The next morning started peacefully enough. I woke early to prepare breakfast for the adventurers, who'd spent the previous day resting and occasionally venturing out to scout the surrounding area. Yuki had proven invaluable as staff, handling serving duties while I focused on cooking.
"They're eating enough for six people," Yuki observed as she brought back empty plates from the dining area. "Especially Jin. Where does he put it all?"
"Cultivators burn through energy fast," I explained, already preparing seconds. "And my food has spiritual properties that their bodies crave. It's actually a compliment means the cooking is working."
[Spiritual Cooking proficiency increasing through repeated practice]
[Current level: Intermediate → Advanced (15% progress)]
By mid-morning, I was reviewing my finances at the counter. The adventurers' payment had given me nine silver total enough to cover half my immediate debt to Administrator Chen Wei. I needed three more silver to make his two-week deadline, which was now just five days away.
"Thinking about money?" Yuki asked, hopping onto the counter in fox form. She'd discovered she could shift between human and fox at will now, and seemed to prefer the fox form for casual situations.
"Worrying about it, more like. I need more guests, fast."
"The incense is still burning. Someone will come."
As if summoned by her words, I heard hoofbeats approaching on the road. A single rider this time, moving at a measured pace.
[Guest Approaching]
[Threat Level: Moderate]
[Status: Injured, Exhausted]
"Another injured person," I muttered. "Is that going to be my specialty? The inn for people who are injured and on the run?"
"Could be worse specialties," Yuki said philosophically.
The rider came into view through the window a young man, maybe mid-twenties, with messy dark hair and wearing the distinctive green and brown robes of the Forest Guard sect. He was slumped in his saddle, clearly struggling to stay upright.
I moved to the door just as he dismounted or rather, fell off his horse. I rushed out to catch him before he hit the ground.
"Easy, I've got you," I said, supporting his weight. Up close, I could see blood seeping through his robes from multiple wounds. "What happened?"
"Bandits," he gasped. "Twenty of them. Ambush on the northern road. My patrol... I'm the only one who got away." His eyes were glazed with pain and exhaustion. "Need... need to get to Silverbrook. Report to the Guard Captain."
"First, you need medical attention. Come inside."
I helped him through the door, and Yuki immediately jumped down from the counter, transforming to human form mid-leap. The injured man's eyes widened at the transformation.
"Don't worry about her," I said quickly. "She's staff. Yuki, get the first aid supplies. And tell the adventurers we might need their help."
She nodded and darted off. I helped the young man to a chair, where he collapsed gratefully.
"What's your name?" I asked, examining his wounds. Several deep cuts on his arms and torso, bruising on his ribs, and a nasty gash on his leg.
"Zhao Chen. Junior Disciple of the Forest Guard." He winced as I probed near a particularly bad cut. "Those bandits were no ordinary thugs. They had cultivation. Foundation Establishment level, at least three of them."
[Guest Identified: Zhao Chen]
[Cultivation Level: Qi Gathering (9th Stage)]
[Status: Critical injuries, blood loss, spiritual energy depleted]
[Recommendation: Immediate treatment required]
"I'm going to clean these wounds and bandage them, but you need proper healing," I told him. "Can you take a pill or potion?"
"Used my last healing pill during the escape." He coughed, and I saw blood on his lips. Internal injuries too. "Don't have... anything left."
Lin Mei appeared from the stairs, fully armed and alert. "What's the situation?"
"Forest Guard disciple, ambushed by bandits on the northern road. He needs healing, fast."
She knelt beside Zhao Chen, her expression turning grave as she assessed his condition. "This is bad. Without treatment, he won't last the day." She pulled a small jade bottle from her pouch. "I have a mid-grade healing pill, but it's expensive. Twenty gold worth."
"Give it to him," I said without hesitation. "I'll cover the cost."
"Kazuki, you don't have twenty gold"
"I said I'll cover it. Guest's life comes first." I met her eyes. "That's the policy here."
She studied me for a moment, then smiled slightly. "You really mean that, don't you?" She uncorked the bottle and helped Zhao Chen swallow the pill. "Alright, but consider this a loan. You can pay me back when you're flush with cash."
The pill took effect quickly, glowing with soft green light as it worked through his system. The bleeding slowed, then stopped. Color returned to his face, and his breathing steadied.
"Thank you," he breathed. "Both of you. I thought... I thought I was going to die."
"You're at The Lazy Dragon Inn," I said firmly. "Guests don't die here if I can help it. Now rest while I prepare something to help your recovery."
I headed to the kitchen, my mind racing. This was my fourth quest guest I needed to handle this perfectly. But more importantly, a Forest Guard patrol had been wiped out by bandits. That was serious news.
