To avoid unnecessary trouble, Song Shiyue booked a superior room. As she was about to go upstairs, she remembered she wanted to take a bath and realized it would be quite inconvenient.
She turned around intending to book another room, but Gu Yu Chen had already spoken to the innkeeper, “We’ll take the first room on the left side of the second floor.”
“Oh, so you’re a regular guest! You know that room is a suite with convenient washing facilities.”
The innkeeper’s smile widened, “Sir, that room isn’t cheap.”
“That’s the one.”
Hearing it was a suite, Song Shiyue promptly took out a silver ingot.
The innkeeper smilingly accepted the silver, bowing and scraping as he personally led them to their room.
Song Shiyue carried Gu Yu Chen on her back, while a perceptive waiter lifted the wheelchair.
The room was located on the left side of the staircase, the only room facing the street, separated from other rooms by a corridor.
Though called a suite, it wasn’t the living-room-and-bedroom combination Song Shiyue had imagined. Instead, it was one large bedroom with an additional washing room containing a sizable bathtub. In the corner stood a toilet separated by a screen.
For such a small place to have a room like this already exceeded Song Shiyue’s expectations, and she was quite satisfied.
The inn’s food was actually quite good. Song Shiyue wasn’t picky and ate with relish.
Gu Yu Chen, however, kept frowning. Having grown accustomed to Yue’s cooking during this period, his palate had become more refined. He found the food before him hard to swallow.
He was surprised that Song Shiyue could eat it, and even enjoy it so much.
He didn’t know that Song Shiyue never criticized others’ shortcomings as long as she didn’t have to do the work herself. If something was truly unbearable, she would simply do it herself.
Song Shiyue finished her meal quickly, gathered her change of clothes, and entered the washing room.
Left alone with the food, Gu Yu Chen found he had no appetite at all. He asked the waiter to come clear it away.
After a comfortable hot bath, Song Shiyue felt physically and mentally refreshed, and spoke to Gu Yu Chen much more gently.
“The waiter has changed the hot water. You should go wash up and rest early. I’m afraid tonight won’t be peaceful.”
Gu Yu Chen nodded, picked up his change of clothes, and slowly moved into the bath room.
Watching his gait, Song Shiyue thought to herself that even with top-quality medicine for recovery, it would still take him a year or two to fully recover.
When they reached Jing City, she would need an identity for cover. It would be better to stay by his side until she established her footing before leaving. During her time with him, she could help regulate his health as repayment.
Having made plans for her future, Song Shiyue fell into a deep sleep.
When Gu Yu Chen came out, he saw the sleeping Song Shiyue, her peaceful young face bearing traces of stubbornness and determination.
This girl was young but seemed to have experienced many things. Why did she and Crazy Old Taoist seclude themselves deep in the mountains?
Both master and disciple had their stories.
Gu Yu Chen walked over and naturally lay down on the edge of the bed. During their journey together, when they missed an inn and had to camp outside, they often slept squeezed together in the carriage, already accustomed to each other’s presence.
Speaking of which, he didn’t know whether this girl was careless or thought he couldn’t overpower her in his current state, but she showed no wariness toward him. He didn’t believe she trusted him.
Listening to the even breathing beside him, Gu Yu Chen gradually fell asleep.
The night grew deeper. A black figure appeared in the inn’s backyard. He found Song Shiyue’s carriage and discovered that the carriage door was actually locked, and the windows couldn’t be opened either.
These two people were suspicious.
Without hesitation, he made his way to the second floor of the inn. From the left window came thunderous snoring, with faint candlelight seeping through.
He pushed against the window but couldn’t open it. Jumping onto the roof, he lifted a roof tile and peered down. In the dim light, a monster with ox horns on its head appeared, its ox-like eyes fixed on him, its bloody maw wide open as if ready to swallow him whole.
After a moment of stunned silence, the monster suddenly spoke, its voice soft yet piercing, “Little thief, since you’re here, don’t think of leaving. Surrender your wretched life.”
The shadowy figure was so startled that he fell from the roof. The sound of his impact drew the night watchman’s attention. “What was that noise?”
Ignoring the pain, the shadowy figure quickly scrambled to his feet and returned to his room. For a long while, he couldn’t calm his racing heart, feeling as though those ox-like eyes were still watching him.
“What were you doing?”
The sudden voice made the shadowy figure yelp in fright. Recognizing Fatty Xu, he asked in a trembling voice, “Why are you here?”
“What’s with the screaming? Did you see a ghost?”
“Yes, yes! Worse than seeing a ghost.”
Still shaken, the shadowy figure pulled down his face covering, revealing the gloomy-faced man from earlier in the day.
“Master Quan said you’re not to cause trouble. What were you doing?”
“Just investigating that man and woman.”
Pouring himself a cup of water, the gloomy-faced man steadied his nerves.
Fatty Xu said, “Wei Lao Liu, Master Quan made it clear—no trouble.”
“I know. I just thought that couple seemed suspicious.”
“So what did you find? You look terrified.”
Wei Lao Liu almost blurted out that he’d seen a ghost but stopped himself in time. If Fatty Xu knew he’d nearly been scared to death, he’d never hear the end of it, and Master Quan would think even less of him.
“Nothing, just almost slipped and fell.”
Fatty Xu glanced at the dust on his clothes but didn’t press further.
“If you didn’t find anything, get some rest. We have to leave early tomorrow.”
“Understood. I won’t hold things up.”
In the left guest room on the second floor, Song Shiyue waited awhile but, seeing no further visitors, removed the mask from her face.
Gu Yu Chen stifled a laugh. “When did you get this thing?”
“Had it for ages. My master made it.”
When she was young, she was timid and afraid of the dark. Her master had crafted it specially for her, claiming it could ward off ghosts.
Gu Yu Chen finally chuckled. “It certainly drives away evil spirits.”
“Do you think they’ll come back?”
“Hopefully not. Your snoring is louder than any man’s.”
“Hmph, it’s your fault for not doing it. My throat hurts now.”
“Snoring doesn’t scare people off; it attracts them.”
Song Shiyue knew she’d miscalculated.
“I’m going to sleep. You keep watch.”
Gu Yu Chen wanted to stay vigilant, but his current strength was too depleted. Eventually, he succumbed to sleep’s pull and drifted into dreams.
Early the next morning, the five men led by Master Quan settled their bill and left without even eating breakfast. Wei Lao Liu’s already gloomy face looked even more sullen.
He hadn’t slept all night—every time he closed his eyes, he saw those ox eyes and bloody mouth, making sleep impossible. He hoped that couple was headed to Jing City; if so, he’d make sure to give them a proper “welcome”!
Song Shiyue and Gu Yu Chen woke naturally, leisurely ate breakfast, packed some provisions, and resumed their journey.
Half a month later, they arrived at a farmstead on the outskirts of Jing City.
Song Shiyue gazed at the vast fields surrounding them, with only this single manor standing alone. “Where is this?”
“This is my property.”
Song Shiyue laughed, “Haha! Shouldn’t it be said that it’s my property then?”
Gu Yu Chen froze for a moment, then gritted his teeth and nodded, “Indeed, Yue girl is right.”