Chapter 24: CH15: Troublesome Innkeeper
[Huang Chen Pavilion located in the Lim Capital of the Higher Realm]
[Zhang Xi Yin's Narrative]
A day had already passed after we had crossed from the lower realm, because I had forced the heart of Anubis into my body, I have been suffering from its relapse. Although I never really vomited blood or anything that may cause worry, Qi Fei still scolded me and told Lord Māo to tighten his watch on me, saying that he must prevent me on doing anything weird until I recovered. After that, Qi Fei started to cultivate again with the support of Lord Māo, he was recruited by the Union, which Lord Māo have been working with. As for Li Qian, thanks to Lord Māo, he managed to join a first-rate sect as an apprentice of one of the Elders who in exchange will help him in his cultivation. Meanwhile, I remained confined in a room with Lord Māo constantly watching me, but most of the time he's actually doing something useful.
This guy is starting to feel creepy, and I'm also starting to feel very bored.
"Hey, I'm going to die if I become very bored..." Although what I said is childish, it managed to get his attention. He stared at me with a slightly raised eyebrow before chuckling as he hung the brush he was using to write on the scroll.
He calmly spoke, "How can being bored kill you? That's very strange and unlikely, just meditate quietly, don't worry if you die, I won't give your body to your foe."
I scoffed, "Didn't you keep calling me weird? That's true, everything about me is weird, so you should know by now that it's normal for me to be associated with anything weird." I feel like I'm a prisoner, and he's the warden, a prisoner that is trying to escape with foolish ways.
Lord Māo blankly stared at my direction before resuming on writing something on the scroll in front of him.
This guy is so unbelievable!
This guy had set up an array in this room that prevents me from going out, I think he called it, Qian Men Formation Array. He seems to be able to control the array very precisely, which I thought is fascinating, imagine what can an array master do? But it's a pain for me at this moment.
Maybe I'll just check on Yīhán for now instead...
A screen appeared in front of me which automatically displayed the status of the fusion, it has only been a day and a half, so it has yet to progress so much. The screen then changes into the party screen.
⟨⟨Party Members: Slots are currently empty, please select the characters to form a party.⟩⟩
This feels like a rpg game rather than a visual novel.
I pressed the add symbol and a list of the npcs that I could add in the party appeared, a tip screen below displayed that party members will receive a boost in cultivation and stats of added as a member, I can also purchase buffs on the system shop to use.
Oh, that's very convenient. I should add Li Qian and Qi Fei, so I won't need to think about them for a while. Man, I really want to go on a vacation...
After adding the two as my party members, the screen switched to the map window, I upgraded it before closing the system screen. With the upgrade, I am now able to see all the gates towards different hidden realms.
Without looking at me, Lord Māo spoke, "You should meditate, you should prioritize your recovery, so you could improve your cultivation soon, I'm keeping watch on you to keep you safe."
But meditating is boring... I want to go outside and eat.
Suddenly two figures appeared in front of Lord Māo, I felt heavy pressure on my whole body, but ignore it nevertheless. One of them is named Yan Chao Xiang and the lady is named, Cui Fu Xiang. Both of them are powerful immortals that has significant positions in this realm. Yan Chao Xiang is the owner of a large branch of Inns while Cui Fu Xiāng is the leader of a Union that is focused on gathering information, an Intel Guild.
Yan Chao Xiang looks like an even more stylish version of Qi Fei, he's covered in expensive-looking white fur and jade accessories.
What kind of get up is that? It's not even cold...?
Lord Māo only spared them a short glance before resuming his...work, I assume...
Cui Fu Xiang sighed and sat in front of him. Meanwhile, the man named Yan Chao Xiang looked at my direction, he quickly appeared in front of me and held my hands.
With a pitiful expression, he spoke dramatically, "Oh dear, had Lord Māo been harassing you? Fear not, I, Chao Xiang, will save you from the agony and care for you in the most beautiful inn of the whole realm!"
Ah, I see. So he just wants to advertise his inn...
I could see the amount of wealth that he has, what does he think he could gain from me? But I guess, that's just how most businessmen behaves...
His expression turned even more pitiful, "What's wrong? Is it that you're unable to speak? Has Lord Māo cut your tongue or threatened you? Oh, dear buddha!"
A dagger flew in our direction, but he caught it with his finger without much effort, he retained the same expression, while dramatically wiping an imaginary tear on his face.
Lady Cui Fu Xiang appeared behind him, "Stop harassing the little chick, Plant Monster."
Her face looked very serious, so she didn't strike me as someone who would say such embarrassing names. I could feel my ears burning from the embarrassment, I'm very sure that I am the "Little Chick."
She gave me a thumbs up as if to assure me that she'll help me. I guess I'm not bored anymore, but this is too chaotic.
Lord Māo stood up and sighed, cloth bindings wrapped the two which stopped them from bickering.
Is that one of his abilities? Oh, that's really interesting...
He put the two down on the wooden floor and spoke, "You two should go back if you have nothing useful to report, leave the little chick alone."
Is this guy trying to piss me off? Because I could see him grinning!
The two looked at each other, Yan Chao Xiang turned his face away from Lady Cui Fu Xiang who still had the same serious expression.
Lady Cui Fu Xiang spoke, "I have something to report, Paper Man."
Lord Māo sighed, while Yan Chao Xiang laughed, he gave Lady Cui Fu Xiang a pat on her shoulder.
I guess they're okay now...?
With a face that shows exactly how tired he is from dealing with these two, he spoke with a monotonous voice, "You may speak."
Poor guy, but that's his problem...wait, that sounded very ungrateful of me. Maybe I should help him for once?
Lady Cui Fu Xiang continued, "Plant Monster has been gifted a seat for the Martial Competition managed by the Imperial Palace during the morning of the Lantern Festival, but he refused saying that he is busy with the Inn although he never really had to work because he has so many workers running the inn for him, I'm afraid that the advisor of the emperor will take this as an offense. After all, these two have always been in bad terms. I suggest that we drop Plant Monster and not talk to him, Paper Man."
I blinked a few times as I tried to make sure that I heard her correctly.
This lady...It's so odd, she's so odd that I'm actually speechless.
Lord Māo paused for a moment, he stared at my direction which led the two to do the same.
This guy is thinking of sending me to that competition, isn't he? This bastard?! I didn't ascend to find myself a grave!
He spoke with so much confidence, "I believe my guest here would love to offer a hand, he doesn't need to fight, he's very good at escaping."
Good! I'll buy the most expensive shitty tea for you! We shall both die!
As I was internally fuming, the system screen blocked my face.
⟨⟨Alert! Main Quest is now available!⟩⟩
[Māo Tóu Yīng's Narrative]
Mr. Zhang stared at us with a blank expression, I expected that he would be upset, but he's not reacting at all.
Unlike our ability to transfer our body in a different location, we cannot simply cross to a different realm like he did, he was even able to bring all of us with him, which could make him stronger than the weakest emperor.
This made me more suspicious of him. How is this soul able to achieve such a feat? Where did he come from?
My decision of placing him in the seat given to Brother Chao Xiang is simply to assess his abilities and character further, I would quickly act if it places him in any danger if he won't be able to deal with it by himself.
I can't lower my guard so easily like how my master regrettably did.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone