Hou San didn't waste words. He led the group past the bigger shops and inns, zigzagging through alleys until they reached an old two-story building. A plaque over the door read "Traveler's Lodge," clear and straightforward.
The building was built of black stone, with only a few pillars, each made from thousand-year-old ironwood. The rough, sturdy style gave it a kind of bold charm that felt oddly welcoming.
"Boss Mao, this is the place. Don't mind the worn look, it's got everything inside and the prices are fair. You can pay with immortal stones, or even with artifacts and armor we've picked up, as long as the boss lady likes what she sees."
"Oh? Hou San, are you bringing me customers, or are you just mocking my place for being poor?" A playful, exaggerated voice rang out. A beautiful woman in violet robes swayed out from the open doors, holding a purple fan in her hand.
"I wouldn't dare. I don't have that kind of courage. I'm just grateful Madam Mao's always looked out for me, so I brought my companions straight here."
Hou San grinned as he explained.
Madam Mao had spent the morning bored out of her mind, counting her belongings since no customers had shown up. When she saw Hou San leading a group over, she panicked, thinking someone had found out about the time she'd overcharged and was here to settle accounts.
But once she listened in and realized that wasn't the case, her guard dropped. She stepped out to welcome them, sweeping her gaze over the group. Her eyes flickered when she noticed the Bai sisters, but she smiled brightly after hearing Hou San's words.
"At least you've still got a conscience. Since that's the case, what are you waiting for? Invite your companions inside." She turned and led the way into the hall.
When Jian Mao nodded, Hou San motioned for the others to follow.
Inside, the space was larger than it seemed from outside. It wasn't shabby at all, decorated like a proper inn from the mortal world. A few tables and chairs stood in the front hall for guests to rest. Opposite the entrance was a counter, with stairs climbing up to the second floor beside it. Another door on the side probably led to the back courtyard.
"Madam Mao, this is Boss Jian Mao, the leader of the new squad I joined."
Jian Mao cupped his hands politely. The woman immediately knew he wasn't someone she could toy with. With the female cultivators at his side, all of them stunning in their own right, she understood he had real strength.
Her flirtatious demeanor vanished as she greeted him with unusual courtesy. "I've met Boss Jian Mao! Since Hou San brought you, whether you're asking around for news or looking for rooms, I'll give you a discount."
"Thanks. We've got a lot of people, and it's not easy to make it into the inner region. We plan to trade off what we've gathered, take a look around, and stay for a while. What do you think?"
"That's easy. I've got guest rooms and courtyards. With this many of you, renting a courtyard's cheaper and keeps you all together. I'll give you a deal, and I accept immortal stones, artifacts, formation plates, whatever you've picked up."
Jian Dan stepped forward, already guessing she accepted goods. He laid a few things on the counter: a storage ring with unlimited space, four sets of brown armor, a spherical artifact taken from Fu Hu, and three low-grade immortal stones.
Madam Mao's eyes lit up. She knew she'd run into a generous guest and wasted no time examining the items. A soft, clear voice spoke up beside her.
"Madam Mao, this is all we've got from scavenging the outer region. We wanted to use immortal stones, but just crossing bridges and passing gates drained our savings. We can only use these for rent."
Hou San glanced at Fairy Lu, looking like he wanted to say more but swallowed it down. He knew those items were more than enough to keep the group here for a long while.
Madam Mao noticed too. Afraid he might remind them and make them reconsider, she quickly swept everything away and led the group through the side door, swaying her hips with every step.
"You've worked hard scavenging the outer region. Since Hou San vouched for you and you're straightforward, I'll give you the largest courtyard. Safety's guaranteed. With what you've offered, you can stay twenty days. I'll round it up for you, make it a full month. How about that?"
"That's perfect. Thanks." Jian Mao spoke calmly.
Hou San's expression eased only then. If his recommendation had ended up costing them, he'd have looked useless.
Madam Mao, now satisfied with her gain, led them to a courtyard called "Valley Rain Lodge." She slipped a jade key into a slot by the door, and the gate opened on its own.
Inside, the courtyard was built in a square layout. A pavilion stood at the center with a stone table, stools, and even a set of chess pieces. A lush osmanthus tree shaded it, adding a touch of elegance. Around the courtyard were about a dozen rooms, large and small, more than enough for everyone.
Jian Mao nodded, satisfied. Madam Mao handed over the jade key, and Hou San quickly accepted it.
"Well then, I won't disturb you any further. If—"
Before she could finish, a booming rumble shook the air. Everyone turned toward the sound.
In the distance, a hundred-meter-long black-whip electric eel lashed its massive tail, clashing with several immortals. Even from afar, the destructive force of its attacks was terrifying.
"What's that?" Jian Dan pretended to be shocked.
"That damned black-whip electric eel. Daring to break into the inner region, it's finished. These immortals aren't patient sorts. Just watch, it'll probably end up as crafting material."
Madam Mao had never seen one that big, but she didn't falter. She reassured the group of their safety before hurrying off to arrange for news.
Jian Mao and Jian Dan exchanged a look. Everyone understood what it meant, though no one said anything aloud.
Leaving Hou San at the entrance to watch the fight, Jian Mao activated the courtyard's protective barrier with the jade key and led the group into the largest room.
Jian Dan set down his "Heaven and Earth Defensive Array," powered it with immortal stones, and only then turned to the Bai sisters.
"Why's that thing still chasing us?"
The sisters exchanged glances before Bai Shuang answered. "We concealed our aura, but the black-whip electric eel's too sensitive. It must've followed a faint trace. But now that we're here, I've already erased it completely. Even if it barges in, it won't find us."
Bai Xia nodded firmly in agreement.
"Good. Let's keep things quiet. We'll use the time to sort our loot and rest for a few days."
Hou San slipped back inside, grinning as he cupped his hands. "Boss Mao, that eel got sliced in half by an immortal. One half was taken away, the other half ran off. Judging by its size, it's the same as the one we ran into. Next time we face one, we'll have a real chance."
Everyone breathed easier. Whoever that immortal was, they'd done the group a huge favor.
"Alright, since we're all here, let's see if our haul was worth the risk."