In a secluded and secretive spot capable of remotely influencing all matters in Liyue Harbor… well, that’s just the kind of setup that certain rats in the shadows absolutely love.
But, if someone has been there and someone knows about it, then there must be memories of the place.
And where there are memories, Gu Sanqiu’s paper talisman art can find the vital information, uncovering everything about that hideout.
Not to mention, Gu Sanqiu’s home is filled with strange yet extraordinarily detailed maps.
If he knows the general area of a hideout, he could dig it up even if it was buried deep underground.
“Hmph, even a rabbit with three burrows can’t escape me.”
Gu Sanqiu sneered. If he catches a whiff of a lead, even if they burrow a maze of tunnels underground like a hive, he’s certain to smoke them out.
In fact, Gu Sanqiu almost hopes they all are hiding below ground.
One Earthquake spell, and he’d send the lot of them sky-high along with a full set of paperwork to register them in the afterlife.
Hmm… on second thought, wouldn’t it be too merciful to take them down that easily?
Maybe he should convince Hu Tao to set up a whole Underworld Department to fill out the materials for all eighteen layers of hell using these folks as raw inventory?
…
Forget it. This bunch isn’t worth that much. Besides, the Underworld’s eighteen hells aren’t some kind of cheap market stall you can slap together overnight. For now, he’ll set that plan aside.
Currently, he should deal with the so-called “hero” who had swooped in to help him out.
With Gu Sanqiu pulling back his energy from the Waith Bone Pen, the evil spirits were no longer converging on him, and the slender figure who had guarded him, masked and silent, simply continued to watch him.
“Uh… what should I call you?”
Should he go with something reverent, like Ancestor?
Maybe not.
How about Brother Xiao?
But what if Xiao rebukes him for disrespecting an immortal?
“Give it to me.”
Xiao stretched out his right hand toward Gu Sanqiu. “That thing draws evil spirits and consumes your mental and physical energy. For you, it’s an ill omen, prone to negative effects.”
!!
Sanqiu_Surprised.JPG
Brother Xiao actually said all that in one go?
Could it be… he cares about me? (strikethrough)
Gu Sanqiu understood Xiao’s thinking. In the past, whenever Xiao dealt with evil spirits, he had to wait until they materialized before he could act. The rest of the time, he was forced to rely on sheer instinct or comb through Liyue’s landscape, chasing down clues.
Simply put, hunting evil spirits was difficult and time-consuming. Xiao’s life was either spent battling evil spirits or in pursuit of them, with little room for rest.
But with the Waith Bone Pen’s ability, things would change drastically.
As long as it’s supplied with blood and mental energy, the pen would lure evil spirits toward it in a cluster—a handy tool for Xiao.
Sure, the bigger ones, those formed from intense emotions or lofty aspirations, might resist its pull, but those rare, boss-level ones seldom show up.
For Xiao, if he had a tool that gathered smaller enemies for him, it was practically a godsend.
As for the energy-draining effects of the pen?
No problem, he’d just consider it like using an ultimate skill that consumed extra health—it was manageable.
Gu Sanqiu could simply promise an unlimited supply of blood-replenishing elixirs to strengthen their connection while securing a powerful ally.
The Great Sage Conquering Demons—Xiao, a formidable fighter—if he could earn a pledge of “Call my name, and I’ll protect you…”
Aside from the riskier areas like Guyun Stone Forest, Gu Sanqiu felt like he’d own the place.
On second thought, scratch that; he’d be untouchable. He could probably walk upside down if he wanted to!
“Um… Xiao… Ancestor, this pen is imbued with a unique spell, and it’s essential for my current mission, so I can’t hand it over just yet.”
“Call me Xiao.”
He removed his mask, revealing a young, handsome face. “The term ‘Ancestor’ sounds strange.”
“What spell are you talking about?”
Gu Sanqiu described the activation method and effects of the paper talisman technique in detail, and after putting away his weapon, Xiao rested his chin on his hand.
“So, you mean the spell comes from this pen itself. The spell can’t be paused, nor can the pen be far from you until your task is complete?”
“Exactly, that’s the gist.”
Gu Sanqiu nodded. “Also, it’s not like the kind of spell that can be inscribed on a charm or extracted for use separately.”
Hold on!
Did I overlook something?
Think it over carefully…
Realization dawned.
Elation followed.
Eureka!
“How about this?”
Gu Sanqiu softened his tone, making it as gentle as possible.
“Why don’t you assist me in resolving the matter here, and afterward, I’ll present the Waith Bone Pen to you myself. How’s that?”
“The Waith Bone Pen… it doesn’t sound like a benevolent artifact. What’s its origin?”
Gu Sanqiu hesitated, then glossed over the details, changing “a thousand wrathful souls” to “remnants from an ancient battle in Guyun Stone Forest,” and describing “a millennium of torment” as “transformed through devouring each other under the Geo Spear.”
“Hmm, a product of Guyun Stone Forest, that makes sense.”
Xiao nodded. “It wouldn’t be an issue to accompany you for this.”
“However, I have one condition.”
“Of course, great one.”
Gu Sanqiu didn’t mind. As a noble adeptus, Xiao hardly seemed like the type who would covet any of his belongings.
His storeroom’s contents, while impressive for mortals or practitioners, were probably trivial to someone of Xiao’s caliber.
Moreover, Xiao wasn’t the type to have cravings for food or drink, so it wasn’t like any of his rare ingredients would interest him.
And he certainly wasn’t about to joke around and ask if Xiao had taken a liking to his “charms.”
For one, they weren’t familiar enough, and for another… Xiao’s no-nonsense demeanor likely wouldn’t appreciate such humor.
“After we finish your business, accompany me for three days, helping to clear out the remaining evil spirits from this land. What do you say?”
Gu Sanqiu rubbed his chin—three days with Brother Xiao?
That was just three days of intensive work, right?
Fine, while the thought of a 24/7 workload wasn’t appealing, if it meant forming a closer bond with this powerful adeptus, it was worth the sacrifice.
“Sure, I’m in.”
Gu Sanqiu replied without hesitation. “Shall we set out now?”
“Yes.”
Xiao placed a hand on Gu Sanqiu’s shoulder.
“Show me the way.”
—
T/N: I noticed this chapter was missing, so I only recently translated it, sorry if some terms don’t match up!
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