As Xiao Wen led the way, Yu Liang followed at a relaxed pace. He glanced at the boy’s back before breaking the silence.
"You seem young. How long have you been working here?"
Xiao Wen glanced over his shoulder, a little surprised at being addressed, then answered honestly. "Almost three years, sir. I started when I was twelve."
Yu Liang nodded. "That’s quite early."
"My family is from a small village outside Jade City," Xiao Wen said, as if simply stating a fact. "After a bad harvest, I came here to help lighten their burden. The inn pays fairly, and the work is steady. It’s better than staying idle."
Yu Liang’s lips curved slightly. "You don’t sound like you resent it."
Xiao Wen shook his head. "Why would I? Work is work. If you do it well, food is on the table. The shopkeeper and other attendants treat me decently, so I have no complaints. And..." He hesitated, then added, "I get to meet all kinds of cultivators. Although some are arrogant, but others have shared a word or two of advice. For someone like me, even that is useful."
Yu Liang regarded him quietly for a moment. The boy’s manner was plain and straightforward—nothing forced, no hidden sharpness. Just an honest youth who had not seen the world.
"You seem like a good person," Yu Liang said mildly. "I imagine the inn values you."
Xiao Wen gave a small, almost awkward smile. "I try my best. Though in a place like this, I’m only a junior attendant. Guests come and go every day. Most won’t remember me once they leave as there are plenty of people who can do what I do."
They continued a few more steps in silence before Yu Liang steered the conversation.
"You mentioned meeting all kinds of cultivators," Yu Liang began, his eyes narrowing slightly in interest. "Surely you must’ve overheard some interesting things. Like stories about places, opportunities or secret realms perhaps?"
Xiao Wen blinked, then chuckled softly. "Guests love bragging about opportunities, but most of it is already old news by the time it reaches my ears. I’ve heard about the Mystic Flame Cave, though that was explored many years ago. Another time it was the remains of a fallen sect to the east, but by the time I knew of it, even the spirit herbs had been stripped clean and anything of value had long been taken."
Yu Liang tilted his head, feigning mild disappointment but listening carefully. "I see. Then what about lately?"
"Lately..." Xiao Wen frowned, thinking for a moment. "There have been a few rumors going around, but nothing anyone can confirm. Cultivators have a habit of making their stories sound bigger than they really are, and by the time a story reaches the city, it’s hard to tell how much of it is true."
"That’s true," Yu Liang said with a faint smile. "Still, every rumor starts somewhere. Sometimes the most ordinary story leads to something worth finding."
Xiao Wen nodded slowly as he searched his memory. "Well... there was something I heard just yesterday. Two merchants were talking over tea. They mentioned that, outside the city near the southern ridge, a group of hunters discovered an unusual place. Part of the hillside had collapsed, revealing what looked like an ancient cave dwelling."
Yu Liang’s expression remained calm, but his interest was clearly piqued. "And?"
"And..." Xiao Wen continued, "people had already gone inside. Nothing major at first—just a few wandering cultivators and disciples from small clans who happened to be nearby. They didn’t find much immediately, but they did discover several stone chambers and traces of formations carved into the walls. After that, word spread quickly, and more groups went to take a look. That’s all I know. I only overheard the beginning of the story."
Yu Liang hid his interest behind and said. "Close to the city, you say?"
"Yes, sir. If you travel on horseback, it’s only about half a day’s journey. That’s why the news spread so quickly. It’s not often something like this appears so close to Jade City."
Xiao Wen scratched his cheek with an embarrassed smile. "Of course, I can’t say whether there’s really anything valuable inside. Sometimes these places look promising, but after everyone rushes in, they turn out to be empty."
Yu Liang gave a faint chuckle. "Empty or not, cultivators will never resist the chance to search. Who knows what one might find?"
"That’s true," Xiao Wen admitted with a small laugh of his own. "Everyone hopes for treasures, because even a single good thing can change a person’s luck."
The conversation drifted after that, but Yu Liang had already heard what he wanted. He asked a few more simple questions to keep the talk light, while in his mind he was already considering the details Xiao Wen had provided.
Before long, the two reached the top of the stairs and stopped before a polished wooden door inlaid with faint silver patterns. Xiao Wen stepped aside respectfully and gestured with both hands.
"This is your chamber, sir. Everything should be prepared inside. If you need anything just ring the bell by the desk and an attendant will come right away."
Yu Liang inclined his head in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Xiao Wen."
The boy bowed politely. "It’s my duty."
With that, Xiao Wen turned to leave, and Yu Liang placed his hand on the door, already planning his next move with the new information in mind.
Just as Xiao Wen was about to step away, Yu Liang’s voice stopped him.
"Wait."
The boy turned back, uncertain, then Yu Liang drew out a pouch, placing it quietly into his hands.
"There are one thousand low grade spiritual stones here. Take it."
Xiao Wen’s eyes widened, and the pouch nearly slipped from his trembling hands. He hurriedly pushed it back, shaking his head.
"S-Sir, I... I can’t accept this. It’s far too much."
His monthly wage was only seventy or eighty spirit stones. Even with the occasional bonus, it rarely exceeded a hundred. The amount in this single pouch was worth months of honest work. How could he possibly accept it?
Yu Liang said leaving no room for refusal. "I am not asking. Take it."
Xiao Wen’s breath caught. He had seen cultivators tip attendants before, but never with such generosity. Most would toss over a few spirit stones, enough for a decent meal or two, nothing more. But a thousand spirit stones... that wasn’t a tip. To someone like him, it was a small fortune.
Still, his honest nature refused to let him accept so easily, If it were someone else, they might have taken it
"Keep it," Yu Liang said once more with a firm yet calm tone. "It’s not a burden to me, and I can see it will be useful to you."
The finality in his voice left Xiao Wen no choice. His hands clutched the pouch tightly, and in that moment the weight of it was almost overwhelming.
His eyes blurred as emotions swelled.
For years, Xiao Wen had quietly carried the weight of his family. His father’s accident had left the man unable to work, while his mother took on whatever odd jobs she could find, wearing herself down just to keep the household going. Xiao Wen had accepted this job hoping to lighten their burden, but no matter how carefully he saved, his wages were never enough.
Now, the thousand spirit stones in his hands felt almost unreal. The burden he had carried for so long suddenly seemed a little lighter.
His voice shook as he bowed deeply, tears welling in his eyes before spilling over.
"Thank you, sir. Truly... Thank you. You have no idea what this means to my family."
Yu Liang’s eyes softened. For a fleeting moment, memories stirred within him. He smiled gently, not the faint, polite smile he usually wore, but one from the heart.
"Be strong, it’s the only thing I can say," he said. "Take care of your family. That is worth more than anything."
With that, he turned and pushed open the chamber door.
Xiao Wen remained outside, bowing deeply once more, before stepping away with the pouch held tightly against his chest.