19: Reencounter with Jin Xiaoxiao

"If you want to renew your lease next month, come find me in advance."

Fang Huai had originally lowered his voice to communicate with Wu Liu, but she spoke up loudly.

"Senior Sister Wu?" Fang Huai was somewhat puzzled.

"This matter can't be hidden anyway," Wu Liu said with an indescribable tone. "Speaking it out now will do you more good than harm."

Wu Liu left behind those cryptic words, her gaze sweeping over everyone in the Skinning Room as if waiting to watch a good show.

Before Fang Huai could figure out the meaning behind her words, he was surrounded by Disciples.

Most were female cultivators, with two or three male cultivators mixed in, looking at him as if staring at a piece of fat meat about to be eaten.

One must know that a little Junior Brother like him, who had just joined the Sect, was the type of person Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters were most willing to live with.

After all, not having a residence was extremely dangerous.

A few days ago, a Disciple of Skinning Peak had personally seen a fallen male cultivator being carried off toward the Human Puppet Hall by someone tailing him.

Later, the Human Puppet Hall was mysteriously destroyed by spies from the Profound Sword Sect, and no one inside survived.

As for that male cultivator who was carried away, there was no need to think; he was undoubtedly long dead.

"Senior Brother, this little sister comes from the Liu Family of Tongxiang. I beg Senior Brother to take me in. Once my cultivation is successful in the future, I will surely repay you."

One woman teased Fang Huai's palm with her jade fingers, but another woman sneered and pushed her away:

"What Liu Family of Tongxiang? I've never even heard of them. If you were truly a child of a Family, you wouldn't be moving between the residences of different Senior and Junior Brothers every day."

"Junior Brother, my elder brother is a true Disciple of Refining Corpse Peak. Live with me, and I'll give you a Bronze-Armored Baleful Corpse in the future!"

"Junior Brother, don't pay attention to them. I have specialized in the Method of Yin and Yang Harmony; I guarantee your cultivation will advance every night!"

"Junior Brother, female cultivators are just like that. Only a man truly understands a man. Live with me, and I can pay half the contribution points!"

"..."

Hearing these bold and predatory words, Fang Huai's scalp tingled, and he only wanted to find an excuse to leave.

Finding someone to share the rent could indeed save some contribution points, but this group in front of him consisted of either those looking for a free ride or those with ulterior motives toward him.

What Jin Xiaoxiao had done back in the Miscellaneous Labor Valley was still fresh in his mind; he couldn't take the risk.

As for contribution points, with Senior Brother Zhang Yuan's help, how could he not earn them!

Just as he was about to decline, a warm sensation came from his palm, along with a gentle scratching feeling.

If he weren't certain the Small Corpse Meteor Worm was still at his heart, Fang Huai would have thought the little fellow had crawled into his palm.

Glancing to the side, it turned out to be an old acquaintance: "Junior Sister Jin?"

Jin Xiaoxiao smiled and said, "I hope you have been well, Senior Brother. It's been so long, and yet you still remember me."

Fang Huai's gaze was strange. Why was this woman here too?

But on second thought, it made sense. Jin Xiaoxiao also came from the Miscellaneous Labor Valley, so it was normal for her to be assigned to Skinning Peak. It was just a coincidence that she was in this same Skinning Room.

"Everyone, disperse. This Senior Brother is an old acquaintance of mine. We lived together back in the Miscellaneous Labor Valley."

Jin Xiaoxiao chuckled and gave Wu Liu a look. "Senior Sister Wu, please register us. I will be living with Senior Brother Fang Huai."

Wu Liu nodded slightly. "Junior Sister Jin, if you are ever bullied, just come find me."

Hearing that Fang Huai came from the Miscellaneous Labor Valley, everyone looked as if they had realized something and dispersed.

For a Servant to be promoted to the Outer Sect required years of struggling; it was normal to have some savings.

Fang Huai remained silent. Judging from the expressions of Jin and Wu, they had a good relationship. If he refused Jin Xiaoxiao, it would inevitably draw Wu Liu's dissatisfaction.

His gaze swept over Jin Xiaoxiao; her cultivation was also at the First Level of Qi Refining. Although she was slightly superior in Body Tempering, Fang Huai did not fear her.

If she dared to have other designs, Fang Huai wouldn't mind letting her taste the flavor of falling in cultivation once again.

