Chapter 1157: The Tension Rises

Bao Congxin was so startled that he respectfully bowed in return.

But this bow only frightened the innkeeper even more.

"Lord Bao, please forgive me!" The innkeeper was so terrified that he was almost on the verge of kneeling.

And so, the two of them kept bowing to each other, each trying to outdo the other, their bodies sinking lower and lower.

At this rate, the innkeeper's hands were almost touching the ground!

Bao Congxin had never been treated with such respect before.

With trembling hands, he quickly reached out to support the innkeeper, hurriedly apologizing, "Innkeeper, what are you doing? If I have offended you in any way, I beg for your forgiveness, I truly do..."

But to his surprise, the innkeeper's trembling only intensified.

"Lord Bao, I... I could never deserve such treatment from you. I was blind before, not recognizing your greatness. Please, have mercy on me!"

Seeing this, Bao Congxin's eyes widened in shock.

This innkeeper, while not particularly high in cultivation, had an extensive network of connections. It was said that he knew many influential figures in the city, which was how he managed to run an inn in the West District, catering to all sorts of shady characters.

For such a person to show him such deference—this was utterly bizarre!

Bao Congxin's heart was in turmoil as he continued to apologize and bow.

"Innkeeper, please, don't humble yourself like this. I'll have this year's rent ready soon..."

Before he could finish, the innkeeper suddenly put on a flattering smile.

"Lord Bao, you jest! Having you stay at my humble inn is an honor. You can stay as long as you like—I wouldn't dare charge you rent!"

Bao Congxin was already feeling uneasy, but now the innkeeper was acting even more subservient than him.

What the hell?

Was this really the same ruthless, cutthroat innkeeper he knew?

Bao Congxin was at a loss for how to respond.

As he stood there dumbfounded, the innkeeper continued to fawn over him.

"Lord Bao, may I ask what brings you here today?"

"You must take good care of the two Sect Masters. The safety of this inn rests in your hands. I beg you, please put in a good word for us. If there's anything you need, just let us know—there's no need for you to trouble yourself by coming here personally."

Sect Masters?

Could it be that the two people in the backyard weren't frauds after all?

Hearing this, Bao Congxin felt a chill run down his spine.

When he looked at the innkeeper, he saw nothing but genuine reverence on his face, as if the Sect Masters had truly arrived in person!

In an instant, Bao Congxin was even more confused.

He couldn't believe it—the legendary Sect Masters had actually come to a place like this, and had even shared a table with him!

If word of this got out, people would surely think he was drunk and spouting nonsense.

Even if he had eaten an extra peanut, he wouldn't dare to boast like this!

From the moment he first saw the two, he had immediately pegged them as frauds.

This was the result of years of hard-earned experience.

He was quite confident in his judgment—otherwise, as an outsider, he would never have been able to make his way into the city, let alone survive this long without any backing.

But now, seeing the innkeeper acting so strangely, Bao Congxin began to doubt himself.

His once firm judgment started to waver.

Were those two really frauds?

Was the innkeeper genuinely terrified, or was he in cahoots with them?

These two possibilities swirled in Bao Congxin's mind, leaving him utterly confused.

Gathering his courage, he decided to test the waters.

"Well... it's nothing major."

"Here are three immortal crystals. My benefactor wants some wine."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the innkeeper nodded eagerly.

"Of course, of course! I'll get the wine right away!"

"How could I let you spend your immortal crystals? I'll have someone bring it over immediately!"

With that, the innkeeper hurriedly called out, "Xiao Fang! Xiao Fang!"

"Quick! Bring two large jars of wine—the best wine, the finest we have!!!"

His voice was slightly restrained, as if he was afraid of disturbing others.

But to Bao Congxin, it felt like another wave of shock.

No immortal crystals?

The notoriously stingy innkeeper was being this generous?

And what's more, he was offering the best wine—a rare and extravagant brew that cost a full thousand immortal crystals per jar, enough to cover three years of Bao Congxin's rent!

Was the innkeeper out of his mind?!

If this was some kind of scam, the cost was way too high!

Could it be... that the two in the backyard were really the Sect Masters?