The Jade Cup Tavern sat just inside the east gate, its wooden sign swaying gently in the evening breeze. Chen Yu had passed it several times but never eaten here. As they approached, he noticed the Xie family crest carved discreetly into the doorframe.
"This is one of yours?" Chen Yu asked.
"Yeah." Xie Jun pushed the door open. "My family owns a few places in town. They have been struggling lately though."
The interior was well-maintained. Clean tables, decent furniture, proper lighting from spirit lamps that cast a warm glow throughout. A few customers sat scattered around, far fewer than the space could accommodate. A middle-aged woman looked up from behind the counter, her expression brightening when she saw Xie Jun.
"Young Master! We weren't expecting you today."
"Just passing through, Madam Zhou." Xie Jun gestured to Chen Yu. "My friend and I need a meal."
Madam Zhou's sharp eyes assessed Chen Yu briefly, taking in his bloodied armor and exhausted state, before she nodded without comment. "Of course. Please, sit anywhere."
Xie Jun led them to a corner table, away from the other patrons. As they settled in, Madam Zhou brought tea and recited the menu. Chen Yu ordered roasted duck and rice. Xie Jun asked for the same, plus vegetables and a bottle of wine.
As Madam Zhou left to place their order, Xie Jun drummed his fingers on the table, frowning. "The food's good here. Really good. But it takes forever to cook."
Chen Yu poured tea for both of them, the gesture automatic from years of business dinners. "How long?"
"Depends on the dish. Duck like we ordered? Forty-five minutes, maybe an hour." Xie Jun shook his head. "People don't want to wait that long, especially travelers passing through. They go to faster places even though the food isn't as good. My father keeps saying we need to figure something out, but..." He shrugged helplessly.
Chen Yu's mind sparked. An idea began forming, fragments of knowledge from his previous life connecting with possibilities in this world. Fast food concepts. Standardization. Heat management. Spirit-powered equipment...
He kept his expression neutral and took a sip of tea, filing the thoughts away for later when he had time to think them through properly.
"Your father sounds wise," Chen Yu said, steering the conversation. "Running businesses while managing a cultivation clan can't be easy."
"He always says strength means responsibility." Xie Jun's expression softened with obvious respect. "Our family's success comes from treating people fairly. Short-term gains from exploitation lead to long-term losses." He paused, then added almost defensively, "I know that sounds simple, but it's harder than it sounds."
"It doesn't sound simple at all," Chen Yu said, and meant it. He'd worked for companies that prioritized quarterly profits over everything else, squeezing employees and customers until there was nothing left. The long-term thinking Xie Jun described was rare, even back in his old world.
They sat in comfortable silence, drinking tea. Chen Yu noticed Xie Jun glancing toward the kitchen occasionally, his earlier comment about cooking times clearly still bothering him.
"Can I ask you something?" Xie Jun said eventually.
"Of course."
"What made you choose talisman making? Most rogue cultivators focus entirely on combat skills. Faster advancement that way."
Chen Yu considered his answer carefully. The truth, that he'd chosen talisman making because it was scalable and could fund rapid cultivation through his time acceleration ability, obviously couldn't be shared.
"Sustainability," he said finally. "Combat skills need resources to develop. Pills, techniques, weapons. Without a family or sect backing, where do those resources come from? Talisman making gives me steady income. It's slower than focusing purely on cultivation, but it's more reliable."
Xie Jun nodded slowly, processing this. "That makes sense. You're thinking long-term."
"I have to." Chen Yu took another sip of tea. "I don't have the luxury of short-term thinking."
"But don't you worry you'll fall behind?" Xie Jun leaned forward, genuinely curious now. "By the time you've earned enough resources through talisman making, cultivators with family support will be layers ahead of you."
"Perhaps." Chen Yu allowed himself a slight smile. "But they'll also be dependent on that family support. What happens if it's withdrawn? Meanwhile, I'm building something that can't be taken away. Skills, knowledge, self-sufficiency."
It was partially true. The other part—that his golden finger made conventional cultivation speed calculations meaningless—would remain his secret.
Xie Jun sat back, thoughtful. "I never thought about it that way. Most people just complain about not having resources. You found a way to make your own."
"Complaining doesn't change circumstances," Chen Yu said. "Action does."
Their food finally arrived, and true to Xie Jun's warning nearly an hour had passed. The duck was excellent though. Perfectly roasted with crispy skin and tender meat that fell off the bone. Proper seasoning, salt and herbs that made Chen Yu's disastrous forest cooking seem pathetic by comparison. They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes, both too hungry for conversation.
As they continued their meal, Xie Jun asked about talisman making. How long it took to learn the basics. Whether materials were as expensive as he'd heard. Chen Yu answered honestly where he could, deflecting when necessary, and asked his own questions about the Xie family's trading operations and cultivation in the region.
The conversation flowed naturally. Both of them relaxed as the food and wine worked their magic. By the time they finished eating, the tavern had filled somewhat with evening customers, though still nowhere near capacity.
Xie Jun set down his cup and looked at Chen Yu thoughtfully. "You said you went hunting to gain experience, right?"
"That was the plan," Chen Yu said. "Before I nearly became the hunted."
Xie Jun grinned. "I'm going back out next week. I need to hunt more spirit beasts for their cores." He paused. "You could come with me. Safer than going alone, and you'd get your combat experience."
Chen Yu studied him. The offer was genuine. No hidden agenda he could detect. Just a straightforward invitation from someone who seemed to appreciate honesty.
"I'd like that," Chen Yu said. "Though I can't promise I won't slow you down."
"You held your own against a normal tiger," Xie Jun pointed out. "That's more than most fourth layer cultivators could manage." He stood, stretching. "Meet me at the east gate next week. Early morning, just after dawn."
They parted outside the tavern. Xie Jun headed toward the wealthy district where the clan estates were located. Chen Yu limped back toward his inn.
His ribs still hurt with every breath. His body was covered in cuts and bruises that would take days to heal. He'd nearly died twice today.
But he'd also made a potentially valuable connection. Learned important lessons about his own limitations. Confirmed that his path forward was still viable.
And that idea about the tavern's cooking problem kept circling in his mind, pieces clicking together. Spirit-powered heating elements. Standardized preparation methods. Reduced cooking times through better equipment. It would require arrays, careful design, significant initial investment...
As Chen Yu reached his room and finally collapsed onto the bed, his thoughts raced despite his exhaustion.
A week until the next hunt with Xie Jun. Just enough time to think through this business opportunity more carefully.
And perhaps time enough to create something that could change everything.
Chen Yu smiled despite his pain.
Things were looking up.