Chapter 14: Expansion

When Lin Yuan checked Wandering Cloud Tavern the next morning, a new option had appeared.

Restored Roadside Tavern

Quality: Low Spirit Grade

Enhancement Available

Expansion Available

Expansion.

Lin Yuan selected it.

An image of the tavern formed in his mind. It matched the building around him—the six-table dining hall, kitchen at the rear, and four guest rooms on the second floor.

Then the eastern wall shifted outward.

The change existed only within the projection, but Lin Yuan watched as a new section took shape beside the tavern.

Four tables filled the added dining space.

The kitchen stretched farther back, giving enough room for another stove, preparation counters, and storage. The current kitchen worked well enough when Lin Yuan cooked alone, but whenever Su Mei came in to help, they were constantly moving around each other.

The second-floor corridor extended over the new section, adding four guest rooms.

The expansion would bring Wandering Cloud Tavern to forty seats and eight rooms.

Lin Yuan examined the layout before trying something else.

He concentrated on the opposite side of the tavern.

The projection changed with his intention.

Lin Yuan experimented with several arrangements. One gave the kitchen plenty of space but left the dining hall awkwardly narrow. Another pushed too far into the courtyard and interfered with the path wagons used to reach the stable.

He discarded both.

The eastern extension remained the most practical. It left the courtyard clear and preserved plenty of surrounding land for whatever he might build in the future.

Lin Yuan confirmed it.

Expansion Projection Confirmed

A short list appeared beside the projection.

Timber, stone, roof tiles, iron fittings, along with several other basic materials.

The list gave him a starting point. The actual quantities could wait for someone who understood construction.

Lin Yuan copied it onto paper, folded the sheet, and headed downstairs.

The supply merchant was expected today.

Su Mei was arranging the tables when he entered the dining hall.

"About the two workers we talked about yesterday."

She looked over.

"If you know anyone reliable from your old restaurant, ask if they’re interested."

Su Mei thought for a moment.

"There is someone."

"What did she do?"

"Kitchen work mostly. She also served customers when it was busy."

That sounded useful.

"Tell her what the job is. If she’s interested, I’ll discuss the terms when she gets here."

"I don’t know when I’ll be able to return to Green River City."

"You don’t need to."

Lin Yuan nodded toward the road outside.

"The merchant can carry a message."

Su Mei understood.

"I’ll write one."

A customer near the window raised his hand for another jug of water.

Su Mei went to serve him while Lin Yuan entered the kitchen.

One possible worker was a start. He could find someone for the front afterward.

The supply wagon arrived shortly after noon.

Lin Yuan recognized it before it reached the courtyard.

The broad-faced merchant climbed down from the driver’s seat and stretched his back.

"Owner Lin."

"You’re late."

"Only a little."

"You said noon."

The merchant glanced at the sun.

"It looks like noon."

Lin Yuan looked up as well.

"Convenient."

The merchant laughed and waved his assistants toward the wagon.

They began unloading grain, vegetables, wine, and several tools Lin Yuan had ordered previously.

Lin Yuan checked the goods while the merchant went through the account. Once everything was settled, he handed him the folded material list.

"I have another job for you."

The merchant opened it.

His eyes moved down the page.

"Timber, stone, roof tiles..."

"I’m expanding the tavern."

The merchant glanced at the building.

"Business must be treating you well."

"Well enough."

"How much do you need?"

"I need a builder to tell me that."

The merchant nodded.

"Sensible."

"Know anyone?"

"I know a crew in Green River City. They’ve worked on inns and shops."

"Can you bring their foreman here?"

"For two low-grade spirit stones."

Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow.

"You’re already making money from the materials."

"And you’re asking me to bring a builder into the wasteland."

Lin Yuan took out one spirit stone and handed it over.

"The second when he arrives."

The merchant looked at the stone, then laughed and pocketed it.

"Deal."

He folded the material list.

"I’ll show him this first. If he’s willing to come, he can inspect the tavern and work out what you’ll need."

