Cohabitation with Sword Spirit-Chapter 269 - 8: If You’re a Real Man, Speak With Your Fists

The few Spirit Stones from Li Wanqing successfully bribed two young cleaning ladies, who poured out all about Shen City's local life like spilling beans.

Of course, there was also a hint of complaining.

"Don't blame us for looking grumpy downstairs, it's really because the work here is too exhausting. As soon as we start working, we feel all jumbled up inside and want to bicker with everyone we see."

"If you're staying in a standard room, it's not so bad. You can just flip the bed linen and use it again. But the presidential suite hasn't been occupied for over half a year, and tidying it up is a real hassle."

"Yes, yes, cleaning is actually not a big deal, with the Dust-Sucking Stone, surface things can be quickly handled. But the suite has so many detailed corners that are a pain to deal with. The hot water pipes here are also specially designed. We might even need to inspect the boiler later, my god..."

"By the way, are you really staying? Could you maybe not stay here? Let me recommend a reliable high-end hotel for you."

The two young girls spoke so earnestly that Shen Qingming couldn't even muster any anger, asking with some amusement, "In such a big hotel, is it just you few doing all the work?"

The young girl immediately showed a deep sense of grievance: "Yes, yes, even though over 100 employees are supposedly staffed here, fewer than 10 actually do any work. We have to take on all sorts of roles. We are the front desk receptionists, the cleaners, and even frequently have to help in the kitchen. We barely have time to breathe all day, yet we only get paid once."

Shen Qingming asked curiously, "Why is that? You're a high-end hotel after all, shouldn't you at least have enough staff?"

"When it's payday, all the staff are present, but when it's time to work, only we are left. The rest are either on sick leave or maternity leave, while the steward is off doing inspections or traveling all year round."

Shen Qingming was even more surprised: "Is that allowed? Wouldn't the hotel fire them?"

"They're all connected people. Some are distant relatives of the Shen Family, others are children of military officers. This hotel is run by the military, so they wouldn't fire their connections."

Li Chaolu, on the other hand, curiously observed the two young girls: "What about you?"

"We're temporary workers. Not to mention connections, even a tiny mistake means a salary deduction for us."

Hearing this, Shen Qingming almost wanted to cry for them. She could hardly bring herself to stay here and burden them further.

Seeing that Shen Qingming and the others were planning to find another place to stay, the two young girls immediately put down their brooms and buckets, cheered in unison, and then very eagerly led everyone downstairs.

"You're good people. Since you've already spent money here, we'll do our best to make sure you get your money's worth. The items aren't very precious, just a small token of our gratitude. Please kindly accept them."

Then, the two young girls, as if performing a magic trick, somehow produced a large bundle from who knows where.

"This is for you!"

Shen Qingming opened the bundle, feeling both amused and exasperated.

Inside were toiletries and towels for nearly a hundred people, tea bags, Spiritual Spring Water, snacks, over fifty beautifully packed takeaway boxes, and a slightly dim Spirit Stone.

"This is about all the Sect Leader's Suite can offer. Though they aren't particularly high-grade, the total value is roughly a few Spirit Stones."

The young girls said proudly, "Later, could you help sign a few times on the procedural sheet? We'll fill out the rest, saying your numerous complaints forced us to repeatedly swap the free items in the room. So you just go ahead and use these items, and feel free to sell what you can't use."

Li Wanqing took the bundle with a smile, then asked, "Aren't you afraid the steward will give you trouble?"

The first young girl argued confidently, "We're following procedures, why would there be trouble? We've encountered such tricky guests before."

The second young girl chimed in, "Exactly, last time there was an outsider Sect Leader who was fooled by the reception's brochure into staying in the Sect Leader's Suite here. He was so furious he wrote over two hundred complaint letters in a day and vented his anger on the free items in the room, causing us to run up and down dozens of times till our legs were sore."

"So instead of letting you run us ragged, it's better to just give you the stuff directly."

The second young girl added, "Besides, in the worst case, even if it doesn't work out, with the tips you gave, we can save enough to open a small beauty boutique back home."

The first young girl said excitedly, "We've been thinking about this for a long time! Today our dream finally came true, thank you!"

——

After bidding farewell to the enthusiastic young girls, the group, following their warm recommendation, set out for a high-end hotel in another part of town.

This time, the process went much more smoothly. After paying a hefty deposit, they settled into the Sect Leader's Suite on the top floor of the Divine Sword Tower.

It was just in time for dinner, so Wang Jiu suggested trying the sandstone barbecue that Shen Qingming had repeatedly mentioned. This kind of common folk delicacy can't be truly appreciated in high-priced restaurants; to grasp its essence, one must explore the nooks and crannies of the streets, seeking out local-approved eateries.

Fortunately, the two young girls from Shen's Store had given them a local food encyclopedia. Along the recommendations in the encyclopedia, the group found a small eatery packed with diners in an alley near the East City Military Camp area.

