Chapter 55: My Three Rules

—

A week passed quietly.

During this time, Xu Shen and his two companions completely transformed their new home. The exterior of the house was renovated, with the gray bricks replaced by jet-black ones. The interior, once dilapidated, was also revamped. The floors and walls were now sleek and black, giving the house a mysterious, almost sinister vibe.

Xu Shen had insisted on the black color scheme, claiming it gave off a more intimidating aura.

The interior was minimalist to the extreme—practically barren. The first floor was a spacious hall, the second floor was designated for rune engraving, and the upper floors were reserved for bedrooms and other living spaces.

The courtyard was similarly overhauled. The dirt ground was covered with fine gravel, and a single tree was planted in the center. However, since it was winter, the tree was bare, its white trunk standing stark against the black surroundings.

Overall, the house looked like something out of a gothic fantasy—a place where no decent person would willingly live.

At the front gate hung a black sign shaped like Xu Shen’s small black blade. Xu Shen was very pleased with it and had insisted on paying Gu Xiao for her help in getting it made. However, she had refused to accept any payment and left quickly before he could argue further. Left with no choice, Xu Shen asked Dong Tianming to find a way to get the money to her later.

—

Despite the week passing by, not a single person from Capital University had visited the shop. Aside from the renovation workers and Gu Xiao, there had been no visitors at all.

Xu Shen didn’t mind. He enjoyed the peace and quiet. Most of his days were spent wandering around the outskirts of the capital, searching for mountains to train on. Life was leisurely.

“Xu Shen, is your rune related to mountains?” Dong Tianming asked one day. He had noticed Xu Shen constantly poring over maps of the capital, searching for unexplored mountain ranges.

Dong Tianming had seen Xu Shen’s rune before—it was strange and unlike anything he’d ever encountered. He couldn’t even discern its attribute. Knowing that Xu Shen had a forbidden body only made him more curious.

What baffled him most was that Xu Shen seemed to need new mountains to train effectively—something Dong Tianming had never heard of before.

—

In the spacious first-floor hall, three sofas were arranged around a single table. The three men sat like lords of leisure, each holding a glass of alcohol.

“Sort of,” Xu Shen replied vaguely. “For now, training on mountains seems to work best.”

Even he didn’t fully understand his Weapon Rune’s nature or attribute.

—

“Brother Shen, I’ve nearly mapped out all the mountains around the capital for you,” Xu Guang said as he scrolled through a tablet displaying the city’s map. “You’ve been to almost all of them in this area.”

“If you want new ones, you’ll have to go farther out.”

Xu Shen nodded—it wasn’t surprising. The capital was vast, and its surrounding regions even more so. They were currently located on the western side of the city, and Xu Shen had explored most of the nearby mountains.

If he wanted new training spots, he’d have to venture further afield. But leaving the capital wasn’t ideal—who knew what dangers might be lurking in distant places? There could even be dormant ghoul emperors waiting to awaken.

—

Knock knock knock.

The sound of someone knocking on the courtyard gate broke their conversation.

“Do we have a customer?” Xu Guang’s eyes lit up as he quickly donned his mask and headed outside.

Xu Shen and Dong Tianming exchanged glances before silently putting on their own masks.

—

“Hello? Is Red-Faced Big Brother here? We’ve come to see you!” called a familiar voice from outside.

Standing at the gate were Slick-Hair along with three girls and another boy.

“This is the place you were talking about? Why does it look so creepy?” one of the girls asked with a frown as she surveyed the dark courtyard.

“Should we leave? I feel like we’re intruding… And we don’t have much money,” another girl whispered nervously.

“Don’t worry—I’m here,” said the girl with a red mark on her forehead reassuringly. Her calm demeanor seemed to put everyone at ease.

“Exactly! With Xuexue here, what’s there to be afraid of?” Tang Liang said confidently. “If this turns out to be some scammer, we’ll trash the place!”

The boy who hadn’t spoken yet crossed his arms and added coldly, “Big words for someone who hasn’t even met us yet.”

—

“What bold words! Are you here to cause trouble?” Xu Guang’s voice rang out as he stepped into view wearing his red mask.

The three girls immediately took a step back, their eyes wide with fear as they stared at his menacing appearance.

“He… he’s Red-Faced Big Brother?” one of them stammered.

Xu Guang: …

Without a word, Xu Guang raised his hand and made a pressing motion in midair. The gate creaked open as if responding to his gesture.

The group exchanged surprised glances. “Xuexue, it’s a high-grade spirit barrier! This shop owner must be skilled—those aren’t cheap,” one of them whispered.

Xuexue nodded slightly, her curiosity about the shop owner growing.

