"If I hadn’t been paying close attention, I would have missed it. So, if you want to make money, you have to decorate a bit more lavishly."
Hearing this, Mi Haichuan sighed, "I’m well aware of this, but it’s not that simple. You don’t understand the complexities involved. The waters in Nandian Town run very deep."
Zhao Ya was intrigued and was about to ask more questions when the attendant came to serve the tea.
Mi Haichuan did not discuss it further and went to arrange a room for Zhao Ya.
After serving the tea, the attendant was preparing to leave, but Zhao Ya stopped him.
"Please wait, attendant."
"Is there anything you need, sir?"
"Not really a request, just curious why this small town inn is so lively?"
"Is this your first time in Nandian?" the attendant asked with a smile.
"Yes, it’s indeed my first time on this trade route," Zhao Ya replied.
"That explains it. Anyone who travels this route frequently knows about Nandian Town. Only newcomers like you would wonder about this."
The attendant looked around, saw that Mi Haichuan had not returned, leaned closer, and whispered.
"You should know, Nandian Town has a significant background. I can’t say more, but remember this one thing."
"Once you’re here, as long as you’re willing to spend money, everything you could wish for is available."
"Oh? Is it really that good?" Zhao Ya was a bit surprised.
"Good?" The attendant scoffed. "It sounds nice, but it’s all built on others’ suffering. Take our little inn, for example. We have to pay at least thirty percent of our profits each year."
"Why is that?"
"I wouldn’t know. They call it a management fee, but I haven’t seen anyone managing anything."
Thirty percent of the profits might not sound like much, but in reality, it’s a terrifying figure.
Especially for a small inn like Mi Family Inn.
Zhao Ya finally understood why the inn was so rundown; paying so much every year made it hard to afford renovations.
"But I see those shops on the street are all lavishly decorated. What’s going on with them? Don’t they have to pay?" Zhao Ya asked.
"They don’t have to pay because they’re part of Master Yang’s enterprise."
Despite the attendant’s effort to conceal it, his face showed disdain when he mentioned Master Yang.
Zhao Ya knew he had finally touched the root of the issue.
No need to ask; Master Yang was definitely Yang Bin.
But just as Zhao Ya was about to inquire further, a group of people burst in from outside.
The leader was missing an arm and half an ear, but even so, had an arrogant expression.
Seeing him, the attendant’s face immediately changed, and he dared not talk to Zhao Ya any further, quickly going up to greet him.
"Master Hao, you’ve arrived!"
"Hmm, Master Yang just gave orders. An important figure is arriving today, so all the shops in town need to be checked," Lian Hao said arrogantly.
"It’s really tough on you, Master Hao. Our Mi Family Inn has always been law-abiding. We promise there won’t be any issues."
"Hmph, that’s not for you to decide." Lian Hao sneered, then pointed with his remaining hand.
"Check thoroughly."
His subordinates immediately charged forward like wolves.
The attendant’s face changed drastically.
If these people barged into the inn, not only would they disturb the guests, but it would also cause irreparable damage.
These people wouldn’t turn a blind eye to anything valuable, under the pretense of inspection.
At that moment, Mi Haichuan hurried back after preparing a room for Zhao Ya.
Seeing Nandian Town’s notorious top enforcer Lian Hao coming with his group, Mi Haichuan inwardly cursed his bad luck.
But since it was unavoidable, he had no choice but to brace himself and step forward.
"Master Hao, you know what our Mi Family Inn is like. There’s really nothing to check. Please, have some tea with your men instead."
Mi Haichuan discreetly handed over a piece of silver.
But Lian Hao didn’t even look at it, just said indifferently, "Sorry, Shopkeeper Mi, business is business. I have to offend you today."
Saying that, he made his way inside.
Mi Haichuan understood the implication, knowing it wasn’t enough, lamenting inwardly, and painfully produced another piece of silver.
"Master Hao, please show some mercy."
Only then did Lian Hao calmly take it, weighed it, and finally smiled satisfactorily.
"Shopkeeper Mi, you are sensible. After so many years, I know you don’t cause trouble, but this time is different. Master Yang personally instructed us to be prepared, so you better be careful these days and especially watch what you say. Understand?"
Mi Haichuan nodded repeatedly, assuring with a pat on his chest that he wouldn’t speak carelessly.
Only then did Lian Hao leave contentedly with his men.
Mi Haichuan saw them out, finally breathed a sigh of relief when they disappeared from sight, and then spat disdainfully.
"Pah, oppressive dogs."
These words he could only dare to whisper in his heart, not daring to show even a hint of discontent.
After all, he couldn’t guarantee that the pedestrians on the street weren’t Lian Hao’s informants.
This month was a complete loss!
Feeling both heartache and helplessness, Mi Haichuan turned back inside, intending to warn the new guest to be cautious for the next few days.
But unexpectedly, Zhao Ya was nowhere to be seen in the lobby.
The attendant said, "The guest just mentioned he was too tired these few days and went back to his room to rest."
Mi Haichuan had no doubts, sighed a few times, and went back to his own business.
Meanwhile, in the upstairs guest room, Zhao Ya was sitting cross-legged, waiting for nightfall in meditation.
He felt fortunate that he came to Nandian Town on two separate occasions; only this way could he clearly see the contrasts and differences.
The first time, Zhao Ya came as a disciple of the Azure Dragon Temple, witnessing only the town’s prosperity and the kindness of Yang Bin and others.
But this time, coming as an ordinary merchant, he saw an entirely different scene.
For instance, there was Lian Hao.
Zhao Ya clearly remembered that in that manor, Lian Hao didn’t even have the right to stand at the front but always stood at the back of the crowd.
And he wore a simple and honest smile the entire time, a stark contrast to his arrogance at Mi Family Inn.
Especially as these people referred to Yang Bin as ’Master Yang,’ it revealed hidden nuances.
With this thought, Zhao Ya suddenly sighed.
Given its blatant nature, Zhao Ya didn’t believe that those previously sent by the Azure Dragon Temple wouldn’t notice.
Even if some inexperienced disciples were fooled, those seasoned Jianghu figures could easily spot the problem.
And with just a simple investigation, he found so many clues. There’s no reason others couldn’t do the same.
This could only mean one thing: those sent might have been bribed by Yang Bin or his backers or recognized the danger here and chose to ignore it deliberately.
But such circumstances only piqued Zhao Ya’s interest further.
He came intending to stir trouble; back at the Azure Dragon Temple, Shen Yunshen had told him there was no need to worry about risks. He could boldly investigate, as any issues would be covered by Shen Yunshen and the Grand Elder.
With this assurance, Zhao Ya naturally felt no fear.
By afternoon, the snow hadn’t stopped but had intensified.
Because of the harsh weather, it was completely dark right before dinner time.
Hearing the howling wind outside, Zhao Ya slowly stood up, circulating his Qi Blood to adjust himself to the best state, and then slipped into the snowy sea like a swimming fish.