"So, what exactly was this about?"
Xu Xiaoshou probed cautiously, already prepared to die unbent rather than live bent.
"A matter of... desecrating a Saint." Water Ghost smiled, his fate impossible to read.
"What? Slaying a Saint?" The light abruptly vanished from Xu Xiaoshou's eyes.
"Mhm."
"Pardon the interruption. Farewell!"
Water Ghost nodded, and Xu Xiaoshou turned to leave again.
What kind of fucking joke was this? Slaying a Saint?
Go find Ba Zunan for that—he was the god! Why talk to me? Was Xu Xiaoshou worthy of this? Did he think I was omnipotent too?! Water Ghost watched helplessly as Xu Xiaoshou turned away. This time, he did not forcibly keep him with his abilities, merely smiling as he said, "Don't you want to hear the details before deciding whether to stay or cooperate?"
What was the difference between "staying" and "cooperating," exactly...? Xu Xiaoshou was about to go mad inside.
But Water Ghost had already put it that way. Even without forcibly stopping him, it seemed improper to simply leave.
—Without hearing him out, I can't leave at all, can I?!
"I can hear the details, but forget about slaying a Saint. Killing chickens and butchering dogs, I can barely manage that." Xu Xiaoshou let out a heavy sigh.
Water Ghost smiled. "I'm not asking you to truly slay a Saint. All you need to do is commit a few acts of desecration. Nothing too serious."
That was a Saint!
Xu Xiaoshou thought Water Ghost made it sound easy, but he might have to risk his life just to be of help. How could that possibly be a small matter? "The 'Saint' you mentioned—is that someone's name, or...?" Even now, Xu Xiaoshou clung to the faintest shred of hope.
"What are you thinking?" Water Ghost mercilessly shattered his