Qian Duan was now filled with bitter regret.
He deeply regretted his decision to join the Demon Revival Society as cannon fodder.
No other reason… this little dog demon was just unbearably noisy! Along the entire way, her nagging never stopped!
“This needs to be changed.”
Jiang Ke’er muttered as she walked, speaking while Jie Shui took diligent notes on a small notebook beside her.
Jiang Ke’er glanced at the nearby swamp and said solemnly, “The swamp is too gloomy. It has to be filled in later.”
Jie Shui quickly jotted it down.
After a moment, Jiang Ke’er stomped her foot and added, “The path is a bit uncomfortable to walk on. Arrange some asphalt.”
“Mm-hmm,” Jie Shui continued recording.
Suddenly, Jiang Ke’er furrowed her brows, holding her breath as she stared intently at the mist ahead.
Just as Qian Duan was on edge, sensing danger up ahead, Jiang Ke’er mumbled, “Where is that crying coming from? No, we have to set a rule. After dark, Lost Souls and Wild Ghosts are not allowed to cry or howl randomly. What if they scare the children?”
“…”
Qian Duan felt an impulse to lose control.
This was Mingzhou! The home of ghosts! Wasn’t it normal for Lost Souls and Wild Ghosts to wail and howl? It would be strange if they didn’t!
Couldn’t she stop nitpicking? Acting like some leader on an inspection tour—who did she think she was?
This was an adventure! Get serious!
“Hmm… greenery needs to be improved too.” Jiang Ke’er stroked her chin and said, “This darkness definitely won’t do. We have to let the departed feel a sense of home and peace at a glance… only then will they love our Netherworld family. Then the living will be willing to die peacefully, and the Spirit Guides will have much less trouble.”
“Oh!” Jie Shui nodded in understanding but then raised his hand, looking puzzled.
“But if Mingzhou is built to be so beautiful, what if the living don’t want to live anymore?”
“Hmm… that is a problem,” Jiang Ke’er frowned seriously, lost in thought as if pondering the issue deeply.
Qian Duan twitched at the corner of his mouth, thinking to himself what kind of lunatics he had recruited this time…
He didn’t dare voice any opinions, though. If Jiang Ke’er shouted, causing the scattered cultivators in the group to go berserk, it would not only cause casualties for the Nine Palaces Chamber of Commerce but also seriously delay the exploration progress of the Secret Realm.
“Ah!” Jiang Ke’er suddenly pointed ahead and shouted.
Qian Duan was startled and quickly drew his sword in defense.
“…Do you think this is a suitable place to build a football field?” Jiang Ke’er asked excitedly.
“Very suitable~” Jie Shui agreed.
Seeing the two in harmony, Mu Guoguo timidly spoke up, “Um, ghosts don’t seem to have feet…”
“That seems to be the case,” Jiang Ke’er said dejectedly.
“I was actually thinking of designing an Underworld Olympics, but it looks like all we can do is see who can float faster…”
“Floating races? I’m in.” Changsun Qingyue encouraged.
“…”
Qian Duan’s knuckles cracked loudly, and inside he was already screaming in madness.
Are you all crazy?
Never mind the bizarre image of ghosts racing by floating… what do the ghosts have to do with you?
Can we just move on already?
“What’s the rush!”
Before he could say more, Jiang Ke’er shot him a fierce glare, tilted her head, and scratched her ear. “Do you think reconnaissance is an easy job?”
“No, I…” Qian Duan opened his mouth, feeling wronged.
“A good scout has to be meticulous, not letting any clue slip by! To prevent leading the team into danger!” Jiang Ke’er shouted angrily, “If you keep disturbing our work and we run into trouble later, you’ll be fully responsible, understand?”
“No… I didn’t…”
“Shut up! Don’t speak! You’ll pollute the air!” Jiang Ke’er cut him off sharply. “If you talk and affect our reconnaissance again, we’ll quit!”
“…”
Qian Duan was furious, tearing at his hair in frustration.
But he hadn’t said a word just now!
“You’re thinking rebellious thoughts!” Jiang Ke’er seemed to see through him and glared, “Even thinking rebellious thoughts is not allowed!”
Qian Duan’s hand on the sword hilt trembled wildly.
He was about to lose it.
Did these idiots have no regard for their lives? Did they really think he wouldn’t dare to kill them?
Maybe it was better to just kill them all and bring in some new people.
“Ahem, everyone, listen up!” Jiang Ke’er suddenly raised her voice and shouted behind Qian Duan, “Actually, this so-called treasure hunt in the Secret Realm…”
“Sister, I was wrong! I won’t speak again!” Qian Duan broke down in tears, gritting his teeth and swallowing back the rage in his chest as he repeatedly apologized to Jiang Ke’er.
“No, that’s not sincere enough,” Jiang Ke’er scoffed, “Turn around three times on the spot and bark like a dog.”
“Woof woof woof.”
“Now bray like a donkey.”
“…Damn you! I’m going to kill…”
“Help! Nine Palaces Chamber of Commerce Qian…”
“Sorry! Neigh neigh neigh—”
“That didn’t sound right. Do it again.”
Changsun Qingyue and the others nearby were holding back laughter, struggling not to burst out.
Though they didn’t understand why Qian Duan was so scared of Jiang Ke’er, knowing their lives were hanging by a thread, they just went along with Jiang Ke’er’s madness.
Compared to Qian Duan’s previously arrogant and murderous demeanor, his current timid act was quite satisfying to witness.
“By the way, does all this stalling actually help?” Jie Shui asked quietly.
“It lets us die with a bit more dignity.” Jiang Ke’er replied.
Qian Duan felt like he was going crazy.
That dog demon was like a demon itself, always managing to push him to his emotional limit, making him furious but unable to lose his temper.
Yet, she was indeed leading the way ahead, scouting out a path safer than ever before—previous scouts had all died here, and this was the deepest anyone had ventured.
The Mingzhou Secret Realm was filled with dangers, and even hundreds of cultivators might not be able to handle many of them.
Safety was undoubtedly the top priority.
Though no one knew exactly how she avoided all the dangers… she clearly had real skill. If this exploration failed, who knew how long they’d have to wait again!
So Qian Duan really didn’t dare to lose his temper.
Soon, news of the Mingzhou Secret Realm’s appearance would spread far and wide, and novice cultivators from all around would come to seek treasures.
With countless cultivators flooding in, whatever treasures were here would no longer be theirs alone.
So he had to endure, endure! Once they reached the Palace, he would kill these four idiots and tear them limb from limb!
Soon. According to the Ancient Record Map, after passing through the Wraith Forest ahead, they would arrive at the foot of the mountain where the Palace stood.
By then, hehe…
No one would be able to mock the Nine Palaces Chamber of Commerce and leave alive.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.