The adventurer party settled into their rooms while I prepared breakfast with Yuki's help. She proved to be a natural assistant, moving through the kitchen with grace and efficiency that came from her spiritual beast instincts.
"Dice these vegetables," I instructed, handing her a knife. "Small, uniform pieces."
"I have claws that could do this faster," she pointed out, but took the knife anyway. Her cutting technique was surprisingly good. "I used to watch human chefs in the forest villages. Never thought I'd be doing it myself."
"Life's funny that way." I was preparing a scaled-down version of what I'd made for her still using premium ingredients, but not quite as spiritually potent. The adventurers were mortal cultivators, not spiritual beasts, so their dietary needs were different.
[You are creating: Adventurer's Hearty Breakfast (x3)]
[Quality: Excellent]
[Effects: Stamina restoration, minor healing, improved focus, temporary strength boost]
Within forty minutes, we had three plates ready: Cloud Rice porridge with Spirit Beast Meat strips, glazed vegetables, and a side of spiritual herb tea. The presentation wasn't as elaborate as Yuki's feast, but it still looked and smelled incredible.
"I'll help you serve," Yuki said, picking up one of the trays with practiced ease.
We brought the food out to the dining area where the three adventurers had gathered. In the better light, I could see them more clearly now.
The leader was named Captain Lin Mei a serious woman in her late twenties with the bearing of someone who'd seen real combat. The bear-like man was Jin, who served as their tank and close-combat specialist. The younger scholarly one was Wei, their scout and information gatherer.
"Holy shit," Jin said the moment we set the plates down. His eyes were locked on the food with almost religious reverence. "This is inn food? This looks like what nobility eats."
"Please, enjoy," I said with a slight bow. "If you need anything else, just let us know."
Lin Mei took a careful bite, chewing slowly. Her eyes widened. "This is... extraordinary. Wei, try this."
The scholar tasted his portion and nearly dropped his chopsticks. "There's spiritual energy in this food. Significant amounts. Innkeeper Kazuki, are you a spiritual chef?"
"Just someone who takes hospitality seriously," I deflected, using my Silver Tongue skill. "I believe good food is the foundation of good service."
[Silver Tongue (Passive) activated]
[Guests impressed but not suspicious]
They ate with obvious enthusiasm, the exhaustion visibly lifting from their faces as the food's effects took hold. Jin finished first, leaning back with a satisfied groan.
"I take back what I said about the price. Two silver is a steal for this quality." He patted his stomach. "I feel like I could fight a spirit bear right now."
"Please don't fight any spirit bears near my inn," I said with a slight smile. "Bad for business."
That got a laugh from all three of them. The tension in the room eased considerably as they relaxed, the food and comfortable atmosphere working their magic.
Lin Mei set down her chopsticks and studied me thoughtfully. "Kazuki, may I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"This inn The Lazy Dragon Inn it's not listed in any of the regional guides. We only stopped because Wei saw smoke from your chimney and we were desperate for shelter. How long have you been operating here?"
"I inherited the place a few weeks ago," I explained. "The previous owner let it fall into disrepair. I've been renovating and trying to rebuild the reputation."
"You're doing an excellent job," Wei said, pushing his glasses up. "The building has good bones, the location is strategic for travelers between the eastern villages and Silverbrook, and the service is exceptional. With word of mouth, you could have steady business within months."
[Guest Insight (Passive) activating...]
[Wei has extensive knowledge of trade routes and business. His assessment is genuine.]
"I appreciate the encouragement," I said. "Though I'll admit, guests have been scarce so far."
"That'll change once we spread the word," Jin promised. "Adventurers talk. When we get to Silverbrook and tell people about this place, you'll have travelers lining up."
Lin Mei was still watching me carefully. "Kazuki, I need to be direct. We're not just random travelers. We're on a guild mission, and we could use some information. Would you be willing to answer a few questions?"
[Warning: Guest is probing for information]
[Recommendation: Answer honestly but cautiously]
"I'll help if I can," I said neutrally. "What do you need to know?"
"Have you seen any Phoenix Sect disciples in this area recently?"
My heart rate spiked, but I kept my expression calm. "Yes, actually. They've passed through twice in the past week. Once asking about a woman with violet eyes, another time looking for a stolen spiritual beast."
Yuki tensed beside me, but I gave her a subtle look that said stay calm.
Lin Mei leaned forward. "What did you tell them?"
