"You're lying."
"In the future you foresee, the one who survives isn't me at all."
Li Mo's expression was cold, his gaze sharp as he stared at the Notebook. Yet his rebuking voice was utterly calm, betraying no hint of anger.
"Setting aside whether I can survive triggering five instant-death rules in rapid succession."
"Even if I survive by sheer luck, I definitely won't be human."
"That human skin on the Pagoda Tree has always wanted to possess me. Last time, just a glance nearly erased my sense of self. If not for the Misfortune Ghost protecting my consciousness in my sea of awareness, I might still be 'Li Mo,' but absolutely not me."
Making eye contact with the human skin hanging on the Pagoda Tree triggered its possession rule.
Li Mo couldn't imagine placing that skin on his own face, keeping the skin's eye sockets constantly aligned with his own eyes. Who would the survivor truly be?
Perhaps a Li Mo made of human skin, or a Human Skin Ghost inheriting his memories and consciousness.
But neither would be him.
As for turning on the light and standing under the tree – that must be the prerequisite for seeing the skin on the Pagoda Tree.
It wasn't visible during the day. Only after 9 PM could one see that Bizzare Pagoda Tree. Turning on a light revealed the miserable human skin hanging at its top.
The only difference from that day was triggering the look-back rule.
Before his initial encounter with the hanging skin, Li Mo heard someone call his name from behind. Out of experience and habit, he hadn't looked back.
This time, why did the Notebook want him to look back?
"What else are you hiding from me? The content above is no different from suicide for the current me. Heh, perhaps I should bury you under the Pagoda Tree first. What do you think?" Li Mo threatened.
The threat seemed effective; new content immediately appeared in the Notebook.
Although... the new content was even stranger.
[My name is Li Mo. Tonight, I will encounter the most complete Bizzare entity I have ever met in my history. To survive, I must trust her unconditionally.]
"..."
Li Mo stared incredulously at the latest sentence appearing in the Notebook. It was hard to imagine this coming from the cunning first page.
Telling him to unconditionally trust a complete Bizzare entity? Was this a joke?
Wait, the most complete Bizzare entity I have ever met in my history...
Li Mo began searching his memories, filtering out relatively complete Bizzare entities: Pardofelis, Bizzare Kiana, Bizzare Mei...
Among them, Kiana was undoubtedly the most powerful and most complete.
From her Authority down to her consciousness and personality, the contamination was thorough.
She lacked reason; her arrival in complete form meant his own death.
Bizzare Kiana would devour his body after his death. Forcibly summoning her was no different from suicide.
So, it definitely wasn't Bizzare Kiana. Who else could it be?
Mei wasn't complete, and limited by the duration of her contamination, her power was also very restricted.
Furthermore, she was currently confined in Elysia's room and wouldn't come to his side.
The same applied to Pardofelis. Neither she nor Mei had any reason to come to this world.
Even if they did come, Li Mo wouldn't listen to them. Their decision-making was inferior to his own. Li Mo had his own judgment and wouldn't easily follow others.
"In my history... perhaps it's a new Bizzare entity. If I meet it tonight, that counts as 'in my history'," Li Mo seized upon the phrasing loophole.
Reading between the lines, that complete Bizzare entity posed no threat to him; it might even be on his side, offering advice.
Only this could explain why Li Mo should listen to her.
But the more complete a Bizzare entity, the deeper its contamination, and the more twisted and deformed its former personality and consciousness would be.
Was he supposed to entrust his life to a highly contaminated Bizzare entity?
"Do you have anything else to add?"
[...]
"There won't be a second chance."
[...]
The Notebook remained silent, its subsequent pages falling quiet along with it.
"You're smart. Until I meet that complete Bizzare entity, I won't discard you for now."
"However, if I don't hold out hope for her, you'd better prepare to slumber eternally underground as fertilizer."
"I'm not joking with you. If I die, you'll be my burial offering."
Li Mo closed the Notebook.
The Notebook refused to reveal more, indicating further details would interfere with its plan.
It was guiding Li Mo down an increasingly narrow path. Saying more might expose alternative paths to survival before Li Mo.
