Chapter 918: Being Wealthy Makes Me Happy

When Ye Wenxin reached the room, she saw Han Shanxue pull a length of burlap from her bag of holding and tie it from one end of the room to the other. Then she lightly flew up to lay on the makeshift hammock.

The fabric didn’t sag under her weight. She was probably using a technique to make herself feather-light.

The others entered the room not long after. They all looked on in awe at Han Shanxue’s feat.

“My master is pretty amazing, right?” Fei Chai boasted. “I can do it too, y’know…”

Ye Wenxin gave him a hard look, then quietly tugged him aside and whispered, “Be honest with me. How poor are you people?”

“……”

Fei Chai looked hurt but mumbled, “Well, we did go through some rough times before…”

So, the trick wasn’t born out of ingenuity but poverty that had limited their access to a more comfortable life. Ye Wenxin’s sympathy toward them visibly grew. Han Shanxue’s behavior during their journey pointed to the same thing: she and Fei Chai were strapped for cash.

Unfortunately, Ye Wenxin couldn’t be too obvious about it, or it would come off as condescending. After a moment, she laid a sleeping mat on the floor for herself and Ghost Mother. She would convince Han Shanxue to take the bed later.

The evening deepened, but the inn was lively still. Ghost Mother chose to explore with Fei Chai and the storyteller instead of staying with Han Shanxue.

Ye Wenxin wasn’t worried about her safety. After all, Ghost Mother devoured humans, not the other way around. Few could pose a threat to her.

So, Ye Wenxin let Ghost Mother run off and cause trouble as she pleased.

It felt awkward being alone with Han Shanxue, though.

“Miss Han, want to come down and have some tea?”

Han Shanxue continued to ignore her. Ye Wenxin couldn’t tell if it was just her personality or she was hung up on that comment about poverty. However, the atmosphere in the room grew noticeably colder.

Ye Wenxin gave up after a few failed attempts. She pulled out [The Demon Lord’s Unofficial History] again, started reading the next part, and quickly became absorbed.

Seeing Ye Wenxin so focused, Han Shanxue quietly floated down from her hammock.

Her chilling aura was unmistakable. Ye Wenxin briefly wondered if Lady Snow had disguised herself as Han Shanxue to mess with her. But Lady Snow wouldn’t be that good at acting. Brushing aside the silly idea, she returned to reading her book.

Han Shanxue tried several positions before finally settling quietly beside Ye Wenxin. She made no sound, almost as if she wasn’t even there.

At last, Ye Wenxin finished the book and turned to Han Shanxue. Feigning surprise, she asked, “Miss Han, when did you come down?”

Han Shanxue stared straight at Ye Wenxin. Ye Wenxin touched her face self-consciously. Why was Han Shanxue looking at her like that?

Her attractiveness to women should have significantly dropped after she’d lost her cheat.

“I just prefer sleeping up high,” Han Shanxue said suddenly. The comment left Ye Wenxin blinking in confusion for a good while before it sank in.

Her comment about poverty must have hurt Han Shanxue’s pride. But had she waited several hours to say that one sentence? Ye Wenxin found it too adorable.

“I see. You have impressive skills, Miss Han.” Ye Wenxin’s flat praise immediately killed the mood again.

At that moment, Ye Wenxin realized she had no resistance against people with an overwhelming presence.

Fairy Fengya, Long Qingyue, and now even Han Shanxue. How were they all able to make her feel so awkward?

“……”

“……”

When their gazes met, Han Shanxue added, “But I can work.”

She brought the conversation back to money. Ye Wenxin nearly burst out laughing. She’d seen all kinds of female leads, but this was the first time she’d met one so money-focused.

Then again, it was easier to get along with someone greedy. Ye Wenxin felt less awkward around Han Shanxue now. Jokingly, she said, “What kind of work can you handle, Miss Han?”

“Assassination,” replied Han Shanxue.

Ye Wenxin wasn’t surprised. “Anything besides killing people?”

Han Shanxue shook her head. It seemed she didn’t have any other skills to offer. And given her stinginess with words, it was no wonder business was slow.

Ye Wenxin considered throwing out a random name to test the waters. She leaned in and softly said, “What if I wanted you to kill the Eldest Princess, Long Qingyue?”

“……”

Han Shanxue fell silent. Ye Wenxin knew the request was a bit much. She was about to suggest killing Long Qingyue’s younger brother instead when Han Shanxue suddenly answered.

“It’s doable. But I’ll need time to prepare.”

She sounded confident, but Ye Wenxin wasn’t so sure.

“You better think carefully. We’re talking about the Eldest Princess here. Never mind the Secret Guards—her cultivation is among the best in the world.” Yet, even as she offered the reminder, another plan had already begun to form in her mind.

If she arranged a fake assassination attempt and then swooped in to save Long Qingyue, Long Qingyue might forgive her for her past offenses, and they could become best friends again.

“No problem,” Han Shanxue said again. When Ye Wenxin looked into those cold, indifferent eyes, she believed Han Shanxue could do it.

“I don’t want her dead. Just give her a scare. We’re looking to work in the Golden Age Dynasty, after all. Money will come rolling if we can earn Her Highness’s favor.”

Ye Wenxin revealed more of her plan. She believed a female lead like Han Shanxue wouldn’t die so easily, even when up against the invincible Long Qingyue.

Han Shanxue thought about it and gave a small nod.

“Then it’s settled.” Ye Wenxin pulled a purple stone from her bag of holding. “Here’s a deposit. 1,000 spirit stones.”

The stone’s color indicated its value. Han Shanxue accepted it. Thinking it wouldn’t hurt to invest more in friendship, Ye Wenxin handed her a green spirit stone.

This green spirit stone represented a value of 100—a standard denomination in daily transactions. Ye Wenxin had generous dividends from both the Cozy Gang and Green Isle Manor, and she’d also made lots of money from her alchemist profession.

But she had few expenses aside from buying medicinal herbs. She wouldn’t pass up the chance to use her money in winning over a female lead.

“This is your bodyguard fee,” Ye Wenxin said, feigning vulnerability. “There will be powerful cultivators in the recruitment event. I’ll need someone skilled to protect me.”

Han Shanxue accepted the spirit stone and silently nodded at Ye Wenxin.