NOVEL NEXT Chapter 27: Can Kids Stop Reading Those Books?
When Sang Zhe stepped out of Shi Qingyan’s cell, he was in a fantastic mood.
He had already made progress in his plans for Shi Qingyan and Si Jingzhu.
Now, it was just a matter of time.
His work was going smoothly—no boss making life difficult, no co-workers trying to trip him up behind his back.
For a working person, this was a dream environment!
Sometimes, Sang Zhe couldn’t help but marvel at how honest these cultivators were.
Positions were mostly determined by personal cultivation levels.
Many people just hit the ceiling of their talents and stopped.
Then they’d find a job according to their level, and once they were in, that was it—they were stuck there for life.
So there was hardly any competition between them.
Colleagues didn’t have to watch each other like they were enemies, and bosses only cared about your performance and work abilities.
It was just fantastic.
Demon Cultivators had it even easier. In the demon realm, it was all about the Sect Leader Hua Jianglian—whatever she said went.
Most demon cultivators were straightforward and didn’t engage in schemes or tricks.
Any grudges were settled right on the spot.
With Sang Zhe’s knack for getting along well with everyone, he thrived in the demon realm.
His colleagues adored him, and his boss valued him— as long as he worked hard, he could expect promotions and pay raises.
Life like this was way more enjoyable than the hellish world of cultivation he had imagined.
There was still some time left before work ended, and Sang Zhe initially planned to go report to Tang Yubbing.
But halfway there, a message from the Communication Device arrived.
It instructed him to go straight to the Sect Leader’s private quarters.
Sang Zhe immediately realized that Yan Rouwan’s infiltration was a success; his reward should be on its way.
So he happily headed over to Hua Jianglian’s charming little villa.
——
——
This wasn’t Sang Zhe’s first time entering Hua Jianglian’s personal quarters.
Thanks to his previous experience, he navigated quickly past the empty main hall and long corridor.
He reached a softly lit room at the end.
Upon entering, he was greeted by a chaotic scene—food scattered everywhere and bags of snacks piled high, making it look like a trash dump.
He distinctly remembered tidying up before he left last time.
In just a few days, it had turned into a pigsty.
Those hermits were terrifying!
“Sect Leader, are you in here?”
“Oh, Sang Zhe!”
Behind all those snack bags, Hua Jianglian popped her little head out.
Her hair was still in disarray, a tuft sticking up high, and she was wearing only a thin, soft silk nightgown.
This nightgown was indeed very sheer.
Sheer enough that Sang Zhe could vaguely see her fair pink skin underneath.
…He could even catch a glimpse of some enticing undergarments.
At that moment, Hua Jianglian was struggling to drag her chair out from a mountain of garbage bags, her petite frame making the whole scene both strenuous and comical.
But Sang Zhe didn’t dare go help.
He was terrified that if he couldn’t help himself and his gaze wandered to parts of her that shouldn’t be looked at…
Well, that would be an immediate trip to paradise.
“Heave ho.”
After much effort, she finally hopped onto the large chair, her tiny figure almost disappearing in it again.
“You were supposed to complete the interrogation of Yan Rouwan in five days.”
“I didn’t expect you to have recruited her right on time!”
The little girl nodded in satisfaction, “Not bad. This Sect Leader is very pleased.”
“Since I promised you some rewards, I won’t go back on my word.”
Hearing this, Sang Zhe’s eyes lit up.
Like a dog spotting a meat bone.
He was just about to drool.
“What reward should I get? This is a bit tricky.”
Hua Jianglian suddenly looked troubled, tapping her little head: “Such a big achievement; if I reward you lightly, it makes me look stingy.”
Absolutely right!
It can’t be light, it can’t be light!
He needed a heavy reward! The heavier, the better!
“But a heavy reward… I’m afraid I’m low on pocket money—spent it all on maintaining the demon sect and buying comics and snacks.”
Sang Zhe: “…”
No worries, a promotion will do.
Even an extra couple of paid days off will be fine; I’m not picky, whatever you give, I’ll take!
“It has to be a reward that adequately reflects this Sect Leader’s intention…”
After pondering for a moment, she suddenly had an idea and raised her little head in satisfaction:
“Got it.”
Then, under Sang Zhe’s eager gaze, she slowly lifted a delicate little foot.
“Lick it.”
Sang Zhe: “…?”
Hua Jianglian’s feet were indeed tiny and exquisite.
Not only were they smooth and pink, but her toes also looked like crisp, fair ice cream, tempting enough to take a bite.
Her legs were slender and light.
Not only did she have soft lines, but her leg shape was also elegant and eye-catching. Just straightening them and wiggling them a bit in the air would provoke an impulse to hold them in his hands and play with them.
But Sang Zhe was neither a leg man nor a foot fetishist.
Or rather.
Beautiful girls’ feet didn’t compare to a cash bonus.
Most importantly, Sang Zhe never expected that this little girl would come up with such a ridiculous reward after thinking for so long.
“Uh… You don’t like it?”
Seeing Sang Zhe lost in thought and silent for too long, Hua Jianglian’s little brow furrowed in slight distress.
“How could I not? Isn’t it written in comics that boys like this kind of thing?”
What comics are you reading?!
That’s definitely some weird stuff from the islands!
Kids really shouldn’t be reading those strange books all the time!
“Or do you not like bare feet?”
Hua Jianglian blinked and asked again: “Shall I wear stockings instead? Do you want black ones or white ones?”
Well, white ones are better; they fit a loli perfectly…
No! That’s not the point!
Sang Zhe’s expression stiffened; after a long time, he awkwardly chuckled: “Uh, Sect Leader, I’m a moral person. I don’t do things that would get me arrested.”
“Ah?”
Hua Jianglian looked perplexed, scratching her head, then drooped her head, disappointed.
“But I can’t think of any other rewards!”
Sang Zhe initially wanted to say he just wanted a paid leave of ten days or so to take Little Ying on a trip and relax.
But as the words approached his lips, he suddenly remembered something else.
“Sect Leader, there’s actually something I’ve kept from you for a long time.”
“Oh?”
Hua Jianglian’s interest was piqued as her little feet began to swing excitedly in the air.
“Quickly tell me, this Sect Leader will definitely grant your wish.”
“Actually, I come from humble beginnings, and it’s thanks to the Sect Leader that I was saved from misery, so I can hardly repay this great favor.”
Sang Zhe said with a serious face: “Furthermore, this matter is part of my duties—why should I be rewarded just for doing my job?”
Hua Jianglian was very moved upon hearing this.
“Very good, young man, you have such awareness, and this Sect Leader is very happy.”
“There’s only one thing that has always troubled me, and that is I can’t repay the Sect Leader’s life-saving grace.”
“So, please allow me to clean up your room!”
(Later than expected)
(I will try to finish the second part by midnight)