"No, I can't tell you what I was talking with Promon about..." said the Innkeeper for the umpteenth time. "And to answer your second question, I have no intention of selling my teleportation services to start a fast food chain across the universe."

By now, Lex had already talked to several Dao Lords and rejected getting involved in the war using the same tactic of insinuating greater dangers.

However, the Dao Lord talking to the Innkeeper at the moment seemed incapable of comprehending the Innkeepers issue with starting an instant teleportation delivery service! It could revolutionize the fast food industry, and yet he selfishly withheld his abilities!

Lex, on the other hand, tried hard to suppress his growing headache. How was it that he had figured out a way to convince other Dao Lords that he was not getting involved in the universal wars, but this one couldn't take a hint regarding food delivery?

"Listen, I understand if you think this is too menial a use of your job. Why don't you create and sell lesser versions of your own ability? Like a formation or something? Just imagine you order a fresh Garlic Cosmic Slurry Blurry from several realms over, and it arrives, still fresh and cool without the slightest rise in temperature without artificial freezing! Just imagine!" said the Dao Lord with severe desperation in his voice.

Lex, through sheer use of willpower, resisted the urge to rub his forehead, managing to maintain the perfectly calm demeanor of the Innkeeper.

"While I understand the absolute convenience such a service will provide for many well meaning services and facilities, my current focus remains my Inn," the Innkeeper explained again, patiently. "The extent of my responsibilities relating to my Inn are vast and occupy all my attention, thus such ventures remain firmly outside the realm of possibility for now."

Even though Lex's phrasing was open ended, leaving open the possibility of future cooperation, this Dao Lord failed to get the hint, or simply refused to understand.

"You are wasting your talents I tell you, wasting them," he said with absolute disgust before standing up and storming out of the room without the slightest reservation.

Internally, Lex sighed. He was sure that this was also some kind of layered tactic, full of hidden plots and traps, yet he was unable to see beyond the surface level of these demands.

The Innkeeper walked to the door and welcomed the next guest.

"That meeting was far longer than your previous ones," commented the Dao Lord as soon as he entered. "It seems you both found some common ground to discuss."

Sigh. Yet another trap. Yet again, more bait to get him to reveal what they had been discussing.

"I enjoy talking to all my guests. By understanding the needs of my guests better, I can improve the service of my Inn," answered the Innkeeper.

"Enough nonsense. Just give it to me straight - will you or won't you participate in the war?" the Dao Lord asked aggressively. "Or rather, to what extent have you already contributed to the war? How else could so many forces have silently crept up on secret upon so many realms?"

The Innkeeper who was still standing by the entrance of the Chamber of Secrets did not answer. Instead, he continued to look at the Dao Lord before him, his casual smile slowly but surely fading.

"It is your greatest fortune that I have played no hand in this war," the Innkeeper said finally, and firmly, not a hint of politeness in his voice. "Because if what you said were true, and I had teleported so many forces to besiege so many realms, then for the disrespect you have shown me, I would surely send them directly to your home next."

The threat in the Innkeepers words was obvious and direct, needing no veiling.

"Do not presume to laud your misplaced righteousness in front of me. My only interest is in running my Inn - not some insignificant war. Or perhaps you are trying to provoke me into giving you some kind of reaction. Whatever the case, choose your next words carefully. If I rescind your invitation, then I would like to see if you have the courage to continue attending this tea party."

The only threat Lex gave currently was to kick this guest out of the party, and it was a fairly light threat, but that wasn't the point. As dangerous as it was, Lex could not afford to show weakness in the slightest. He was getting mentally exhausted far quicker than he had anticipated.

It was not just the draining actions and words of some Dao Lords - it was interacting with them at all. Despite the system and Nuwa shielding him, his mental energy was draining rapidly, yet he could not allow that to affect him or his actions.

Standing on the edge of death, Lex continued to look directly towards the Dao Lord who had spoken previously, waiting for a response, fully aware that a random snort from him could end Lex's existence. There was nothing he could do - not even the Butter Knife, which was now fully charged, could save him from the influence of a proper Dao Lord. Yet retreating was surely going to set him on the path to death, while standing up to him was only probably going to get him killed. That small chance of survival was what he was fighting for.

If he wasn't so mentally drained, he might have considered other approaches, but at the moment he was just not capable.

Just as the Dao Lord was going to respond, there was a knock on the door, breaking the tense silence.

The Innkeeper looked towards the door, surprised, and went to open it, ignoring the guest he already had in the room. This was not a chance he was going to give up to possibly get rid of the guy talking to him!

Yet when he opened the door, he nearly winced.

Standing right in front of him were Voidmaw as well as Ventura, both of them still dripping from the Hot tub they had clearly just emerged from.

"I hope I'm not disturbing anything," said Voidmaw in his smooth voice. "I was wondering if we could talk"

The Innkeeper's stern expression softened, and his usual warm smile returned.

"Of course, we can talk any time. This guest was just leaving," said the

Innkeeper without looking back.

"Excellent," said Voidmaw, clearly pleased. "Why don't you join us instead?

There's no need to chat in some chamber. Talking in a hot tub is clearly a whole

lot more relaxing."