Murim Recurve

"This is the inn, ma'am." The driver stopped before a high-rise building. The establishment was tall, eight storeys high, but it was thin, looking like it had not more than four rooms per floor.

"Thank you," Re'Kha fished out 3 RuQi from her pouch and handed it to the driver. The driver thanked her and hurried on his way towards his stand, intending to wait for other customers. To prevent a fight for customers, the cycle rickshaw drivers were not permitted to park in any stands other than the one designated to them.

If they barged into other stands to solicit customers, their cycle rickshaw permit would be snatched and they would have to pay a fine to reclaim it back. So, once they dropped their customers at their destination, the drivers would hurry back to their stand to avoid losing any potential customers.

Re'Kha gazed at the inn before her. It took ten steps to enter it, a considerable height that gave it a feeling of majesty, considering its size. Upon entry, she came across a counter on the left, walking towards it to gaze at the lady standing behind, "I need a room to stay, the higher the floor, the better."

"For how long are you planning to stay?" The receptionist lady inquired with a smile, her actions professional.

"Around two months. If my work here is not completed by then, I might extend my stay. If I complete it fast, then I'll vacate early." Re'Kha didn't give a concise answer, trying to leave as few clues as possible. But, she acted calm, showing her experience.

Just from a scan of her Wind Qi perception, Re'Kha learned that the establishment was pretty luxurious. So, it was a place high-end customers frequented. She didn't stint on the expenditure now, for two reasons: one, she was injured and had to recuperate and prevent an infection, and two, she had enough money.

After flipping through a register, the lady smiled, "Ma'am, we have a room available on the fifth floor. It costs 10 RuQi per day, and you would have to pay 100 RuQi in advance. In intervals of every 10 days, we'll collect 100 RuQi."

Once she quoted the price, the lady continued, "It has one living room, one bedroom, and an attached bathroom. There is also a dining and relaxation provision placed on the balcony that faces the road. It's fully grilled, so you don't have to worry about security. Meals are complimentary and are door-delivered. If you wish, you can also dine at our restaurant here."

She pointed towards the inside, showing a series of tables that were lined across a rectangular courtyard covered by well-trimmed grass. Ornamental plants grew in scarce numbers, keeping most of the space empty while emitting a pleasant flora scent, enlivening the atmosphere, and made people relax. 

"Ma'am," Seeing no reaction from Re'Kha, the lady thought for a moment and spoke, "If you aren't satisfied with it, we also have a VIP room on the eighth floor. It costs 30 RuQi per day but is accompanied by a meditation room. We also provide massage, hair treatment, skin treatment, and other services."

"I'll just take the one on the fifth floor." Re'Kha fished out ten 10 RuQi coins from her pouch and placed them on the counter. The lady judged they were real with a single glance, for counterfeits cannot be produced, since the money was personally produced by their Celestial Emperor using his understanding of the four elements.

There didn't exist a second entity like him; even if it did, it didn't possess Lightning Qi, for that was an element exclusive to their race. So, as part of the coins also contained Lightning Qi, they couldn't be replicated or mass-produced.

'She paid the money without flinching. Thankfully, I didn't embarrass myself by reacting based on her current appearance.' The lady thought, "Ma'am, do you want me to send someone to fetch you a pair of clothes? We have a tie-up with a tailor shop, so we can tailor them to your size."

"How much does it cost?"

The lady glanced at her clothes, judging her taste based on it, "20 RuQi ma'am. We'll make one similar to the one you're wearing. We can then order a beautiful dress once you've rested and refreshed."

"Make it similar to the Re Clan's style of dressing," Re'Kha said, watching the lady nod and call for a servant, stating her command. The servant nodded and retreated into a room beside her, coming out with a key as she looked at Re'Kha, "Please follow me, ma'am."

With a nod, Re'Kha walked behind as the servant walked in the front, taking measures not to walk too fast, synchronising her pace with Re'Kha. It was good manners to do so, something all the servants were taught.

They walked for some distance before arriving near a grilled partition. It was a small space, allowing four people to stand comfortably within. The grills reached the height of one's hips while a portion of it was hinged to a joint, allowing for opening and closing. The four corners sported a beam that was connected to another rectangle at the top that acted as a ceiling.

The ceiling was a pleasant tiled cover, made from metal and layered with granite. As it was a creation of the metal clan, it was hollow but sturdy, creating an ease of use. Wires were connected from the top of the four pillars to a central rope that moved vertically up.

The servant made a low shout as six well-built men rushed out from a room nearby, forming a file. The servant looked at the one that seemed to be their leader, "We need to proceed to the fifth floor."

"Yes, ma'am." The men bowed a little before entering the room. The servant opened the gate in the grill and motioned at Re'Kha with a bow, "Please watch your step as you enter, my lady."

Re'Kha nodded and entered, sensing the platform look sturdy. The sounds her feet produced while walking made it seem as if she was walking on the floor. Once they had boarded, the servant closed the gate and rang the bell tied at the top once.

The platform slowly began to move up. It was a mechanical lift!