Peach Garden Inn

The scale of Zifu County City was ten times larger than Cold Mountain City. With its continuous, undulating pavilions and towers, even Ye Tong, who had lived on Earth for a century and seen countless skyscrapers, was still awestruck by the city before him. The wide streets bustled with traffic, and the buildings on both sides were packed closely together.

"Young Master," the Medicine Slave called out softly, his hunched body leaning on the Dragon Head Cane, the memories in his eyes fading.

Ye Tong turned his head and asked, "What is it?"

The Medicine Slave said, "The county city is vast. Besides the most prosperous central area, it's divided into four administrative regions: southeast, northwest. This old servant doesn't know where the upcoming auction will be held, so where do you think we should stay?"

Ye Tong asked, "Where did you usually stay when you came to the county city?"

Upon hearing Ye Tong's words, the Medicine Slave replied without hesitation, "The Peach Garden Inn!"

Ye Tong said, "Then let's stay at the Peach Garden Inn for now! If nothing unexpected happens, we won't be staying in the county city for long."

The Peach Garden Inn was located in the northeastern part of the South City. Unlike the prosperous area Ye Tong had imagined, the Peach Garden Inn resembled a vast peach orchard. Peach trees with vibrant flowers were everywhere, and exquisite rockeries and pavilions seemed scattered randomly.

However, upon closer inspection, one would find that the pavilions were arranged in a staggered and orderly fashion. A clear river flowed through the entire Peach Garden Inn, with five magnificent bridges serving as important transportation hubs.

"This place is nice."

Ye Tong was skilled at observing terrain. Shortly after stepping into the Peach Garden Inn, he realized it was a prime location, especially since a branch of a spiritual vein converged at this Peach Garden Inn.

The Medicine Slave nodded in agreement, "There are one hundred and nine pavilions here. Except for the main building, which is not for rent, all other pavilions are rented out. However, the daily rent is exorbitant, unaffordable for most people."

Ye Tong inquired, "How much?"

The Medicine Slave said, "The Ren-character Pavilion costs two hundred taels of Blue Silver per day; the Di-character Pavilion costs five hundred taels of Blue Silver per day; the Tian-character Pavilion costs one thousand taels of Blue Silver per day. This old servant hasn't been to the county city in over a decade, so I don't know if the prices have changed."

So expensive?

Ye Tong showed a surprised expression. One hundred taels of Blue Silver was enough for a family of five in Cold Mountain City to live for a year, and a thousand taels could sustain them for ten years. Yet, here, a thousand taels of Blue Silver could only afford a day's stay in the Tian-character Pavilion. The price was outrageously high!

The Medicine Slave gave a wry smile.

When he came here before, he was with his old master, Huo Lanqiu. What kind of person was his old master? He never cared about money and was never short of silver. As for whether something was expensive or not, it was irrelevant.

However, this Young Master... The Medicine Slave observed meticulously and understood things clearly. He knew what money meant to the Young Master; it could save a life!

Soon, the two arrived in front of an ancient-style pavilion. Without paying attention to the four burly men standing on either side of the entrance, they entered the pavilion.

"Welcome, honored guests. I am Duo Lan, a server at the inn. May I ask if you are here to rent a room or to dine?" Among the dozen or so beautiful girls in uniform in the hall, a tall girl stepped forward. Her smile was warm and inviting, giving a feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze.

"Rent a room!" the Medicine Slave said.

Duo Lan bowed slightly and said with a smile, "Then, please follow me to the counter to register, pay the rental fee, and collect your pavilion key."

The Medicine Slave said, "I'll go with you. Young Master, how long will we be staying here?"

Ye Tong thought for a moment and said, "Let's rent for half a month first."

"Alright!" the Medicine Slave nodded slightly, calculating the time. They would stay here for at most half a month.

Ye Tong stood in the hall, his gaze sweeping over the guests coming and going. His eyes finally landed on the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall. Although the paintings on both sides were good, they didn't quite catch Ye Tong's eye. However, the landscape painting directly in front was a decent work. It depicted green mountains, clear waters, and peach blossoms, with a child chasing away a small beast and an old man sitting by the river fishing. Several lifelike birds were perched on branches or in flight. Life was evident everywhere in this painting.

"The signature, Lan Tianyu?"

Ye Tong felt a hint of regret. The painting was good, but it lacked a certain momentum. The green mountains were high and majestic, the clear water flowed ceaselessly, and the peach blossoms bloomed beautifully, yet there was no trace of wind. The child, the old man, the birds... the atmosphere of rural life was present, but without the backdrop of humble cottages, it ultimately fell short.

Not far from Ye Tong, the closest server to him, a playful-looking girl, had been observing them since Ye Tong and the Medicine Slave entered. She found the combination of an old man and a young boy quite interesting. However, she initially thought they were grandfather and grandson, but she didn't expect the old man to refer to himself as a servant and the boy as the Young Master.

"Esteemed guest, do you understand painting?" Lan Xiaozhu quietly approached Ye Tong and asked with a smile.

Ye Tong glanced at her and said calmly, "A little."

Lan Xiaozhu's lips curled up, and a hint of pride appeared on her face. She pointed to the landscape painting on the wall and asked, "Then what do you think of this painting? Is it the best painting you've ever seen?"