Once confirmed Li Mo was on the narrow path, silence was the Notebook's best option.
The Room's door could be opened from the inside by ghosts. After opening it earlier, Li Mo hadn't closed it. So, without waking the sleepers, he walked straight in.
Then he went over to Changle's side.
The reason was simple: get money.
Taking the inn by force was easy, but it would inevitably cause trouble.
Everyone in town was a ghost, meaning the innkeeper and staff were also ghosts.
Although they acted perfectly normal during the day, they revealed their true nature at night.
If Li Mo forcibly evicted them during the day, it was uncertain whether they would return at night harboring resentment and hatred based on daytime memories, unless they left willingly.
But Li Mo didn't think a merchant would willingly hand over the business they'd run their whole life just because of force.
The best way was to follow worldly customs: barter, using a high amount of generally accepted currency to buy this inn, the only place capable of hiding the presence of the living.
The seller happy, Li Mo happy.
Buying an inn certainly wasn't cheap. Shigure Kira and Saori Tsuruyo, new to this world, would be considered resourceful if they could scrape together any money, but buying an entire inn was practically impossible.
But Changle was different. She was a princess of the dynasty.
Surely she didn't come for an audience with the Immortal empty-handed?
Li Mo had previously seen the operatives carrying large bundles. They contained few rations; most were likely gifts for the Immortal.
Items from the imperial court, even the cheapest ones, would be enough to support a commoner comfortably for years, even decades.
Not to mention items carefully selected to please the Immortal – they must be priceless jewels.
"Wake up."
Li Mo crouched down and shook Changle's shoulder.
"Mmm... How dare you... make this princess sleep on the floor... When I get back... I'll definitely..." Changle mumbled deliriously, weakly pushing Li Mo away.
"..."
He didn't wake Changle, but the two operatives beside her instantly snapped awake. Seeing it was Mingyue waking their master, however, they chose not to move.
That's right, playing dead.
Let alone Li Mo just waking Changle, even if he got handsy, the operatives were powerless.
In their few brief encounters, Mingyue had become progressively more terrifying each time.
In the operatives' eyes, the opponent wasn't human at all, in every aspect, every sense.
If it came to a death match, the two of them probably wouldn't last a second.
With such a disparity in strength, there was no need for a fight. They weren't stupid. Trying to stop Mingyue now might instead provoke him, putting Princess Changle in danger.
Assessing the situation was one of the operatives' essential skills. Protecting their master and obeying orders were their only considerations.
Of course, if death was truly required, they wouldn't flinch.
Li Mo remained silent, quickly withdrawing his hand.
Changle's head lolled, swaying back and forth. Viscous saliva trickled from the corner of her mouth, dripping down her cheek onto her delicate collarbone.
Li Mo just watched dryly. Waited until the drool mostly stopped, then shifted direction and continued shaking Changle's fragrant shoulder.
"When you get back, you'll do what to me? Execute my nine generations?" Li Mo asked coldly. The phrase "Nine Clans Elimination Game" (九族消消乐 - Jiǔzú Xiāoxiāolè, a dark internet meme referencing the severe historical punishment) somehow popped into his mind.
Instantly, Li Mo's dangerous words reached Changle's ears. She startled awake, eyes wide, nonsensically saying, "Nine generations... No, I didn't!"
"Your mouth," Li Mo reminded her.
Only then did Changle realize her improper state, hastily wiping the moisture from the corner of her mouth with her sleeve.
Changle's face showed both grievance and indignation; she didn't know how to face Mingyue.
"What did I say just now?" Changle asked worriedly.
"You were talking in your sleep. Sounded very unhappy about my decision to make you sleep on the floor. Said you'd have my nine generations executed when you return to the palace," Li Mo stated flatly, adding fuel to the fire.
Although it wasn't that serious, Li Mo wanted to give Changle a warning, make her feel guilty.
This would make it easier for her to hand over the valuables.
"I, I was joking! Mingyue, you wouldn't take it seriously, right... I really didn't mean that! You brought me safely up the mountain, protected me all night from demons, I'm very grateful, really!"
