One had delicate features, the other a tall figure.

Both were dressed as maids. After getting off the carriage, they lifted the curtain.

Only then did a young woman carefully step out. She had a refined face, skin like congealed cream, wore a pale yellow long dress, and moved gently, appearing somewhat frail. Supported by the maids, she slowly descended from the carriage.

"Shopkeeper, bring some tea."

This group—four guards, two maids, a coachman, and a young lady—totaled eight people, and they split into two tables.

The teahouse was small, and there were already other travelers resting there. With these eight joining, the place was filled, making the business seem bustling for a while.

Just as the eight sat down, another slightly lazy voice sounded from within the teahouse.

"Shopkeeper, another pot of tea."

"......"

Warrior Grant casually turned his head for a glance, and his heart suddenly jolted. He stood up abruptly.

His expression shifted, his mind unsettled.

This young Taoist, lingering like a shadow—could he be here for their group?

Chapter 013: The Taoist Slices the River with One Sword!

Inside the teahouse, the travelers each sipped their tea.

They were quite tired from their journey, and took the chance to chat idly with their companions while resting.

Meanwhile, as Mr. Grant stood up, his companions also tensed, their gazes all turning that way.

Immediately, the atmosphere at the two tables grew taut.

"Ah, Daoist, the shop is full. Please bear with us for a moment," the shopkeeper hurriedly called out in the midst of his busyness.

The Taoist just chuckled and said, "Do hurry, it's hot today. I've only had one pot of tea, and I'm still thirsty."

From start to finish, he never glanced their way.

Mr. Grant exchanged a look with his companions, and for some reason, felt a bit relieved.

It seemed he wasn't here for them.

"Uncle Grant..."

"Sit down."

Mr. Grant pressed his hand down, signaling his companions to sit.

"Uncle Grant, do you know him?"

The young woman in the pale yellow dress beside him suddenly asked in a soft voice.

She had also seen him—a young Taoist, with handsome features and a carefree manner, appearing rather unconventional.

"We set out this morning and have run into him three times on the road," Uncle Grant said in a low voice.

"Three times?" the woman in the yellow dress asked in surprise.

"That's right. He travels alone on the road. Each time our carriage passed him, not long after, he would appear ahead of us again." Uncle Grant frowned and said quietly, "At first I thought my old eyes were playing tricks, but after meeting him again, I knew he was no ordinary man. I didn't expect that as soon as we stopped, he was already here."

"The carriage moves much faster than walking," the woman in yellow said, frowning.

"Exactly. On the main road, he walked very slowly. By rights, at his pace, he shouldn't reach here until noon tomorrow." Uncle Grant's face was grave. "But he arrived at this teahouse before us."

"Could he be after us?" another guard whispered.

"Doesn't seem like it. If he really was, he would've made a move already." After saying this, Warrior Grant beckoned the shopkeeper over and said, "I'll pay for that Daoist's tea."

"Uncle Grant, why are you wasting money again?" whispered the maid who had been sold into service, feeling sorry for the silver.

"Look at him—there's not a speck of dust on him, but when we passed earlier, the dust we kicked up covered half his body." Middle-aged Mr. Grant took a sip of tea and said, "A master like that may not hold it against us, but you never know. We can't be rude. Paying for his tea is a gesture of courtesy."

"Uncle Grant did the right thing," the woman in the yellow dress said softly. "It's just a pot of tea, after all. Consider it buying some goodwill."

Meanwhile, at the other end of the teahouse.

Samuel Brooks took a sip of tea, feeling quite content.

The voices from the other side were kept very low, not daring to speak loudly.

But Samuel Brooks, being a cultivator of some attainment, could hear their conversation even without trying to eavesdrop.

"Quite the old hand," he chuckled, pouring another cup and placing it at his sleeve.

From his sleeve, a small, black, furry bear head poked out, drank the tea, and smacked its lips.

"Samuel Brooks, they say even a Realman of the Spirit-Refining Realm can't go without food. If you ask me, it's just that they don't want to."

"You little fellow, not even at the Qi-Refining Realm yet, and you say such things?"

"If one day I become a demon king of the Spirit-Refining Realm, I wouldn't want to go without food either. Drinking tea and eating meat—what a wonderful thing!"

"That's reasonable."

Samuel Brooks laughed, put down his teacup, and said, "But truly, even Spirit-Refining Realmen can't go without food. Maybe not grains, but they still need pills and spiritual items..."

He stood up, set down the teapot, and walked forward.

The little bear was shocked, then overjoyed.

Could it be that the always law-abiding Samuel Brooks was about to drink tea without paying today?

If this continued, and Samuel Brooks became enlightened, then from now on, there'd be no more expenses for food and drink. Over the years, wouldn't that mean saving up a tidy sum?

"What are you thinking?"

Samuel Brooks said calmly, "Someone already paid as an apology."