Misery: There is a pawn shop here

Chapter 123 Cut-off Year
The twilight was blood-red, and the setting sun sank behind the rugged mountain peaks.

Li Xuanxiao stood with his hands behind his back, his white robes billowing in the wind, his eyes reflecting the faint blue light emanating from the system map.

As soon as he stepped out of the courtyard, ripples spread across the blue bricks beneath his feet like waves on water. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself amidst towering mountains. The terrain grew increasingly treacherous, with jagged rocks sculpted as if by a divine axe, and withered vines and old trees tangled like demonic creatures grappling. Li Xuanxiao lightly touched the protruding rocks with his toes, his robes brushing against the mottled moss, and gradually entered a deep valley. The ceiling above seemed to have been cleaved open by a giant axe, barely revealing a sliver of sky. Only the rustling of insects rose and fell from the piles of decaying leaves. Reaching the bottom of the valley, he suddenly saw a gruesome crack in the ground, revealing a dark, gaping pit like the jaws of a giant beast, from which the faint glow of the system flickered.

"This terrain, this environment, hmm?"

Li Xuanxiao paused slightly, noticing that within the pit lay a bottomless abyss. The system's guidance indicated that the location was within this abyss. Without hesitation, Li Xuanxiao leaped into the abyss, immediately enveloped by an extremely putrid stench. Li Xuanxiao frowned slightly and waved his hand, creating a gentle breeze to dispel the odor. However, the deeper he went, the stronger the stench became, until he reached the bottom and saw several skeletons.

Immediately, a violent tremor shook the dark cave, and a voice, filled with resentment, resounded powerfully, seemingly protesting against the injustice of heaven.

"Who, who came here? After all these years, who is it?"

Hmm? This line, could it be...?

Li Xuanxiao raised an eyebrow, already having a rough guess in his mind. He stepped forward and saw that the cave was not deep. As Li Xuanxiao raised his hand and took out a lantern to illuminate the entrance, he saw a figure a few dozen steps away from the cave entrance, who was looking at him.

The man had gray hair and beard, was disheveled and dirty, and dressed in rags. But what was most astonishing was his lower body, which was made of mud turned into stone, almost merging with the earth.

Indeed, it was a case of irreconcilable enmity...

The moment Li Xuanxiao saw that person, he understood why the system had pointed him to this place.

When discussing various transactions within the Pili universe, the Death Horn, one of the three treasures of Death, is an item that cannot be ignored. Although the transactions involving this item are somewhat shady, consider whether wishes are granted.

But looking at it this way, perhaps the death horn of this world has some connection with the origin of the pawnshop?
"Who are you?!"

In the shadows, Qiu Daitian looked at Li Xuanxiao, who had descended from the sky. The man's clothes and demeanor didn't seem like someone who had mistakenly wandered into this place; rather, he seemed to be searching and testing. Could it be…

"Li Xuanxiao." After announcing his name, Li Xuanxiao stepped forward and looked at the person not far away, saying, "I also know you, one of the Haoran Twin Peaks, Jie Nian·Chou Daitian."

A blood feud?!

The familiar name, the familiar title, yet it was a stranger that hadn't been mentioned for many years. Qiu Daitian trembled violently, his turbid eyes widened suddenly, he was stunned for a moment, then began to laugh wildly, as if he were insane, and his laughter caused the entire cave to shake.

His expression seemed angry, resentful, and indignant, but Li Xuanxiao did not interfere. After a long while, Qiu Daitian finally calmed down.

“Li Xuanxiao, an unfamiliar name, I’ve never heard of you before. How do you know me? And what brings you here?” Qiu Daitian asked, looking at Li Xuanxiao.

“I know what happened to you, I know who the real culprit was in the upheaval in Wangsha City, and I know that the Death Horn, which is said to be able to grant any wish, is now in your hands.”

"Huh?" Qiu Daitian's expression turned furious upon hearing this. "You say you know about the events in Wangsha City?"

"Yes." Li Xuanxiao nodded and said, "I also know that because of the changes in Wangsha City, you turned against your friend and were defeated. That's why you sounded the death horn and made a deal with the Death God Sword Technique. Although you killed your friend, you ended up in this situation."

Before he could finish speaking, Qiu Daitian's body erupted with energy. Though his legs, frozen in mud and stone, were immobile, his upper body lunged forward like an arrow, his withered hand aimed straight for his face: "Shut up! Shut up!"

The palm strike stirred up bits of decaying leaves, but was blocked by an invisible barrier of energy three inches from Li Xuanxiao, making it difficult to advance even an inch. "Don't get excited. Let me add one more thing: Li Xuanxiao owns a pawnshop. As for the pawnshop, you can think of it as a place for transactions between people, like the Grim Reaper."

"Another deal!" Instantly, Qiu Daitian's attacks became even more ferocious, and Li Xuanxiao withdrew to create distance between them.

"No need to get so agitated. The transactions at Youjian Pawnshop are different from those of the Grim Reaper. Why don't you consider making a deal with the pawnshop? I can tell you about the true culprit of Wangsha City and grant you the ability to move freely for ten days, allowing you to kill the mastermind from back then. The price is the Death Horn. How about it?"

"Hmm?" Qiu Daitian paused in his actions upon hearing Li Xuanxiao's words, his pupils shrinking as he became intrigued. However, he then looked Li Xuanxiao up and down. "Heh, young man, do you think you can break free from the curse of death?"

"Why not give it a try? So, do you agree?"

"Hahaha, God, is this your test for Qiu Daitian?" Qiu Daitian laughed a few times, then looked at Li Xuanxiao, "Ten days is too short, I want thirty days!"

"Then add your soul to the list."

"soul?"

"After your death, your soul will belong to Youjian Pawnshop. Although you are blinded by hatred and your heart is somewhat tainted, your chivalrous spirit remains and you still have some value."

"Hahahaha, you, you're more blatant than the Death Horn!"

"Whether you agree or refuse, from the perspective of Youjian Pawnshop, we will not ask a second time."

"Alright! If you truly have this ability, Qiu Daitian agrees to this deal."

Rather than remain imprisoned here, living a life worse than death in darkness, it's better to give it your all and fight for it, provided that the young man in front of you truly has the ability to help you escape death.

"as you wish."

Li Xuanxiao suddenly flicked his sleeve, and the scene in the cave instantly changed. Qiu Daitian saw light and shadow intertwining before his eyes. When he came to his senses, he and Li Xuanxiao were already in a magnificent but somewhat gloomy and deep hall. Li Xuanxiao, dressed in a white robe, sat opposite him, while he...

He became no different from an ordinary person, and his lower body, which had been petrified many years ago, was restored to its original state at this moment.

"This, you..."

"A promise made by a pawnshop can withstand a thousand calamities. This is just a temporary trial card for you, to let you experience the feeling of regaining your mobility. Now..."

As Li Xuanxiao spoke, a sheepskin contract floated down from the sky and landed in front of Qiu Daitian.

“This is…” Qiu Daitian looked at the contents, which were the deal he had discussed with Li Xuanxiao earlier.

"The transaction is complete once the contract is signed. Now, sign your name."

(End of this chapter)