CHAPTER 482: ._2

"Have you noticed?"

The old beggar—she couldn’t feel any spiritual energy fluctuations from his body. There were only two possibilities: one was that his cultivation level was so profound it surpassed her own, and the other was that he possessed some secret technique.

Obviously, the former was not very likely; Ji Nanjue didn’t believe Tribulation-Crossing Cultivators could be encountered so easily in this world.

"That young beggar has astonishing talent."

"It could even be comparable to Zi Jun’s natural gift."

Ji Nanjue seemed to think of something, then said with a playful smile, "Maybe he’s here specifically for you, looking to take care of the disaster that you are. If you get beaten to death, I’ll be sure to collect your corpse..."

Su Bei was furious. He stretched out his large hand and smacked her on the rear, the crisp sound echoing in the room.

"Who curses their own man like that?"

"You spendthrift woman!"

Ji Nanjue’s phoenix eyes immediately widened, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. She glanced around nervously to confirm no one was paying attention to them, and only then did she calm down. In retaliation, she pinched Su Bei’s waist fiercely, "I am your woman, but you are not my man."

Su Bei twitched the corner of his mouth and, as if to compensate, gently caressed the spot. Even through the layer of a white gauze skirt, the elastic and silky sensation was still delightfully invigorating.

Then, with a naughty glint in his eyes, he roamed her body with his gaze, bit her earlobe, and whispered, "Tonight, I’ll let you know whether or not I am your man."

Li Zijun watched the scene before her. Although she had witnessed it many times, the impact was still too much for her. She quickly turned her head away, her face flushed red, covering her eyes to avoid looking.

Yet the small gap between her slightly open fingers still betrayed the tiny bit of reluctance in her heart.

As Su Bei’s actions grew bolder, Ji Nanjue’s cheeks turned redder. "Don’t... there are too many people..."

Her words came out in fits and starts, as he held her in a firm grasp.

With a wave of his hand, Su Bei conjured a hazy screen in front of them. If he didn’t punish her, he might lose his standing in the family!

With a flick of his finger, a cord tied at the waist of the white gauze skirt loosened and fell.

Ji Nanjue trembled violently, then pushed Su Bei away, whispering, "Tonight... tonight..."

Su Bei gently stroked her head. He had only intended a small punishment.

He couldn’t just do it right there and then...

Ji Nanjue sat back down in her original seat, the cherry red on her cheeks still lingering.

The waiter at the inn watched the two beggars brazenly seat themselves at a table. He opened his mouth, but in the end, did not drive them out.

After all, they were still guests; he couldn’t just throw them out, could he?

The other guests frowned upon seeing the two disheveled figures. Some, upon entering the hall and beholding the sight, turned around and marched straight out.

In the midst of his hesitation, the waiter saw the innkeeper approaching. The innkeeper whispered a few words in his ear. After hearing them, the waiter quickly nodded and then promptly walked towards the old beggar, "Esteemed guest, could you perhaps move to a corner spot?"

"Hmm, we can offer you a small plate of cold dishes on the house, what do you think...?"

His words were, after all, tactful.

With the two of them sitting there, dirty as they were, in such a conspicuous place in the hall, it was bad for business.

"Hmm, understood."

The old beggar was quite easygoing. He offered the waiter a smile and a baffling remark, "That’s why this Old Hua likes your establishment; it’s been like this for over a hundred years..."

Seeing that the two agreed to change seats, the waiter hurriedly led them to a corner.

Whispers could be heard all around: "How could two beggars come here to eat?" "Pitiful wretches." "The stench is unbearable." "Damned beggars."

Su Bei thought for a moment, then stretched out his hand to beckon the two. "Ahem, you two... gentlemen, if you do not disdain my company, you may join me at my table."

"Of course, please feel free to enjoy the dishes on the table."

As his words fell, everyone in the hall looked at the handsome, white-robed, white-haired man with puzzled expressions.

