Misery: There is a pawn shop here

Chapter 219 A Thousand Years Have Passed Without My Noticing

The customs and traditions of this floating mountain town are unique, especially in the matter of naming, which has become an unspoken social standard. Ordinary people usually have two-character names, while those with some reputation and status often have a pen name, with the given name preceding the pen name. When people introduce themselves, one can glean insights into their broader social standing.

As the Grand Celestial Master of the Great Supreme Palace, Meng Bujue is undoubtedly the most prestigious figure in the entire Floating Mountain City, and he truly deserves this honor. The previous Grand Celestial Master did not pass the position to his son but instead passed it to Meng Bujue, and Meng Bujue has not failed this trust; the current prosperity of Floating Mountain City is the best proof of this.

As the central hub of the floating mountain city, the location of the Great Extreme Palace was no secret within the city. Soon, Li Xuanxiao, followed by Jueqingshu and Yan Qingcheng, arrived before the Great Extreme Palace. At the entrance, a young man with white hair, white robes, and fair skin had been waiting for some time. The man was quite handsome, even possessing a hint of femininity, but his overly calm eyes and an indescribable emptiness between his brows made him seem somewhat unreal, like a delicate but soulless painting.

"Distinguished guest, Si Tian has already given instructions. Please follow me inside." The young man stepped forward, his voice clear yet carrying a formulaic respect, and bowed slightly in greeting.

Embrace the darkness...

Li Xuanxiao's gaze fell on the newcomer.

Bi Ruoxiang was originally the daughter of Bi Yuxiang, the junior brother of Meng Bujue, Dongji Haozhu. She died in a dangerous situation. Meng Bujue used a strange method to give her Yin Charcoal and forged the Yin Blade into shape, allowing her to return to her body and be reborn as a human. As a result, she changed from a woman to a man and became Bao An. Originally, she was entangled with a lot of karma, but it was severed by a knife in the dark. Even her final departure was as hasty as an absurd child's play, and she never even showed her face clearly to the world.

Bao An was naturally unaware of the turbulent thoughts in Li Xuanxiao's heart. He simply followed the instructions, leading the three of them through layers of corridors to the back garden of the Daji Palace.

The garden is elegantly landscaped, adorned with exotic flowers and rare herbs that exude a subtle fragrance. Beside a refined stone table, a sumptuous feast is laid out, the dishes vibrant in color and irresistibly aromatic. Jade cups and fine wines, presented in exquisite tableware, all testify to the host's sincerity and distinguished status.

"Please have a seat, gentlemen. Si Tian will be here shortly. Please feel free to give any instructions if you require anything." Bao An bowed again, his tone still calm and even, before turning to leave.

How much do you remember?

Just as Bao An was about to take a step, Li Xuanxiao's voice rang out, neither loud nor soft, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, breaking the tranquility of the garden, but seemingly unable to cause even the slightest ripple on the returning dead.

Bao An paused briefly, then turned around, his face full of pure confusion. His fair brows furrowed slightly, and his clear eyes were completely bewildered: "What does the honored guest mean?"

Meng Bujue's method was clean...

"It's nothing, just a casual question."

Bao An nodded and then left the garden.

"What did you mean by that question you just asked?" Jueqingshu asked.

"It was just a casual question," Li Xuanxiao said, shaking his head. "But it seems that Meng Bujue is quite capable."

"Hmm?" Jueqingshu and Yan Qingcheng were both puzzled upon hearing this. Since entering this floating mountain city, Li Xuanxiao had become increasingly unfathomable.

Just then, a gentle male voice came from outside the garden, like a spring breeze brushing across a lake, carrying a heartwarming warmth, yet still maintaining its authority: "Your Excellency is truly discerning, seeing through Bao An's true nature at a glance. I cannot help but admire you."

Before the words were finished, a figure slowly stepped into the garden.

The newcomer was dressed in a black robe, the hem of which trailed on the ground. It was embroidered with intricate patterns in gold and silver thread, and adorned with countless exquisite jewels and jade stones, its opulence dazzling. Even more striking was the crown he wore, shaped like a giant butterfly poised for flight, its layers of feathers trembling slightly with his movements, as if it were about to take flight at any moment, carrying its master to the heavens.

