Many descendants

Have you heard of the Zhenyuan Army?

"I heard half a year ago that the Zhenyuan Army was in a western city, about two thousand miles from here, but I don't know now."

"Do you have a map to sell, boss? I want to go to the western city. Years ago, my older brother was conscripted by the Zhenyuan Army. Now that my family is in trouble, I want to go and seek refuge with him."

Are you sure your brother is still alive?

"He occasionally receives letters from home, so he should still be alive."

"I have the map, but I only have one copy, and I can't sell it to you."

"Could you make a copy for me? What are your requirements?"

"I can make a rubbing for you. Come pick it up at this time tomorrow. We still need this much food. It would be even better if we had some wine."

"The food is fine, but I can't guarantee the wine." Su Yan took out ten copper coins from the pocket of her coarse linen clothes. "This is for the deposit."

The boss raised his hand to stop him, "No need, money is useless to me."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, boss."

Su Yan took a dagger from the wall; it was easy to hide and had a sharp blade.

……

After returning to the inn, Su Yan made some simple repairs to the windows and doors.

Then he went into the kitchen to cook.

Just as I finished cooking, someone knocked on the door, "Shopkeeper, open the door—"

Su Yan: "..."

Go over and open the door.

It was a young man supporting a boy with a broken arm who was unconscious, and a horse.

“We’ve encountered a giant worm,” the man said to Su Yan.

Su Yan noticed that the man's clothes were made of fine cloth, and he had a handsome face and a refined and polite demeanor. The boy, on the other hand, was dressed in coarse cloth and short clothes, and his wounds had already been treated. "Come in first."

Seeing the food on the table, the man couldn't help but swallow.

Su Yan said, "Please use this room if you don't mind. There are also clean guest rooms on the second floor where this young man can lie down and rest."

"Thank you, innkeeper." The man carried the boy upstairs to a guest room, then hurried downstairs to eat.

Su Yan went behind the counter, looking just like a shopkeeper, fiddling with an abacus, "What is your surname, sir? Where are you from?"

"My surname is Lu, Lu Xiao, and I come from Weicheng." After saying this, the man picked up the hot soup bowl and began to drink.

"Weicheng? The capital of the Great Qi Kingdom?" Su Yan was currently in a place where there was no concept of a continent or boundary, only the Great Qi Kingdom, and the capital of the Great Qi Kingdom was Weicheng.

Perhaps because it is located in such a remote area, there is not much information that can be obtained.

Lu Xiao nodded, "Yes."

"Young Master Lu must be very knowledgeable. I wonder why these wild beasts keep attacking villages and towns? Wild beasts have boundaries, and they won't easily attack the territory of those who are not of their kind."

Lu Xiao looked at Su Yan in surprise, paused for a moment before replying, "I actually came here for this matter. There has been an inexplicable increase in wild animals in many places, and there are some unusual ferocious beasts as well."

"Oh? That's unusual. What is it?" Su Yan asked, then found a small jar of wine in the cabinet. "This is for you, young master, to help you relax."

"Thank you." With the wine stimulating the conversation, Lu Xiao continued, as he had originally needed the locals' help to provide clues. "A mythical Qilin beast has appeared in this area!"

Su Yan's expression froze. "A Qilin?!"

Lu Xiao took a painting out of his pocket, unfolded it, and showed it to Su Yan. "This is it. Have you heard of it, shopkeeper?"

Su Yan took the painting, which depicted an animal that looked like a deer, with eight long tails.

Isn't this Little Deer... her eldest daughter with Zong Sili?

"Is it here?"

"The latest news is that it's near Yuping Town. This place is only about 20 miles from Yuping Town, so we might be able to find it here as well."

“…I’ve never seen one before, nor have I ever heard of one.” Su Yan replied, “But is this a Qilin? It looks like a deer, and a deer with eight tails, how is that possible?”

“Auspicious beasts are definitely different from ordinary animals. In fact, no one has ever seen what a Qilin looks like. Let’s catch it first.”

“That makes sense. Then please continue drinking, young master. I still have work to do in the kitchen.”

"Thank you, shopkeeper."

"You're welcome."

Lu Xiao surveyed the entire inn, especially the doors and windows, which showed obvious signs of damage, and there were some broken pieces on the ground.

Considering Su Yan's deliberately smeared face, it's very likely that she was also seeking refuge here, rather than being a guesthouse owner.

Su Yan quickly prepared two more dishes, rice, and soup, and carried them upstairs to eat with Hongmei.

As he passed Lu Xiao, he smiled and said, "If that's not enough, there's more in the kitchen. Just call me, young master."

"What's your name, shopkeeper?"

"No need for formalities, Su."

"Alright, Manager Su, you're busy."

As soon as Su Yan reached the door, Hongmei opened it. "Sister Su, what's wrong?"

Su Yan entered the room and first announced loudly, "Two distinguished guests have arrived." Then she whispered, "They think we are from the inn, so don't make a sound for now."

“I understand, Sister Su,” Hongmei replied immediately.

Su Yan filled her rice bowl to the brim with vegetables, meat, and eggs, saying, "Eat your fill."

"Yes, thank you, Sister Su."

"I told you, you don't need to be so polite with me."

Su Yan looked at her. If she were still the same person she used to be, she would definitely have cured her eyes.

……

It's getting dark.

Lu Xiao returned from outside, his body stained with a lot of blood.

Seeing this, Su Yan quickly asked, "Where have you been?"

"We went to find auspicious beasts, but we encountered a pack of wolves, all of them with wolf blood," Lu Xiao replied.

"Are there any traces of auspicious beasts there?" Su Yan asked.

"Someone said they saw it in this area."

"Oh, then you're quite lucky, young master, you'll find it very quickly."

"Please prepare a set of clothes and hot water for me, Manager Su."

"Please don't be so polite. I'll go to the storeroom to see if there are any clothes. As for water, I'm afraid we'll have to boil it first. If you don't mind cold water, there's a large water vat in the backyard that's full of water."

"Yes, I'll leave the clothes to Manager Su."

Su Yan entered the inn's storeroom.

Once inside, he sighed, "I've really become the shopkeeper now, huh!"

After searching around, I actually found a trunk containing several sets of bathrobes, which were probably prepared by the inn for its guests.

"Mom~ I've found you!" Suddenly, a childish voice rang out.

Su Yan was startled, then realized who it was, "Little Deer! It really is you!"

“I came here following my mother’s scent,” the little deer replied.

"My dear daughter." Su Yan hugged her and kissed her hard.

"Manager Su—" Lu Xiao suddenly called out.

Su Yan was taken aback, then said to the little deer, "You transform into a small mouse first. This guy outside is looking for you. Although we're not afraid of trouble, less trouble means less trouble."

"Okay, Mother." The little deer turned into a brown mouse and snuggled into Su Yan's arms.

Su Yan grabbed a bathrobe and went out.

Standing next to Lu Xiao was a middle-aged man dressed as a wealthy businessman, who looked at her with surprise. "Miss, this inn is mine."