Chapter 8: Su Yuntao's Urgent Mission: Part 3

Su Yuntao traversed the bustling streets of Soto, his eyes set on finding accommodation that would meet his expectations. He soon came upon a hotel that radiated luxury and elegance, with its facade adorned with golden details and large windows reflecting the blue sky.

With a determined stride, he crossed the threshold of the main entrance and headed towards the reception, where a young woman clad in a pristine uniform greeted him with a warm smile. "Good afternoon, sir. How may I assist you?" she asked with a sweet and professional voice.

"I'm interested in staying here tonight. Could you inform me about the room rates?" inquired Su Yuntao in a kind but firm tone.

"Of course," the receptionist replied efficiently. "We have four categories of rooms. The most economical is 1 silver coin per night, followed by a mid-priced option for 10 silver coins. For those seeking greater comfort, we have luxury rooms for 50 silver coins. And finally, our premium suites cost 1 gold coin per night. Additionally, we offer the option of including a buffet service for an additional 5 gold coins."

Su Yuntao nodded, quickly evaluating the options. "I'll take the premium suite and the buffet service. Here are 6 gold coins," he said while carefully extracting the coins from a small leather pouch he carried with him. The coins, with a shine that denoted their value, were carefully placed on the polished wooden counter.

The receptionist took the coins delicately, verifying their authenticity with a brief glance before storing them in a drawer under the reception. She then took out a set of golden keys engraved with the number 9 and handed them to Su Yuntao. "Your room is number 9, on the first floor. We hope you enjoy your stay with us," she said with a slight bow.

Ascending the majestic marble staircase, Su Yuntao found his room without difficulty. Upon opening the door, he was met with a space exceeding 100 square meters, elegantly furnished with a fine wood dining area, a modern and fully equipped kitchen, a gleaming bathroom with a porcelain bathtub, and a cozy bedroom that promised a restful sleep.

"This is living well," he murmured to himself as he sank onto the bed, whose plush cushions seemed to embrace him. After a few moments of relaxation, he rose with a new purpose. "Time for dinner. Let's see if the room service is up to par."

Next to the door, Su Yuntao noticed an elegant panel with several buttons, one of which was labeled "Call Butler." He pressed it and, to his surprise, in less than half a minute, he heard discreet knocks at the door.

Upon opening it, he was met with a distinguished-looking butler, who bowed and said, "At your service, sir. What would you like?"

"Is it possible to have dinner brought to my room?" asked Su Yuntao.

"Of course, sir. There is no additional charge for room service. What would you like to order?"

"Bring me a varied selection of your best culinary offerings. I want to try a little bit of everything."

"As you wish, sir. Your dinner will be served shortly."

With another bow, the butler withdrew. Su Yuntao closed the door and headed to the bathroom, where he shed his clothes and immersed himself in a spacious bathtub, letting the hot water wash away the weariness of travel. After a quick and refreshing shower, he wrapped himself in a soft bathrobe and took care of combing his still-damp hair in front of the mirror.

Just as he finished grooming, a soft tapping at the door announced the arrival of his dinner. Su Yuntao adjusted his robe and went to open the door, ready to enjoy the delicacies that awaited him.

As he turned the knob and opened the door, Su Yuntao was greeted by the butler, who patiently waited with an elegant three-tiered service cart. Each tier held two dishes covered with silver domes that concealed the delights he would soon savor. With a gesture of his hand, the butler invited Su Yuntao to take a seat in the dining area while he arranged the dinner.

Once Su Yuntao was comfortably seated, the butler lifted the first silver dome, revealing a plate of assorted Dim Sum. "Here you are, sir, a selection of Dim Sum, steamed small delights that include siu mai, har gow, and baozi filled with an exquisite mix of meat and vegetables," the butler explained with a voice that denoted pride in the hotel's cuisine.

