"Kill! But not now!"
Yun Ze answered without hesitation.
There were still immortal cultivators in the He family. If he acted rashly now, he might only get himself killed. It would be best to find the old gentleman to discuss it first.
"That is enough."
Han Si calmly uttered five words and then turned to leave.
Yun Ze wanted to stop him but saw Bu Bu walking in the opposite direction.
He could only pick up the package Han Si had dropped on the ground and chase after Bu Bu.
He thought that no matter how much Han Si wanted revenge, he wouldn't do it now. He would need to prepare. He would ask the old gentleman, and then find him at the inn. It was close anyway.
Yun Ze caught up with Bu Bu and asked, "Bu Bu, why are you walking so fast?"
"Good words cannot persuade a damned ghost."
Bu Bu uttered a sentence calmly, without even raising her head, only watching the person walking silently ahead. "The differences among mortals are more than those between humans and animals. Since our paths diverge, why linger?"
Yun Ze fell into thought listening to Bu Bu's words and looked down at the package in his hand.
It was... night-walking clothes!
Two full sets of night-walking clothes, including masks and bamboo hats. Besides a set that fit him, he had even prepared a smaller set for Bu Bu.
This was likely prepared for their safe return to the inn from the lakeside. It was incredibly thoughtful.
Yun Ze glanced back at Han Si's retreating figure and could only say an apology in his heart.
Brother, now is really not the time. Wait a little longer!
The two put on their night-walking clothes and quickly took a small path to the back door of the inn. They pushed open the door and, under the cover of night, slipped back to their room.
As soon as they opened the door, they saw an old beggar asleep at a table laden with fish and meat, snoring thunderously.
Yun Ze glanced at Bu Bu and found that she had already taken off her night-walking clothes. He then walked to the old beggar's side and looked him up and down, showing no emotion.
"Get up, let's talk."
*Hoo~*
The old beggar continued to snore, ignoring Bu Bu.
"Bu Bu, Senior is sleeping. Perhaps..."
"I said, get up."
Bu Bu spoke again, but the old beggar remained motionless.
Yun Ze was about to step forward to pull Bu Bu away. Unexpectedly, before he could, Bu Bu kicked the stool he was sitting on!
*Bang!*
"Bu Bu!" Yun Ze exclaimed in surprise.
But the old beggar did not fall. He merely floated in mid-air, gradually opening his hazy eyes.
"Hmm?"
The old beggar turned to look at Bu Bu, appearing as if he had just woken up. "Oh, you're back? Good. When the time comes, go to the shopkeeper and settle the bill."
"Yes, Senior."
Yun Ze quickly replied and then moved to pull Bu Bu away.
Heaven knew what this little girl was going crazy about. Was this how one should treat the old gentleman!
But she ignored Yun Ze and continued to look at the old beggar. "Talk?"
"Hah~"
The old beggar yawned. Seeing there was no stool beneath him, he simply slumped to the ground, propping his head with one hand. "Talk? Talk about what? Who wants to chat with you, little girl?"
"Is that so?"
Bu Bu retorted and then her lips moved, as if she had said something.
Yun Ze was too far away to see clearly.
But the old beggar merely glanced sideways, and his pupils trembled as if he had discovered something horrifying. The carefree expression on his face instantly vanished.
"Follow me."
Bu Bu said no more and turned to walk out the door. The old beggar followed without a word.
Yun Ze hurried to follow.
However, both Bu Bu and the old beggar turned to look at him simultaneously, their meaning clear.
Yun Ze obediently stood still and pointed to the door. "I'll go settle the bill."
Only then did they turn their heads and close the door.
Yun Ze quickly pushed the door open but could no longer see their figures. They had vanished into thin air!
He couldn't help but frown, becoming even more curious about Bu Bu's mystery, especially about what she had said to the old gentleman that elicited such a reaction.
After hearing those words, the old gentleman seemed to have changed completely.
Forget it, don't think about these things. I should settle the bill first and ask about Han Si.
Just wait a little longer. At least don't let him do anything foolish.
Yun Ze took off his night-walking clothes but kept on his mask and bamboo hat, walking downstairs.
As soon as he reached the counter, he saw the shopkeeper busy and sweating, along with the crowds coming and going. Business was incredibly good.
It was strange. He had passed by the inn's entrance so many times but had never seen the shopkeeper personally manage the accounts. This was an exception.
Yun Ze squeezed through the crowd and approached the counter, placing a few pieces of silver on it. "Shopkeeper, please settle the bill. We might be staying for a while longer."
"Earth-grade, C-rank room, correct?"
The shopkeeper glanced at Yun Ze and then began to use his abacus. After a series of calculations, he stated a figure. "Six days of lodging, various wines and meats, totaling eight taels and six qian of silver. You previously paid three taels, so please pay an additional five taels and six qian.
If you wish to extend your stay, please pay an additional three taels of silver for consumption."
"...Alright."
Yun Ze replied, pushed the silver in front of him, and then took out a small piece of five-tael silver to give to the shopkeeper.
The cost of living in Weishan Prefecture is truly expensive!
He knew that his expenses in Hanshan Village for a year were only two taels of silver. Here, he had spent nearly nine taels for just six days!
If he hadn't brought a considerable amount of savings when he left the village, he would probably have been kicked out by now.
"Thank you for your patronage!"
The shopkeeper put the silver into the counter and then wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Guest, please take a seat upstairs. If you want wine or meat, the waiter will bring it shortly. I am truly too busy, please forgive me."
Seeing that the shopkeeper was too busy, Yun Ze did not ask further and could only sit down to the side.
The inn's business was good, but most people were here for lodging. Those who came for food and drinks were few, and there were still some seats available.
A waiter saw Yun Ze sitting at a table and approached him with a towel, pouring him a cup of clear tea. "What would you like to eat, guest? Will you eat here, or shall I send it to your room?"
"I want to ask about something."
Yun Ze had looked around since he came down but could not find any trace of Han Si.
Rather than searching slowly himself, it would be better to ask the waiter in front of him.
"Where is the waiter named Han Si in your inn? I need to find him for something."
"Han Si?"
The waiter was startled, and then his tone changed. "Guest, why are you asking about Han Si? If you need anything, you can find me."
"Personal matter."
"Personal matter..."
The waiter pondered for a few seconds, then seemed to remember something and leaned close to Yun Ze's ear. "Are you surnamed Yun, guest?"
"Hmm?"
Han Si, that big mouth! What was he saying to everyone!
Yun Ze frowned but did not deny it. "It's me. What did Han Si tell you?"
"Excellent!"
The waiter exclaimed and then pulled Yun Ze upstairs, into the room he was staying in, pushed open the door, and bowed!
"Immortal Yun! Please save Xiao Si!"