Shi Jin raised an eyebrow, speechless amusement flickering in his eyes. He tapped the bar casually, his tone calm yet playful.
"Starting with magic pressure, and when you're repelled, you call me hostile? What kind of logic is that?"
The owner was left dumbfounded, the tips of her ears quietly flushing pink. Her cold aura instantly faded. She coughed lightly to hide her embarrassment and let the matter drop.
She stepped aside, no longer shielding the witch, and calmed her turbulent aura with a flick of her fingers. Her gaze returned to Shi Jin, her voice stripped of sharpness.
"Speak. Who exactly are you looking for?"
Shi Jin lifted his eyes and calmly repeated his description.
"Silvery-white hair, emerald eyes, pointed elven ears. She appears to be a young girl, but is extremely intelligent."
The owner's brows lifted slightly. She tapped the bar and pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.
"Someone who looks just like me… there is indeed another in this city."
Her tone turned grave.
"She is the holder of the Green Branch Floating Dream—a divine artifact shaped like a teapot. Is that who you seek?
This woman excels in domain magic. Her Green Branch Floating Dream can easily pull people into layers of illusions. Once trapped, it becomes nearly impossible to tell truth from fantasy and escape."
Her gaze fell on the still-humming Yama Demon Sword. She hesitated, then her tone lightened.
"With that sword, I assume you came for a duel. If so, I know a way to find her. Would you like to hear it?"
Shi Jin looked up calmly, his voice unchanged.
"No need. I only came to confirm whether she is in this city."
The owner's face darkened, her brows knitting in anger.
"What? You doubt my method? Or look down on my ability to find her?"
Shi Jin tapped the bar lightly, his tone plain but frank.
"If you know she is a divine artifact holder and how dangerous her powers are… then being able to find her would be truly impressive."
The owner was stunned, her anger fading. She lowered her eyes, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the bar—she knew full well her so-called method was slim, barely a twenty or thirty percent chance.
Unexpectedly, she huffed and looked away, her tone awkward but straightforward.
"Fine. Since you're here, I'll give you the clue for free. Whether you find her or not depends on your own luck."
She looked at Shi Jin with certainty.
"On the small eastern slope of the city, there is a lone tree. Flat all around, only that one tree.
The person you're looking for often swings beneath it. Whether you meet her is all a matter of chance."
Shi Jin nodded calmly.
"I already knew that."
He flicked his fingers, and several coins clinked onto the bar.
"Since you told me, I won't take it for nothing."
With that, he stood, placed his hand on the hilt of the Yama Demon Sword, turned, and pushed the door open.
The night wind was about to swallow his silhouette when the owner suddenly called out, her voice solemn.
"Sir, if you fight her… if you mean to take her life, please spare her.
And if she means to harm you, I will make her spare you too. She is my good friend."
Shi Jin's figure paused in the evening wind. He only said one phrase, calm and final.
"No need."
Then he melted completely into the night, vanishing at the alley mouth without another sound.
The sound of footsteps on the stone flagstones quickly faded into the eastern alleys.
Just after turning two narrow lanes, a sharp sound cut through the air above.
Three black shadows wrapped in thick black-purple magic lunged down. Demon light from their curved blades swept past his ear, the wind tearing tiles from the wall.
"Your Yama Demon Sword is quite the treasure. Hand it over sensibly, and you may live!"
The leader's eyes glinted with greed. Magic condensed into a spike in his palm, stabbing straight for Shi Jin's heart.
Shi Jin did not stop. He twisted sideways to avoid the strike, gripped the sword hilt backward, and cold sword energy instantly scattered the surrounding demon mist.
The blade hummed, and pale cyan sword energy cut an arc with overwhelming pressure, so fast it left only an afterimage.
Two crisp clangs rang out. The two black-robed figures' swords flew from their hands, their magic barriers shattered in an instant. Palms cut open, they stumbled against the wall, their demon energy in chaos.
The leader's eyes bloodshot. He roared and unleashed all his magic. Black-purple light wrapped his blade, which expanded several times, slashing toward Shi Jin's face with destructive force.
The demon wave smashed against the walls, sending stone chips flying.
Shi Jin's gaze turned cold. He did not dodge or block. The moment his sword held the strike, heavy pressure erupted from the blade, shattering the demon light and the raging wave alike.
His wrist twisted. The flat of the sword, wrapped in cyan energy, slammed heavily into the man's chest.
His magic collapsed instantly. He flew like a broken kite into the wall, spat blood, and collapsed, unable to even heal himself.
The entire fight lasted no more than three breaths. All three shadows lay defeated.
Demon mist and cold sword energy lingered in the alley.
Shi Jin sheathed his sword, the hum fading. He glanced at the whimpering figures on the ground, his voice icy.
"Next time you covet something you shouldn't, weigh whether your magic is enough."
He continued east. The moonlight stretched his silhouette tall.
The Yama Demon Sword trembled slightly behind him, as if sensing a faint magic fluctuation ahead.
Step by step, he walked toward the lone tree that hid the Green Branch Floating Dream.
Shi Jin reached the small eastern slope. Moonlight spilled over the wilderness, stretching the lone tree's shadow long.
The swing beneath the tree swayed gently in the wind, the rope rubbing against the rough trunk in soft clicks.
The area was empty, even insect chirps nearly silent. Only the wild grass scent and night chill lingered quietly.
