That sinister tone made every hair on Qin Lu’s body stand on end.

He whirled around.

A figure stood at the street corner, toying with a small dagger in hand. Spirit energy flowed along the blade, emitting a faint silvery light.

The surrounding light was far too dim for Qin Lu to make out the other’s appearance.

“Who are you?!”

Qin Lu shouted nervously, his heart pounding.

“Hmm? You can’t even recognize my voice now?”

The shadow’s dagger-toying motion paused slightly, the tone seeming somewhat surprised.

Qin Lu’s memories of the original owner were fragmented. Many things left no impression unless he thought about them carefully, so how could he possibly remember this person’s voice now?

Was this an enemy of the original owner?

Or a friend?

Or someone he had recently offended?

Several thoughts flashed through Qin Lu’s mind, his mind racing.

Seeing Qin Lu remain silent, that eerie voice sounded again:

“Hehe, seems you really don’t remember me. How about… you come a little closer for a look?”

“Uh…”

The bizarre figure, the chilling voice, and the flickering dagger all made Qin Lu feel uneasy.

Rushing over without understanding the situation would be like walking to his death.

But suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Qin Lu’s mind.

Playing tricks! Show me your true form!

He planted his left hand on his hip, raised his right hand high, spread his fingers, and aimed at the shadow in the corner.

Spirit energy within his body instantly gathered at his palm, warming it slightly, and a burst of intense white light immediately shone forth!

[Illumination Technique]!

The white light exploded, suddenly brightening the surroundings and, in that instant, clearly illuminating the figure and appearance of the person in the corner.

He looked to be in his thirties, with a small mustache above his lip and utterly ordinary features. His fierce face now wore a completely bewildered expression.

“Ah!”

The mustached cultivator let out a cry of pain, hurriedly turning his head and shielding his eyes.

The white light instantly blinded him.

However, in that brief moment of exposure, Qin Lu immediately recalled this person from his memories.

This was He Liang from Jishan Store!

“Oh, so it’s a debt collector…”

Seeing He Liang, Qin Lu instantly understood the situation and couldn’t help but relax his posture slightly.

This man wasn’t exactly an enemy; he was a creditor.

“Ah—!”

He Liang was still crying out in pain. The intense white light had stung his eyes terribly, tears already streaming down his face.

Seeing this, Qin Lu looked embarrassed, momentarily at a loss.

This counted as a bit of friendly fire.

“Uh, so it’s Brother Six…”

Qin Lu said awkwardly.

“Damn it! What the hell did you do, kid?! I’m gonna kill you in a minute!”

He Liang wiped away his tears, gripping his dagger tightly, his voice fierce and threatening.

Hearing He Liang’s threats, Qin Lu was somewhat unconcerned.

He still owed Jishan Store one hundred and seventy Spirit Stones. If He Liang killed him, who would repay that debt?

“Sorry about that~ Brother Six, I made a mistake…” Qin Lu apologized again.

He Liang remained silent. After about ten seconds, the stinging from the white light had faded.

He gripped his dagger tightly, staring at Qin Lu, a murderous intent rising in his heart.

And just then…

“Who goes there?!”

A loud shout suddenly came from the air.

Both He Liang and Qin Lu couldn’t help but look up.

A bird-shaped flying artifact was rapidly descending from the sky, with a young cultivator in a blue robe standing atop it.

Seeing this person, He Liang immediately sheathed his dagger, the ferocious expression on his face vanishing instantly.

Qin Lu also straightened his posture, watching as the blue-robed young cultivator slowly descended from the air.

With just one glance, both knew this person was a cultivator from the Wuji Sect.

The blue-robed youth landed between the two, glanced at them, and said coldly:

“State your names.”

“Jishan Store clerk, He Liang,” He Liang replied respectfully.

Qin Lu thought for a moment, then imitated the gesture, cupping his hands and saying:

“Loose Cultivator, Qin Lu.”

The blue-robed youth took out a notebook, made a couple of marks with a pen, then asked again:

“What are you doing here? Why was there a flash of white light just now?”

“Reporting to Senior, this Qin Lu owes my store over a hundred Spirit Stones. I came today to seek repayment, and the white light was something he produced.”

