The Inn of Coming Wealth - 33

The Golden Innkeeper's bucket finally hit the ground with a 'thud.' He crouched by the well, looking at the blue and white figure, then at Asu. He opened his mouth, but in the end, he only said, "...So this is the 'help' you were talking about?" Asu stood up, dusting off their hands, and said in a tone as calm as if introducing a new guest, "This is Wu Xuan. Came with me." Wu Xuan tilted his head slightly towards the Golden Innkeeper. His 'face' had no features, only a uniform blue and white light, but the Innkeeper vaguely felt he was looking at him. His voice sounded again, with a slight computational pause: "Hello, Innkeeper." The Golden Innkeeper was silent for a long time, finally saying in a low voice, "...This inn is becoming less and less like an inn." He bent down to pick up the bucket, turned towards the kitchen, walked a few steps, then stopped, looked back, and added, "But it's better than it used to be."