The man's face was not exceptionally handsome, but he possessed a gentle and refined temperament. There was a faint smile between his brows and eyes, and his gaze was peaceful and profound, as if he could encompass all things in the world. When he walked, his steps were steady and his posture was elegant. Every move he made exuded the composure and demeanor of someone who had long held a high position.

"Unaware of the past thousand years, it's a pleasure to meet you all." Meng Bujue walked to the stone table, nodded slightly, and spoke in a humble and polite tone, yet naturally revealed a calm confidence.

"You're too kind, Si Tian. It was just a few casual words at the inn, yet you were able to find out so much. Your ability is truly astonishing and breathtaking," Li Xuanxiao replied calmly.

"It's just a trick left behind by the former Sitian in the Daji Palace. It's more to make it easier for the Daji Palace to detect floating mountain cities and respond in time. Meng Bujue is just enjoying the legacy of his predecessor, and he doesn't deserve such praise." Meng Bujue slowly shook his head, as if he really was just benefiting from the glory of his predecessor.

His gaze then swept over the faces of Li Xuanxiao, Jueqingshu, and Yan Qingcheng, finally settling on Li Xuanxiao. "As for you, even though Floating Mountain City is located in a remote area and has not had much contact with the Central Plains, I have heard of the name of a pawnshop. The turmoil on the Tower of Heaven has not yet subsided. I did not expect to see the pawnshop's presence in Floating Mountain City so soon."

“As long as people have desires, whatever they think, Youjian Pawnshop will visit them, it’s just a matter of time.” Li Xuanxiao picked up the jade cup on the table, took a sip of the clear wine, and felt a faint sweetness as it went down his throat. “What, Sitian is so concerned about Youjian Pawnshop, does he not welcome people from the pawnshop to Floating Mountain City?”

Upon hearing this, Meng Bujue's smile remained gentle. He lightly touched the jade embellishments on his black robe and said calmly, "Your Excellency misunderstands. I have also heard of the wonders of Youjian Pawnshop. I invited you all here today because I wish to learn more about it. Can Youjian Pawnshop truly fulfill all of one's wishes?"

“To achieve? That’s a bit too selfless. Youjian Pawnshop has always only had traders,” Li Xuanxiao retorted, but then a meaningful smile appeared on his lips. “However, since Sitian is truly interested in understanding, why not personally step into the pawnshop and see for himself?”

"Hmm?" Meng Bujue was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, clearly not expecting Li Xuanxiao to be so direct. He had originally thought there would be a more roundabout probing and confrontation, but he hadn't expected the other party to be so decisive and efficient.

Of course, Li Xuanxiao's directness was not without reason.

After all, in the entire Floating Mountain City, the one with the greatest obsession is none other than the Grand Supreme Palace Chief, provided that... this Meng Bujue is from the same family as the Wind Witch Clan in Li Xuanxiao's memory.

"Ok?"

Suddenly, in the brief moment of Meng Bujue's daze, a pitch-black pawn token appeared out of thin air in front of him, hovering in mid-air. The token was entirely black, made of wood, with a smooth and cold surface covered with crisscrossing blood-red patterns, and in the center was the character "pawn".

Such a direct approach surprised even the usually composed and accustomed-to-all-around extraordinary people and events, causing a flicker of surprise in his eyes upon witnessing this scene.

"Sir, who exactly are you?"

"What exactly it is, does it matter?" Li Xuanxiao said with a smile, his smile carrying a sense of knowing everything. "As long as you have desires in your heart, any pawnshop can help you achieve your wishes, provided that you can afford the price."

"Hmm?" Meng Bujue frowned slightly, a wave of emotion rising in her heart.

If Youjian Pawnshop only recently became known throughout the martial arts world because of the five divine artifacts on the Tongtian Pillar, then Meng Bujue's understanding of Youjian Pawnshop was actually earlier than many others. However, at that time, Meng Bujue had not yet captured its true form, only sensing an undercurrent of power stirring within. He never imagined that its strength would be so terrifying, and that the five divine artifacts were only a part of its power. Meng Bujue had not been unaware that if he could gather all the artifacts, even just one of them...

Thinking of this, Meng Bujue subconsciously reached out and grasped the floating pawn token.

