Chapter 16: The Divine Trickster Son and the Divine Thief Mother

“What’s your name?” Ming Xi’s curiosity about Shi Zhiyan’s identity grew even stronger, as if this man was surrounded by mysteries.

“Shi Zhiyan.”

“Shi Zhiyan?!!”

“Yeah, what’s wrong?” Shi Zhiyan felt embarrassed by Ming Xi’s expression, which looked as if she had just exploded. After all, he had never met such a peculiar girl like her before.

“Are you the wealthy tycoon that the silly kid mentioned? The one who casually spends five hundred taels in one go?” Ming Xi suddenly ignored her pain, sitting up abruptly on the bed and asking hurriedly.

For someone as money-obsessed as her, if she got involved with a tycoon, wouldn’t she be sleeping on piles of silver bills from now on?

“A tycoon? Who told you I’m a tycoon? And… how do you know I spent five hundred taels today?”

“Because… because…” Ming Xi faltered. Should she tell Shi Zhiyan that Xiao Tong had tricked him out of five hundred taels earlier? No way! With Shi Zhiyan’s strength, he might have crushed her with a single palm in a fit of anger.

“Ah, anyway, I just know it. But if you’re not a tycoon, how could you possibly spend five hundred taels in one go? Tell me, what do you do for work? How are you so rich?”

Seeing Ming Xi acting like she was losing her mind, Shi Zhiyan couldn’t help but laugh and feel a bit helpless. He had never met a girl quite like her.

“Ming Xi, you can barely take care of yourself, and yet you’re still so greedy. But I should be the one asking you—why did you steal the Spear Chi Ming and the Oracle Tome? Don’t think you’re free just because you’re in my house. You should know the Ming family will never let you off!”

That was indeed a serious issue. The Spear Chi Ming and the Oracle Tome were treasures even the head of the Ming family dared not contract with. For them to end up in Ming Xi’s hands was a blatant act of defiance against the Ming family.

“Actually, I just wanted to vent my anger. Besides, I’m not even sure if they’ll be of any use in the future.” Ming Xi hadn’t yet decided why she contracted Chi Ming. After all, with her current abilities, she couldn’t even control the spear.

“Just to vent? Do you realize you were almost devoured by the Soul Devouring Beast just now?” Shi Zhiyan shuddered at the thought. If he hadn’t arrived in time, that reckless girl would have become another corpse in the county, and her body would have been the beast’s dinner, leaving nothing but remains.

“The Soul Devouring Beast? You mean that monster that attacked me earlier?”

“Yes. The Soul Devouring Beast is an advanced magical beast, resembling a black cat. The highest level of this beast has nine tails, meaning it has nine lives, making it extremely difficult to defeat. It advances by devouring souls. The one you encountered just now already had eight tails—it came to this county to wreak havoc in order to evolve to nine tails. It only needs three more souls to advance, which is why it's so violent. You, that little thief, almost fell into its hands!”

Ming Xi was incredulous. She hadn’t expected the creature that had killed countless people and defied all summoners to be this kind of beast.

“How do you know so much about it? Could it be that you are—”

“I’ve been commissioned by the government to deal with this beast. Tonight, I traced its trail to the forbidden area. You and your mother were lucky to encounter me tonight; your fate is not sealed yet. But that’s all you need to know. I won’t reveal anything else to anyone.” Shi Zhiyan spoke cautiously, stroking the exquisite brush he always carried. The more reserved he was, the more curious Ming Xi became.

Who exactly was this guy?!

As Ming Xi pondered, Xiao Tong suddenly peeked in through the window and called out, “Uncle Shi! How’s mother’s injury? Can Xiao Tong come in? It’s so cold outside! If you keep avoiding us, Xiao Tong and Bai Ling will freeze to death out here!”

Mother…?!

Shi Zhiyan’s mind went blank upon seeing Xiao Tong. He hadn’t had time to ask earlier when they were fleeing, but now that things were somewhat safer, he was ready to get to the bottom of it.

That kid… wasn’t he the one who said his mother was terminally ill and about to die, crying for money to arrange her funeral?

What on earth was going on?!

Seeing Shi Zhiyan’s strange expression, Xiao Tong hurried inside, hiding behind Ming Xi and looking at Shi Zhiyan with a wronged expression.

“Ming Xi, is this your son?” Shi Zhiyan raised his refined eyebrows, his tone a bit odd.

“Yes, why?”

“...You’re his mother?”

“Of course! He’s my son, so naturally I’m his mother. Why would you ask such a dumb question?” Ming Xi looked at him with disdain, but inwardly she felt something was off. Could it be…

Shi Zhiyan twitched the corner of his mouth, smoke almost coming out of his ears, and nearly rolled his eyes. “This afternoon, your son told me crying that his mother was terminally ill with only a short time to live. He said he’s been fighting pigs for leftover food every day for 21 years, never had a bit of meat, and before she dies, she wants to eat a roasted chicken but can’t afford one. He said his biggest wish is to see his mother eat a roasted chicken before she dies. Then he begged me for one tael of silver. After I gave it to him, he said there was no money for the funeral, and asked me for five hundred taels to cover it! Ming Xi, you’re alive and well! You don’t look like someone with a terminal illness about to die at all…”