Little Shopkeeper

“This is unacceptable!” Yi Chengying exclaimed, her face pale with panic.

“Exactly. That’s why it must be done,” Qin Gou replied with a clap, his tone annoyingly cheerful.

“If the Palace Master finds out, she’ll kill me!” Yi Chengying stammered, clearly distressed.

“Even better,” Qin Gou said with a smirk.

Yi Chengying was left speechless, staring at him like a deer caught in headlights.

Qin Gou’s smile softened, his tone almost soothing. “Don’t be shy. Let me tell you something—this face of mine is fake too. Even if you kiss it, it’s just an act. No need to overthink it.”

“Are you saying that if Little Chair doesn’t comply, the Heavenly Master will lose patience and… kill me?” Yi Chengying asked hesitantly.

Qin Gou lightly tapped the Memory Lamp, infusing it with spiritual energy. A soft glow illuminated the room. “What do you think?”

Startled, Yi Chengying sat up straight as if jolted awake. Under the lamp’s glow, her face turned crimson as she leaned in, her expression a perfect mix of shyness and affection. Her lips pressed against Qin Gou’s cheek with an elegance that spoke volumes of her survival instincts and acting skills.

The Memory Lamp flickered, its task complete.

“Is that enough, Heavenly Master?” Yi Chengying asked, her delicate hands nervously twisting together.

“You know what will happen if this footage reaches Ye Qishuang, don’t you? She’ll find out you dared to act so disrespectfully toward me,” Qin Gou said, his tone sharp.

“Little Chair will be doomed to a fate worse than death,” she replied, her voice trembling.

“Then swear an oath right now. Promise not to reveal what happened tonight. If you break your word, I’ll make sure this Memory Lamp finds its way to Ye Qishuang immediately,” Qin Gou demanded.

Terrified, Yi Chengying didn’t dare resist. She quickly swore an oath, her voice quivering with fear.

Qin Gou nodded approvingly. “Good. Keep up the good work. I have high hopes for you, Little Chair. From now on, if I need anything in the Mystic Maiden Palace, I won’t hesitate to ask you. After all, I still have this Memory Lamp. Understand?”

“Understood. Little Chair understands everything. From now on, I’m just a puppet for the Heavenly Master. If you tell me to go east, I won’t dare go west,” Yi Chengying said, her face filled with despair.

“Excellent.” Qin Gou nodded, satisfied. “Don’t look so glum. Working for me won’t be a bad deal. Oh, by the way, on my way here, a helpful disciple guided me. She’s tied up just outside your cave. Make sure to warn her not to spill anything about tonight.”

“Now, close your eyes.”

When Yi Chengying finally opened her eyes, Qin Gou was gone. Alone in her cave, the once-proud Lone Shadow Saintess could no longer hold back her emotions. She burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

“This is so unfair! Absolutely unfair!”

“I told the Palace Master that the Heavenly Master wasn’t normal, and she punished me for it. But now it’s clear—where was I wrong?! This is bullying!”

“‘Demon Master, Demon Master, Demon Master!’ I’ll say it if I want to!”

Suddenly, a gentle night breeze lifted the curtain.

Slap.

Yi Chengying instinctively slapped her own mouth, clutching her head as she whimpered. “Damn wind! Scared me to death!”

—

Thousands of miles away, in a small border town of the Daliang Dynasty.

The town’s pawnshop had long since closed for the night. The shopkeeper, roused by urgent knocking, groggily dressed and opened the door.

An elderly man with a face full of wrinkles stood outside, his expression apologetic. “Little Shopkeeper, I’m so sorry to disturb you at this hour.”

The shopkeeper, known throughout the town as the most beautiful person in the Daliang Dynasty, smiled warmly, her radiance like a blooming flower. “It’s no trouble, Mr. Xu. You must have an urgent matter. Please, come in and sit.”

The old man entered, his face etched with worry. “It’s true. My son is leaving for the imperial exams tomorrow, but I couldn’t gather enough travel funds. I have no choice but to pawn this bracelet, a family heirloom from his mother.”

“I see,” the shopkeeper said, nodding. Instead of taking the bracelet, she walked behind the counter and retrieved some silver coins. Handing them to the old man, she smiled. “Mr. Xu, you should have come to me sooner. Don’t pawn the bracelet. Consider this a loan, interest-free. Pay me back when your son passes the exams.”

The old man’s eyes filled with tears as he knelt, clutching her hand. “Little Shopkeeper, you’re truly a kind soul. I knew you were the kindest person in Fengjiang Town. Whoever marries you will be the luckiest man alive.”

The shopkeeper quickly helped him up, laughing softly. “Mr. Xu, how many times do I have to tell you? I’m a man.”

The old man wiped his tears, chuckling. “I know you say that because you’re a young lady traveling alone. You’re afraid of attracting trouble. But even with my poor eyesight, I can tell you’re no man.”

Before the shopkeeper could explain further, a melodious laugh echoed through the room, as clear as a silver bell.

“What luck I have tonight,” a mysterious woman said, her voice playful. She stood at the door, her figure graceful and her face veiled, revealing only a pair of captivating eyes. “I only stopped in this little town for a rest, and I find such a handsome young man. This face of yours will make countless women jealous!”

The shopkeeper and the old man turned to see her enter the shop, her movements as elegant as flowing water. With a wave of her hand, she lifted the shopkeeper into the air. Licking her lips, she said, “A pretty boy like you doesn’t belong in a backwater town. Come with me to the Mystic Maiden Palace. I promise you’ll live a life of bliss and joy.”