That evening, after ensuring all my guests were fed and comfortable, I found myself reviewing my finances again. The four silver from Zhao Chen brought my total to thirteen silver enough to pay Administrator Chen Wei and have seven silver left over. Not bad for two weeks of work, but not nearly enough for long-term security.
"You're doing that thing again," Yuki observed, sitting across from me in human form. She'd taken to wearing simpler robes during work hours, her white hair tied back in a practical ponytail. "The thing where you stare at coins and look stressed."
"I'm not stressed. I'm... financially concerned."
"That's literally the same thing." She reached across and pushed the coins around on the counter. "You're doing well, Kazuki. The inn is recovering, you have guests, you're building reputation"
"And I'm making enemies of a powerful sect while going broke," I finished. "The system said I need to strengthen defenses. That costs points or money, and I'm short on both."
[Current System Points: 450]
[Spiritual Sense Awakening: 700 points required]
[Note: Host is correct. Defensive improvements are recommended.]
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, system," I muttered.
Lin Mei descended the stairs, dressed for travel in practical dark clothing. "Innkeeper Kazuki, I'm heading into town for the evening. There's a night market that operates once a week mostly cultivation supplies and information trading. Want to come? Might be useful for you to know what's available in the area."
I glanced at Yuki. "Can you handle things here?"
"I'm a spiritual beast. I can handle three sleeping cultivators." She shooed me with her hands. "Go. Learn something useful. Maybe find some deals."
Twenty minutes later, Lin Mei and I were walking down a darkened forest path toward the village. She moved with the quiet confidence of someone comfortable in darkness, while I stumbled occasionally over roots I couldn't see.
"You really aren't a cultivator, are you?" she observed, steadying me when I nearly tripped. "No night vision, no spiritual sense, completely mortal foundation."
"Is it that obvious?"
"To anyone paying attention, yes. Which makes what you've built even more impressive." She glanced at me. "A mortal creating spiritual food, running an inn with protective formations, and earning the loyalty of a spiritual beast? That's remarkable, Kazuki. Most people would need decades of cultivation to achieve even one of those things."
"I have a good system," I said, then immediately regretted it.
"System?" Her interest sharpened. "Like an inheritance system? From an ancient master?"
[Silver Tongue (Passive) activating...]
[Deflection options available]
"Something like that," I said vaguely. "I'm still figuring it out myself. What about you? Bronze-rank adventurer seems like an odd position for someone as skilled as you clearly are."
She accepted the subject change gracefully. "I prefer fieldwork to politics. Could've been Silver-rank years ago, but that comes with administrative duties. I like being on the road, taking missions, making a difference." She paused. "Speaking of which, thank you for helping Zhao Chen today. I meant what I said about the healing pill you don't actually owe me the twenty gold."
"A debt is a debt."
"Spoken like someone who takes honor seriously. Rare quality these days." She smiled slightly. "We're here."
The night market was hidden in a clearing deep in the forest, illuminated by floating spiritual lanterns that cast everything in soft blue light. Dozens of stalls were set up in a rough circle, merchants hawking everything from weapons to pills to mysterious artifacts wrapped in cloth.
[Location Discovered: Hidden Night Market]
[Status: Neutral Ground - Violence prohibited]
[Notable Vendors: 15]
[Danger Level: Low (Market rules enforced by local sect alliance)]
"Stay close and don't draw attention," Lin Mei advised. "Most people here are legitimate, but there's always a few shady dealers. And whatever you do, don't make eye contact with the woman in the red tent she sells curses and gets offended easily."
We browsed the stalls, and I was amazed by the variety. Weapons that hummed with power. Pills in jade bottles that supposedly could break through cultivation bottlenecks. Talismans with defensive formations. Spiritual herbs I recognized from my cooking but had never seen fresh.
At one stall, a merchant was selling formation flags. "Basic protective arrays," he advertised. "Keep out wild beasts and low-level cultivators. Only five gold for a complete set!"
Five gold. I had thirteen silver, which meant I was about seven silver short since ten silver equaled one gold. Still, formations were exactly what I needed.
"Too expensive for you?" the merchant asked, noticing my interest.
"For now," I admitted. "But I might be back."
Lin Mei pulled me away. "Don't buy from him. He's overcharging. I know a better dealer ah, there he is."
She led me to a stall run by an elderly man with a long white beard and shrewd eyes. His display was more modest but somehow felt more authentic.
"Old Feng," Lin Mei greeted him. "This is Innkeeper Kazuki. He's looking for defensive formations for his establishment."