"Changle remembers this kindness clearly! Changle is definitely not ungrateful! When I return to the palace, I will repay this drop of kindness with a gushing spring!" Changle explained hastily, afraid Mingyue would kill her or throw her out if displeased.
Without the Room's protection, she, an ordinary martial artist, couldn't survive the demon-infested night.
Changle's eagerness was within Li Mo's expectations.
Li Mo said unhurriedly, "Who knows? I've seen too many people make grand promises, only to turn hostile once things are settled."
Changle immediately replied, "I'm really not that kind of petty person!"
Li Mo: "Is that so? Fine. I don't need you to repay me afterward. You can clear your debt to me right now."
"Next, I will make a request of you. As long as you accept, you owe me nothing, and I will do my utmost to keep you alive until tomorrow."
"I have no proof for my words. Believe me if you wish. If you don't, I will use other means to make you believe."
"I never go back on my word."
Li Mo stepped forward, placed a hand on Changle's shoulder, and leaned close to her ear: "And you don't have the qualification to refuse."
If she dared refuse, Li Mo was prepared to beat a confession out of her, torturing her a bit to make Changle reveal the treasure's location.
Changle pressed herself tightly against the wall, her heart racing violently. Head lowered, she didn't dare look Mingyue in the eye. Her throat moved as she swallowed several times.
This kind of thing...
Is it really okay?
In this place? At this time?
"I, I want to think about it," Changle blushed, clutching her dress tighter.
"But I don't have the patience," Li Mo's voice was cold, the hand on her shoulder pressing harder.
He needed to settle this before nightfall; he didn't have time for Changle's petty games.
Changle turned her head, glancing towards Shigure Kira and Saori Tsuruyo asleep on the wooden bed, her eyes flickering, casting a pleading look.
But no one responded.
Mingyue's forceful attitude and actions panicked Changle. For a moment, dirty, sordid, unbearable images flooded her mind.
She bit her lip tightly, hands and legs trembling.
A huge sense of humiliation tensed Changle's delicate body, then she completely relaxed.
Fine.
"You two, leave," Changle said to the operatives.
The operatives exchanged glances, sighed, and helplessly walked out of the Room, closing the door tightly behind them.
"Looks like you agree."
Mingyue's lukewarm attitude angered Changle. Why did he look so indifferent?
"Hmph! Do I have the right to refuse?" Changle clenched her fists, letting out a final indignant cry.
"Of course not."
"Then what else is there to say? Remember, my actions now only represent myself, not the entire imperial family."
Li Mo paused for a second.
Does she think giving me the gifts meant for the Immortal is disrespectful, so she needs to distance herself from the imperial family?
She has some backbone.
"Mm."
"Hehe..." Changle let out a desolate laugh, lamenting Mingyue's hypocrisy.
His companions were still in the room, yet he was so eager to possess her body, to play this stimulating game.
And he still maintained an expression of ignorance, as if it had nothing to do with him.
Ah well, who asked her to be a princess? This status added too much glamour; countless people coveted her body.
Just unfortunate that it fell to a man she met by chance.
As long as she received the Immortal's blessing, losing her body... wasn't a huge deal. Changle knew her father, the Emperor, would cover this up.
No one would know, unless Mingyue spread it everywhere.
Haha...
Three letters and six rites, ten li of red dowry, phoenix coronet and robes of rank, eight-bearer sedan chair, proper marriage ceremony... (Traditional, elaborate Chinese wedding customs)
None of it, none of it...
Amidst her desolate smile, Changle slowly undid her top.
"What are you taking your clothes off for?"
"What do you think? How can I give it to you without taking them off?"
"..." Li Mo watched Changle undress calmly, his gaze never wavering.
He thought the jewels must be hidden under her clothes.
Until Changle's graceful body was fully revealed before Li Mo, not a single piece of jewelry appeared in his sight.
Changle said dissatisfiedly, "Are you just going to watch, doing nothing? Do you... also want to watch me take off my skirt alone?"
Changle bit her lip, feeling extremely wronged. One hand covered the ample mounds on her chest, shielding the crucial parts.
