"Cough, cough, before we enter Shenzhou, I need to lay down three rules for you."
As they were about to reach the Myriad Demon Ridge, Bai Shan suddenly stopped and looked at Xu Yi and Ji Buwang with a serious expression.
"Three rules, how interesting. Tell me what they are."
Xu Yi curled her lips into a sly smile.
"The first is that once you enter Shenzhou, you must obey my orders and cannot act on your own."
Bai Shan puffed out his chest, trying to appear righteous, but the nervousness in his voice betrayed his thoughts.
"Unless there's an emergency, we can listen to you." Xu Yi did not object to this.
Seeing Xu Yi agree, Bai Shan instantly gained some confidence.
He stole a glance at Ji Buwang, then quickly withdrew his gaze. "Second, I can introduce you to demon kings, but I can't guarantee success. You cannot hold me responsible for it."
Before he knew Ji Buwang's true strength, Bai Shan had dared to make small moves in the open.
Now, he was terrified of making a mistake that Ji Buwang might catch him for, and then settle old and new scores.
"Alright, we can agree to this, but you must also make an effort," Xu Yi agreed with a slight nod.
"I know. The third rule is..."
Bai Shan's eyes darted around. "Among the demon race, there are those as talented and beautiful as I am, and there are also those who are foolish and incompetent. If they say anything stupid, you are not allowed to get angry or retaliate."
This time, before Xu Yi could answer, Ji Buwang said coldly, "What if the other party's words are offensive and they repeatedly refuse to mend their ways?"
Bai Shan's tone dropped. "I will keep them in check. If they truly do not repent, then it won't be too late for you to act."
Bai Shan had originally intended to fight for his tribesmen a little, but as soon as Ji Buwang spoke, he changed his mind.
Better a dead friend than a live self.
They would have to fend for themselves.
With the three reaching an agreement, they soon arrived at the plains on the outskirts of the Myriad Demon Ridge.
There was no change here at all. Many cultivators were still setting up stalls to sell various magical treasures and elixirs.
Xu Yi's gaze swept across the plain, finally landing on a cultivator with a sharp mouth and monkey cheeks.
Xu Yi turned her head, pointing in the direction of that cultivator, and said to Ji Buwang, "Do you remember that person? I didn't expect us to run into him again this time."
A faint smile flashed in Ji Buwang's eyes. "Yes, Hou San."
That was the first time he and Xu Yi had ventured out together. Upon arriving at the Myriad Demon Ridge, they had met this Hou San, and at that time, they had even bought a copy of "Myriad Demon Ridge Survival Guide" from him.
Although there was no ill intent in their gazes, the oppressive aura that came with high-level cultivators made Hou San, who was in the distance, tremble violently. A chill shot from his spine to the top of his head.
Having roamed the world for many years, Hou San immediately understood that he had been targeted by a high-level cultivator.
He inwardly cried out in distress. He had been well-behaved recently, even reducing the number of times he extorted people. Where had he offended such a powerful senior?
He stiffly turned his body and immediately found his targets in the crowd.
It was none other than the fact that the appearance and demeanor of the three were too striking.
Not only did Hou San notice them, but even the stall owners nearby and the cultivators coming and going lowered their voices.
The vast plain instantly became much quieter.
Hou San's gaze immediately retracted after spotting the three, his brows furrowing unconsciously.
Why did these three look somewhat familiar to him?
Was it an illusion?
No, he must have seen them somewhere before.
But when?
"It's him!"
Xu Yi was in a good mood upon seeing an old acquaintance, but she did not intend to approach Hou San for a chat. Just as she was about to signal Bai Shan and Ji Buwang to leave, she saw Bai Shan's eyes widen in surprise, and he stomped over angrily.
And the direction he was heading was precisely towards Hou San.
Xu Yi and Ji Buwang exchanged glances, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
They hadn't expected Bai Shan to know this Hou San as well. It was truly a coincidence.
However, judging by Bai Shan's demeanor, there was bound to be some entanglement between them.
Xu Yi suddenly remembered how Hou San had treated her and Lu Zaiye as easy marks, charging them ten mid-grade spirit stones for a copy of "Myriad Demon Ridge Survival Guide," only to have her expose him directly.
Could Bai Shan have been the unlucky mark?
Seeing Bai Shan walking towards him, Hou San became even more flustered. His mind was a mess, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.
Where exactly had he met this senior before?
Ancestor, please guide your disciple!
Perhaps it was due to Hou San's sincerity that, in a flash, he actually remembered when he had met this senior.
Not only that, but he also remembered the man and woman who followed him.
*Thud!*
"Senior! I know I was wrong. You are magnanimous, please forgive me this once!"
Hou San knelt on the ground, kowtowing and taking out spirit stones. "I was deluded back then. I beg for your forgiveness, senior!"
Hou San was not lenient with himself.
After a few kowtows, blood began to ooze from his forehead.
Bai Shan's anger was half-dispelled by his actions. He slowed his steps, his eyes flickering unnaturally.
Xu Yi had guessed correctly.
Back then, after the demon race had found a way to send Bai Shan out of Shenzhou, unfamiliar with the situation on the Kyushu Continent, he encountered Hou San, a shrewd merchant with sharp eyes, and was severely fleeced.
Only later did he realize that the pile of junk he had bought was not worth so many spirit stones.
Although Bai Shan was not short of money, he could not stand being tricked like a fool. Therefore, even after a long time, he still remembered the cultivator's appearance.
After recognizing this person, he didn't have the intention to kill. He just wanted to teach the cultivator a small lesson, but he didn't expect the other party to react so quickly.
Not only did he admit his mistake, but he also returned all the spirit stones he had scammed him out of, making Bai Shan feel like he had punched cotton.
"Scram. Don't let me see you here again."
Bai Shan waved his hand, put the spirit stones back into his sleeve, and said coldly.
"Thank you, senior, thank you, senior! I'll leave now, no, I'll scram, I'll scram now!"
Hou San felt as if he had been granted a great pardon. He kowtowed a few more times, and then, just as Bai Shan had said, he rolled away from him.
Bai Shan: ...
Bai Shan was dejected and walked back to Xu Yi, complaining in a low voice, "Your human race is too cunning."
They had tricked him back then, making him resentful for years, and now they were using this method, leaving him with nowhere to vent his anger.
"That person makes a living by cheating, deception, and a glib tongue, so naturally, his actions are smooth."
People at the bottom of society have their own ways of surviving.
Although Xu Yi did not advocate such a way of survival, she admired their resilience and their ability to speak differently to different people.
If Hou San could turn over a new leaf after this incident and survive through other means, he might find his own new path in the future.
"I can't argue with you anyway. Let's hurry inside."
Having not returned to Shenzhou for many years, Bai Shan was filled with excitement.
"Let's go."
As the words fell, three streaks of light vanished into the Myriad Demon Ridge.