Chapter 85: This Is Clearly Marital Property

He Hansu’s eyes widened in disbelief. “How have you managed to survive to this age without getting yourself killed?”

Su Jian replied impatiently, “Are you going to ask or not? If not, I’m hanging up.”

A bratty young lady calling herself the Empress was easy enough to handle. He figured her abilities weren’t particularly impressive, even by the standards of the Celestial Realm; she just started out with a leg up. It was like a Foundation Establishment cultivator strutting around among mortals, insisting on being called ‘Your Excellency.’ If she dared to come down here, she couldn’t actually harm him at all—she’d just end up fuming helplessly.

But if the restriction only worked one way, that would be interesting.

“Damn—”

Su Jian didn’t wait for her to finish, cutting off the connection immediately.

[Your Dao Companion He Hansu is requesting a call. Accept?]

He continued to reject her calls, only relenting on the third attempt, agreeing with evident reluctance. By now, he’d more or less figured out how this simpleton operated—trying to reason gently with her was a dead end. While playing hard-to-get was a cliché, it was surprisingly effective.

“This time, think carefully before you speak. If you’re rude again, you won’t get another chance to hear my teachings,” Su Jian warned her in advance.

He Hansu simmered with anger but held it in. She wanted to see if this scoundrel could possibly say anything worthwhile.

Taking a deep breath, she rattled off, “Fine, I’m begging you!”

Su Jian raised an eyebrow. “That’s your idea of asking for help?”

He Hansu gritted her teeth. “Don’t push your luck!”

Su Jian responded with silence. He knew she’d lose patience first.

He Hansu took another deep breath and forced herself to say, “I’m begging you, just tell me already.”

Su Jian commented, “Still too stiff—try again next time. There’s plenty of room for improvement.”

He Hansu was speechless. She could barely restrain herself; she wanted nothing more than to punch him right now.

Su Jian asked, “Do you have a bag on you?”

He Hansu looked confused. “I guess?”

Su Jian chuckled. “Then remember to wrap yourself up in it before you descend on a meteorite from the heavens—otherwise, you’ll likely end up in pieces. For the sake of our partnership, maybe I’ll even dig you a grave, so the wild beasts don’t get to you.”

The image popped unbidden into He Hansu’s mind, sending a chill down her spine.

But then, she realized something was off.

He Hansu frowned slightly. “How did you know what I was planning?”

Su Jian replied offhandedly, “To be honest, I can tell fortunes. I just did a reading for you—a terrible omen.”

“Your arrogant attitude really needs adjusting. Listen to your husband for once—this lower world is beyond your control.”

He Hansu snorted. “I don’t need your advice.”

She wouldn’t have tried this if she weren’t sure of herself.

Su Jian was momentarily at a loss for words. This blockhead was hopeless—perhaps it was best to just bury her early.

He Hansu pressed curiously, “Why so quiet, you dog?”

Su Jian replied, “I have no interest in talking to someone about to die. Goodbye.”

“Wait!” He Hansu called out hastily.

“Speak quickly,” Su Jian said, wanting to end the conversation.

“Fine, I’ll reconsider,” He Hansu said hesitantly.

“Work hard on your cultivation. Good luck,” Su Jian encouraged.

“You just want to steal my cultivation, don’t you?” she accused.

Su Jian corrected her, “How can you call it stealing between Dao Companions? That’s shared marital property.”

He Hansu was so furious her mind went blank.

As if! Who’s your Dao Companion, you dog!

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She considered activating the Dao Companion sparring feature right now and giving Su Jian a thorough beating.

Su Jian continued his lecture, “And could you drop this childish ‘Empress’ act? If you keep that up, don’t go around telling people you’re my Dao Companion.”

He Hansu gritted her teeth, fuming. “You despicable scoundrel! I don’t know what trick you used, but get whatever you put in my head out, and I’ll let you off the hook this time.”

Her inner monologue was: “And once you do, I’ll come down and kill you myself!”

“If only I could take it out—I’ve been thinking you’re not much of a Dao Companion. Not only are you flat as a board, but you also lack ambition. You’re hardly a match for me,” Su Jian commented.

He Hansu was dumbfounded.

Outrageous! This dog actually dared to complain about her!

She was about to retort, but found Su Jian had already ended the call.

In a fit of rage, she raised her little fist and activated the Dao Companion sparring mode!

...

When Su Jian got home, he casually glanced at the player channel.

No new messages, not surprising given the recent restrictions on chatting.

He didn’t mind—in any case, the spirit stones deducted by the system weren’t going into his pocket. Fewer pointless messages from the players was just as well.

He had no interest in their idle chatter. It wasn’t as if he could monitor the player channel constantly—this way, he was unlikely to miss anything important.

Feng Chen didn’t seem to be boasting about anything, which meant he understood the value of keeping a low profile. After all, as an undercover agent, if he became too well known, Su Jian would have to find someone else.

Next, Su Jian took out his communication jade and contacted Zhao Qianxue.

After explaining the arrangements for the six players, he added, “Find an opportunity to let the current staff go.”

Zhao Qianxue hesitated, glancing at the empty doorway before lowering her voice. “That doesn’t seem right. They’ve only worked for a day—what reason should I give?”

Su Jian smiled. “Something like, ‘You stepped in with your left foot first.’ Don’t worry about their feelings—this world is all about survival of the fittest.”

“To be a competent merchant, you can’t afford indecision. Only decisive action—”

Su Jian’s motivational speech flowed on. In truth, all she needed to do was listen.

As long as Zhao Qianxue didn’t make any fundamental mistakes, things would be fine.

And let’s not forget—Su Jian himself was backing her.

Zhao Qianxue nodded somewhat uncertainly, but the message seemed to sink in.

They chatted idly for a while. Su Jian learned that Ruoshui and the others still hadn’t reached the Immortal Guest House.

Young people should endure some hardship—it never hurt to walk a bit further.

...

That night, after returning, Zhao Qianxue hurried up to Su Jian.

“Xiao Jian, how come I never knew the Alienate Pill could change someone’s gender?” she asked, puzzled.

After returning to the village, she had heard all about the destruction of the Bai family the night before.

She was especially curious about the “Immortal Lady” the villagers spoke of.

Su Jian was speechless.

But Zhao Qianxue wasn’t done—on the contrary, her curiosity grew even stronger.

“They say it all so vividly. Are you really going to deny it?”