Chapter 145: Service at Stop 24

Chapter 145: Service at Stop 24

As Oliver drew closer, his voice rose in pitch:

"How can you have a hot spring without herbal bags? If your inn doesn't provide that, what kind of hot spring resort are you?"

"Sir, we do have herbal bags, but they come at an additional fee. They're not included in the complimentary services we offer. I'm truly sorry about that."

The pink-clad attendant spoke with a sweet tone, as if she had just eaten honey.

Oliver seemed thoroughly displeased, but instead of asking how to obtain the herbal bags, he grumbled, "If it's not there, then it's not there," and left the counter area sullenly.

However, when he saw Yan Qiling and the others, his demeanor improved slightly:

"Are you planning to soak in the hot springs? If you need them, you can come to our room. It's safer for all of us to bathe together."

Ming Yiyang was utterly baffled by this person's line of thinking. Did he genuinely treat this place as a vacation resort?

Though he had encountered such naive souls before, Oliver claimed to have experienced another world.

In the treacherous realm of the Unbounded, every action might come with a corresponding price, sometimes even one's life.

Ming Yiyang had previously just been joking with Yan Qiling, but if this person were truly intent on exploring, it would be sheer foolishness.

Yan Qiling replied with a faint smile, "Sure, if necessary."

Oliver seemed to understand that it was merely a polite gesture and shrugged before leaving.

This time, the front desk was finally unoccupied. The pink-clad attendant, who had been tidying up nameplates, immediately donned a charming smile upon seeing them, "May I assist you gentlemen with anything?"

"If we wish to venture out, what facilities does the establishment offer?"

The attendant promptly bowed her head to inspect the nameplates, then neatly handed over two after sorting them, her face radiant with a smile, "We can provide warm coats for our guests, but if you plan to go outside, you will need to use a fog lamp."

"This is the token for claiming your cloak. You'll need to retrieve it from Miss Fan. She'll arrive at the inn around eight and stay until midnight."

"Should you require anything during this time, do remember to visit the front desk. Miss Fan will be here to provide any necessary assistance. Thank you for your patronage."

However, Yan Qiling and Ming Yiyang didn't take the token simply because of the attendant's respectful demeanor.

The young man instead gazed thoughtfully at the token and asked,

"Is the token given for free, or does it come with an additional cost?"

A fleeting look of surprise crossed the pink-clad attendant's face, which was then mixed with a hint of helplessness as they replied,

"In truth, the cost isn't too great, considering guests don't usually carry many belongings. So, Miss Fan would only take some insignificant small items from the guests."

"Insignificant."

The man repeated the word softly, his tone gentle but the question beneath it sharp:

"Would it involve any physical harm?"

The pink-clad attendant's smile faded at that moment.

She twirled the card in her hand, as if toying with it:

"You should be aware of this, shouldn't you? Actually, as the hotel's representative, I hold the right to explain or not. I have the option not to say anything."

"But, if I don't speak, does that mean the guests no longer have the need to explore the outside world?"

Her pale pink eyes, matching her attire, gazed over, still smiling but now carrying an air of subtle provocation:

"In this world, it's only natural that one must pay a price for what they desire. If you don't understand this principle, then why step into our hotel in the first place?"

"The allure of venturing into the outside world exists for all guests. However, confining you within this small hotel was never our intention."

"But before entering, didn't you prepare for the possible consequences? If you're unwilling to pay any price, guests are free to return to your tour bus. That territory belongs to you, and we, as the hotel, will not intervene in how you use it."

"Since you've already started enjoying the services provided by the hotel, you should abide by its rules."

"Just as there are laws for nations and rules for families, our hotel has its own regulations. We can sell anything, with all items clearly priced. As long as the guests agree, a transaction is made, and both parties get what they seek."

"Likewise, if you, the customer, do not agree with this price, we would never force a sale upon you."

"So, esteemed guests, do you wish to proceed with the transaction?"

Yan Qiling offered a frosty yet subtle smile, imbued with his signature unspoken intimidation.

"In your words, it's clearly stated that there's a price. Therefore, the price must be disclosed first. Even in an auction, the reserve price is made known to the bidders. Yet, you haven't mentioned the reserve price. How am I supposed to make a bid? Perhaps what I'm willing to offer might exceed your expectations."

The server's pink eyes dimmed slightly.

She realized that this person before her was different from other cautious or arrogant guests who might cave in after being swayed by her lengthy explanation.

The other party effortlessly grasped the core issue in their conversation and skillfully turned her own words against her, using them as leverage for a counterattack.

Realizing she couldn't hide the cost through such tactics, the server honestly revealed the truth:

"Our store provides the best services to our customers. Whatever attire Miss Fan offers will undoubtedly keep you warm. However, as a consequence, it might consume a portion of your skin."

