Discount

They quietly enjoyed their egg noodles in the relatively modest inn they had decided to visit next.

Xuan felt for his money pouch and took out a few coins. Some might label him as stingy, which was indeed true, but he preferred to view himself as frugal. Stingy and frugal may seem similar, but there is a distinction, though it can be easily misunderstood.

"We need to keep a low profile and avoid drawing unnecessary attention," Tian Wei calmly advised.

"This is Shengbing, no matter what we do, we'll naturally be lying low. Trouble is not an uncommon occurrence here," he defended.

"Tian Wei..." Tian Wei called sternly.

"Okay, okay," Xuan Yi quickly conceded. Of course, he understood the importance of keeping a low profile. The confrontation with the three individuals earlier had been completely unavoidable.

"Tian Wei," Xuan Yi called, his tone now more serious. However, Tian Wei didn't respond immediately; he simply looked back at Xuan Yi.

"Tell me about yourself. Where do you come from? I genuinely want to know your story," Xuan Yi asked, a sincere curiosity evident in his voice.

"There isn't much to know. I was born in a distant realm on Mount Fuyi, and certain gods conspired to kill my parent. And here I am," Tian Wei replied, his words carrying a weight of sorrow and loss.

"Whoa, that's very sad," Xuan Yi thought, believing that he understood Tian Wei's situation. He interpreted the reference to gods as powerful individuals and the distant realm as a faraway kingdom.

Xuan Yi couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Tian Wei. It seemed he had been orphaned at birth and never had the chance to experience the care and love of a family.

"Where did you grow up?" Xuan Yi inquired.

"My existence and circumstances are unique. I skipped childhood. You probably wouldn't understand right now," Tian Wei replied.

"I understand. You had a difficult upbringing and never had the chance to experience childhood like a typical person. Don't worry, now you have me. I'll be family," Xuan Yi offered.

After finishing their meal and Xuan Yi learning a few more things about Tian Wei, Xuan Yi took the initiative to secure a room for the night. The cashier, a middle-aged woman, greeted them at the counter.

"One room, please. Two beds, for the both of us," Xuan Yi requested.

"Are you two friends or family?" the cashier inquired with a blank expression.

"Does being either get us a discount?" Xuan Yi couldn't contain their excitement as he swiftly jumped in.

"There's a discount. If you are friends—" the cashier began to explain.

"We are friends," Xuan Yi quickly interjected, thinking he was completing the sentence in the woman's mind, assuming that friends would receive a discount.

"Don't get a dis—" the woman began to respond, reaching for the room key on one of the shelves, but Xuan Yi interrupted her almost immediately.

"-who are family. Friends that are family." Xuan Yi declared, breaking into a broad, ear-to-ear smile.

The woman's shoulders dropped, and she scrunched her face as she looked at Xuan Yi with doubt. She then glanced at Tian Wei, who stood quietly not far behind.

Clearly, they didn't appear to be family. Other than both being slender and of similar height, with strikingly handsome features, they looked nothing alike. Their mannerisms and facial features were different—different eye colors, hair, and noses. Could they truly be family?

Xuan Yi nodded to confirm the unspoken question and his previous statement. The woman scrunched her face even more, and Xuan Yi nodded again frantically.

"Alright, you'll receive this month's family discount of 20%. That will make your bill 8 coins. Payment is required upfront for non-regulars," she explained, placing the key on the counter.

Xuan Yi paid the amount and collected the key. The woman then led them to their room before returning to her station.

They both spent a few hours meditating and practicing, fully realizing the significance of becoming stronger.

Xuan Yi dedicated his time to learning and attempting to grasp the fourth phase of the Rattan Light Vines Skill, striving to gain mastery and resolve in the technique.

He was aware that trouble lurked around every corner, and simply waiting was not an option.

By becoming even stronger, they could both significantly improve their chances of survival. However, they understood that breakthroughs don't happen overnight; it is a gradual process. Satisfied with the effort and work they had put in, they finally settled down to sleep.

Their peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by a commotion originating from the ground floor of the inn. It was a voice they recognized. Both of them swiftly rose to their feet, ready to confront the new trouble that had sought them out.

A loud yell pierced the air, accompanied by the sounds of furniture breaking and screams echoing through the morning.

"Those two gentlemen who stayed here last night! They wounded my patrons, and you must hand them over!" The voice of an angry individual demanded.

"I can't even put anything in my mouth anymore. If it weren't for his ambush and sneaky punch, would I have been beaten so badly?" The voice of the short storyteller, which both Tian Wei and Xuan Yi recognized, rang out in the midst of the chaos.

It was evident that someone had not received a satisfactory beating previously and had now come seeking more.

But it was clear that if he had returned, he hadn't come alone and was likely accompanied by someone even more powerful.

These mercenaries had a tendency to act in such a manner.

If one of them was defeated, they would regroup and bring back someone stronger each time, persisting until they found no one who could overpower them. They possessed a stubborn determination in that regard.

As Tian Wei and Xuan Yi walked out of their room and into the general area, their suspicions were confirmed.

A rogue gang consisting of a dozen individuals armed with swords and spears stood at the entrance.

Among them, the leader stood out—an imposing, burly man who appeared to have experienced countless battles, possessing a mastery of inflicting pain and causing trouble.

**

[

Hi Reader,

My fingers hurt from all the typing today, but I'm fine..

I wanted to get upto this part before taking a rest.

Let me hear you thoughts.

REC - You must watch/listen to:

Marcin - Bach's Toccata on One Guitar

MUST

]