PID Chapter 27.2

“…Regular arguments?” What kind of incomprehensible approach was this?

 

Xiao Mo had already decided not to argue with him, but now they were so poor that the importance of points had risen several levels. If he couldn’t collect a large number of points through positive emotions, should he gain nothing at all?

 

In different periods, one’s methods must be flexible.

 

Xiao Mo gestured: “For example, I’ll give you a heads up, telling you I’m about to argue with you, and then we start arguing.”

 

Chu Jinglan: “…”

 

How polite, giving notice before an argument.

 

He didn’t understand the point: “Are you sure we can actually argue like this? And why must we argue?”

 

“Stirring up your emotions helps my cultivation, so whether it’s smiling or arguing, it’s just a means, not an end,” Xiao Mo analyzed seriously. “Besides, I think it’s quite easy for us to argue heatedly.”

 

Chu Jinglan: “……”

 

His fingers curled slightly. Putting aside everything else, he found Xiao Mo’s last statement quite reasonable. Recounting their previous friction and clashes, they indeed easily ignited each other, like needle against awl, sparking real fire.

 

Chu Jinglan himself wasn’t an easily irritated person, and Xiao Mo’s usual state showed he was emotionally stable too. Their initial tendency to flare up was due to the chasm between their identities as the original and the Inner Demon.

 

Moreover, they seemed to easily hit each other’s sensitive spots, then add fuel to the fire, escalating things further.

 

Xiao Mo added: “Of course, we’ll focus on positive emotions. I’ll try to find ways to make you happier. If we have enough positive energy, we won’t need to argue.”

 

Chu Jinglan concealed his indecipherable gaze: “…I’ll try too.”

 

Xiao Mo: “Hm? What will you try?”

 

Chu Jinglan looked into Xiao Mo’s eyes but didn’t speak, just shaking his head.

 

Try to get more accustomed to you, try to discard the identity barrier, be kinder to you, and… smile more at you.

 

The last point was difficult, but he’d try his best.

 

Chu Jinglan knew that taking such an attitude towards an Inner Demon undoubtedly put himself in a dangerous position, standing on the edge of a cliff. His former self would never have made such an unwise choice, but at this point, he could only gamble.

 

For him, now reduced to a powerless state, the Inner Demon’s cultivation could be a significant help.

 

In fact, when he shared control of his body earlier, he had already placed his bet, becoming a fellow traveler and accomplice with the Inner Demon. To achieve his goals without being constrained by methods, he willingly chose this most dangerous partner.

 

After all, Chu Jinglan had nothing left to lose, nothing he dared not do.

 

Even if Xiao Mo would betray him one day, it definitely wouldn’t be now. Currently, he didn’t even have value worth possessing.

 

No, if that day really came, it couldn’t be called betrayal from the Inner Demon’s perspective. It would just be tightening the web woven with lies.

 

Chu Jinglan lowered his eyes: If it really happened, they’d deal with it then.

 

Humans and demons, in the end, weren’t so different.

 

*

 

At least for now, maintaining a peaceful coexistence with a partner is beneficial for both of them. Moreover, including Xiao Mo in his circle of trusted people and taking on a bit more burden actually made Chu Jinglan’s heart feel lighter.

 

After all, for someone who has just lost everything, even having an extra shadow by their side can reduce the feeling of emptiness.

 

*

 

Chu Jinglan took some silver notes from the casket, and Xiao Mo went out with him.

 

Manifesting a physical form in public required spiritual energy. Although it didn’t cost much, Xiao Mo still concealed his form from others. Being visible had its advantages, and being invisible had its wonders. For instance, as they passed through the crowded, shoulder-to-shoulder streets, Xiao Mo completely avoided the possibility of bumping into people.

 

Because people simply passed right through his spirit form.

 

Now that he and Chu Jinglan could communicate telepathically, Chu Jinglan didn’t have to appear to be talking to thin air in front of others.

 

Chu Jinglan first went to a slave market.

 

Since they wanted to choose people useful for the Middle Realm, those with cultivation potential were naturally the best. Younger ones were preferable, as loyalty could be cultivated from a young age, making them more reliable.

 

Although Chu Jinglan’s cultivation was gone, his sharp divine sense and discerning eye remained, allowing him to judge potential. Moreover, with Xiao Mo there, the insight of a Nascent Soul cultivator was even more reliable.

 

In the slave market street, some experienced workers would come to offer their services, and the market owners would recommend them when masters came looking. Children, however, were mostly tagged with straw and placed at the street side for immediate viewing and selection.

 

If not for family difficulties, who would want their child to be sold into slavery from a young age? Thus, most children were thin and sallow-faced, wearing coarse cloth that barely covered their bodies.

 

For efficiency, Chu Jinglan and Xiao Mo split up to choose.

 

In the Lower Realm, not everyone with a bit of potential could enter the path of cultivation. After all, cultivation required resources, and many from poor backgrounds, even with some potential, could only remain mortal for life. There were more children with potential in the slave market than Xiao Mo had imagined, but their aptitudes were very poor.

 

Finding someone even slightly outstanding was quite difficult.

 

Xiao Mo looked for a long time, from the start of the street to the end of the alley, but couldn’t find anyone with slightly better potential.

