420: Chapter 420 Strange Attitude

Dai Na Inn.

Seeing guests arrive, the shopkeeper hurried forward to receive them.

"May I ask, dear guests, are you stopping for a meal or staying the night?"

Zhou Yan looked at this scene with a sense of déjà vu, feeling momentarily dazed.

He subconsciously asked a question.

"Boss, do you believe in the light?"

The shopkeeper's smile stiffened at first, then he quickly smiled even more eagerly.

"I believe, I believe! Any guest who comes to our shop is our light."

"The business of this small shop thrives thanks to the 'light' of distinguished guests like you; only then can it prosper."

Zhou Yan snapped out of his memories and looked at the somewhat thin and withered old man.

"Boss, you're quite the smooth talker. No wonder you can run such a popular inn in the city."

"Then I wish you even greater prosperity."

"For the three of us, give me two premium rooms. One for those two, and one for me."

"As for the food and wine..."

Zhou Yan glanced at Third Brother Chen, who was supporting Wu Dahai and following cautiously behind him.

Although he had already treated his wounds, his constitution was too weak; it was better if he didn't drink.

"Forget the wine. Serve them some dishes. If it's not enough, I'll settle the bill all at once when I leave."

After saying that, Zhou Yan casually tossed three Low-Grade Spirit Stones onto the counter.

Fortunately, things like Spirit Stones had a low priority, so Zhou Yan wasn't afraid of losing them; he carried two or three million in his profound ring for daily use.

Otherwise, it would be quite troublesome when it came time to spend money.

But at the thought of that bastard Ma Hao shattering his equipment while his clothes, Storage Pouch, and profound ring remained perfectly intact, Zhou Yan felt a surge of irritation.

Ma Hao, you old bastard!

You'd better pray that after my System finishes updating, the pocket watch can still be repaired. Otherwise, once I return and achieve a Breakthrough to Soul Transformation, I'll definitely put some serious pressure on you!

I'll make you blow up your own Demon Core!

As for the tentacles from his Giant Abyss Set, Zhou Yan didn't really care. After all, equipment was bound to break, and it wasn't like he couldn't fix it.

Even if it was truly scrapped, at most it was just a Tier 2 piece of equipment. Lately, quite a few Tier 2 items had been dropped in the main city.

It wasn't impossible to find a replacement with similar mechanics; at worst, he could just log into an alt account and pose as a player to buy one.

But this pocket watch was unusual. Originally, it was just a function of the online game.

After coming to this world, it had become a physical object under the world's influence. He had never seen it damaged in the slightest before.

If it was truly ruined because of this, it was uncertain whether it could even be placed into a slot in the Forging Furnace.

Even if it wouldn't be of much use after Soul Transformation, it was still something that had accompanied him for a long time. How could he not feel distressed?

Zhou Yan mourned for his pocket watch for a few seconds, only to realize after a while that the other party had not yet arranged for a servant to lead him to the premium room to rest, so he looked back at the shopkeeper.

Only then did he notice that the shopkeeper, who had been all smiles, was now pale, dripping with cold sweat, and trembling uncontrollably.

"Hey? Boss, are you alright?"

Seeing him look like he had a sudden illness—if he hadn't been running an inn in the city and didn't look like he lacked money—Zhou Yan would have thought he was being scammed.

Nonetheless, he reached out and patted the man's shoulder, using Spiritual Qi to probe his condition.

It was this very action that caused the shopkeeper to instantly lose his composure, kneeling on the spot in terror.

"This lowly one was blind and did not know an Immortal had graced us with his presence. I have failed to welcome you properly!"

The inn fell silent because of the shopkeeper's actions. Everyone's expressions shifted as they all turned their gazes toward them.

"Wait, what?"

"What are you doing?"

"It's just staying at an inn. Why the dramatic display?"

The shopkeeper filtered out all the words in his mind, keeping only the keywords.

He seemed to realize something instantly and hurried to grab the Spirit Stones on the counter. But just as his hand was about to touch them, he suddenly stopped and pulled it back into his sleeve.

He used his sleeve to scoop them up and cautiously returned to Zhou Yan's side.

"An Immortal coming to this small shop is already an honor that brings light to my humble dwelling. How could I dare to take your things?"

"Please take these back. You may stay in this shop for as long as you like. Room and board are on the house. I only hope to bask in a bit of your Immortal Qi."

Zhou Yan was about to speak when the shopkeeper's expression changed, and he roared at a nearby servant.

"Why aren't you quickly arranging for the Immortal and..."

The shopkeeper glanced at the two indescribable figures behind Zhou Yan.

"Anyway, clear out Heaven No. 1 and Heaven No. 2 for the Immortal and these two to stay in."

"Then, the best food and wine... wait, no wine. Send the best dishes to Heaven No. 2."

"Since the Immortal doesn't drink or eat the dishes, go prepare some seasonal fruits, vegetables, and the finest pastries. Under no circumstances should you use inferior substitutes!"

After instructing the servant, the shopkeeper held up the Spirit Stones again, gesturing for Zhou Yan to take them.

Looking at the shopkeeper's pleading expression, Zhou Yan felt like he was some kind of bully.

To avoid a stalemate, he had no choice but to take back the Spirit Stones, intending to give them when he left.

Thus, Zhou Yan and the others were personally escorted by the shopkeeper to the third floor, to rooms Heaven No. 1 and Heaven No. 2.

Once everyone had left, Zhou Yan looked at the fairly spacious room and first set up five Formations.

At the same time, he fell into deeper confusion.

"What on earth is going on with this damn place?"

Although he had an idea, it seemed far too incredible.

