Purely a Passerby

In a dim place, a humanoid silhouette condensed into being, resembling a newborn baby. Everything in the outside world was a mystery to it.

"Who am I? Where am I... My name is..."

Rumble—!!

A black rift tore open, and demonic claws descended from the sky, gripping the newborn demonic shadow.

Beyond the void, a pair of red eyes slowly opened. Gazing at the demonic shadow in his hand, the figure said slowly, "This isn't the world you were meant to come to. One of me is enough."

With that, the demonic hand split open the shattered space in midair and cast the newborn demonic shadow inside.

"Go. Go to the Kyushu World's human realm. While you still have a chance to return at the moment of your birth, go find Lu Bei. Grind his bones to dust, annihilate his soul, and sever the shackles binding you and me!"

"Remember..."

"I've taken the name Lu Nan. You may not use it again."

The shattered space drew together and settled. The scarlet eyes closed tightly, as though nothing had ever happened.

In the Kyushu World, within a mountain range an unknown distance from Langyu County, perilous peaks stood in rows, while a sea of clouds bowed below them and flowed like a white curtain.

A white-robed monk sat cross-legged and alone atop a perilous peak. His features were refined and handsome, and a red lotus pattern marked his brow. The golden wheel of the great sun emerged from the sea of clouds, its radiance washing over him. It was as if myriad strands of spiritual energy had gathered around him, giving him an indescribable sanctity.

Just then, a mass of black shadow went from intangible to tangible, burrowing into the monk's body through his ears, eyes, mouth, and nose. It occupied his spiritual platform and polluted his golden body.

"Oh? An Outer-Realm Sky Demon?"

The monk frowned with his eyes closed. "I heard that Outer-Realm Sky Demons only descended into the world in ancient times and had already become legends. Its sudden appearance today... Is it a warning that the world is about to descend into chaos and demonic evils are about to be born, or is my State of Mind too disordered, drawing this demon here?"

A moment later, black mist coiled around the monk and enveloped his entire body. He exhaled, raised his hand, and formed the Demon Subduing Seal. The golden wheel appeared behind him, dispersing the black mist in an instant.

The lingering force did not stop there. Ripples spread across the sea of clouds, rolling outward in all directions. The strange mountains and lofty ridges hidden within the clouds unfolded like a painting, frightening birds and beasts into flight and adding a line of freehand white egrets to the painted scene.

"Even a petty demon dares disturb this monk's peace. So be it. My State of Mind has indeed been rather muddled lately. I may as well borrow your power to cultivate." The monk pressed his palms together and began quietly chanting scripture.

Behind him, the demonic shadow repeatedly collapsed and re-formed, then pounced into his body once more.

"Chirp, chirp, chirp!"

At Feather Transformation Sect on Sanqing Peak, four little foxes chased butterflies and caught birds in the Backyard, occasionally pouncing into a heap and frolicking together.

Good fortune put a spring in his step. Lu Bei pushed open the door with a beaming smile and said to Hu Jiao beside him, "Whenever I leave the mountain from now on, you need to activate the grand formation. But don't attack and injure innocent passersby, understand?"

Hu Jiao nodded and climbed up his trouser leg to his shoulder. Her lively azure eyes gazed at the stone steps leading down the mountain, filled with longing for the outside world. She wanted Lu Bei to take her out with him.

Ever since entering Feather Transformation Sect, Hu Jiao's wariness had steadily eroded under the bombardment of sugar-coated Cannonballs. She had long since lost the cautious timidity she'd possessed in the wild and had grown especially close to Lu Bei.

"No. I'm going to meet a demoness today. She's of the snake clan. A fox as small as you would be swallowed in one bite—chomp—and straight down her belly." Lu Bei tried to frighten her. Grabbing Hu Jiao by the scruff of her neck, he placed her beside the door.

Lu Bei had risen early—or, more accurately, he hadn't slept. The night before last, he had gone night fishing with Lin Yu. Last night, he had taken a Three-Revolutions Origin Nurturing Pill. Ever since he began cultivating as an immortal, his waist no longer ached and his legs no longer hurt. He could climb Sanqing Peak in a single breath, and his whole person had grown increasingly spirited.

After leaving Feather Transformation Sect, Lu Bei headed straight for Emei Sect on Sijing Peak. He was there to do business, discussing with Ding Lei the expansion of the shops, renovations to the underground palace, the construction of a shelter over the deep pool, and other matters.

Having enjoyed one pleasant cooperation, Lu Bei was quite impressed by the skilled craftsmen of Emei Sect. Whenever he thought of construction work, they were the first people who came to mind.

As for the kind words Ding Lei had put in for him before Lin Yu, Lu Bei didn't mention them at all, much less say anything about gratitude.