It was clearly a wooden pawn, but the moment Meng touched it, he felt a chill in his hand. A strange aura instantly spread from his fingertips and throughout his body. When he came to his senses, the scene around him had changed dramatically!
The once elegant back garden, the sumptuous feast, and Li Xuanxiao and his two companions vanished without a trace in an instant. In their place lay a dimly lit space, filled with an ancient and silent aura.
In the air, ancient bronze lamps hung silently, their eerie blue flames flickering and emitting a faint, unsettling glow. Following the lamps, Meng Bujue gradually saw the outline of a building emerge from the darkness ahead. As he drew closer, the details of the building became increasingly clear.

Recalling that fleeting thought in her mind, Meng gradually became more determined. She then pushed the door open with both hands, but unexpectedly, the door opened automatically at that moment.

Deep within the lobby of a pawnshop, a figure in black robes sat in the main seat, looking at Meng Bujue and slowly saying, "Daji Palace Sitian, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Hmm?" Upon hearing her name, Meng frowned slightly, but still stepped into Youjian Pawnshop, sat down opposite the person at the table, and began to think.

There was a pawnshop, and I...

Meng Bujue began to recall, but those memories were like fragments shrouded in thick fog; the harder he tried to remember, the faster they vanished. He could even clearly recall how the dew at three-quarters past morning had soaked his robes, yet he was completely clueless about how he had arrived here. This feeling of being manipulated sent chills down his spine; when had Meng Bujue ever experienced such a passive moment?

"Why bother with such trivial matters?" The man in black chuckled, and the candlelight suddenly dimmed by three inches. "Since you're here, it means you must have something on your mind, doesn't it?"

“I…” Meng Bujue was speechless upon hearing this. After frowning for a moment, he slowly said, “If you think this pawnshop is so mysterious, then you should know why I’m here.”

“Distinguished guest, you are mistaken,” Li Xuanxiao said slowly. “What the pawnshop can provide is merely the convenience for you to achieve your goal, but where your final destination lies is a question for you to consider.”

"Hmm?" Upon hearing this, Meng Bujue barely hesitated before resolutely declaring, "I will kill Zi Ze! I will kill Zi Ze, the Dragon God of the Demonic Hell!"

Li Xuanxiao was not surprised by this answer. In fact, this was the only thing that could drive Meng Bujue to risk everything to enter Youjian Pawnshop. As he spoke, Li Xuanxiao drew circles on the table with his fingertips, circling the flickering candlelight.

"The Dragon God Zi Ze, while not an exceptionally remarkable being, still presents a considerable challenge for you." He paused, his gaze from the shadows seeming to pierce through Meng Bujue's flesh. "Then, another question arises: do you prefer to act personally, or perhaps delegate the task to someone else?"

"What's the difference?" Meng Bujue asked.

"Hiring someone to kill someone and giving you the ability to kill that person and then having you kill that person are naturally two different things." The black-robed man's voice carried a hint of amusement. "The price you have to pay is also completely different."

"I..." Meng Bujue was about to speak, then paused and slowly said, "Two choices, what price will I have to pay for each one?"

"The former is your wisdom, health, martial arts skills, and all your emotions, after the transaction; the latter is your soul."

"Hmm?" Meng Bujue frowned upon hearing this. "Is the difference in the cost really that great?"

"With your abilities, even with ample preparation, you would find it extremely difficult to kill Zi Ze on your own. Besides, even if you wanted to kill Zi Ze, do you know where he is?" Li Xuanxiao said slowly. "Sacrificing your soul to do something you couldn't do even if you risked your life—is that a great price to pay?"

"In that case, I choose the second option." Meng Bujue's voice was unusually calm as he made his decision, as if he were talking about someone else's fate.

Even if the former deal resulted in the death of Zi Ze, for Meng Bujue, the mere existence of a wretched life would be of little significance. Meng Bujue couldn't even accept the thought of one day being reduced to an ordinary state, let alone losing all emotions. In comparison, even if his soul were trapped and unable to reincarnate or transcend, it didn't seem so unacceptable.

"Haha, Daji Palace Sitian, you are indeed a straightforward person." Li Xuanxiao smiled slightly, and with a wave of his hand, a contract flew down in front of Meng Bujue.

"Signing the contract is considered a fulfillment of the contract."

(End of this chapter)