The innkeeper dared not move, his small eyes staring at Xiao Man in disbelief. "How are you alright?"
Xiao Man sat up, moved his neck, and with a slight pressure from his hand, the sword immediately pressed a bloodstain on the innkeeper's neck. "I stopped playing these petty tricks when I was eight."
Upon hearing this, the innkeeper knew he had encountered a tough one. He quickly cupped his hands in apology. "I didn't realize you were from the martial world. Please forgive me, young master. As for your companion, we will release them immediately."
"No hurry." Xiao Man looked at one of the waiters. "Give it back."
The waiter hesitated. It was rare to find such a fat lamb. But if he didn't return it, their boss's life would be in danger. In the end, he reluctantly handed the Qiankun bag back to Xiao Man.
"Immortal Master, spare our lives. We are just small business owners. We only want money, not lives," the innkeeper explained. They only robbed for money. If they couldn't even handle the dangers within their small shop, they might as well go back. After all, the dangers in the Dongyue Forest were far greater than those in their shop.
They only wanted money, but if they entered the Dongyue Forest, they would lose more than just money; they would lose their lives!
"I didn't say I would kill you," Xiao Man said calmly. "My senior brother here is too straightforward. Deal with him as you usually would. Let him suffer a bit so he knows how treacherous people can be."
The innkeeper immediately understood. This person had deliberately chosen their shop to teach the young master, who was ignorant of the world's dangers, a lesson.
"Immortal Master, should we teach him a good lesson?"
"Just leave him with a pair of underpants."
The innkeeper's eyes lit up. The young master's clothes were also exquisite and worth a lot of money. There was even a gemstone inlaid on his belt, which was a good item. His entire outfit alone would ensure they wouldn't work for nothing.
"Just leave him with a pair of underpants?" the innkeeper confirmed, unwilling to risk overdoing it and incurring the young master's wrath.
"Yes, just a pair of underpants, but do not harm his life," Xiao Man said unhurriedly. "Can you do it?"
"Yes."
"In that case, it's up to you." Xiao Man threw a bag of gold coins to the innkeeper. "Do it quickly and don't disturb my rest again."
"Yes, then Immortal Master, please rest early. We will not disturb you further." The innkeeper bowed and led his men out, carefully closing the door.
The waiter was confused and whispered, "Boss, that young master's storage bag contains many good things, far more valuable than this bag of gold coins. Why are we..."
"Shut up!" The innkeeper reprimanded them. "No matter how much money, we need to be alive to spend it. This person is clearly not easy to deal with. She gave us money because she wants to train the young master by her side. If it were someone else, we would already be corpses. In our line of work, we must know when to yield."
The waiter cautiously touched his neck. "Boss, didn't you say this person is only at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment? Our迷烟 (miyan -迷烟) can even knock down a Golden Core stage cultivator. Why is she fine?"
"That's skill!" The innkeeper called his men to action, stripped Bai Chen's clothes, leaving him only with a pair of underpants.
The waiter drove an ox cart, pulling the person outside the town. Looking at Bai Chen, who was sleeping soundly, he reached out and pushed him off the cart.
"Delicate skin and tender flesh. What a shame. If he could move, he'd make a delicious meat bun. Too bad the boss said not to touch him." The waiter sighed. "But, you have poor judgment, kid. How did you find such a ruthless companion? I suspect this person has wanted to deal with you for a long time but never had the chance."
"What's with all the nagging? Let's go back quickly."
"Alright." The waiter drove the ox cart back. "Second brother, do you think the person in room Tianzi Number Two is really as dangerous as the boss said?"
"When has the boss ever been wrong about someone? If he says so, it is. As for how dangerous, we might find out tomorrow."
Bai Chen woke up shivering from the cold. It was still dark in the wilderness, and he was only wearing a pair of underpants, standing in the slightly chilly morning dew.
Bai Chen was somewhat dazed. He sniffled and looked around. Everything was unfamiliar. He clearly remembered being in the inn. In the middle of the night, someone had blown迷烟 (miyan) into his room, and he had been robbed!
"Xiao Qin, Xiao Qin, where are you?" Bai Chen called out cautiously a few times, but no one answered.
When he was in the Qianji Sect, his status was beyond that of ordinary people. He had been pampered since childhood and had never encountered such a situation. He was momentarily bewildered. Fortunately, he still recognized the direction. He covered his chest with both hands and, taking advantage of the dim light before dawn, ran quickly towards the town.
Whether Bai Chen was unlucky or not, this town was the last one before entering the Dongyue Forest. Most people who stayed here would not rush in early; they would prepare thoroughly before entering. However, today, two cultivators in a wine shop were drunk and fighting, attracting a large crowd.
Bai Chen thought there would be no one on the road. But as soon as he ran into the town, he saw many people gathered on the street. Bai Chen froze for a second and was about to hide when he heard a child say.
"Dad, that person is not wearing clothes."
This cry caused the onlookers to turn and look at Bai Chen. Bai Chen instinctively covered his chest, but after a moment's thought, he quickly covered his face with his hands.
Xiao Man, perched on a building above, watched Bai Chen being gawked at on the street. She couldn't help but shake her head. Didn't this kid know to observe the situation beforehand? Running in so openly and being stared at by everyone, his intelligence was truly questionable. What was Elder Zong Yi thinking, nurturing the future successor of the Qianji Sect to be so foolish and stupid!
Bai Chen, covering his face, walked away. A few nosy people blocked his path. "Yo, fellow Daoist, what's wrong? Do you need help?"
Upon hearing this, Bai Chen immediately removed his hands. "Fellow Daoist, I was robbed by a black inn, and all my money and clothes are gone. Please lend me a hand. When I return home, I will definitely reward you handsomely."
"Yo, isn't this Senior Brother Bai Chen of the Qianji Sect? How did you end up like this? Isn't Elder Zong Yi with you?"
"I am traveling alone on this journey. My master is not with me. Please lend me a hand, Senior Brother. I would be eternally grateful."
"Oh, so Senior Brother came out alone." The man's eyes gleamed with malice upon hearing this. He turned around and shouted loudly, "Senior Brother, come quickly and see! It's Senior Brother Bai Chen of the Qianji Sect! He was robbed and only left with a pair of underpants."
Bai Chen's face flushed with shame, and he quickly stopped the man. "Fellow disciple, please don't make such a loud fuss. There are people coming and going here. Please give me some face."