Both travelers had just learned that the stable downstairs also belonged to the city ruler, and for guests of the Yaoyue Inn, care for their horses was free. Later, as soon as the stable staff learned that Yuan Fang and Niu You Dao were guests of the Yaoyue Inn, their horses were immediately provided with the best feed and care.
In this way, they could save one gold coin every day.
The two men immediately went to their room. Niu You Dao saw the torch-lit hall and recalled the five-star hotels of his past life. However, this inn was still in an ancient style. Could such a style truly compare to a five-star hotel?
It couldn't be helped; everything had its pros and cons.
As soon as one stepped inside the courtyard, it felt as though one had entered a botanical garden. Outside was a barren desert, yet here was such an oasis. Furthermore, the torches beautifully illuminated the inner park, adding more magic to the atmosphere. It turned out that torches illuminated the park far more beautifully than the artificial lamps of his past life. Some merely sat in the park, while others played chess.
Niu You Dao marveled inwardly at such ancient beauty. Evidently, the inn manager was a refined person. And here, one immediately understood that their money was well spent.
When they went upstairs, they were led to a simple, economical room.
A staff member entered, lit the lights, and explained where to get tea leaves to brew tea. It turned out that tea could be brewed right in the room. As for water, it was delivered directly to the room through a copper pipe. Meltwater continuously flowed down from the mountain.
Niu You Dao was delighted. This inn could be said to be a prototype of modern hotels.
"If you have any questions, you can call us," the staff member said before leaving.
Niu You Dao opened the windows and looked at the night sky. He was overjoyed.
"Brew the tea!"
Yuan Fang immediately lit the stoves and began brewing tea. As soon as he placed the teapot on the stove, he approached Niu You Dao and clucked, saying:
"Lord Dao, 10 gold for one day. This is even worse than robbery in broad daylight! How many days could I live on this money on the Southern Mountain!" He began to count on his fingers, exclaiming:
"One gold coin... that's 100 silver coins. One silver coin... that's 100 copper coins. So, that makes one hundred thousand copper coins for a single day. That's enough for a common person to live for several years. In a single day, we're spending what amounts to people's fortunes."
"There's no need to calculate it like that. Here, guests of the inn are granted security throughout the entire city. Is life measured in money?" Niu You Dao said with a smile, adding, "Besides, you'll still have enough to live here for a whole year. Isn't that right?"
Yuan Fang smiled and looked at the gold banknote he held in his hands. Before departing, Niu You Dao had demanded 10,000 gold coins from Hai Ru Yue for his expenses. And so that it wouldn't be difficult for him to carry money during his travels, the sum was given to him in banknotes, accepted in all seven kingdoms. These banknotes could be exchanged at any shop.
Yuan Fang, accustomed to counting every penny, had seen many inn signs along the way:
"Lord Dao, I just saw many other inns. And they must be much cheaper than this one..."
"There's no need to be stingy," Niu You Dao said cheerfully. He turned and added with a smile:
"Bear, listen carefully. Following me, you will never lack for money. If conditions allow, you can eat the best, acquire the best, live in the best. As long as I am here, there's no need to worry about money. Later, you will understand that money is merely a number. The true essence of a person is not measured by money."
"Hehe!" Yuan Fang was delighted. After Niu You Dao's words, he immediately felt pleased in his heart. However, at the same time, he murmured to himself, "It would be better to save this money for building the temple."
Meanwhile, outside, seeing that a light had been lit in the room, several people stared at it.
A dark-skinned girl bit her lip, then turned to call out to several people, before disappearing into a dark alley.
"I'll go in there to find him."
One person replied, "Mistress, they don't let people in there unless they are guests of the inn. Or unless one of the guests invites them in."
The girl: "Then I'll rent a room for a day."
Someone replied: "A minimum of one day will cost 10 gold. Is it worth it? Wouldn't it be better for us to wait for him here? And when he comes out, we can grab him right away."
The girl shook her head: "No, that won't do. Didn't you notice? We weren't the only ones following him. I fear that when he comes out, we won't get a chance."
One person replied: "And will he agree? Only wealthy people live there. We'll have to rely on luck."
The girl: "I have a premonition that this person can help us. I'm counting on him!"
"A premonition?! And what good is that to us?" Several people were at a loss for words. However, the girl had already made up her mind, so they could say nothing against it.
She stepped out of the dark alley and immediately began to ascend the stairs to the Yaoyue Inn. Only, a staff member stopped her.
