Chapter 1030 - 1039: The Inn (Part 1)
Chapter 1030: Chapter 1039: The Inn (Part 1)
The Xiong family doesn’t actually have many people; both direct and collateral lines add up to less than fifty people. However, they have five to six hundred dependents, including civilians and businesspeople. Adding a few guards and maids as well, the entire Xiong family forms the center of a small town, with a total population of seven to eight hundred.
Of course, quite a few outsiders come here to do business.
Because the territory governed by the Xiong family abounds in old ginseng, many people come here to trade.
Additionally, there are other resources, such as a wealth of minerals.
This has caused neighboring families to be envious and resentful. If not for the Hong family’s explicit rule against plundering and massacre, they surely would have united to divide the Xiong family.
But if, after the fall of the Xiong family’s Innate, there isn’t a new Innate, then the Hong family won’t intervene if other families consume them.
After all, this is a small world where the weak are preyed upon by the strong.
Upon entering the town, although Lin Xi and his companions’ outfits were a bit odd and out of place, the locals didn’t seem especially surprised.
Most people here know about external news, and some townsfolk even enjoy wearing clothes from outside.
They entered an inn, ordered a few signature dishes and three pots of wine, and started eating and drinking.
They weren’t here merely to eat and drink; the primary purpose was to gather information.
Even though the strongest Xiong family member is Innate, no one knows what kind of situation Xiong Haitao is currently in!
If all was well, it wouldn’t be wise to rashly break in.
But if he’s in danger, breaking in might bring more harm than help.
The best strategy was to collect information at the inn first, given that inns were among the best places for gathering news in ancient times.
These were all Cui Hua’s ideas. Lin Xi agreed, while Peng Bo, knowing he couldn’t outthink his elder and fourth brother, refrained from commenting.
All tables around them were filled with customers dressed in ancient attire.
To be honest, Lin Xi and his group felt slightly uncomfortable, as if they had mistakenly joined a movie set.
These customers glanced at them when Lin Xi and company arrived but quickly resumed their own conversations.
In their eyes, Lin Xi was just an ordinary person, with no notable abilities.
They took a couple of glances at Peng Bo and Cui Hua, whose special forces skills were apparent, but didn’t pay much attention after.
Special forces soldiers are numerous here; in the Secret Realm, they are just average.
However, in the outside world, Peng Bo and Cui Hua’s skills would make them definite prodigies.
Apart from Lin Xi, the strongest person here was the innkeeper, dressed as a scholar, yet possessing Peak Soldier King strength.
Several other customers had reached the Soldier King realm.
"It seems like those two didn’t speak nonsense!" Lin Xi and his companions exchanged a glance, thinking to themselves.
The waiter serving them was also of high special forces caliber.
This realization deeply affected Peng Bo and Cui Hua.
Cui Hua was merely an elementary special forces soldier, whereas Peng Bo was a bit stronger, having nearly broken into the intermediate level.
They had thought they were already among the strongest for their age group.
Yet, there are always others better and beyond!
Their confidence was shattered instantly; the key issue was that even with the aid of special pills and cleansing from their leader, they had barely reached this level, making them wish to disappear into the ground.
It was truly embarrassing.
Lin Xi whispered, "Don’t get discouraged!"
"Actually, your talent and effort don’t fall short of theirs, perhaps even far surpassing them!"
Hearing such words from their leader, both showed a trace of brightness in their eyes, although they still looked at Lin Xi with some confusion.
"There’s something you probably don’t understand, may not have even heard of!"
"What is it, leader?"
"Spiritual Qi!"
"Spiritual Qi?" The two were puzzled; isn’t that something from novels?
Thinking about the novel-like situations they had been encountering since entering here, their bodies shook with realization—you wouldn’t find such things outside.
If they were to tell people outside about their experiences here, they’d be seen as madmen!
Actually, if anyone told them such things without witnessing it themselves, they would consider them insane too.
"So-called Spiritual Qi is an elemental force between heaven and earth that greatly benefits our bodies. Practitioners can absorb and refine it internally, significantly accelerating cultivation speed."
"Otherwise, ordinary people here wouldn’t be vastly superior to those outside without any cultivation."
"It’s all because of Spiritual Qi."
As they looked thoroughly shocked, he continued, "If you two had lived here since childhood, with your aptitudes, you’d probably have reached the Soldier King realm by now."
"In fact, the outside world used to have it too, but it eventually depleted!"
Saying this, Lin Xi stopped speaking.
These things needed to be digested slowly by themselves.
Not long after, when the waiter served the dishes and wine, the two had recovered, full of their usual vigor.
"Following the leader, even the Secret Realm is nothing!" They exchanged glances, recognizing each other’s thoughts.
Just a month ago, Cui Hua wasn’t even a special forces soldier, and Peng Bo had just stepped into that class. Within a month, their advancement had been dramatic.
Comparing the Secret Realm people to them, they considered it a tortoise and hare race.
Yes, clinging tightly to the leader’s leg was the way forward!
Lin Xi smiled, feeling pleased with their realizations.
What he didn’t know was their reliance wasn’t due to self-strengthening, but entirely reliance on him.
If he knew their thoughts, he’d be exasperated, and might intensify their training.
If he didn’t train them harshly, he wouldn’t be worthy as their leader!
"These dishes and wine are quite good!" Lin Xi had a couple of bites and sips, showing surprise.
Though they were inferior to his own cooking, they matched Michelin standards.
Most importantly, the ingredients were of a superior quality, likely due to Spiritual Qi.
Peng Bo and Cui Hua ate with great delight.
Honestly, they could say it was the best meal of their lives.
Furthermore, after eating, their stomachs experienced a warming flow that spread throughout their bodies.
They also felt a slight enhancement in their strength.
"This is good stuff!" The two began devouring their food, drawing disdainful glances from other customers around them.
Their eyes clearly said, "These country bumpkins are making a fool of themselves."
"Have you heard?" someone started speaking.
"Heard what?"
"I heard the Xiong family might fall!"
"Who did you hear it from?"
"Everyone knows this. The current and previous generation are weak, like trash; they have only one Peak Soldier King."
"If not for their old man, the Innate propping them, the other families would’ve consumed them by now."
The speaker was at the table behind Lin Xi’s group, very close in proximity.
"You all sound like outsiders. The latest news is that the Xiong family is experiencing internal conflict!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Xi and his companions visibly changed their expressions, focusing more intently on these folks’ conversations.
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