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

Ji Zuodao took a deep breath and forced out what he considered to be the most "amiable" smile.

"Qiqi, is it uncomfortable being stuck?"

"Hmm... I can't move."

Qiqi nodded obediently, then tried to struggle with her little arms, but to no avail.

"I want to... go outside and soak up some sunshine... the light, it's so warm."

"I'll help you get out, okay?"

Ji Zuodao's voice was so gentle it could melt your heart.

Li Shuwen, who was standing nearby, got goosebumps all over and looked at Ji Zuodao in horror—

Is this the same Yama who just killed three people with a single blow without batting an eye?!

What's with that tone?! Is he possessed by something?!

"Help me?" Qi Qi blinked her big eyes, looking at Ji Zuodao. "Are you... a good person?"

Ji Zuodao was taken aback by the question.

nice guy?

Ji Zuodao lived for nineteen years, extracting tendons and skins to refine human pills, swindling and cheating... uh, it seems he didn't do much of that.

But in short, he probably can't be described as a "good person".

But looking into Qi Qi's pure, unadulterated purple eyes, he nodded without hesitation, decisively, and forcefully:

"Yes! Of course I'm a good person! A really good person! A good person who specifically helps kids like Qiqi... um, kids who are stuck!"

Li Shuwen, who was listening nearby, almost choked on his breath.

Qiqi seemed to be touched by his "sincerity," and a hint of trust appeared on her little face.

"Well... thank you, kind person."

She said this very politely, then, as if remembering something, added, "After we come out, Qiqi can... give you some herbs. Panax notoginseng, it's good for stopping bleeding, very effective."

"You're welcome, you're welcome."

Ji Zuodao was overjoyed, and his smile became even more "kind." "Keep the herbs. Here, let me help you."

He reached out, carefully avoiding Qiqi's small body, and gently supported the rock at the edge of the crack.

It feels cold and hard to the touch.

Ji Zuodao's eyes narrowed, and he slightly tightened his grip.

"Click..."

A faint cracking sound was heard.

The hard rock was like a crisp cookie in his hands, carefully broken and widened without a single crumb flying out to hurt the little person inside.

Soon, the crack was widened to a point large enough for Qiqi to emerge.

Qiqi felt a loosening in front of her, and her chest, which had been stuck, could move again.

She clumsily, using both hands and feet, slowly crawled out of the crack.

His movements were a bit stiff and uncoordinated; he climbed very slowly, but he tried very hard.

Ji Zuodao waited patiently, without urging him or reaching out to pull him—he was afraid he wouldn't be able to control his strength.

Finally, Qiqi's entire little body emerged from the crack. She leaned against the wall and stood up unsteadily.

The wide hem of her official robe trailed on the ground. One foot was wearing a boot, while the other was only wearing a white sock. Her little bun was half undone, and a few strands of pale purple hair clung to her forehead.

She looked a little disheveled, but her pale purple eyes sparkled in the soft light of the luminous pearl.

"They're out..."

She spoke softly, seemingly still a little incredulous. Then, she looked at Ji Zuodao, and very solemnly, with a somewhat stiff posture, clasped her hands in a respectful bow—

A very standard, former-dynasty style of etiquette.

"Thank you so much... for your help."

Ji Zuo said: "!!!"

Ahhhhh! How can he be so cute! So polite! He even called me his benefactor!

The little devil inside him was already churning wildly.

On the surface, he tried to remain calm and even clasped his hands in a respectful greeting: "Ahem, no need for formalities. Qiqi, where... are you planning to go next?"

"Where to...?"

Qiqi once again showed that familiar confused expression.

She looked around at the dilapidated tomb, then at the open-air dome, and then down at her oversized clothes and the missing boot.

"Qiqi's house... is broken."

She spoke slowly, then looked up at Ji Zuodao with innocent and helpless eyes.

"My benefactor... do you know where I can... repair a house? Or, where I can... get it unobstructed?"

Ji Zuodao's heart almost melted.

He immediately said:

"I know! I know a place that's big and bright, with a sturdy roof, walls that won't crack, and lots and lots of herbs! You definitely won't get stuck!"

"Really?" Qi Qi's eyes widened slightly.

"More real than real gold!"

Ji Zuodao patted his chest and guaranteed.

"And there are so many books there! You can write as many diaries as you want! There are plenty of pens! Even the inkstones are scented!"

He began to tirelessly promote his... well, his future breeding environment.

"And there's the warm sun! You can bask in it every day! You might not feel warm from it, but it's so comforting to look at!"

"And... um, there's a dog!"

He grabbed Dog, who was watching the show from the side, and pulled him over.

"Look, a dog! It can guard the house, it can amuse, and it can even... uh, drive? Anyway, it's really good! It can play with you!"

Dog was suddenly pulled over, looking completely bewildered, before meeting Qiqi's curious purple eyes.

"dog……"

Qiqi looked at Dog Master, slowly reached out her hand, seemingly wanting to touch him, but hesitating.

Dog sniffed her scent, a knowing glint in his eyes.

Then, surprisingly, he leaned over and gently touched Qiqi's cold little hand with his wet nose.

Qiqi seemed startled by the soft touch, her little hand shrank back, then slowly reached out again and carefully touched Dog's head.

"So warm..."

She spoke softly, and in her pale purple eyes, there seemed to be a faint glimmer of something akin to "curiosity."

"Right, right!"

Ji Zuodao struck while the iron was hot.

"Come with me, Qiqi! That place is wonderful! I promise, no one will dare bully you. You can gather herbs whenever you want, write in your diary whenever you want, and sunbathe whenever you want! If you get stuck, I'll pry it open for you anytime!"

He's like a weird uncle trying to lure innocent kids.

Qiqi looked at him, then at Dog Master, and then at her dilapidated "home".

She seemed to think for a long time, and then nodded slightly.

"Hmm... Qiqi, I'll go with you."

She raised her small face, looked earnestly at Ji Zuodao, and said, word by word:

"Our benefactor is a good man. He helped Qiqi. Qiqi, believe in our benefactor."

Ji Zuodao felt as if an arrow called "Moe" had struck his heart.

"Just call me brother from now on."

Ji Zuodao smiled and finally couldn't resist reaching out to gently rub her little head.

The texture... cool and soft, the hair is fine.

Ahhh, so cute!

I really want to raise one!

You absolutely must get one!

I'll fight anyone who tries to take it!

"Okay, let's go home!"

Ji Zuodao was in high spirits, feeling that this trip to the ancient tomb was a huge success! No, it was an incredible windfall!

He took Qiqi's cold little hand in his hand, his movements incredibly gentle.

"Dog, clear the way! Those drawing lewd pictures, cover our retreat! Make sure to clean up any traces!"

"Woof!"

"Yes...yes..."

The two people, the dog, and the zombie walked out of the tomb in this peculiar combination.

Qiqi was led by Ji Zuodao, walking very slowly, her steps a little stiff, but very steady.

She would occasionally turn back to look at her "home" where she had lived for so long. Her pale purple eyes seemed to hold a hint of nostalgia, but more so a bewildered curiosity about the new place.

When we reached the entrance to the tomb, the daylight was just right, and a ray of sunlight pierced through the treetops and shone on the entrance.

Qiqi stopped and looked up at the beam of light.

The sunlight shone on her overly pale face, seemingly without causing any harm, only making her squint slightly.

"The light...it really is warm."

She spoke softly, then turned to look at Ji Zuodao and asked very seriously.

"Does my brother's new house also have... this kind of light?"

As Ji Zuodao looked at her small face, its features softened by the sunlight, and the faint, almost lit-up expectation in her eyes, a part of his heart melted.

"have."

He said firmly, and then held her cold little hand tightly.

"From now on, it will be every day."