Tao City was not particularly large, nor was it small. Because its peach blossoms bloomed year-round, it attracted many tourists. But had anyone ever seen such a distinguished-looking person here before?

Soon, whispers filled the hall as everyone’s gaze turned repeatedly toward Su Bei’s party of three and the two beggars.

The old beggar blinked, casting a meaningful glance at Su Bei, and was about to say something when the young beggar beside him could no longer hold back.

His eyes, already wide, were fixed on the braised beef, braised pork knuckles, and other dishes on Su Bei’s table.

"Old Hua, are you daft? Hurry up and accept his offer!"

"It’s a free meal, don’t pass it up!"

The old beggar glanced at the young beggar, gave him a knock on the head, and said, "Listen up. Accepting a meal from someone means you owe them a favor."

"In this world, a favor from this Old Hua isn’t so easily obtained..."

Before he could finish, the young beggar had already eagerly scrambled to Su Bei’s table, grabbed a large chicken leg, and stuffed it into his mouth. He let out a long sigh of relief, savoring the meaty flavor on his taste buds, so moved that his nose nearly started dripping.

"Old Hua, come eat some meat!"

The old beggar was rendered speechless.

With no other choice, he heaved a long sigh, dragged a long bench over, and sat down at Su Bei’s table.

"Old Hua greets you all."

"And thank you for your kind hospitality..."

Li Zijun looked tenderly at the young beggar wolfing down his food. After a moment’s thought, she picked up a pork rib with her chopsticks and placed it in his bowl.

The young beggar looked up, his mouth stuffed full, at Li Zijun and mumbled indistinctly, "Thank you, sister! You’re really pretty, prettier than an immortal..."

Li Zijun chuckled softly and moved closer to Su Bei.

Su Bei gently placed his chopsticks down, then looked at the old beggar and smiled, "I am Su Bei. I’m traveling with my wife and daughter from the Eastern Country to the South Country. We happened to pass by this place and, captivated by the splendid peach blossoms, decided to stay an extra night."

"And you, sir?"

The old beggar didn’t stand on ceremony. He poured himself a cup of wine and took a delightful sip, "For a beggar like me to be called ’sir’—Mr. Su, you’re the first."

Setting down his wine cup, he scrutinized Su Bei closely, then glanced at Ji Nanjue and Li Zijun, licking his lips. "Is Mr. Su from Snow State?"

Su Bei was somewhat surprised. He smiled and said, "How did you know, sir?"

The old beggar curled his lip slightly, pointing towards the Sword Scabbard Su Bei carried on his back. "This Old Hua may be a beggar, but I’m not blind."

As he spoke, he looked at Su Bei’s white hair, seemingly lost in thought.

"Have you visited Tao City many times before, old sir?" Su Bei picked up some vegetables with his chopsticks and casually inquired.

"I heard you mention earlier that this inn has been the same for a hundred years... Does that mean this inn has a history of several hundred years?"

Before he could finish, the young beggar interjected, "Kind sir, don’t listen to Old Hua’s blustering! He’s just a beggar. This is our first time in Tao City; what ’several hundred years’ is he talking about?"

"Mmm, this braised pork knuckle is really delicious!"

"This chicken leg is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside! Amazing!"

"Old Hua, we should come here often in the future! My treat! The restaurants in big places are nothing like those in Pimple Village. The wine, the meat... it really fills you up!" the young beggar declared boldly, patting his stomach with an air of satisfaction.

Su Bei smiled at his antics, then glanced at the old beggar and remarked, "This child is quite clever..."

Upon hearing Su Bei’s words, the old beggar’s eyes narrowed instantly. He placed his wine cup on the table and said lightly, "This Old Hua is still counting on this child to care for me in my old age."

Realizing his words might have been misunderstood, Su Bei paused for a moment, then laughed, "Of course, of course. I assure you, I meant nothing else by it..."