He continued with the second dish, Peking Duck, presented with thin slices of glistening meat and crispy skin, accompanied by thin pancakes, hoisin sauce, and fresh strips of cucumber and scallion for wrapping. The third dish was a spicy Mapo Tofu, with its characteristic silky tofu drenched in a chili and pork sauce that awakened all the senses.

The fourth delicacy was a plate of Chow Mein, noodles stir-fried with fresh vegetables and strips of meat, all wrapped in a slightly sweet and savory sauce. The fifth dish was a generous portion of Xiao Long Bao, dumplings filled with meat and broth that burst with flavor in each bite. Finally, the sixth and last dish was a Gong Bao Ji Ding, Kung Pao chicken with its perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spicy, sprinkled with toasted peanuts.

With each explanation, the butler ceremoniously uncovered the dishes, and Su Yuntao nodded, impressed by the variety and presentation. Once all the dishes were on the table, the butler bowed and said, "I hope you enjoy your dinner, sir. If you need anything else, please do not hesitate to call me."

Just as the butler was about to leave, Su Yuntao pulled out a silver coin and offered it as a tip. "Your service has been excellent. By the way, could you take care of some laundry for me?"

"Of course, sir. It will be a pleasure to attend to that request," the butler replied, accepting the coin and the clothes that Su Yuntao handed him.

Once alone, Su Yuntao tasted each of the dishes, delighting in the richness of flavors and textures. He was halfway through his culinary feast when he heard a soft knock at the door. Upon opening, he found the butler with a silk pajama in his hands.

"This is the pajama we offer to our guests, courtesy of the house," said the butler, handing him the garment.

"Thank you very much," responded Su Yuntao, accepting the pajama with a smile.

Once the butler had left, Su Yuntao placed the pajama on the bed and returned to the table to finish his dinner. Satisfied, he left the dishes on the cart, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and changed into the comfortable pajama. With a full stomach and a relaxed body, he slid under the sheets, turned off the light, and let sleep take over, intending to wake up the next day with the first light of dawn.

The next day, as the first rays of sunlight began to filter through the curtains, Su Yuntao awoke. He rose from the bed, feeling how the rest had rejuvenated his body and mind. He took off the silk pajama and walked barefoot on the soft carpet to the bathroom.

Inside the bathroom, he looked at himself in the mirror and proceeded to groom meticulously. He turned on the faucet and let the hot water run over his body, washing away the morning's lethargy. After the shower, he brushed his teeth with a toothpaste he found next to the sink, with a refreshing flavor that awakened all his senses. He combed his hair carefully, making sure each strand was in place.

Wrapped in a bathrobe, Su Yuntao exited the bathroom and headed towards the button to call the butler. He pressed the button and, like the night before, the butler arrived at the door in less than half a minute.

"How was your rest, Mr. Su Yuntao? How may I assist you this morning?" asked the butler with a bow.

"My clothes, are they ready?" inquired Su Yuntao.

"I will bring them to you right away, sir," the butler assured before disappearing down the hallway.

Five minutes later, the butler returned with Su Yuntao's clothes, clean and neatly folded. "Here are your clothes, sir. I hope they are to your satisfaction."

Su Yuntao took the clothes, briefly examined them, and, pleased with the service, handed the butler four silver coins as a tip. "Thank you for your efficiency," he said with a nod.

Once the butler had left, Su Yuntao closed the door, shed the robe, and dressed in his clean clothes. He took the keys and left the room, descending the stairs to the reception. There, he returned the keys to the same receptionist who had attended to him the day before.

"We hope you enjoyed your stay, Mr. Su Yuntao. Is there anything else we can help you with before you depart?" asked the receptionist with a smile.

"Everything was excellent, thank you," replied Su Yuntao, returning the smile.

With a courteous farewell, he left the hotel and headed towards the exit of the city of Soto. Once outside the walls, he invoked his martial spirit and began to run towards the City of Spirits.

As the landscape swiftly passed by his side, Su Yuntao reflected on the journey ahead. "I suppose I have about 12 hours or so," he thought, as he accelerated, turning the path into an adventure and the distance into a mere detail.