The world outside the window felt like a dream, like a living painting. Xing Fei was so engrossed was she that the sharp, sudden tap on her door made her jump, her hand flying to her chest as if to still the frantic beating of her heart.
An interaction is coming.
She took a deep, steadying breath, smoothing down the soft fabric of her sage-green jacket. This was it. Her first real test. She slid the door open.
A woman stood there, poised and elegant. She was middle-aged, her hair styled in a sophisticated updo held by a hairpin of polished dark wood. Her robes were a luxurious, deep plum silk, the fine embroidery at the cuffs and the quality of the fabric speaking of wealth—a merchant class, certainly, but a successful one. This was a woman who knew her own standing.
"Good morning, young miss," the woman said, her voice as smooth and warm as honeyed tea. "I am Madam Wen, the owner of this humble inn. I wished to check on you myself. How are you feeling? Is everything to your comfort?"
Xing Fei bowed her head humbly. "Thank you, Madam Wen. I am… feeling okay. The room is more than comfortable."
A look of genuine relief crossed Madam Wen's face. "I am glad to hear it. It was quite the shock when the young disciples from the Wandering Cloud Sect found you. To be left on the roadside…" She trailed off, her sharp, kind eyes searching Xing Fei's face. "Might I ask… who are you? What misfortune placed you on that path?"
This was the moment. Xing Fei's mind raced, piecing together the clues. A renowned sect? It sounded like the beginning of every xianxia story she'd ever read. She had to craft a story that was vague enough to be safe, but specific enough to be believable.
"My name is Xing Fei," she began, letting her voice waver just a little. "I was traveling to visit my aunt in the next village. I remember starting the journey from my home with a caravan two days ago… but after I slept that first night, it's all a blank space." She lifted a hand to her forehead, a picture of confused distress. "I don't know how I ended up on the road. Did they leave me? But why would they do that?"
Madam Wen nodded, a sympathetic frown on her lips. "A common tragedy on these trade routes," she sighed. Then her tone shifted, becoming gently practical. "Tell me, child. Do you have any money with you? Or was it… taken?"
The question was a lifeline and a trap all at once. Xing Fei's heart sank. Money. Of course. Following a half-remembered scene from a historical drama, she placed her hands to her waist, patting the sides of her sash, searching for a pouch that wasn't there. Her expression crumbled, the reality of her situation hitting her with the force of a physical blow.
"I see," the innkeeper said gently. "You were robbed. It is the most logical explanation. Those caravan drivers are not someone simple, may be they were some kind of thief."
The confirmation was a cold stone in Xing Fei's gut. No money. No family. No way forward.
"Do not look so despairing," Madam Wen said, her tone shifting to one of brisk kindness. "There is a sliver of luck for you. The cultivators from the Wandering Cloud Sect, in their generosity, paid for this room for two nights. You may stay until tomorrow morning."
Xing Fei's hope, so briefly kindled, was immediately doused by the woman's next words.
"But after that, I am afraid I cannot help you. You see, I am just an innkeeper. And this," she gestured around them, "is the only inn in this village. We are fully booked for the festival tomorrow night. Even if you had a mountain of gold, I have no spare room for you." She paused, her gaze softening. "If you wish to send word to your parents or relatives, tell me. I will help you."
The offer felt like a new threat, a path that would lead to questions she could never answer. "It's okay," Xing Fei said quickly, forcing a smile. "I don't want them to be worried." She straightened her shoulders, trying to forge a new determination cutting through her panic. "But Madam Wen, I need a favor. I want to know about this Wandering Cloud Sect. Where can I find them? I need some answers." she said those words with determination, like a young heroine ready to chase down her fate.
Madam Wen's eyes crinkled at the corners, a genuine smile touching her lips at the girl's sudden fire. "You have the spirit of the heroes in the tales," she said. "They reside outside the village, in the Cloud Gazing Mountains. But today, you should rest. Go to them tomorrow. They are righteous; they will help you."
Then, as if remembering her purpose, Madam Wen gestured to a lacquered wooden box on the low table. "Ah, I nearly forgot. I brought you some food. Eat, and do not worry. You do not have to pay." With a final, reassuring nod, she slid the door shut, leaving Xing Fei alone in the sudden silence.
The cheerful sounds from the street now seemed to mock her. The perfect, ancient world she had been so eager to explore had just revealed its first, hard rule: survival had a price. The vibrant colors of the room seemed to dim, the future narrowing to a single, terrifying point.
She was free in a world of magic and wonder. And she was, quite possibly, about to be homeless and starving. The thrilling adventure had just become a desperate fight for her next meal, and the floor beneath her feet felt less solid than ever before.