As they passed through streets and alleys, noisy voices reached their ears.
This was a shabby little inn, its exterior filled with indescribable smells.
A woman draped in animal skins was adding firewood to a fire, while pipes running in every direction carried the heat away.
"Got any rooms left?"
Old Guo asked.
A man with a pipe clenched between his teeth sat on the counter. He grinned when he saw Old Guo.
"You brat, still not dead?"
Old Guo scoffed. "When you die, I'll burn paper offerings for you."
He turned and pointed at Li Ping'an.
"A friend of mine wants to stay here for a while."
"Where would I find an empty room this time of year?" the man grumbled, though his body was honest enough to get moving.
"Follow me."
They followed the man into the rear courtyard, where there were dozens of rooms of various sizes.
Some guests rented long-term, others short-term. People came and went, making it rather noisy.
He brought Li Ping'an to a little room full of clutter. "How about this one?"
Li Ping'an looked it over. It was indeed a little small.
He did not mind the size himself, but Old Ox would not even be able to stretch his legs.
So he said, "I also have a spirit beast."
Old Ox stepped forward.
The man hesitated for a moment. "There's a bigger one, but it's expensive."
"That's fine."
After that, they settled on a room.
They agreed to settle the rent monthly.
He had to sign and put his thumbprint on the agreement, and leave a month's rent as a deposit.
Li Ping'an agreed to each of these conditions.
He thanked Old Guo for introducing him to the place, and after Old Guo left,
the man, ox, and cat moved into