Divine Rant Activated
---
Lei hadn't taken anything.
My storage pouch was tied to my robe.
I didn't even bump into anyone.
So how?
Was it…
No, it can't be.
That mortal girl...
She assisted me.
It couldn't be her... but doubt is clinging to me like mist in a spirit forest.
Xuchong Realm is terrifying!
I have to find her to clarify my doubts.
But where do I look?
Even if I did find her, leaving the inn without paying would be unrighteous.
Worse... I would lose my hard-earned heavenly merits.
What should I do?
Yes, I shall speak to the innkeeper.
Divine Rant Deactivated
---
Long Xiao paced back and forth, thinking about what had transpired.
Then suddenly...dizziness. Long Xiao's limbs felt heavy. His vision blurred. He collapsed onto the floor like a divine bag of flour.
"Master!" Lei rushed quickly to his side.
Everything faded for him.
Lei carried him from the ground, placing him gently onto the bed.
"Master, you jest. Please wake up. You've won." Lei knelt by the bed, transforming into his celestial form.
Lei, seeing that his Master was indeed out cold, stayed silent.
Evening approached, Lei using his celestial fire to keep the room warm as he watched over his master.
When Long Xiao opened his eyes, it was already morning. Lei had fallen asleep, his head resting on the edge of the mattress.
Long Xiao's head spun. His throat was dry and he could barely focus.
"Whatever affected me… is wearing off, slowly." Long Xiao muttered, patting Lei's head gently. This made Lei wake up.
"That tea. What was in it?" Long Xiao cracked his neck.
"Master, you're awake. You've been asleep for three days." Lei sniffled, launching himself onto Long Xiao.
"Get off me, you oversized chicken." Long Xiao snarled though his voice lacked any bite.
He pulled him into a tight embrace which was slowly choking Long Xiao.
"Dear guests…" A voice sliced through the haze.
"Is everything okay?"
They turned.
Long Xiao pulled back abruptly, silently thanking the heavens for saving him from the bird's death hug. Lei quickly composed himself and called out,
"Please come in!"
She stood at the door, watching them intently.
Hair untied, robes finer than any other woman Long Xiao had seen in the inn. Not a commoner. Not just staff.
Her robes were a striking blend of rouge silk and snowy white layers, the red as deep as freshly spilled petals and the white as crisp as morning frost.
Her long red hair fell freely down her back, undisturbed by ornament, yet impossibly elegant. At her collar, a single crimson tassel hung like a whisper of her true identity or so he thought.
Long Xiao and Lei, who were seated on the bed, stared in awe at the beauty in front of them.
"Are you the innkeeper?" Long Xiao asked, throat sore, as Lei rose from the bed.
"Yes, I am." She answered, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
"It appears that you guests are busy. I'll be back later." She bowed a little, closing the door behind her.
"Master, what happened? I just left you for a while and this happened. You've been unconscious for three whole days." Lei nagged, pacing back and forth.