The room the Zhou Family had arranged for Chu Xisheng was on the south-facing side of the inn.
It was a room less than four meters across, with very simple furnishings: just a bed and a table.
But the Zhou Family had cleaned it thoroughly, provided brand-new bedding, and even burned incense inside.
Out here in the wild mountains, these accommodations were as good as they came.
They were infinitely better than the tents outside, where mosquitoes ran rampant and drafts blew in from every side.
Yet Chu Xisheng could not feel happy after seeing it.
The Zhou Family's meticulous hospitality came with a request attached.
Although the Linhai Zhou Clan had a decent reputation, Chu Xisheng could not guarantee that they would not turn against him if he returned from the ninth-rank secret realm with his feathers shorn in defeat.
These martial families had always been overbearing and unreasonable.
"Actually, my uncle also arranged for two girls to warm your bed."
Zhou Liangchen leaned against the doorway, holding his sword in both arms. His voice was level. "I figured the contest in the secret realm was tomorrow, and you might have to fight one battle after another, so I turned them down for you. We martial cultivators are better off keeping our distance from women."
Chu Xisheng could not help giving Zhou Liangchen a long look before nodding in apparent approval. "Well refused! Women will only slow down how fast we draw our blades."
"You think so too?"
Zhou Liangchen perked up, finding a kindred spirit in Chu Xisheng. "My mother has arranged several matchmaking meetings for me lately. I'm sick of them. What's so good about women? They only take time away from my cultivation and sword practice."
Chu Xisheng opened his mouth, only to find himself speechless.