Chapter 185

Breakfast this morning was instant noodles with several fried eggs added in—quite luxurious.

During the morning business hours, Xia Zhi recalled last night's dream and chose Shenhe.

"[Skill Steal] successful, learned the skill [Calamity] from the target."

"[Calamity]: Destined for multiple tribulations and frequent disasters. Passive skill: Self luck reduced by 50%, all damage dealt increased by 20%."

Xia Zhi looked at his luck value that had been reduced by half and silently deactivated this passive skill.

Too terrifying.

Lone Star plus Calamity not only reduced others' luck but also one's own luck—Shenhe was practically a walking disaster.

Fortunately, her master had sealed it away.

In the afternoon, the Mountain Shaper and the Moon Carver arrived at Jade Chamber.

Madame Ping stood at the entrance, smiling as she welcomed them: "You've come quite early this year."

"We're early? Isn't Cloud Retainer even earlier?"

"Cloud Retainer? She hasn't come."

"..."

The two adepti were stunned.

"Cloud Retainer hasn't come? How can that be! We specifically went to Mt. Aocang to find her earlier, but her cave dwelling was closed with no one home."

"She's still in seclusion."

"Seclusion?"

"Don't you know yet? Cloud Retainer went to experiment with her new mechanisms some days ago, but accidentally blew herself back to her original form and had to rebuild her cultivation level."

"What kind of mechanism was it?"

"I heard from Shenhe that she probably concentrated seven different elemental powers and tried to make them mix and trigger elemental reactions simultaneously in an instant."

"..."

The two adepti had headaches.

This mad woman!

"Oh right, you just mentioned Shenhe—has she already arrived?"

"Shenhe came down from the mountain last month and has been staying in Liyue. Cloud Retainer hopes she can reintegrate into human society, and the current human-governed Liyue needs talented individuals like her."

"Though that may be true, with her overly pure personality, it might be difficult for her to get along with mortals."

"She found work on her first day down the mountain and has been working without incident until now."

"..."

Both were surprised.

"What kind of work?"

"She's a server at a small beverage shop."

"A server? This kind of work is... I'm not saying it's bad... no profession is beneath another... but servers don't earn much, do they?"

"As far as I know, she makes just over 20,000 Mora a month."

"?..."

The two adepti fell silent.

"Are servers in Liyue so well-paid now?"

"Not exactly, it's just that the shop she works at does particularly good business."

"How good can business be at a beverage shop? It's not like it's a tavern."

"Yes, and paying such high wages—the owner doesn't have ulterior motives toward Shenhe, does he?"

"That's not likely. I know the owner, and Rex Lapis frequently visits for drinks. Even Yaoyao works there part-time in the afternoons now."

"!..."

The two adepti exchanged glances.

"So, where is this beverage shop?"

"We should go see it for ourselves, otherwise we won't be at ease."

Madame Ping smiled.

"It's right next to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Go ahead."

The two adepti nodded and set off together.

After they were far away, Madame Ping chuckled to herself: "I forgot to tell them that at this hour, there might be a queue at Summer Shop. They should have gone to Wanmin Restaurant to eat first. Ah, I'm getting old, my memory isn't so good..."

Soon, the two adepti stood in a long queue, looking surprised.

This business was unusually good.

This beverage shop must have something special about it.

They weren't in a hurry and slowly queued with everyone else, noticing that the line moved quite quickly, with many people coming out directly holding cups.

Buying cups just to drink beverages? And people outside calling out high prices to buy them?

This beverage shop seemed to be running a very new business model.

Interesting.

Finally, it was their turn, and Qiqi was there to serve them.

Seeing this "old acquaintance," their expressions became somewhat strange.

"Two guests, please follow me."

"Mm."

"Please be seated. Would you like to dine in or take out?"

"Dine in."

"Two drinks each?"

"Yes."

"Alright, please wait a moment."

Qiqi turned and left.

The two adepti spoke in low voices.

"She seems a bit different."

"Yes, she's too normal—doesn't seem like a zombie."

"Didn't you seal her in amber back then?"

"Perhaps the seal wore off after too long."

Suddenly, a crisp young girl's voice rang out.

"Uncle Jiehu! Uncle Houzhang! You're here!"

The two adepti immediately looked up, their faces showing kind smiles.

"Yaoyao."

"Did you just arrive today?"

"Yes, we just got here a while ago. We heard Shenhe and you were here, so we came to see."

"How do you find working part-time here, Yaoyao?"

"It's great!"

"Mm, but you should still focus on your cultivation."

"Yaoyao knows! Uncle! Let me bring you some snacks!"

Yaoyao went to the kitchen.

The two adepti felt gratified seeing Yaoyao so thoughtful.

Shenhe had noticed them by now and walked over, bowing: "Shenhe pays respects to the Two Adepti."

Jiehu nodded: "No need for formalities."

Houzhang asked her: "What insights have you gained since coming down the mountain?"

Shenhe paused, then said: "It feels... good here."

She said it feels good here, not that Liyue feels good—there was a distinction between these two statements.

The two adepti had some understanding in their hearts and smiled, telling her to go about her work since it was her working hours.

A moment later, Qiqi brought the juice, and Yaoyao also brought a plate of dorayaki that big brother had just made this afternoon.

Yaoyao even helped pay for it—she had money now.

The two adepti suddenly felt like Yaoyao was using her first paycheck to show filial piety to her elders.

The little cotton jacket was still thoughtful.

Therefore, they needed to investigate this shop more thoroughly—they absolutely couldn't let Yaoyao work under someone with ulterior motives.

First, taste the juice.

Hmm? This taste...

Rex Lapis truly has good taste!

Then try the snacks.

Hmm? Delicious...

Wonder which shop they bought these from?

The two adepti had been traveling for two days and were now hungry and thirsty, so they ate and drank in silence.

After finishing the snacks and drinks, they began to carefully observe Xia Zhi behind the counter.

Is he the owner of this small shop?

"What do you make of him?"

"Seems unremarkable."

"Why don't you try your specialty divination?"

"Very well."

Mountain Shaper took out several old Mora coins and tossed them on the table—they didn't make a sound.

"How is it?"

"This... should be an invalid reading... let me try again..."

"How is it?"

"Strange... how is it another invalid reading... one more try..."

Mountain Shaper looked at the third invalid reading on the table, his face finally showing a grave expression.

This person... cannot be divined.

----

You can join my P@treon to read 40+ chapters early and support me and my work.

P@treon.com/rivyura