"However, it's just a minor injury. Although it looks like a burn, it can be healed simply by entering the hot spring. At most, it's just a superficial wound. Compared to the fog lamp, this cost is negligible."

"You call a potential severe burn negligible?"

Ming Yiyang immediately recalled that night when the man had been burned so badly he could barely walk.

If possible, he definitely didn't want Yan Qiling to go through such an experience again.

... Even knowing that the other person wouldn't feel pain, he didn't want it to happen.

"The price is set by Miss Fan. As attendants, we have no authority to change it."

The attendant's attitude gradually returned to normal, becoming respectful once more:

"In addition, guests who wish to venture outside must wear a down jacket. Unless you plan on using some other method to keep warm."

As she said, in such weather, a down jacket was a necessity. There was no choice but to accept the cost, even with prior knowledge.

Little Li Qinghe and the others, unaware of the situation, had accepted their tokens, probably still pondering where they would go after obtaining the jackets, without anticipating that wearing them would come at a price.

Yan Qiling didn't respond to her question:

"What is the price of the Mist Lamp?"

The pink-clad attendant pulled out a pure white lantern from beneath the counter. It resembled a white enamel oil lamp, except that a tiny red flower bloomed at its top, opening upward.

This time, she spoke candidly:

"Our shop offers the Mist Lamp for free, but it requires nourishment from blood to be lit. Keep a steady supply, and it will function properly."

"In fact, our shop is very lenient. We don't charge any actual cost to our guests; the true price comes in the process of using it."

A hint of cunning lurked in her pink eyes, yet she remained respectful:

"Therefore, our shop has no obligation to inform you beforehand. We merely provide the props and are not responsible for how they're used. All choices lie with the guests."

"Still, it's all worthwhile, considering no guest stays in the inn forever. I believe guests will strive to find a way out of here."

"We act according to our guests' wishes, so there's no need for blame. Most often, we stand alongside you."

"As an innkeeper, of course we prefer guests to depart, as their prolonged stay would hinder our ability to accommodate new patrons. Adjusting room rates becomes challenging as well."

Her manner of speaking was refreshingly straightforward, a stark contrast to the methods employed in the previous world Ming Yiyang had experienced.

In his past experiences, regardless of how human-like those supernatural entities appeared, they always communicated in indirect and circuitous ways.

Their intention was to keep the train passengers within their sphere of control, fearful that someone might uncover the secret of the exit.

In this world, the waiter offered various props with an earnest attempt to please them.

"So, gentlemen, do you still need those cards?" the waiter asked again.

This time, Yan Qiling reined in his aura and nodded with ease, "Yes, thank you for your explanation."

"Your welcome. I'm glad to be of assistance, and I hope you enjoy your stay at the inn."

With the key card in hand, they left the front desk and, in unspoken agreement, proceeded directly to their room.

As soon as the door closed, Ming Yiyang asked,

"Do you truly believe there's an exit outside?"

"There is."

Surprisingly, Yan Qiling affirmed this answer:

"The exit must be outside, and we have to traverse the Sea of Fog."

"Why are you so certain?"

"Because there's always someone who thinks they're clever."

Yan Qiling sat on the tatami mat with the matching tiles, examining them meticulously.

"Certainly, there would be cautious individuals like us who would inquire further to uncover 'unforeseen' rules. The attendant also made the sacrifice quite explicit. Did you notice her attitude?"

He pushed aside the pair of tiles in his hand, tracing the chrysanthemum pattern with his fingertip:

"She was trying her best to persuade us to explore the outside world, all under the pretense of doing it for our own good."

"Having questioned the cost and confirmed their 'clever' thoughts, how could such a person overlook the attendant's unusual demeanor? Once they noticed, it's impossible for them not to ponder over it."

"We can only stay in this world for three days. After that, the train will arrive at the entrance. Whether the entrance is within or outside the hotel will be a life-or-death decision."

Ming Yiyang understood his point and sat cross-legged opposite him:

"According to your reasoning... this entrance should be in a location that's not easily found from the outside."

"At present, we're unsure how much blood the Fog Lamp requires, but it's likely a process that wouldn't allow everyone to perform two actions simultaneously."

Yan Qiling nodded, always highly satisfied with Ming Yiyang's comprehension skills:

"Yes. The exit might be far away, requiring the Fog Lamp's support for a considerable time, perhaps needing us to retrace our steps down the mountain along the bus route. Unlike the hotel world, here, it's impossible for just one or two people to carry the Fog Lamp to the foot of the mountain."

And within such design lies the hidden threat.

The man lowered his raven-like eyelashes, his heterochromatic eyes shimmering faintly with an eerie glow:

"Due to the high cost, most would seek more 'convenient' and 'quicker' shortcuts. Even if they know there are no shortcuts in such a situation, they would still entertain such thoughts."

"It is precisely this mindset that leads people into taking detours repeatedly."