Not only did she have to undress herself, but even her skirt had to be removed bit by bit under his gaze. As a princess envied by thousands, her dignity, reputation, and honor completely crumbled at this moment.
"Is the valuable stuff under the skirt?" Li Mo asked.
"What valuable stuff?" Changle suddenly realized something was wrong.
She saw Mingyue's eyes held not a trace of lust, nor did his face show any lewd expression.
Then why did he say those things to her?
"I want the valuable things on your person to sell for money," Li Mo stated calmly.
As soon as his words fell, a blush like the rosy dawn instantly covered her entire face, extending to her ears and neck, as if dyed indelibly by crimson silk.
"...!"
Changle immediately spun around, revealing her flawless, jade-like white back.
Great, now he's seen the front and the back.
Changle frantically picked up her clothes from the floor, heart pounding, fingers trembling uncontrollably as she clumsily redressed.
Due to extreme nervousness and embarrassment, she fumbled several times, repeatedly putting things on wrong.
The clothes that usually took no time to put on now seemed incredibly cumbersome.
Fortunately, Li Mo didn't mock her, otherwise Changle probably would have wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it immediately.
After quite a while, Changle finally finished dressing. But she no longer had the face to look at Li Mo, head lowered, small hands clenched into fists, lips pressed tightly together, looking extremely wronged.
"Where's the stuff?" Li Mo didn't care about Changle's state, asking directly.
"Why didn't you say earlier it was just for money!" Changle shouted loudly, the blush still not faded from her face.
"You acted before I finished speaking. I thought you understood and were preparing to give me the valuables from your clothes." Li Mo said calmly, then changed the subject: "Then what did you think I wanted?"
"You! I, I thought..." Changle stammered, unable to speak clearly.
"Hmph!" Changle stomped her foot in exasperation, venting her anger on the innocent floor.
She then wanted to storm out the door but was grabbed by Li Mo.
"You haven't given me the valuables yet," Li Mo remained expressionless.
But his next sentence completely shattered Changle's last shred of self-respect.
"I don't care about your wishful thinking at all."
"...I! You! Fine! Fine! Fine, fine, fine!" Changle bared her teeth, hair practically standing on end.
So angry, so angry, so angry, so angry, so angry, so angry!!!
How could he say such cutting words with such a cold expression?!
Li Mo currently lacked emotions; he was merely stating the most objective facts, doing what was most beneficial to himself.
"In my previous room! I'll go get it for you right now!" Changle yelled at Li Mo.
Only when she reacted did she realize her rude behavior might anger Li Mo.
Changle cautiously looked up at Li Mo.
Mm.
Indeed.
Worried for nothing.
"Fine, I'll go with you."
Just as Li Mo prepared to follow Changle to the adjacent room, Shigure Kira and Saori Tsuruyo behind him were awakened by their argument.
"Mmm... Big Brother, good morning..." Saori Tsuruyo rubbed her sleepy eyes, sitting up straight weakly, head lowered, her voice soft and mellow.
"Nothing happened last night, right? I slept like a log..." Shigure Kira stretched both hands towards the ceiling, puffing out her chest, yawning lazily like a kitten.
"Changle, go alone. I'll wait here," Li Mo amended.
Hearing this, Changle stomped her foot again and stormed out the door.
Furious, she completely missed the threshold underfoot.
Then, under the gaze of the three, Changle tripped over the threshold and met the ground with a deep, resounding embrace.
"..." Changle remained silent, struggling to stand up amidst the quiet, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Either erupt in silence or perish in silence.
Changle clenched her fists, ran towards the next room without looking back, faint sounds of sobbing trailing behind her.
"What an embarrassing ghost. Is she really a ghost?" Saori Tsuruyo couldn't help asking the soul-searching question.
"Yeah, feels really dumb. Tripping over a doorway? Doesn't she watch where she's going?" Shigure Kira nodded in agreement.
Li Mo couldn't tell jokes, nor did he want to discuss matters related to Changle.
Otherwise, if he told Shigure Kira and Saori Tsuruyo everything that happened between him and Changle before they woke up, their evaluation would likely rise another level.