Handsome as jade, friendly with his neighbors, chaste and self-disciplined... Everything had been stated truthfully. There was nothing to thank him for.

Ding Lei had initially assumed Lu Bei had come to catch geese. When Lu Bei turned out to be there to do business, Ding Lei waved to the disciples behind him, telling them not to hurry and bring the geese out. He had tea set out and began discussing the details with Lu Bei.

Once everything was settled, Lu Bei left behind a deposit and departed. Ding Lei then had someone retrieve the blueprints and imitate the previous plans, tailoring several new proposals specifically for Feather Transformation Sect.

As for Lu Bei, after leaving Nine Bamboo Mountain, he reached the nearest Langyu County. After wandering through several streets in the city, he followed the secret signs on walls and trees and found She Xuan's hideout.

It was a pawnshop situated at a bustling crossroads. Merchants and wealthy households constantly passed through, making it extremely lively.

Lu Bei stopped and glanced at the tailor shop next door. He silently noted it down a few times, then strode into the pawnshop.

"What item does this customer wish to pawn?"

An old man stepped forward with clasped hands. He narrowed his eyes and swept them over Lu Bei from head to toe, silently estimating his worth before smiling. "If you wish to buy something to play with, please follow this old man to the elegant room on the second floor. You can enjoy tea while listening to this old man explain everything in detail."

If you changed to a young girl, I might listen to you explain it in detail.

Lu Bei complained inwardly that the pawnshop had no idea how to do business. If it were him, he would guarantee...

He was getting off track. Raising his hand in return, he said, "Shopkeeper, I arranged to meet a friend here. She's somewhat advanced in age, and I usually call her Snake Aunt. Do you know who I mean?"

"So you're the proprietor's guest. Please wait a moment. This old man will report your arrival at once." The shopkeeper didn't know who this older Snake Aunt was, but there was indeed a female proprietor surnamed She.

The proprietor?!

Lu Bei watched speechlessly as the shopkeeper left and thought that it was impossible. Judging from his years of experience, there was nothing wrong with having a woman like She Xuan—cold on the outside and alluring within—as a proprietor. But the place absolutely shouldn't be a pawnshop. It should have been Yunshui Tower.

It was a pity he hadn't been able to call She Xuan over at Yunshui Tower for a service or a foot massage or something.

Soon, the shopkeeper returned and invited Lu Bei to the third floor, guiding him toward the innermost room.

[You have been poisoned. After calculation, your HP remains unchanged after deducting defensive poison immunity.]

The instant Lu Bei raised his hand and pushed open the door, he received the information prompt. He curled his lips and despised the vengeful woman. She was already so old, yet she didn't know how to show a handsome young man a little affection. With such a narrow mind, she was definitely single.

I wish you a lifetime of singleness!

Lu Bei silently sent her his blessing, put on an innocent smile, bypassed an ink-wash screen painted with mountains and rivers' Artistic Conception, and walked straight into She Xuan's boudoir.

A moment later, Lu Bei walked out in confusion. "Huh? She isn't in the bedroom after all. I thought there would be a scene where she disrobed and then sternly scolded and rejected me... Was I overthinking it?"

Beside the bed, a couch held a tea table. She Xuan leaned half-reclined against it in blue robes, her graceful curves drawing the eye. If one overlooked the golden-scaled little snake she toyed with in her hand, she would surely have attracted countless men trying to strike up a conversation.

Hearing Lu Bei's shameless words, She Xuan thought that he still had the same old flavor. She couldn't be bothered to deal with the sword-seller and tapped the head of the golden-scaled little snake with her fingertip, teasing it into repeatedly flicking its tongue.

"Snake Aunt, we haven't seen each other in a while, but you're still as charming as ever. At first glance, you look just like a young girl." Lu Bei sat down on the couch. Seeing that She Xuan ignored him, he poured himself tea and drank.

[You have been poisoned. After calculation, your HP remains unchanged after deducting defensive poison immunity.]

Lu Bei: "..."

In all fairness, I'm just a passerby. This woman is poisonous.

"Snake Aunt, I didn't expect you to have a business in Langyu County too. I knew I hadn't misjudged you. You really are a rich lady."

"Snake Aunt, did you purchase this pawnshop recently, or have you owned it for a long time? If you've had it from the start, I have one on the mountain too. We'd be neighbors!"

"Snake Aunt, can I touch this little snake?"

"Snake Aunt, say something!"

"Call me Sister She," She Xuan said, finally unable to bear it any longer.

"Fine. If you insist..."

Lu Bei shrugged and looked at the golden little snake. "Snake Aunt, can I touch this Sister Snake?"

She Xuan: "..."

I forgot to schedule this chapter. That was my mistake...