In the private room, Yang Kai sat across the table from Wei Que, while Tao Rongfang stood behind Wei Que, staring at Yang Kai's bruised and battered face with a look full of sympathy.
Under normal circumstances, if she had witnessed such a sight, Tao Rongfang would surely have burst out laughing. Yang Kai's two black eyes were simply too comical—they were clearly the result of being punched, and punched with remarkable symmetry, perfectly mirrored left and right. Whoever had delivered those blows was undoubtedly a formidable fighter.
But how could she laugh now? Thinking of his kindness, contemplating the situation Yang Kai would face going forward, and worrying about the possible interrogation from A Sun, she couldn't help but look crestfallen.
Wei Que also wore an awkward expression. He had rambled on for quite a while before finally making the situation clear. Scratching his face, he said, "Yang Kai, that's how things stand. I had originally planned to take you to the Great Moon State and have you join us, but it seems that won't be possible now. The Chief doesn't approve, and I'm powerless to change that. I'm truly sorry!" As he spoke, he turned his head and cupped his fists, looking thoroughly ashamed.
Yang Kai chuckled. "Senior Wei, you're too kind. I understand the situation perfectly well. Not only does your Chief disapprove—even if he did agree, I couldn't go with you to the Great Moon State. My current circumstances make it far too dangerous to leave the First Inn. If I did, it would be certain death. Staying here, at least, gives me a sliver of a chance."
Tao Rongfang said, "That may be true, but you can't hide inside the First Inn forever, can you? What are your plans going forward?"
Yang Kai's gaze grew distant for a moment, and he shook his head. "One step at a time. I can't think that far ahead right now."
"Sigh!" Wei Que let out a heavy breath. "You really had far too much nerve. How could you have thought to snatch the Golden Crow's corpse back then?"
They said men died for wealth and birds died for food, and Yang Kai's actions in the Golden Crow Divine Palace had essentially dug himself a grave. Without the First Inn, he would have died who-knows-where by now.
Yang Kai said sheepishly, "I wasn't thinking that far ahead at the time. It was a spur-of-the-moment impulse. Talking about it now won't change anything." He waved his hand, unwilling to dwell on the matter further.
Wei Que naturally changed the subject. "We'll be leaving the First Inn soon, heading back to the Great Moon State. Is there anything you need my help with?"
Yang Kai thought for a moment. "Actually, there is one thing!"
"Name it!" Wei Que said.
Yang Kai said, "Old Fang, Die You, and A Sun escaped from the Seven Arts Land with me. We went through hardships together. A Sun has now been taken in as a disciple by Senior Tao, so I no longer need to worry about her. But Old Fang and Die You have nowhere to go. Given my current situation, it wouldn't be right for them to stay associated with me. I'd like to ask you both to take them into the Great Moon State and give them a place to call home."
Wei Que said, "Even if you hadn't mentioned it, we had the same thought. Don't worry—I'll bring Fang Biqi and Die You back to the Great Moon State and look after them properly. As long as I'm alive, no one will bully them."
"Then thank you, Senior."
Wei Que looked embarrassed and waved his hands repeatedly. "Please don't thank me, or I'll truly have nowhere to hide my shame."
"And what about you?" Tao Rongfang said. "Don't you have anything you need our help with?"
Yang Kai shook his head. He was already entangled in enough trouble—there was nothing the Great Moon State could really do for him. Getting Old Fang and Die You taken care of was already a weight off his mind.
Wei Que sighed and produced a space ring, pushing it across the table to Yang Kai. "It's not much, and don't turn your nose up at it. You'll need money while you're hiding in the First Inn. Take it."
Yang Kai hesitated briefly but didn't refuse, simply tucking the space ring away. Wei Que was a straightforward man—being overly polite would only make things more awkward for him.
They exchanged a few more words before the two of them rose to leave. As they were heading out, Wei Que said, "Would you like to see Fang Biqi and Die You? After this parting, who knows when we'll meet again?"
Yang Kai smiled. "There will be opportunities in the future. Please take them with you." Partings were hard—better not to meet again just to part once more.
Wei Que looked at him for a moment, then patted him on the shoulder. "Take care of yourself!" He turned and walked away.
Tao Rongfang gave Yang Kai a nod and followed closely behind.
Listening carefully, the soft sound of footsteps soon echoed down the corridor. Yang Kai knew it was the people of the Great Moon State departing.
Only after the sounds had completely faded did Yang Kai turn and return to the bed, resuming his meditation to heal his injuries. Recalling everything he had experienced since leaving the Star Boundary, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of melancholy. Separating from Ruo Xi, drifting to the Seven Arts Land, barely managing to escape, and now being caught up in something as massive as the Golden Crow's corpse—as an Emperor Realm cultivator, standing right in the eye of the storm beyond this great world, a single misstep could mean utter annihilation.
How to deal with the Golden Crow's corpse still required careful thought. He needed to handle it well and, at the same time, free himself from this mess.
Just thinking about it gave him a headache...
The following days passed in calm. Yang Kai remained on guard, expecting the proprietress to come and trouble him again, but she didn't show her face for days. His injuries were gradually healing, but after what had happened last time, he didn't dare venture out casually. Who knew if some reckless fool within the First Inn might disregard its rules and attack him? He wouldn't be able to defend himself.
In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed. On this day, Yang Kai was sharing a quiet drink with Bai Qi in his room, listening to him talk about events outside, when the door was suddenly kicked open.
Yang Kai looked up in alarm and couldn't help but shrink his neck, turning to glance at Bai Qi. "Does this inn of yours even know the meaning of the word 'safe'? Can guests' doors just be kicked open at random?"
Bai Qi gave a sheepish laugh. "Well, she is the proprietress, after all..."