"When will you be back?"

"Five or six days."

"Good."

Su Mei came outside carrying a folded letter.

Lin Yuan gestured toward the merchant.

"Give it to him."

She handed it over.

The merchant looked at the letter.

"What’s this?"

"A message for someone in Green River City," Lin Yuan said.

"Now I’m delivering letters too?"

"You can charge me."

The merchant immediately slipped the letter into his robe.

"I didn’t say it was a problem."

Lin Yuan laughed.

The merchant climbed back onto his wagon after his assistants finished unloading.

"Five or six days," he called.

Lin Yuan watched the wagon return to the road before heading inside.

The afternoon passed steadily.

A group of four cultivators stopped for food before continuing west. Two merchants arrived later and stayed long enough for a meal and several jugs of water.

By sunset, three of the upstairs rooms had already been taken.

The fourth disappeared shortly afterward.

Lin Yuan spent most of the evening in the kitchen.

The Spirit-Assisted Kitchen Stove made controlling the heat easier, but there was only so much one person could cook at once. With nearly every table occupied, orders continued to pile up faster than he liked.

Hiring another kitchen worker couldn’t happen soon enough.

The rush finally eased after dark.

A caravan occupied two tables near the entrance. Several wandering cultivators sat near the windows, and an older merchant ate roasted meat with a small jar of wine.

Three men entered.

Lin Yuan glanced at them from the kitchen doorway.

Travel-worn robes, weapons at their waists, nothing particularly unusual.

They found an open table.

Su Mei approached them.

"Three bowls of beef noodles," one of them said. "Two meat dishes and wine."

She brought the order to the kitchen.

Lin Yuan prepared it along with the food for another table.

The three men ate without drawing much attention.

One ordered another jar of wine.

Another asked for more meat.

By the time Lin Yuan came out to wipe down the counter, they had nearly finished.

The man closest to the stairs raised a hand.

Su Mei approached.

"A room for the night."

"Sorry. The rooms are occupied."

"All four?"

"Yes."

He glanced toward the stairs before looking back at her.

"All right."

Su Mei returned to the other tables.

Lin Yuan continued cleaning.

A short while later, footsteps sounded from upstairs.

One of the guests came down carrying an empty water jug.

He placed it on the counter.

"Can you fill this?"

Lin Yuan took the jug.

"Friend."

The guest turned.

The man who had asked about a room was standing behind him.

"You’re staying upstairs?"

"Yes."

"I’ll give you two low-grade spirit stones for your room."

The guest looked surprised.

"No, thank you."

"Five."

That made him hesitate.

Five low-grade spirit stones was far more than the room cost, but after a moment, he shook his head.

"I’m not selling it."

Lin Yuan handed the filled jug back.

The guest thanked him and headed toward the stairs.

The other man stepped into his path.

"I’m offering you five spirit stones."

"And I said no."

The guest moved to pass him.

The man shifted sideways.

Nearby conversations faded as people began noticing the confrontation.

Lin Yuan put down the cloth.

"That’s enough."

The man glanced toward him.

"I’m talking to him."

"He answered you."

The guest stepped around him.

The man’s hand shot out and caught his sleeve.

A heavy spiritual pressure swept through the dining hall.

The guest stumbled.

A bowl rattled against the nearest table.

Several cultivators stopped eating.

Su Mei halted near the kitchen entrance.

Lin Yuan felt the pressure clearly.

Qi Refining Nine.

He came around the counter.

"Let go."

The man turned toward him.

The pressure intensified, forcing Lin Yuan’s Qi into motion.

The man’s grip loosened enough for the guest to pull free and retreat toward the stairs.

Lin Yuan stopped a few steps away.

The man’s two companions remained at their table, watching.

So did everyone else.

The man stared at Lin Yuan for a moment.

Then his gaze dropped to the sword at Lin Yuan’s waist.

His hand moved toward his own.

Lin Yuan drew.