Fate Ends Here

New Moon Town.

Located near the Magical Beast Mountain Range, the area was quite desolate. However, it was by no means devoid of people. The place was bustling with rough, burly men clad in animal skins who came here to hunt magical beasts.

The surrounding vegetation was sparse, consisting mostly of rocks and barren soil.

Sand and stones blew across the streets. A young man dressed in coarse hemp cloth blended into the crowd, walking silently forward.

This person was none other than Ye Shu.

His face was hidden in the shadows of his hood, making it impossible to see clearly. His ragged clothes ensured he didn't stand out among the desperate cultivators roaming near the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Once out of the mountain range, it would be very easy for the villain, who knew the plot, to pinpoint his location.

Therefore, a disguise was necessary.

But in reality, it wasn't all that necessary.

Because this very disguise was definitely included in the original plot downloaded by the system and given to the villain.

Yet, none of this actually mattered.

Because this outfit wasn't meant for disguise in the first place!

It was meant to look cool.

Lonely at heart, betrayed by everyone, misunderstood by the whole world, and carrying heavy burdens alone—this outfit is practically tailor-made for me.

Ye Shu rejoiced inwardly.

Just then, a weak voice called out to him.

My lord, have pity. I haven't eaten for three days...

Turning his head, he saw an emaciated old beggar in tattered clothes. The cracked bowl in front of him was completely empty, clearly indicating he hadn't received anything for a long time.

Take it.

Without hesitation, Ye Shu tossed ten copper coins.

The ten copper coins fell into the bowl with a clinking sound.

The old beggar's eyes immediately widened, and he kowtowed repeatedly to Ye Shu in gratitude. Thank you... thank you, my lord...

No need to thank me...

Ye Shu slowly turned and walked away, deliberately putting on a world-weary facade. In an extremely hoarse and deep voice, he said, I am merely a wandering swordsman roaming the world...

A wandering swordsman roaming the world?

Right at that moment, an extremely disdainful, childish voice sounded in Ye Shu's ear.

More like a wandering poser roaming the ends of the earth!

Singing for scraps everywhere!

Xiaobai mercilessly exposed his facade.

You've already walked around this town two and a half times. You throw a few copper coins to every beggar you see and leave exactly the same way every time. You think you look really cool, don't you?

Is it not cool?

Ye Shu retorted.

Besides, I'm setting a layout. A master plan, do you understand? And to think you've read so many web novel tropes, yet you don't even get this! He put on a look of contempt and continued, Who doesn't know that eccentric old monsters love to pretend to be beggars to experience the mortal world?

To cultivators, copper coins don't even count as money.

And I only need to pay this negligible price for a tiny chance at reaping a massive reward. Plus, I get to accumulate good karma. Can you comprehend the brilliance of this investment?

After saying this, he raised his chin smugly.

However, Xiaobai looked at him like he was an idiot. Then, Mr. Poser, may I ask, with you wearing this disguise outfit right now, how would the beggar know who you are?

If he doesn't even know who his benefactor is.

How is he supposed to repay you?

Hearing this, Ye Shu's smug expression instantly froze.

Well, this... If he is a big shot, he will definitely be able to see through my disguise and repay me. If he can't see through my disguise, then he's not a big shot, and there's no need for him to repay me.

This is called a screening mechanism, get it?

Xiaobai was rendered speechless by his stubborn excuses and helplessly asked another question.

Alright, Mr. Poser, where are we going next?

You've already circled this place two and a half times. There shouldn't be any beggars left here.

Where to?

Regarding this question, Ye Shu's right hand unconsciously and gently stroked the ring on his left ring finger.

I was supposed to go straight home, but...

There is still a troublesome matter I need to deal with right now.

A troublesome matter?

Xiaobai was taken aback. Then, noticing Ye Shu's right hand stroking the ring, she opened her mouth slightly in disbelief. Are you... are you really going to throw Danxia away? She... she is your ring grandpa, and a great beauty to boot! How... how could you...

From the very beginning, she thought this was just a bluff.

It was merely Ye Shu's delaying tactic against Danxia.

But looking at him now.

This guy... seemed to be serious!

I never tell lies.

Ye Shu said calmly, Since I have chosen this path, I must see it through to the end.

With that, he tapped the ring lightly.

Master, can you come out now?

Ding-a-ling.

With the soft ringing of a bell, a fiery red figure drifted out from the ring and floated in front of Ye Shu.

Danxia was as breathtakingly beautiful as ever. Her red dress was like fire, and the golden bell at her waist danced lightly in the wind, emitting bursts of crisp, clear chimes. However, her beautiful phoenix eyes were currently filled with a myriad of emotions.

There was hesitation, unease, and helplessness.

But more than anything, there was a sense of... reluctance to part.

For the past month, she had been staying inside the ring, silently observing Ye Shu's every word and action. The more she observed, the less she could connect this young man with the heartless, ungrateful disciple from her memories who had abandoned her.

However, under the premise that Ye Shu had also been reborn, Danxia could not be certain.

She couldn't tell. She really couldn't tell!

She couldn't tell if all of this was just an act Ye Shu put on to reel her in, or if Ye Shu had been acting from the very beginning, acting from the exact moment she awakened.

She didn't dare to gamble on it.

Because she couldn't afford to lose.

The total despair of being abandoned, deceived, let down, and betrayed, the feeling of having her heart torn to shreds—she didn't want to experience that a second time.

Shu'er... she spoke softly, wanting to say something.

But Ye Shu simply nodded, then stepped toward the bustling street, blending into the swarming crowd.

