Ye Yan had traveled nonstop. By the time he reached Nuoding City, his stomach was growling with hunger, so he first found a breakfast shop and bought some steamed buns.
The dry buns were hard to swallow, but he still ate with relish. Compared with those bitter wild greens, this was practically a state banquet.
Afterward, he went to a general store, where a plump middle-aged man was sorting through miscellaneous goods.
"Boss, do you have a map of Fasinuo Province? A detailed one."
The man raised an eyebrow in surprise. What did such a little kid want a map for? Still, who cared? Making money was what mattered.
"Of course I do. I dare say you won't find a better map anywhere in Nuoding City. It's just a little pricey-twelve Silver Soul Coins apiece."
Huh?
That expensive? Is this guy trying to fleece me because I'm little?
"Boss, that's not very honest of you. Who sells maps for that much? Five Silver Soul Coins at most. Otherwise, forget it."
The plump shopkeeper looked troubled.
"Little brother, I really am not trying to cheat you. These maps take a lot of work to draw. Tell you what, if you're serious about buying one, ten Silver Soul Coins."
Well, well, you bastard! You really are trying to butcher my wallet because I'm little. Ye Yan put on a displeased expression and headed outside.
The plump shopkeeper grew frantic and shouted after him.
"Little brother, don't go! Eight-no, six Silver Soul Coins, and it's yours!"
The price never dropped again, even when he reached the doorway. Knowing he had hit the bottom, Ye Yan paid six Silver Soul Coins and successfully got his map.
Watching him leave, the shopkeeper spat under his breath. Why were kids nowadays so hard to fool?
Ye Yan found a spot beneath a wall. Seeing no one around, he sat on the ground and began studying the map.
Let's see. To the right of Nuoding City is Linxi City, with wild mountains on either side. That means Xiao Wu will definitely pass through here unless she wants to take a detour.
I'll head over and take a look first. If the city isn't very big, there won't be any powerful Soul Masters there. Xiao Wu isn't the sort to swallow hardship when she doesn't have to, either.
But that's quite a distance. I'll have to hire a cart. If I really walk all that way, I might just keel over dead on the road.
He then went to a local coaching station. After some bargaining, he finally paid twenty-five Silver Soul Coins to share an ox cart with two other passengers.
Halfway there, an old man sharing the cart shouted that his money was missing. The other passenger, a middle-aged man, claimed he had seen Ye Yan steal it and demanded to search him.
Ye Yan was so angry he laughed. Trying to pull a scam on me?
Damned Soul Beasts, disguising yourselves as humans! Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords, manifest!
The three of them were already close together on the ox cart, and he had Soul Power bolstering him besides. A sword whistled through the air.
"Urgh... ah!"
Both men clutched their necks, their pupils beginning to lose focus. They had never imagined he would actually dare kill them.
The driver beside them jumped off the ox cart with a thud and ran. No matter how Ye Yan called after him, he refused to stop.
Ah, well. Nothing for it. First, he endured his nausea and searched the two bodies, finding three Gold Soul Coins and over twenty Silver Soul Coins. Then he drove the ox onward.
Only when he could make out the distant city walls ahead did he jump off the cart. After all, he had just killed two people. What if that driver had run here to report him?
After altering his appearance a little, Ye Yan entered through a gate on another side of the city. They actually charged an entry fee here, though it was only two Copper Soul Coins.
But Xiao Wu still didn't know what soul coins were even after reaching Dorm Seven, so she definitely never entered this city. Still, this is a major route, so she's bound to pass this way. I'll just have to lie in wait outside. Would that be waiting by a city for a rabbit?
Having made his decision, he first bought a shovel, insect-repellent powder, and some dry provisions. Then he left the city, found a secluded little hillside, and started digging.
He spent a whole month digging, all while constantly watching for movement below the hill, terrified he might miss Xiao Wu.
Persistence finally paid off. He dug out a small cave 1.7 meters high, two meters wide, and eight meters deep. Beyond that lay solid rock, which was more than he could handle.
Ye Yan then began furnishing the cave to make it look fit for someone to live in. He also slipped into a long-established pharmacy in the city and spent one Gold Soul Coin on a packet of knockout powder strong enough to incapacitate an ordinary Soul Master.
