Chapter 10

When Feng Shun returned to the inn, he looked slightly nervous.

Last time I was a regular customer, this time…

He looked up and saw Qiu Chiyan sitting upright behind his desk, his expression gentle, as if waiting patiently. He took a deep breath, walked forward, and before he could even speak, he knelt down with a thud.

"What are you doing? Get up!" Qiu Chiyan hurriedly went to help him up.

Feng Shun gripped the hem of his clothes tightly with both hands, his voice trembling: "I...I've never dealt with the government before...I'm scared..."

Qiu Chiyan chuckled: "Since you have done nothing wrong, there is no need to be afraid of me. Besides, I invited you here today not for interrogation, nor to make things difficult for you. It's just that there are some things I need to ask you about."

"Please tell me, please tell me..." Feng Shun rolled up his sleeves, adopting a humble posture, for fear of being impolite.

Qiu Chiyan nodded slightly, his smile fading, and slowly got to the point: "You opened free clinics and took on students to run schools in Sanhe Town, was it because of hallucinogenic drugs?"

Feng Shun had a premonition before he arrived, and his expression changed upon hearing this, and sure enough, it was true.

He became even more nervous: "Yes... when I was treating someone before, I detected unusual traces of medication, but with my meager medical skills... it's really..."

"It's alright, I'm not blaming you. I just wanted to know, when did you first discover it?"

"About three months ago, in a village near Sanhe Town, I noticed something unusual while treating a hunter."

"Then could you find out the reason?"

"At first, I thought he had been poisoned by mushrooms he ate in the mountains. But he said he only ate the dry food he brought with him when he went into the mountains. And he didn't have any cuts or wounds on his body, so I ruled out the possibility of him being accidentally poisoned by poisonous plants. Later..."

Feng Shun paused, his eyes darting around. Qiu Chiyan had to reassure him repeatedly before he finally spoke frankly: "I discovered that quite a few people who ate the food provided by the Lin Family Charitable Estate felt dizzy and lightheaded."

He observed Qiu Chiyan's expression, mustered his courage, and continued, "The Lin family is not someone I can afford to offend, and I dare not investigate them. But thinking about how the charitable deeds of the Yizhuang have benefited many people in various places, I felt that I couldn't let everyone suffer in silence. So I spent my own money to buy a batch of cheap medicinal herbs, hoping to help as many people as I can by taking on apprentices."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Chiyan's gaze darkened slightly, but contained a hint of approval: "Mr. Feng's willingness to do this is truly commendable."

Feng Shun quickly waved his hand: "I am not worthy of the title 'sir'. I am just afraid that my conscience will not be at peace with me."

"In short, I came to Sanhe Town this time because of the matter of the illusion drug. Thank you for your hard work these past few days. Please don't get involved anymore, I will make other plans."

"Okay, okay..." Feng Shun nodded emphatically. Although he was still uneasy, he felt a little more at ease because of these words, as if a huge rock had been lifted off his feet.

Qiu Chiyan handed over another silver note: "This is to make up for the money you spent on the medicinal herbs..."

Before he could finish speaking, Feng Shun hurriedly tried to refuse, but Qiu Chiyan was strong and the other party couldn't push him away.

"This is something the government should be preventing. You did it because you are kind, and we can't let you suffer a loss."

Feng Shun opened his mouth, but could no longer refuse. He could only awkwardly agree, lower his head and put the silver note into his pocket, his voice hoarse: "Thank you for your kindness, sir."

Qiu Chiyan saw the person off, and slowly withdrew his gaze as he watched the figure gradually disappear outside the door.

The autumn wind swept across the eaves, bringing a few fallen leaves that landed on the edge of his boots.

"Officer Qiu is so rich!"

A muffled, strange sound came from behind. Qiu Chiyan nodded and smiled, then turned to face her: "You've spent all the little salary you earned. Poor thing."

"Luckily, I, the shopkeeper, still have money, otherwise I really couldn't afford to support you all."

"If the shopkeeper hadn't secretly eaten the ingredients himself, we might have been even richer."

Qiu Chiyan noticed that Shen Yu stopped caring about the inn's accounts after they were settled.

As long as you can break even, it doesn't matter how much money you make.

Shen Yu smiled and placed the bowl in front of him: "The chicken I made in the jar last night is ready, have a taste!"

"Didn't you only make four jars? You ate them all yourself?"

"Huh? You heard that?" Shen Yu thought that no one would find out that the reason there were so few of these main dishes was because she had "tasted" them.

"Gong Er's room and the kitchen are separated by only a curtain, so it's hard not to hear them."

"Routine tasting to ensure authentic flavor, eat up!"

Shen Yu was keen on feeding Qiu Chiyan. Just as she picked up a piece of tender chicken with her chopsticks and brought it to Qiu Chiyan's mouth, the curtain in the backyard was suddenly lifted.

Gong Er swaggered in, followed by two loyal followers.

"I made this with you, aren't you going to let me eat first?" Gong Er said, starting to eat directly without even using chopsticks.

"Don't get the oil on me!"

Shen Yu took a step back in disgust while glancing at the two people behind her.

I don't know how idle they are all day long. As soon as they open their eyes, they follow Gong Er around, neither causing trouble nor helping, but only adding to the annoyance.

Gong Er probably sensed Shen Yu's curiosity as well, and he also felt that this was not a solution, so he took the initiative to ask Qiu Chiyan, "Are you short of people to do the work?"

"Um?"

