"I've already hit them. Do you have a problem?"
Long Aotian glared at the innkeeper, looking incredibly arrogant.
"No problem, no problem. Just reminding you not to cause trouble." The innkeeper quickly waved his hands.
He was just running a business, peace was precious, and if he could avoid interfering, he certainly wouldn't meddle.
He had already spoken up to stop them, and in his view, he had done his part.
At this moment, two people came down from upstairs. The elder leading them had his hands behind his back, exuding the demeanor of a master.
Following behind him was a man who looked to be in his fifties, smiling amiably and appearing quite fawning.
The man behind him saw the two people lying on the ground groaning and recognized them as members of his own sect. His face changed drastically. He suddenly quickened his pace, rushed over, and helped one of them up, asking fiercely:
"Who is it? Who beat them so badly? Their bones are practically showing. Such viciousness!"
Long Aotian ignored his words, sneered, and said, "I hit them."
"No matter who you are, you won't have an easy time today." The man still wore a fierce expression, as if he wanted to devour Long Aotian.
Then he turned to the elder behind him and shouted, "Uncle Hong, you must seek justice for your nephew!"
At this moment, the elder couldn't help but tremble all over, completely losing his previous masterly composure. His mind went blank. He felt this place was too terrifying and just wanted to leave this place that frightened him.
Long Aotian followed the man's gaze and realized that the Uncle Hong he mentioned was Hong Ben Zong.
"Hong Ben Zong, are these your people?" Long Aotian questioned.
"No, no, no, I don't know them." Hong Ben Zong shook his head like a rattle drum, quickly denying it.
They were indeed not from his sect, merely the son of an old friend whom he had promised to look after a bit after the friend's death.
Now this guy had rashly offended that life-threatening senior, and he didn't want to be buried with him.
"Uncle Hong, you this..."
"Your Uncle Hong, what? Do I know you? Damn it..."
Hong Ben Zong leaped forward directly, delivering a flying kick in mid-air that sent the man flying. He even did a couple of somersaults before landing.
This kick was quite vicious, knocking the man unconscious.
Though it seemed ruthless, it was actually saving his life. By knocking him out now, he couldn't cause any more trouble.
"Senior, this fellow is ignorant. I've taught him a lesson for you." Hong Ben Zong was extremely scared, hoping he had just made up for his mistake and could appease Xia Feng, not wanting to be implicated.
"Do you have rooms? I need seven more." Xia Feng asked casually.
"Yes, yes, yes, we have them." Hong Ben Zong nodded repeatedly, afraid that any delay would displease Xia Feng.
The innkeeper was stunned. This was too dramatic.
Based on his years of observing people, he knew that Xia Feng was the true big shot.
Then Hong Ben Zong quickly ran to the counter and said to the innkeeper, "Cancel all ten rooms booked by the Laoshan Sect."
"We only need seven," Long Aotian reminded him.
"Having more is useless and a waste of public resources."
Besides, in a place like this, two people could share a room for mutual care.
"Alright, alright, cancel seven rooms." Hong Ben Zong nodded repeatedly.
"Guest, please come over to register." The innkeeper called out to Long Aotian politely.
Long Aotian went over expressionlessly to register. After completing the procedures, he left with Xia Feng.
Hong Ben Zong secretly wiped away a bead of sweat as he watched Xia Feng walk away.
"Cancel the remaining three rooms as well," Hong Ben Zong said to the innkeeper.
"You don't need any?" the innkeeper asked.
"No, cancel them quickly." Hong Ben Zong was a little impatient.
With Xia Feng here, and having almost encountered a minor conflict, why wouldn't he leave quickly? As for participating in the cultivator's大会, there was no point.
After Hong Ben Zong checked out, Gu Zhe returned with his daughter not long after.
"Ancestor, I met a senior today and almost caused a misunderstanding," Gu Zhe said, still shaken.
"You met him too?" Hong Ben Zong was startled.
"Ancestor, have you met him too?" Gu Zhe showed a frightened expression.
"Never mind that. I've already canceled the rooms. Hurry back to the sect, and let's not go anywhere else from now on." Hong Ben Zong turned and left.
Gu Zhe quickly notified the sect members to gather and left in a hurry.
...
"Mr. Lei, do you think anyone here might recognize us?" Ma Teng asked, following Lei Ming.
"Unlikely, I suppose. This is some backwater place without internet. Who would recognize us?" Lei Ming shook his head.
"They cultivate in mountain sects all year round and rarely interact with the outside world. How could anyone recognize them?"
"You think too highly of yourself. Besides children, how many people do you think would recognize you?" Jack Ma scoffed.
"Heh heh..." Ma Teng responded with a cold laugh.
"Right, and in less than half a month it will be Double Eleven. Mr. Ma, you'll make another fortune," Old Wang suddenly said.
Now that Double Eleven was approaching, Jack Ma was indeed quite a character.
He managed to turn a simple Singles' Day into a shopping festival. How many people now knew what it was originally for?
Come that night, by midnight, none of the women in your household would be asleep, and your shopping cart would be waiting for you to clear. Looking at the spending information on your bank card, you'd feel like killing Jack Ma.
When Double Eleven was mentioned, Jack Ma's deep eyes crinkled with laughter. He said, "It's alright. This year we're aiming to break 600 billion in transaction volume, allowing women nationwide to enjoy the convenience of shopping without leaving home."
Since its inception, Double Eleven had indeed brought immense wealth to Jack Ma.
Back in 2009, when he founded the Double Eleven shopping festival, it was a fleeting inspiration for Jack Ma.
He never imagined it would be so successful, successfully emptying men's wallets.
"Mr. Ma, what was your inspiration for creating the Double Eleven shopping festival?" Old Wang asked from the side.
"Alas... it was a magical night..."
"Just say it normally, don't act so profound." Jiang Quanshui directly interrupted Jack Ma's posturing.
"Fine. To put it plainly, I just saw too many lonely people. It's 11.11, Singles' Day. I thought, since you're a lonely dog, why not use shopping to vent your unhappiness? When you see couples walking hand-in-hand on the street, hotels full, and you're alone at home watching adult films, don't you feel angry?"
"That's a given, of course, you'd be angry. So, turn that anger into power and come shopping."
Jack Ma explained how he originally created the Double Eleven shopping festival.
Mr. Ma's goal was simple: to make people forget their loneliness and find joy in shopping.
Abandon the adult films and liberate your hands.
...
(PS: Alas... I'm not satisfied with these two chapters. I even want to delete them. I knew I shouldn't have written this plot; it feels too forced. I don't even know what I'm writing about in these two chapters, and I'm afraid that if I don't write it well, you'll leave. It's really difficult. Please click for an update and give me some confidence. I'll think hard about the future plot.)