"Black Peony, what are you trying to do? Go away, go away!" he said, waving his hand to dismiss her.
The staff member knew the well-known figures well. And she was no exception.
The girl, named Black Peony, bit her lip and said:
"What? I'm not even allowed to rent a room?"
The staff member hesitated for a moment, then pointed to the counter.
Black Peony walked up to the counter and placed 10 gold coins on it.
"Manager, a room for one day!"
The counter manager raised his head, and as soon as he saw her, he immediately squinted his eyes with a smile. He returned her money.
Black Peony said in surprise:
"What does this mean?"
The manager calmly said:
"Black Peony, this is not a place where you can just come. You understand, don't you?"
Seeing such an attitude, Black Peony immediately became angry. They had decided to humiliate her like this:
"Didn't I give you money?"
The manager rapped on the counter and said directly:
"You are not welcome here."
Another staff member also came over and said, waving his hand:
"Go away, go away."
Black Peony raged:
"I won't leave! I gave you money! And I have no less money than you. By what right do you drive me away!? If you drive me away, I will later find the ruler of Zhaixing City and demand justice from him!"
Seeing the situation, the counter manager's expression changed and he said:
"You may stay. However, I warn you. Do not disturb the guests of Yaoyue Inn! Otherwise, don't blame me later!"
Black Peony craned her neck and said:
"I know, no need to remind me."
The manager took the money and tossed over a room token.
Then he waved his hand, and a staff member set off to escort Black Peony.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, Black Peony immediately began to look around, searching for the room that had just lit up.
When she located the room, she immediately memorized its number.
The staff member led her to her room. Black Peony sat in the room for a short while, then came out. She headed directly for that room. However, a staff member immediately followed her.
Black Peony turned and asked: "Why are you following me?"
Staff member: "I'm not following. This is an inn, I go where I please."
Black Peony understood that he was clearly following her, and realized that she wouldn't be able to reach the room so easily. After thinking for a moment, she nonetheless turned and continued walking.
When she reached that room, the staff member immediately stood in front of her and whispered:
"Black Peony, I'm telling you, don't make a fuss. Otherwise, you won't get away with it."
Black Peony replied:
"I know the person who lives there. He called for me."
The staff member sneered, saying:
"Don't make a scene. Everyone knows each other here. And I know who you really are and what you do."
Black Peony: "He really did call for me. He has something to discuss with me. If you don't believe me, ask him yourself."
The staff member said unhappily:
"Don't talk nonsense. Otherwise, I'll call for help and have you thrown out!"
Just then, the door opened, and Yuan Fang asked:
"What are you doing here?"
Niu You Dao had noticed someone whispering outside their door, so he told Yuan Fang to check.
The staff member replied: "Nothing, nothing."
He noticed that Yuan Fang didn't recognize Black Peony.
Black Peony seized the opportunity and shouted:
"Brother, it's me. We've met."
The staff member grew angry. Many guests cultivate here. He immediately called out to two more staff members. Immediately, two men came over and grabbed Black Peony's arms.
Yuan Fang didn't understand what was happening.
Niu You Dao also appeared. He looked at Yuan Fang:
"What's going on?" He glanced at the struggling Black Peony.
Yuan Fang shook his head. He didn't understand what was happening at all.
The staff member shook his head:
"Nothing. We apologize for disturbing our esteemed guest."
Black Peony turned her head and shouted to Niu You Dao: "Brother, it's me. We've met before."
The staff immediately covered her mouth to stop her from shouting.
Niu You Dao froze. He had indeed seen her. When they were ascending the stairs, many people had been watching them, and she was among them. The girl was dark-skinned, so Niu You Dao easily remembered her. Seeing the situation, he pointed at her and said:
"Is this not a matter? She said she had business with me, didn't she?"
Staff member: "All sorts of people walk around the city. There's no need to pay attention to her, sir."
Niu You Dao wanted to clarify the situation. In such a tumultuous world, when people like this remind you of the world you live in, and to understand the situation in all spheres, one must interact with people from all walks of life. How would a person of high morals know what goes on in a brothel? Therefore, pointing at Black Peony, he said:
"If it's convenient, could you release her?"
"Uhm...." The staff member was surprised, but in the end, he waved to his people to release Black Peony.
Black Peony immediately began to straighten her clothes. And as soon as she tidied herself, she immediately raised her head proudly and walked forward.