Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 102: Trouble at the Inn (Part-1)

For the first time in his life, his mind stalled on a single word.

That woman... had actually called him an idiot?

Raphael was equally stunned for a heartbeat. Then, realization hit, and his handsome face instantly broke into an unrestrained grin.

"Hahaha! Idiot!" Raphael laughed so hard he nearly fell off his horse. "Seraph, I’ve known you for so many years, and this is the first time I’ve ever heard someone talk to you like that!"

Alaric Von Seraph’s expression darkened, the chill around him thickening. That woman actually dared—

Noticing the rare shift in that eternally icy face, Raphael laughed even harder. "This girl really has personality!"

Alaric Von Seraph shot him a warning glare and said nothing more, urging his horse forward.

At first, both of them assumed Zora’s words were just an embarrassed denial. Many women reacted that way after being seen through.

But when they realized she was steadily riding ahead, clearly sharing the same destination, the truth became obvious.

"So," Raphael mused, "Miss Zora is also heading to the academy."

That made things interesting.

If she truly was going to Imperial Academy, then sooner or later, they would meet again. Raphael glanced sideways at Alaric Von Seraph’s expression and felt a quiet anticipation spark within him.

This was bound to be entertaining.

***

Imperial Academy was located deep in the mountains. In its early days, the surroundings had been desolate, with nothing but wilderness.

But as the academy’s reputation grew, a city gradually formed around it.

Heavenly City.

Now bustling and prosperous, the city thrived on the presence of the academy. Most of the people here were spirit warriors. After all, talent alone was not enough. Cultivation required vast resources.

In Heavenly City, everything a cultivator could need was available.

When Zora entered the city, she found it scarcely less lively than the imperial capital.

The difference lay in the people.

Here, almost everyone walking the streets possessed cultivation. Even the small vendors hawking goods by the roadside were practitioners. Though their talent might be limited, they were still far stronger than ordinary mortals.

This was the academy’s influence.

An entire city steeped in cultivation.

With three days remaining before enrollment officially began, Zora scanned her surroundings and decided to find a place to stay.

Her gaze swept across the street before settling on a nearby inn.

Without hesitation, she walked inside.

From a distance, Raphael watched her disappear through the inn doors and curved his lips slightly.

"Seraph, let’s go report to the instructors."

Alaric Von Seraph nodded faintly. The two turned their horses and rode straight toward the academy grounds.

Zora noticed their departure as well, her brows lifting subtly.

It seemed her guess had been right.

The moment she stepped into the inn, the lively lobby fell strangely silent.

All eyes turned toward the white-robed girl who had just entered. All eyes in the inn converged on Zora.

Heavenly City Inn was packed to the rafters these days. Nearly everyone staying here had come for one reason: the Imperial Academy entrance assessment.

The academy’s enrollment quota was limited. That meant every cultivator present could become a future rival. In just a few short days, several outstanding figures had already risen to fame among the candidates.

Now, a completely unfamiliar face had appeared. Naturally, it drew attention.

But when people clearly saw Zora’s appearance, low gasps rippled through the hall.

"Damn... I didn’t expect there to be such a beauty among the cultivators taking the entrance exam!"

"I heard the academy’s top beauty is Sylvandria. Could it be her?"

"I saw Sylvandria a few days ago. This isn’t her—but her looks are no worse at all."

The gazes of many men immediately turned fervent. For them, such a breathtaking figure was scenery worth admiring, even if only with their eyes.

The waiter hurried over, his smile noticeably more attentive. "Miss, are you here to dine or to stay?"

"To stay," Zora replied calmly.

"You’re very fortunate," the waiter said quickly. "There have been too many guests recently. There’s only one room left in our inn. I’ll arrange it for you right away."

Zora nodded. She had already noticed how overcrowded the city was. Finding a room at all counted as good luck.

"One hundred gold coins per night," the waiter said. "How many nights will you be staying?"

"Three nights."

One hundred gold coins per night was an exorbitant price, but most cultivators here came from decent backgrounds. Three hundred gold coins were not a serious burden. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Alright!"

Just then, a woman in a green dress entered the inn, flanked by several guards.

"Five rooms," the woman said curtly.

The waiter’s expression stiffened with apology. "Miss, I’m very sorry. The inn is already full."

"Full?" The woman frowned.

The waiter nodded repeatedly. "Yes. Perhaps you could try another inn?"

Barbara’s mood instantly soured. She had traveled a long distance and only wanted to rest. Being turned away at the door was the last thing she wanted.

Her gaze swept the lobby and landed on the room token in Zora’s hand. Her eyes narrowed. "Then how does she have one?"

"The lady arrived a step earlier," the waiter explained carefully. "That last room has already been taken by her."

Zora accepted the room token and turned to leave. After days of travel, she had no interest in lingering.

But just as she took a step forward, Barbara spoke again.

"I’ll give you five hundred gold coins. Hand over the room."

She didn’t care where her guards slept. She wanted that room.

Zora stopped. She turned back slowly, her expression cool and distant.

"No."

The single word was crisp and final.

Five hundred gold coins?

She didn’t care in the slightest.

The condescending tone alone was enough to sour her mood.

The cultivators dining in the lobby immediately perked up. Five hundred gold coins for a single room—this was turning into a spectacle.

It seemed this woman in green was determined to get what she wanted.

However, Zora’s reaction did not surprise anyone, though.

After all, they were all cultivators. If a room could be taken away just because of money, then that would truly be beneath them. Everyone has their own pride.

Seeing Zora walk on without even a pause, Barbara’s expression darkened "One thousand gold coins!"

Zora did not slow her steps.

"Two thousand gold coins!"

Still no response.

"Three thousand gold coins!"

Gasps rose around the hall.

Three thousand gold coins were no small sum, even among cultivators gathered here.

"Five thousand gold coins!" Barbara finally snapped.

Yet from start to finish, Zora did not even glance back.

At last, Barbara strode forward and grabbed Zora’s shoulder, her pretty face twisted with irritation. "Know your limits. Don’t be too greedy!"

Zora brushed the hand away and slowly turned around. Her delicate features were cold, her eyes sharp. "I already said it. No matter how much you offer, this room is not for sale."

Her voice was calm, pleasant to hear—yet filled with unquestionable authority.

Only now did it become obvious that Barbara’s actions had truly displeased her.

But Barbara clearly did not sense the danger. She snorted arrogantly. "Five thousand gold coins is already the limit."

The surrounding cultivators watched with interest, many eyes flashing with envy.

Five thousand gold coins for three nights was absurdly extravagant. Some of them slept in trees to save money, and with their cultivation, it hardly mattered.

At that moment, a man stepped forward. "Five thousand gold coins? I’ll give you my room instead."