Chapter 179: Hah, Men.

After Xu Ming killed the Yellow Sand Dragon King, he stayed in Shijia Village for three days.

The first reason was that the Yellow Sand Dragon King's palace was filled with treasures. There were all kinds of jewels, gold, medicinal pills, and formation diagrams. Whether useful or not, the Yellow Sand Dragon King had hoarded them all. Xu Ming only collected what he deemed useful. As for the rest, he didn't waste it either, ordering Yuan Yu to move everything to the Baiwa Secret Realm. Who knows? Maybe among this "junk," there's some fragment of a celestial scripture.

The second reason was that Xu Ming needed time to recover. When he killed the Yellow Sand Dragon King, it wasn't a flawless victory—he sustained significant injuries. He needed to restore 70-80% of his combat power before hitting the road again. Otherwise, if someone ambushed him, all the loot he painstakingly collected would end up as someone else's prize.

During these three days, Xu Ming spent some time every day "playing with candles" with Mo Zhuer. However, no matter what, Mo Zhuer refused to reveal the method to resolve the conflict between Xu Ming's martial qi and spiritual energy.

Xu Ming tried negotiating with her.

Mo Zhuer demanded her freedom in exchange for the information, claiming she would swear an oath to ensure her sincerity. But oaths, while binding for the honorable, are as light as a feather to a shameless enchantress like her.

In response, Xu Ming also offered to swear an oath, promising to let her go as long as her method proved even slightly useful.

But Mo Zhuer didn't trust him either.

Thus, the two were locked in mutual suspicion.

Xu Ming had no choice but to give her an ultimatum: twenty days to consider. If she still refused to talk after that, he'd deliver her head back to the Black Lotus Sect of the Western Regions.

The twenty days weren't meant to spare her but to torment her. Dying instantly might be painless, but knowing the exact time of one's death and feeling it approach is a torment few can endure. Xu Ming was curious to see if Mo Zhuer could handle it.

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"Brother Xu, are you leaving?"

On the day of his departure, Luo Xiaoman approached Xu Ming, clutching the hem of his robe reluctantly.

"Yes, Brother Xu has to leave." Xu Ming knelt down and gently patted her head. "From now on, Xiaoman has to be a good girl and listen to your mother, okay?"

Luo Xiaoman nodded earnestly. "I'll be good. But Brother Xu, will I ever see you again?"

"You probably will," Xu Ming replied with a smile. "When you grow up healthy and safe, you'll get to see Brother Xu again."

"Really?" Luo Xiaoman's eyes lit up.

"Really," Xu Ming assured her.

"Hmph, men are liars." From the side, Mo Zhuer scoffed. Anyone could tell Xu Ming was just comforting the little girl.

Hearing her sarcasm, Xu Ming pulled out a candle from his robe. Mo Zhuer's face instantly turned pale, and she fell silent.

"Oh, by the way, those books I gave you—practice them at your own pace. There's no rush. But remember, don't let anyone else see them, okay?"

Over the past few days, Xu Ming discovered that Luo Xiaoman actually possessed spiritual veins. While not particularly remarkable, they were good enough for her to join an ordinary sect. So, Xu Ming gave her a few basic cultivation manuals. How far she progressed would depend on her own efforts.

"Okay." Luo Xiaoman nodded. "I understand, Brother Xu."

"Alright." Xu Ming stood up, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture toward Luo Sanniang, and said, "Madam, we'll take our leave now. If you ever need assistance, you can send a letter to Xu Manor and address it to someone named Xu Pangda. Mention my name, and he should be able to help you."

"Thank you, benefactor! Your kindness is something Sanniang can never repay." Luo Sanniang knelt to the ground in gratitude.

"There's no need for such formality, Sanniang." Xu Ming quickly helped her up. "You and Xiaoman, take care of yourselves."

Luo Sanniang and Luo Xiaoman escorted Xu Ming out of the courtyard and all the way to the village entrance. The village chief and the villagers had already gathered there to bid him farewell.

After leaving Shijia Village, Xu Ming resumed his journey toward the Tianxuan Sect.

Yuan Yu mentioned he wanted to see the outside world and search for clues about the ancient gluttonous beast, Taotie.

"Clues about the Taotie? Do you have any leads?" Xu Ming asked.

Yuan Yu smiled faintly. "An old monk once told me about a place in the southwest called Ashen Valley. It's said that an ancient Taotie is buried there."

"Do you know where Ashen Valley is?" Xu Ming turned to Mo Zhuer, who was still bound.

"No idea," Mo Zhuer replied promptly. Worried that Xu Ming wouldn't believe her, she added, "I've heard of White Ash Valley in the Western Regions and the Bone Pit in Qi Kingdom, but I've never heard of this so-called Ashen Valley."

Xu Ming glanced at Mo Zhuer but didn't press further.

"Be careful. I'll also ask around for information about Ashen Valley. If you can't find it, you can return to the Baiwa Secret Realm. If I have any news, I'll leave a note in your temple," Xu Ming said.

"Thank you, Master." Yuan Yu seemed deeply moved. "Master, please take care of yourself as well. This woman may be stunningly beautiful, but she's a cunning enchantress, like poison. If she becomes useless, it's better to deal with her quickly to avoid future trouble."

"Hey! You fat idiot! If you're going to urge him to kill me, at least do it behind my back! Can't you show me a little respect?" Mo Zhuer snapped.

After a few days of Xu Ming's "candle sessions," Mo Zhuer no longer maintained her coquettish facade. Her true personality had emerged, blunt and unrestrained.

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing," Xu Ming replied with a nod.

Since Xu Ming had spoken, Yuan Yu said no more. He simply bowed deeply before turning to leave, setting off to seek his own fortune.

"Let's go too. I'll take you to meet a beautiful elder sister," Xu Ming said gently, tapping Shen Shengsheng's nose with his finger.

"Yay~" Shen Shengsheng nodded happily, grabbing Xu Ming's hand tightly.

Xu Ming held Shen Shengsheng's small hand in one of his, while the other held the rope tied to Mo Zhuer. Together, they continued on their way to the Tianxuan Sect.

Walking beside Xu Ming, Mo Zhuer's eyes sparkled mischievously as some strange idea brewed in her mind.

"Xu Gongzi (Young Master)," Mo Zhuer called out in a seductive tone.

"What is it?" Xu Ming replied coolly.

"Tonight…" Mo Zhuer leaned close to Xu Ming's ear, her breath warm as her sultry voice brushed against his earlobe. "Shall I serve you tonight?"