"That's the one, the one who's going to the Misty Rain Pavilion!" Gong Er frantically winked, but Qiu Chiyan didn't want to play along, so he had no choice but to say it directly, "Look, they're rich and unfamiliar faces, the two of them are perfect!"

"actually…"

"It's settled then! It's Zhumen's duty to relieve the people's worries!" Qiu Chiyan was about to speak when Gong Er clapped his hands to interrupt him. He then turned to Kaiping and Weiqi with a solemn expression, "You two must not let the government down!"

“…”

While Kaiping was still in a daze, Viktor rolled his eyes at him without any hesitation.

"How did you get involved with the government?"

"Mind your own business." Gong Er didn't tolerate his junior brother at all. He put his arm around one of them and wouldn't let them escape. He kept nagging as he led them to the backyard.

"Work hard, I'm telling you, this is serious business..."

Qiu Chiyan had no chance to stop them at all.

"Please talk to him for me, there's no need for this." He nudged Chen Yu.

"He didn't want to help you; he just wanted to get rid of his junior brother."

"I know, but if one gets involved with hallucinogenic drugs..."

“He wouldn’t really harm his junior brother,” Shen Yu reassured him. “Gong Er definitely knows what he’s doing. Before the Hundred Gates Sacrifice ends, he probably won’t be able to really get rid of those two. He’ll just have to hide for as long as he can. Besides, haven’t you been worried about Misty Rain Pavilion for a long time? It’s an impregnable place; only people with status can go in.”

Qiu Chiyan remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded.

"Are you still open here?"

Suddenly, a clear but slightly stiff young male voice rang out from outside the door.

Qiu Chiyan turned his head and saw a young man holding a sword standing at the door.

His moon-white robe bore the marks of time, yet he did not appear disheveled; instead, he exuded an air of nobility. His sharp features suggested that no one had ever provoked him, yet his face was filled with stubbornness.

He stepped aside and invited the person in.

The young man looked around the inn, seemingly dissatisfied but not wanting to say so directly, and his expression slightly changed.

"Give me a superior room, I'll stay... for three days."

"The superior rooms are all gone; only one regular guest room is left."

The boy closed his eyes briefly, showing considerable restraint: "Alright, alright, clean it up thoroughly."

However, he glanced at the bowl in Shen Yu's hand, twitched his nose slightly, cleared his throat, and said, "Prepare another lunch for me, I'll eat there."

He pointed to a table in the corner of the lobby. It was an unassuming spot, but it offered a good view, allowing him to see both the inn and the street outside.

Shen Yu's gaze slid past his sword and returned to the kitchen.

Before long, two shortbreads, a plate of stir-fried seasonal vegetables, a dish of braised chicken, and a bowl of tofu soup were placed on the boy's table.

The boy slightly raised his eyes and saw that although the dishes were home-style, they were still quite exquisite. He first picked up a piece of chicken with his chopsticks, then his eyes lit up and he started eating faster.

I don't know where he came from. He doesn't look very big, but he can eat a lot. He can finish a whole chicken and still not be satisfied.

After eating and drinking his fill, he began to stroll around the inn.

Qiu Chiyan kept staring at him from behind the counter.

Judging from his attire, he must be a rich young master, but why is he here all alone?

Chang Le Inn is not located in the center of town, and it is not so popular that you can't find a room anywhere else.

The boy wandered around the lobby and even wanted to go into the kitchen, but Qiu Chiyan stopped him, so he went to the backyard by himself.

A moment later, an angry animal roar came from the yard, followed by Shen Yu's clear shout.

What are you doing!

Upon hearing the sound, Qiu Chiyan's expression tightened, and he rushed over.

"It's just a monkey, can't I play with it?"

The boy covered the back of his hand and glared fiercely at Shen Yu.

Maiya grabbed Shenyu's hair, wrapped it around her shoulder, and kept baring her teeth at the boy.

"Pulling your tail and swinging it around, you're not playing around!" Shen Yu rarely showed a friendly expression. Usually, when she encountered picky customers, she would greet them with a smile and kind words.

The boy knew he was somewhat in the wrong, but he couldn't back down under these circumstances: "I've seen monkeys from Southeast Asia before, I was just looking at it..."

“You can’t treat any animal like that.”

The boy's face stiffened, his hand red and throbbing from being gripped so tightly. He gritted his teeth, furious and embarrassed: "You're just a beast, why are you turning against me? What kind of business are you doing!"

“Guest, watch your words.” Qiu Chiyan spoke up at this moment, his tone still gentle, but with a hint of coldness. “Our inn treats guests with reason, but reason is two-way. If you want to act impulsively, you’d better go somewhere else.”

The boy was speechless, then suddenly drew his sword and tapped it on the ground, making a crisp sound: "A mere shabby inn dares to lecture me? Do you even know who I am!"

I don't care who you are!

Qiu Chiyan stood in front of Shen Yu, but Shen Yu, filled with anger, jumped out from behind him.

Enraged by those words, the boy's eyes widened, his sword flashed with a cold light, and a sharp intent swept through the air. He moved swiftly, his sword strike fierce, aiming straight for Chen Yu's shoulder.

Qiu Chiyan had just gained momentum, but Shen Yu pushed him aside, and he didn't even know how he managed to dodge.

Shen Yu's eyes sharpened, and her clothes fluttered slightly. Just as the sword was about to strike, she raised her wrist and clamped two fingers together like pincers, accurately gripping the blade.

A look of disbelief flashed in the boy's eyes. Just as he was about to increase his strength, he saw Shen Yu's fingertips tremble slightly. The energy passed through the steel, and the sword broke cleanly in two with a "crack".