"That I hadn't seen what they were looking for. Which was true I hadn't seen anyone matching those descriptions at the time they asked." Technically accurate, if misleading.
"Good," she said, surprising me. "The Phoenix Sect has been overstepping their authority in this region. The Adventurer's Guild has received multiple complaints about their aggressive recruitment tactics and harassment of independent cultivators."
Wei nodded. "They're trying to establish dominance before the Imperial Inspectors arrive for their five-year regional assessment. If they can claim control over enough territory and resources, they'll get preferential treatment."
"Resources like rare spiritual beasts," Jin added, giving Yuki a meaningful look. "Or talented cultivators they want to recruit by force."
I felt ice in my stomach. "Are you suggesting the Phoenix Sect is acting illegally?"
"Suggesting? No. We know they are." Lin Mei pulled out a scroll from her pack. "The Adventurer's Guild has been gathering evidence. That's actually why we're heading to Silverbrook to deliver testimony to the Imperial Magistrate stationed there."
[Important Information Revealed]
[The Phoenix Sect is under investigation by Imperial authorities]
[Timeline: Imperial Inspectors arrive in region within 2-3 months]
This changed everything. If the Phoenix Sect was already under scrutiny, they'd be more desperate to hide their activities. Which made them more dangerous, but also more vulnerable.
"That's... good to know," I said carefully. "I'll make sure to document any future visits from them."
"You should do more than that," Lin Mei said seriously. "You should report them to the guild. Especially if they're harassing an honest businessman like yourself."
"I'll consider it."
She studied me for another long moment, then seemed to make a decision. "Kazuki, let me be frank. Your assistant is a fox spirit, your inn has protective formations that would cost hundreds of gold to install, and you're serving food with spiritual properties that most chefs train decades to achieve. You're clearly not just a simple innkeeper."
[Warning: Guest has seen through Host's cover]
[Negotiation options available]
I met her gaze steadily. "And you're clearly not just simple adventurers on a routine mission. You're gathering intelligence on a powerful sect for the Imperial government."
She smiled slightly. "Touché."
"So maybe we both have our secrets," I continued. "And maybe we can respect each other's privacy while still being mutually helpful."
Jin laughed. "I like this guy. He's got spine."
Lin Mei considered, then nodded. "Fair enough. But Kazuki, if you're harboring anyone the Phoenix Sect is looking for, be careful. They're getting desperate, and desperate people do dangerous things."
"I appreciate the warning. And if you're investigating them, be careful yourself. Powerful sects don't take kindly to being exposed."
"We can handle ourselves," she assured me. "But actually, that brings me to a request. We need to stay here for two days instead of one. We're waiting for another guild member to arrive with additional evidence before we continue to Silverbrook. Would you be able to accommodate us for the extra night?"
[Quest Update: Serve the Adventurers]
[Extended stay requested]
[Additional reward available if accepted]
"Of course," I said. "Same rate applies. Two silver per person per night."
"Done." She pulled out a small pouch and counted out twelve silver coins payment in advance for both nights. "And Kazuki? If your inn is ever in trouble, remember that the Adventurer's Guild looks after its friends. You've treated us well. We don't forget that."
[Relationship with Adventurer's Guild improved: Neutral → Friendly]
[New Feature Unlocked: Guild Contacts]
After they finished breakfast and returned to their rooms to rest, Yuki and I cleaned up in the kitchen.
"That was intense," she said quietly. "They know I'm a spiritual beast, they know the inn has secrets, and they're investigating the sect that's hunting me."
"But they're also on our side, in a way," I pointed out. "The enemy of my enemy and all that."
"Do you trust them?"
I thought about it. "I trust that they're genuinely against the Phoenix Sect's corruption. Whether that makes them our allies or just convenient temporary associates, time will tell."
"You're getting good at this whole 'mysterious innkeeper with secrets' thing," she said with a slight smile.
"Fake it till you make it," I replied. "Now help me plan lunch. We have guests to feed and a reputation to build."
[Quest Progress: 5/10 guests served successfully]
[Inn Reputation increasing...]
[The Lazy Dragon Inn is slowly becoming known]
As we worked, I couldn't help but feel that things were accelerating. The Phoenix Sect investigation, the adventurers' presence, Yuki's recovery everything was building toward something.
I just hoped I'd be ready when it arrived.
[End of Chapter 12]