It was already deep into the night when the two of them left the Southern Heavenly Gate.
Neither Wen Ning nor Lu Ming intended to return to the shop. They took a turn and stepped straight onto a cloud stairway leading down to the mortal realm.
Lu Ming followed behind, still muttering as he worked out the numbers.
"Two hundred and fifty doesn't sound good. That number makes me sound like an idiot. How about we negotiate? I'd be fine with ten less or ten more."
When they reached the end of the stairway, the clouds beneath their feet parted, revealing a pitch-black mountain forest below.
The two of them landed.
Lu Ming shivered and edged closer to Wen Ning, as though being near him made him feel safer.
"What is this place? Are you sure that monster's lair is here? Why do I feel like we took a wrong turn?"
"My godfather gave me the location. It should be right."
Wen Ning looked around and frowned. There wasn't a soul in sight. Had they taken a wrong turn?
"These are the border mountains in the northeast. Hardly anyone comes here, so it's no surprise that monsters gather here."
"The northeast?"
Lu Ming hunched his shoulders.
"No wonder it's so cold. Neither of us brought a single warm layer. Are you deliberately trying to freeze me to death on a business trip so you can save that two hundred and fifty?"
"You've got a seriously rotten conscience. I knew you were no good. You never think of me when something good comes along."
As they bickered, the bushes beside them suddenly rustled, and two figures emerged.
Two minor monsters blocked their path, one on either side. The two rabbit spirits narrowed their eyes and sized up Wen Ning and Lu