Synopsis

Knives as proof, words as evidence.
When the prophecy comes true, it’s time to collect payment.**
This is the way of the “Knife-Barterer” in the mystical world.

Tu Shanjiu, the 283rd generation of knife-barterers, possessed a metaphysical talent far surpassing anyone else in her family. Her divinations were frighteningly accurate, and she could communicate with spirits and deities.

Unfortunately, due to a curse the Tu Shan family laid upon themselves a hundred years ago, she wouldn’t live long.

Since childhood, she knew she had a fiancé—a destined partner arranged by her grandfather.
Only by marrying him could she be truly safe.

Before passing away, her grandfather repeatedly reminded her to go down the mountain to the Xie family.
It was time to collect the debt owed by her fiancé’s family.

—

*It was said that the richest family in Nancheng—the Xie family—had a young master named Xie Shiyu, who had been engaged since childhood. His fiancée was said to be some country bumpkin living in a remote mountain village.*

No one could understand why old Master Xie had arranged such a mismatched engagement for his eldest grandson.

But later, when they met her in person—so gentle and quiet, graceful in speech and behavior, with impeccable manners—everyone realized that rumors could not be trusted.

Especially when later on, powerful figures from every industry respectfully addressed her as “Miss Tu Shan,”
Everyone was completely shocked.

Someone once curiously asked them why they were so respectful toward her.

The big shots replied: “Because she’s our creditor!”

—

Tu Shanjiu had always been forgetful since she was a child. She would often forget to collect debts.

After getting married, she simply handed the ledger over to her husband Xie Shiyu and asked him to remind her to collect.

Looking at the thick stack of account books left on his desk, Xie Shiyu fell silent on the spot

In the world of mysticism, there exists a mysterious job called “賒刀人”—literally “Knife-Barterer.” These people lend services (like fortune-telling, protection, or supernatural help) in exchange for a future debt, which they later come to collect once the prophecy comes true.