————

Fireflies dotted the air, cooking smoke curled up, and stone houses were scattered like stars on a chessboard, giving the place a bit of the atmosphere of the Mortal world.

These stone houses scattered across the peak were the residences of the Outer Sect Disciples.

Fang Huai sat on the edge of the bed while Jin Xiaoxiao sat on a chair. The two stared at each other in silence.

Finally, Jin Xiaoxiao's hand reached toward her Storage Pouch.

*Whoosh—*

The sound of breaking air suddenly rose as a Stone Dart shot toward Jin Xiaoxiao. Had she not dodged in time, a bloody hole would have surely appeared on her body.

"You'd better behave," Fang Huai warned. "I don't have the habit of being tender toward women."

Jin Xiaoxiao wasn't angry either. She smiled and said, "Senior Brother, this little sister only wanted to take out some bedding to sleep on the floor. Is that not allowed?"

Fang Huai said nothing. Jin Xiaoxiao took out a straw mat and spread it on the floor of her own accord.

"To tell you the truth, I am clumsy, and my progress in the Skinning Technique is slow. The contribution points I earn are barely enough after paying the Monthly Tribute and for my cultivation."

Her tone gained a hint of grievance. "I've been sleeping on the streets for over a month now."

"You've been sleeping outside for a month?"

Fang Huai frowned. Given her habits, she could have just found someone to rely on.

Jin Xiaoxiao seemed to see through his thoughts. "The people here are either trash waiting to die or like predatory beasts! Once you get involved with them, they'll devour you until nothing is left."

"Then why did you choose me? I'm not a good person either!"

"Senior Brother killed quite a few Pei Family Members before leaving, didn't you?"

Fang Huai's pupils shrank. His right hand clamped onto Jin Xiaoxiao's neck, pinning her against the wall.

His revenge against the Pei Family was something everyone in the Miscellaneous Labor Valley knew in their hearts, but no one dared to point it out openly.

The Pei Family Members' backer was Pei Long, and Pei Long relied on Feng Wuwang. If Jin Xiaoxiao went to complain to Pei Long, he would definitely cause trouble for him.

"Senior Brother, you're stepping on my straw mat."

Jin Xiaoxiao's face flushed red. "Rest assured, I swear on my Dao Heart that I will never tell Pei Long about this."

"What exactly do you mean? I don't like women who beat around the bush." Fang Huai released his grip.

"I come from a Mortal town under the jurisdiction of the Profound Sword Sect. I had plenty to eat and wear, and my parents loved me. But the people of the Profound Sword Sect slaughtered the entire town's population without warning, including my parents."

Jin Xiaoxiao's eyes flickered with seemingly endless rage. "If I hadn't happened to be away visiting relatives that day, I would have met a tragic end as well!

Since then, I joined the Corpse Fiend Sect and have used any means to Cultivate, all for the sake of one day being able to personally kill those beasts of the Profound Sword Sect!"

Fang Huai stared at her, seeing the look of determination in her eyes.

He sighed. "Relying on others, cultivation comes quickly but also leaves quickly. If you fall in someone else's territory, there won't even be anyone to collect your body. It's better to settle down and practice hard; at least you can maintain some stability."

Jin Xiaoxiao smiled. "The way you talk, why does it sound like you're advising a brothel girl to turn over a new leaf?"

Fang Huai revealed a rare smile. "That's not a good way to put it, but I really was a passing scholar once, so I know a bit about these things."

Jin Xiaoxiao was slightly stunned. After reflecting on the meaning of Fang Huai's words, her face turned slightly red.

"Living here is fine, but you must follow the rules. Wash clothes, cook, clean the house, and take care of all the daily chores. If you can't do that, find another place for yourself tomorrow morning."

"That's not hard at all! Just don't blame me for being clumsy or the food not being to your taste when the time comes, Senior Brother."

...The night was deep, but Fang Huai's Divine Thought remained focused on Jin Xiaoxiao.

He knew very well that in the Corpse Fiend Sect, trusting others blindly was a dead end.

But if he didn't accept Jin Xiaoxiao, someone whose background he knew a little about, other Disciples would also be eyeing his residence.

Only when Jin Xiaoxiao's breathing became steady and long, entering a deep sleep, did Fang Huai release the Small Corpse Meteor Worm for sentry duty, closing his eyes to sleep peacefully.