Nan Shiying’s lips twitched, deciding to ignore Xiaoman’s outburst, which was embarrassing enough to make one’s toes curl.
Xiaoman was at an age where she was childish, arrogant, and opinionated. Compared to Nan Shiying’s own childhood of constant anxiety, tempered by experience into a mature and steady disposition, Nan Shiying felt Xiaoman’s current state was fine and didn’t wish to impose too many restrictions on her.
Her expression remained unchanged; outwardly, at least, no one could guess what she was thinking.
The innkeeper and the waiter stood on either side of the cook. In truth, they had little to defend regarding the inn’s affairs, except perhaps the food… The cook’s attempted explanation had sputtered to a halt after Xiaoman’s more disgusting remark.
Such matters only became murkier the more they were explained.
The waiter tore off a sleeve, bent down, and carefully bandaged the cook’s wound. The innkeeper pulled a small porcelain bottle from his clothes, poured out a pill, and placed it in the cook’s mouth.
Seeing that the bleeding had stopped, the innkeeper and the waiter breathed a slight sigh of relief.
“Are you Feng Luan? The living Bodhisattva that the people of Yuzhou speak of, Feng Luan?”
The waiter’s question was clearly filled with doubt and astonishment. This person, who could summon clouds and command rain with a flip of their hand, who toyed with people as if they were in the palm of their hand, was nicknamed the Living Bodhisattva?
What was this, did Bodhisattvas now reside in the halls of the King of Hell? Was it Ksitigarbha?
Nan Shiying pursed her lips and nodded implicitly.
Xiaoman tilted her head back, her face beaming with pride, “Yes, that’s right!”
The innkeeper and the two others: “……”
The people of Yuzhou were truly… to spread such rumors! If everyone believed this person was a Living Bodhisattva, then hell itself would surely be overcrowded! Ksitigarbha himself would have to pack his bags and flee.
While they thought this, the innkeeper and the other two were not so foolish as to voice it. However, considering the other party’s conduct, the innkeeper felt that they themselves had been overly jumpy. It was all the fault of those two scoundrels from the Ghost Sha Sect, who not only burned down their inn but also chased them for half the night, making them see villains in everyone!
One thing, however, was certain: the other party had indeed harbored murderous intent towards them at a certain moment.
Nan Shiying gestured for them to sit down and talk.
“Young Master, we are fine standing!”
“My neck hurts!”
Nan Shiying’s eyes were half-lowered, her expression weary.
She leaned against the front of the counter. The cook and the other two stood closer to her, forcing her to look up when she spoke.
“Oh, yes, yes!”
Seeing a faint blush beneath her eyes, the waiter, supporting the cook, and the innkeeper all sat down obediently on the ground.
The floor tiles were slightly cool. Even with the fire blazing behind them, the cook and the other two couldn’t help but shiver.
Nan Shiying rested her elbow on her knee, her hand propping up her chin, and watched them from the side.
“Chi Sha is dead, Mei Sha has escaped.”
“Really?”
Upon hearing this news, the cook and the other two widened their eyes instantly.
Xiaoman tutted, “Who told them to be blind and poke their noses into my brother’s business.”
There was no way to respond to that; they too had been blind!
“So, if you wish to go back, you may.”
The cook and the other two fell silent.
Was this a suggestion? They didn’t think so. They felt the underlying meaning was: you’d best comply with our arrangements!
What did “may” mean?
It meant “may not”!
The innkeeper spoke, “Young Master, it is our honor that you take an interest in us, but we do not understand why?”
In terms of martial arts, the three of them combined were no match for even one of this person’s subordinates. As for character… what character could three innkeepers possibly have?
It wasn’t that they were being self-deprecating; it was simply that compared to the hidden guards beside her, they were utterly unqualified!
Nan Shiying mused for a moment, Why?
“Waste utilization!”
The cook and the other two: “……”
There was no need to be so honest.