While they were chatting, Ji Jiu walked in.
The winter sunlight was warm, and the man strolled in slowly, like a pine under the moonlight. Xi Mufu was once again struck by his appearance.
Of course, this was merely an appreciation of beauty, like admiring a handsome celebrity.
“I’ll be troubling you from now on,” Ji Jiu said, stopping in front of her.
Xi Mufu shook her head and pointed to the side wing of the courtyard. “This room has been empty. I’ve tidied it up—it’s ready for you to move in. I hope it suits you.”
Ji Jiu nodded. “Thank you for your efforts.”
Shanqu came over, smiling, “Xiaofu, I’d like to stay here too, is that okay?”
For a prodigy like Xi Mufu, he naturally wanted more exposure and a chance to learn. Though Tianyou Temple was less than an hour from Jingning Town by car, living here would be more convenient. As for the temple, he could leave it to his disciples.
Xi Mufu, grateful for Shanqu’s guidance in Taoist knowledge, smiled. “No problem.”
There were still three empty rooms in the backyard—Shanqu could choose freely.
Ji Jiu, however, said politely, “To avoid the otherworldly visitors noticing anything unusual, fewer people in this courtyard is better.”
Shanqu agreed immediately. “Then I’ll stay next door.”
Elders from Longhu and Maoshan also wanted to learn talisman craft and temporarily purchased houses on either side. Upon learning how exquisitely magical Xi Mufu’s talisman skill was, they had wanted to summon all the gifted disciples from their sects to study—but they restrained themselves so as not to disturb Xi Mufu or interfere with the Special Operations Bureau’s plan.
Shanqu hurried off to arrange his lodging, leaving only Xi Mufu and Ji Jiu in the courtyard.
Xi Mufu felt unusually awkward.
Normally, her days were full with running the shop and inventory. Now, with no shop duties, she had nothing to do. On top of that, she wasn’t especially familiar with Ji Jiu, and the idea of being around him constantly was a little embarrassing.
Ji Jiu cast his eyes downward, then walked toward the main hall, stopping at the ancestral tablet. “This is your grandfather?”
Thinking of her grandfather, Xi Mufu’s face softened with nostalgia. “Yes, it’s my grandfather.”
She had grown up under his care. He had taught her to fold gold ingots and various paper offerings. This courtyard was full of memories.
Ji Jiu glanced at her lowered eyes and spoke softly, “Your grandfather was kind to others in life. He accumulated merit; I’m sure he is doing well in the afterlife.”
Xi Mufu nodded. “I hope so.”
She hadn’t always believed in the afterlife, and her grandfather had told her there were no ghosts or gods. But after encountering otherworldly visitors and Taoist masters like Shanqu, she realized anything was possible. Perhaps her grandfather truly had gone to the afterlife. She just hoped he was well there.
Seeing her still lost in thought, Ji Jiu remained silent for a moment, then turned toward the door.
Moments later, several aides entered, carrying boxes and crates.
“These are the rewards for the first batch of Purification Talismans: 3 million, plus 2 million in compensation for your shop closure. All converted into gold bars,” Ji Jiu said.
The aides opened the boxes, and the gold bars glittered brilliantly in the sunlight.
Xi Mufu’s eyes widened. The sadness in her heart transformed into amazement.
Gold bars!
Her long-coveted gold bars!
True to the efficiency of the Huaguo government, the promise had been fulfilled so quickly!
“I’ve also had a safe custom-made. You don’t need to worry about losing the gold,” Ji Jiu said, pointing to a large chest. “From now on, payments will be settled monthly. You can continue choosing gold bars, or have the funds transferred to your account.”
Xi Mufu nodded eagerly.
Even the safe had been prepared—how thoughtful!
She marveled at the gold bars, unable to take her eyes off them. This was worth five million! She had never earned so much money in her life, nor seen so many gold bars. She couldn’t resist picking them up, turning them in her hands, admiring them from every angle.
Ji Jiu watched her fixated on the gold bars and shook his head, amused.
An aide lowered his voice: “Lord of the Underworld, will you reveal your true identity to her?”
As the Lord of the Underworld, Ji Jiu oversaw the six realms and cooperated with the human world as the director of the Special Operations Bureau, maintaining peace. The arrival of the otherworldly visitors had disrupted the balance, prompting him to personally inspect the situation in his official capacity—but Xi Mufu remained unaware.
“She’s mortal. She wouldn’t be able to handle all that information at once. We’ll wait until later,” Ji Jiu replied.
She was still new to the mystical world; the truth would be revealed gradually when she was ready.
“Check on her grandfather,” Ji Jiu instructed.
Perhaps, in the future, they could reunite.
“Yes, sir,” the aide responded respectfully and left.
Meanwhile, Xi Mufu was lost in the gleam of the gold, unaware of their conversation and the crucial word: “Lord of the Underworld.”
With everything arranged, the Special Operations Bureau awaited the otherworldly visitors.
Three days later, the second visitor finally arrived.
Pu Yunfeng was the vice president of the Qilin Guild, the third-largest guild in the Infinite World. Though it couldn’t compare to the first guild, Xi He, or the second, Temporal Watch, it was still well-known. As vice president, Pu Yunfeng’s strength was unquestionable.
This time, he entered a hell-level dungeon—the Night of the Wax Museum.
The dungeon was terrifying. Any NPC could transform into a wax figure at any time. Players touched by a wax figure would melt and harden; once fully hardened, it was fatal. No one had ever found a solution. Over the years, only the guild leaders of the three major guilds had survived.
Thus, players rarely entered voluntarily—but this time, it was mandatory. Pu Yunfeng was chosen and had no choice but to enter.
Sure enough, on the first day, he was attacked by wax figures. Using three items and four skills in succession, he barely escaped the museum, stumbling into a shop.
“Wait… where am I?” Pu Yunfeng frowned, scanning his surroundings warily—and discovered it was… a shop selling incense and offerings?
Behind the counter stood a man and a woman, both strikingly handsome.
Pu Yunfeng remained alert. Even the most attractive NPC could transform at any moment, and thinking of the wax figures’ deadly melting ability, his heart sank.
Xi Mufu and Ji Jiu, of course, recognized him. He was covered in blood and injuries, appearing mysteriously in the shop—undoubtedly another otherworldly visitor.
They exchanged a glance. Ji Jiu nodded to Xi Mufu.
Xi Mufu stepped forward. “Hello, what would you like to buy?”
Pu Yunfeng didn’t speak, only watching her cautiously.
Seeing that he didn’t attack, Xi Mufu handed him a Purification Talisman. “Perhaps you should clean the blood from yourself first?”
He had blood on his face too—quite frightening—and she was a bit wary.
Pu Yunfeng didn’t take it.
Xi Mufu guessed he was wary of a trap. Thinking quickly, she activated the talisman directly.
In the next moment, the blood on Pu Yunfeng vanished. His left leg, which had been touched by an NPC and nearly melted and hardened, was instantly restored to normal when it contacted the talisman.
He widened his eyes in disbelief, shock filling his gaze.
This… this talisman could counteract the wax figures’ damage?!