He Liang finished speaking and shot a glance at Qin Lu.

Hearing this, the blue-robed youth shifted his gaze to Qin Lu.

Seeing this, Qin Lu thought for a moment and explained:

“It’s like this. Brother He Six suddenly appeared just now. I thought someone meant me harm, so I nervously activated a [Flash Talisman]. Who knew I’d mistaken the person…”

“Hmm?” The blue-robed youth stared intently at Qin Lu. “A [Flash Talisman] is worth ten Spirit Stones. You, a mere early Qi Refining loose cultivator, actually have such substantial resources? You just casually throw away ten Spirit Stones?”

“I… I’m naturally cautious…” Qin Lu replied nervously.

Hearing this answer, the blue-robed youth stared fixedly at Qin Lu, his eyes full of suspicion.

However, his gaze soon shifted away, as if he hadn’t taken the matter to heart, and he continued in a clear voice:

“I am the patrol captain of the market, currently pursuing a thief. Have you seen a female thief dressed in black?”

A female thief?

Qin Lu was slightly taken aback, then suddenly understood.

He had heard about this. It was said a thief known as the “Mother Tiger” had appeared in the market. She often stole from market shops, and no one knew who she was, as she had never been caught.

Because of this, Wuji Market had strengthened its patrols.

He hadn’t expected the Mother Tiger to strike again tonight.

Qin Lu and He Liang had certainly not seen any female thief and immediately shook their heads upon hearing the question.

Seeing this, the blue-robed youth put away his notebook, controlled the flying artifact to rise slowly, and said loudly:

“If you see this thief, remember to notify the patrol!”

With that, he maneuvered the flying artifact and gradually departed.

…

After the blue-robed youth left, only Qin Lu and He Liang remained on the scene.

Qin Lu pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands toward He Liang and said sincerely:

“Brother Six, sorry about that. I’m a bit short on funds lately. How about I repay your store’s Spirit Stones after some time? Is that alright?”

He Liang slowly sheathed his dagger and said coldly:

“Hmph! After some time? Your ‘after some time’ probably means never, right?”

“No, no. Give me half a month. In half a month, I will personally deliver the Spirit Stones to your door!”

He Liang showed a hint of surprise. “Really?”

“As true as pearls!”

“Hmph!” He Liang snorted coldly, his tone sharp:

“You’re a slippery one, kid. If I hadn’t come looking for you, I wouldn’t even know you’d moved! You’re so elusive. How can I trust your word?!”

Qin Lu’s expression stiffened, then he offered an apologetic smile:

“Brother Six, that’s because I earned some Spirit Stones, so I moved inside the market to live. I just forgot to notify you for a moment…”

“And look, I can even use a [Flash Talisman] casually now. I really have found a way to make some money recently. I’ll definitely repay you in half a month. How about it?”

He Liang thought for a moment upon hearing this, then paused and said:

“I can wait half a month, but since your whereabouts are unclear, I need to know the address of your new residence!”

“This…” Qin Lu’s face showed reluctance.

“What? You’re unwilling?”

“Alright then…”

Qin Lu knew he couldn’t avoid it and could only nod in agreement.

The two then began walking toward the market.

They returned all the way to the courtyard and stood at the gate.

“Come on, open the door and let me see,” He Liang said lightly, crossing his arms.

Seeing this, Qin Lu could only knock helplessly.

After a short while, Zhang Meng opened the door from inside and said softly:

“Brother Qin, you’re back. Come in quickly.”

Qin Lu didn’t reply. Instead, he looked at He Liang, spreading his hands and saying:

“Is this sufficient?”

He Liang gave a slight nod, glanced at Zhang Meng again, and sneered:

“I never expected you’d find yourself a beauty to live with. Truly unexpected… Alright, I’ll remember this place.”

With that, He Liang turned and left directly.

“Brother Qin Lu, who was that?” Zhang Meng asked curiously.

“Nothing much, just a friend.”

Qin Lu replied casually, turning his head to watch He Liang’s departing figure. A sense of caution he had never felt before rose in his heart!

“No, I can’t drag Zhang Meng into this. The debt from Jishan Store really can’t be delayed any longer…”