Mountains and giant beasts, cabins in the woods

The next day, early in the morning.

The rooster's crow echoed through the deep blue mountains and forests, and a wisp of red glow ignited on the eastern mountain peaks.

Liu Xingmo felt weak all over and struggled to open his eyes.

My head is a little dizzy; I drank too much yesterday. As my blood circulates, the alcohol is broken down quickly, and my mind is clearing up.

Getting drunk once in a while can actually be quite relaxing. Life shouldn't be all about being on edge; a balance between work and rest is essential.

Liu Xingmo blinked and recognized his familiar ceiling.

Move your left hand and you'll touch a soft body.

I moved my right hand and touched another soft body.

Huh? What's going on?

Liu Xingmo suddenly sprang up from the bed and threw off the covers.

On the left is Su Mali, and on the right is Liu San Niang.

"Waaaaah!" The man's scream echoed throughout Mushroom Castle, startling the dew on the corner of the eaves.

"What's wrong, Xingmo?" Su Mali asked without opening her eyes.

With a lazy groan, Liu San Niang woke up.

"Aaaaaah!" The woman's scream echoed throughout Mushroom Castle, startling the snails on the stone wall.

"What the hell... Third Sister, you're doing this too?" Su Mali blinked her sleepy eyes, lying on the bed, looking at the two who sat up.

Liu San Niang gritted her teeth and said, "What's going on? This isn't what I wanted!"

"So what do you want? You're so annoying, always disturbing my sleep." Su Mali was quite impatient. "Speaking of which, didn't you have a husband who was a widow? Why are you being so coy?"

"I'm not a widow!" Liu Sanniang protested loudly, then her voice trailed off, "Even if I am... so what?"

"Do you really want romantic dates and a grand wedding? I can't allow that," Sumali said in a deep voice.

"Anyway! Forget about today." Liu San Niang quickly put on her clothes, rushed out of the bedroom in a hurry, and disappeared without a trace.

Liu Xingmo, who had been terrified by the shock, finally came to his senses and asked, "What on earth happened?"

"Liu San Niang and I, with you..." Su Mali replied.

"Stop talking!" Liu Xingmo quickly burrowed into the covers, unwilling to face the truth.

"What's wrong, Xingmo? Are you unhappy?" Su Mali hugged the man from behind, their bodies pressed tightly together.

"This is too exciting!" Liu Xingmo took a deep breath, trying to calm his wildly beating heart.

Sumali held her husband, gently stroking his trembling body, her voice surprisingly calm:

"You've advanced to the second tier. The family and emotions of ordinary people no longer belong to you. You must learn to face a different world, the world of those in power."

"You must learn these things, otherwise you will be bogged down by unnecessary trifles, fail to live up to God's gifts, and waste hard-won opportunities."

"Liu San Niang is talented, has connections, and likes you very much. I think it's a good choice to make good use of her power; it would be beneficial for both of us."

"Xingmo, are you angry?"

Liu Xingmo finally calmed down: "No, it's me who's sorry, Mary. Whew—!" Liu Xingmo let out a long breath and said softly, "Also, Mary, I never thought you would think this way. It feels very foreign."

Sumali's voice was unusually hollow: "Haven't you always been curious about my age? Indeed, I'm much older than you. Over the years, I've traveled to many places and witnessed too many tragedies. My companions and my loved ones have all left me. The loneliness and helplessness I felt are beyond your comprehension."

The unusually heavy topic seemed to cast a shadow over the warm bedroom.

However, Su Mali's voice gradually gained color: "After arriving at Black Dragon Village, I met you. A gentle and warm boy, my boy. I know that my long journey has come to an end. I hope to build a peaceful and stable home, with lasting peace and tranquility."

"Mary..." Liu Xingmo held his wife's hand back, conveying strength and warmth.

……

Despite the chaotic situation, today was the day to go to work at the newspaper.

Adult life is full of helplessness.

Liu Xingmo, from the perspective of an ordinary person, understood this principle very well.

After calming himself down, he rushed to the library.

The aura of a second-tier powerhouse was immediately apparent.

Colleagues offered their congratulations, and some even subtly inquired about the situation.

Liu Xingmo dealt with each issue one by one and completed the task.

The next day, with plenty of energy, he quickly completed the newspaper delivery.

Liu Xingmo waited on the familiar road.

In the distance, the sound of wheels rolling over stone slabs could be heard.

A wolf cub was pulling a four-story-high freight car along the main road.

Hearing the commotion, pedestrians quickly made way. They didn't go far, but stood by the roadside, gazing up at the carriage's carved beams, painted rafters, and flying eaves.

At that moment, the window of the truck facing the street opened, and a beautiful woman in a red dress called out in a seductive voice, "Selling wine~"

Adult life is just so helpless.

Liu San Niang was also in a state of great confusion, but she had no choice but to compose herself and go out to work.

Liu Xingmo blocked the way: "Third Sister, let me up! I have something to tell you."

"Snap!" Liu San Niang closed the carved window, and the huge truck continued to move slowly forward.

Liu Xingmo stood motionless on the road.

The wolf cub brought its nose close and nudged the man blocking its way aside.

"Clang! Clang!" The tall wheels relentlessly rolled over the stone pavement.

Liu Xingmo quickly scrambled to his feet, chasing after the car while shouting, "Third Sister, stop the car and open the door!"

Just then, a figure suddenly appeared from the side, a deep voice echoing like a bottomless abyss: "Liu Xingmo, is this how you force a weak woman?"

Liu Xingmo felt as if he had bumped into an ancient tree, taking two or three steps back before regaining his footing. He looked at the person in front of him and asked, "Are you Zhao Zhilong? What do you want?"

"Of course, I'm going to teach you a lesson, you lecherous scoundrel!" Zhao Zhilong glared angrily, his aura as a third-level expert rising steadily.

"You old farmer who practices wood cultivation, do you think I'm afraid of you?" Liu Xingmo retorted, reaching into his robes.

At this moment, the moving truck finally came to a stop.

Liu San Niang leaned out of the window and said helplessly, "Alright, Liu Xingmo, come up here."

"Hmph!" Liu Xingmo snorted coldly, walked past the man in front of him, and headed straight for the stairs to the car.

Zhao Zhilong stood there, mouth agape, but said nothing.

The car door opened, and a woman in red greeted the young man as he boarded. She said with a hint of reproach, "Who was that man? Why were you arguing with him?"

"I don't know either, probably just some idiot who suddenly appeared." Liu Xingmo turned around and closed the car door.

Inside the carriages, there are exquisite tables and chairs. The floor space is sometimes used as a pub.

Liu Xingmo pulled out a chair and sat down, with Liu Sanniang sitting opposite him.

"Third Sister, I've come to see you today because I want to ask you what you're thinking?"

"What do I think? I've changed my mind. I'm a stupid woman who only brings trouble, please stay away from me."

"What?"