The next morning passed peacefully at The Healing Lantern inn.
Lina woke up slowly, her round belly making movement a little difficult. Feng helped her sit up, then brought her a warm cup of herbal tea that the innkeeper's wife had prepared especially for pregnant women. Suki was already up and helping the twins, Luke and Lisa, set the breakfast table with a bright, eager smile.
They ate together — fresh bread, soft cheese, fruits, and warm porridge. Suki chatted happily about how she wanted to learn to serve customers better, while Lina rested her hand on her belly and smiled softly whenever the baby kicked. Feng sat quietly, listening to them both, his presence calm and steady as always. It was a simple, gentle morning — the kind of peaceful routine they had slowly been building in this new land.
At noon, Feng left the inn and walked back to the Adventurers Guild.
The moment he stepped inside, the Guild Master was already waiting for him near the reception desk. The elegant elf greeted him with a respectful nod and led him to a quiet side room where they could speak privately.
"I have the payment ready," the Guild Master said. He placed a heavy leather pouch on the table and opened it. Inside was a large amount of gold coins — far more than Feng had expected. It was a truly handsome sum, enough to support the three of them comfortably for a long time, even with a new baby on the way.
Feng accepted the pouch with a small bow. "Thank you."
They sat down and talked until the sun began to set.
The conversation flowed naturally. The Guild Master was genuinely curious and asked many questions about rare herbs and ores. Feng answered calmly, sharing what he knew from his time in the Forbidden Forest — which plants had healing properties, which ores were purest, and how to tell high-quality materials apart. The Guild Master listened with great interest, occasionally sharing knowledge from the Holy Kingdom in return: special healing herbs grown in temple gardens, rare crystals infused with divine light, and crafting techniques that combined magic with metallurgy.
They spoke about everything — from the properties of different mushrooms to the best ways to store valuable ores, from monster ecology to the current political tensions between kingdoms. The Guild Master seemed impressed by Feng's practical knowledge and quiet wisdom.
As the sky outside turned orange and then dark, the Guild Master finally stood.
"You are a remarkable man, Luo Feng," he said sincerely. "If you ever need anything — information, protection, or simply a place to talk — the guild is here for you."
Feng bowed once more. "Thank you. I will remember that."
He left the guild as night fell, the heavy pouch of gold safely stored away. When he returned to the inn, Lina and Suki were waiting for him with warm smiles and a simple but hearty dinner already prepared.
The three of them ate together, chatting softly about their day. Suki proudly told him how she had helped serve customers without spilling anything, and Lina gently rubbed her belly while listening.
For now, in this holy land, life felt a little more stable — even if the shadows of the past still lingered far behind them.