Old Feng studied me through narrowed eyes. "Innkeeper, eh? Don't see many of those at night markets. What kind of troubles are you expecting?"
"The kind that wear red robes with golden phoenixes," I said honestly.
His eyebrows rose. "Phoenix Sect? Bold of you to say that openly, young man. Or foolish." He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "An innkeeper making enemies of a major sect... you must be doing something right. Or very wrong. Haven't decided which."
"Can you help or not?" Lin Mei asked.
"Can help. Question is what he can afford." Old Feng pulled out a small wooden box. "I have a formation array specifically designed for inns and businesses. Creates a barrier that prevents hostile entry while allowing customers through. Also masks internal spiritual signatures. Nine gold normally, but..." He looked at me appraisingly. "You got silver?"
"Thirteen silver pieces."
"Not enough." He started to close the box.
"Wait," I said quickly. "What if I offered something else in trade? I'm a spiritual chef. I could prepare meals, provide ongoing food service"
"I don't need food."
"Everyone needs food. And my cooking has proven spiritual effects. Healing, energy restoration, even cultivation assistance." I was making this up as I went, but desperation bred creativity. "One meal per week for three months. Delivered to wherever you are. That's twelve superior quality spiritual meals. Those sell for five to ten gold each in major cities."
[Negotiation Skill activating...]
[Trading proposal made]
[Success chance: 40%]
Old Feng's expression shifted from dismissive to intrigued. "You can really cook spiritual food? At your age and cultivation level?"
"I can demonstrate right now if you have ingredients."
He studied me for a long moment, then pulled out a small bag of basic materials rice, some dried meat, a spiritual herb. "Make something. Prove it."
I looked at the ingredients. "Here? In the middle of a market?"
"Problem? Thought you were confident in your skills."
Lin Mei touched my arm. "Kazuki, you don't have to"
"No, it's fine. I need those formations." I took the ingredients and looked around. "Is there a fire source I can use?"
Old Feng gestured, and a small spiritual flame appeared floating above his palm. "Show me what you can do, young innkeeper."
A crowd was gathering now, drawn by the unusual spectacle. I pushed down my nervousness and focused. I had my Spiritual Cooking skills, my knowledge, and premium ingredient experience. I could do this.
Working quickly, I prepared the rice with precise energy manipulation, seasoned the meat with the spiritual herb in a pattern that would enhance absorption, and combined everything in a way that created synergy between ingredients.
[Spiritual Cooking (Advanced) - demonstration mode]
[Creating under pressure...]
Ten minutes later, I handed Old Feng a simple bowl of rice and meat. It didn't look particularly impressive, but it glowed faintly with spiritual energy.
He took one bite, and his eyes widened. He took another, chewing slowly, and I saw his spiritual aura fluctuate a sign that his body was actively absorbing the energy from the food.
"Remarkable," he said finally. "This is legitimate advanced-level spiritual cooking. And you're not even a cultivator?" He set down the bowl. "Twelve meals for three months, you said?"
"Yes. Delivered wherever you specify."
"Make it six months and include healing-focused dishes. I have old injuries that act up." He extended his hand. "Deal. Thirteen silver plus your cooking service for my formation array."
[Negotiation Success!]
[Trade Agreement reached]
[New Obligation: Deliver meals to Old Feng biweekly for 6 months]
I shook his hand, relief flooding through me. "Deal."
He handed me the wooden box. "Installation instructions are inside. It'll sync with your existing building formations automatically. And innkeeper? If you ever want to sell your cooking to a wider market, come find me. I know people who'd pay fortunes for food like that."
"I'll keep it in mind."
As Lin Mei and I left the market, box under my arm and silver pouch significantly lighter, she laughed quietly.
"That was either brilliant or insane. Maybe both."
"Story of my life lately," I admitted. "But I got what I needed. Now I just have to figure out how to deliver meals to a formation master twice a week for six months."
"You'll manage. You're resourceful like that." She paused at the forest edge. "Kazuki, you're building something special at that inn. I can tell. Just... be careful. The Phoenix Sect doesn't forget, and they don't forgive."
"I know. But I can't stop being who I am just because it's dangerous."
"No," she agreed softly. "I suppose you can't."
We walked back to the inn in comfortable silence, and I felt the weight of the formation box in my arms both literal and metaphorical.
I now had proper defenses.
I had allies.
I had skills and reputation growing daily.
But I also had obligations, debts, and powerful enemies.
The innkeeper's life was getting more complicated by the day. And somehow, I wouldn't have it any other way.
[End of Chapter 14]