"I have something important to tell you. Remember it well," Li Mo took out the Bizzare Handgun, Thermometer, Bizzare Coin, and the Notebook.
These were all the Bizzare items he could produce so far.
The Bizzare Handgun had suppressive effects, the Thermometer could detect Bizzare presence, the Bizzare Coin could save lives, and the Notebook was a double-edged sword – opening it would inevitably pierce the soul, not causing immediate death, but not taking too long either.
Furthermore, the Notebook wouldn't answer questions from those without value.
Except for Shigure Kira being unfamiliar with the Notebook, both girls knew the capabilities of the other items.
"Big Brother, are you going to do something dangerous again? We'll go with you too," Saori Tsuruyo said worriedly.
"No. You must stay in a safe place. This is the escape route I'm preparing for myself. If you die, then I have absolutely no chance of survival either."
Li Mo glanced sideways towards the wall. Behind the wall was another room.
Changle's presence was still there, wandering around a certain area, seemingly searching for something, not having taken the chance to flee.
Shigure Kira: "What do you mean?"
Li Mo: "Next, remember every word I say. This is very important. I need your help."
Shigure Kira: "Does that even need saying? Don't you trust us?"
Saori Tsuruyo: "Captain and I will do our best."
Li Mo pondered for a while, mentally assigning the Bizzare items.
The Notebook had predicted that after meeting the Immortal, he would transform into something else – perhaps physical distortion, perhaps mental distortion.
Becoming a monster, or a ghost.
Either way didn't matter. The key was the phrase: take me away, try everything possible to survive until July 15th.
This implied that in that state, he might have lost judgment, perhaps even consciousness had fallen dormant, losing all ability to act.
Therefore, he needed Saori Tsuruyo and Shigure Kira to drag his burdensome self along to survive.
Li Mo: "Later, I will send you down the mountain back to the town, to a place called the Iris Moon Inn."
"That is the only place below the mountain capable of hiding the presence of the living. Even if ghosts enter, their rules and abilities will be suppressed; they won't realize you are alive."
"I will use the money obtained from Changle to buy the Iris Moon Inn, making you its owners."
"What you need to do is open the inn during the day, provide food to the ghosts who enter, and record their strange behaviors."
Saori Tsuruyo suddenly raised her hand. Li Mo nodded, allowing her to interject.
Saori Tsuruyo: "Big Brother, everyone in town is a Flesh Ghost. Should the food we provide be for the dead, or for the living?"
Li Mo: "You can first try mixing food for the dead with food for the living. If a customer furiously complains about raw meat or corpses, pretend you made a mistake and serve a fresh portion of food for the living."
"If the customer only eats the food for the dead, then say no more. They still follow ghost rules and require food for the dead."
"However, I lean towards them living according to human habits during the day. Remember, day or night, do not let them go upstairs."
"And do not provide lodging, no matter how much they need it, how pitiful they seem..."
Speaking here, Li Mo's gaze turned to Shigure Kira.
Shigure Kira was puzzled, but suddenly, she remembered the cruel scene from her dream – flesh flying, brutal and terrifying.
Shigure Kira's expression turned solemn. She answered seriously, "I will absolutely not make the same mistake twice."
"In this era, with the enhancement of the Valkyrie Battlesuit, I believe no one should be my match."
Li Mo: "Good. While serving guests, you can make eye contact with them, but don't let them notice the fact that they are dead."
"After this, I might fall into a long period of slumber. At that time, Shigure Kira, you are more proficient with guns. This Bizzare Handgun will be temporarily under your control. How to use it, when to use it, is entirely up to your judgment. Ghosts cannot be killed; this gun can only suppress."
"The Thermometer, the Notebook, and this coin that can attract ghosts' attention will be entrusted to Saori Tsuruyo."
"Tonight, we will still stay in the Room. Tomorrow morning, wait for me outside the Rashomon gate."
"I will have an audience with Immortal Jingwei alongside Changle."
"The latest time is 10:30 AM. If I haven't appeared by 10:30, you... return to your own world. Don't seek me out anymore."
"Because I will already be dead."
