I wasn't imagining the horses.
Around midnight, I heard them clearly multiple riders approaching the inn at a steady pace. My heart started pounding as I sat up straighter behind the counter, straining to hear better.
The hoofbeats stopped somewhere close by. Then came the sound of men's voices, low and discussing something. I couldn't make out the words, but the tone was aggressive, purposeful.
[Warning: Hostile individuals detected nearby]
[Threat Level: Moderate]
[Recommendation: Remain calm. Do not provoke confrontation.]
"Easy for you to say," I whispered to the system. "You're not the one about to deal with angry cultivators or whatever they are."
I stood up and moved toward the window, peeking through the curtains. In the moonlight, I could see four men standing near their horses, all wearing dark red robes with a golden phoenix emblem on the back. Exactly what Mei Liang had warned me about.
They were armed swords at their hips, and one of them carried what looked like a spear. Even from here, I could tell they were dangerous. There was something about the way they moved, the confidence in their postures. These weren't ordinary thugs.
[Identified: Phoenix Sect Disciples]
[Average Cultivation Level: Foundation Establishment (3rd Stage)]
[Warning: Significantly stronger than Host's current level]
"Oh, fantastic," I muttered. "And what exactly is my current level?"
[Host Level: Mortal (0th Stage)]
[You have no cultivation base. In a direct confrontation, you would die immediately.]
"Super helpful. Thanks."
One of the men pointed toward the inn, and they started walking toward the entrance. I quickly moved back to the counter, trying to look casual despite my racing heart. My hands were shaking slightly, so I gripped the edge of the counter to steady them.
The door opened, and all four men walked in like they owned the place.
The leader was tall with sharp features and a thin mustache. His eyes swept the lobby with obvious disdain, taking in the shabby furniture and worn floors. The other three spread out slightly, hands near their weapons.
"Innkeeper," the leader said, his voice cold and authoritative. "We're looking for someone."
I kept my expression neutral and polite, channeling every bit of customer service training I'd ever received. "Good evening, gentlemen. Welcome to The Lazy Dragon Inn. I'm afraid we're not currently taking guests for the night, but if you need directions to the next town"
"We're not looking for a room," he interrupted, stepping closer to the counter. "We're looking for a woman. Black hair, violet eyes, wearing blue and white robes. She would have arrived recently, probably exhausted from travel."
I frowned slightly, as if thinking. "I'm sorry, but I haven't seen anyone matching that description. As you can see," I gestured around the empty lobby, "business hasn't been good lately. No guests at all for quite some time."
One of the other men moved toward the stairs. "Perhaps we should check the rooms ourselves."
"I'm afraid I can't allow that," I said firmly, moving to block his path. My heart was hammering, but I kept my voice steady. "This is a private establishment. Guest privacy even the privacy of empty rooms must be respected."
The leader's eyes narrowed. "You're refusing us?"
"I'm explaining inn policy," I replied, meeting his gaze despite wanting to look away. "If you have official business from the local authorities, I'd be happy to cooperate. Otherwise, I must ask you to leave."
[Brave stance detected. Customer Service Skills advancing...]
[Warning: Situation may escalate to violence.]
The tension in the room thickened. The four men exchanged glances, and I could see them considering their options. They could easily overpower me and search the inn by force. We both knew it.
"You're either very brave or very stupid, innkeeper," the leader said, his hand drifting toward his sword. "We are disciples of the Phoenix Sect. Do you understand what that means?"
"I understand you're cultivators with significant power," I said carefully. "But this is still my inn, and I have a responsibility to maintain certain standards. I'm sure the Phoenix Sect, being a respectable organization, wouldn't want its disciples harassing an innocent innkeeper, would it?"
I was completely bluffing. I had no idea if the Phoenix Sect was respectable or not. But the mention of their reputation made the leader pause.
"Besides," I continued, keeping my tone reasonable, "if I had seen a woman matching that description, don't you think I'd be more than happy to tell you? Why would I risk angering powerful cultivators over a stranger?"
