After the six entered the restaurant, a waiter came up warmly and arranged a table for them. They ordered several of the restaurant's signature dishes and some Spirit Wine.
The food arrived quickly. They sat down and began slowly savoring the specialty dishes and Spirit Wine, though what had happened earlier had left them less relaxed and carefree than before.
The atmosphere was somewhat subdued. None of them felt much like talking, so they simply ate and drank while listening to the other patrons hold forth.
Zhou Tianlong's attention was entirely on the patrons' conversations inside the restaurant, and he failed to notice the man keeping watch outside.
Over the course of an hour, the girls gradually brightened and began whispering among themselves about things girls talked about. Zhou Tianlong only occasionally chimed in.
Feeling it was about time, Zhou Tianlong called to his junior sisters to prepare to leave for the Small Secret Realm.
He summoned the waiter and settled the bill. The six left the restaurant and headed out of the stockade.
Outside the restaurant, Yuan Yao was growing impatient with keeping watch. When he saw them emerge, his eyes lit up, and he hurriedly took out his Communication Jade Talisman to report to his master, Zhao Sheng.
"Young master, that man has come out of the restaurant with those women. They're heading out of the stockade."
"Keep a close eye on them. Don't let them get away. If they do, you'll be sorry."
"Rest assured, young master. I absolutely won't let them get away."
"Good! Keep watching them. I'll be there shortly."
"Yes, young master."
Yuan Yao followed Zhou Tianlong and the others from a distance as they headed out of the stockade.
After receiving the report from his lackey Yuan Yao, Zhao Sheng and his companions