 

This shouldn’t be the case, he thought. If the senior disciple of Lin’an Academy, the young doctor, and the golden knife expert were among these people, their aptitude should be noticeable at a glance.

 

Either Chu Jinglan didn’t find them in the slave market, or Xiao Mo and the system’s analysis was wrong.

 

As Xiao Mo turned to float back, a market owner brought out two new children to the spot he had just passed.

 

Xiao Mo’s gaze shifted towards them.

 

Although the two children were also poorly dressed, their appearance was striking. One boy and one girl, about seven or eight years old, stood differently from the other children. Despite their destitute state, they stood straight, not hunched, their small bodies stubbornly refusing to bow easily.

 

Most importantly, their potential was good.

 

Not bad, Xiao Mo examined them carefully, confirming that these two children’s aptitude was indeed good. He immediately sent a mental message to Chu Jinglan: “Chu Jinglan, come to the end of the east alley. There are two good children here.”

 

Chu Jinglan came quickly, with a small shadow following behind. Xiao Mo initially thought Chu Jinglan had bought someone, but upon closer look, it didn’t seem so.

 

Children sold in the slave market were usually tidied up a bit, at least looking clean. But this little follower was in tattered clothes, with patches missing here and there, hair disheveled, with scattered grass and debris – add some feathers, and it would be a natural bird’s nest.

 

Moreover, the child emitted a strong odor that made Xiao Mo move back.

 

He didn’t look like a slave market servant, but more like a little beggar.

 

The slave trader, seeing Chu Jinglan stop, initially approached with a welcoming smile and rubbing hands. However, upon noticing the child behind Chu Jinglan, his expression suddenly changed. He rushed over to chase the child away: “You rascal beggar, why are you still here? Go, go, go, don’t disturb the esteemed guest!”

 

The little beggar bared his teeth at him, revealing surprisingly white teeth, and shook his head proudly, borrowing the tiger’s might[mfn]”狐假虎威” (hú jiǎ hǔ wēi) literally means “a fox borrowing the tiger’s might.” It’s used to describe someone who uses another’s power or influence to intimidate others.[/mfn]: “I’m with this young master now, ask him if you don’t believe me!”

 

The slave trader was stunned and looked at Chu Jinglan, who merely gave a slight nod, confirming the matter.

 

Merchants are skilled at adapting, and changing expressions was but a blink for them. He immediately flattered Chu Jinglan: “Young master taking him in, one can see you’re a great benefactor!”

 

The little beggar had good potential, but his smell was indeed too strong. Sharp-eyed Xiao Mo even spotted small insects. As a somewhat germaphobic Inner Demon who changed clothes daily even in spirit form, with limited space to dodge, he simply went “poof” and turned back into a tiny Inner Demon figure, perching on Chu Jinglan’s shoulder.

 

Seeing the long-absent tiny black-eyed figure, Chu Jinglan tilted his head to look at him.

 

Xiao Mo breathed in fresh air: “Give this kid ten or eight cleaning spells when we get back!”

 

[Ding, mental attack successful, +3 points]

 

?

 

Xiao Mo raised his tiny head, looking at Chu Jinglan in confusion. Had something just touched an emotional point?

 

He didn’t know that the Inner Demon quickly flashing towards Chu Jinglan, with expressive features, and then suddenly becoming a deflated little figure, was indeed quite amusing.

 

Chu Jinglan had only intended to glance briefly before continuing to talk with the slave trader, but seeing the little figure suddenly look up at him from his shoulder, he abruptly remembered what Xiao Mo had said earlier.

 

…So was this when he should smile?

 

A smile should be most natural when it comes unconsciously. Once that moment passes, the emotion dissipates. Chu Jinglan pressed his knuckles, tilted his head towards the Inner Demon’s eyes, and tried to pull up the corners of his mouth into a smile.

 

But Chu Jinglan had never deliberately smiled sincerely for anyone before. He was already unskilled, and with the emotional moment having passed, only the forced thought of “must smile” remained in his mind. As a result, not only his facial muscles but his entire body tensed up.

 

So what Xiao Mo saw was Chu Jinglan’s shoulder line suddenly stiffening, and his lip corner twitching.

 

The tiny Inner Demon immediately looked up, concerned: “What’s wrong, are you feeling unwell again?”

 

Chu Jinglan: “…”

 

Chu Jinglan: “No…”

 

“Where does it hurt? Your mouth is twitching in pain, don’t hold it in. One shouldn’t conceal illness for fear of treatment.”

 

The slight curve Chu Jinglan had managed to form with his lips immediately flattened, and his shoulders silently slumped. He slowly shifted his gaze and mentally transmitted: “…Really, it’s nothing.”

 

While transmitting, he turned his face and spoke to the slave trader: “Explain the situation of these two, and the price.”

 

He had directly changed the subject.

 

 

Xiao Mo knew how well Chu Jinglan could endure and conceal, so he immediately had the system scan Chu Jinglan’s physical condition, only relaxing after confirming that his hidden injuries hadn’t worsened.

 

So what was Chu Jinglan doing just now?

 

Never mind, Xiao the Inner Demon thought magnanimously. People do occasionally have some confusing behaviors, understandable.

 

He settled comfortably on Chu Jinglan’s shoulder, waiting for the slave trader to introduce these two children.

 

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1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter