343: Hot spring hotel in the countryside

"Miss Kong, are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?"

"Miss Kong, would you like some water?"

"Miss Kong..."

Several members of the Heaven and Earth Society surrounded a sedan chair carried by Puppets, constantly fussing over her with concern.

At that moment, a young man with white hair and a white beard walked over from the front, shouting at everyone with a face full of anger.

"Do you little brats have nothing better to do!"

"Don't you know Miss Kong is our honored guest! If you're so bored that your balls ache, I'll go back and tell your families to find you some real work so you don't bring shame to the Heaven and Earth Society!"

The young men were silenced by his roar and could only return to the group reluctantly.

After driving them away, the young man put on a fawning smile and leaned in toward the sedan chair to offer his greetings.

"Miss Kong, it's me, Zhang Wei's father, Zhang Fei."

"I've driven those little brats away, so don't you worry. I'll be right up front; if you need anything, just give a shout and I'll be there instantly. I'll make sure you feel right at home."

After speaking, Zhang Fei put on a stern face again and returned to the front of the group, meeting Zhang Wei's resentful expression.

"Dad, has anyone ever told you that you looked exactly like a 'licking dog' just now?"

Zhang Fei knew his son was complaining about him stealing his chance to show off, but he didn't get angry. He just gave his shoulder an affectionate pat.

"My boy, you're still young; you can't handle this kind of thing. Let your father do it. Your father is at the Soul Transformation Stage, I can handle it."

"Besides, the Heaven and Earth Society is yours to run. Your father is just a figurehead to help build your prestige without needing you to actually give up anything."

Zhang Wei curled his lip.

This old man was cunning. Miss Kong was definitely connected to the Saint, and she was beautiful to boot. If she became the Saint's Dao Companion in the future, wouldn't getting on her good side now be a huge gain for him?

He was already up there in years with not many left to live, yet he was still fighting for future opportunities with someone who had his whole youth ahead of him. Zhang Wei really didn't know what to say.

Zhang Fei was a flexible old fox. Having previously agreed to call his son "Dad" for a week, he did so without any sense of shame, and he was equally shameless about stealing his son's duties.

Firstly, he was worried his son wouldn't do a good job; with a Soul Transformation Stage expert present, the situation would be more secure.

Secondly, by not letting other Soul Transformation experts come and showing up personally, he wanted to take the opportunity to build rapport and expand his network.

At the same time, he could establish a foundation within the Heaven and Earth Society. If the society became successful in the future, he wouldn't have to force his way in using his status as a father; it was a way of planning ahead.

It couldn't be helped. Who would have thought the once small-time Heaven and Earth Society would suddenly have such prospects? It forced him to set aside his dignity.

Inside the sedan chair, Zhou Yan listened to the conversation outside and was also speechless at this "conjugate father and son."

This Zhang Fei really had some skill; he'd call his son 'Dad' without hesitation. No wonder he could cultivate to the Soul Transformation Stage.

However, they were being a bit too serious, sending a Soul Transformation expert to escort him. Wasn't that a bit too high-profile?

"Zhang Wei's Dad, please come here for a moment."

Hearing Zhou Yan call him, Zhang Fei didn't maintain a shred of the poise of a Nascent Soul Cultivator and trotted over eagerly.

"Miss Kong, what are your instructions?"

Zhou Yan lifted the curtain, looked at the surrounding desolate mountains and wilderness, and advised.

"On this trip, it's better for us to be cautious. Let's not be too flashy."

Just then, the sedan chair suddenly jolted and came to a stop.

Zhou Yan looked forward and saw a few passing Cultivators staring at them with faces full of shock.

Zhou Yan immediately felt a bit annoyed. What if the journey was delayed and Brother Long caught up? Wouldn't that be trouble?

He leaned directly out of the window, pointed at the group of Cultivators, and shouted.

"Get out of the way! There is a Soul Transformation Stage expert in our group! If you don't want to die, leave quickly!"

The Cultivators, who were already surprised by the display, broke into a cold sweat the moment they heard the words "Soul Transformation" and thought of how this area hadn't been peaceful lately. They all vanished in an instant.

Having done this, Zhou Yan nodded with satisfaction, retracted his body, and continued to say to Zhang Fei.

"Remember, keep a low profile, low profile."

After speaking, he lowered the curtain, and the group resumed their journey.

Meanwhile, Zhang Fei, this Soul Transformation expert, spent a full hour pondering Zhou Yan's actions just now but couldn't understand the logic at all.

Until they passed by a hot spring inn.

Zhang Fei looked at the inn and asked Zhang Wei beside him.

"Dad, is this inn on our planned route? It doesn't seem to be marked on the map."

Zhang Wei was also confused.

