He’d eaten plain roasted chicken with no seasoning for a whole month. Forget the picky Prince Qiuqiu—even Lin Jin himself was about to throw up. So this mortal-world trip carried not just fifty taels of gold and reckless courage, but also his grand ambition to overhaul the menu of the Beast-Taming Path of South Qian Gate.
He’d bought plenty of seasonings this time, but vegetables were consumed far faster. Lin Jin didn’t want to run down the mountain every few days, so before leaving, staring at his empty courtyard, he’d made a major decision—
He was going to grow vegetables.
Yanyu Mountain was rich in spiritual energy; even high-tier spirit herbs could grow here. There was no reason vegetables couldn’t.
He spent a full day tidying up his courtyard and even went to the mountain market to buy a few low-tier magical tools to use as farming implements.
With tools ready, he enthusiastically started turning the soil—but he’d overestimated his stamina. Less than fifteen minutes later, he collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.
Looking at the land he’d turned over, it wasn’t even two square meters.
At this rate—five minutes of digging, two hours of rest—it would be next year before he planted anything.
This wouldn’t do.
Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Lin Jin considered borrowing a beast from Moyuzi to act as an ox for plowing. But before he could figure out a reasonable excuse, he suddenly heard a roar at his courtyard gate—a voice that, even after days, was still just as terrifying and bone-shaking:
“LIN—JIN!!!”
No exaggeration: the moment he heard it, Lin Jin jolted violently, nearly jumping off the ground.
The girl arrived after her voice, which even carried a faint pressure wave, bending the unweeded grass in his yard.
Seeing this, Lin Jin knew the visitor meant trouble. He didn’t know why, but instinct screamed at him—
Run!!!
Unfortunately, his fragile body was no match for Hua Nanzhi. He’d barely taken two steps before she grabbed him by the back of the collar.
Her death-sentence voice rang in his ear:
“Lin Jin, explain this to me—what is this?!”
She threw him to the ground, then tossed several sheets of paper onto him.
Lin Jin was utterly confused—until he flipped them over and saw the contents. Instantly, sweat poured down his back.
This… this was a copied imprint of his mission report.
Why did she have this?!
As if reading his mind, Hua Nanzhi sneered, arms crossed, looking down at him.
“So that’s why you disappeared these past few days. Nice. The moment I stop watching you, you find a way to secretly work harder. No wonder you insisted on that fifty taels of gold—I knew it. You secretly took on a mission in the mortal world!”
She wanted nothing more than to hack him to death on the spot, but Yanyu Mountain forbade private duels, and she’d promised not to force him into sparring again. So no matter how furious she was, she had to hold back.
“You’re unbelievable. If you’re doing a mission, then fine—but why did you write the report so well? Do you know that the Mission Hall elders unanimously rated it top-tier, exemplary, and are hanging it on the bulletin board as a perfect third-tier mission case for permanent display?!
And fine, you had praise seals from the complainants—but how do you also have one from Immortal Physician Bright Moon?!”
“This…”
Lin Jin nearly ground his teeth to dust.
Why—why did the Mission Hall have such a flashy system?! No one told him! He didn’t want this either!!!
He forced a friendly smile.
“About Immortal Physician Bright Moon… um… we just happened to run into her. She knew we were on a mission, and since praise seals help, she wrote one casually…”
“Lies! You’re outrageous! You won’t even work hard openly. You were flashy during the entrance trial, got top marks every academy exam, and now you’ve got a perfect third-tier mission case. And you still say you’re nothing special and refuse to spar with me? You’re looking down on me!!!”
At her angriest, Hua Nanzhi drew her saber and pointed it at his nose.
Cold sweat poured down Lin Jin’s face. He pushed the blade aside with one finger.
“Calm down, calm down…”
He almost reflexively wanted to say it was luck—but realized that wasn’t true this time, and saying it would only make her angrier.
So he changed tactics.
“The report lists both my name and Han Ao’s. The mission was completed together. Why don’t you go find him? I’m sure he’d be happy to fight you on the training grounds!”
A brother is the protagonist—sell him when needed.
But Hua Nanzhi didn’t buy it.
“Ha! Han Ao? That guy who sleeps in class and ranks last in every exam? You think he could write that report? He annoys the seniors daily and is still being punished. Someone like him couldn’t possibly wrap up a mission that flawlessly!
That refined wording and pretentious formatting—one look and I know it was you!”
Far away, Han Ao—currently being forced to hold a horse stance—sneezed.
Lin Jin was completely cornered.
…She wasn’t wrong.
Before he could think of a way out, Hua Nanzhi passed sentence:
“I’ve decided! From now on, outside of class, wherever you are, I am. Whatever you do, I do. Don’t even think about secretly working hard under my nose!”
No!!!
Lin Jin screamed internally.
Who would want a little demon supervising them 24/7?! That’s terrifying!
“Miss Hua, I really think this is inappropriate. Look, this was just a third-tier mission. You can take one too! The Mission Hall is always open. Instead of watching me, why not take a third-tier mission yourself, do it better, and knock me off the bulletin board? Wouldn’t that be perfect?”
“…Huh. That actually makes some sense.”
Hua Nanzhi stroked her chin, clearly tempted.
Lin Jin sighed in relief—until she changed her mind again.
“No!”
“Why?!”
“I can take a third-tier mission, sure—but what if you do something else while I’m gone? Maybe I knock you off the board, but what if you take a fourth-tier mission? A fifth-tier mission? What if you save the world and become famous? What if you suddenly achieve enlightenment and ascend to godhood?!
Then I’d spend my whole life chasing your shadow—ridiculous! I have my own life to live!”
…Miss Hua, you think way too highly of me.
And if you know you have your own life, do you really think your 24-hour surveillance plan makes sense?!
Once Hua Nanzhi made up her mind, she acted immediately. She sheathed her saber, crossed her arms, and began inspecting Lin Jin’s courtyard for anything suspicious.
She hadn’t even finished one round when her gaze froze.
“What are you doing? Why are you using a treasure shovel to dig dirt? What kind of bizarre cultivation method is this?!”
“?”
Lin Jin followed her gaze and saw his “shovel” and the half-turned vegetable patch.
In that instant, enlightenment struck.
Perfect. He didn’t need to borrow a beast from Moyuzi anymore.
Lin Jin looked at Hua Nanzhi, eyes blazing.
He, Lin Jin, had found his destined ox.
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152