Faced with the evil god La Riluo, Qiu Tu had never felt particularly confident.
After all, compared to people he could physically touch, La Riluo was like a ghost.
Qiu Tu did not know how to hurt her, how to kill her, or even where she was.
All he knew was that she had used the cloned female body Old Master Qin had provided to enter the Real World; that she could enter dreams at night; and that she could make contact through an ancient coin during the day.
Beyond that, he knew nothing at all.
How did the Shelter deal with evil gods?
Against an enemy that could infiltrate everywhere, how did the Shelter's higher-ups defend themselves?
After quietly pondering for a while, Qiu Tu suppressed the deep worry in his heart and made several phone calls.
Once he had arranged everything, he returned to his room.
No matter what, I should make sufficient preparations first, then take things one step at a time.
At least this time, I'm no longer completely ignorant of her.
And all living things have desires. So perhaps I can use the same methods I use against people on her?
When he returned to the room, Shen Ling Shuang was once again holding the Large Wooden Mallet and hammering away at the workbench.
Seeing this, Qiu Tu smiled and shook his head. "Stop hammering. The neighbors will come knocking soon."
At Qiu Tu's words, Shen Ling Shuang widened her eyes. "Who would dare come knocking!?"
With one hand on her hip and the other carrying the hammer over her shoulder, she said fiercely in an adorably threatening tone, "If anyone dares come over, I'll... I'll...!"
Qiu Tu asked, "You'll do what?"
Shen Ling Shuang forced out an adorable smile and pulled out a handful of peanuts from her pocket. "I'll treat them to peanuts~~ and ask them to please bear with us. Hehe."
"Hahaha." Qiu Tu was amused by how quickly she went from tough to timid.
He walked over, took the wooden mallet from Shen Ling Shuang's hand, and said, "I've already asked a friend to help us find a new place to live."
"We should have one by tomorrow."
"Then tomorrow, we'll move into our new home."
The emphasis in Qiu Tu's words was on "new home," but what Shen Ling Shuang heard was "we."
Her eyes brightened slightly. "Our new home?!"
Qiu Tu said, "Yes."
He explained, "I've made a lot of enemies lately. Some of them may come looking for revenge."
"Besides, Old Alley Street has developed now. There are too many people coming and going, and it's a mixed bag."
"So we should move somewhere safer as well."
Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Shen Ling Shuang nodded adorably. Then, her eyes filled with anticipation as she asked, "When we get to the new home, can I have my own bedroom?"
Qiu Tu shook his head. "No."
Shen Ling Shuang immediately drooped her head, looking a little disappointed.
Seeing that, Qiu Tu smiled. "Because now, if I don't hold you at night, I can't sleep."
At Qiu Tu's words, Shen Ling Shuang's face instantly turned red. Steam even seemed to rise from the top of her head.
Qiu Tu smiled as he watched the girl blush, then added, "So while you can't have your own bedroom, you can decorate the other rooms however you like. You can also choose one for a potion room or workshop."
Shen Ling Shuang looked up, tilting her head. "Really really? O.o"
When Qiu Tu nodded, Shen Ling Shuang excitedly jumped onto him, practically overjoyed. "Yay! Qiu Tu, you're not so bad after all!"
Supporting Shen Ling Shuang's pert little backside, Qiu Tu smiled and shook his head at the girl's joyful expression. She really was still a child.
He wondered why her parents had allowed such a young, adorable girl to wander alone in this Calamity world.
Perhaps because they would be moving into a new home tomorrow, Shen Ling Shuang was incredibly excited.
She stopped hammering and began packing their luggage instead.
The Cataclysm Potions had to be taken, the Calamity Material had to be taken, the workbench had to be taken—she even wanted to take the pots, pans, bowls, rice, flour, oil, and salt from the house.
Watching her pack while muttering about what else she might have forgotten, Qiu Tu, sitting on the sofa, was somewhat speechless.
He said, "We can just buy whatever we need once we get to the new place."
"That rice and flour aren't expensive, and they're heavy to carry. There's no need to bring them."
Shen Ling Shuang rolled her eyes at Qiu Tu and muttered, "What a spoiled young master. You've never run a household."
"These were all bought with Copper Coins. How can we waste them?"
