Chapter 27: The Cunning Scholar

A woman walked in at the doorway, dressed in black, form-fitting nightwear. She was mature and alluring, her clothes stretched tight across her chest, adorned with a strange pattern. Before Fang Mu could say anything, Iron Abacus Immortal’s face showed a look of astonishment upon seeing her.

“Don’t be nervous,” the woman said, covering her mouth as she chuckled softly. Her seductive gaze drifted over Fang Mu, and she spoke gently, “A new shop opens, I’m here to make a purchase.”

With those words, she revealed several bloodstained coins in her hand.

Iron Abacus Immortal’s complexion grew increasingly grim. “A Trickster,” he said.

A Trickster? What on earth was that?

Fang Mu, uncertain about the situation, quietly stepped back to keep a safe distance as a spectator.

The white cat hanging around Fang Mu’s neck felt uncomfortable, tugged at his collar, and swiftly climbed up to perch on his shoulder.

The pair, one large and one small, widened their eyes in silent observation.

“I just took over… and you’re already here to cause trouble?” Iron Abacus Immortal paused for a moment, set down his banner, and questioned her.

The alluring woman shook her head. “According to the rules, a Mystic opening a shop in the Ghost Market cannot dampen a customer’s enthusiasm unless you close the door beforehand. But… yours is the only shop open on this street.”

She slapped two bloodstained coins onto the table and continued, “I won’t press too hard. Set the terms of what you’re selling. The rules of the Ghost Market differ from those of the living and the strange; you must not make things difficult. Two coins buy what they’re worth. If the purchase is fair, nothing happens.”

Iron Abacus Immortal asked, “And if I can’t fulfill the purchase?”

“Then… the ownership of this shop changes hands.” The woman sneered, her gaze turning cold.

Iron Abacus Immortal murmured, “A rat scurrying across the street.”

“Call me what you like,” the woman replied, “Can you provide what I want? If not, the shop is mine.”

Oh—things just got interesting.

Fang Mu found a stool and sat down; the very first visitor was here to seize the shop.

Iron Abacus Immortal’s face twisted in frustration. He suddenly pulled out a Bagua charm and slapped it onto the table. “Is this enough?”

The Bagua charm was orange-yellow and rusted, evidently aged.

Judging by Iron Abacus Immortal’s sour expression, it was likely a treasured item.

He was helpless—he’d forgotten to close the door. Opening the door meant welcoming guests, but with nothing to sell, how could he?

Now, he had no choice but to bleed a little…

The alluring woman gazed at the Bagua on the table, smiled, picked it up, and feigned regret, “Ah… you got lucky this time.”

Iron Abacus Immortal remained silent, storing away this grievance.

Fang Mu sat on his stool, sighing that the performance had come to an anticlimactic end.

But before he could say anything, he sensed the alluring woman’s gaze turn toward him.

“Don’t fret yet. There’s still business between us,” she said, blocking Fang Mu’s path with a smile.

Fang Mu stepped back, staring at her.

She drew a sheet of paper from her sleeve and handed it to him.

“Sign this… the master-servant contract. You’ll be my slave.”

Fang Mu: ???

Are you out of your mind? Shall I knock some sense into you?

Iron Abacus Immortal, observing her actions, commented, “She probably wants Ah Bai. The master-servant contract can’t be changed, so she wants to sign with you. If you’re a servant, Ah Bai naturally becomes one as well.”

The woman said nothing, but her actions confirmed Iron Abacus Immortal’s explanation as she waved the contract.

Fang Mu glanced at Ah Bai on his shoulder, then at the woman.

“Meow…”

Ah Bai clung to Fang Mu’s neck, clearly frightened, wearing an expression of utter cowardice.

Fang Mu laughed, intrigued, “Are you teaching me how to handle things?”

A murderous aura surged from the woman as she stepped forward, exerting pressure. “Defiant? Then you’ll die. If I can’t have you, no one can.”

“What gives you such confidence?”

“My strength.”

A powerful aura radiated from her. Behind her, a blurred shadow appeared, resembling a door.

“Dragon Gate Realm!” Iron Abacus Immortal forced a bitter smile. “Brother, you’re in real trouble now.”

He was only at the Countercurrent Realm; how could he compete with a Dragon Gate?

The woman looked down at Fang Mu, her tone lofty, “I’ve been watching you two for a while. Two Countercurrent Realms. You wield a thorn, your supernatural gift is physical, while he… seems to be a special type. Unfortunately, the shop owner can’t make a move; only you are fair game.”

From behind her came chilling, sinister howls. Shadows emerged from her own, standing behind her.

They lingered only a moment before transforming into a long whip, which she seized in her hand.

The whip emitted a series of maddening, frenzied howls.

The woman’s lips curled, confident and assured.

Though she hadn’t seized the shop, obtaining a growing supernatural entity was far more valuable.

A whip, tight clothing, and a woman—this scene was rather indescribable.

Fang Mu patted Ah Bai, “Get down.”

Ah Bai glanced back, obediently crawled down from Fang Mu’s shoulder, and hid in a corner.

“Would you rather die than live in disgrace?” The woman licked her lips. The whip cracked sharply, curling toward Fang Mu.

Fang Mu moved as well, his Ghost Thorn flickering, attacking five vital points.

The woman’s body erupted in black mist, enveloping Fang Mu’s Ghost Thorn.

“A martial artist with a supernatural gift?” She laughed, “A lower grade, I suppose. After all, Countercurrent Realm can only fight close.”

“Roar!”

A deafening howl sounded. The black mist formed a skull behind her, lunging at Fang Mu.

He tried to withdraw the Ghost Thorn, but it was ensnared by the mist, impossible to extract.

The skull touched Fang Mu and dissolved into a black fog, obscuring vision.

In the darkness, Fang Mu felt a hot body press close.

“Become a part of me and savor ultimate pleasure.” The woman wrapped her arms around his neck, her breath fragrant.

Fang Mu felt his blood surge, his whole body unnaturally feverish.

“What’s the point of being a Mystic? Better to be a Trickster and enjoy life.”

Her seductive voice, bone-deep, continued to erode Fang Mu’s will.

She rested her head on his shoulder, a soul-stirring smile on her lips.

The only threat—the Iron Thorn—was bound. Now she only had to wait for the man’s will to break, and she could induce him to sign the contract.

“Meow…”

Ah Bai suddenly crawled over, plunging into the fog, searching for Fang Mu.

Iron Abacus Immortal sighed; the Mystic he’d just taken a liking to was about to fall into the abyss, and he was powerless to help.

“It’s almost done!” The woman’s heart rejoiced.

Just as she thought victory was at hand, a laugh suddenly sounded in her ear, freezing her in place.

“Heh…”