This route was one of the safe paths they had established in earlier years. Although it was longer than the usual routes, it passed mostly through desolate mountains and was relatively hidden and safe, which was why it was chosen for this mission.

But the last safety inspection was half a month ago, and at that time, there was clearly nothing here.

"I'm not sure. It wasn't there during the last inspection; it must have been built recently."

"However, a hot spring inn appearing in the middle of nowhere is clearly suspicious. Let's just bypass it."

Seeing Zhang Wei's reaction, Zhang Fei also sensed that things weren't simple. He swept his Divine Sense out and immediately perceived everyone inside.

"There are a few Cultivators inside, and one... Half-Demon?"

He had seen many Half-Demons, but that Half-Demon looked very strange, giving off an indescribable sense of oddness.

But what Zhang Fei didn't know was that the moment he said the word "Half-Demon," Zhou Yan's expression inside the sedan chair had already changed.

First of all, Zhou Yan had no intention of discriminating against anyone; secondly, Zhou Yan hated Half-Demons, especially man-made Half-Demons.

"Ding, the Fortuitous Encounter quest 'Forest Inn' has been refreshed. Do you wish to accept it?"

Well, he was already hesitating about whether to go take a look, and now even the reason was provided.

A small shop appearing in the middle of nowhere, and then triggering such a quest... Hmph, you'd better truly be a law-abiding Half-Demon.

Just as the Zhang father and son were about to order the group to detour, Zhou Yan stepped out of the sedan chair first and walked up to the two of them.

"The scenery here is nice. The journey is exhausting, so finding a hot spring inn is a rare treat."

"Who knows how long it will be until the next town? We might as well rest here for a night and set off tomorrow morning."

Zhang Wei and Zhang Fei looked at each other, not understanding why Kong Xuan, who had been in such a hurry to get to Taiyi City, was suddenly interested in this suspicious place.

But soon, they received a voice transmission from Zhou Yan.

"I do not like Half-Demons."

"Let's go in and see. If that Half-Demon is no good... we'll just kill it while we're at it."

The transmission ended, and Zhou Yan had already stepped into the inn.

Zhang Wei's eyes widened as he forced down his shock. He really hadn't expected this sweet and soft girl to have such a heavy killing intent, wanting to kill just because the other party was a Half-Demon.

Fortunately, she was still rational and planned to confirm their nature before acting; otherwise, Zhang Wei really wouldn't know what to do.

Zhang Fei, on the other hand, was very calm.

Important people always have their quirks. If she hates Half-Demons, then she hates Half-Demons. His son's Heart-Nature still wasn't strong enough, getting all worked up over a bit of a contrast; there would be plenty more of this in the future. The other party used voice transmission because she didn't want to make a scene, yet his son's expression looked as if he was afraid others wouldn't know.

Luckily, Zhou Yan didn't care, and no one else noticed.

Zhang Fei quickly stepped forward and patted his son's shoulder, using his magic to wake him up and giving him a reminder via voice transmission.

Only then did Zhang Wei snap out of it. He assumed his posture as the Chief Helmsman and ordered a few people to pack up and arrange guards, while the rest followed him into the shop to check the situation.

Thus, led by Zhang Wei, over a dozen people marched grandly into the inn and immediately saw Zhou Yan bargaining at the front desk.

"Sister, this is too expensive. Make it cheaper. We have a lot of people; can we get a group rate?"

The receptionist was also sweating when she saw the group of big men behind the girl.

"Miss, it doesn't work like that. We're a small business, meant for passing travelers to rest. We often have passing groups staying here; we can't give a discount every time there are many people, or we'd go out of business."

"How about this? Since it's your first time and you're so beautiful, your fee will be waived, and everyone else gets ten percent off. How does that sound?"

"Hmm, that's more like it."

Zhou Yan nodded, turned back, and gave a thumbs-up to the dumbfounded crowd.

"I've negotiated a discount for you, and I've already paid the money. You can just check in."

Looking at this Zhou Yan who seemed like a completely different person from before, everyone except Zhang Wei and Zhang Fei couldn't help but have hearts in their eyes.

"A Miss Kong who knows how to be thrifty is so cute! Is this 'gap moe'?"

"Staying at a hot spring inn for free! Long live Miss Kong!"

"Are you stupid? Miss Kong will definitely be a great expert in the future. Saying she can only live ten thousand years, aren't you cursing her?"

The crowd jostled and joked around. Those who came in later were also in high spirits upon hearing they could soak in the hot springs for free.

Many of them weren't short on money, but they did want to rest. With an employer so considerate, sweet, and even treating everyone to hot springs, how could they not be moved?

Only Zhang Wei knew exactly how terrifying this seemingly sweet Miss Kong Xuan really was.

This lady came in here to kill someone. Wait, does a Half-Demon count as a person?