After transmigrating into the body of the protagonist's childhood friend, he was targeted by a

Lin Zhixu glanced down, then raised his hand and pressed down.

The black energy was suppressed by the spiritual power surging from his palm. After struggling for a moment, it reluctantly retreated under his skin and lay dormant for the time being.

The system's voice suddenly tightened: [Demonic energy has already targeted you?]

【Um. 】

System: [How could it be so fast? It seems the Demon Clan's development is progressing even faster than anticipated. Although this is a plot point you must go through, be careful. Demonic energy is difficult to control; a slight misstep can lead to a backlash and loss of control.]

[But with me here, you don't need to worry too much. After we finish the storyline, I'll protect your heart and make sure nothing happens to you.]

The system's voice suddenly became hesitant: "But you should also be mentally prepared. After completing the storyline, you might become an ordinary mortal."

A night breeze blew in through the window, causing the candlelight on the table to flicker.

The sound of the storyteller's gavel and the cheers of the tea drinkers could be faintly heard from downstairs, creating a lively atmosphere as if it were another world.

Lin Zhixu leaned against the window, lowered his eyes, and looked at the hand that had just suppressed the demonic energy.

A burning sting still lingered in his palm, and he gently rubbed it twice with his thumb.

I know that just being alive is already a blessing.

Just then, the door was suddenly opened, and Yu Linzhou barged in.

The waiter following behind him looked embarrassed and bowed deeply to Lin Zhixu, apologizing profusely: "Sir, this gentleman said he was here to see you, but he kept barging in, and I really couldn't stop him..."

Lin Zhixu put down his teacup and waved his hand.

Seeing that they really knew each other, the waiter felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly left, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.

Only the two of them remained in the private room.

Lin Zhixu looked up at him: "How did you find me?"

Yu Linzhou strode over and sat down opposite him, poured himself a cup of tea, and a hint of undisguised smugness appeared on his face: "I have my own way."

At this moment, the storyteller downstairs struck his gavel and began to tell the story of the Immortal Venerable Wucang in a loud voice.

Yu Linzhou frowned in displeasure, casually took out a spirit stone from his sleeve, and threw it out the window without hesitation.

The spirit stone landed squarely on the storyteller's table, making a crisp sound.

All the tea drinkers looked up at the second floor.

"I don't want to hear about their business. Let's find someone else."

The storyteller picked up the spirit stone, his initial surprise instantly turning into a smile, and he bowed obsequiously towards the second floor: "Alright! Sir, what would you like to hear?"

Yu Linzhou thought for a moment: "Tell me a joke. I'm in a bad mood and want to hear a joke to cheer me up."

The storyteller paused for a moment.

Having told stories in teahouses for so many years, I've had many customers who tip for jokes, but it's rare to see them requesting actual jokes.

However, he reacted quickly, striking the gavel, unfolding his folding fan, and plastering a smile on his face: "Alright! A joke, is it? I've got plenty of jokes to tell. Listen up, sir..."

Yu Linzhou was finally satisfied that he could no longer hear those two annoying names.

He sat back down in his chair, looked up at Lin Zhixu across from him, and said with a hint of self-satisfaction, "Happy now?"

Lin Zhixu was taken aback, then shook his head: "I'm not unhappy."

Yu Linzhou chuckled lightly: "Still being stubborn in front of me. It must be tough being constantly overshadowed, right? You're clearly excellent too, but what about those people? All they know is how to flatter the powerful and belittle the weak."

Lin Zhixu remained silent.

Laughter from the tea drinkers rose in waves, creating a lively atmosphere.

The private room was unusually quiet. The candlelight flickered on the table, casting intermittent light and shadow on Yu Linzhou's face.

"No one understands this feeling better than me. So you don't need to deny your emotions."

"I hate Yan Lingcang, and you hate Luo Yiyan. You see, we really are a match made in heaven."

Lin Zhixu was silent for a moment, then chuckled softly.

Yu Linzhou breathed a sigh of relief.

"Why is it just one person? Where are the other two?"

Yu Linzhou: "They've returned to their sect. Anyway, they don't have anything else to do, so they've left."

Lin Zhixu hummed in agreement, put the teacup back on the table, and stood up: "Then let's go back too."

Yu Linzhou tossed the few melon seeds he had just grabbed back into the dish, clapped his hands, stood up, and readily agreed, "Okay."

……

The two left the teahouse one after the other.

Night had fallen, and most of the street vendors had closed up shop, leaving only a few taverns with their dim lanterns still lit, occasionally punctuated by the sounds of drunken drinking games.

The two walked side by side, their shadows stretched long by the moonlight.

Yu Linzhou asked, "What are your plans after you go back?"

Lin Zhixu thought for a moment and said, "I want to go into seclusion for a while."

"Alright. You've only just reached the Foundation Establishment stage; you really should solidify your realm."

Lin Zhixu turned his head and glanced at him.

Yu Linzhou was looking up at the moon, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his robes fluttering in the night wind, looking lazy and unserious.

"And you? What are your plans?"

Yu Linzhou thought for a moment: "As for me, we'll see. Maybe I'll go back to the black market and keep watch for a while."

Lin Zhixu paused: "What happened?"

Yu Linzhou thought about it and decided to tell the truth.

After all, even if he doesn't say anything now, news will probably come out soon.

"Things have been turbulent lately, with many new forces suddenly emerging. The black market is a mixed bag, and inevitably some opportunists will try to take advantage of it. I need to go back and check it out."

Lin Zhixu frowned: "Is it that evil cultivation organization from last time?"

Yu Linzhou nodded: "That's possible. But don't worry, there's no one in this world who can threaten me yet. I'll be back soon after I've dealt with this."

Perhaps because he hadn't been thinking about it, the jade pendant at Yu Linzhou's waist suddenly started flashing rapidly, emitting a low buzzing sound in the night.

He frowned, removed the jade pendant, and as soon as he channeled his spiritual energy into it, Steward Liu's anxious voice rang out: "Master, return immediately!"

Faint background noise could be heard, along with the muffled thud of something collapsing and shouts rising and falling.

Lin Zhixu glanced at him and said, "Since you have something urgent to do, go ahead. I can go back by myself."

Yu Linzhou held the jade pendant, a rare hint of hesitation in his expression: "Are you sure you can manage alone?"

Lin Zhixu chuckled, a hint of helplessness in his voice: "Of course I can. I'm not a three-year-old who doesn't know the way. Besides, you stuffed so many defensive magical artifacts into my hands, enough for me to blast my way back to the sect."

Yu Linzhou remembered the pile of things he had given to Lin Zhixu and nodded reluctantly.

He took two steps forward, then stepped back, reached out and pulled Lin Zhixu into a quick hug. Before Lin Zhixu could react, he lowered his head and gently kissed the corner of his mouth.

The entire set of movements was so fluid and fast that Lin Zhixu didn't even have time to dodge.

"Let's go!"

As if afraid Lin Zhixu would beat him up, Yu Linzhou said those two words and then vanished into the night sky in a flash.