Mountains and giant beasts, cabins in the woods

Setia stayed for dinner.

They ate seafood.

A large pot of cooked river shrimp, with minimal seasoning, just simple scallions, ginger, and cooking wine.

The shrimp has a thin shell that is red and white, and a plump tail that is as thick as three fingers.

Pick one up, peel off the shell, and your palm will be filled with snow-white, tender shrimp meat.

With one bite, the springy white meat reveals delicate, fibrous strands. As you continue chewing, juices fill your mouth, a sweet and savory flavor.

It's so delicious even when eaten plain.

Dip it in crab roe sauce, and the flavors of the two freshwater delicacies come together, hitting you right in the head, making your nostrils flare and your tongue burn.

At times like these, picking up a piece of vinegar-marinated river clam meat with chopsticks allows you to cleanse your mouth with its light and refreshing taste, and then savor the feast of fresh river delicacies once again.

Liu Xingmo licked his fingers, savoring the taste.

Setia, however, had crab roe sauce all over her face, and the shrimp shells she peeled off piled up like a small mountain.

She ate so fast that Sumari needed to help her peel the shells and put the meat on the plate in front of her.

Upon seeing this, Liu Xingmo also opened his mouth wide and tilted his head slightly: "Ah—"

"What are you doing?" Setia laughed as she ate. "Are you a toad from the pond? Opening your big mouth, ready to bite a bug?"

Liu Xingmo didn't reply. Instead, he turned to his wife, pointed to his dark, gaping mouth, and said, "Ah—"

Sumali reluctantly peeled another shrimp and fed it to her husband.

Liu Xingmo chewed the shrimp meat with gusto, his lips curving upwards in an uncontrollable smile as he gave Setia a victorious grin.

Setia frowned, opened her mouth slightly, and said to Sumari, "Ah—"

Sumali carefully peeled a shrimp, ignoring everyone else, and stuffed the shrimp meat into her mouth, biting down until the juices spilled out: "Enough! I'm telling you two, don't play these little games in front of me! Otherwise, you'll both be eating dirt!"

Liu Xingmo and Setia quickly buried themselves in their shrimp.

……

The meal lasted a long time, and the group talked about many things.

Setia did offer a few suggestions regarding magical practice.

Don't rely on forms; they will hinder progress. Don't be afraid to use them on people; boldly train living people.

As proficiency increases, magic can be gradually compressed into spells, and powerful mental energy can be used to regulate the flow of magical power.

As one progresses step by step, one will eventually reach the point where one can cast magic without chanting.

Liu Xingmo noted these events down and formulated a new training plan.

He wanted two more portions of blood magic, but was refused—both East and West have rules for protecting one's family's heritage.

The reason she obtained the Weakness Technique last time was simply because Setia believed that people from the Central Plains would never be able to learn it.

Liu Xingmo ate quietly, occasionally glancing at the girl across the table.

She had blonde hair and blue eyes, and wore a lace-trimmed dress; she wolfed down her food, leaving nothing but dust in her mouth.

We need to be well-prepared if we want to pry magical secrets out of this guy.

……

Time flies, and it's the weekend again. Time to go to work at the newspaper office.

Liu Xingmo got ready and arrived at the library early in the morning.

Pushing open the door, the macaque curator was sitting at the front desk as usual. He was all smiles, as if this week would be another peaceful seven days.

After confirming that no one was around, Liu Xingmo asked in a low voice, "Director, how did things go about what happened earlier?"

"The Internal Treasury uncovered two instructors who were trapped on a sinking ship, unable to get off, and ultimately went down a dark path. There were also a dozen or so idiots who unknowingly helped leak information. All of these people have been put on trial."

"I see. As an external repository, the library hasn't been affected, has it?"

"Hehe! The books here are only coveted by cultured people. In most people's eyes, aren't they just real waste paper?" The curator stroked his hair with his paw and chuckled self-deprecatingly.

"That's because they don't know its value!" Liu Xingmo said, then asked in a low voice, "Where did that copy of 'The Record of Snakes and Pythons' go? Has it been retrieved?"

"No. The two ancient books written by the Xuanwu Mountain God should have been kept in the inner treasury, but they were moved to our library instead, and Steward Xu Yinxing even ordered them to be destroyed."

The giant macaque scratched its head sheepishly as it finished speaking:

"I thought it would be a shame to destroy it, so I gave you the 'Record of Tortoises and Soft-shelled Turtles.' As for the 'Record of Snakes and Pythons,' it was indeed borrowed by Liu San Niang. She seems to often follow Manager Ma's advice and take some useful books back to study."

"Oh, I see. Then forget it."

Liu Xingmo waved his hand dismissively.

His mind was in turmoil.

Manager Ma seemed to have discovered something, and specially sent the "Record of Snakes and Pythons" outside the city.

Things have gotten complicated.

Hopefully, we can track down these spies to their outpost outside the city and retrieve all the secret techniques.

I arrived at the office door.

The four employees had arrived early, but instead of focusing on their work, they chatted incessantly.

Liu Xingmo simply stopped and eavesdropped through the crack in the door.

Well, this is one of the privileges of leaders. That's just how things are in the world.

A chattering sound came from inside.

Liu Huimin seemed quite worried: "Do you think they still have a chance to get out? Rumor has it that the Enforcement Hall is ruthless; if they go in, they might never get out..."

"Don't worry, this matter has too many implications. In the end, it will only be minimized and eventually forgotten," Liu Zhili comforted her sister in a low voice. "I've also received the news that this matter cannot be reported and can only be handled quietly."

"They're my best friends since childhood! I have to think of something..." Liu Huimin's chest heaved as she gasped for breath. She grabbed Xu Wenting's hand. "The old man won't tell me. Sister Wenting, you must know something, right?"

Xu Wenting patted the young woman's hand to comfort her: "I've told you everything I know. Now we just have to wait." Her tone became uncertain as she said this, "However, our president is heavily involved in this matter."

Liu Huimin exclaimed, "President? How is that possible! He's very smart; he knows what he's capable of and what he shouldn't do!"

"Listen to me slowly..." Xu Wenting recounted the events of that day in detail, including some rumors.

Liu Xingmo listened quietly without making a sound.

It seems that the entire library system has undergone a reshuffle, and some people have been detained and placed under surveillance.

The remaining employees were filled with anxiety.

The various industries in Heilongzhai have a strong family tradition style.

Liu Huimin and Liu Zhili are the great-grandchildren of the macaque curator. Xu Wenting is also a descendant of the gorilla manager.

Therefore, the lucrative positions at the newspaper would be handed to them.

Others who want a piece of the pie are not yet qualified.

Unless one is exceptionally gifted like Liu Xingmo.

When he was only 10 years old, he brought his newly edited newspaper directly to the library and approached the librarian, startling the old macaque.

This allowed him to get a job at the library.

Inside the office, the three of them chatted more and more enthusiastically.

Liu Xingmo felt it was about time and pushed open the door to enter: "What are you talking about?"

Liu Huimin suddenly stood up and rushed to her boss: "President! Did you go and harass that young widow? And even caused her family's ruin!"

"What? Where did this rumor come from! Don't you all know what kind of person I am?"

Liu Xingmo continued:

"My relationship with Liu San Niang is just a matter of personal grudges. That woman stole something important from me and dared to pretend to be innocent! The punishment she is receiving now is her just deserts."

Liu Huimin's eyes widened: "President, you definitely have a problem!"