Meow~
What wicked intentions could he possibly have?
Seven days later.
He spotted a pink figure from far away and hurried down the hill to take a closer look.
It was a girl in a short pink skirt, a cute cloth bag slung over her shoulder. Humming a little tune, she headed briskly toward Linxi City.
Ye Yan wiped away the drool threatening to spill from the corner of his mouth. His eyes held nothing but deep covetousness.
It's not just Xiao Wu's body I'm craving. I want her Soul Ring and Soul Bone even more. Sister Xiao Wu, just settle in and be my very first angel investor~
After adjusting his demeanor, Ye Yan adopted the air of an innocent child and approached her.
Having only recently taken human form, Xiao Wu was curious about everything in the human world. Seeing that he was thin but reasonably good-looking, she thumped her chest confidently.
"Hey, I'm Xiao Wu. You look pretty well-behaved. You can be my little brother from now on."
Ye Yan obediently greeted her as Sister Xiao Wu. After introducing himself, he volunteered to take her out for some fun.
Calling her Sister Xiao Wu not only quickly brought them closer, but also left her feeling immensely pleased. She lifted her head. That's me, all right. Wherever I go, I'm always the big sister.
The two walked toward Linxi City together. During their chat, she learned that entering the city cost two Copper Soul Coins, and her expression stiffened. But Ye Yan said there was no way he would let his big sister pay when they were out having fun together. All of today's expenses were on him.
Xiao Wu's eyes immediately lit up. The journey had left her starving. Everything in the human world cost money, and without any Gold Soul Coins, she had been reduced to munching wild greens every day.
Ye Yan: Boohoo, X﹏X. We're both fallen souls wandering the ends of the earth.
After entering the city, Xiao Wu first sampled all kinds of snacks from the roadside stalls, one after another. Finding that insufficient, she dragged him into a restaurant. She took the menu, her delicate finger darting across it. This one, this one, and this one too.
Seeing that she had picked only cheap dishes, Ye Yan breathed a sigh of relief. Sister Xiao Wu really knows my heart. Who knew she wasn't finished? Instead, she asked the waiter whether he had written everything down. Once he confirmed that he had, she continued.
"Don't bring any of the dishes I just named. Bring me one of everything else."
She looked every bit the newly rich big spender. The young waiter froze and looked them both up and down, apparently trying to determine whether they could pay.
Ye Yan's heart was bleeding. You really are my dear big sister! But to win her favor, he swallowed his reluctance and took out two Gold Soul Coins, telling the waiter not to worry about whether they could afford the meal.
With Gold Soul Coins paving the way, delicious dishes swiftly filled the table. The greedy little rabbit dug right in, eating five or six bowls of rice in succession before leaning back in her chair and letting out a satisfied burp.
Ye Yan stared at her bulging belly in shock. Is that really not going to burst? He gently poked her tummy with a fingertip, only for Xiao Wu to slap his hand away and tell him not to molest girls.
After resting awhile, the two went out to wander around some more, picking out all kinds of exquisite accessories and plush toys for the little rabbit.
As night fell and the streets gradually emptied, a hint of distress appeared on the little rabbit's face. How did it get dark so quickly? Where am I going to sleep tonight?
One glance told Ye Yan what she was thinking, so he extended an invitation.
"Sister Xiao Wu, if you mind, you can come home with me and rest for the night."
The little rabbit immediately agreed. Yay! I finally don't have to sleep on the street. She looked at Ye Yan with growing approval. Please, give me another dozen little brothers like this!
On the way back, Ye Yan offered her his specially prepared juice.
"Sister Xiao Wu, this is my hometown's secret-recipe carrot juice. Have a taste and see what you think."
Carrots?
Those were her favorite food! Xiao Wu took the cup and had a sip. It was made from freshly squeezed carrots. As a seasoned foodie, the little rabbit could judge the quality of the ingredients with a single taste.
At first, nothing seemed amiss. But once the two reached the wilderness, Xiao Wu began to feel heavy, her eyelids fighting to stay open.
After softly calling out to Xu Xiaoyan, she lost consciousness.
Before you continue