Seeing their reactions filled Xu Guang with pride. Did you see that? A high-grade spirit barrier! Only the owner can activate it with a hand gesture. This thing costs at least 100,000 spirit stones—and Xinhuo Guard gave it to Brother Shen for free!

—

“Red-Faced Big Brother… Is the shop owner in? Our friend needs his rune repaired,” Tang Liang asked cautiously, his tone much more respectful now.

“I’m not called Red Face,” Xu Guang said sternly.

“Then what should we call you?”

“Red Mask.”

Everyone: …

What’s the difference?

Ignoring their confusion, Xu Guang turned and led them toward the house. “The owner is inside. Don’t say anything stupid—he has a bad temper.”

For once, he wasn’t exaggerating.

—

Inside the house, they found Xu Shen sitting alone on one of three sofas in the otherwise empty hall. He wore his gray mask and black clothes, exuding an aura of cold indifference.

“You’re here for rune repairs?” Xu Shen asked in an icy tone that sent shivers down their spines.

“Yes,” replied the red-eyed boy as he stepped forward. “Are you the shop owner?”

“Sit,” Xu Shen said, gesturing to the sofas on either side of him.

The group obediently sat down without hesitation.

—

“First things first—I have three rules,” Xu Shen began as he leaned back slightly, his voice calm but firm.

“Rule one: I don’t take jobs for Flame Mastery cultivators or higher—for now, it’s too much trouble.”

“Rule two: I don’t work for those who lack sincerity. If you want me to engrave your rune, you must swear by your rune not to harm me or act against my interests.”

“Because I value my life.”

“Rule three: I don’t take jobs from people I dislike—because I have the right to choose my clients.”

“And finally,” he added, “I only take one job per month—and my services are expensive.”

—

Silence filled the room as everyone processed his words.

The red-eyed boy looked like he was about to explode from frustration. This is absurd! What kind of engraver has rules like these?! Even Silent Realm engravers aren’t this demanding!

Tang Liang’s face twisted with disappointment as he stood up to leave. This guy is obviously a fraud—what a waste of time.

The group began making their way toward the door when Xuexue suddenly spoke up.

—

“With so many rules, aren’t you afraid you’ll have no customers?” she asked, her gaze fixed on Xu Shen with a hint of curiosity. “Or are you hiding your true level? What rank are you as an engraver?”

Xu Shen glanced at her briefly before replying coldly, “Why should I explain myself to you?”

“You’re so rude!” one of the girls—Lingling—snapped. “Do you know who Xuexue’s grandfather is? He’s a professor in Capital University’s engraving department! And Xuexue herself is a top-tier engraving talent!”

“You won’t even reveal your rank—you’re obviously a fraud!”

Before she could say more, an overwhelming killing intent surged toward her like a tidal wave.

—

“If you point your finger at me again,” Xu Shen said icily, “I’ll cut it off.”

Xu Guang stepped forward silently, blocking the doorway as if awaiting Xu Shen’s command to act.

The red-haired boy sneered and stepped forward as flames flickered in his eyes. “What’s this? A black market shop? This is right next to Capital University—you think you can get away with this?”

—

A cold snort suddenly echoed from the corner of the room.

Dong Tianming emerged wearing his ice mask and glanced at them briefly before releasing a wave of chilling energy that swept through the hall like a winter storm.

“Tongyou Realm?” The group stared at him in shock—this shop had a Tongyou Realm expert working as staff?

Who exactly were these people?

—

“If you’re here, follow our rules. If not, leave,” Dong Tianming said coldly before disappearing back into the shadows.

Xu Guang extended his hand toward the door. “Please leave.”

—

Xuexue hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “How much would it cost—or what resources would you need—to repair a Core Solidification Peak fire rune?”

Her question caught everyone off guard. Most engravers didn’t charge money directly; they preferred resources they needed for their craft. She wasn’t sure how this gray-masked man operated but decided to ask anyway.

“Sorry—I’m not interested in repairing it for you,” Xu Shen replied flatly as he stood up and headed toward the stairs.

—

“Wait!” Xuexue grabbed his sleeve just as he was about to leave. Instinctively, Xu Shen raised his hand to swat her away but stopped when she quickly pointed at the red-haired boy behind her.

“His name is Xiao Yun—Core Solidification Peak,” she explained hurriedly. “He was injured while saving children during a mission. His fire rune shattered because he didn’t receive timely treatment.”

“He sought help from our engraving department students, but his rune is too complex—they all failed.”

“If you can help him… name your price.”

—

Xu Shen turned to look at Xiao Yun thoughtfully just as Dong Tianming’s voice echoed in his mind:

“Xiao Yun? I’ve heard Xiao Ruyi has a nephew by that name who ran away from home years ago and hasn’t returned since.”

“It might be him.”

“If it is… help him if you can—it could earn you a favor from one of the Flame Pillars.”