After Li Mo finished speaking, Shigure Kira and Saori Tsuruyo both fell silent for a long while.
Death.
For a moment, neither realized that the word "death" was actually the most fitting label for Li Mo.
In their eyes, no matter how severe the situation, how uncertain the path ahead, as long as Li Mo was alive, he could lead everyone towards survival.
So it was hard to imagine him dying, and they were unwilling to believe death would befall him.
Yet, reason and objective facts all revealed: Li Mo, deeply entangled in supernatural incidents, death was only a matter of time.
He couldn't possibly find salvation from desperate situations every time like before.
One mistake, eternal damnation.
Li Mo: "If there's anything else I need to add, ask quickly. Changle is coming back."
After a long pause, a voice finally broke the silence.
Saori Tsuruyo: "Big Brother... the coin, thermometer, notebook... how should I use them? Is it entirely up to my judgment?"
Li Mo: "Yes. I cannot provide you with more information. But if possible, I hope you can keep this coin and not use it."
"Avoid using the Notebook as much as possible, unless absolutely necessary."
Saori Tsuruyo: "Mm-hm, I understand."
While Saori Tsuruyo and Li Mo seriously discussed the plan, Shigure Kira murmured plaintively:
"I don't want you to die..."
The air suddenly fell silent, until Changle walked in with her two operatives.
"Hmph! Mingyue, the things you wanted are in this bag! Enough for you to live comfortably for several lifetimes!"
"...You three? Why aren't you saying anything? Is it not enough?"
Li Mo quickly stepped forward and opened the bag. Gold glittered inside, shimmering with the light of wealth.
But Li Mo didn't know its actual value, so he asked Changle, "Can this buy an inn below the mountain?"
Changle pouted. "There'd still be plenty left over even if you bought the entire town."
"Is this much enough? To buy one inn?" Li Mo casually reached in and grabbed a handful of jewels.
"The innkeeper would sell the inn immediately," Changle replied.
"Let's go, Shigure, Saori." Li Mo collected the Bizzare items from the table. "I will hand these over to you tomorrow morning. Now it's time to make preparations."
"Hey, where are you guys going? Down the mountain again?"
None of the three paid any attention to Changle.
Shigure Kira and Saori Tsuruyo followed Li Mo as the three headed down the mountain.
But this time, Shigure Kira was also carried by Li Mo. One girl in each arm, he sprinted down the Heavenly Path at extreme speed, several times faster than their ascent last night.
Inside the Room, only the two operatives remained, looking at each other and Changle in confusion, bewildered by the large pile of priceless gold and silver jewels left unattended in the bag.
Changle walked over, crouched down, gazing thoughtfully at the treasures she had brought.
Whether the Immortal liked these was unknown; they were just supplementary offerings. The real gift, Changle hadn't taken out, fearing Mingyue might covet it, seize it, and anger the Immortal.
However...
It seemed his interest lay elsewhere.
Mingyue clearly didn't care about this wealth, otherwise why take so little?
Buying an inn... Is that all? Does he plan to run an inn for the rest of his life, living peacefully with those two beauties?
It seemed like a dream for many people.
A virtuous and understanding wife, a successful middle-aged career, a life free from illness and disaster.
But he's Mingyue! Why wouldn't someone as resilient, calm, and powerful as him strive for achievements, make a name for himself?
If he wanted to, he definitely could.
Changle didn't mind what he did to her before; she could still strongly recommend him before her father, the Emperor.
Even...
"What are you really thinking, Mingyue?"
"You, who suddenly appeared without leaving any trace in the martial world, are you good or bad for this era?"
Changle grabbed a handful of jewels, letting them fall naturally, flowing quickly through her fingers like sand.
"Hmph, why should I think so much for him!? Anyway, after tonight, I can have an audience with the Immortal, seek her blessing, and pray for the eternal prosperity of my father's dynasty and the peace of the nation."
Changle shook her head, coming back to her senses, repeatedly reminding herself of the most important goal of this trip.
At the foot of Mount Taixuan, in the small town, Li Mo had already bought the Iris Moon Inn. It was noon, the sun high in the sky.
