CHAPTER 264: CHAPTER 264: THE SCHEMING XIA WEIZHANG

"Then let’s stay here for the night," Xia Mian decided decisively.

Xia Weizhang looked at Xia Mian gratefully.

His status destined him to have no chance at the position of Divine Master. To progress further in his cultivation, he could only rely on his own opportunities and fate.

Therefore, he didn’t want to miss any chance that might lead to an opportunity.

"I know an inn nearby with a nice environment," Xia Weizhang immediately said.

Xia Mian signaled Xia Weizhang to lead them over.

Xia Weizhang was, after all, a local of the Mystic Sect, and had risked his life together with them before. Xia Mian somewhat trusted him.

Xia Weizhang led Xia Mian and the others to the largest inn in the small town, Jufang Pavilion.

The inn was quite busy, with people coming and going in a hurry.

After entering, Xia Mian and the others found a less crowded spot to wait, while Xia Weizhang went to the counter to book rooms.

The inn attendant looked up at Xia Weizhang, "How many rooms?"

Xia Weizhang looked back at Xia Mian and the others, calculated briefly, "Three rooms."

The attendant replied without looking up, "Three rooms require three Heavenly Spirit Stones."

"Three Heavenly Spirit Stones?" Xia Weizhang frowned slightly.

The attendant said impatiently, "These are the last three rooms in the inn, do you want them or not?"

Although Xia Weizhang was unhappy with the other’s attitude, he couldn’t let the Divine Clan’s young miss sleep on the street. He was about to take out money when a group of people in black clothes and straw hats rushed over, slapped three Spirit Stones onto the counter, and said arrogantly, "We’ll take the three rooms."

Xia Weizhang frowned, his tone unpleasant, "I came first."

"Pauper! I paid first!" The straw hat man spat contemptuously, "Whoever pays first gets the room!"

Xia Weizhang was somewhat displeased, "How can you be so unreasonable!"

While Xia Weizhang was about to argue, the straw hat man pushed him with a curse, "Argue with me? Who do you think you are!"

Xia Weizhang staggered back, laughed in anger. Though from a branch of the Divine Clan, he had never suffered such indignity outside!

"Stop arguing!" The inn attendant frowned impatiently, "We do business here. If you want to argue, go outside!"

This attitude made Xia Mian look at him more closely.

Usual business establishments aim for harmony and profit. This inn’s attendant seemed refreshingly different, maintaining a cold face as if others were eager to stay here.

As if to answer Xia Mian’s curiosity, the straw hat man who had just paid the Heavenly Spirit Stones said gloomily, "Why should we go out? We’ve searched half the town, and only you have three rooms left. I’ve paid, so we must stay here today!"

Xia Mian couldn’t help but nod slightly, so that’s how it is!

The entire town’s inns are fully booked?

Though a trade town, it shouldn’t be this bustling usually?

Is something major about to happen?

"I’ll pay four Heavenly Spirit Stones! These three rooms, I want them!" Xia Weizhang sneered, "I came first, I’ll pay one more Heavenly Spirit Stone than you, now, you can take your Spirit Stones and leave!"

"This inn isn’t yours! You say go, I should go?" The straw hat man disagreed, took out two Spirit Stones, slapped them on the counter, "I’ll pay two more."

"I’ll pay three more!"

"I’ll pay four more!"

As they voluntarily raised the prices, the inn attendant couldn’t help but frown, feeling something was off.

When the straw hat man again placed three Spirit Stones on the counter, Xia Weizhang swiftly swept all the Spirit Stones into his pocket.

"Three Spirit Stones, the room is yours." Xia Weizhang smiled amicably, holding the Spirit Stones he had obtained through price manipulation.

The straw hat man was stunned for a while before reacting, "You tricked me?!"

Xia Weizhang continued smiling, "Did I trick you? Clearly, I was amusing myself with an idiot!"

Xia Weizhang stored the Heavenly Spirit Stones, hands behind his back, posing confidently as if saying, "What can you do to me?"

The straw hat man’s companions immediately surrounded Xia Weizhang, ready for a fight at any disagreement.

"This gentleman came first, the rooms are reserved for him," the inn attendant suddenly said, looking at Xia Weizhang deeply.

Xia Weizhang raised an eyebrow, looked at the attendant more closely.

This attitude reassigned from impatience to alliance after witnessing his trick? Curious.

"Say that again?!" The straw hat man turned, glaring at the attendant.

The attendant, undeterred by intimidation, smirked back, "What? Are you trying to cause trouble in Jufang Pavilion?"

The attendant’s words carried three parts warning, seven parts threat. Even the almost furious straw hat man calmed down upon hearing them.

"Alright, I’ll accept this loss today!" The straw hat man gave Xia Weizhang a deep look, "Kid, I’ve got my eyes on you!"

Xia Weizhang rolled his eyes, "I’m handsome, remember me if you wish, but I’m straight!"

The straw hat man was furious but couldn’t act due to Jufang Pavilion’s no-fighting rule. He left angrily with his group.

Only then did Xia Weizhang turn back to Xia Mian.

Xia Mian’s lips curved as she slowly approached, eyes filled with playful amusement, "Well done!"

Xia Weizhang raised a hand to scratch his head, "Thank you for the compliment, Miss!"

The inn attendant glanced at Xia Mian, his eyes narrowing slightly, a sharp glint fleeting across his gaze.

Miss? A new face, could it be the commoner recently recognized by the Divine Clan?

"Show us to the rooms," Xia Weizhang turned to the inn attendant.

Despite dissatisfaction with the attendant’s service, the straw hat man had mentioned the town’s inns were all booked.

Not wanting to sleep on the streets or inconvenience local residents.

They preferred to avoid engaging with ordinary townsfolk, minimizing interactions when possible.

The attendant smiled and led the four upstairs.

Jufang Pavilion was the best inn in Gubei Town in terms of scale and environment. Rumor had it backed by a powerful faction.

Thus, despite years of poor service, the place never lacked guests.

The remaining three rooms were not adjacent, one at the end of the second-floor corridor, one midway, another at the staircase corner.

These room placements separated the four, seemingly accidental yet perhaps deliberate.