Chapter 69

Chapter 69

At the mention of Lord Xiao, Li Qingying’s entire body tensed up.

She gripped the steering wheel with both hands, eyes fixed straight ahead. After a long moment, she took a deep breath and said, “Lord Xiao is the most reckless and unruly existence in the Linghai Dragon Clan. He and Seventh Master are completely different types of people.

“Seventh Master follows the rules, knows when to advance or retreat, and is kind to others. His heart is entirely focused on cultivation. But Lord Xiao… actually, I rarely ever saw him in the past.

“He was either out causing trouble or locked away in solitary confinement. He fears nothing in heaven or on earth and respects no one. I heard that once, during a banquet hosted by the Dragon King, something annoyed him, and he flipped the tables right then and there…”

I never expected Lord Xiao to be such an outlier.

Yet, inexplicably, I felt that someone like him lived with enough freedom to make others envious.

Yes, I envied Lord Xiao.

Because I had been cautious and timid since I was a child, terrified of causing trouble. Forget flipping tables-I rarely even raised my voice in an argument.

I murmured, “To be able to live so arrogantly only proves he has the strength to back it up.”

Li Qingying remained noncommittal. She continued, “Lord Xiao maintains a sense of detachment from everyone. Look at that black robe he wears; he doesn’t even show his face. I’m scared to death whenever I see him. Last time, Seventh Master sent me to get something from him…”

At this point, Li Qingying abruptly shut her mouth again.

I was curious, but I had asked her about this before. Since she was unwilling to speak of it, I didn’t pry.

The car sped along the road. I leaned back against the seat, feeling drowsy.

After all, I had been through a grueling night and was injured; I was reaching my limit.

However, just as we entered the boundaries of Wufu Town, Li Qingying slammed on the brakes. Startled, I jerked awake and asked tensely, “What happened?”

“There’s someone ahead,” Li Qingying said. “A Child Ghost.”

I quickly sat up and looked forward.

In the darkness, at the very edge of the headlights’ reach, a child was indeed standing in the middle of the road.

It was a young boy, appearing to be eight or nine years old. His hair was gathered into a small bun on top of his head, secured with a wooden hairpin.

He wore a dark red robe cinched at the waist with a white belt.

There were characters embroidered on the belt, but he was too far away for me to see them clearly.

He was barefoot, and there were bloodstains on the ground beneath his feet.

As I studied him, he quickly walked toward the car.

Soon, he was standing outside my window, raising a hand to politely knock on the glass.

Despite all the chaotic things I had experienced, I wasn’t afraid of these entities anymore.

But tonight was different.

It was the middle of the night, and both Li Qingying and I had just survived a major battle. We were both badly injured and couldn’t handle any more trouble.

Yet, if we didn’t roll down the window, I feared it would be difficult to get rid of this Child Ghost.

“Open it,” Li Qingying said. “He doesn’t seem to have any ill intent.”

I hesitated for a moment before lowering the window.

The Child Ghost immediately asked, “Sister, can I borrow 33 Silver Coins?”

Silver Coins?

You rarely saw those nowadays.

I had a few in my Pawnshop for my collection, but I wouldn’t just carry them on me. Besides, thirty-three was far too many.

I shook my head. “I’m sorry, I don’t have any.”

The Child Ghost looked a bit disappointed but wasn’t discouraged. He turned to Li Qingying and asked, “Big sister, can you lend me 33 Silver Coins?”

Li Qingying also refused. “I don’t have any either.”

The Child Ghost gave an “oh” and stepped aside to the edge of the road.

Li Qingying hit the gas, and the car surged forward.

I couldn’t help but look back. I saw the Child Ghost still standing quietly by the roadside, seemingly waiting for the next car to arrive.

He really didn’t have any malicious intent.

But why was he so obsessed with borrowing thirty-three Silver Coins?

Was it some kind of obsession from when he was alive?

As I turned back, I couldn’t help but mutter to myself. This stretch of road leading into Wufu Town was truly cursed; I had encountered trouble here several times now.

The first time, I was hitching a ride from a Yellow Immortal and was saved here by the Fox Lord.

The second time, I was shot by an arrow on this road by that girl who looked like Ah Li.

And now, for the third time, I had encountered this Child Ghost.
This road… its past might not have been clean.

