A heretical cultivator in Bureau 749, I'm the fiercest at pulling out tendons and skinning peop

After leaving the Empress's cave, Ji Zuodao clutched his aching lower back with one hand and clutched a heavy gold bar in the other, his expression a complex mix of pain and pleasure.

He looked up at the towering mountain peak in the distance.

The main peak of Ailao Mountain is over 3,700 meters above sea level.

Certified by National Geographic China, its scientific name is Damoyan Peak.

Ji Zuodao thought the name was quite simple and unpretentious.

But his third master disliked it terribly.

They felt that "Da Mo Yan Feng" sounded like a whetstone that had come to life, which was too unrefined, so they secretly called it Lion Camel Ridge.

The reason is: "Lion Camel Ridge, it sounds so imposing! It has the feel of a mountain king!"

"We guys living here are on par with those great demons from Journey to the West, how impressive!"

Justified and convincing.

Thus, the name Lion Camel Ridge was decided.

In earlier years, Lion Camel Ridge was indeed home to many powerful demon kings, each with their own territory, and the demon population was quite prosperous.

Until Ji Zuodao's three masters wandered over from who knows where and immediately took a liking to this place.

Then?

That was the end of it.

The three men—the mad scientist, the embryo killer, and the old scoundrel—stood on the mountaintop and, without much fanfare, "politely" invited the original indigenous people down the mountain.

It was immediately designated as private territory, and no unauthorized personnel are allowed to enter.

Oh, not entirely correct.

In the valley behind the mountain, where the spiritual energy is most abundant and the scenery is most beautiful, there lives a goddess.

Simply put, they're too rich.

A few boxes of spirit stones were enough to bribe the three masters.

"Pah, what a loser," Ji Zuodao thought, clutching his back.

In a sense, Ji Zuodao can also be considered a second-generation rich kid.

Other people's rich kids might only have a few mines in their family.

Ji Zuodao's family has a mountain.

It sits at an altitude of over 3,700 meters, covering an area of ​​several square kilometers, and boasts its own primeval forests, waterfalls, springs, and rare birds and animals.

It sounds impressive and intimidating.

But going home became an especially torturous experience.

The feeling is like living on the top observation deck of the world's tallest building, with an unparalleled view and stunning scenery...

But damn it, there's no elevator.

They climbed up using only their legs.

Before Ji Zuodao could fly, every time he went up and down the mountain, it was a double test of his willpower and gluteus maximus.

One climb up there and my legs will tremble for three days.

Going down the mountain is even more thrilling. One wrong step and you could be performing a "human descent." As for where you land, whether on a tree branch or in a wild animal's den, it all depends on fate.

But now...

Ji Zuodao smiled.

Times have changed, adults.

He is the realm of Dharma.

Dog Lord, Dharma Realm.

Seventy-seven, the realm of Dharma.

After a long period of flight, it's just a matter of sprinkling water.

"Let's go home!"

With a triumphant wave of his hand, Ji Zuodao took the lead and soared into the air, transforming into a streak of light and flying towards the main peak of Lion Camel Ridge.

Dog Lord flicked its tail, and demonic clouds arose from beneath its four paws, supporting its majestic and powerful body as it followed at a leisurely pace.

Qi Qi was the quietest. With a light tap of her little feet in the air, she floated up as if weightless, gracefully and freely attaching herself to Ji Zuodao's side.

A strong wind whistled past my ears, and clouds swept by.

Looking down at the rapidly shrinking mountains and streams below, Ji Zuodao felt that smug sense of "returning home in glory" well up again.

Look, now this is what it means to come home!

Climbing mountains and wearing out shoes are things of the past!

From now on, when we return to Lion Camel Ridge, the standard mode of transport will be flying! That's what befits our status, our strength, and our year-end bonus!

An altitude of 3,700 meters sounds scary, but flying at that altitude is nothing special.

Before long, the familiar mountaintop silhouette came into view.

Ji Zuodao slowed down, his gaze sweeping across the area below—

The first thing that catches the eye is the iconic, bare, millstone-shaped giant rock at the top of the mountain.

Beside the rocks, leaning against the mountainside, stood several buildings...

Yes, architecture.

It's difficult to describe them using such a formal word as "house".

It's more like a performance art piece haphazardly pieced together by some postmodern architectural master after drinking three kilograms of fake liquor, using stones, wood, unknown animal hides, and some parts that gleam with a strange metallic luster.

It looked like a study, but a crooked metal lightning rod stuck in the roof, as if it could attract lightning at any moment... or it might be some kind of experimental antenna.

The room had extremely irregularly shaped doors and windows, and several gleaming swords of various styles hung on the wall, clanging and jingling in the wind, creating their own background music.

There was another one that was the most outrageous: half of the wall was made of rough stone blocks, and the other half was made of shiny alloy panels.

The roof is half thatched and half glazed tile, and there's a stone sculpture squatting by the door... a toilet? A flowerpot? A medicine furnace? Its purpose remains a mystery.

This is Ji Zuodao's home.

The architectural complex atop Lion Camel Ridge is a collaborative masterpiece by three masters, a chaotic entity that integrates scientific research, martial arts, daily life, and a certain indescribable aesthetic.

Although the houses looked a bit shabby, Ji Zuodao felt inexplicably at ease looking at them.

There's no place like home... no, there's no place like home with your own dog.

Ji Zuodao landed lightly on the bare ground in front of the door.

Dog and Qiqi also fell one after another.

Standing at the door of his home where he had lived for more than a decade, Ji Zuodao took a deep breath.

It was a familiar scent unique to Lion Camel Ridge, a mixture of the fresh mountain air, the metallic rust, a faint medicinal fragrance, and a hint of blood.

He straightened his chest and adjusted the crisp 749 Bureau trench coat he was wearing, a symbol of his current status as a civil servant.

Then, drawing his energy into his dantian, he used three-tenths of his magical power to ensure his voice could resonate loudly in every corner, reaching the ears of every old man who was conducting research, sharpening knives, or taking a nap:

"Master chef! Second master chef! Third master chef!"

"Your handsome, dashing, young, promising, and precious apprentice who just received a year-end bonus of one or two hundred thousand—"

"You're back!"

The sound echoed on the mountaintop, startling several birds flying in the distant forest.

There was a brief moment of silence in the several oddly shaped houses.

It was as if three sleeping prehistoric beasts had been simultaneously awakened by that familiar, irritating voice.

"Bang!"

The wooden door, which looked rather flimsy and had withstood the wind for many years, was kicked open from the inside.

The door hinges groaned under the strain, slamming against the stone wall and shaking down wisps of accumulated dust.

Three men filed out.

Although Ji Zuodao had often made up stories about his three masters in his mind, he had to admit that they were all very good-looking.

Even though they are 180 years old, time has not left many marks on their faces or bodies.

He still looks like a young or middle-aged man, with such vigor that he could kill an ox with his strength.

According to what the Third Master boasted about when he was drunk, when the three of them were in their prime, they had countless young women and wives secretly admiring their charms, and received so many handkerchiefs and sachets that they were overwhelmed with love.

At this moment, the master and disciple are reunited.

The mountain breeze seemed to have softened, and the sunlight spilled into the simple courtyard, giving it a nostalgic golden edge.

"Little Princess—!"

The third master opened his arms, a "sincere" smile that was almost exaggerated on his face, and his eyes seemed to be a little moist.

"master--!"

Ji Zuodao was also full of emotion, his voice trembling, and he opened his arms and ran towards his three masters.

Running in both directions.

The scene was very heartwarming and deeply moving.

If we ignore certain details...

For example, the moment the door was kicked open, Doge rolled his eyes in an extremely human-like manner.

Without hesitation, it grabbed the back of Qiqi's collar, who was still somewhat dazed, and quickly retreated to the farthest corner of the yard.

I found the sturdiest-looking rock and squatted down behind it, only my two eyes showing.