Hu Tao Is Monetizing My Existence. [48]

“All this time… you’ve always been like this?” Jiang Bai asked, surprised.

Xiao spoke of it as if it were nothing, but every task he mentioned was anything but simple.

If he had been doing this continuously for thousands of years… wasn’t that far too exhausting?

“Naturally.” Xiao’s expression remained unchanged, as if he saw no issue with it.

This was the contract he had made with the Geo Archon—his very reason for existing.

“Have you never thought about resting? Has the Geo Lord never told you to take a break?”

“Why would I need to rest? This is the duty I agreed to, and I must fulfill it to the best of my ability. All I know is slaughter, and my life will ultimately end in slaughter.”

Xiao spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Perhaps it was because few had ever asked him such questions before, or perhaps it had simply been too long since he had an equal conversation with someone, but he was saying more than usual.

“Whether human or adeptus, everyone needs rest. If you keep stretching yourself like a taut string, one day you’ll snap.”

Jiang Bai was an outsider. He didn’t know what Xiao had been through, didn’t know the history between him and the Geo Archon.

But there was one thing he did know—mortal or immortal, everyone could grow weary.

And when one is tired, one must rest.

Rest wasn’t just for the body. It was for the mind as well.

Only with proper rest could one face the next battle at full strength.

“Jiang Bai’s right—people shouldn’t push themselves too hard.” Hu Tao nodded in agreement.

Liyue remained peaceful, with barely any demonic threats roaming the land. It was all thanks to this Yaksha, who ceaselessly hunted and eradicated those dangers.

She had met Xiao during one such hunt.

The creatures had been particularly vicious, emerging from an unknown rift. Those who were wounded by them would bleed endlessly until death.

Even she had struggled against them, not daring to let them get close.

That was when Xiao had appeared, cutting down the monsters with overwhelming force.

They had crossed paths a few more times after that, and Hu Tao had unilaterally declared their acquaintance. Eventually, she learned that he sometimes stopped by Wangshu Inn to rest.

“Monsters won’t stop appearing just because I stop to rest,” Xiao said coolly, his tone carrying the chilling sharpness of a blade.

His duty was to slay demons.

He could not stop.

He would not stop.

As they spoke, Yuhua, one of the inn’s attendants, arrived with their dishes.

Noticing Xiao’s presence, she was visibly surprised but said nothing, offering only a polite smile before retreating.

As an employee of the inn, she knew there was an adeptus who resided on the upper floor. However, he disliked showing himself and avoided crowds.

For him to be sitting here, having a meal with Hu Tao, was certainly a rare sight.

“Here, here! Your favorite—almond tofu.” Hu Tao pushed the dish toward Xiao.

As far as she knew, this was the only thing the Conqueror of Demons truly enjoyed.

Xiao picked up a piece with his chopsticks and took a bite. The familiar taste spread through his mouth, and his usually impassive expression softened just a little.

Seeing him eat happily, Hu Tao seized the chance to voice her thoughts.

“You can’t think like that forever. Liyue is full of talented people now. Whether it’s handling demonic forces or dealing with monsters, there are plenty of people who can take on those responsibilities.”

“If we always live under your protection, then what happens when you’re gone? If another great crisis befalls Liyue one day, how will we handle it?”

Xiao’s hand paused slightly, chopsticks hovering mid-air.

Only for a moment.

Morax would never disappear.

But he, himself, would die one day.

When that time came, the Geo Archon would surely appoint someone else to take over his duty.

“As long as the Geo Lord remains, Liyue will not fall.”

His words were firm, unwavering—just a simple statement of fact.

“But…” Jiang Bai interjected before Hu Tao could, “what if the Geo Lord was gone?”

He didn’t mean to be provocative, but… well, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor did house a certain someone who was plotting to overthrow the rule of the gods.

That person hadn’t made a move yet, but who was to say they wouldn’t in the future?

The instant those words left his mouth, Xiao’s gaze sharpened, an icy light flashing in his eyes.

For a brief moment, Jiang Bai felt as though his head might just get severed from his body.

He hurriedly explained, “I mean… what if the Geo Lord just retired? What if he wanted to lay down his burden?”

“He’s protected Liyue for so many years—wouldn’t he get tired too?”

Xiao fell silent.

He didn’t know the Archon’s thoughts.

Did Morax feel weary after thousands of years?

Xiao had no answer.

But Jiang Bai’s words struck a chord.

If Morax did want to step down, and Xiao himself was already gone…

What would become of Liyue then?

“Alright, alright, let’s not get too carried away,” Hu Tao quickly changed the subject before things got too complicated.

“We’re planning to go to Mt. Hulao to find something called the Four-Angled True Soul. Do you know which adeptus resides there?”

That was the real reason she had come to Wangshu Inn today—to ask Xiao for guidance.

If there was a way to meet the adeptus there, preferably with a token or some kind of introduction, that would make things much easier.

But somehow, thanks to Jiang Bai, the conversation had strayed far from its original course.

“The adeptus of Mt. Hulao is the Cloud Retainer.”

“Is there a way for us to meet them?” Hu Tao’s eyes sparkled with expectation.

“If you possess a Sigil of Permission crafted by the Geo Lord himself, you can knock upon the adeptus’s dwelling and request an audience.”

A Sigil of Permission—a relic forged by Morax, capable of summoning the adepti.

“Huh… But something like that is probably super rare, right? Even if any still exist, they’d be treated as heirlooms. No way they’d be for sale…” Hu Tao muttered, realizing that this method was basically impossible.

“Is there any other way we could meet them?”

Xiao thought for a moment, then formed a crystal butterfly out of his adeptal energy.

“This is my token. It will grant you an audience with the Cloud Retainer. As for how you obtain the Four-Angled True Soul afterward, that will be up to you.”

Hu Tao quickly stored the crystal butterfly away, beaming with joy. She enthusiastically began piling more food onto Xiao’s plate.

“Thank you, thank you! Here, eat more! I have nothing to repay you with, so I’ll just have to treat you to another meal next time!”

“This was a small favor. No need for thanks.” Xiao stopped Hu Tao from dumping more food into his bowl—at this rate, there wouldn’t be any space left.

“What do you need the Four-Angled True Soul for?” he asked.

“Well, it’s like this…” Hu Tao briefly explained their plan and the materials they needed.

Xiao nodded but didn’t offer to help. Instead, he simply said:

“If you encounter danger, call my name.”

“If we call you… you’ll be able to hear us?” Jiang Bai asked, intrigued.

What kind of mechanism was that? Some kind of adeptal magic?

“When you speak my name, the wind will carry your voice to my ears.”

Jiang Bai glanced at the teal-colored Vision on Xiao’s waist.

So this was another application of the Anemo element?

Or was it a power unique to him?

Jiang Bai couldn’t figure it out.

But then again, he didn’t feel like overthinking it.

—

This is a fan translation of 胡桃拿我冲业绩 by 余溯. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!