After finally returning to the Pawnshop, Li Qingying and I hurried to shower. Once we were clean and had applied medicine to each other’s wounds, we finally lay down in bed. An inexplicable sense of loss washed over me.

I had thought I would see Liu Junyan as soon as I returned.

But on second thought, my worry grew.

Lord Xiao had rushed to Jiyu Temple to save us because Liu Junyan had begged him.

Could they have made another deal?

Is Liu Junyan… alright?

After thinking it over, I climbed out of bed and took the Golden Scale to the Main Hall.

I placed the Golden Scale as an offering in the Main Hall, lit three sticks of Yellow Incense, and bowed toward the Black Coffin.

Before I could leave, a gust of Yin Wind rose within the hall.

Immediately after, I saw black energy swirling around the Golden Scale, emitting a faint, fishy stench.

I frowned. Second Master Liu’s path of cultivation was indeed unclean.

For this Golden Scale to have been tainted with so much sinister energy while in his possession was telling.

However, the black energy was soon swallowed up completely, leaving only a lingering golden glow.

I closed the door to the Main Hall and went back to sleep, my mind at ease.

The next morning, when I returned to the Main Hall, I saw that the Golden Scale on the Altar Table was gone.

Liu Junyan must have taken it.

Li Qingying and I rested at home for two days, and our injuries recovered quite well.

At noon on the third day, I received a call from Jin Wuya. He invited us to the Teahouse for tea.

This time, Li Qingying and I went together.

It was the same private room. Jin Wuya seemed to be in a very good mood; today, he hadn’t just ordered tea, but had also thoughtfully ordered several kinds of desserts.

Li Qingying and I sat down side by side. Jin Wuya gave us a brief update on the aftermath at Jiyu Temple and mentioned how Master Hui Quan had helped Release from Suffering for his master’s soul.

He was full of praise for Master Hui Quan.

“The heavy boulder that’s been pressing on my heart for over twenty years has finally been moved. I’ve never felt so light,” Jin Wuya said with a smile. “This is all thanks to Shopkeeper Xiao Jiu.”

Li Qingying arched an eyebrow and gave a light cough.

Jin Wuya immediately added pleasingly, “And of course, it wouldn’t have been possible without Miss Li’s strenuous assistance.”

Li Qingying nudged me inconspicuously under the table.

I understood her meaning. She wanted me to strike while the iron was hot and recruit Jin Wuya into the Pawnshop.

But the fact that Jin Wuya had invited me to meet at this Teahouse again today-didn’t that already make his stance clear?

He wasn’t even willing to step through the doors of the Pawnshop; he had no desire to wade into our murky waters.

Seeing that I didn’t respond, Li Qingying grew anxious and took it upon herself to speak. “Shopkeeper Jin, this collaboration was very pleasant. You’re all alone now; why not come work at our Pawnshop?”

Jin Wuya froze for a moment, then gave a sheepish smile. “I appreciate Miss Li’s kind intentions. But as you said, I’m a solitary man. I’m used to being idle and don’t like being tied down, so I won’t be taking a position at the Pawnshop. However, if there is ever a need for my help with anything regarding the shop, I will not hesitate to step up.”

I patted Li Qingying’s hand under the table, signaling for her to stay calm.

Having such a promise was already enough.

As he spoke, Jin Wuya leaned over and pulled a box from beside him, pushing it toward me. “Shopkeeper Xiao Jiu, there is two million in here. The Pomegranate Carvings and the ‘Jielie’ Plaque have already been sold. This is your share of the Dividend.”

Two million!

We had originally agreed to a fifty-fifty split upon the sale of the items.

That meant he had sold those two items for four million!

This was incredible.

Before I could even praise him, Jin Wuya pushed two cloth bundles toward Li Qingying and me. “These two items are from my personal collection of many years. I’m giving them to you both as a thank you for all the help you’ve given me lately.”

He was truly being too polite.

Under Jin Wuya’s expectant gaze, Li Qingying and I opened our bundles.

Li Qingying’s bundle contained a bottle of brown liquid that looked like some kind of oil; it was likely meant for maintaining her whip.

She clearly liked it very much.

But the moment I opened my bundle, my entire face flushed crimson.

Inside the cloth was yet another Tiger Whip.

It was even more… majestic… than the one I had exchanged with Jin Wuya at the Ghost Market that other time.