Chapter 666: Live Well

Chapter 666: Chapter 536: Live Well

By evening, twilight had begun to envelop Quicksand City.

When Xiao Mo arrived at the Resignation Mirror Bookstore, Zhao Hongfei and the others had already been waiting inside for some time.

“Senior Xiao.”

Seeing Xiao Mo walk in, they called out in unison, bowing respectfully.

“Mm,” Xiao Mo nodded. His steady gaze swept over them as he spoke slowly, “Let’s close up the shop for today. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

“Yes, Senior,” they replied in unison, their expressions turning more solemn.

Although Zhao Hongfei and the others didn’t know what their senior intended to tell them, seeing how serious Xiao Mo’s expression was, they had a vague feeling it was no trivial matter.

Before long, the Resignation Mirror Bookstore had seen its customers out and slowly closed its main doors, shutting out the clamor from outside.

The customers who had been about to enter were displeased, but no one complained. They simply dispersed on their own.

In the backyard, the group stood in a row with their hands at their sides, facing Xiao Mo with solemn expressions.

Xiao Mo watched them calmly, his gaze sweeping over each of their faces before he began to speak. “I’ve gathered you here today to discuss what to do with this bookstore going forward.”

As soon as Xiao Mo finished speaking, Zhao Hongfei and the others exchanged confused glances, not quite understanding what Senior Xiao meant.

‘What does he mean, “do something with the bookstore”?’

‘Isn’t the bookstore doing just fine?’

“In a little while, I’ll be leaving for the Yuzhu Secret Realm.” Noticing their confusion, Xiao Mo explained unhurriedly, “That Secret Realm is extremely dangerous. I’m not certain I’ll be able to make it back alive.”

“If I don’t return, just close down the Resignation Mirror Bookstore.”

“As for the books in the store, you can sell them to the Gold Pavilion in the city. The proprietress of the Gold Pavilion is a decent person. I’ve already spoken with her. They’ll buy the remaining books for seventy percent of the normal market price.”

“Once all the books are sold, split the money among the five of you. Use it to buy some Heavenly and Earthly Treasures that will aid your cultivation. It will give you a better foundation for the path ahead.”

“However, how you walk your own paths from now on will be up to you to decide. Whether you join the Human Alliance, live the carefree life of a Loose Cultivator, or travel far into the World of Ten Thousand Laws to find a Sect to join—it’s all up to you.”

“Senior…” The five of them, including Zhao Hongfei, looked at Xiao Mo with great reluctance. Their eyes were slightly red, and their voices choked with emotion. “We all believe you’ll definitely come back alive!”

“That’s right, Senior!” a young man named Jin Zheng quickly added, his tone urgent and certain. “You’re a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator! What kind of Secret Realm in this world could possibly stop you?”

“Senior, we’ll wait right here for you to come back! We’re not going anywhere!” a young woman named Su Tutu declared, clenching her small fists and staring at Xiao Mo with a determined gaze.

Xiao Mo shook his head and gave a faint, wistful smile.

“In your eyes, the Nascent Soul Realm might seem incredibly high, enough to establish a Sect and rule over a region. But in truth, when you look at the entire world, what does a mere Nascent Soul Realm amount to?”

Xiao Mo straightened his sleeves like an old scholar, his expression a mixture of expectation and reluctance.

“Zhao Hongfei, you’re a cautious person, and that’s a good thing. But you always hesitate when faced with a decision, which isn’t so good. When something needs to be done, just do it. And don’t try to carry every burden on your own shoulders.”

“Su Tutu, you may be of the Demon Race, but you don’t distinguish between Human and Demon in your heart. That’s an excellent quality. However, you are too naive. If you run into trouble in the future, ask Hongfei for advice. Don’t keep it all to yourself.”

“Jin Zheng, you despise evil as if it were your mortal enemy, a trait I’ve always admired. I know you were bullied a lot as a child, and you’ve seen how vicious people can be while struggling to get by on the streets. But you must also remember that the affairs of this world are not so simple as just right and wrong. When your blade leaves its sheath, it must be as fast as lightning. But while it’s still sheathed, you must think carefully. Think before you act.”

“Yang Zhu, you are honest and good-natured, with a pure heart. These are rare and valuable qualities. But you’re a bit too timid and always afraid to step forward when things happen. That’s not good. In truth, your talent is no worse than any of the others. You only lack the courage to act boldly.”

“Wang Shu, you are the youngest. At your age, you’re at the prime time for learning and growing. When you encounter problems in the future, listen to the opinions of your older brothers and sisters here. They won’t harm you; they will only protect you.”

“Have you all remembered what I’ve said?”

“Yes, Senior… We… we’ve remembered everything!” The five of them, led by Zhao Hongfei, bowed deeply, their voices trembling slightly.

Xiao Mo’s expression was as calm as still water, as if nothing in the world could create a ripple in his heart. His composure was that of a man who had long seen through life and death and was walking calmly toward his own demise.

“Remember this—there are good and bad people among both the Demon Race and the Human Race.”

“The Demon Race has pure and kind girls like Tutu, and the Human Race has utterly shameless scoundrels who are no better than beasts in fine clothes.”

“Don’t paint the entire Demon Race with the same brush, and don’t blindly trust every member of the Human Race.”

Xiao Mo slowly stood up.

“Alright… I’ve said all that needed to be said… It’s time for me to go…”

As Xiao Mo’s words fell,

the group felt a gentle breeze sweep past them.

When they looked up, Xiao Mo had already vanished from their sight. Only his words, as gentle as a spring breeze, drifted back into their ears—

“In the future, if you truly have nowhere else to go, head to Tushan and find the Saintess, Tushan Jing Ci. But remember this: do not mention me, and especially do not speak of your relationship with me. Remember this. You must remember.”

As their senior’s words slowly faded, the five of them straightened up and looked at each other, none of them understanding the deep meaning hidden in his final sentence.

Since their senior had said they could seek out the Saintess, Tushan Jing Ci, if they had nowhere else to go, it must have meant he had a significant connection with that Holy Daughter.

But if that was the case, why couldn’t they mention him?

They couldn’t figure it out, nor could they guess the reason.

However, a thousand years later, when each of them had carved out a place for themselves in the Demon Race’s World—some establishing a Sect, some founding a Dynasty, others becoming mighty figures in their own right—

they would recall their first meeting with that Holy Daughter, remembering her blade-like gaze the first time they mentioned their senior, and all five would let out a soft sigh in their hearts.

It turned out that their senior’s warning all those years ago was simply because he wanted them to live on…