After Elder Lai and his group left, Bai Chen stepped forward.
"Junior Brother Xiao, you're amazing, actually forcing Elder Lai of the Canglang Sect to retreat."
"What's there to be happy about?" Xiao Man glanced at Bai Chen. "From now on, we all have to be careful. Elder Lai clearly has a petty nature. If we encounter him in the East Yue Forest, I'm afraid he'll try to kill us by any means necessary."
Bai Chen frowned. "Surely not?"
"Not surely?" Xiao Man sneered. "If it weren't for me and A Ran today, guess if you could have walked out of this nameless town alive?"
Bai Chen fell silent. Elder Lai had clearly intended to cripple him back then. The seven sects were engaged in constant infighting, and the struggles between heirs were no less intense. Everyone wanted to be the best. As the heir of the Qianji Sect, he had no doubt provoked countless jealous individuals. Now that he was alone outside, there were likely countless people who wanted his life, yet he was completely unprepared.
"Junior Brother Xiao, is the position of Qianji Sect heir really that important?"
"Fame and fortune move people's hearts," Xiao Man said slowly. "What we consider unimportant is, to some, what they desire most. To obtain what they want, they dare to defy the world."
"Even if it means killing innocent people?"
"A great victory is built on the bones of countless fallen soldiers. How many people who have climbed to high positions haven't done so by stepping on the blood and flesh of others?" Xiao Man beckoned Yue Ran, and they walked away.
The three entered the inn where they had stayed last time. The innkeeper shivered instinctively upon seeing Xiao Man, then scurried forward to greet them.
"Young Master Xiao Qin, are you here to dine or stay?"
"Both," Xiao Man instructed. "Three superior rooms."
"Young Master Xiao Qin, I'm very sorry, but we only have one superior room left," the innkeeper said cautiously. "This superior room is for emergencies; all the others are fully booked."
"All full?" Xiao Man seemed surprised. "Has anything happened recently? Why are there so many people?"
"It's said that a divine dragon has appeared in the East Yue Forest, and many adventurers have come in response. Some want to tame the divine dragon, while others want to catch a glimpse of its majesty. Now, not only our inn but likely all other inns are fully booked. The reason we kept one room was in case you returned, and we specifically saved it for you."
The innkeeper was smooth-talking. Regardless of who the room was actually reserved for, it was now presented as being reserved specifically for Xiao Man.
"One room is fine, we'll squeeze in the three of us," Yue Ran chimed in. "Prepare more meat."
"Alright, Xiao Si, quickly take our honored guests to room Tian Zi Jia Hao," the innkeeper hastily called a waiter to lead the way. The waiter, catching sight of Bai Chen still by Xiao Man's side, had a flicker of pity in his eyes and led the group upstairs.
Xiao Man walked at the rear and said to the innkeeper, "The food should be white meat."
The innkeeper bowed and agreed, "Rest assured, the food we prepare for you will definitely be the best."
"Bring it to the room later."
"Alright," the innkeeper watched Xiao Man go upstairs. After Xiao Man entered the room, the innkeeper finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Why has this bane returned? I just hope he doesn't cause any trouble."
"Innkeeper, we'll take over this inn." A large bag of gold coins landed on the counter. The innkeeper looked up and said deferentially, "Sir, I'm very sorry, but our inn is already full."
"I know you're full. Go tell the people staying inside that we'll compensate them double and they can find other accommodations."
"This..." The innkeeper was somewhat hesitant. After all, those who came to this nameless town at this time were either people of status and background, or if not, people who lived by their wits. Would they stoop for money?
"Hurry up and go!"
"How about this, sir, I'll go ask first and see if other guests are willing to accept compensation and find other accommodations."
"Fine, quickly," the man said. Then, he turned and cleared a table. Several guards surrounded a young man in brocade robes, who was fair-skinned, handsome, and dashing.
"Young Master, please sit for a moment. We've already sent people to clear the area."
"Mm," the young man hummed. The maid beside him immediately wiped the stool and table meticulously three times before inviting the young man to sit. Then, she poured a cup of water and handed it to him.
"Young Master, please have a drink of spiritual wine to moisten your throat."
The young man took it, took a sip, and then put it down, his gaze scanning the surroundings curiously.
There were only two types of people who came to this nameless town: one sought fame, and the other sought profit. Some were unwilling to find other accommodations, while others accepted double compensation and sought lodging elsewhere. After all, they were only here for wealth, and if money was offered, they would naturally accept it.
The innkeeper stood outside Xiao Man's door, hesitating whether to knock. But considering the difficult nature of the group downstairs and the formidable character of the person inside, he hesitated before knocking.
"What is it?" Bai Chen opened the door and saw the innkeeper. His tone immediately soured. He hadn't forgotten how he had been robbed at this very inn and was thrown out of town with only his underpants left.
"A guest has arrived outside who wishes to book the entire inn. For guests willing to find other accommodations, we offer double the price..."
"Do we look like people who are short of money?" Bai Chen interrupted him before the innkeeper could finish.
The innkeeper shook his head.
"Then why are you still standing here?"
The innkeeper stammered, then turned to go down and inform the group of the situation.
"Young Master, your subordinate will take men to drive everyone out."
"Guo Xiao, forget it. The cleared rooms are enough for us to stay," the young man said, stopping him as he didn't want to cause trouble. "I'm tired."
"Quickly tidy up the room, my young master is tired."
"Right away, please wait," the innkeeper hastily ordered people to tidy the room. At this moment, Xiao Man came downstairs carrying a small bear cub and stopped the innkeeper.
"Innkeeper, do you have any milk?"
"What does little immortal master need milk for?" The innkeeper's gaze fell on the small bear cub in Xiao Man's hand, and his eyes lit up. "This is a cub of the Earth-Splitting Bear, isn't it? It's worth a lot of money. Little immortal master, did you catch it?"
"In a way. Get me some goat milk. This little fellow needs to drink it."
"Alright," the innkeeper personally went to the back and instructed someone to get goat milk.
Xiao Man turned to go upstairs, but the man beside the young master called out to Xiao Man, "Fellow Daoist, how much are you selling the bear cub in your hand for?"
"Not for sale," Xiao Man replied without turning his head.
Guo Xiao flashed and blocked Xiao Man's path. "My young master really likes this bear cub and is willing to offer one thousand high-grade spirit stones for your bear cub."
"If your ears aren't good, go wash them," Xiao Man said coldly. "Move aside."
"It's your honor that my young master fancies your bear cub. Don't be ungrateful!" As he spoke, Guo Xiao reached out to snatch the bear cub from Xiao Man's hand. In a flash of lightning, no one could clearly see what had happened before Guo Xiao fell downstairs, clutching his arm and crying out in pain.