we run the business if you say so?

Then let me do it.

The Gao Family Inn has always taken care of our guests.

Ten taels of silver for you on the road, keep it.

Tigress, have some respect.

I fail to recognise a great person.

Oh, it's Master Liu Tong the Iron Arm.

Sorry about that.

How did you know?

I'm impressed.

You're after all the famous

Iron Arm.

Doggie, prepare some dishes,

let's have a welcome meal for Master Liu.

Yes.

Come on, San Niang.

Have a seat...

San Niang, come on. Let's toast to Master Liu.

We need Master Liu's help from now on.

Yes, we do.

Guess what I'm doing here in this weather?

Let's have a drink first.

A big transaction.

Big transaction?

We don't do business

outside the inn, you would know.

If it's outside, why would I be here?

They'll definitely come here to stay.

What kind of weather is this?

When will they get here?

After dawn.

Gao Sanfeng, let me be frank with you,

we'll split the profit afterwards.

You're asking for?

Fifty fifty.

Fifty for yourself?

What?

We're friends here...

We'll listen to Master Liu.

Alright, who's coming?

Hai Gangfeng.

Hai Gangfeng? I heard he's a poor official.

Not at all.

He's carrying a box of stuff accepted as bribes.

You'll be stunned if you know the details.

What kind of treasures?

Corals, agate, diamond phoenix,

emerald papaya, jade hibiscus,

cat's eye stones the size of a fist.

Stacks of pearls, golden dragon.

Let me help you, sir.

Sir, lady, welcome.

Good day.

It's windy outside, please come in.

Please.

Welcome, this way please.

Please...

Please sit down.

Please.

Do you have rooms?

Yes...

We'll take two rooms.

Certainly.

Jinghong.

Here.

Accompany the lady to the room.

Yes.

Ladies, follow me please.

Should we carry the box upstairs, master?

Sure.

May we ask your name, sir?

My surname is Hai.

Mr. Hai.

Mr. Hai, what can we do for you?

I'm tired, I just need some rest.

Bring a pot of good tea into my room.

Right away...

Do you know Hai Gangfeng?

I haven't seen him before.

Something's wrong

His internal power is so great, who's he?

Could he be the wicked man?

Who?

Zheng Shoushan, the Whipmaster.

Him?

Bingo.

Who are you? What plans do you have? Speak up.

Jinglu, we're in an inn run by brigands.

Brigands?

The Gao Family Inn has always taken care of our guests.

And you're our special guest.

We wouldn't dare to try anything funny.

I guess you're thinking differently.

You think I'm Hai Gangfeng?

Hai Gangfeng? Who's that?

I have no idea.

Are you sure you are not

aware of such a piece of information?

Hai Gangfeng is retiring to his home village,

he's brought with him a chest of valuables,

he's about to reach this inn.

So you're interested in this robbery.

Very well, we'll be glad to serve you.

We should.

Opportunists.

But you can talk,

how could I trust you?

Catch!

Damn it! Liu Tong. You've done so much harm.

I'm risking it all. Kill!

Let's take a look in the kitchen.

Sure.

My dear.

Oh, you're the Whipmaster Zheng Shoushan.

You could've chosen the easy way.

But then... you did it the hard way.

What do you want?

I'm interested to be a part of it.

How?

With this.

Master, he's helped us earlier,

let him join us.

What do you think?

Then...

I'm just trying to repay you.

Repay me?

Yes.

Very well, only because it's you.

Look.

North westerly wind blowing in.