That logic seemed to give him pause. He studied me for a long moment, clearly trying to decide if I was telling the truth.
Then something unexpected happened.
A faint golden glow began emanating from the walls of the inn, so subtle that at first I thought I was imagining it. But the Phoenix Sect disciples noticed immediately. They all tensed, looking around warily.
[Inn Protection Protocols Activated]
[Supreme Innkeeper Authority: Within your inn, you are protected. Hostile actions against the innkeeper or guests will be met with appropriate countermeasures.]
The leader took a step back, his expression shifting from aggressive to cautious. "This inn... there's something strange about it."
"It's an old building," I said, having no idea what was happening but rolling with it. "Lots of history. You know how these places accumulate... atmosphere."
One of the disciples, a younger man with a nervous expression, tugged on the leader's sleeve. "Senior Brother Chen, perhaps we should move on. The tracker said she passed through this area, but that doesn't mean she stopped here. She might have continued to the next town."
Senior Brother Chen still looked suspicious, but the golden glow in the walls seemed to be unnerving him. "Fine. But if we discover you've lied to us, innkeeper, the Phoenix Sect will return. And we won't be so polite next time."
"I understand," I said with a slight bow. "Safe travels to you all."
They filed out of the inn, the leader casting one last suspicious glance over his shoulder. I stayed at the counter, maintaining my calm facade until I heard the horses riding away. Only then did I let out the breath I'd been holding and sag against the counter.
"Holy crap," I whispered. "I just lied to cultivators. To their faces. And somehow didn't die."
[Quest Update: First Customer]
[Bonus Objective Completed: Protected guest from external threat]
[Additional Reward: +500 System Points, Inn Reputation increased, New Skill Unlocked: Aura of Sanctuary (Passive)]
[Aura of Sanctuary: Within your inn, all guests are protected by the system. Hostile actions against guests or innkeeper will trigger defensive countermeasures. Strength of protection scales with innkeeper level.]
I stared at the notification. The inn itself had protected me? That golden glow wasn't just for show it was an actual defense mechanism.
"System, why didn't you tell me the inn had protection features?"
[You never asked. Also, discovering abilities organically provides better learning opportunities.]
"That's a terrible teaching method," I muttered. "I could have died."
[But you didn't. And now you know what you're capable of. Consider it a valuable lesson.]
Footsteps on the stairs made me look up. Mei Liang stood there, sword drawn, her violet eyes glowing more intensely than before. She looked ready for battle.
"They're gone," I told her. "I sent them away."
She stared at me in disbelief. "You... sent away four Foundation Establishment cultivators? How?"
I shrugged, trying to seem more confident than I felt. "I'm an innkeeper. Protecting guest privacy is part of the job description."
She descended the stairs slowly, studying me with new intensity. "You're not just an ordinary innkeeper, are you, Kazuki?"
[Warning: Guest is becoming suspicious of Host's true nature]
[Recommendation: Maintain cover story. Reveal nothing.]
"I'm exactly what I appear to be," I said honestly. "Just an innkeeper trying to run a decent establishment. Though I'll admit, tonight was more excitement than I'm used to."
She didn't look entirely convinced, but after a moment, she sheathed her sword. "Thank you. Truly. You didn't have to protect me, especially not from the Phoenix Sect. They're... not people to make enemies of."
"All guests deserve protection," I said simply. "That's what innkeepers do. Now, you should get some rest. I have a feeling you'll want to leave early tomorrow."
"Yes," she agreed softly. "Before they decide to come back with more people." She hesitated, then added, "But Kazuki... if we meet again, I owe you a debt. Remember that."
"No debt necessary. Just leave a good review if you ever tell anyone about this place."
That actually got a genuine laugh from her. "You're strange. But in a good way." She bowed formally. "Thank you, Innkeeper Kazuki of The Lazy Dragon Inn. I won't forget this kindness."
As she returned upstairs, I settled back into my chair, adrenaline still coursing through my veins.
My first customer, and I'd already made enemies of a cultivation sect.
This innkeeper life was definitely not going to be boring.
[End of Chapter 5]