I've strolled around this town a few times, and I'm familiar with the people here.

Master, you can take a look yourself. Pick someone pleasing to your eye to be your next host. I will not object.

Danxia remained silent, merely sweeping her gaze over the figures passing by.

She couldn't be sure if Ye Shu was speaking from the heart; she couldn't see into his mind.

Finally, she spoke.

That one.

She pointed to a young girl about thirty feet away from Ye Shu. The girl was wearing a light blue Daoist robe and looked completely out of place among the surrounding crowd. At a glance, one could tell she hailed from a sect.

Good eye, Master.

Ye Shu didn't ask for reasons or anything else; he simply walked straight toward her.

However, just as he got close and was about to call out, Danxia suddenly stopped him.

Stop, I've changed my mind.

Now I want that one over there.

She pointed at a white-haired old man about sixty feet away from Ye Shu.

Ye Shu nodded, turned around, and walked in that direction.

Stop, I've changed my mind again.

That one over there.

That one.

And that one over there.

Danxia kept changing her mind.

One moment she pointed east, the next she pointed west.

One moment she said this one was good, the next she said that one was excellent.

Ye Shu didn't get annoyed. Whenever she pointed at someone, he would walk over to take a look; whenever she changed her mind, he would turn around and walk in another direction.

Xiaobai watched from the side, absolutely dumbfounded.

What... what was going on here?

Finally, after Danxia changed her mind for the twelfth time, Ye Shu stopped in his tracks, turned around, and looked at her.

"Does Master feel that none of the people here are satisfactory?"

Danxia shook her head.

"Is it that their aptitudes do not catch Master's eye?"

Danxia shook her head again.

"Is it their character that is lacking?"

Danxia still shook her head.

In truth, she hadn't even looked at those people; she was just pointing at random. Her gaze had remained fixed on Ye Shu's face the entire time, staring intently at his every subtle expression, hoping to find a single flaw. But... there was nothing.

No flaws, no reluctance to part.

She suddenly felt a deep sense of frustration and disappointment. This wicked disciple... really wanted to send her away.

But she still... still didn't dare to gamble.

What if... just what if?

What if his acting was really, truly that good?

What if he was really deceiving her?

She couldn't afford to take that bet.

Thus, Danxia raised her hand, almost trembling, and pointed toward the doorway of a distant house, where a little girl was playing with dog feces using a foxtail grass.

"That... that girl..."

Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.

This time, Ye Shu didn't immediately step forward. Instead, he asked, "Are you certain it's her? You won't change your mind again?"

Danxia lowered her head, not looking at him, and just whispered in a somewhat choked voice, "Mhm..."

Ye Shu nodded and actually walked toward the girl.

"Little one, how about big brother gives you a gift? It will make you a very, very powerful person in the future." Ye Shu smiled as he arrived in front of the little girl. Under her ignorant gaze, he slipped the ring onto the ring finger of her left hand. He didn't even care whether the little girl agreed or not; he just put it on her directly.

The little girl hadn't even reacted yet.

Ye Shu had already walked away.

Only after confirming he was out of the little girl's line of sight did he stop.

Ye Shu looked at the silent Danxia beside him, took a deep breath, and spoke slowly, "Now, please erase your disciple's memories, Master. This will save you from any undue worry and allow you to follow your new master with peace of mind."

Danxia was stunned.

This wicked disciple... truly had no intention of asking her to stay.

He really... didn't care.

"You... you really... want me to erase your memories?" Her voice trembled, carrying a certain sense of powerlessness.

Ye Shu nodded, then shook his head.

"If possible..."

Just as Danxia's heart lifted slightly, she heard Ye Shu continue, "I hope Master's technique can be precise. Just erasing the memories of Master is enough. As for the memories of Lin Qingxue and the little beast... can you leave those for your disciple?"

Looking at his serious face, Danxia momentarily didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

She raised her hand several times, but eventually let it drop back down.

She turned around, flicking her sleeve to face away from Ye Shu. "Go. I will not erase your memories, and you don't need to worry about anything."

"From now on, we owe each other nothing."

Hearing this, Ye Shu didn't act overly sentimental. He respectfully bowed to Danxia.

"Master, our destiny ends here."

Having said that, he turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

Danxia floated in the air, staring blankly at his departing back.

She watched him merge into the crowd, then watched him walk out of the crowd, leaving Xinyue Town and heading in the direction of the Ye family.

...........

"Innkeeper, get me a room!"

The journey from Xinyue Town to the Ye family was long and arduous.

Even with Ye Shu currently at the ninth level of Qi Condensation, it was impossible for him to arrive within a single day.

Taking advantage of the night, he arrived at a city called Xing City, located not far from Yue City where the Ye family resided, and casually found an inn to settle down.

"Right away, please wait a moment, guest."

The innkeeper was a smiling, plump man. He quickly registered him and handed over a room token. "Room Three, Block A on the second floor. The hot water is already prepared. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to ask."

Ye Shu took the room token and quickly walked up to the second floor.

Just as he pushed open the door, took off his clothes, and prepared to take a comfortable hot bath to wash away all the exhaustion of the day...

Click!

The sound of the door being locked from the inside came from behind him.

"Who is it?!"

Ye Shu abruptly turned his head.

Only to see a figure, as bright red as fire, coming straight at him. The figure grabbed him by the throat, pinning him against the edge of the bed. Staring straight into his eyes with a pair of reddened phoenix eyes, she gritted her teeth and said:

"You heartless man... do you truly not want your Master anymore?"