Without waiting for Wang Jiu to say a word, Li Wanqing promptly took the lead, shouting in a very fluent Shen City accent, "Boss, five people, five pounds of roast pork, five pounds of roast beef, five pounds of flatbread, two jars of spirits, hurry up!"

This practiced manner quickly made the chubby, bustling boss behind the counter nod with a cheerful smile, "Sure thing, find yourself a seat outside, and the food will be served shortly!"

Accustomed to hardship, Shen Qingming quickly found an empty table, swept away the gravy and spirits with an immortal technique, and sat down solidly.

However, Li Chaolu was slightly uncomfortable with the densely packed tables and chairs in the shop, and the smoke-filled, bustling environment, frowning all the while. Not until Wang Jiu sat down did he, without a word, sit next to Wang Jiu and, seemingly crowded by the people, pressed his body close.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing? Eat properly, don't act like a hooligan!" Shen Qingming activated the violent power within his bloodline without hesitation, shifting as if in a mirage to sit beside Wang Jiu, directly separating Wang Jiu and Li Chaolu.

Li Chaolu, furious, sent out a burst of Hundred Flowers Sword Qi: "You're the one who should eat properly, don't act like a hooligan! You're practically sitting on Mr. Wang Jiu's lap!"

Shen Qingming dispersed the Hundred Flowers Sword Qi with a punch and was about to counterattack when suddenly a "what the hell" sounded from behind.

As it turned out, the dispersed Hundred Flowers Sword Qi, splitting into countless strands yet still cohesive, sent a few directly onto the diners behind him.

Although the power was nearly exhausted, it was still equivalent to a full-force punch from an adult male. The burly diner behind happened to have a mouthful of spirits, which, when hit, turned him into a fountain, showering roast meat over the entire table. Instantly, everyone at the table stood up in anger, fists clenched and ready.

Shen Qingming hurriedly turned around to apologize, only to recognize several familiar faces when he looked up. Just half a day earlier in Yulin Village, the War Elephant Squad had left a deep impression on Shen Qingming...

"It's you guys!?"

"What the hell, it's really you guys!?"

Both parties were equally surprised, and then it was swords and blades drawn, glaring at each other intently.

The tense atmosphere quickly spread, but unlike other places, the diners of Shen City were not afraid; they enthusiastically gathered to watch, and even the roast meat shop owner was waving a cleaver, chopping meat while shouting, "If you need a notary, come find me! I'm a professional!"

However, the confronting parties didn't share the light-hearted mood.

The first to speak was a tall bald man from the patrol team, gritting his teeth, "Will you guys ever let up? You even followed us all the way here?!"

Shen Qingming retorted angrily, "You delusional pervert! Who cares about stalking you? We wanted to savor some roast meat here but ended up running into you creeps — what bad luck!"

The bald man was almost exploding with anger, "You're the pervert! If you don't want to eat, get lost!"

"Hmph, blatantly flirting with decent guys in broad daylight — what's wrong with calling you creeps?!"

The bald man, too lazy to argue, was about to roll up his sleeves to start a fight when the squad captain stopped him with an outstretched hand.

As the captain, Hong Yu considered more. He wore a stern face and spoke coldly, "Setting aside matters of consent, they have nothing to do with outsiders like you... I met him when Demon Essence was causing trouble, leading my team to clean up the Demon Essence and save his life, letting the rural villagers witness the prowess of our Shen City soldiers! His voluntary infatuation with me is a military honor for us!"

His words immediately drew applause from many around.

The people of Shen City were martial-spirited, especially revering soldiers, and a story of a hero saving a beauty always had an audience, although the beauty's gender might be peculiar, the narrative structure was sound.

Shen Qingming was impressed upon hearing this, astounded at how something not so glorious could be spun into such a grand narrative! Yet... pinpoint what was wrong, he could not, not immediately.

At this moment, Li Wanqing resolutely stood out, saying, "Indeed, safeguarding the land and people, earning the admiration of those you protect is a soldier's honor. But actively reciprocating such immature and biased affection is disgraceful. Teacher-student romances are unacceptable in any mature society, at least not openly permitted. Your situation is quite akin to a teacher-student relationship, infringing basic social principles."

The righteous words left the patrol team silent.

In private, Hong Yu and the others urgently exchanged whispers.

"Did you understand what she said?"

"Damn, I didn't get a thing. What's this talk of teacher-student romances? What's it got to do with the captain?"

"But admitting we don't understand feels embarrassing. What should we do?"

"Damn it, there's no way around it, we're Shen City's soldiers; we can't tarnish Shen City's reputation!"

"Ah, absolutely right!"

After a quick discussion, the patrol team members spoke in unison, righteously, "Enough talk, let's see the real stuff through our fists!"