Qiu Tu said, "Then give them to the neighbors."
Shen Ling Shuang froze for a moment, but still shook her head. As she continued packing, she said, "Forget it. I picked all of these out bit by bit. I can't bear to part with them."
Qiu Tu found Shen Ling Shuang's stinginess rather interesting.
This little girl could help the neighbors increase their income and make money, yet she also pinched pennies over buying and giving away things.
What kind of environment had shaped a girl like this?
Shen Ling Shuang kept packing until well past midnight before finally finishing. Only then did the two wash up and get ready for bed.
Perhaps because she was excited, Shen Ling Shuang lay in Qiu Tu's arms with her little mouth chattering nonstop.
Qiu Tu truly could not take it anymore, so he covered her mouth and manually muted her. Only then did he finally stop her endless urge to talk.
Thus, while covering Shen Ling Shuang's mouth and gently patting her back, Qiu Tu spent a full half hour before finally getting the girl to fall into a deep sleep.
After Shen Ling Shuang fell asleep, however, Qiu Tu got up, looked at her once, then went to the next room.
In the next room, their neighbor Sister Xin was already waiting. A Tai, Eagle, and Cao Dabiao and Chen Feng, who had finished their celebratory banquet, were also there.
Upon entering the room, Qiu Tu said to Sister Xin, "Sister Xin, I'll have to trouble you to look after Ling Shuang again tonight."
Sister Xin smiled warmly. "It's fine, it's fine. Little sister Ling Shuang has helped us a great deal lately. It's only right for me to look after her."
After saying that, she gestured toward her bed. "I'll head over first. Make yourself at home."
Qiu Tu nodded. Then he watched Sister Xin leave his room and head to his.
Seeing this, A Tai scratched his head and said innocently, "Brother Tu, you're being way too careful."
"Even if the Alliance really plans to attack tonight, with us here, we'll definitely keep Ling Shuang safe."
"You can just focus on dealing with the evil god."
Qiu Tu shook his head. "You don't understand. There's no medicine for regret in this world."
"We'll be moving tomorrow, so tonight is the only night something might happen."
"Although the Alliance most likely doesn't know, I don't want one moment of carelessness to leave me regretting it for the rest of my life."
After saying that, Qiu Tu looked at A Tai and Eagle as well. "Also, tell the brothers to be extra careful lately."
"Try to travel in groups. Don't let the Alliance catch you slipping."
Hearing Qiu Tu's words, A Tai and Eagle immediately grew solemn and nodded.
After arranging for A Tai and Eagle to stand guard outside in the corridor, Qiu Tu lay down on Sister Xin's bed, preparing to sleep.
As for Cao Dabiao and Chen Feng, they would naturally stand watch beside him.
The two had once undergone special Security Department training with him. They knew how to receive Qiu Tu's warnings in dreams and how to wake him up.
Therefore, with Liu Fuping unable to show herself conveniently, having the two of them keep watch was the best choice.
With that in mind, Qiu Tu gave them a few more instructions before lying down and falling into a deep sleep.
He did not know how long he had slept. Perhaps ten minutes, perhaps an hour.
Qiu Tu suddenly felt as though his whole body had become groggy.
A woman's voice softly called by his ear. "Qiu Tu. Qiu Tu."
Hearing that familiar voice, Qiu Tu tried to open his eyes, only to discover that he seemed unable to move.
His muddled mind could not quite figure out what was happening.
He sharply sensed that something was wrong, but he did not know what exactly was wrong.
Just then.
That woman's soft murmur sounded by his ear again. "Qiu Tu. What do you desire?"
Qiu Tu answered hazily, "What do I desire...?"
"I desire power, money, women."
The woman gave a light laugh. "Such vulgar yet genuine desires."
"But that's no problem. I can give you everything you want."
Qiu Tu seemed to retain a trace of reason through his haze. "Why would you give me everything I want?"
The woman said, "Because... I am an omnipotent god."
"As long as you worship me and become my believer, all your wishes can come true."
"Power, money, women."
"I can make you the dictator of the Shelter."
"Give you inexhaustible wealth."
"And select and train every beauty who suits your tastes for you."
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Third update, 10,000 words. I'll keep up the 10,000-word daily output tonight. Love you all!
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