Chapter 38: Chapter 38: This Guy... Is a Bit Simple
Truthfully, Lu Sangjiu could have defeated the demon beast on her own, but with free labor right beside her, why not use it?
Hearing her, the big guy gave a grunt of acknowledgment, stepped in front of Lu Sangjiu, and resumed his struggle with the demon beast.
This time, with Lu Sangjiu providing support, not only was the Devouring Spirit Sand continuously draining the demon beast’s Spiritual Power, but she also occasionally harassed it with attacks from her Six-sided Exquisite Dice.
As a result, the big guy’s fight became much easier, and he was no longer on the losing end.
After about a quarter of an hour, the demon beast’s Spiritual Energy was almost completely gone.
Lu Sangjiu recalled her Devouring Spirit Sand, summoned her Flying Sword, and took the demon beast’s head in one clean motion.
As the demon beast’s massive body crashed to the ground, the big guy collapsed onto the dirt, sighing in relief and gasping for breath.
Lu Sangjiu, however, walked over and unceremoniously dug out the Demon Core, pocketing it for herself.
A Third Rank Demon Core could, at best, be traded for a few Spirit Stones.
As for its hide, meat, and bones, Lu Sangjiu couldn’t be bothered to carve them up. She simply told the big guy, "The rest is yours."
With that, she turned to leave.
The big guy scrambled after her, however, calling out gratefully, "Immortal, please wait! Thank you for your righteous intervention just now. I am Chi Yan of the Golden Elephant Sect. May I ask for your name, Immortal?"
Lu Sangjiu’s lip twitched. ’Righteous intervention? It was just my rotten luck.’
’They were fighting, and the demon beast spat out a wild gust of wind that just happened to fly my way. That’s what forced me to show myself.’
’Of course, I could have run, but I couldn’t stoop to the level of those ungrateful cowards.’
With these thoughts, Lu Sangjiu cupped her hands. "Lu Sangjiu, of the Seven Emotions Sect. Since we’re both disciples of the Four Great Sects, it’s only right that we help each other. You don’t need to take it to heart."
She was about to say her goodbyes when Chi Yan said earnestly, "You saved my life. How could I not take it to heart?"
"Besides, if it weren’t for you, I couldn’t have killed this demon beast on my own. I absolutely cannot take its corpse. Please, you must take the rest of it!"
Lu Sangjiu said, "I’m in a hurry. I’m afraid I don’t have time to butcher a demon beast. You should just..."
Chi Yan immediately pounded his chest and declared with bravado, "What’s so hard about that? Watch me!"
Then, Lu Sangjiu watched as Chi Yan took out a Bone Cutting Knife. With dozens of swift slashes—SWISH SWISH SWISH—the demon beast’s massive body fell apart with a loud CRUMPLE.
Chi Yan walked over, sorted through the pieces, and quickly brought the useful parts back to Lu Sangjiu.
"Here, Immortal, all the useful parts are here!"
Staring at the wide, toothy grin on Chi Yan’s face, Lu Sangjiu finally snapped out of her shock.
"That... Mr. Chi, you’re incredible!"
Chi Yan blushed at the compliment and scratched his head in embarrassment. "Heh heh, it’s just a minor skill. Nothing compared to your profound Mana, Immortal!"
Lu Sangjiu: "..."
’Is this... the legendary blushing hunk?’
’Honestly, it’s a little hard to watch.’
She gave a light cough and accepted the items without further ceremony.
Then Chi Yan asked, "You said you were in a hurry, Immortal. Are you heading somewhere?"
"My master has been to the Qingyu Secret Realm before, so I know a little about this place. If there’s somewhere you need to go, Immortal, I can lead the way!"
Saving him had just been a matter of convenience, but his sincere gratitude was making Lu Sangjiu feel a little awkward.
She was far more accustomed to facing malice than kindness.
After a moment’s thought, Lu Sangjiu asked, "I need to get to the center of the Secret Realm. Do you know which way that is?"
Chi Yan immediately slapped his thigh. "Then you’ve definitely asked the right person!"
He said gleefully, "My master sent me to the center to retrieve our sect’s treasure! He even gave me a special Magic Treasure that can sense it. No matter where I am, I can follow the connection and find my way there."
"Heh heh, so with me as your guide, you can’t go wrong!"
Lu Sangjiu’s expression was complicated. She hesitated before saying, "This... that’s probably a sect secret, isn’t it? Are you sure you should be telling me this?"
Chi Yan froze, then let out a cry of "Oh, crap!" He smacked his forehead in frustration. "Master told me not to tell any outsiders. How could I forget?"
Lu Sangjiu: "..."
’I’m telling you,’ she thought, ’your master is truly blessed to have a disciple like you.’
’Did he spend all his years in Body Cultivation just growing his muscles and forgetting to grow a brain?’
After his fit of frustration, he couldn’t help but look at her with a pitiful expression. "Immortal... you’re a good person. Can you keep my secret for me?"
The corner of Lu Sangjiu’s mouth twitched. "Fine... I can keep your secret, but you have to promise me one thing."
She said with a dead serious expression, "From now on, please don’t ever make that face at me again, okay? It’s... a lot to take in."
’A brawny man acting cute... she really couldn’t handle it.’
Chi Yan, however, wasn’t the least bit offended. Instead, his face lit up with joy. "I knew you were a good person, Immortal!"
As he spoke, he pounded his muscular chest, which echoed with a loud THUMP-THUMP. "Don’t worry, I definitely won’t make that face at you again!"
Lu Sangjiu: "..."
’Fine... whatever,’ she thought. ’He’s a bit of an oaf, but probably a good person.’
And just like that, Lu Sangjiu gained a goofy companion in Chi Yan, and with him, a path to the center of the realm.
"See, Immortal? This is the Magic Treasure that will guide us!"
Chi Yan held a bead in his hand, which was emitting a faint, pulsing red light.
He explained, "The closer we get, the stronger the light will become. At this intensity, we’re still pretty far away. We need to hurry."
Lu Sangjiu nodded. "Are you sure your sect’s treasure was lost at the center?"
Chi Yan said with absolute certainty, "My master and martial uncle ran into danger in a cave at the center. The entrance collapsed. My master managed to escape, but my martial uncle didn’t make it out. The treasure was on him."
"The Secret Realm closed right after that and only reopened today. It’s impossible for anyone to have entered that cave in the meantime, so there won’t be any issues!"
Hearing this, Lu Sangjiu’s mind was put at ease. "Alright, I’ll have to trouble you to lead the way, Mr. Chi. And don’t worry, I’m not going to fight you for the treasure."
Chi Yan nodded emphatically. "I know you’re a good person, Immortal, not like those two ungrateful jerks from before!"
Speaking of the two who had abandoned him, Chi Yan’s face filled with indignation. "I found them being attacked by a demon beast and was nice enough to save them. And what was my reward? They left me behind to die! A bunch of ungrateful backstabbers!"
Lu Sangjiu nodded in profound agreement and warned him earnestly, "So, from now on, you have to remember: never stick your nose in other people’s business."
Chi Yan nodded over and over like an obedient child. "Okay, okay, I will! Don’t worry, I’ll listen to you!"
Lu Sangjiu looked at his dopey expression and felt... she wasn’t so reassured after all.
