Chapter 82: The Thorn King Mercenary Corps

“Someone! Show the young master to a good seat!” the innkeeper shouted loudly.

“Right away!” Another attendant quickly rushed over.

“Please follow me, young master,” he said to Qian Mo.

“Alright, let’s go,” Qian Mo nodded in reply.

The attendant led Qian Mo to a room and stopped before the door. “Young master, this will be your dining room.” He opened the door and guided Qian Mo inside.

“Young master, please enjoy some tea and wait a moment. We’ll bring you the most delicious dishes right away!” The attendant arranged the items on the table and poured him a cup of tea.

“Alright, you may go about your work,” Qian Mo instructed, lifting the cup.

“Yes, young master.” The attendant left, closing the door behind him.

Now, Qian Mo was alone in the room. He looked around; the decor was quite nice. Even with the door closed, the aroma of the food was tantalizingly thick.

“Ah, I’m so hungry. I really want to eat something,” Qian Mo murmured to himself. He could only drink cup after cup of tea to stave off his hunger.

Meanwhile, out at the reception, two people rushed in, opening the inn’s door and hurrying to the counter to speak to the man there, whose name was Ma Tao.

“Uncle Tao, has a young man in white robes with a jade pendant come through here recently?” they asked.

“Oh? It’s you two little rascals!” Ma Tao recognized them immediately—it was Ma Lie and Ma Li.

“Uncle Tao, don’t worry about that. Just tell me, did a man in white robes with a jade pendant come here?” Ma Lie interrupted, pressing his question.

“Oh? That must be the young master from just now! White robes and a jade pendant—yes, he was here. Are you acquainted with him?” Ma Tao recalled the figure from a few minutes ago.

If they knew him, that could be a good thing—the young master looked wealthy.

“Of course! When we were being chased by the Chiwang Mercenary Group, that young master saved us. Then, since he was hungry, he arrived here just ahead of us. Without him, you wouldn’t be seeing me and Ma Li right now.”

Ma Li nodded vigorously in agreement.

“What? The Chiwang Mercenary Group was after you? But we’ve already paid them protection money! Why are they still causing trouble? Outrageous!” Ma Tao slammed his fist on the table in anger.

“They’ve set their sights on Ma Li’s beauty, what else,” Ma Lie sighed.

“By the way, Uncle Tao, quickly tell me where that young master is,” Ma Lie asked urgently.

“He’s dining in the tea room over there,” Ma Tao said, pointing to a room at the back.

“Young master! Your meal is ready!” The attendant opened the room door and wheeled in a cart.

“It smells wonderful,” Qian Mo remarked, savoring the aroma.

“These are the most delicious dishes our inn offers. We’ve prepared them all for you,” the attendant said with a smile.

“Good, bring them up quickly. I’m starving,” Qian Mo urged.

“Yes, young master.” The attendant brought dish after dish to the table until all were served: five dishes, a bowl of rice, and a pot of soup.

“Let’s hear about these dishes,” Qian Mo said, picking up his chopsticks.

“Of course, young master. These five dishes are: first-tier magical beast green serpent meat, second-tier magical beast black boar, second-tier magical beast saber-toothed tiger, stir-fried beans with blood sausage, and braised pork stomach with green onions. The soup is serpent and tiger gallbladder soup, an excellent tonic,” the attendant explained each one carefully.

“Well, this journey was worth it,” Qian Mo smiled, licking his lips.

“Of course, young master!”

“Here, these gold coins are your tip. You may go,” Qian Mo produced a pouch of gold coins, smaller than the one he gave Ma Tao but still substantial, and tossed it to the attendant.

The attendant caught it hurriedly, bowing and scraping. “Thank you, young master. Please enjoy your meal, I won’t disturb you further.” He left, closing the door behind him.

“Fortune smiles on me today! So much gold!” Outside the door, the attendant played with the pouch, delighted, then quickly hid it and left.

Inside, Qian Mo could wait no longer and began to eat.

“Delicious!” Qian Mo praised, savoring a piece of green serpent meat. As he chewed, a slight smile curled on his lips. “Those two brats are finally here!” With a flick of his fingers, the door to the room swung open.

Outside, the two who had been hurrying over saw the door open on its own.

“Seems Brother Qian already knew we were here! Truly impressive—he knew before we even reached the door,” Ma Lie marveled.

“Indeed!” Ma Li agreed.

As they entered, Qian Mo spoke while chewing, “You two are really slow. I’ve already started eating and you’re only just here.” He glanced at them.

“Uh…” The two were at a loss for words.

“Don’t just stand there, sit down and eat! The dishes here in Ma Village’s inn are truly delicious!” Qian Mo told them, popping another piece of meat into his mouth.

“Um… is that alright?” Ma Lie scratched his head awkwardly.

“Don’t make me repeat myself—just eat!” Qian Mo said, pointing his chopsticks at Ma Lie.

“Alright…”

“Wow! These are the inn’s finest dishes! It’d cost tens of thousands of gold coins to taste them all…” Ma Li exclaimed.

“So delicious!”

The two ate with gusto.

“If you like it, eat as much as you want. This meal is my treat,” Qian Mo said.

The two nodded happily, their mouths full, faces radiant with joy.

Watching them, Qian Mo smiled and shook his head, then continued eating.

“By the way, tell me about the ones chasing you. I’m quite curious,” Qian Mo asked after taking another bite.

“The ones after us are called the Chiwang Mercenary Group. They’re truly detestable!” Ma Lie replied, cheeks puffed out with food.

“Chiwang Mercenary Group?” Qian Mo muttered, thinking to himself, “What is this now? First Ma Village, now the Chiwang Mercenary Group? This is so different from what I read in Battle Through the Heavens…”

End of chapter.