"Uh..." Ye Tong showed a strange expression.

Who gave this girl such confidence to ask such an immodest question?

The best painting?

What a joke!

During the century Ye Tong lived in seclusion on Earth, he had people collect a vast number of calligraphy and paintings. Only the works of masters could catch his eye. While this landscape painting was good, it was only barely passable and far from the best.

Ye Tong couldn't be bothered to talk to the girl anymore and turned to walk outside.

"Hey, you haven't answered my question yet!"

Lan Xiaozhu was taken aback. When she realized what was happening, she quickly chased after him. However, just as she reached the doorway, she suddenly stopped. She saw a familiar figure approaching.

"Sister Xiaoshui, why are you here? Don't you need to take care of the Young Lady?" Lan Xiaozhu asked.

Lan Xiaoshui said, "A friend has come from afar. The Young Lady is entertaining a guest in the garden and has asked me to come call you back to prepare fruits, pastries, and the evening meal."

"I..."

Lan Xiaozhu hesitated, then shifted her gaze. She glared fiercely at Ye Tong's retreating back before saying, "Alright, let's hurry back!"

Lan Xiaoshui followed Lan Xiaozhu's gaze and asked curiously, "Do you know the young man who just left?"

"I don't know him at all!" Lan Xiaozhu pouted. "He's arrogant and presumptuous."

"You were offended? You brought this upon yourself," Lan Xiaoshui chuckled, "Don't forget your current identity. You were bored staying in the building and insisted on coming out to play. As an envoy, why would you care about someone giving you a cold shoulder?"

Lan Xiaozhu said, "No, it's not that. I saw him looking at the Young Lady's painting and wanted to hear him praise the Young Lady a few words, so I went over to ask him his thoughts. He admitted he knew a little about calligraphy and painting but refused to answer my question. Is the Young Lady's personal painting not worthy of his praise?"

"Oh?" Lan Xiaoshui showed a surprised expression. She looked at Ye Tong, who was now further away, again before taking Lan Xiaozhu's hand and leaving the pavilion, heading in another direction.

By the riverbank at the bridge.

Two slender young women walked together.

One of them, a stunning girl with a heroic aura, swept her gaze across the shimmering river surface and sighed, "If I recall correctly, it's been three years since we last met? And your demeanor has become even more gentle and serene."

The palace-clad girl, wearing a veil and with her hair in a bun, exuded an air of gentle elegance in her every movement. Her soft, melodious voice brought comfort and pleasure: "Sister is so carefree. Despite being a princess, you can cast aside those ties and wander alone through famous mountains and great rivers, lingering in the bustling streets and alleys, experiencing the mortal world. I truly envy you."

Mu Qianlan said, "If you envy it, why not go out for a walk? Your talent, your aptitude, are in no way inferior to mine. If you could let go of that obsession, your future achievements would be limitless. Perhaps, the future safety and security of our Sky Net Empire will depend on your protection."

Lan Tianyu shook her head. "It won't require me. With you here, the Sky Net Empire will naturally be peaceful and stable for the next hundred years. Hmm? Sister, why are you spacing out again?"

Mu Qianlan was indeed spacing out. In her mind, that detestable, handsome face reappeared. She also recalled the scene in the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range where she was trapped for a whole day before barely managing to break through the formation and escape in a sorry state.

Mu Qianlan gritted her teeth. "I'm thinking of a brat."

Lan Tianyu's bright eyes revealed a hint of surprise. She asked curiously, "Sister Qianlan, do you have someone you like? Someone who can make your heart flutter? Tianyu would love to know which young talent it is."

"Someone I like?"

Mu Qianlan said with a wry smile, "Sister Tianyu, you jest. That brat is only sixteen or seventeen. I'm several years older than him. How could it be... In short, that guy is very strange, someone I can't see through."

Lan Tianyu exclaimed in surprise, "A young man that even you can't see through? I'd love to meet him."

Mu Qianlan chuckled, unable to help herself. "With your personality, if you met him, you'd definitely be completely devoured, not even a bone scrap left. You know about the Spirit Foxes of the Savage Frontier, right? Infinitely wise and incredibly cunning. That guy gives me the feeling of being even more sinister than a Spirit Fox."

"Pfft..." Lan Tianyu covered her mouth and giggled. "Sister Qianlan must have been put in a difficult spot by him, otherwise you wouldn't say such things. Tianyu is even more curious about him now."

Mu Qianlan turned away awkwardly. "Let's not talk about him. I came to find you because I need your help with something."

"What is it?" Lan Tianyu asked.

Mu Qianlan said, "My Imperial Uncle has achieved a great feat, securing a quota for the Sky Net Empire to build a teleportation array. My father has asked me to represent him by hosting a banquet at the County King's mansion to bestow rewards. I want to ask you to paint a picture for me as a congratulatory gift for my Imperial Uncle."

Lan Tianyu pondered for a moment, then nodded. "No problem. You can pick it up in three days."

"Thank you!" Mu Qianlan's eyes lit up with joy. It was known that in the Empire, Lan Tianyu's paintings were extremely hard to come by.

"Sister, you're too kind."