Chapter 197: Misunderstanding
Following the directions given by the old woman, I entered the mountains.
As expected, I soon encountered several villagers making their way down the mountain, all looking quite exhausted.
Seeing me in a black robe riding a deer, they eyed me with surprise.
I approached, asking for the location of the hot spring inn.
Upon hearing that I was heading there, the villagers instantly perked up. Not only did they enthusiastically point me in the right direction, but they also offered to lead me there.
Guided by the villagers, I smoothly arrived at the newly constructed hot spring inn.
The inn sat beneath a cliff, about a dozen meters high, constructed mainly with stones and wood. Though newly built and lacking excessive decoration, it appeared more luxurious than the buildings in the village below.
A small courtyard lay ahead, a gravel path leading directly to the main hall.
The architectural style stood out drastically from the rough style of the village, indicating a carefully planned design by the elder who must have traveled or at least visited some major cities.
"Please, come in." The villagers stood at the entrance, warmly welcoming me.
Their hospitality seemed a bit over the top.
Seems like the villagers were indeed engaged in an intense "battle" for this inn, just as the old woman mentioned.
However, it wasn't the time to dwell on this. Getting the witch lady into the hot spring was the priority.
Securing the deer to a nearby tree, I prepared to carry the witch into the hot spring inn.
At that moment, a few villagers hurried over.
Leading them was a sturdy man with a stubbled chin, dressed in a beast-hide short-sleeved shirt and skirt, muscles bulging, and carrying a bow and arrows.
"Is this the hunter who helped with the construction?" I made a guess based on his attire.
The hunter-like man, accompanied by a few villagers, approached us, his expression grim, and gruffly addressed the others, "What are you all doing?!"
Although this hunter seemed a size or two larger than the others, those villagers didn't seem intimidated. One of them retorted firmly, "What else can we do? We're trying to attract customers!"
Before the hunter could speak, the people behind him started clamoring:
"Why do you get to attract customers?"
"The inn hasn't decided who'll be the owner yet, it's not even open!"
"Your actions are breaking the rules!"
The opposition wasn't backing down either:
"The owner will definitely be decided by the village head!"
"Because we put in the most effort!"
"Every brick and tile of this inn was gathered by our hard work!"
...
Back and forth they went, neither side yielding, even pushing and shoving each other.
Could conflicts escalate to such a level within a village?
The traveling merchant probably didn't expect that his seemingly well-intended advice would disrupt the village's simplicity and balance.
It wasn't clear who was right or wrong in this.
I had no intention of being their judge, feeling the faint breath of the witch behind me. I spoke up, "Someone here is poisoned and urgently needs treatment in the hot spring inn. Can we please go in first? It's a matter of life and death."
"You can go in, but you must acknowledge that we are the rightful owners of this inn!" one villager forcefully asserted, blocking the inn's entrance.
"Nonsense! We brought the person here, why should it belong to you?" another villager countered strongly.
Both sides were heated, losing a bit of rationality in the process.
"*&@#"
I heard the witch mutter something in my ear. However, she was already paralyzed, her speech unclear.
Given the situation and her tone, I felt it must have been a nasty swear word.
Honestly, I was on the verge of cursing myself.
"If things don't work out, force might be necessary."
Of course, I wouldn't harm the villagers, but I could make them face some consequences.
A swarm of ordinary bees should be enough to send them running.
Anyway, let's get inside first.
Or maybe...
Suddenly, an idea struck me.
"Perhaps it can be done this way..."
So, I abandoned the idea of summoning the bees.
Through telepathy, I conveyed my intentions to Little White.
As instructed, beneath the black robe, Little White maneuvered behind me and quietly flew out.
My body conveniently blocked the villagers' view, and they were too engrossed in their argument to notice.
Not until Little White descended before them did I sense a hush around me.
Both sides paused their quarrel simultaneously, fixating their gazes on this sudden visitor.
"Flower... flower spirit?"
The villagers widened their eyes, looking as if they'd seen a ghost in broad daylight.
"This must be the flower spirit, just like the traveling merchant said..." The hunter seemed somewhat excited.
"..."
As I anticipated, they misunderstood.
They thought Little White was the flower spirit they sought.
That was precisely my plan.
Little White, composed, hovered in mid-air, following my instruction to say, "That's right, I am the flower spirit you seek."
The villagers, partly in wonder and partly in excitement, looked at her, now thoroughly convinced.
"Great Flower Spirit, you've finally appeared!"
One villager seemed moved to the point of tears.
That 'Great Flower Spirit' nearly made me lose my composure.
Little White also seemed awkward, tilting her head, clearly uncomfortable with that title.
I spoke solemnly, "The Flower Spirit only connects with those who are kind-hearted, humble, and courteous. Do you think with all this chaos, the Flower Spirit would appear?"
"Well..." The villagers exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss for words.
After a brief silence, the hunter spoke first, "This situation arose because of an agreement in our village. We can't decide on a single inn owner, so we thought the Great Flower Spirit could designate the inn's owner. Once decided, we won't quarrel anymore."
Another villager added, "Therefore, Great Flower Spirit, please make your decision. Who shall be the inn's owner? The village head, this brute, or the old man who didn't contribute much?"
Such persistence. The people in this village loved to obsess over trivial matters.
Little White reached out through telepathy, asking for my opinion.
I thought to myself, I have no interest in being your judge.
Moreover, despite their words, making a decision might provoke further issues.
The best solution at the moment was one worddelay.
So, I instructed Little White to convey to them: Let the witch enter first for treatment. As for the inn's owner, after careful consideration by her, a reply would be given tomorrow.
Both sides reluctantly accepted this explanation, silently making way.
Carrying the witch, I stepped through the gate.
But then, I suddenly heard the hunter's voice behind me: "Wait."
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