Yuki joined me in the kitchen. "That's bad, isn't it? The Forest Guard being attacked?"
"Very bad. They're responsible for protecting the roads and hunting criminals in this region. If they're getting ambushed by Foundation Establishment cultivators, that means the bandit problem is worse than anyone thought." I started pulling out ingredients. "I need to make something that'll restore his spiritual energy and accelerate the pill's healing effects."
[Spiritual Cooking challenge detected]
[Create a dish to restore depleted cultivator]
[Difficulty: Hard]
I worked with intense focus, drawing on every technique I'd learned. Cloud Rice as the base, but prepared with a specific method to enhance energy restoration. Spirit Beast Meat, but marinated in spiritual herbs that promoted blood regeneration. Phoenix Tail Mushrooms, sliced and arranged to create a formation pattern on the plate that would channel healing energy.
It was the most complex dish I'd attempted yet, requiring precise timing and constant attention to the energy flows in the ingredients.
[Spiritual Cooking (Advanced) activating at full capacity...]
[Recipe creation: Cultivator's Recovery Feast]
Forty-five minutes later, I emerged with a steaming bowl that glowed with soft golden light. Even Lin Mei, who'd been keeping watch over Zhao Chen, looked impressed.
"Is that...?" Wei had come downstairs, drawn by the aroma. "That's grade-three spiritual food. Innkeeper Kazuki, you're not just a spiritual chef you're a master."
"I'm just someone who cooks," I said, setting the bowl in front of Zhao Chen. "Eat slowly. It's potent."
[You have created: Cultivator's Recovery Feast]
[Quality: Superior]
[Effects: Rapid spiritual energy restoration, enhanced healing, temporary cultivation boost, minor breakthrough assistance]
Zhao Chen took one bite and his eyes went wide. "This is incredible. I can feel my spiritual energy returning already." He ate with reverent care, and with each bite, I could see him physically improving. The pallor left his face, his posture straightened, and the lingering pain in his expression faded.
By the time he finished, he looked like a different person still tired and battered, but alive and recovering quickly.
"I can never repay this kindness," he said, bowing deeply from his seated position. "You saved my life, Innkeeper Kazuki. The Forest Guard doesn't forget its debts."
[Quest Progress: 6/10 guests served successfully]
[Relationship with Forest Guard established: Neutral → Grateful]
[Warning: Information about your inn is spreading quickly]
"Just doing my job," I said. "But I do need to ask these bandits who attacked you. Where exactly were they?"
"About ten miles north of here, near the Old Mill ruins. But there's something you should know." His expression darkened. "Those weren't ordinary bandits. Their leader was wearing Phoenix Sect robes."
The room went silent.
"Phoenix Sect?" Lin Mei's voice was sharp. "Are you certain?"
"Positive. I saw the golden phoenix emblem clearly. But he wasn't acting like a disciple he was commanding the bandits, taking a cut of their loot." Zhao Chen's hands clenched into fists. "The sect is either using bandits as proxies or some of their disciples have gone rogue and turned to crime."
Wei was already taking notes. "This is exactly the kind of evidence the Imperial Magistrate needs. Zhao Chen, you'll need to come with us to Silverbrook and give an official statement."
"I intend to. But first, I need to recover my strength." He looked at me. "Innkeeper, may I stay here for a day or two? I can pay"
"Two silver per night, meals included," I said. "And you're welcome to stay as long as you need."
He pulled out a small pouch and counted out four silver. "Two nights, then. After that, I'll continue to Silverbrook with the adventurers if they'll have me."
"Of course," Lin Mei said. "We leave tomorrow at dawn. The more witnesses we have, the stronger our case."
As everyone dispersed back to their activities, I felt the weight of the situation settling on my shoulders. The Phoenix Sect's corruption was worse than I'd thought they weren't just harassing people, they were actively involved in criminal activities.
And my inn was becoming a gathering point for everyone who opposed them.
"Kazuki," Yuki said quietly, appearing beside me. "This is getting dangerous. The Phoenix Sect already has you on their watch list. If they find out you're harboring their enemies..."
"I know," I said. "But what else can I do? Turn away people who need help?"
"No," she said softly. "That's not who you are. But we need to be prepared for what's coming."
I looked around my inn at the adventurers planning their journey, at Zhao Chen resting and recovering, at Yuki standing by my side.
"Then we'll prepare," I said firmly. "Together."
[Warning: Phoenix Sect attention increasing]
[Estimated time until direct confrontation: Unknown]
[Recommendation: Strengthen defenses and gather allies]
The storm was coming. I could feel it.
[End of Chapter 13]