Lin Xue instantly felt a million reasons not to go out the moment Hong Yanzhi asked her to leave.
If she left Hong Yanzhi’s side and happened to run into Young Master Huzi again, what would she do?
She flatly refused, “I’m not going out. If I run into Young Master Huzi, I might not be able to come back.”
Anyway, Hong Yanzhi knew exactly what her younger brother was like, so she just laid it all out.
Besides, making Zhang Zongnian, a Human Clan Cultivator, work for you Demons—would he even be willing?
Hong Yanzhi smiled faintly and said, “It’s all right, just go. With Yuan Ding going with you, my brother wouldn’t dare cause trouble.”
Lin Xue still looked completely unwilling.
Who knew if that dumb Cat Demon was even reliable.
Just yesterday, she’d nearly been killed by that stupid cat!
Seeing Lin Xue was still unwilling to go out, Hong Yanzhi said, “Don’t blame me for not warning you. My brother gets peckish sometimes and will go to the Human Elixir Chamber to pick out humans to eat. If your brother stays in there, he might be gone any day.”
“Cultivators have a much better constitution than normal people, and they taste fresher too. If I were my brother, the first one I’d pick after entering the Human Elixir Chamber would be your brother.”
After hearing this, Lin Xue could no longer sit still.
She weighed it in her heart, thinking: After all, Young Master Huzi had just been stabbed yesterday, and the Elder in the cave had said it would take two days for him to recover.
Right now, he was probably resting in his own cave.
If she went out now, she likely wouldn’t run into that little tyrant and should be safe for the time being.
Besides, Zhang Zongnian was probably extremely uncomfortable staying in that cramped Di Lao.
It’d be better for him to go out and work in the Storeroom than to stay in Di Lao.
She immediately bowed to Hong Yanzhi and said, “Yes, I’ll go persuade my brother to agree to this job.”
She left the room and walked toward the corridor.
Yang San Hu, having finished his business with Hong Yanzhi, got up from the ground, dragging his old legs as he tottered after her.
Yuan Ding also followed behind, carrying his long spear.
Lin Xue walked along the path, her heart pounding with nerves, constantly watching her surroundings for fear of running into that plump youth.
Fortunately, she didn’t encounter Young Master Huzi along the way.
She descended to the lower level of the cave and, under the watchful eyes of a group of Lesser Beasts, entered Di Lao, walking to the door of the single cell at the very bottom.
Inside, Zhang Zongnian was sitting cross-legged, eyes closed, cultivating.
Lin Xue couldn’t help but admire him—he could still bring himself to cultivate in such conditions.
Zhang Zongnian heard footsteps and opened his eyes.
When he saw Lin Xue, his face immediately brightened, and his eyes lit up.
He stood up and said, “Lin… little sister, you’re here.”
He had wanted to call her Miss Lin, but seeing an old Goat Demon and the Cat Demon from yesterday behind her, he changed his words at once.
Lin Xue said, “Brother, I came to see you. Did you sleep well last night?”
Zhang Zongnian had not slept well at all.
Unfamiliar place, surrounded by Demons.
The cell was damp and dark, and his bed was nothing more than a bundle of some animal’s fur that had been left so long it was covered in mold.
He simply couldn’t fall asleep.
He sighed and said, “Not very well. What about you, little sister?”
Lin Xue thought to herself: I didn’t sleep well either, tormented half to death by that tigress.
She said, “I’m all right. Brother, I came here this time because I have something to tell you.”
Zhang Zongnian asked curiously, “What is it?”
Lin Xue pointed to Yang San Hu and said, “Brother, let me introduce you. This old gentleman is the Storeroom manager here in Luoyun Cave, Yang San Hu—Uncle Yang.”
Yang San Hu waved his hands repeatedly and said, “No, no, you can just call me Old Goat.”
Zhang Zongnian had always harbored hostility toward the Demons.
But for Lin Xue’s sake, he managed a slight nod toward Yang San Hu.
Lin Xue continued, “The Storeroom is short of a bookkeeper. The young lady knows you can read, so she’s arranged for you to help Uncle Yang manage the Storeroom.”
“Though the job in the Storeroom is a bit tedious, at least you’ll have a place to stay. It’s much better than being stuck here in Di Lao, eating and sleeping poorly.”
“Brother, would you be willing?”
Zhang Zongnian was stunned.
They actually wanted a Human Clan Cultivator, a former Demon Slaying Division Officer, to work for Demons?
His first reaction was to refuse outright.
But as the words reached his lips, he changed his mind. Staying here in Di Lao was indeed miserable.
If he accepted, he could get out and stretch his legs a bit, which was nice.
Besides, he’d already been considering possessing an animal and becoming a Demon himself; one day, he might become a Demon, so why cling to his current Human identity?
He might as well start learning to get along with these Demons now.
He nodded and said, “All right, I’ll go.”
Lin Xue hadn’t expected Zhang Zongnian to agree so quickly; all her prepared words to persuade him were left unused.
Yuan Ding had already gotten the key to this cell from the Di Lao’s managing Demon and immediately opened the door.
Zhang Zongnian stepped out of the cell.
He instantly felt a wave of relief all over.
Just one night in Di Lao and he felt like mold was growing on him.
The feeling of regaining his freedom was wonderful.
Lin Xue said to Yang San Hu, “Uncle Yang, you’re experienced and knowledgeable. Please look after my brother and guide him well. I thank you in advance.”
She bent in a respectful bow to Yang San Hu.
Seeing such a beautiful Demoness bow to him and speak so politely, Yang San Hu blushed, his words stumbling, “Miss, you’re too polite, too polite. Old Goat will definitely take good care of your brother.”
Zhang Zongnian also cupped his fists and said, “Zhang Zongnian will be relying on your guidance from now on, Uncle Yang.”
Yang San Hu nodded repeatedly, “Of course, of course, I’ll take good care of you.”
Looking at this honest old Goat Demon, Zhang Zongnian suddenly felt that not all Demons were heartless or cunning.
Miss Lin Xue and this old Goat Demon seemed almost like normal people.
Yuan Ding, standing to the side, saw the matter was settled and said to Lin Xue, “Snake Sister, the person’s been released. Let’s go back and report to the young lady, so she doesn’t wait too long.”
Lin Xue said her goodbyes to Zhang Zongnian, reminding him, “Brother, I have to go. Take care of yourself in the Storeroom, and don’t get into trouble with the other Lesser Beasts.”
Zhang Zongnian felt reluctant to part.
Every time he saw Lin Xue, they only exchanged a few words before she had to leave.
She was the only ray of sunshine in this den of Demons.
Each time he saw her, his world seemed a little brighter.
He said, “Don’t worry, little sister, I’ll be careful. You should also take care of yourself around the young lady.”
Lin Xue waved goodbye and left with Yuan Ding.
Zhang Zongnian watched her figure disappear into the distance.
Yang San Hu stroked his goatee and praised, “That girl is really something. Having such a sister makes one envious.”
He turned to Zhang Zongnian and said, “Old Goat will just call you Zongnian from now on.”
“Zongnian, let’s go. The work in the Storeroom has piled up, just waiting for someone who can read and count like you.”
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