155: Chapter 155 Travel Expenses Prepared for Me

He clearly hadn't expected that a mere Loose Cultivator in the Opening Aperture Realm with no background would dare to be so unyielding in front of him, an Inner Sect Disciple of the Luoyun Sect.

After a brief moment of astonishment, not only did he not fly into a rage, but the corners of his mouth curled up again.

"Good."

His voice came from behind, unhurried and unbothered, even carrying a hint of amusement.

"However, Fairy Lin, what do you mean by 'what kind of means'? I, Meng Si, am the type of person who dislikes forcing others the most."

You didn't look back, your footsteps didn't falter, and the door curtain fell behind you.

Two days later.

At closing time in the evening, Shopkeeper Qian called you to the backyard.

Shopkeeper Qian was usually very polite to you, after all, your individual sales accounted for half the shop's revenue, but today, he stood before you rubbing his hands, his face full of embarrassment, not daring to meet your eyes.

"Miss Lin, the commission for this month... is a bit problematic."

You looked at him.

Sweat seeped from Shopkeeper Qian's forehead, his voice growing quieter and quieter: "The owner issued a new rule, saying... saying that the commission for shop assistants needs to be recalculated, and your share for this month must have the cabinet losses and warehouse consumption deductions applied..."

"How much will be deducted?" you asked.

Shopkeeper Qian swallowed hard: "A... all of it."

You didn't speak.

Shopkeeper Qian felt utterly uncomfortable under your gaze and finally couldn't hold it in anymore; he plopped down onto a nearby stone stool and said in a muffled voice: "Miss Lin, let Old Qian tell you some heartfelt words; this matter isn't something I can decide. The owner passed down the word. If I don't follow through, this shopkeeper position will have to be filled by someone else tomorrow."

His tone carried the weariness of someone who had seen it all: "Just... give in. Young Master Meng is someone you can't afford to offend. We small Loose Cultivators can't fight against the powerful."

You lowered your eyes, looking at the bluestone slab beneath your feet.

"Shopkeeper Qian," you spoke up.

"Hm?"

"I'm not doing this job anymore."

Shopkeeper Qian looked up abruptly, opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, just sighed deeply: "Miss Lin, take care."

You took the cloth bag, nodded, and turned to leave.

Soon, the news of your resignation reached Meng Si's ears.

"Quit?" Meng Si gently swirled the wine cup in his hand and sneered, "Quite the backbone. But, with her source of Spirit Stones cut off, let's see how she survives in Qingyue Market."

He put down the wine cup and gave a few instructions to the attendant behind him.

"Go, take back that courtyard she has in the East District. Remember, find a good excuse; don't let people say that I, Meng Si, bully women."

The attendant acknowledged the order and left.

Meng Si looked toward the sky outside the window, which was gradually darkening, and the corners of his mouth curled into a cruel smile: "Lin Shuangwan, now, how will you choose?"

The next morning, just as you opened your eyes from Cultivating, the courtyard door was knocked upon.

The person who came was a stranger, with Early Stage Qi cultivation, wearing the uniform of the market's agency, holding a contract in his hand.

"Miss Lin, right?" He smiled very professionally, "Sorry, I'm here to notify you that the lease for this courtyard has expired. The landlord has decided not to renew it. Please move out within three days."

You leaned against the doorframe, your tone indifferent: "The lease is renewed annually; I just renewed it last month."

The man's smile didn't change: "The landlord had a temporary change of plans and is taking it back early. This is the compensation for breach of contract." He pulled two Spirit Stones from his sleeve and handed them to you, "Two Spirit Stones, following the terms in the contract, legal and compliant."

You looked at the two Spirit Stones but didn't take them.

"When should I move?"

"By sunset tomorrow at the latest." The man put the Spirit Stones on the threshold, cupped his hands, and turned to leave.

You didn't argue, turned back into the room, and packed your things.

The commotion alerted your neighbor, Zhou Qingyu.

The old man walked out leaning on his cane, looking at the agency person, then looking at you walking out carrying a parcel, his face full of worry.

"Miss Lin, what is this..."

"The house needs repairs, I have to move," you said, your tone relaxed.

Zhou Qingyu had lived to such an age, how could he not see the trickery behind it? He pulled you aside, lowered his voice, his cloudy eyes full of worry: "Girl, did you offend someone? This old man heard about the incident at Xuanmo Workshop. Listen to this old man's advice: as long as the green hills remain, there's no need to worry about firewood. Keeping your life is the most important thing. If you really have to... just lower your head."

You looked at this old man in front of you who, though worldly and shrewd, had once shown you kindness, and smiled slightly.

"Old Zhou, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Zhou Qingyu looked at your clear and determined eyes, opened his mouth, but it finally turned into a sigh, and he didn't try to persuade you further.

Immediately after, you started looking for a house in the market.

At the first agency, as soon as you stated your name, the middle-aged male cultivator's expression changed, and he waved his hands repeatedly: "Sorry, sorry, housing is tight recently, there really aren't any vacancies."

At the second agency, the clerk glanced at you and closed the door directly.

The third one didn't even let you in.

You turned to the inns.

The attendant at the front desk of "Yunlai Inn" saw you walk in, rolled his eyes, and put on an apologetic face: "Oh, miss, it's really unfortunate. We are full today. Why don't you come back another day?"

Half the tables in the lobby were empty, and upstairs you could vaguely see a few rooms with vacancy signs hanging on the doors.

You didn't expose him and turned to walk out.

After running to four inns in a row, the answer you got was exactly the same.

Full, they were all full.

In the vast Qingyue Market, there wasn't a single corner that could accommodate a bed for you.

You stood in the central square of the market, watching the sun on the horizon sink westward bit by bit.

In another hour, it would be dark.

If you hadn't found a place to stay before dark, according to the Zhao family's ironclad rules, anyone without a residency token must leave the market before the curfew.

And once you left the market, losing the protection of the Zhao family's rules, you, a 'weak woman' in the Opening Aperture Realm, would be at the mercy of Meng Si in the wilderness.

You stood at the bustling intersection, the evening breeze blowing your veil, revealing an extremely cold curve of your lips.

You were not angry, nor were you desperate.

You surveyed the familiar yet strange surroundings, murmuring in your heart.

"Is this the cruelty of the Cultivation World? It really is... simple and brutal."

You closed your eyes and took a deep breath.

It seems it's time to leave.

Meng Si, Inner Sect Disciple of the Luoyun Sect, the only son of a First-Grade High Grade Talisman Maker...

You sensed the [Purple Mansion Reincarnation] in your Sea of Consciousness; the phantom of the Qionglou shone slightly, with a faint feeling of being ready to strike.

Only, before leaving, you hoped that the things on Meng Si and his father could provide you with more traveling expenses for the road.

After making up your mind, you turned and walked toward the East District.

Three people were standing at the gate of the courtyard, all with Early Stage Qi cultivation, their attire not like the official law enforcement personnel of the market, but more like private guards of some family.

They watched you walk over, their gazes a bit strange, carrying a subtle sense of scrutiny.

The leading male cultivator cleared his throat: "Miss Lin, the house deed has been reclaimed; you cannot go in and live there anymore."