Intense sunlight bathed the entire land, filtering through the gaps in the leaves to form dappled patterns on the ground.
Streets and alleys bustled with people. Amidst the clamor, the Iris Moon Inn, nestled against Mount Taixuan, closed its doors during the daytime for the first time in three years.
"Alrighty then! You're the boss of this inn from now on! Is there anything else you need me to do?" The former innkeeper beamed, caressing the priceless treasures in his hand. He never thought the dream of getting rich overnight would happen to him.
To make a modern analogy, it was like someone using tens of millions in cash to buy a house they'd lived in for three years and developed a "deep" emotional attachment to.
The innkeeper's heart ached... for a whole three seconds before he sold the inn.
"You have half an hour. Use any means necessary to evict all the guests. Starting today, the Iris Moon Inn does not provide lodging, only food and drink."
"But, young master, some guests are experts from the martial world! I can't afford to provoke them..."
"Get rid of those you can first. Notify me about the rest. I will give them a 'reasonable reason' to leave," Li Mo instructed coldly.
Tempted by the huge sum of money, the owner's motivation surged. Action bar filled by 100%. Using both soft and hard tactics, he drove out most guests.
Then he brought all the remaining unwilling, disgruntled guests before Li Mo.
"They all have Honkai Energy circulating within them," Shigure Kira reminded quietly.
They were all martial artists cultivating qi. They had some strength, but... weak as ants, easily crushed.
The martial artists were mostly burly figures, with a few refined gentlemen giving off a 'smiling tiger' vibe.
Confidence filled their faces as they curiously sized up Li Mo, who radiated a gloomy, deathly aura. They wondered what kind of cultivation technique he practiced, going so far off track as to look like a dead man.
"Heh! Your Excellency is so arrogant, trying to drive us..."
Before he finished speaking, Li Mo practically teleported in front of him, right hand clamping around his throat, preventing him from speaking or struggling.
Anyone suppressed by overwhelming force knows that if the strength gap is too large, it feels like being caught in a vise, unable to move an inch.
"Those who can defeat me may stay in this inn. And now..."
"Next."
Li Mo controlled his strength, casually tossing the man out the main door.
The crowd turned to look, finding the sturdy martial artist now unconscious, collapsed on the ground like a stray dog.
"How could... He's..."
"We can't afford to provoke this person."
Cultivators were mostly not fools. Seeing a relatively famous body cultivator from the martial world instantly defeated, without even catching how Li Mo attacked, naturally instilled fear.
"So the young master possesses such profound strength! No wonder, no wonder! Then my insistence on staying here would be asking for trouble. I shall take my leave first."
"I'm outta here too."
"Let's go, let's go! Who can fight this? Didn't even see how he attacked..."
Soon, the martial artists, initially confident in their numbers, scattered and left, not one remaining.
In truth, Li Mo had held back. If he had attacked with full force, the martial artists before him probably would have needed to "Restart" dozens, hundreds of times to negate his attack.
But Li Mo wasn't a reckless youth, nor did he need to prove anything.
The inn was empty; even the owner had been kicked out.
After inspecting the premises and using the Thermometer, the ingredients in the inn were confirmed to be normal.
Saori Tsuruyo mentioned the town's food remained normal even at night; she and Shigure Kira had eaten it during their three-month wait, so there was no issue.
After cleaning up the mess left by the guests, Li Mo took the initiative to go to the kitchen and started making lunch for Shigure Kira and Saori Tsuruyo.
He didn't need to eat, but Shigure Kira and Saori behind him did. And for the next ten-plus days, they would also need food for sustenance.
"Delicious! I didn't expect Big Brother to be such a good cook too!" Saori Tsuruyo ate happily, not just because she was hungry, but because Li Mo made it, specifically for her and Shigure Kira.
"Didn't you make any for yourself?" Shigure Kira asked, puzzled, seeing Li Mo sitting silently opposite them.
Li Mo shook his head, saying faintly, "I don't need to eat. As long as you two are full."
"Oh." After the simple reply, the scene fell silent again.
Shigure Kira ate while lost in thought.