He touched the necklace at his throat, fingers covering the cool crystal. Faint light rippled under his fingertips.
The moment his magic seeped in, he raised an eyebrow and muttered to himself.
"About one week left on the time limit… I really did come too early."
Night wind swept grass over his clothes. The Yama Demon Sword behind him hummed softly, as if impatient with the empty magic aura. Its cold light glinted under the moon, then fell still.
He glanced at the empty slope, then turned and strode back toward the city.
He picked a small street-side inn, tossed down a few coins, and took a second-floor room by the window.
He locked the door, leaned the sword against the bed, and restrained his magic. Standing by the window, he gazed toward the east, waiting for their meeting in days to come.
The next morning, a piercing chill seeped into the room, disturbing Shi Jin's meditation.
He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and pushed it open.
Fine snow was falling heavily. Every roof and street in the city was covered in thin white.
The east was shrouded in misty snow; even the lone tree's outline was barely visible.
He held his palm out the window. Snowflakes settled on his warm skin, melting into cool droplets.
Shi Jin watched the swirling snow, his gaze softening.
"Another snowy day, huh?"
He changed, went downstairs, and pushed open the inn's glass door. Cold wind mixed with snow blew in.
Before his eyes lay an utterly beautiful snow-covered city.
Thin soft snow covered the streets, crunching lightly underfoot. Frost hung from eaves, fluffy snow clustered on branches. Wind blew, and snow fell like jade dust.
The sky was bright, the snow making the city clear and luminous. Pedestrians walked slowly. Snow fell from umbrellas, leaving faint wet marks.
The air held the crispness of snow and the warmth of life—cold yet alive.
Shi Jin walked slowly through the snow. Snow settled on his shoulders, softening his sharp silhouette.
As he strolled, a street sign caught his eye:
painted in bold black characters: Minotaur Ramen Shop.
Amused, he lifted the cotton curtain and stepped inside. Snowflakes fell to the ground, melting into small wet marks.
Warmth and rich bone broth rushed toward him. Shi Jin glanced up, slightly surprised.
The owner was indeed a minotaur, ashen-gray horns standing tall on his head. His broad hands held a long ladle, simmering soup over the stove—a typical half-orc, matching the shop's name perfectly.
Shi Jin sat by the window and ordered a signature bone broth ramen.
Soon, a steaming bowl arrived: rich broth, chewy noodles. Holding the bowl in the snow, warmth spread from his fingers to his heart.
He took a sip. Steam blurred his features, but old memories suddenly surged.
The last time he had come to this Mixed-Blood City-State, he had been chasing someone—another divine artifact holder.
Cornered, that person had fled all the way here, hiding in the city's noise.
His chopsticks slowed. The past grew clearer.
He had never intended to take their life, but circumstances had left him no choice. In the end, they had crossed blades.
He shook the thought away, finished the ramen in a few bites, drank the last of the soup, left the money, and stepped out.
As the curtain fell, he glanced down the street and froze.
In the snow, something bizarre stood at the alley mouth, catching his full attention.
Shi Jin stared. In an instant, as if sensing his gaze, it dashed straight toward him.
Several anxious people chased behind, shouting.
The thing panicked, ran straight behind Shi Jin, and clung tightly to his clothes.
Shi Jin looked down.
Its "coat" was nothing but a tattered black plastic bag. He tugged it off, revealing a red-haired, red-eyed young girl.
Two tiny dragon horns stood out on her forehead. She cowered behind him, nose red, looking pitiful.
Shi Jin had no intention of interfering—but when he saw the mixed-blood city army insignias on their clothes, he abandoned all thought of getting involved. He stepped to walk around her.
"Big brother! Save me!"
The girl's fingers tightened desperately on his clothes. Tears glistened in her red eyes, her voice trembling with pleading. She pressed even closer behind him.
Shi Jin frowned. He sighed inwardly—he had no choice.
He placed a hand on her shoulder, his magic rippling softly. He tapped the ground and darted away with her, vanishing into the snow in an instant.
The soldiers stood stunned, staring at the empty street.
They landed in a quiet back alley. He steadied himself on the snow, withdrew his magic, and listened closely.
No pursuers. He let go of her shoulder.
He had just stepped back when a faint gurgle sounded from her stomach, clear in the silent snow.
Shi Jin looked down at her, at her tight lips and clenched fists.
"Hungry?"
The girl lifted her head, glanced at him shyly, then quickly looked down and nodded gently. Her fingers squeezed her clothes even harder, the tips of her ears pink.
Shi Jin said nothing more and turned toward a small, warmly lit restaurant.
After a few steps, seeing she hadn't followed, he glanced back.
She immediately hurried after him, following closely behind.
They stepped inside. Warmth and the scent of food washed over them.
Shi Jin chose a corner seat, called for a menu, and pointed to several warm home-style dishes.
Soon, steaming plates were set on the table. He pushed them toward her and tilted his chin.
"Eat."
The girl clutched her chopsticks, lowered her head, and ate shyly, her cheeks puffed slightly. She ate quickly but carefully.
Shi Jin sat opposite her, fingers lightly resting on the table. His eyes quietly darkened, original color fading into cold, sharp gold.
Faint golden magic spread from his eyes, silently unfolding into a fine perception net.
The entire restaurant, even the snowy streets outside, fell within his sight.
Not a single movement escaped him.