So, Zhou Yan needed to make a preliminary confirmation first; the specific situation would have to wait until the System update was finished.

After settling Zhou Yan and the others, the shopkeeper found a place in the back kitchen to sit down. He kept an eye on the quality of the chef's cooking and pastries while drinking tea to calm his nerves.

"Shopkeeper, what's going on?"

The head chef was also somewhat surprised to see his shopkeeper in such a state.

Their shopkeeper was a man of some reputation in the city.

He managed many inns. If it weren't for the fact that this was where he started his business and he was a bit reluctant to leave...

A big boss of his level wouldn't be busy working in this inn; he would have long since gone home to enjoy his retirement.

Therefore, he had seen more people than the chef had stir-fried dishes. How could he be scared like this today?

"Sigh, don't mention it."

The shopkeeper put down his teacup and tugged at his somewhat tight collar.

"A big shot has come to our old shop. If you still have the energy, go up and help make some pastries."

Hearing the shopkeeper say this, the head chef was a bit dismissive and then said dissatisfiedly.

"What kind of big shot is so important that I have to cook? I've been retired for several years. If you weren't still working here, would I bother coming to teach the apprentices?"

However, he couldn't help but feel curious. Who could it be that would scare this old shopkeeper so much and be called a big shot?

It couldn't be some prince from the Imperial Family, could it?

That didn't seem right. If a prince really came, the shopkeeper wouldn't dare to be resting now; he'd probably still be kneeling there, waiting to hear the royal voice.

After all, he knew the old shopkeeper's character; when it came to fawning over people, he was always far ahead of the curve.

For just a few copper coins, he could fawn over even a beggar, let alone someone of that level.

But as he got older, he had restrained his fawning quite a bit. After all, doing such unseemly things at his age wouldn't reflect well on his family.

"You really can't put it that way."

The shopkeeper looked around mysteriously and then whispered.

"Today, I was looking after the shop as usual. I was almost done for the morning and was preparing to go home and rest, leaving the accountant in charge."

"But just then, a graceful young man walked in. You have no idea—that temperament, that look—at first glance, I thought some prince was visiting in disguise."

Seeing the shopkeeper gesticulating, the head chef felt embarrassed for his old friend. At such an age, he still had that old habit, not leaving himself any Face at all. No one outside would know he was a big boss.

But the shopkeeper didn't stop.

"You don't deny that I'm a good judge of character, do you? When I saw him with those two beggar-like fellows behind him, I knew he was extraordinary."

"With such eccentricities, it's either a great hero bringing an undercover agent or a brother he's taken a liking to for some spending; that's bound to be a big deal."

"Or it's some Young Master having a sudden burst of kindness; the money wouldn't be lacking either."

"But you didn't see it... that..." The shopkeeper organized his words. "That Immortal Master was truly extraordinary. Bang, bang, bang—three perfectly cut Spirit Stones were slammed onto the counter!"

"Those were Spirit Stones!"

"One Spirit Stone is worth a tael of gold. Three taels of gold just tossed onto the counter like that—it was terrifying!"

Hearing this, the head chef's expression changed slightly. He lowered his crossed arms and pressed for more.

"And then?"

"And then?" The shopkeeper suddenly made an expression that was hard to tell if it was a smile or a cry.

"Then, of course, I returned the Spirit Stones and invited the Immortal Master and his companions into Heaven No. 1 and Heaven No. 2, waiting to serve them with the best dishes and pastries."

The head chef was immediately displeased upon hearing this.

"No, Old Dai, how many years have we been in this business? It's not like we haven't served Immortal Masters before. Why are you acting so cheap?"

"Why didn't you just take the money and give the change? Why go against money?"

The shopkeeper just smiled and shook his head.

"I couldn't make change."

"Didn't I just tell you? Perfectly cut Spirit Stones."

"I'm not without experience. Usually, they're whole pieces. Who is so extravagant as to have Spirit Stones pre-cut and divided? You just didn't see it."

"Those Spirit Stones were so pure that I could smell the Spiritual Qi just holding them in my hand. If you don't believe me, smell it."

As he spoke, the shopkeeper opened his hand for the chef to smell, but the head chef pushed it away in disgust.

"Spirit Stones can't be calculated by market price to begin with, let alone something of this caliber."

"To turn them into Spirit Stone fragments... this stuff is so precious. If they shatter and lose value, is that on you or on me?"

"And if you don't break them, would you dare keep them if you took them? Would you dare spend them?"

"And those with that temperament and that kind of spending, he's likely from a major power, or maybe even truly from the Imperial Family."

"Anyway, room and board aren't expensive, so just let the Immortal Master stay. The price of guessing wrong is much higher than the price of guessing right."

After the shopkeeper finished speaking, he saw the head chef walk thoughtfully to the stove.

He pushed aside the middle-aged cook. The cook was initially a bit angry, but seeing it was his master, he could only retreat with an awkward smile.

The head chef glared at him.

"Do you even know how to stir-fry this dish? Let me do it!"

The shopkeeper was a bit anxious upon hearing this.

"Old Li, didn't you say you weren't going to cook anymore?"

"What's the meaning of this?"

"And you haven't done it for years. Can you still manage?"

That Chef Li curled his lip and said to the shopkeeper with a look of disdain.

"Can't I swing the spatula a bit when my hands get itchy?"

"Besides, my skills haven't faded. Moreover, I'm stir-frying the dishes now, but the pastries are for the Immortal Master. After I finish the dishes, my feel for it will be back."

Seeing his old partner already at work, the shopkeeper revealed a smile of a successful plan.

Then, thinking of the person in Heaven No. 1, he couldn't help but feel a bit more worried.

"I really don't know if this is a blessing or a curse."