She remembered what Saori Tsuruyo told her before, about the things Li Mo sacrificed—
Humanity and emotions.
Looking at him now, it certainly seemed true.
Shigure Kira and Saori Tsuruyo weren't afraid, because they knew deep down Li Mo wouldn't hurt them.
They just felt... sorry for him.
After confirming the windows and doors were locked, the three finally felt safe enough to come outside.
Checking his phone, the time was 3:37 PM.
"Big Brother is amazing," Saori Tsuruyo praised.
Shigure Kira paused, then also acknowledged Li Mo: "I didn't see how you attacked just now either. What trick did you pull?"
Li Mo: "Walked over, then grabbed his throat."
Shigure Kira: "Uh... okay. Right, Gloomy Guy, that thing I said before we went down the mountain..."
Li Mo didn't let Shigure Kira finish: "It's time to go up the mountain. Eat well, drink well, sleep early tonight. Before 9 PM... go to sleep before nine."
"Before 9 PM?" Saori Tsuruyo noted the specific time Li Mo mentioned.
In supernatural incidents, usually only short-term tasks mattered; time was often a vague concept, specific events generally occurring within certain time frames.
But Li Mo emphasized a specific time. This was subtle, just like at St. Freya High School, where the Head Ghost started roaming at 7 PM.
What does Big Brother plan to do during the ghosts' most active period?
Saori Tsuruyo made a mental note.
Just like descending, Li Mo carried one girl in each arm, moving rapidly forward.
Previously, ascending or descending took several hours; now it took less than an hour.
By the time Li Mo brought Shigure Kira and Saori Tsuruyo back to the Room's entrance, they only saw Changle lying on the bed, faint from hunger.
"Ugh... so hungry... Should have asked Mingyue to bring me something to eat..." Faint, embarrassing growling sounds came from Changle's stomach area.
Saori Tsuruyo and Li Mo exchanged glances. Li Mo nodded, stepping into the already opened Room first.
Hearing the noise, Changle sat up abruptly, relaxing only after seeing it was Li Mo.
"How did you get back so quickly?" Changle questioned.
"None of your business."
"You! You... you..." Changle's voice trailed off, shifting from initial indignation to weakness, revealing an air of vulnerability.
"Did you... bring anything to eat?" Changle cautiously raised her head, asking weakly.
"Yes."
Li Mo didn't beat around the bush. He took the food Saori Tsuruyo handed him, walked over to Changle, and tossed it to her.
Almost like giving alms.
But Li Mo had no such fetish. Instead, he reminded her: "Meat patty. It's cold, but edible."
"Th-thank you..." Changle turned her back, not wanting others to see her humbled state.
Opening the package, Changle began wolfing down the food. Even though the meat patty in her hand was raw, it tasted delicious.
Her thin body trembled slightly, her neatly arranged hair disheveled from lack of care.
Eating a raw meat patty now, she looked utterly pathetic.
Changle knew full well how pathetic and embarrassing she looked right now, but she couldn't help it, couldn't hold on any longer.
Starving for two days had severely broken her will.
She ate only a little the day before yesterday, nothing at all yesterday, and starved until now today.
Counting back, in three days, she only ate a tiny bit on the first day.
Changle was ravenous. Accustomed to a pampered life, how could she anticipate Mount Taixuan having no edible food? Even tree bark and grass roots were deadly if eaten.
Looking at the half-eaten meat patty, Changle suddenly felt Mingyue was actually quite a good person, at least reliable in crucial moments.
He was cold, showed no affection, but he didn't ridicule or mock, nor did he show disdain or disgust.
For someone met by chance, he was definitely a qualified fellow traveler.
Didn't actively help, but didn't actively harm either.
As for not treating her well enough, Changle knew clearly, it was only because she hadn't yet entered his heart.
If she could be considered Mingyue's companion like the two girls beside him, she would be well taken care of, safety and experience prioritized. Going down the mountain surely meant they ate and drank their fill.
As she thought, ripples spread across the lake of the maiden's heart from a single dewdrop – a feeling she had never experienced in over a decade within the imperial court.