Chapter 34: The Inn Is Necessary

I had read plenty of Xianxia webnovels in my previous life and also experienced the world once I transmigrated here. There was no way I was courting death...well, trouble myself.

’If only death was a beautiful woman, courting her then would be nice.’

Qingxue adjusted the thick woolen cloak she wore, her sharp eyes flashing with understanding. "Is that why you had us change our clothes earlier, Master?"

An hour ago, while stopping briefly in the woods to eat dry rations, I had made us both swap out our luxurious, recognizable sect robes for simple traveling tunics common among wandering martial artists and wealthy merchant guards.

"Exactly." I nodded with a smirk. "Dressing like an untouchable immortal master just invites every local magistrate to fall to their knees groveling for favors, and every arrogant young master looking for trouble to test their luck. A quiet life is a happy life."

Understanding the assignment, Qingxue reached into her sleeve and produced a dark, sheer silk veil, securing it over the lower half of her face. Even with her nose and mouth concealed, her striking obsidian eyes and porcelain forehead were mesmerizing enough to turn heads, but at least it prevented an immediate riot among the common folk.

We rode through the wooden gates of the town without incident. The local guards were huddled inside their sentry box, trying to stay dry, barely sparing a glance at two hooded riders trotting into the rain.

Following the main lantern-lit cobblestone avenue, we quickly spotted the largest establishment in town: The Drunken Pine Inn. Steam rose from its chimneys, and warm yellow light spilled from its oil-paper windows into the dark, sodden street.

We dismounted in the courtyard and led the horses to the adjacent stable. The stable boy, a soaked, shivering youth in rough hemp rags, scrambled over with wide eyes, clearly intimidated by the imposing size of our obsidian warhorses.

I didn’t waste words. Reaching into my pouch, I pulled out a heavy piece of refined silver and tossed it straight into the boy’s chest.

"Feed them the finest dried spirit bran you have, brush down their coats, and keep them dry for the night," I commanded casually. "Do it well, and the silver is yours."

The boy’s hands shook as he clutched the silver, nearly bowing into the mud. "Y-Yes, my Lord! Rest assured, I will treat them better than my own ancestors."

Satisfied, I turned and pushed open the heavy wooden double doors of the inn, leading Qingxue inside.

A blast of warm air hit us.

The main hall of the inn was practically overflowing. Because of the sudden tempest, dozens of merchants, caravan escorts, wandering martial artists with scarred faces, and traveling families had crowded inside to seek shelter.

The air was thick with the scent of roasted mutton, spilled grain liquor, pipe tobacco, and damp wool. Boisterous shouts, laughing mercenaries clinking crude pottery bowls, and the sizzle of hot pans filled the room with chaotic, mortal life.

I walked straight past the noisy tables toward the front reception counter, where a plump, middle-aged innkeeper was frantically tallying figures in a stained ledger.

"Innkeeper, two upper-class private rooms for the night," I said, tapping the wooden counter lightly with two fingers.

The innkeeper looked up, wiping sweat from his forehead with a rag, and offered an apologetic, helpless bow. "Aiya, distinguished guest, you caught us at the worst possible hour! Because of this cursed storm rolling in from the north, half the traveling caravans on the imperial highway took shelter under our roof. Almost every bed in the house is spoken for."

I raised an eyebrow. "Almost?"

"There is only one room left on the top floor," the innkeeper sighed, pointing up the wooden stairs. "The Pine Pavilion suite. It has its own private bathing room and hearth, which is why the traveling merchants were too cheap to take it. But aside from that single suite, we have nothing left, not even a cot in the attic."

Hearing that, a slow, wicked grin crept onto my face. Only one room left? The Heavenly Dao truly works in mysterious and wonderful ways.

Without missing a beat, I reached out, hooked my arm around Shen Qingxue’s slender, silk-clad waist, and pulled her firmly against my side.

"One room is more than enough," I said smoothly, tossing a heavy silver ingot onto the ledger with a relaxed chuckle. "Why would I need two when I can simply share a warm bed with my lovely wife?"

Shen Qingxue stiffened for half a second under my arm, her breath hitching beneath her veil. A brilliant, burning crimson instantly flooded her porcelain neck, but she didn’t utter a single syllable of protest. Instead, she lowered her head, leaning softly into my chest and playing along with remarkable obedience.

The innkeeper’s eyes bulged at the heavy chunk of pure silver sitting on his ledger. All his exhaustion evaporated into thin air, instantly replaced by a wide, obsequious grin. "Right away, noble sir! Right away! Second floor, end of the hall on the left! I’ll have the kitchen send up hot water and fresh firewood immediately!"

Grabbing the brass room key from the counter, I guided Qingxue up the wooden stairs, away from the rowdy noise of the ground floor.

The Pine Pavilion suite was surprisingly spacious and clean. A large brazier burned with aromatic cedar coals in the corner, keeping the room toasty warm, and a plush, feather-stuffed bed draped in crimson curtains dominated the center. Just as the innkeeper had promised, a sliding partition at the back opened into a private bathing chamber equipped with a clean wooden tub.

Even though my qi shield had deflected the downpour, the pervasive dampness of the storm had chilled the air.

"Go on, change out of those travel clothes and wash off," I said, gesturing toward the partitioned bath. "There’s fresh water inside. I’ll change out here."

Qingxue took off her damp outer cloak, bowing respectfully before slipping behind the screen. My inner pervert screamed at me to peek at her but I refrained from giving in to it.

While I was a pervert, I was a Heavenly Pervert, which meant I didn’t make women uncomfortable. After Shen Qingxue was perfectly comfortable around me and also fine with me seeing her body, I would naturally do that.

Just like I did with my crazy Senior Sister.

’I really am such a gentleman.’